At the time of the making of the roof, the palm branches had no doubt been securely fastened, and now this portion of a branch which hung down was still attached to the top of the outer wall of the building, but had ceased to be connected with the central split date tree beam, and had fallen inward, hanging near the wall.

Did the palm branch hang low enough so that, if he jumped, he could grasp it?
The portion of the old palm branch was a slender thing.

It would not have borne the leopard's weight.

Probably the animal had tried to clutch the branch before now.

The lower end might be frayed by his claws.
"Will the branch bear my weight ?" questioned Timokles.
He dared not rush across the room, and leap toward the hanging palm branch.