Wire-Walking Extraordinary.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2924, 29 June 1878, Page 4

Wire-Walking Extraordinary.

(rHOM O?HE SI'DKET MOBNINa HEaAfD, JCN-E 10.)

Sinco Mr L'Esfcrange created a sensation by walking across an inlet of Middle Harb r on a high rope some nionUis ago, ftuianibuliats. of' various degrees of excellence have become so numerduß here that rope-walking has, to a great extent, lost its attraction. This, in all probability, is in consequence of the operation having very little ft hat is graceful about it. It is only when a ropewalker intimates that he will execute his feats in such a way that he runs great risk of losing hia life that anything like a crowd will muster to see his performances. One of these thrilling.entertainments took platje on Saturday last, in which there was the novelty of two persons risking their lives simulta--neously. The occurrence had been contera-■ plated by the public for several day's past with considerable interest, as it was said to have arigen out of a wager.of £200 a side, between *Mr J. Perkins, representing this colony in wire-walking, and Mr Ca rl Grand, who represented Victoiia in tho Bamo art. The bet, whether hona fide or not, was dec Wed at Moseman's Buy, one of those parts of the harbor most celebrated for picturesqueness. Two wires, each about three- ' quarters of an inch in diameter,. were sfcretcLed over tho wafer from trees amongst some jocks, and stayed in the usual manner. The lengths of the wires were stnted to be I,Booft respectively, and their height 400 ft from the surface of the water. If the height, however, was put down at. 100 ft these figures would be much nearer the mark, than 400 ft. The length was evidently as great as it con-, sistently could be with the features of the locality, and cer!a;nly es great as the necessities of the cafe demanded, for it was a most perilous jojfrney to pass over it. When everything waerear'yi hero smust have been between 2 ; 000 and 3,C00 people preserC Theße were brought to4heepot by steamers, yachts, 6r ekifFs, and iis the weather was fine, and there WBB'bo much, delay in tho proceedings that many jersons did not, hesitate to coudeinn the affair as a 'swindle,' the majority of them : amused fhomselves roaming atuongst the rocks and in the wcodß. They and-the numerous boats in the bay made the-scene very animated. When the Bun had disappeared behind' the hiL's and Hie patieace of the-multi- ■ fudd was well-nigh exhausted, Perkins and Grand went up to the western brink of the bay, aud almost immediately afterwards appeared in acrobatic Perkins" wts coneiderubly tho elder of: the competitors, Grand being quits a youth, Their preparations were soon accomplished, and a pistol Bhot started them down the steep dip of theiy wirrs. Throughout their tedious journey they did not increase their speed above rather a.clow walk, nor did they alter it to execute any gymnastic mavcetiwp^. It became evident from the first that Perkins would win the contest on account of the advantages he possessed over his companion. Bis rope was well guyed and,steady, while Grand's was out. oi lin>, and oscillated to freely too allow of his making a good pace. Besides these drawbacks one tree intercepted his progress when -he.Btiißted, and another v as'he fidished, "and thejio caused him 'to bring the pole he was usirig from a horizontal to a perpendicular poßition, and so jeopardised ''/.balance. Th.;ee incidents, which could not haye been unforeseen, >gave Perkins, had .a elfar courso and a Jong stride, an opportunity to go ' to the front, and lead .nearly the whole way. He eventually won by about a dozen yards, and dropped \ta the ground amidst very gejieral cheering. .