There was nothing there but the wood.

He stood a minute, thinking.

Then he began searching for the hitching-rope in the front of the wagon, but he could not find it.

Finally he led the horse to the side of the road, unwound the reins from the stake, and fastened him as well as he could to a tree.
Then he went on down the road.

His knees felt weak under him, but still he kept up a good pace.