The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1913-06-19
A CURIOUS COURT
It Is Held Annually When France
Pays Tribute to Spain.
PRICE OF AN ANCIENT PEACE.

After More Than Five Centuries Three
Calves Are Still Hur1pIy Presented
Each Year to tho naughty Descend
ants of the Victorious Spaniards.
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-
tives of the French peasants assemble
there in order to pay the Spaniards a
tribute, which consists of three calves
OF the same age and the same color.
AID the delivery of the calves is ac-
companied by ceremonies which sufIi-
GENTLY indicate that the old inhabit-
ants of the Roncal valley were once
victorious over their neighbors.
At 8 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 lad, with
pixies from the pant Of which flutters
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'Spaniards.
They are soon visible in the distance.
In front walks a man clad in sheep
skins, who wavessa red pennon at the
end of pike as assign 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 u 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 long black garment fas-
tened by gold buttons. tall white ruff,
tight fitting knee breaches. red silk
stockings and buckled Shoes A som
brero covers his head. and in his hands
he holds the staff adorned with silver
knobs. the emblem in Spain of magis-
terial dignity.
AS soon rs the Spaniards reach the
rendezvous the acalde of Isaba steps
to the front and addresses them in sol
emn ceremonial style:
Are you come to pay tribute and
swear friendship according to old Gus
tom and traditiOn?"
That is the reason of our coming"
answer the French.
Then the two standard bearers np.
proach the boundary stone and lay
their pixies crosswise upon it. After Il
few moments the Spaniard takes his
up again, sticks it into French soil and
then places it 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-
amined by veterinary surgeon and
accepted. after which all present take
up their stations under IL shady oak,
and, following the example, Of the good
st. Louis of France and Alfonso the
Wise of Spain, the alcalde of Isaba en-
thrones himself among the gnarled
roots of the oak and proceeds to act as
a magistrate.
Shepherds and neatherds pass before
him and prefer their internatio com
plants. The judge listens,to both sides.
bids them bring forward their witness
es and delivers Judgment without de-
lay intlicting u fine OH one, awarding
compensation to another furnishing one
ana affordlng satisfaction to his victim
After all the quarrels ARE settled the
alcalde undertakes the appointment Of
the pasture guardians for both valleys.
so that he enjoys even greater author
ity In the township of BaEeton than the
president of the republic, himself III.
nally. they all betlke themselves to
Spanish soil, where Homeric feast Is
set out, and Till late in the night the
banquet goes on. the descendants OF
the old warllke mountain ,peopes drink
Ing together In brotherlH unity in com
lnemoration OF the conclusion Of the
peace OF 1875 and the installation OF
the above ceremonies
About 300 years afterJthls treaty had
been made the French began to refuse
to pay the tribute. but IN fter some nego-
tlntions they consented to continue 1t.
In more modern times they tried to get
the tribute communicable sum OF mon.
ey. but the Spana rds declined. but
agreed to foreso thes firing Of guns In
the direction Of France as being a
wound to French emour pre.--Lon.
don Spectator.