The stony wall opposite was only thirty feet away, and somewhat lower.

From Wetzel's action it appeared as if he intended to leap the fissure.

In truth, many a band of Indians pursuing the hunter into this rocky fastness had come out on the bluff, and, marveling at what they thought Wetzel's prowess, believed he had made a wonderful leap, thus eluding them.
But he had never attempted that leap, first, because he knew it was well-nigh impossible, and secondly, there had never been any necessity for such risk.
Any one leaning over this cliff would have observed, perhaps ten feet below, a narrow ledge projecting from the face of the rock.

He would have imagined if he were to drop on that ledge there would be no way to get off and he would be in a worse predicament.
Without a moment's hesitation Wetzel swung himself over the ledge.
Joe followed suit.

At one end of this lower ledge grew a hardy shrub of the ironwood species, and above it a scrub pine leaned horizontally out over the ravine.