CHILDREN'S COLUMN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10416, 14 April 1897, Page 3

CHILDREN'S COLUMN.

ACROSS NIAGARA ON BLONDIN'S BACK. Mr. Habrv Colcokd, who was carried across Niagara Falls on Blondin's back on a tight rope in 1860, line lately been recalling the experience, and his talk is reported in the Buffalo Express. He met Blondin in Boston in ISSB, but it was not till early in 1860 that Blondin broached his plan of taking him across Niagara. At first Colcord took the matter as a joke, but it was soon plain that Blondin was in earnest. The rope was 2000 feet long and 3 inches in diameter. Nearly five months were spent in getting it made and pat into position, with guy-ropee and every arrangement for safety. Blondin had instructed me to put my weight on his shofilders only with my arms and clasp his body with my legs. I could not put my weight on his legs, as that would encumber his movements. In July, ISGO, everything being ready, I took my place on Blondin'a back, and we started to cross the rope. We began the passage from the Canadian side, and as I had to bear my weight on Blondin's shoulders and could only use my arms to support myself, frequent rests were necessary. I told Blondin when I wanted to rest, and then dropped down on the rope with one foot and waited till my arms were relieved, when I would spring up again, using my arms to lift and hold myself in place, There was a great crowd present, but 1 did not Bee it at first. From my place on Blondin's back I could look out to the American side and see below us the stunted pines, thrusting their sharp points up from the edge of the foaming, roaring waters, ready to split an in two if we fell. I remember that I was anxious to get over, and I recall, too, that the great rope before us swung alarmingly. We afterward ascertained that it had been swinging forty feat at the centre. Below us, two hundred and fifty feet, roared the river, and over it we swung from side to side. Still moving on steadily, Blondin never trembled. When he had gone about ten feet on the middle span, someone on the American side pulled the outer guy-line, We afterward found out that it was done intentionally. Blondin stopped, and his pole went from side to side in a vain effort) to secure his balance. At one time hie pole was up and down on the right side, at another up and down on the left, and I recall now with wonder that I was only curious to know whether he would succeed in gaining control of himself or not.

Failing to get his balance he started to run across the horrible span, and in safety reached the point where the guy-rope came from the American shore. Then, to steady himself, Blondin put his foot on the guyrope and tried to stop, but the guy snapped, and, with .1 dash of speed, he ran swiftly 25 or 30 feet farther and said, " Descendez voiis!"

The perspiration now stood out on his neck and shoulders in great beads, and we balanced ourselves on the swaying rope. Presently he said, " Allows," and I raised myself to hia shoulders, and we went on safely and without further accident toward the shore. It was not, however, until we landed that I appreciated what we had done. Thon it occurred to me that the man who pulled the guy-line must have been one of those who had bet that the feat could never be accomplished, and my iudignation mastered all other feeling?. You see, many thousands of dollars were bet upon the ability of Blondin to carry a man over, and human cupidity stops at no sacrifice. Then came the congratulations and praises, so that in my foolish boyish elation I soon forgot everything else. I shall never forget the wonderful tableau which the hundred thousand people presented as they stood gazing up at us as we approached the shore. Thousands of them turned their faces away, or, half turning, cast anxious glances over their shoulders at) us as we drew near the bank. Then tho crowd became very much excited, surged towards us, and Blondin stopped, fearing they would push each other over the bank. When the crowd was still again Blondin started once more, and, with a quick run, we soon came to the end of the rope, and sprang to the ground. Cheer after cheer went up, and I was seized in the arms of a man who lifted me high in the air, saying, " Thank God, this terriblo feat is over 1" I crossed again, twice, the last time under tho patronaae of the Prince of Wales. He congratulated us, and gave us each a purse of one hundred dollars. I would not make the same journey now for all the wealth in the world. A GIRL'S BRAVE ACT. " She will bear the marks of her fight the resb of her life." Tbe doctor who made this observation referred to Miss Anna McDowell, a young girl of 19, who, by her heroic act, has gained an enviable reputation for bravery and presence of mind. The heroine is a resident of Quakake Valley, Pennsylvania. A small trout stream runs through the valley, skirting the main road. This stream was a source of delight to little three-year-old Nettie Hincklo, who constantly played on its banks and fished in its waters. Nettie was fishing on the afternoon of the 22nd when a whirr of wings startled her, and looking up sho saw a giant baldliead eagle flying savagely towards her. With screams of fright she started to run, but the bird fought her back with his beak and talona.

Miss McDowell, who was passing, heard the screams, and hastened to the bank of the stream. Without hesitating, she seized the child and tore her away from the eagle. Thia apparently served to enrage the bird further, and, defeated in its attempt to carry off the child, it turned its attention to the rescuer. It circled around, tearing at her with .its beak and talons in the most ferocious manner.

Nettie had fallen down on the ground, and the young girl stooped over, guarding her, at the same time vainly trying to ward off the bird's attacks. The bird grew more and more furious and repeatedly dashed at the girl, cutting ugly gashes in her shoulders and head. Without any other means of defence, she used her arms to fight his onslaught?, but strength was fast tearing her what with loss of blood and her high nervous state of excitement. In the struggle her hat became loose, and instantly she thought of her hat-pin. It was one of the usual long, thin, steel pins, and drawing it out she defended herself witfi it against the savage bird, who, regardless of the stabs she gave, flew at her j with renewed fury. Her heart failed her, | and her strength was nearly gone. Why did not somebody come? The bird had circled off, and was coming at her with a wild swoop, his beak half open ready to tear, and bis talons extended. She grasped him around the neck as he struck at her, and holding him with all the strength she bad left, she thrust the hat- j pin into his head, fortunately killing him. | At the same moment her senses left her, and she stumbled forward on the ground, falling on the dead bird. Little Nettie ran screaming to her house, a short distance away, and people hurried to the scene. They tenderly lifted the brave girl up and took cure of her, as the bird had inflicted some bad wounds. Miss McDowell i proposes to have the bird stuffed to keep in her room as a memento of the occason; but the memory of her brave act will never be forgotten by the people of her neighbourhood,—Harper's Round Table.