Why did Powell trot away from the Seward mansion instead of galloping away?

• A. To escape quickly without drawing attention.
• B. To conserve energy for pursuit.
• C. To avoid making noise and drawing attention.
• D. To not tire his horse and not bring attention to himself.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is balancing pace with discretion. Galloping would be fast but loud and easily noticed, and it would quickly tire the horse. Trotting allows him to put distance on the ground while keeping the horse steady and less conspicuous. The strongest reason is that this pace both preserves the horse’s energy for a continued escape and minimizes drawing attention to himself. That’s why the choice that emphasizes not tiring the horse and not bringing attention to himself is the best fit.