He was prudent enough to obtain an idea of the general direction before starting, so as to prevent himself going astray; after which he pressed the pursuit with all possible speed.

At intervals he paused and listened, but it seemed as if everything excepting himself was asleep.

He heard no sound of animal or man: He kept his eyes flitting hither and thither, for he had hopes of chancing upon the camp-fire of the abductor.
It is always a difficult matter to keep one's "reckoning" in the woods.

If they be of any extent, it requires extraordinary precautions upon the part of an inexperienced person to prevent himself from being lost.

Should he endeavor to travel by night, it would be almost a miracle indeed if he could save himself from going totally astray.
Teddy had every disadvantage to contend against, and he had not journeyed a half-hour, when his idea of his own position was just the opposite of truth.