Oliver tried to catch the beast as bidden, but again Dobbins shied.
The movement threw the boy to the very edge of the path. He tried to save himself, but it was useless; and [the next instant his body disappeared over the edge]!
[The next instant his body disappeared over the edge!]
CHAPTER XXIV.
IN THE MOUNTAINS.
Without an instant’s warning, Oliver Bright found himself in a situation that thrilled him with horror. As he went over the edge of the narrow path he did his best to save himself, but, as has been told, it was useless; the grass he clutched came out by the roots, and then he found himself going down and down, he knew not where.
He turned over and over as he rolled, and uttered several wild cries—cries that fairly pierced the heart of Gus, Mr. Whyland, and Cottle the guide, who could do nothing to save him.
The descent was fully sixty or seventy feet. Just before reaching the whirling torrent below, Oliver’s body struck a projecting rock, and this encounter, rude as it was, undoubtedly saved his life.
This can be easily seen, when it is told that to have fallen into the river would have been instant death. The current would have dashed him directly on the rocks, and that would have ended all.