Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1913-01-31
A CURIOUS COURT
It Is HeId Annually When France
Pays Tribute to Spain.
PRICE OF AN ANCIENT PEACE.

After More Than Five Centuries Three
Calves Are still HumbIy Presented
Each Year 70 the Naughty Descend.
ants Of the Victorious spsnisrds.
Every year there takes place in the
Pyrenean highlands a remarkable fete.
1t is held at the boundary stone OF San
Martin, which separates the French
valley Bareton from the Spanish valley
Of Roncal. Every year the representa-
lives ofthe French peasants assemble
there In order to pay the Spaniards a
tribute, which consists Of three calves
OF the same age aud the same color,
and the delivery OF the calves Is &C
eompanied by ceremonies which sum
GENTLY indicate that the old inhabit-
ants Of the Roncal valley were once
victorious over their neighbors.
At 9 o'clock In the morning the may
ors OF the various villages in the Bare
ton valley, bravely adorned with their
blue, white and red scarfs OF Office.
march up to the boundary stone. In
front Of the column walks a lad. with a
pike, from the point OF which hutters a
little white pennOn as a gage OF peace.
The three calves are dragged In the
rear Of the procession at the end Of
long ropes. Calves and scarfs TAKE up
their position by the stone and await
the arrival Of the Spanlards.
They are soon visible in the distance.
In front walks a man clad in sheep.
skins, who waves a red pennou at the
end Of a pike as a sign of war. Behind
him walks the alcalde of Isaba, the
principal village in the valley of Ron
cal, and following him come the a.
caldes OF the other villages, their STATS
Of office in their hands. The bulk Of
the procession consists OF shepherds,
stern looking fellows armed with old
sabers and matchlocks.
The alcalde Of Isaba is all glorious to
behold in a long black garment fas-
tened by gold buttons. a tall white RUIZ.
tight fitting knee breeches, red silk
stockings and buckled shoes. A SOM
brero covers his head. and in his hands
he holds the stan adorned with silver
knobs, the emblem in Spain Of magls.
terial dignity.
AS soon as the Spaniards reach the
rendezvous the alcalde Of Isaba steps
to the front and addresses them in sol.
emn ceremonial style:
Are you come 10 pay tribute and
swear friendship according to old Gus.
tom and tradidonT'
THAT is the reason Of our coming"
answer the French.
Then fha two okoOlor1 ao..u.-
proach the boundary stone and lay
their pixies crosswise upon it. After n
few moments the ~Spaniard takes his
up again, sticks It into French soil and
then places 1t as before on the stone.
On the cross formed by the two shafts
the representatives Of the two valleys
swear to keep the peace with loyal
mind.
Then follows the delivery Of the three
calves to the Spaniards. They are ex
amtned by a veterinary surgeon and
accepted. after which all present take
up their stations under a shady oak.
and, following the example of the good
st. Louis Of France and Alfonso the
Wise Of Spain, the alcal1e Of Isaba en-.
thrones himself among the gnarled
roots Of the oak and proceeds 70 act as
a magistrate.
Shepherds n neatherds pass before
him and prefer their international com
plants. The judge listens to both sides,
bids them bring forward their witness
es and delivers judgment without de-
lay, INJECTING a fine on one, awarding
compensation to another, furnishing one
and aRording satisfaction to his victim.
After all the quarrels are settled the
alcalde undertakes the appointment of
the pasture guardians for both valleys,
30 that he enjoys even greater author
ity in the township of Bareton than the
president of the republic himself. FL
nally, they all betake themselves to
Spanish soil, where a HOmeric feast is
set out, and till late In the night the
banquet goes N, the descendants of
the old warlike mountain peoples drink
ing together in brotherly unity in COM
memoratiOn of the conclusion of the
peace Of 1875 and the installation Of
the above ceremonies.
About 300 years after this treaty had
been made the French began to refuse
to pay the tribute, but after some nego-
dadons they consented to continue It.
In more modern times they tried to get
the tribute committed to a sum Of mon
ey, but the Spaniards declined, but
agreed to foregO the firing Of guns in
the direction Of France as being a
wound to French amour ~propre.-Lon-
don Spectator.