About noon
Going deeper and deeper in among the trees the five continued their journey ; and , when they felt sure they had penetrated far enough to avoid any chance of detection , they turned their faces northward and set out at a brisk pace . All morning the journey through the woods continued . At intervals the big trees became more sparse , and the party took all precautions against being seen , as they flitted through the open places . About noon , Lieutenant Anderson made a foraging expedition , and returned with a basket of food , which he had purchased from a nearby farmhouse . Hungrily the five disposed of it , quenching their thirst from a sparkling brook of cool water . Then they resumed their march . Night was falling when the travelers at length emerged from the woods .