The Great Farini

Shane Peacock
Biographer, Novelist, Playwright, Journalist, Screenwriter
Author of The Great Farini - The High-Wire Life of William Hunt

The Lives of Farini-Hunt - Back in Niagara

After a stint in New York, Farini and his “Brothers” parted ways. Farini traveled back to Niagara Falls where he was planning a fantastic feat! He was going to walk “along the brink of Niagara Falls” on stilts! After much “practicing and modifying”, he decided that the feat was possible. A few days prior to his announced performance date, Farini decided to make a “dress rehearsal” walk. The “dress rehearsal” went well until one of his stilts became wedged in a rock bed! Farini tried desperately to pull if out, but eventually he lost his balance and fell into the rapids! Here is how Shane describes it … “Never, during any of his feats, had he been this close to death. He saw nothing but a blur, the water pounded in his ears and the world began to spin. Summoning all his strength he frantically snapped the jammed stilt off, then did the same with the other; desperate to free himself. But the instant he was loose the water picked him up … and shot him toward the edge! Below the surface he drove a foot into the rocks and dug the pike pole in. Like an enraged murderer the rapids pulled him, trying to rip him out and sweep him over the brink.

He looked up and saw Robinson’s Island; it was fifty feet away in the mist. He decided his only chance was to make for it. 

NOTE: Mr. Peacock has written several books. His latest series is about "The Boy Sherlock Holmes" This is a wonderful look at the legendary Sherlock Holmes, in the beginning! To learn more about Shane and all of his works, please visit his website at www.shanepeacock.ca.

(To Be Continued)