I cared little who he was, provided he rode on and let me alone.

But till I lost all sound of him I spent an uneasy time in the ditch.
As soon as the August dawn gave me a view, I found myself on the top of a great exposed heath, across which the road reached for a mile or so, and then plunged downwards into a thick wood.

Towards this wood I hastened with all the speed I could.

Here at least I could lie hid a while till my next chance turned up.
That chance was nearer than I thought.

About half-way through the wood the road forked into three, one way on either hand striking deep among the trees; that in the middle holding straight on, and by the marks of wheels being evidently the highroad.