After the Colonel's beating he probably did not dare to hang about Four-Pools any longer.

He took to the woods and came in this direction; being engaged in petty thieving about the neighborhood, it was necessary to find a hiding place during the daytime and the cave was his most natural refuge.

We know that he is not afraid of the dark--the spring-hole at Four-Pools is about as dismal a place as a man could find.

He established himself in this passage in order to be near the water.

See, here in the corner are drops of candle grease and the remains of a fire.