The heavy bag gave him a certain stability and momentum.
"If you come any farther before I find a hold, we'll both go down," he said.
"It looks like that," Charnock agreed.

"I don't mean to stop." Wilkinson clutched at the slippery bank but the wet gravel tore out.

It was impossible to get up, and if he tried to scramble down, he might not stop until he fell into the river.

He glanced at Charnock's set face and got something of a shock.

He had thought the fellow meant to bluff and would give way if he were resolutely met; Charnock was impulsive, but never stayed with a thing.