Why didn't Edward spend the night in the forest?

I believe that this question is asking about Edward in Chapter 20. At the end of Chapter 19, Edward is forced to flee, and he runs to a nearby forest.

. . .and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.

Edward isn't too keen on going into the forest, but he turns around and sees two figures. That convinces him to head deep into the forest.

. . . he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.

Edward believes that he is safe in the forest; however, as he begins to hear the mixture of forest sounds and deep silence, Edward becomes anxious about his environment. Additionally, night is approaching. The air is becoming chilly, and Edward shudders with nervousness or fear at the thought of spending the night in the forest.

The gloom began to thicken, by-and-by, and the King realized that the night was coming on. It made him shudder to think of spending it in such an uncanny place; so he tried to hurry faster. . .

Fortunately for Edward, he discovers a little cabin with a light on inside of it. Edward believes that he is saved from a scary night in the woods because this house is inhabited by a hermit. Unfortunately for Edward, this hermit is crazy. He starts sharpening a knife while talking about how glad he is that Edward's dad is dead. Then the hermit ties Edward up and gags him.

Now a bandage was passed under the sleeper's chin and brought up over his head and tied fast—and so softly, so gradually, and so deftly were the knots drawn together and compacted, that the boy slept peacefully through it all without stirring.

Edward didn't spend the night in the forest because he sought shelter from a crazy hermit that tied him up.