He watched the supple figure before him, wondering at the quick step, light as the fall of a leaf, and tried to walk as softly.

He found, however, that where the Indian readily avoided the sticks and brush, he was unable to move without snapping twigs.

Now and then he would look up and study the lay of the land ahead; and as he came nearer to certain rocks and trees he scrutinized them closely, in order to remember their shape and general appearance.

He believed he was blazing out in his mind this woodland trail, so that should fortune favor him and he contrive to escape, he would be able to find his way back to the river.

Also, he was enjoying the wild scenery.
This forest would have appeared beautiful, even to one indifferent to such charms, and Joe was far from that.