Pernales 175 
merciless retribution should the least shade of treachery befall 
—or rather what to the brigand-crew represented treachery. 
Human life was otherwise safe. Two points in this connection 
demand mention. Besides direct robberies, the brigands battened 
upon a tribute exacted from landowners and paid as a ransom to 
shield themselves and their tenants from molestation. Secondly, 
their safety and continued immunity from capture was largely 
due to that secret influence—quite undefinable, yet potent to this 
day —known as “Caciquismo.” That influence was exerted on 
behalf of the outlaws as part of the ransom arrangement aforesaid. 
Neither for robber-chieftains of the first water, such as these, 
nor for brigandage as a scientific business, is there any longer 
opportunity in modern Spain, any 
more than for a Robin Hood at 
home. Lesser lights of the road, 
footpads and casual sequestra- 
dores, will survive for a further 
space in the wilder region; but 
the real romance of the industry 
ceased with the new century. 
Its first decade has neverthe- 
less produced a brace of first-rate 
ruthans who, though in no sense 
to be compared with the old-time 
aristocracy of the craft, at least 
succeeded in setting at naught the civil power, and in pillaging 
and harassing rural Andalucia during more than two years. 
The original pair were known as Perndles and El Vivillo, the 
latter a man of superior instincts and education, whio, under 
former conditions, would doubtless have developed into the noble 
bandit. Vivillo on principle avoided bloodshed; not a single 
assassination is laid to his charge during a long career of crime. 
Pernales, on the contrary, revelled in revolting cruelties, and 
rated human life no higher than that of a rabbit. At first this 
repulsive ruffian, as hateful of aspect as of character,’ acted as 
PERNALES 
1 Pernales was born at Estepa, province of Sevilla, September 3, 1878, a ne’er-do-weel 
son of honest, rural parents. By 1906 he lad become notorious as a determined criminal, 
His appearance and Machiavellian instincts were interpreted as indicating great personal 
courage, and, united with his physique, combined to present a repulsive and menacing 
figure. A huge head set on broad chest and shoulders, with red hair and deep-set blue eyes, 
a livid freckled complexion, thin eyebrows, and one long tusk always visible, protruding 
from a horrid mouth, made up a sufficiently characteristic ensemble. 
