18 



WILD SPAIN. 



malice and cruelty, revelling in bloodshed and revolting- 

 butcheries.* 



To those unacquainted with Spain, "la tierra de vice 

 versa," as they themselves call it, it must appear a mystery 

 how this robber-band could remain at large, practical 

 masters of great areas, in defiance of law and order, and 

 of the civil and military power of Spain. But there is 

 less difficulty for those who can see to read between the 

 lines, in a land where, according to one of their own 

 authors, every one has his price, that protection is 

 afforded to the outlaws by those in place and power, on 

 condition that they and their properties remain unmo- 

 lested. + 



In another chapter we will relate aeoirpleof episodes which 

 have occurred within our personal knowledge, and which 

 will serve to illustrate the robbers' methods of procedure, 

 and the condition of personal security among the sierras 

 of Southern Spain. 



* In a subsequent chapter we give some account of the life — and 

 death — of Vizco el Borje. 



f See " El Bandolerismo," by El Excm". e Ilmo. Sefior Don Julian 

 de Zugasti, late Governor of the province of Cordova (Madrid, 1876). 



r 



& \ 



A WATER-CARRIER. 



