It was well for him that he had not known what lay beneath when, but now, he thrust his foot into vacancy, for then his senses might have failed him.
Suddenly he remembered Francisco, and opened his eyes, which he had closed to shut out the sight of the yawning gulf beneath.

It was not too soon.

The priest had seen also, and consciousness was deserting him; even as Leonard turned his knees gave way, and he sank forward and downward.
Quick as thought Leonard stretched out his right hand and caught Francisco by the robe he wore, then, resting his weight upon the rifle, he strained at the priest's falling body with all his force in such a manner that its direction was turned, and it fell sideways upon the platform, not downwards into space.

Leonard dragged at him again, and thrust him into the mouth of the little tunnel through which they had reached this dreadful eminence, where he lay quiet and safe, lost in blessed insensibility.
All this took place in a few seconds.

The two priests of the Snake, who stood by them as calmly as though their feet were still on the solid earth, saw, but made no movement.