He tried in one or two directions; but wherever he went he sank over his boots, and, coming back, he informed his companion that they had better go straight ahead. "I know there's no bog worth speaking of; the Hause is a regular tourist track," he added, and suddenly stripped off his jacket. "First of all, you'll put this on; I'm sorry I didn't think of it before." Evelyn demurred, and he rolled up the jacket. "You have to choose between doing what I ask and watching me pitch it into the beck," he declared. "I'm a rather determined person, and it would be a pity to throw the thing away, particularly as the rain hasn't got through it yet." She yielded, and after he had held up the garment while she put it on, he spoke again: "There's another thing; I'm going to carry you for the next hundred yards, or possibly farther." "No," said Evelyn firmly. "On that point my determination is as strong as yours." Vane made a sign of acquiescence. "You can have your way for a minute; I expect it will be long enough." He was correct, Evelyn moved forward a pace or two, and then stopped with the skirt she had gathered up brushing the quivering emerald moss, and her boots, which were high ones, hidden in the latter. She had some difficulty in pulling them out. Then Vane coolly picked her up. "All you have to do is to keep still for the next few minutes," he informed her in a most matter-of-fact voice. Evelyn did not move, though had he shown any sign of self-conscious hesitation she would at once have shaken herself loose. He was conscious of a thrill and a certain stirring of his blood, but this, he decided, must be sternly ignored, and his task occupied most of his attention. It was not an easy one, and he stumbled once or twice, but he accomplished it and set the girl down safely on firmer ground. "Now," he said, "there's only the drop to the dale, but we must endeavour to keep out of the beck." His voice and air were unembarrassed, though he was breathless, and Evelyn fancied that in this and the incident of the jacket he had revealed the forceful, natural manners of the West. It was the first glimpse she had had of them, though she had watched for one, and she was not displeased. The man had merely done what was most advisable, with practical sense.