"But what can one man do," said he, "to defend all this, if there should be need ?" "Oh, I don't intend to defend it," said the other.

"The point is to have somebody here to claim it in case a coaster should touch here.

I don't expect to be murdered for the sake of a lot of guano.

But I shall keep my two rifles and other arms inside that little fort, and if I should see any signs of rascality I shall jump inside and talk over the guano-bags, and I am a good shot." The Chilian shrugged his shoulders.

"If I stayed here alone," said he, "I should be afraid of nothing but the devil, and I am sure he would come to me, with all his angels.