Niagara Falls 



1859 Blondin went down the steep incline of cord with slow, 

 cautious, trembling feet, with body carefully thrown back 

 to keep his balance as he almost felt his way, that he could 

 avoid slipping, and being dashed to fragments on the rocks far 

 down beneath. At last, however, he passed it, though very slowly, 

 and in about five minutes more gained the centre of the rope and 

 stopped, when Calcourt, gently raising his legs from the hooks, 

 slid down and stood upon the cord while Blondin rested. Getting 

 upon his back again was a terrible business. Twice Calcourt 

 missed raising his legs to the hooks, and Blondin oscillated vio- 

 lently under the efforts made on his back. This unintentional 

 awkwardness, which no doubt arose from nervousness, I was 

 afterwards informed, led to a fierce altercation between the 

 voyageurs, and Blondin swore, if Calcourt was not more careful, 

 he would leave him on the rope to get back as he best could. 

 Awed by this threat, Calcourt was more careful, or more fortu- 

 nate in his third attempt, and the dreadful walk was resumed. 

 Three more such stoppages for rest were made. During one, 

 when almost in the centre of the rope, there was a violent gust 

 of wind, which fluttered Calcourt's coat tails about as if it would 

 blow them away, and made both men sway on the little cord till 

 the spectators were almost sick with fear and anxiety. The 

 whole passage occupied about a quarter of an' hour. 



Blondin then performed the still more dangerous task of 

 returning along the rope on stilts about three feet high, and this 

 he did quickly and with apparent ease. 



It is, perhaps, the best proof which can be given of 

 the attractiveness of these stupendous cataracts that very few 

 people trouble themselves with the neighboring scenery at all, 

 though, if the Falls were not there, the exquisite combination of 

 rock and woodland all around would suffice to draw visitors, from 

 all parts of North America. 



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