The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-06-24
THE YANKEE BLONDiN.


THE YANKEE BL0NDiN.
| The grand sensation of the season at
Niagara was on Thursday allsplciously
| inaugurated by the successful de6W OF
| Harry Leslie, the American Blondin,
| who demonstrated the perfection of rope
| walking science and the boundlessness
of Providential forbearance, by crossing
and recrossing the frightful chasm of
Niagara river, Immediately below the
Suspension Bridge. The number of spec
tatOrs present on the Canadian side was
estimated at six thousand. Early in the
forenoon drenching rain set in, with
every indication of a continuance through
the day, and it was generally believed
that Leslie's performance mustunavOida-
voidably be postponed in consequence.
However, the vast company were not to
be frustrated in their designs, and daunt-
lessly breasted the torrent of rain. Short
ly before three o'clock in the afternoon,
| the rain storm abated and the appear
ance of patches of blue sky gave pro-
mise of sufficient cessation to permit
the rope walking exhibition, and the
crowd rapidly concentrated in the vicini-
| ty of the bridge.
Leslie had stretched his rope across the
| TlNeT ut dDOub UIlc oclCCtCu NY
Blondin in his second season, point
some six hundred feet below the bridge,
over the first of the terrific rapids COM
mencing at that place. 1t has span of
about eight hundred feet, and probably
an elevation of two hundred feet from the
water. The surge of the current at this
point is tremendous, having a powerful
effect upon the spectator on the bridge or
banks, and the feat of crossing the seeth-
ing abyss upon single rope must be con-
sidered the acme of foolhardiness. The
line is about q fOur-inch Manila, and is
stayed by eighty guys, twenty leading
from side to each bank, an open space
of about thirty feet occurring in the cen.
tire. The heavy rain during the day had
contracted the tackle to high degree
. and the rope had but little swag, athird
of the length being nearly horizontal.
Leslie is about twenty-eight years Of
age, five feet eight inches in height
rather slight in build, but 1.-the and
agile, and possessed of great nerve ano
muscle. At $50 he emerged from the
stand on the American side, immediate
| iy clearing perpendicular precipice O
over two hundred feet, and his wife was
observed to take her position at the enc
of the rope and watch his progress with
intense interest. Amid the grandeur o.
the surrounding scenery, the daring adj
venturer seemed like a liliputian upon
the airy course, and his appearance was
the signal for sudden silence only dis
turbed by the roar of the restless waters
beneath. He proceeded slowly and eau.
tiOusly, and when about One-iOurth Of
the distance, sat down upon the rope
and rested a few seconds. Again resum.
ing his Journey, he was noticed to hest
tate at intervals, as if fatigued, but aftei
passing the centre space he stepped very
regularly and without hesitation until
the stand on the Canada shore was gain
, ed. A loud cheer greeted the success OF
the feat, which was taken up along the
bridge to the American bank, and the
bands again struck up music. The time
occupied in crossing was six minutes
forty-eight seconds.
4 Leslie appeared quite cool and cheer
full on his arrival, remarking that he was
entirely at home on the rope, but com.
planned that the unequal strain of the
guys, in consequence of the rain, had
rendered the undertaking extra perilOus
and great difficulty was experienced in
getting the right-step in crossing the
fastenings. After a brief rest on the
Canada side, employed in familiar
chat, Leslie again poised the balancing
pole and started on his return, the time
, being twelve minutes to five O'Clock
He proceeded down the incline with
the same caution manifested in his
J first start, and evidently experienced
increased difficulty in passing the guys
/, leading from the Canadian shore. Al
times he was noticed to retraee his steps
= advance and again retire several times
! on approaching point where a guy was
: fastened, 1t seeming to require great
!, skill and the exercise of extreme caution
against sudden jog of the rope liable at
, these points. A short distance out he
! performed the feat of standing upon his
! left foot, placing the ball of his right
foot against the left knee. Gaining the
centre of the rope, he lay down upon his
back and exhibited his expert balancing
powers by regaining his feet in a quick
and graceful manner. On reaching the
! oppOsitite incline, as usually noted in
the performances of rope walkers, he
! lost no further time, but proceeded rapid.
ly to the bank. The time occupied in
. the second crossing was thirteen minutes
and twenty-five seconds. This ended
the exhibition of the day, and the sue
cessfll termination was greeted witt
prolonged cheers. The general impre.,
sion seemed to be that Leslie is the equa
| of Rlpndir,