"Now," he said, "can you do the lockstep?"
"Never tried it," said Nick.
"Sure about that?"
"Never learned—never had to."
"Well, you'll have to learn it now—unless you wish to fall into the swamp. Get up close to me, and take hold of my sides under my arms. Then follow in my footsteps as nearly as you can."
"I say, Handsome, you've got some education yourself."
"Never mind that now. We're not going into pasts just at present."
"All right. Lead the way. I'm ready."
Nick's eyes were so securely bandaged that he had not the least idea where they were going, or where his footsteps tended; but even had he been without the bandage he could hardly have told that, for the deeper they penetrated into the swamp, the darker it became, and only those who were perfectly familiar with the pathway could pass that way in safety in the night.
There were times when Nick's feet slipped from the precarious footing, and he slid into the water up to his knees; and once he went in to his waist; but Handsome was always ready to seize upon him and support him to dry land again at such times.