THE BRAVE AUSTRIAN HUSSAR.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 52, 27 December 1890, Page 3

THE BRAVE AUSTRIAN HUSSAR.

The following incident occurred during a general review of the Austrian cavalry. Nearly 30,000 cavalry were in line. A little child, a girl of not more than four years, standing in the front row of spectators, either from flight or some other cause rushed out into the open field, just as a squadron of hussars came sweeping round from the main body. They made the detour for the purpose of saluting the Empress, whose carriage was drawn up in that part of the parade ground. Down came the flying squadron, charging at a mad gallop—down directly on the child. The mother was paralysed, as were others, for there could be no rescue from the line of spectators. The Empress uttered a cry of horror, for the child’s destruction seemed inevitable —and such horrible destruction—the trampling to death by a thousand iron hoofs. Directly under the feet of the horses was the little one—another instant must seal its doom—when a stalwart hussar, who was in the front line, without slackening speed or loosening hold, threw himself over by the side of his horse’s neck, seized and lifted the child, and placed it safely upon his saddle-brow ; and this he did without changing his (dace or breaking the correct alignment of the squadron. Tert thousand voices hailed with rapturous applause the

gallant deed, and others applauded when they knew. Two women -were there who could only sob forth their gratitude in broken accents — the mother of the child and the Empress. And a proud and happy moment must it have been for the hussar when his Emperor, taking from his own breast the riehly-enamelled cross of the Order of Maria Theresa, hung it upon the breast of his brave and gallant trooper.