The morning call., 1892-07-23
A JUMP FOR LIFE.
Story of PeriIous Ride with the En-
press of Austria.
Harpers Young People

Harper's Young People.
Many years ago / was an eye-w witness to
an accident which befell the Empress of
Austria. and which was so terrible that
her escape from death seems to me even
now a miracle.
Elizabeth of Austria, as she liked TO call
herself was at that time not only the most
daring but also the best rider in the world
No man or woman ever knew better how to
take an obstacle than this most charming of
all crowned women. Though her Majesty was
then already a grandmother, on horseback she
could give odds to the best Hungarian and
English riders. The party at the event of
when | am writing consisted of the En-
press and large number of Austrian and
foreign gentlemen riders, who seemed to
have gathered together from all parts of
Europe. Most OF them were known as
prominent hOrSemen. This was not Sur-
prising, considering that the Empress would
never take the field in company Of poor
riders. On this occasion the Empress rode
very spirited young horse, which she had
obtained IN Lancashire when on a visit to
England, and 10 the training of which she
had personally attended for nearly year.
Everything went well after the start until
we crossed 4 highway leading to a small
hungarian country town a short distance
or Passing white paiuted milestone
the Empress horse SHE'D, ana suddenly be-
coming uncomfortable ii dashed down tie
road in the direction Of the town. From
appearance it was evident that the animal
bad succeeded IN taking the bit between his
teeth, and that no earthly power could stop
it on its mad runaway. Although we all
followed the EurTess none Of Us seemed to
gain upon her. Flying we passed through
the little town, much TO the Amusement and
the terror Of the few people on the street.
A short distance beyond the town Was
shipping canal, ana, TO our horror, we saw
hp a. N al
open, so as 10 permit The passage OF some
boat Ia a moment We realized that the
Empress was running straight into the jaws
OF certain death.
Faster and faster we went on in pursuit.
but faster and faster also seemed the EN-
press horse 10 fly. Now II had reached the
open bridge. Would 1t stop? Before we
had time 10 think we saw the animal dash
ing up the incline OF the open bridge like a
fash IF lightning. For a moment we could
not bat close our eyes, and a Shudder con-
yulsed every man IN the cavalcade. 1t was
terrible mOment-a moment during which
fear and horror alternately kept US merci-
lessiy In their paDgs. When We opened our
eyes again, still riding as fast as our horses
could go, the fair rider and runaway had
disappeared.
We had no doubt that the inevitable had
happened, aid that Elizabeth of Austria
was drowned IN the slow and tuTbid waters
Of the canal.
The idea was terrible one. Ny pen is
too weak To describe the confusion among
us and tie agony of suspense that followed
and seemed TO make each rider culver in
his saddle. Almost unconSciously we had
stopped our horses just before reaching the
incline 10 the open draw. As a matter Of
fact, our excitement was so great that we
did not even notice that one Of our number.
Count Szepany, If l remember well, was
alsn missing All our faculties naturally
had followed the Empress only.
There we were, hating before that terri
bic bridge like a pack OF towards. with
nobody among Us with pluck enough TO ride
into death with an Empress.
few seconds later The inciines of the
bridge were lowered again, but nobody Of
cur company seemed to even attempt TO
pass il.
From the pangs of fear and horror we had
passed into those of amaZement. Several
hundred yards beyond the bridge we beheld
riding toward US a lady on a foaming
seed. 1t was the Empress and at her SIDE
the only gallant man of the crowd Count
SZepany. Her Majesty firmly sat her horse
and appeared as cool aud collected as il
nothing had happened.
SmliDglv did she make fun OF Us and our
anxiety Her tine raI.lery was Just as much
justified as 1t was iuOtfensiye when she saw
the pitiable figure We cut In her exalted
presence.