Middletown transcript., 1898-08-06
SPANISH WAR DOGS.

Aperreado is Spanish word, W hicl
in the days when Spain was busy will
the conquest of the West Indies ant
Central America, struck cold terror Il
the hearts Of the Indians. Thew oIG
means 'tgiven to the dogs" or t
translate IT. YET more distinctly, il
means death by bloodhounds. Now
there is no better, more intelligent anG
gorgeous fighter Of men known thar
well-trained bloodhound.
In Spain magnificent specimens Of
this canine race have always been bred
and when Columbus SET out on his first
voyage few fine hounds constituted
part Of bis fighting equipment. Not
knowing with what enemies he might
have to contend, he took the hounds
along to aid bis men, but Columbus
was one of few invaders coming from
Spain who treated the Indians hu.
namely, and not until after he had
gone back to Europe, broken and dis
graced, were the hounds used to torture
the poor savages.
On all the dogs as well as the horses
the Spaniards brought over with them
the Indians looked with fear and rev.
erence. The West Indian savages had
NOT only never seen animals so large,
but the fact that both dogs and horses
performed tasks and obeyed masters
filled the natives with respectful amaz-
ement. Their interest in these new
prutes was soon, however, turned to
detestation and dismay. when the
horses iron-shod hoofs struck down
women and children and the dogs were
employed in battle. So ferocious and
effective were the canine warriors, as
taught by their Christian masters. that
in Cuba one dog was more feared than
a hundred armed men.
1t is on record that the fist massacre
Of the inhabitants Of Hayti was precip-
itated by bloodhound, which a Span
ish soldier, in wanton cruelty, encour-
aged to attack group of peaceful ma
tives, who were loading q ship.
Terrified and enraged by the unexpec-
ted slaughter Of the dog, the defenceless
naked savages fed into the hills returned
to take revenge and were slaughtered
by their white conquerers who never
seemed to know the meaning of either
justice or mercy.
when taken into engagements the
Spauialds taught their dogs to wear a
light armor, as protection against the
arrows and spears Of the enemy, and to
either but down the Indian :or hop
up and fasten their powerful fangs in
the uLelad stomach of the poorly
equipped natives.
When Cortez took the famous FIRST ex-
pedition irto new Spain, now called
Mexico, fine pack Of bloodhounds was
among his most highly valued fighters.
Pizarro also took hounds into Peru,
but on Tile continent the native warriors
wore 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 warriors
throat, run in among the men, and, by
butting vigorously, cause them to fall,
or more horrible still, they were en-
couraged to prowl over the battle tie Ids
and tear to pieces the wretched wounded
Indian who showed the least sign Of
life.
There were many among these brute
fighters who rose, by dint of hard serv-
ice, high in Spanish ranks, and the
names and deeds Of some of them come
down to us in history. In the island of
San Juan-now Puerto Rico-was re-
malkable dog, SO large that he went by
the name Of Bercerillo-little calf.
This renowned man-eater destroyed the
lives of so may Indians that he was
promoted 10 a military grade, receiving
the pay Of sergeant of the horse, and
proportionate share Of prize money
and spoils.
He was dreaded by the natives and
regarded by them as a creature pos
sess:ng human intelligence. Even the
Spanish recorders of the time give him
high credit, saying that ten men with
Bercerillo were worth 100 men without.
After long life Of fighting he erished
on the battle field like grim old war
rior.
II is old Of Bercerillo that lie easily
comprehended 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. Unfortunately her
way lead past church, where group
Of Spanish soldiers were lounging,
waiting for mass to begin. Bercerillo
was with them. and in spirit Of idle
brutality they proposed to set the dog
on the woman. Bercerillo 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 Christ
ian lords down yonder-See, here it is.
DO me no harm dog, my lord"
Shifting at her graceously the saga
lcious creature let her pass unharmed.
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
UinIdnd hv hia ownnr IN d Moviaan