Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-08-26

BLONDIN AT NIAGARA FALLS.

BLONDIN AT NIAGARA FALLS
GREAr FEAT or CARVING A MAN Across
on his SHOULDERS AcooMPLtsHED-lM
MENsE CRowD PREsENr.--All the feats,
wonderful and startling as they havo boon,
that Blondin has heretofore performed at the
Falls. were so entirely cast into the shade by
his incredible performance yesterday as TO
seem trihing and insignificant His uncred-
tied promise to carry man across the chosm
upon his back. was kept to the letter. and
none of the predicted accidents resulted from
the fearful undertaking. Blondin first crossed
from the American side alone, performing
during the passage most Of the daring ieats
described in our account vi his crossing on
the Sd inst. After a short rest on the Cana
dian shore, he started upon his return, and
Mr.. Colcord his Agent, clinging to his back.
From his shoulders two looped cords were
suspended by his side, in which the legs OF
daring rider were swung, while his arms we're
clasped about Blondiu's neck. His position
was such that at the distance from shore to
shore he could hardly be seen, and when the
adventurers started upon their terrible jour
noy bets were freely exchanged among spec
tators on this side as to whether Blondin was
alone or accompanied according TO programme.
lie STEPPED out so briskly and firmly that it
seemed impossible that his back was freighted
with a living load But as he advanced the
rider became more clearly distinguished, and
while all doubts disappeared, the trembling
anxicty Of the lockers on was painfully in
creased. About an eighth Of the distance
was travelled without any halt or sign Of IA
tigue. Then Blondin came to a stop, and
Colcord, slipping his legs from their sings
dropped his feet upon the rope, and stood
supporting himself with his hands upon Blon-
din's shoulders while the latter rested. The
halt was. perhaps, of a moments duration
when Colcord again mounted 20 his scat, re-
gaining it apparently with the utmost case
and acting with all the solf-possession o
Blondin himself After this the halts anC
resting spells were frequent, the length Of tn,
journey and the weight Of his load telling
even upon tho iron nerve and muscle Of Blon
din Several times the spectators were terri
fed by seeing the rope tremble and sway from
some cause, and by apparent signs eff oxhaus
/ ton in Blondin. Whether these latter wer,
assumed or real it was impossible to say, bu
especially at the centre, where the rope is en-
troly clear and without guys, he shook an'
staggered in a manner to cause the stoutes
nerved among the spectators to shudder an'
turn pale.
The latter half Of the journey was per
formed with fewer rests than the first, and tn
/ last stage was one of almost desperate length
and Blondin reached the end of his terrible
trip, by an almost superhuman effort Of de
termined will When he was fairly upoi
terra frua, the pent up excitement Of tn
crowd burst forth in deafcniug cheers and tn
widest demonstrations, and the two heroes
Blondin and Colcord, were seized and born
away upon the shoulders of the crazy multi
tudc.
1t has been utterly impossible for us t
give an adequate description of this most won
derful feat. An idea Of its fearful marvel
business can neither be imagined or conyeye
by words. The part of Mr.. Colcord in th
performance was even more wonderful tina
that of Blondin, and to him belongs tn
greatest praise for courage and nerve, as eS
hibited in this daring feat. Bloudin had tn
courage Of self-relance; but Coloord, beiu
helpless and dependant, exhibited the highc
courage that springs from faith and confdenc
in another.
The crowd present at the performance yes
terday was certainly not less and probabl
greater, than tho largest collected at any tim
before. Twenty six cars we're loaded for thi
city last evening, and there were great crowd
from Rochester and the Canadian cities, a
well as large excursion parties from Detro
and Chicago, even.