But he, poor fellow, clumsy at all times, and now utterly unnerved by the miseries of the day, was not man enough for the venture, and, after one feeble effort, begged to be allowed to stay where he was.
"Nonsense!" cried Bowler; "come on, old man, we'll help you down all right." So Tubbs tried again.

Had not the situation been so perilous, the appearance he presented as he clung wildly on to the rock with his hands, and kicked still more wildly with his feet, would have been ludicrous.

But it was no time for joking.

The two at the bottom piloted his feet as well as they could, and encouraged him in his downward career.

But before they could reach him he slipped, and with a howl fell backward into the sea.
In a moment Bowler, dressed as he was, was in beside him, holding him up and striking out to where Braintree, with outstretched hand, waited to help them in.