Each moment I expected it to snap in two or give way at the roots; but no: it held fast, and Jack swung to and fro, and danced up and down over the awful gulf till he was within our reach.
"Now!" shouted the doctor to me.

"Both together." I did as he did, clutched at Jack's legs as they swung up to us; held on; and then we threw ourselves back, dragging with all our might.
"Let go! let go!" roared the doctor to Jack.
"I daren't, not yet," he cried, with his head hidden from us, that and his body being over the gulf, while we had his legs over the edge of the rock.
"But the tree is drawing you away from us," shouted the doctor.

"Let go, I say." All this time it was as though Jack Penny were made of india-rubber, for as we pulled his legs it was against something elastic, which kept giving and drawing us back.
For a few moments it seemed doubtful whether we should save him, for our hold was hastily taken and none of the best, and I felt the cold perspiration gathering in my hands and on my brow.

Then just as I felt that I must give way, and the doctor's hard panting breathing sounded distant and strange through the singing in my ears, our desperate tugging prevailed over even the wild clutch of one who believed himself in deadly peril.

Jack's hands relaxed, and we all fell together amongst the bushes, but safe.
No one spoke, and the dull sound of panting was heard even amidst the roar of the falling waters.