Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-24

brutes was soon, however, turned to detesta-
ton and dlsmay, when the horses iron-shod
hoofs struck down women and children and
the dogs were employed In battle. So fero-
cious and effective we're these canine war;
riors, as taught by their Christian masters,
that In Cuba one dog was more feared than
100 armed men.
1t is on record that the first massacre
OF the inhabitants OF Hayti was precipitated
by a bloodhound, which a Spanish soldier
in wanton cruelty encouraged to attack a
group Of peaceful natives who were loading
a ship. Terrified and enraged by the un-
expected onslaught of the dog, the defense
less, naked savages fed into the hills, re-
turned to take a revenge and were slaugh-
tered by their white conquerors, who never
seemed to know the meaning Of either JUS
tice or mercy.
When taken into engagements the Span
iards taught their dogs to wear n light
armor, as protection against the arrows and
spears OF the enemy, and TO either butt o
the Indians or hop up and fasten their fangs
in the unclad stomach of the poorly
equipped natives.
when Cortez took his famous first expe-
dition into new Spain, now called Mexico,
a fine pack OF bloodhounds was among his
hoo hiShty VI h6htci iGotto uioo
took hounds into Peru, but on the continent
the native warriors wore a sort of armor
made Of padded cotton cloth. Through this
the dogs could not set their teeth, but they
could spring easily as high as a warriors
throat, run In among the men, and, by but
ting vigorously, cause them to fall, or, more
horrible still, they were encouraged to prowl
over the battlefelds and tear to pieces any
wretched wounded Indian who showed the
least sign of life.
There were many among these brute
fighters who rose, by dint of hard service,
high in the Spanish ranks, and the names
and deeds OF some of them come down to
us In history. In the island of San Juan
now Porto Rico-was a remarkable dog, so
large that he went by the name OF Ber-
cerrllo-little calf. This renowned man
eater destroyed the lives Of so many In
dams that he was promoted to a military
grade, receiving the pay of a sergeant Of
the horse, and a proportionate share OF
prize money and spells.
He was dreaded by the natives and re-
garded by them as a creature possessing
human intelligence. Even the Spanish re-
corders of the time give him high credit,
saying that ten men with Bercerrillo were
worth 100 men without. After a long life
OF ngntlng ne perlSneu on the DattlenelQ
like a grim old warrior.
1t is told of Bercerrillo that he easily COM
pretended all that was said to him and the
value of any object. On one occasion, when
the governor Of San Juan wished to send
a written message, he gave it into the hands
of an Indian woman to deliver. I'm
fortunately her way led past a church,
where a group Of Spanish soldiers were
lounging. waiting for mass to begin.
Bercerrillo was with them, and in a spirit
of idle brutality they proposed to set the
dog on the woman. Bercerrillo needed but
small encouragement. He rushed at the
poor creature, who fell on her knees, the
governors message in her hand, crying:
my lord dog, thy servant Is sent with
this to the Christian lords down yonder-
See, here 1t Ia. Do me no harm, dog, my
lord"
Smiling at her graciously the sagacious
creature let her pass unframed.
Lobo was another dog who struck fear,
mingled with admiration, to the hearts of
the Mexicans and his end was the most
tragic, perhaps, that ever befell one of his
race. Overcome by successful diplomacy,
Lobo was at last yielded, by his owner, to
a Mexican prince, and 80 hated and dreaded
was he by this ruler and his people that
they sacrificed him as tremendously and