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The name Zorro comes from the Spanish for fo x. The character lives in the Pueblo of Los Angeles in what was Spanish California (1760-1821). The territory now part of the state of California was then part of the Spanish Empire. However, the Spanish neglected it until 1767, when they took direct control of the region, out of fear that one of their European competitors would seize the area <ref>Chapman, Charles Edward. A history of California: the Spanish period. (London, Macmillan, 1921), p. 114</ref>. The Spanish colonial authorities were very harsh and oppressed the native peoples in particular. This is the setting for the adventures of Zorro. Although some later versions of the story set his story in Mexican California (1812-1850). He is typically portrayed as masked and a great swordsman, who also uses a whip to great effect. Zorro is the champion of the poor and the exploited and a friend to the native tribes. He is shown fighting for their rights against the oppressive Spanish officials and soldiers <ref> Alexander, p 89</ref>. The character is shown as wearing a black cape and a sombrero. He often publicly humiliates officials and soldiers as punishment for their treatment of Californians. Zorro often marks the oppressors of the people with a Z, his personal mark. Because of his struggles with the colonial government he is outlawed and has a bounty placed on his head but is loved by the common people, who help him. Zorro is a great swordsman and his favorite weapon is a rapier. He has amazing powers of endurance and is practically uncatchable on his horse ‘Tornado’. However, Zorro is, in reality, the alter-ego of a young Californian aristocrat Don Diego de la Vega. He is the only son of the richest man in all California, whose mother died many years ago. Diego went to university in Spain where he studied swordsmanship <ref>McCulley, Johnston. The mark of Zorro (London, Penguin, 2005), p 19</ref>. He returns home after he hears of the oppression of the Spanish in California. Diego adopts the persona of Zorro so that he can fight the cruel and corrupt officials in California. In order to escape suspicion, he acts like a spoiled playboy with no interest in the troubles and injustice of his times <ref>McCulley, p 34</ref>. He pretends to be a coward who is afraid of fighting and is widely despised in California. Diego loves Lolita Pulido, a poor noblewoman, but she dislikes him and indeed loves his alter-ego. In the stories Zorro is shown as being pursued by the local Caballeros but over time he wins them around to his cause and they offer him invaluable help. In some iterations of the story, Zorro would pass the mantle on to younger men who would assume his identity and carry on his fight for justice.