The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-09-04
How plondin Crossed NIagara.

huN HnlonuAu NTOsstu NldShTds
Blondin had instructed me what 1
shbuld do. 1 was to put my weight on
his shoulders with my arms and clasp
his body about with my legs. But
could not put my weight on his legs
that would encounter his movements.
1 had to keep all the weight on his shoul-
ders. EInJuly. 1860, we went across.
took nv place on BlOndin's back, and
he began the descent of the rope on the
Canadian side. BY reason of the fact
that had to bear my weight on his
shoulders and had to use my arms with
main strength to support myself, fire.
quent rests were necessary. I told him
when 1 wanted to rest, and then crop
ped down on one foot and waited till
my arms were relieved, when 1 would
spring up again, using only my arms to
lift and hold myself in place. There
was a great crowd there. 1 did not see
them at first. I did not remember what
I thought. From my place on Blondin's
back could look out to the other shore
and see below me the stunted pines
thrusting their sharp points up from the
edge of the foaming water ready to split
us if we fell. I remember, too, that
was anxious to get over, and recall. too.
that the great rope before US made
swings from side to side. We after
ward knew that the rope swung forty
feet in the centre; felt the necessity of
preserving my self-possession and did
it. There was forty feet length between
the guys on one side and those on the
other that it was impossible to make
steady. It was the middle span. Be
low us $50 feet roared the river, and
over it we swung from side to side, still
moving OF steadily. however. Blondin
never trembled. When we had gone
about ten feet on this middle span some
body on the other side pulled the guy
line. We afterwards found out it was
done Intentionally, and the rope was
stopped in it swing. BlOndin stopped,
and his pole went from side to side in a
vain effort to secure his balance. AT
one time it was up and down. on the
right side, at another, up and down on
the left. and recall with wonder that
was only curious to know whether he
would succeed in getting control of
himself or not. / didn't feel any fear.
Failing of getting his balance he started
to run across the horrible span, and we
safely reached the point where the guy
rope came out from the American shore.
Then, to steady himself, BlondiG put
his foot on the guy rope and tried to
stop. but the guy line broke, and with
dash of speed he ran swiftly twenty
Eve feet further to the next point, where
the guys met the main rope. There ne
recovered his balance, ard whispered
rather than said "DescendeZ vOus. -
The perspiratiOn stood out on his neck
in great beads, and we balanced our
selves on the swaying rope. Presently
he said "Allons," and l raised myself
to his shoulders and we went on in safe
ty and without incident toward the
shore. 1t was not until we landed that
realized what had been done. Then
it occurred TO me that the man who
pulled the guy rope was one Of those
who bet the feat could not be accom-
plished and my indignation mastered my
reactiOnary feeling of fear. You see,
many thousands of dollars were BET up
on the ability of Blondin to carry a man
over, and human cupidity stops at no
sIcrifce. Then there were the congrat-
ulatioE and the praise of pluck and the
rest Of it, so that in my foolish, boyish
elatIoG l forgot everything else. do
remembeT-as we approached the shore
the wonderful taOleau Of 1OOO 600 peO-
pie who stood gazing at us. Thousands
Of them turned their faces away, or half
turning, cast glances over their should
eTs at us. ITemember their white faces
their strained positions of anxiety
women who stared, white and notion
less, and men who wept. and as we drew
near the bank the crowd surged toward
us, and Blondin stopped, fearing they
would push each other over the preci-
pice. Then the crowd was still again.
and with a quick run we came to the
shore and sprang to the ground. 1 re
member one man seizirg ne in his arms
and lifting me high in the air, saying 4:
''Thank God, this thing is over I''-Har-
Ty COlc0rd, IN Chicago NelCS.