It meant abandoning the support on which he stood and depending entirely upon the strength of his arms to attain to safety.

The risk was desperate.

He stood bracing himself to take it.
Finally, with an upward fling of the head, as of one who diced with the gods, he gripped that perilous edge and dared the final throw.

Slowly, with stupendous effort, he hoisted himself up.

It was the work of an expert athlete; none other would have attempted it.
Up he went and up, steadily, strongly; his head came level with his hands; he peered over the edge of the cliff.