And so they came, all alone,--for Aunt Julia, though both limbs and mind were strong, had not been able to keep up with them,--all alone to the Stryd. The Stryd is a narrow gully or passage, which the waters have cut for themselves in the rocks, perhaps five or six feet broad, where the river passes, but narrowed at the top by an overhanging mass which in old days withstood the wearing of the stream, till the softer stone below was cut away, and then was left bridging over a part of the chasm below. There goes a story that a mountain chieftain's son, hunting the stag across the valley when the floods were out, in leaping the stream, from rock to rock, failed to make good his footing, was carried down by the rushing waters, and dashed to pieces among the rocks. Lord Lovel told her the tale, as they sat looking at the now innocent brook, and then bade her follow him as he leaped from edge to edge. "I couldn't do it;--indeed, I couldn't," said the shivering girl. "It is barely a step," said the Earl, jumping over, and back again. "Going from this side, you couldn't miss to do it, if you tried." "I'm sure I should tumble in. It makes me sick to look at you while you are leaping." "You'd jump over twice the distance on dry ground." "Then let me jump on dry ground." "I've set my heart upon it. Do you think I'd ask you if I wasn't sure?" "You want to make another legend of me." "I want to leave Aunt Julia behind, which we shall certainly do." "Oh, but I can't afford to drown myself just that you may run away from Aunt Julia. You can run by yourself, and I will wait for Aunt Julia." "That is not exactly my plan. Be a brave girl, now, and stand up, and do as I bid you." Then she stood up on the edge of the rock, holding tight by his arm. How pleasant it was to be thus frightened, with such a protector near her to insure her safety! And yet the chasm yawned, and the water ran rapid and was very black. But if he asked her to make the spring, of course she must make it. What would she not have done at his bidding? "I can almost touch you, you see," he said, as he stood opposite, with his arm out ready to catch her hand. "Oh, Frederic, I don't think I can." "You can very well, if you will only jump." "It is ever so many yards." "It is three feet. I'll back Aunt Julia to do it for a promise of ten shillings to the infirmary." "I'll give the ten shillings, if you'll only let me off." "I won't let you off,--so you might as well come at once."