Few would not have chilled to the marrow to be alone there, but to Henry it brought only hope and the thrill of exultation.

He had no sense of loneliness, the forest hid no secrets for him; this was home and he merely passed through it on a great quest.
He looked up at the moon and stars, and confirmed himself in his course, though he never slackened speed as he looked.

He came out of the forest upon a prairie, and here the moonlight was brighter, touching the crests of the swells with silver spear-points.

A dozen buffaloes rose up and snorted as he flitted by, but he scarcely bestowed a passing glance upon the black bulk of the animals.

The prairie was only two or three miles across, and at the far edge flowed a shallow creek which he crossed at full speed, and entered the forest again.