He knew that it passed through the Blue Ridge, at the western base of which flowed the Shenandoah River: this emptied into the Potomac, which would certainly conduct him to Washington.
In following these two rivers, he should have to describe nearly a circle, which was not an encouraging fact to a boy on foot, with no resources, and in an enemy's country.
If he returned by the way he came, the country was filled with rebel soldiers, and he could hardly expect to pass through their lines without being captured.

Difficult and dangerous as the route by the Shenandoah appeared, he decided to adopt it.
Joe Burnap proposed that they should have supper and opened the bag which he had filled with such eatables as he could hastily procure on leaving home.

They ate a hearty meal, and then resumed their walk for another hour.
"I reckon we'd better stop here," said Joe.

"The Gap's only half a mile from here, and it's too arly in the night to go through thar yet.

Thar's too many soldiers goin' that way." "What time will you go through ?" asked Tom.
"Not afore midnight." "Then I'll turn in and take a nap.