The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-08-22
SPANISH WAR DOGS
fhcy Wore Armor and We're Moro Feared
Than SOLDIER by Indians.

20 fhey Wore Armor and Were Moro FEARED
Than Soldiers by Indians.
Aperreado lisa Spanish word which in
the days when Spain was busy with the
conquest Of tho West Indies and Central
America struck cold terror to the hearts Of
the Indiana. The word msaDs given to
the dogs" or, to translate it yet more dis
Timothy, 1t means death by bloodhounds.
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 his
fighting equipment. Not knowing with
what enemies he might have to contend,
he took the hounds along to aid his men,
but Columbus was one Of tho few invaders
coming from Spain who treated the In
dians humanely, and not until after he
had gone back to Europe, broken and dis
graced, were tho hounds used to torture
the poor savages.
On all the dogs as we'll as the horses the
Spaniards brought over with them the In
dlians looked with fear and reverence.
The West Indian savages had not only
never seen animals 90 large, but the fact
that both dogs and horses performed tasks
and obeyed masters filled the natives with
respectful anazemant.
Their interest In these new brt,tes was
soon, however, turned to dlsmay when the
horses iron shod hoofs struck down WON.
On and ohildron and the dogs were en-
ployed In battle So ferocious and effect
I've were these canine warriors as taught
by their Christian masters that In Cuba
one dog was NOSE feared than hundred
armed men.
When Cortcs took his famous first e1.
petition into Mexico, fine pack Of blood
hounds was among his most highly valued
fighters. Pizarro also took hounds into
Peru, but on the continent the native war;
riors 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 o warriors throat, run
In among tho men and by butting vigor-
ously cause them to fall, or, more horrible
still, they were encouraged to prowl over
the battlehelds and tear to pieces any
wretGhod wounded Indian who showed the
least sign Of lifs.
There were many among these brute
fighters who Pose 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 Ric0-wss remarkable dog,
SO large that be went by the name Of Ber-
cerrillo-little CALF This renowned man
eater destroyed the lives Of so many In
dams that he was promoted to military
grade, receiving the pay of sergeant Of
the horse and proportionate share Of
prize money and spoils.
1t Is told Of Bercerrillo that he easily
comprehended all that was said TO him
and the value of any object. On one o.
casion when tho governor of San Juan
wished to send a written message he gave
1t into the hands of an Indian woman to
deliver. Unfortunately her way led past
church, where group of Spanish soldiers
were lounging waiting for mass to begin.
Bercorrillo was with them and In a spirit
of idle brutality they proposed to SGT the
dog on the woman.
Bcrcerrillo needed but small encourage
ment. He rushed at the poor creature,
who foil on her knees, the governor mes
sage In her hand crying: my lord dog.
thy servant Is sent with this to the Chr.s-
ttan lords down yondor-see, hero Is Is.
Do me no harm, dog, my lord"
Shifting at her the sagacious Great IRE |
lot her pass unframed. -Exchange