Above all, don't struggle, or you may throw me off my balance, and then it's good-bye to both of us.

Now, be ready!" Hugh's calculations proved to be correct, for the bush gave way, and fell with a clatter of small stones and loosened earth, down toward the bottom of the steep declivity.

Claude uttered a cry of dismay when he felt his support gone; but luckily he gripped the rocky knob with his left hand more convulsively than ever, while Hugh sustained him to the best of his ability.
"That was well done, Claude," Hugh now told him, his main object being to put a little more confidence in the other boy, and thus lighten his own load.

"We'll manage to cling here for a bit longer.
When I think 'Just' Smith is getting near by I'll let out a whoop that is bound to fetch him to our assistance." One, two, three minutes passed.

It was very trying to Hugh, and already his muscles began to feel the undue strain keenly.