From this he presently passed into the woods, and for a long time pursued a course almost due north.
It was no vague theory that had drawn Henry forth.

In one of his journeyings be had met a hunter who told him of a band of Tories and Indians encamped toward the north, and he had an idea that it was the party led by Braxton Wyatt.

Now he meant to see.
His information was very indefinite, and he began to discover signs much earlier than he had expected.

Before the end of the first day he saw the traces of other snowshoe runners on the icy snow, and once he came to a place where a deer had been slain and dressed.

Then he came to another where the snow had been hollowed out under some pines to make a sleeping place for several men.