Jack had sauntered a rod back, as if with no special purpose in mind, when his object was to secure the impetus that would land him far in advance of his comrade.

Standing thus, he complacently watched Fred, as his body rose in air, gracefully curved over, and landed at a safe distance beyond the edge of the canyon.
It was while Jack Dudley was standing thus that he fancied he saw a disturbance in the bushes where Fred was about to alight.

It was so slight that he did not think it meant anything; and, without noticing it further, he started on a series of quick, short steps, which were to give him the necessary momentum to win the victory over his friend.

At that instant Fred landed and emitted a cry of terror and warning.
"Look out, Jack! Don't jump! Stop! stop!" But, though Jack heard the cry, it was too late to heed it.

He was so near the edge of the canyon that had he checked himself he would have gone spinning to death down the abyss.