There
was no sound of firing, and he judged that the enemy had withdrawn to a
distance of two or three miles.
The night had turned darker since the battle ceased, and not many stars
were out. Clouds indicated that flurries of rain might come, but he did
not view them now with apprehension. Darkness and rain would help a
herald to Lee. The current was strong, and he did not have to pull hard,
but, observing presently that the far shore was fringed with bushes,
he sent the boat into their shadow.
He did not anticipate any danger from the southern shore, but the old
inherited caution of the forest runners was strong within him. Under the
hanging bushes he was well hidden, but, in some places, the flood in the
river had turned the current back upon itself, and he was compelled to
pull with vigor on the oars.
The clouds that had threatened did not develop much, and while the
forests were dark, the surface of the river showed clearly in the faint
moonlight. Any object upon it could be seen from either bank, and Harry
was glad that he had sought the shelter of the overhanging bushes.
He realized now that in this region, which was really the theater of war,
many scouts and skirmishers must be about.
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