Now, be ready, Claude; and, remember, it's going to be all right.

Keep cool!" Of course, Hugh only said that last to reassure the poor chap.
Claude was already cold with fear, as cold as an icicle, in fact; and quaking with fear in the bargain.
It was easy enough for Hugh to drop down another foot or so, until he felt the solid little ledge under him.

Indeed, had it been necessary, such an agile fellow very likely might have continued all the way down to the base of the precipice.
His next move was to find a firm hold for his left hand, to which he could continue to cling while he sustained much of the weight of the other boy, after the weakened roots of the bush gave way entirely.
Claude was trying to do what he had been told, though in rather a bungling fashion.

Inch by inch he allowed the bush to slip through his hands, looking down as well as he was able at the same time, in order to ascertain just how near he might be to that same ledge Hugh had told him of..