So this guy goes for a walk

What if the devil himself should be at my very elbow!"- Foreshadow 
 which bore the likeness of a great black snake, so curiously wrought, that it might almost be seen to twist and wriggle itself like a living serpent. This, of course, must have been an ocular deception, assisted by the uncertain light. - allusion

The character does show a lot of confidence in himself until he realizes that he is by himself and then starts panicking like every other human who for example is alone and then realizes how alone they are and then starts panicking. The author does repeat his wife name because she tells him to not go but he ends up leaving with a lot of confidence until he starts panicking.