BLONDIN'S MOST TERRIBLE ADVENTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9157, 25 March 1893, Page 10 (Supplement)

BLONDIN'S MOST TERRIBLE ADVENTURE.

Blokdix, the renowned rope-walker, usually carried a man upon his back when walking the tight-rope. Formerly he was wont to bargain with somebody to accompany him on his dangerous journey. On the occasion of a performance in Chicago a man offered Ids services gratis. Blondin accepted them, and ascended the rope with his' living burden. When the pair had reached the middle of the ."ope, the man began to laugh " What is it that amuses you ?"' the ropewaLtor asked, -with astonishment. " Oh, a comic idea has jus:t struck me. I was thinking wh>\S ho;'!", of a face you would pn.tl if. d ::.i*.ig the next '-..:■ if-minute, both of us were •'<> fall down upon the audience"

" But we shall not fall," replied Blondin, reassuringly. *' But I have determined upon this occasion to take my life/' At the same moment the raan began to wriggle about, so that the rope-walker nearly lost his balance. He, however, soon composed himself, dropped his balancingpole, and gripped the man so firmly with his hands that the latter was unable to move. Then continuing his walk, although in a state of great trepidation, he arrived safely at the end of the rope, and, allowing his living burden to slide from hi.shoulders, lie administered a box on both ears with such force that the would-br; suicide fell down unconscious. .Since that terrible journey Blondid has carried only one man, his true and faithful servant, on every occasion.