By reaching out he could now grasp the girl’s arm.
“Let go and I will land you safely on the ledge,” said Bob.
“I am afraid. The fall has made me dizzy,” cried the girl. “Besides, my dress is caught.”
“Then wait till I crawl up a little higher.”
Bob had hardly spoken when there was a sudden crack. One of the legs of the tripod had broken, and with a wild cry, the boy lost his balance and went over the ledge!
Frank Landes gave a cry of horror, and the girl above a shrill shriek of added fear.
As Bob plunged over the ledge, he threw out both of his hands, and one of them caught in some of the bushes growing below.
The bushes were torn from their roots, but Bob’s progress downward was somewhat stayed, and, when his other hand caught a bit of projecting rock, he held fast.
“Hold hard!” shouted Landes. “I forgot, I’ve got a bit of rope with me.”
He clambered up the cliff until he reached the ledge. Then he lowered one end of the rope and Bob grasped it.