The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-09
THE EMPEROR'S HUNT.


Savage Ruler of Germany Takes De-
light in the Chase.
BERLIN, July A-fSpecial Correspond
ence. The most enthusiastic hunter in
Germany is perhaps Emperor William III.
He Is an excellent marksman, and is
known on one occasion to have placed
three successive balls with a revolver in
the bulFs-eye of a small target fifteen PAGES
distant. AS a boy he took delight in
breaking wild colts, and after continuous
practice has developed into a rider whom
few can surpass in elegance and fImness
of seat. No fence is too high, no ditch too
wide for him to venture. He is an honor
airy member of many riding societies and
hunting clubs, and the patron of the mill
tary riding school at Hanover. He has
also made it a rule for cavalry officers to
run certain amount of steeplechases
every year, nor does he himself ever fail to
appear at the great annual fox hunt,
which takes place on ST. Hubert's day in
the Grunewald, near Potsdam, and in
which several hundred of the foremost
sportsmen take part.
The emperor never feels so we'll as when
on days of leisure he can forget the cares
of his high position and, donning top
poOIc Win Cdu iuOuut u Wultc
horse (his favorite color in horses), or,
shouldering gun, go deer stalking all by
himself in the shadowy, fragrant depths
of a forest.
He has constructed hunting grounds of
his own which cover several hundred
thousand acres and are provided with all
species of game. With a perfect knowl-
edge of hunting in all its details, he con-
ducts deer stalking and battues on large
scale, and whoever has become acquainted
with the emperor as huntsman knows
that he is no dilettante in the art.
All over Germany old castles and villas
have been arranged for hunting seats and
hunting boxes; furnished in the simplest
manner. The wainscoting of the rooms
and most of the furniture is carried out in
the fragrant wood of the pinus cenlbra and
rich trophies of the chase are everywhere
used to decorate the walls.
The emperor enjoys private hunting ex-
cursions best, when he dresses so simply
that the stranger who meets the sturdy
hunter is surprised when he finds out that
it is no other than the emperor of Ger
many. He is special favorite among the
royal foresters, set of superb, sinewy,
weather-beaten men, with faces burnt
brown by the sun, whose strong figures
look picturesque in their green and
gray uniforms. They are not only
deightec in having found such an
enthusiastic leader in the emperor. but adj
mire him, considering him one of their
own. Nothing can make them happier
than visit from him to their humble cot
tages, for they have known him for years,
and can tell many tale of his courage
and zeal as hunter before he became en-
peror. An instance is recounted of how
he was once barred in the pursuit of q stag
by a river; in the heat of the chase, how
ever, he jumped into the river, swan to
the other side, climbed up the bank and
caught up with the hounds.
But lately he finds no time for private
hunting excursions, being always Obliged
to combine some reception with them His
most frequent and favorte guests are the
prince regent of Bavaria, the emperor of
Austria, the archduke of Tuscany, King
Albert and the crown prince of Saxony.
AS soon as the date of hunting festi-
val is decided upon, the royal hunting
master with his staff. including the master
of hounds and the piQuers, goes ahead like
an advance agent to the hunting seat to
arrange everything for the arrival OF the
distinguished guests. The foresters sta
toned there have to report on the condi-
tiou of the game. The hunters generally
arrive IN the evening. and early the next
morning everything is ready to start. the
horses stand chaiing at their bits and paw
ing the ground with impotence, while the
sharp yelps OF the English hounds mingle
with the deep baritone notes of several
couples of German breed.
The guests wear read coats. the regula-
ton blue cravats spotted with white, light
boots n 10
report of the situation. the hunters station
themselves in the lateral roads TO await
the game when 1t breaks cover. The
huntsmen and half dozen couple of the
best hounds enter the thicket. Soon the
horns sound a call; the hounds set up a
cry. at first uncertain and discordant, then
as the scent becomes stronger the voices
rise in unison, the horns signal the advance
and suddenly a superb fuil-grown stag
with head erect and crowned with antlers,
trembling in every limb bounds from
the thicket stops sebond N the path,
listens and snutfs the air; then disappear
ing at a slow gallon. "Ha.lalii Hallali !"
From all sides the hunters with loud crv
rush TO the path which the stag has just
left. The advance line of hounds IS
checked in the pursuit until the rest of the
pack arrives. The horns sound a fanfare
in honor of the royalties present, and then,
at a signal given by the host, the whole
at fully cry. followed Ivy the hunters; some
keep to the path. while others gallon
over the spyinsy turf through the forest.
The stag often holds has own Tor more
than two hours, bat at last he begins to
show signs of fatigue. and only starts
ahead when the dogs are al his very heels.
Finally he turns and comes 10 bay, the
horns sound the fanfare of victory, and
the superb beast falls.
The empress often accompanies her hus-
band on his hunting tours; she shoots adj
nirally aud is as daring "a size Is graceful
on horseback. bu. seldom practices the
more serious pastlme of hunting She
prefers To remain AT the castle aud enter
tain the lady sisItCrs. practising target
shooting playing an outdoor game or or
CANNING charades and comedies until the
return of the hunting party, with the for
esters carrying home on their shoulders
the game strung on poles.
The folding doors of the spacious dining
halls are thrown open, the guests are a.