Romain Kalbris; His Adventures by Sea and Shore

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ...his languid eyes. As for myself, I was nearly dead with fatigue. I was hungry; I was thirsty; I could hardly move my stiff arms and legs. At eleven o'clock at night there was still a big crowd around us, and Lapolade resolved to give a last exhibition to secure their fees. "I know what pleases the public taste," he said, in an elegant speech. "We are weary, but we feel it our duty to gratify you, my lords, even if we die of fatigue. We have full gratification now for your curiosity. Come in, come in, one and all. Enter." He began the spectacle with my performances. These consisted of perilous leaps across the backs of four running horses, and of somersaults turned at the end of a pole held by Cabriole. I did pretty well in my jumps, and the public applauded. When Cabriole took the rod, I was tempted to say that I really could not do anything more, but Lapolade fixed on me his most ferocious glare. I was also ashamed to give up. The crowd excited me; and summoning all my strength, I sprung upon Cabriole's shoulders and ran out on the pole easily. Cabriole was, like the rest of us, tired and weak. At the moment when with all the might of his arms he should have held the pole straight and steady, I felt it veer and quiver; my blood grew cold; I shook and fell forward, stretching out my arms. The crowd gave a cry. I fell heavily on the ground, striking upon a stone pavement, from a height of six feet. I was somewhat bruised, and felt a violent pain in my shoulder. I heard also a little snap in it. I lifted myself up and endeavored to salute the crowd around the area, who looked at me anxiously, but I could not move my right arm. They saw I was hurt; everybody called out to me; I grew faint from severe pain in my shoulder....