He shouted to the men at the tackle, who bent their backs and hauled, but the timber did not rise as it ought.

Charnock, looking round, noted that the stake the tackle was fastened to was pulling out.
"Get from under! She's coming down on top of you!" he cried.
Festing looked up and saw the danger; but if the log fell it would not stop until it and the tackle plunged into the rapid below.
"Stay with it!" he gasped; and he and his companions braced themselves against the crushing weight.
The veins rose on his forehead.

His back was arched and his wet slickers split, but it was plain to Charnock that the men could not hold up the timber, which would injure them if it fell.

But with help they might perhaps move it enough for the point to sink into the hole before the tackle gave way, and Charnock leaped recklessly from the top of the bank.

He knew what he was undertaking when he took hold.