Pernales 179 
from farmers and landowners. These exploits, together with an 
odd murder or two, spread consternation throughout the new 
area, and in all Puente-Genil, Pernales and the Nifo de Arahal 
became a standing nightmare. So soon as checked here by the 
police, the robbers once more moved west, again “ inspiring ” 
the press with reports of a foreign destination—this time wid 
Cadiz. A few days later, Mélaga was named as their intended 
exit. Yet on July 16 they were to the north of Seville, and 
had another rifle-duel with the Guards, again escaping scatheless 
at a gallop. 
Persecution was now so keen that the wilds of the Sierra 
Moréna afforded their only possible hope, and by holding the 
highest passes the outlaws reached this refuge, being next reported 
at Venta de Cardefias, 160 miles north of Cérdoba. A cordon of 
police was now drawn along the whole fringe of the sierra from 
Vizco del Marquéz to Despefiaperros. The position of the hunted 
couple became daily more precarious, their scope of activity more 
restricted, and robberies reduced to insignificant proportions. 
Nevertheless, on July 22, with consummate audacity and dash, 
they raided the farm of Recena belonging to D. Tomas Herrera, 
carrying off a sum of £160, with which they remained content 
till August 18, when they attacked the two farms of Vencesla 
and Los Villares, but, being repulsed, fled northwards towards 
Ciudad Real. On September 1 they entered the province of 
La Mancha, apparently seeking shelter in the deep defiles of 
the Sierra de Alcardz, for that morning a Manchegan wood- 
cutter was accosted by two mounted wayfarers who inquired 
the best track to Alcardéz. The woodman innocently gave 
directions which, if exactly followed, would much shorten the 
route. While thanking his informant, Pernales—apparently out 
of sheer bravado—revealed his identity, introducing himself to 
the astonished woodcutter as the Fury who was keeping all 
authority on the jump and the country-side ablaze. Straightway 
the man of the axe made for the nearest guard-station, and a 
captain with six mounted police, reinforced by peasants, followed 
the trail. As dusk fel] the pursuers perceived two horses tethered 
in a densely wooded dell, while hard by their owners sat eating 
and drinking—the latter imprudence perhaps explaining why the 
brigands were at last caught napping. To the challenge “ Alto 
4 la Guardia Civil!” came the usual prompt response — the 
