Every Christmas season, on January 6, which is classified as Old Christmas, the village of Rodanthe is visited by a special guest. The legend of Old Buck has endured for over 400 years. He is thought to live in Trent Woods and appears to see which children behaved that year.
Old Buck is a bull, and the folklore surrounding him dates back to English folklore, which tells of a dragon who once dominated England and was slain by Saint George many years ago. It was believed that the dragon had been defeated, freeing the country from its clutches. Another legend says that the dragon begged for its life and vowed never to return to that country again. The dragon’s wish was granted, and his spirit soon left England, passing from creature to creature.
Later, a Spaniard embarked on the journey to the New World and brought a bull to introduce bullfighting to his new home. The bull named Bucca was loaded on the ship. At first, the bull was gentle-tempered until roughly a week into their journey when the dragon’s spirit entered Bucca. The once gentle bull began to kick and heave, busting everything around him. Finally, two sailors on board cared for him, and he calmed.
As the ship neared the coast, a violent storm swept over it and ripped it from board to board. The two sailors found themselves and Bucca alone in the water. They decided to latch on to his horns and swim for hours, finally reaching Hatteras Island.
Native Americans rescued the men and Bucca, but over time, the bull wandered into the woods, where he continued to live, watching the children of Hatteras Island.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.
Source: Whedbee, Charles. Outer Banks Mysteries & Seaside Stories. John F. Blair, Publisher, 1978.
