The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-09-18
AN fNGlISHMAN'S
LONG TRAMP

PARIS, Aug. 20.-(Specal Correspond
ence to The Herald.) One of the oldest
wagers ever recorded has been made by
NJ. Henry Gilbert, a French journalist
and noted athlete. Nj. Gilbert is to walk
around the world for $4,000 bet. The
money has been securely lodged in the
hands of Paris banker by syndicate
of sporting gentlemen, who wish to test
to the limit Gilbert's pedestrian qualifi-
cations, and he must appear on Ia morn
ing of June 1, 1900 to claim it, or he will
have had his walk around the world for
nothing.
The feat is to be accomplished accord
ing to regular rules laid down by the
syndicate. Some latitude is allowed for
sickness, as the time thus lost is not
counted in the tally of his journeyings.
M. Gilbert, who is 81 years old, and who
stands feet 6 inches in his shoes, has
been connected with Journalism fer
twelve years, three of which he has
spent on his wonderful travels. He
wears a kharki suit, with a wide
brimmed pith hat, and carries with him
a staff, while on his left arm are the
colors Of loved France. When he ar
rived at Ballarat, theother week. he had
covered 23.63lR miles, and had still
17,S6Sh miles to overtake.
M. Gilbert would pass for Scot, but,
when questioned whether any Highland
plood ran in his veins, he answered, "My
lace ana appearance are English or
Scotch, which you will. but this"-tap-
ping his chest in the region of his heart
Is French" He generally travels along
the railway line, which is harder walk
ing than the road, but prevents him from
missing his way and thus losing time
and adding to the distance he has to
travel Perhaps the biggest part of his
Undertaking has yet to be faced-the
journey through Siberia-but of this he
is not at all afraid.
When he strikes into the enormous
stretch of territory that comprises Rus
sian Asia, he will follow the line of the
new Siberian railroad. Without this rail-
road the way would be more difficult
and dangerous but M. Gilbert will have
the advantage of a comparatively easy
track for thousands of miles of what
otherwise would be the worst part of
his long journey.
BY way of the Siberian railroad Gill
bert will travel to the Pacific coast. and
SO journey to Corea whence he will 60
to Toxic, and from there to Vancouver.
From Vancouver he will have no easy
pathway before him, for he must make
his way through the rugged country to
the northwest, where almost as many
difficulties and dangers will await him
as in the Asiatic territory. 1t is not
known whether he will come east
through Canada or America, but prob
ably the latter will be his chosen route.
The last part of his journey will of
course be the easiest. When he strikes
American or Canadian civilization M.
Gilbert will have the wager as good as
won. Until this stage of the long tramp
is reached 1t will always be a question
able thing whether or not he will be
heard of again, for many venturesome
men have plunged into the lonely and
| inhospitable regions through which the
$4,000 bet will lure Gilbert, and have
never again been seen or heard of.
Gilbert Is confident of being able to
win the bet. He has passed through
quite enough sensations for an ordinary
mortal, but only on one occasion was
his life in danger. That was when, in