One of them would have to go back to let the other pass, and it would be difficult to turn if they met at the gully.

Charnock did not mean to give way, and with his arms crooked to support his load, he required some room.
There was no way up the torn bank, and on the other side a nearly perpendicular slope of wet soil and gravel ran down to the river.

In places, the surface was broken by small, half-buried firs.
When both were near the gully Wilkinson stopped, and Charnock, whose head was bent, thought he had not known who he was.

He certainly looked surprised, and Charnock was conscious of rather grim amusement as he guessed the reason.

Wilkinson had, no doubt, not expected him to be capable of carrying a heavy bag along the dangerous ledge.
"Hallo!" he said.