He had no expectation of coming upon Peppajee--unless Peppajee deliberately put himself in his way--and so there was no need of caution.

He stopped once, and stood long minutes with his head turned to catch the faint sound of high-keyed laughter and talk which drifted up to him.

If he went higher, he thought, he might get a glimpse of them--of her, to tell his thought honestly.

Whereupon he forgot all about finding and expostulating with Peppajee, and thought only a point of the ridge which would give him a clear view downstream.
To be sure, he might as easily have retraced his steps and joined the group, and seen every changing look in her face.

But he did not want to be near her when others were by; he wanted her to himself, or not at all.