Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-09-14
Farini and Blondiu at the Falls--sfyuih
Garry Men over on the HopCs.
From the Buffalo Courier.

FARINI. About four o'clock, as per u1
vertisement, Farini appeared in the cuc.a-
ure. On either side the river, perhaps tWu
thousand persons awaited the spectacle.
The insane individual who was about lo
trust his If. on Farini' back, lounged about
IN the enclosure, while the PREF araUiau-
were being made, with the must suIreIr,
unconcern. He IS u Canadian, from ,"-
nsville,-McMillan by name ; a he-l
taller than the acrobat, long necked an.
lank, and with a quiet sang Jt0id IN nis
manner which bespeaks pluck.
A few minutes after five all was ready AN.
Mcmillan hoIsted his legs into a sort OF trus,
which hung from Farlni's shoulders, and
the march began. The excitement at this
moment was intense, and bets were even, as
to the successful issue of the strange expe-
diton The limbs of the ropewalker trems
bled visibly beneath the weight he carried,
burden Of two hundred weight Counting
pole and many being no feather to bear along
such pathway. 1t evidently went hard,
and Farini picked his steps down the mall!-
la steep with death-and- life precision. About
fifty feet out the peril seemed to increase -
His pole again caught in the guys, and he
labored with it fearfully. Mcmillan slid
born, walked step for stem behind bis mas
ter, steadying himself by his hold on EarlnIS
shoulders. This duet they kept up for some
distance, Mem. apparently being as cocl as
a cucumber, looking round and taking OBJ
.eryations. About one-iOurth OF the way
cut, both sat down astride of the rope and
held tete tete, Mem, the only one who
had a cap, waving 1t at his friends on the
bank. Another walk in the same perllous
Indian file brought them nearly TO the mid
die of the rope. Here another rest was taken,
and FarIni swung himself under his neigh
Dor and took position ahead, facing back to
ward the American side again
Threo-fourths of the homeward journey,
Farini accomplished according to programme.
Several times be let the man of, and Nc.
came along for short distance in rear Of hls
pilot, as before. Slowly and steadily the
load was borne up the ascent to the platform
and the two landed amid the cheers OF the
crowd. Farini perspired freely, but did not
appear to be particularly latigued NcM.
quenched his thirst with glass OF lager put
on his coat, and looked as if nothing had
happened. He disclaimed having felt the
slightest fear To all appearance, il ;ac
words Of an adjacent Hibernian, Jack was
as good as his master, in all that pertains 10
pluck and strength OF nerve. The Iasaoge
occupied about three quarters OF an hour.
BLoNpIN At four clock precisely. Bi0n-
din stepped upon his well-secured and well
trodden cable, and started for Canada on a
run. Several thousand spectators witnessed
the fun from both sides of the river and from
the bridge. On his way over he performed
all sorts of gymnastics He hung by his
hands. his feet and his elbows. Dropping
down into his swing, rope which hangs
about twenty feet below the main cable al
its centre, be turned sixteen handsome som
mersaults Then he lay on his back and
anon on his face, striking out with hands
| and feet like swimmer. lie was fifteen
minutes making the passage.
lie stopped ON the Canadian side about
| half an hour, tightened his rope, and finally
reappeared with Harry Colcord, his agent
/ firmly set on his back. 1t will be remem-
! bered that Colcord made the same adventur
| Gus Journey last summer. Twice BlondIr
stopped, and his burden slipped down on Z
! the rope, giving time for a breathing spell
The crossing occupied just fourteen minutes
! The indefaticable little Frenchman hoppeC
ashore with as much nonchQlQRoe as if he haC
! been footing it in parlor Colcord looke(
white about the gills, but his nerve was vi
shaken. The whole feat was performed with
perfection of skill and agility and grace
1t affected one as u piece OF waltz musl
might, played in perfect time, or perhaps al
pas ssul of some accomplished danseuse.--
1t is the poetry Of rope walking-fool-hardi
ness made science.