Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-17

know that I kept my eyes open and look
ed down without feeling dizzy. II was =
supreme moment, and. perhaps. the glsua~
ton gave me the nerve that carried me
through the ordeal looked TO The fur-
Their shore. and could see the tense forms
Of the multitude. They stood silent ana
fearful. DO not believe ono person "
that throng enjoyed the perilous scene.
s'In order that Biendin's hmDs mlens nv
be hampered In action, all my wusns -.
thrown upon his shoulders. my legs Eest-
ing very lightly In the hooks tor tn'
reason my arms became 90 tireo tnaS
lore we got out 10 feet I was compelled
10 dismount three times to rest myseif.
The first time did this heard noaiss
rnurmur from tho crowd. When 1 as
mounted I placed my hands lightly on
Blondin's shoulders and stood with my
right foot on the rope. the left leg point
ing outward and downward TO be used ~
a balancing medium. Reaching the lass
guy rope on the Canadian side. from
which we had started, there were ahead
Of US 40 feet Of line unprotected BY lines
With his foot resting on the last guy
rope, Blondin said to me: Harry, what
ever you do, as we cross this ursupporto0
place, do not attempt TO balance your
self. Be perfectly passive. as though ycu
were O part OF my own body. II ieans
lean with me. On you depends the safety
Of our passage Then no stepped out to-
ward the swaying centre. In a moment
ne had lost his equilibrium He leaned
away over to the right; to me II seemed
our bodies were parallel with tho earth
I nerved myself, however. In a moment
he regained his equilibrium and then
leaned as far to the left. Blondin could
not regain his balance readily. His move
ments were not unlike those OF q boy
who attempts to walk on rail of
track. He started and ran, his object
being to reach, the first guy rope on the
opposite side, where he knew that no
could secure a steady foothold and regain
his poise He reached the place. At that
instant / felt someth,ng shake beneath
me. There was momentary but violent
oscillation Of the rope. and Blondin had
started to run again. He made the knot
OF the next guy line. and there secured
firm footing.
"'Get on he said. IT dismounted. and
stood as han done before. This time II
was he who was exhausted. He stood
there like q statue. Beads OF sweat were
on his face. His veins stood out like
cords.
I'VE reached land In safety. As we
drew near the American shore every
man. woman, and child within 100 feet
of the lines end had arms outstrotched
to receive us. Their lips were parted and
their eyes had something OF almost agony
In them. / have believed to this day that
there were people in that crowd under
going a greater nervous strain than either
Bondin or myself.
There had been an enormous amount
OF betting on the result of the crossing.
Many did not believe that the feat would
be accomplished. 1t was one OF those
who, seeing success probable, had gone
TO the shore end OF one OF the guy lines
and pulled It hard enough to break It
at the main cable Just as Blondin had
placed his foot upon the knot Nothing
but the magnificent nerve OF tho rope
walker saved him and mo from being
hurled to our death in the river below.
"Blondin carried me across again that
summer, and again In the summer OF
1860. The last trip was made In the pre-
sence of the Prince OF Wales, who was
one of the enormous crowd In attend
ance. The Prince begged US to do no.
thing unusual, because he happened TO
be there. Blondin told him that the
usual performance would be enacted. un-
less your Royal Highness wishes to vary
the programme by letting mo carry you
across The Prince grinned all over"
After had gone across with Blondin
for the last time. Erastus Corning. OF
the New York Central railroad, handed
me a check Tor $1,000; and then, putting
his hand on my shoulder said: My boy.
I'll give you a check for another 400
II you will promise me never TO do It
again."
Eat the time OF our first crossing to-
gether. the Washington Grays, New
al,
A woman had seta the man. who at
tempted to break the guy-rope. The
Washington Grays sent out description
of him and offered $1,000 reward for his
capture, but he was never found.
"Blondin 10 still alive. He Is over 70
wears OF age. and Is yet giving tight-rope
exhibitions In London. A friend OF mine
leaves for England next week. and by
him I shall send greetings TO the man
with whom I took tho perilous Journeys
across the Niagara"