The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-06-27
TIE NEW BLOEDIN.
SueeessfaI Crossing Of the Niagara
River ON a kOpe.

MMnWAEA
River ON a ROpe.
The last sensation at Nisgara is the PEP
formaucs Of Harry Leslie, who is STYLED
the American Blondin. On ThuIsdsy
week that individual walked the river on a
rope, some two hundred feet above the
water.
Leslie had stretched his rope across the
river st about the location selected bv
Blondin in his second season, point soma
SIX hundred fest below the bridge, over the
mat OF the terrific rapids commencing st
that place. It has span of about eight
hundred feet. The surge Of the current at
this point is tremendous, having q poWer-
ful effect upon the spectator on the bridge
or banks. The line is about four-iaeh
hsnils, and is stayed by eighty guys.
twenty leE1lng from q side TO each bark.
an open space of about thirty feet occur
ring IN the centre The heavy rain dp-inc
the day had contracted the tackle to a hieh
degree, and the rope had but little sway.
third of the length being nearly hori-
zontsl.
Leslie IS about twenty-eiglt yeas of age.
five feet eight inches in height rather sliebt
IN build, but 1.-the and sgile, and possessed
Of great nerve and muscle. At 4,32 ba am,
erged from the stand on theAmerican side.
Immediately clearing perpendicular prec-
ipice OF over two hundred feet. and bi3 wife
was observed to take her position at the
end OF the rope, and watch his rrogress
with intense interest. Amid the grandeur
oil the surrounding scenery the daring sd-
Venturer seemed like lilhputian upon the
airy course, a. his appearance was the
signal fSr sudden silenee only disturbed
Dy the roar OF the restless waters benesfb-
be proceeded slowly and cautiously. ana
when about one-fourth Of the distance. sat
down upon the rope and rested few sec.
onds. Again resumiDg his Iournev. he WAS
noticed to hesitate st intervals, as if iffstioued
bat after passing the center space he STEM.
ped very regularly and without hesitation
until the stano on the Canada shore was
gained The time occupied in crossing was
SIX minutes and forty. eight seconds.
Alter brief rest on the Cam side.
employed in familiar chat, Leslie sgain
poised the balancing pole, and started on
his return, the time being IL minutes 70
o'clock. He prOce sded down the incline
with the same caution msni.ested in his
hrst start, and evidently experienced in
creased oitheulty IN passing the guys Lead
ing from the Canada shore. At times be
was noticed to retrace his steps. advance
and again retire several times. on an
preaching point where guy was fastan-
cd, it scanned to require great skill and the
exercise OF extreme caution against A sud-
den jog of the rope liable st these points.
A short distance out he performed the fest
OF standing on his left foot, placing the
ball of his right foot sgaint his left Knee.
Gaining the centre of therope he Law down
upon his back, and exhibited his expert
balancing powers by regsining his feet in a
quick and graceful manner. On reaching
the opposite incline, IS usually noted IN
the performances of rope walkers, he lost
no further time, but proceeded rapidly to
the bank. The time occupied in the sec
ond crossing was thirteen minutes and
twenty-five seconds. The general in pres-
sion seemed to be that Leslie is the equal
of Blondin.