A THRILLING SCENE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 294, 3 April 1877, Page 4

A THRILLING SCENE.

The following incident occurred during » general review of the Austrian cavalry a few months ago : Not, far from oiWxio cavalry were in tine. A little child—a girt—-of not more than four years, stand' ing in the front row of spectators, from some cause, rushed out into the opou field just us a squadron of hussars came sweeping around from the main body. Tney made a detour for the purpose of saluting the Empress,, whose carriage was drawn up- in that part of the parade ground. Uown came the Hying squadron, charging at a mad gallop—down directly upon the child. The mother was paralyzed, as were ethers, for tlitre could' l>e no rescue from the line of spectators. The Empress uttered a cry of horror, for the cuild's destruction seemed inevitable —arid such a terrible destruction—the trampling to death by a thousand iron hoofs. Directly under the feet of the horse was the little ene—another instant must seal its doom —when a stalwart hussar, who was in the front line, witl out slackening his speed or losing his hold, threw himself over the side of his horse's neck, seized and lifted the child, and placed it in safety upon his saddle-bow ; and this he did w.tlmut changing his pace or breaking the correct alignment of the squadron. Ten thousand voices hailed with rapturous applause the gallant deed, and other thousand* applauded when they knew. Two women there were who could only sob forth their gratitude in broken accents —the mother and the Empress. And a proud and happy moment it must have been for the hussar when his Emperor, taking from his own breast the richly enamelled Cross of the OrtLr of Maria Theresa, hung it upon ttve breast of his brave and gallant trooper.