Miss Miller turned to speak to Elena and was struck at the look on Nita's face. She turned about to see what caused it, and saw a dog-cart coming from the opposite direction. She knew intuitively who was driving the high-stepping horse. There was no room to pass each other on the narrow road, and the banks rose over three feet on either side. There was only one thing to do. The young man jumped down and took his horse by the head, backing him along the road until a small spot was found where he could turn out and permit the load of girls to pass. He stared impudently at Zan as he knew she was the doctor's daughter, camping at Wickeecheokee. He raised his hat as she glanced in his direction and Miss Miller thanked him coldly for his courtesy.
Immediately after, the Guide turned abruptly to address Jane but looked keenly at Nita. The girl failed to notice the teacher, however, for she was leaning out of the surrey looking behind where the young fellow still stood waving his hat.
"Zan, stop at once! Nita's lost something! What was it, Nita—I'll help you find it?" said Miss Miller.
"Why—nothing! I didn't lose anything," replied the girl, flushing the moment she realised that she had been caught.
"Oh, I thought you were looking along the road for something you had dropped. Well, drive on, Zan, it's all right!" said the Guide.
"I might have dropped my hat and had a chance to get out and see Jack Everton," thought Nita regretfully.
The rest of the drive over the woodland road was silent, but the girls soon began chattering again, at sight of interesting things in meadows.
After leaving the woodland, Zan let the horse climb up a gradual ascent, taking his time to do so. The road doubled many times before reaching the top. This was to make the ascent easier, Miss Miller explained. At the summit the girls jumped out and admired the view. Zan unhooked the loose check-rein and let the horse graze for a time.
"We can see Baldy right across the valley—see?" said Zan, pointing in the direction of the knoll.