HOW THE HUSSAR SAVED THE EASY.

Taihape Daily Times, 5 December 1917, Page 3

HOW THE HUSSAR SAVED THE EASY.

There is a story told of a grand review of the Austrian army in the presence of the Emperor. Thirty thousand soldiers, on foot and mounted, were said to have taken part. The chief feature of the review was to be the brilliant charge of the cavalry, or famous hussars —crack horsemen, all of them, and bold fighters.

The tiptoeing crowd of spectators that formed a broad avenue on that level'plain were wild with pent-up excitement as the ourushing mass of men and steeds came down the field at moderate speed and gathered for the final dash past their beloved Emperor. The bugle sounded, and on the mad charge came_ But when within a hundred feet of the spot where the Emperor and his staff sat on their restless horses, a sudden, shrill shriek rent the air, and a frenzied woman attempted to break through the lines, and plunge forward to seize her little child who, in all innocence of what was coming, had strolled out to gather a bright flower in the path of the onrushing horses. Those nearest the mother held her back, knowing that she, as well as the child, would be trampled upon and none dared themselves to risk certain death in facing that wild charge. The excited spectators -held their breath in horror of the disaster they were powerless to help. Faster than words can tell it, the foremost of the horses was within a few feet of fne unsuspecting child. B'ut, quick as'a flash, the brave hussar who led the falloping troop guided his horse to one side, reached down and, withouf ~ slackening his speed, grasped the little dot by her loose dress and lifted her saTely to his saddle. The restrained excitement of the throng broke out in a tumultuous shout that fairly drowned the noise of the shouting troopers and clattering hoofs, and in an instant, the baby and rider were far downthe field in a cloud of dust. An orderly was sent after the troop with command to bring back the hero of the charge. And there, with’ the baby on his saddle-bow, fearlessly holding in her tiny hands the reins of the panting steed, the brave hussar received from the Emperor’s own hands the Cross of Honour, But his greatest reward " was the blessing of the thankful mother in whose impatient arms he tenderly placed her precious little girl.