Book 3 — Showing the Strength of a Giant

This trick is not so well known as it might be, although for a while it was quite a popular drawing attraction for circus side shows and other amusement places. It is one of the favorite Hindu tricks. The performer passes for examination two pieces of rope 10 ft. long. In one end of each rope a large ring is fastened. Taking a ring in each hand the performer commands three or four men at each end of the rope to take hold of it and at a signal they pull as hard as possible. They pull until they are exhausted as in a tug of war, but the performer only appears a trifle exerted and finds no difficulty in holding the men.

The Performer Seems to Hold the Ones Pulling on the Ropes without Any Effort, Producing an Effect That cannot be Readily Understood, and Making an Excellent Trick for the Lawn Party

The secret is in the use of a piece of flexible wire, which passes up the right sleeve of the performer, across the back and down the left sleeve, lying just inside of the coat sleeve. At the ends of the wire are small hooks. When about to perform this trick the performer puts on a pair of gloves. The gloves are slit in the palms to allow the hooks to pass through. The hooks are covered with cloth, colored to match the gloves. An essential point to remember in performing the trick is to keep the fingers well around the rings to prevent the ropes from dropping in case of a slack-up on the tension.