He beat about the place for half an hour, calling his companion by name; but he could not see him, and no sound responded to the call but the echoes of his own voice.
The independent Virginia farmer had anticipated Tom's intention to part company with him, and, by this time, perhaps, had passed through the Gap.
The soldier boy was not quite ready to dispense with the services of his guide, inasmuch as he did not even know where the Gap was, or in what direction he must travel to reach it.

While he was debating his prospects, an enterprising rooster, in the distance, sounded his morning call.

This assured him that he must be near some travelled road, and, taking the direction from the fowl, he resumed his journey.
A short walk brought him out of the woods, and, in the gray light of the dawn, he discovered a house.

As he did not care to make any new acquaintances, he avoided the house, and continued his travels till he arrived at a road.

As it was too early in the morning for people to be stirring, he ventured to follow the highway, and soon perceived an opening in the mountains, which he doubted not was the Gap.
At sunrise he arrived at another house, which suddenly came into view as he rounded a bend in the road.