There was a point, distinctly marked north of Jackson, where he was to find Hertford if he arrived in time, or to wait for him if he got there ahead of time, and he believed that with the aid of the map he could reach it through the woods.
He rode now by the sun and he saw neither path nor fields.

He was in the deep wilderness once more.

The mockingbirds sang around him again and through the rifts in the leaves he saw the sailing hawks seeking their prey.

Three huge owls sitting in a row on a bough slept undisturbed while he passed.

He took it as an omen that the wilderness was deserted, and his confidence was strong.
But the firm ground ceased and he rode through a region of swamps.