Year: 1876




became aware that return was not 80
easy.


My seat was 50 constructed that I
could not 1ise in ny usual way. The
sides of the lantern were of smooth iron,
and so high that I could get no hold.
There was nothing left me but to press
my hands upon the seat behind me,
raise myself so, and draw my legs after
me until they could rest between my
hands upon the lantern. Then 1 could
rise to my full height, and turn around
on my own axis.


This way of raising yourself every
gymnast knows and practices, but every
one knows, too, what ON exertion of
muscular strength in hands and arms is
necessary in this procedure, and that
any mistake would occasion failure
perhaps, too, fall below.


Now, there is q vast difference be-
tween bar erected on level ground,
and an iron lantern on the wall of q
church hundred feet high, from which
a fall upon the rough pavement must
have an absolutely fatal effect.


The more I considered my situation
the less it pleased me, and there I sat
and smiled feebly at the multitude be-
low, which increased every moment,
ashamed to cry for help, or make known
my fear.


"Wen," said t. myself, If I sit
here any.longer 1 shall lose every favor
able chance to escape. 1t is ludicrous
to become bewiIdered, like child that
has gore astray in climbing, quite aside
from the astonishment that the story
must cause. if it comes to the ears of my
parishioners and supporters. Up, then !
I will close my eyes and act as II l
were performing on the soft turf of my
garden"


In the space of minute stood on
my legs in the lantern, and wondered at
my foolish weakness, when I observed,
to my terror, that I still had the most
difficult part of my undertaking to per
form. Raising my hands above my head
to seize the smooth stone caves, / be-
came aware that they were at least
foot and half beyond my reach. In
vain did rise on my tiptoes and
stretch out my arms convulsively; it
seemed highly probable that / should
have to spend the night in this situa-
tion.


This was truly no agreeable considera-
ton for the seat was only just large
enough for me to sit upright in it, and
if I fell asleep, which was possible, 1
should be precipitated headlong upon
the pavement. Then they could collect
my bones the next morning.


At this critical moment was rejoiced
by the appearance of the sexton on the
caves. He had missed me, and had
come to seek me.


"Silbermann," I cried, interrupting
his ordinations of astonishment, "l
am, as you see, in a peculiar dilemma,
since |. cannot reach the caves. You
must help me. 1t is no use to bring
rope, since you would not have room to
brace yourself. If you bend down, how
sver, and reach me your hand, you can
Exert your entire strength, and raise me.
You are powerful man, and l am not
particularly heavy"


ooh, sir, l am sure that cannot lift
you!' he replied.


"My good man, you must!" I assert
ed. 81 cannot indeed pass the whole
night in this situation, and, moreover, l
might pack up my bundle tomorrow
Immediately, when this stupid story be-
came known. Do not be foolish, there
fore, and give me your hand"


In reply the sexton crouched down
unwillingly, and stretched out his hand,
which I firmly seized with both mine by
the wrist, while I swung myself ont into
midair. / felt one or two convulsive
jerks, and was drawn up about half a
loot, but then at once let down again.
BE could not raise me.


Hooked up. Such visage as met
MY gaze, may I never in my life zee
lgain i! 1t was pale as death; the pro-
truding eyes stared with the expression
of measureless terror into the abyss be-
meath US, and cold sweat stood upon
his forehead. "Let gol' he cried:
"Curses upon you, let go! You will
break my arm / can hold on no longer,
and shall be dashed in pieces !"


He walled like child, at this moment
OF extreme peril. My hair rose-my
brain reeled. expected myself every
instant to plunge below. My despera-
tion gave me GOODNESS, and was sur
prised at the clearness and consistency
with which spoke.


Silbermann," said, "listen to me,
and cease this unreasonable clamor. l
can feel that you are gaining the coun-
terpoise more and more every successive
second. If I let 60 of you shall per-
ish; if not, we both will, and assure
You that I shall not let 60, as long as 1
can hold on. You had better, therefore,
draw me up at once"


I saw that he set his teeth together,
and closed his eyes. Then followed a
terrible exertion of strength, and was
kneeling upon the caves. The sexton
lay beside me in a deep swoon. 1 now
bore him carefully through the trapdoor
to the vestry, and gave him water, so
that he soon recovered consciousness;
but neither of us has ever forgotten that
1.erilous adventure upon the caves OF
the church roof.


As for myself, three months passed by
before l again trod this almost fatal
,,lace, and you can easily imagipe that 1
avoided st. Peters lantern like fire.


The sexton kept the secret, assuring
questioners that an eccentric
travelling throug b the coun-
try, had taken his seat in the lantern,
and this version of the story was cur
rently believed.


Although the gymnastic mania was
Lot entirely frightened out OF me by this
it only remained in a modi-
Ead form and T have since confined nv