The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-06-30
A YANKEE BloNDIN.
A Thrilling Description of a Fool
ish Exploit.

ANAL AHAS@V
River on a Rope Two Hundred
Feet above the Water.
From the New York Herald.
The grand sensation of the season at
Niagara was on Thursday auspioiously in
augurated by the successful debut of Harry
Leslie, the American Blondin, who de-
monstrated the perfection of rope walking
science and the boundlessness of Provi-
Dental forbearance, by crossing and re-
crossing the frightful chasm of Niagara
River Immediately below the Suspension
Bridge. The number of spectators pres
ent on the Canadian side was estimated at
six thousand. Early in the forenoon a
drenching rain set in, with every indica-
ton of continuance through the day,
and it was generally believed that Leslie's
performance must unavoidably be post
poned in consequence. However, the vast
company were not to be frustrated in their
designs, and dauntlessly breasted the tor
rent of rain. Shortly before three o'clock
in the afternoon the rain storm abated,
and the appearance of patches of blue sky
gave promise of sufficient cessation to
permit the rope walking exhibition, and
the crowd rapidly concentrated in the vi
cinity of the bridge.
Leslie had stretched his rope across the
river at about the location selected by
Blondin in bis second season, a point some
six hundred feet below the bridge, over
the first of the terrific rapids commencing
at that place. It 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 ire
mendous, having powerful effect upon
the spectator on the bridge or banks, and
the feat of crossing the seething abyss
upon single rope must be considered the
acme of f0olhardiness. The line is about
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 centre. The heavy rain
during the day had contracted the tackle
to high degree, and the rope had but lit
tie sway, a third of the length being nearly
horizontal. ., ..s
Leslie is about twen.y-eight years of
age, five feet eight inches in height, rather
slight in build, but 1.-THE and agile, and
possessed of great nerve and muscle. At
$3.50 he emerged from the stand on the
American side, Immediately clearing a
perpendicular precipice of over two hum
dred feet, and his wife was observed to
take her position at the end of the rope
and watch his progress with intense int.
rest. Amid the grandeur of the surround
ing scenery, the daring adventurer seemed
like a liliputian upon the airy course, and
his appearance was the signal for sudden
silence only disturbed by the roar of the
restless waters beneath. He proceeded
slowly and cautiously, and when about
one.fourth of the distance, sat down upon
the rope and rested few seconds. Again
resuming his journey, he was noticed to
hesitate at Intervals, as if fatigued, but
after passing the centre space he stepped
very regularly and without hesitation until
the stand on the Canada shore was gained.
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 occu.
pied in crossing was six minutes forty
eight seconds.
Leslie appeared quite cool and cheerful
on bis arrival, remarking that he was en-
tirely at home on the rope, but complain
ed that the unequal strain of the guys, in
consequence of the rain, had rendered the
undertaking extra perilous, and great diff
Guilty was experienced in getting the right
step in crossing the fastenings. After
brief rest on the Canada side, employed
in familiar chat, Leslie again placed 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 bis
first start, and evidently experienced in
creased difficulty in passing the guys lead
ing from the Canadian shore At times he
was noticed to retrace his steps, advance
and again retire several times, on approach
ing point where guy was fastened, it
seeming to require great skill and the ex-
ercise of caution against sudden jog of
the rope liable at these points. A short
distance out he performed the feat of
standing upon bis 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 ex-
pert balancing powers by regaining his
feet in quick and graceful manner. On
reaching the opposite incline, as usually
noted in the performances of rope walkers,
he lost no further time, but proceeded
rapidly to the bank. The time occupied
in the second crossing was thirteen min
-utes and twenty-five seconds. This ended
the exhibition of the day, and the success
full terminated was greeted with prolonged
cheers. The general impression seemed
to be that Leslie is the equal of Blondin.
AMONG the items embraced in Secretary
STANToN's report, is statement of the number
of soldiers recruited under the operation of the
act of Congress authorizing the Governors of
81 60