The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-07-14
walking ." 1,xss Rep sv.r N,.gars
River

We have already referred to the daring
Feat OF halfcrazy French acrobat. named
BLoNpiS, in walking on tight rope over
the Niagara river, on the Both ult. The
Toronto Globe gives some particulars Of the
performance. The rope was two inches in
diameter, and l 300 feet in length but as
the chasm is only | 100 iect wide. il will be
seen tina, the line gradually rose one hun
dred lee, higher on each side than in the
middle. This rendered the descent to cen,rc,
dangerous march for Mr.. BIoxpix. The
Globe says:
Aboa, half.pas, four o'clock Blondin
took his place on the cable, while deaien.
ing cheer rose at the same moment from the
multitude assembled on each side of the
river Bondin was dressed 10 the manner
in which acrobats usually appear in the cir
Gle, and his tightly fitting clothing was COW
cred with spaugles. lie is u man apparently
about 'hirty-four years Of age, and is a
Frenehman by birth, the place Of his nativity
being near Calais. lie has followed rote
dancing as business since he was four years
Of age, and has at various times been con.
nected with Franconis, FanQue's. Ravcls,
and Other troupes. AbOu, year ago,
whilst engaged with the latter, he performed
in the Toronto lyrum,
Precisely at u quarter 10 five o'clock he
seized his balancing pole. weighing about
fifty pounds, aud although the san was shin.
ing in k.s eyes, he "a ppos forward. and al
most before the people were aware he had
cleared the American land and nothing in
terveud between him aud destruction bat
two-inch rope. The bands struck up lively
airs, and che spectators on the Canada shore
were about to greet the daring advcntarr
with cheer, when they we're stiled by the
men in Blcndin's employ. Blondin marched
on ut lively pace, his toes hardly appear
ing to touch the ropc. After walking out
about $50 yards, be @,ldenly sank down on
the rope aod took short rst. An invol.
uutary shoisier passed through the crowd MS
he thus fearlessly threw himself on his face
on the cable, while several Of the ladies'
gave pase scream and chung more firmly 10
their protectors. lie was however, up
again in moment and went on bis way M
smartly NJ before, for another $50 yards
when he again sought rcpose In the same
manner as before. On arriving about the
third of tie distance ACROSS, Blondin sat
down once more, and waived his hand for
the Maud of The Aa TO steam up under the
rope. II had been found impossible 10 an.
chor the c'sit ut the ls,iDt assigned for her,
owing 10 the strength Of the current. After
u delay OF about five inmates, the steamer
was brought directly underneath the boat,
and by her paddles being set in motion and
her head up the stream, she was KEEP, almost
stationary. Bondin then. from his giddy
elevation, lowered piece Of Irvine which
Tell on The deck OF the steamer, and a bottle
containing some liquM was fastened 10 II.
which Blondln drew up, and having drank
OF the liquor, he tossed the bottle into the
river and in q twinklng WIS pursuing his
perilous journey. lie was not long In reach.
ing the middle OF the rope, aud ran over this
portion Of it at slow trot. The steep
ascent 10 the Canada shore was the next
difficulty IN the way. but without stopping.
Bl9ndin neryed himself Tor the task. His
cOunt'nance was more plainly observable
from the Canadian side, and the perspira-
ton standing oa his brow indicated that he
iet ia,igaed. His step grew slower and
feeling began TO prevail tina, he nigh, even
yet iail IN his attempt 10 reach the now
ncarly won goal. Not face in the vast
crowd which did not wear an anx ous look.
There was desthless stiffness, and with
" bated breath" the spectators gnyed on
Blondln M be asceDded the rope. A few
seconds elapsed, and then the deep silence
gave place TO a tremendous shou, which al.
nounced that Blondn had succeeded in
crossing the River on rope so slender tina,
TO the 0n-lookcrs II appeared but little stout.
or Than SPIDERS web.
Twenty minutes hal been occupied in 20.
lDg from side 10 side, but there must be de
Quoted nearly ten minutes Tor rests. and the
tune lost 10 waiting for the Mald Of The N,a.
When BE- landed on the bank. "a hundred
hands were rendered him, and hundred
tongues congratulated him on HE success -
We bad almost said, escape lie was then
6orn triumpbantly 10 a stand occupied BY
the reporters for the press. A large nun
Ger Of persons including many ladies crowded
after him, and cheer after cheer rose from
the assemblape beyond. BIondin here at. |
tempted TO address the crowd, bu, broke
Down from bis imperfect knowledge OF the
knglish language. lie merely said. MY
dear frieDds--I have got across saie. bofs
you will remember me, for am poor.
'1nnot tell you any more 10 English; bu, ii
? all right This last remark excited a
Iearty laugh, and BIondin re,reated back 10
h: stand. lie then entered carriage and
Sas driven through the crowd, where a lib.
raj subscription was made for him. In
'Jon, half an hour be returned 10 the stand
!, the end u The roir, and in few minutes
cheer drew attention 10 the circumstance
hat be was returning over the rope 10 the
American side. lie walked down The in.
line with lively bnt steady step. halted
'efore b. came 10 the middle Of the RON.
nd sat down 70 rest. In minute be was
gain % bis feet, and having danced shor,