The girls rather enjoyed themselves; it was an unexpected country excursion, and had all the charm of novelty. They walked about half a mile, chatting about school matters as they went, then suddenly they were confronted by an alternative. A bridge spanned the river, and the broad, well-trodden path along which they had come turned over the bridge. There was indeed a track that continued along the left bank, but it was over-grown, and looked little used. Which were they to take? That was a question which required discussion. "The girl said: 'keep along the river bank on the left,'" urged Ingred. "Yet the path so plainly goes across here," demurred Verity. "That's certainly the left bank, but that way looks as if it led to nowhere," vacillated Beatrice. "Can't we ask anybody?" "There isn't a soul in sight." "Isn't there a signpost?" "Nothing of the sort." "Then which way _shall_ we go?" "Better take votes on it." "Right-o! I'm for 'bypath meadow.'" "And I'm for the 'king's highway.'" "So am I, so we're two to one!" "I'll give in, then," said Ingred, "only I've a sort of feeling we're going wrong, all the same!" The new path led along the opposite bank, and was very much a replica of the former. It ran on and on for what seemed quite a long distance, but they met nobody from whom they could inquire the way. For nearly a quarter of a mile a belt of trees obscured the view, and when at last the prospect could once more be seen, Beatrice stopped short with a groan of despair. On the other side of the water was the unmistakable spire of Waverley church. "We've come wrong, after all!" "Oh, good night! So we have!" "What an absolute swindle!" The girls were certainly not in luck that day. They had missed their path as effectually as they had missed their train. The chimneys of Waverley were in sight, but separated from them by a wide stream, and unless they were prepared to wade, swim, or fly, there was no way of reaching the village. "There's nothing for it but to turn back!" "Why, but that's _miles_!" "Are you sure it's Waverley over there? Can we ask anybody?" "No one to ask, worse luck!" "Yes, there is! I can see some people coming along in a boat." Rendered desperate by the emergency, Ingred struggled through the reeds to the very edge of the river, and lifted up her voice in an agonized cry of "Help!" A punt was drifting slowly with the current, and its occupants, a lady and gentleman, looked with surprise at the agitated girl who was hailing them from the bank. The gentleman at once paddled in her direction, and, running his little craft among the reeds, inquired what was the matter. "Oh, please, is that Waverley over there?" asked Ingred anxiously. "We've lost our way, and we've walked miles! Is there any bridge near?" "That's certainly Waverley, but there's no bridge till you come to one a mile and a half down stream." Ingred's face was tragic. She turned to Beatrice and Verity, who had joined her.