The boldest, most fearless and notorious of the bandits have no fixed places of residence. Large private and government rewards are placed upon the heads of some of these desperadoes. Some of the more clever ones do not participate personally in the robberies and attendant crimes, but employ their talents in planning and directing the deeds. These clever managers often live what appears to be a most respectable life, having no fear of detection or interruption in the management of their reprehensible business. They are clever, cunning, subtle, penetrating, and always cautious. They have their trusted agents, through whom their plans are executed, and through whom they receive their profits in the business. These men levy tribute upon farmers, merchants and professional men. Savage dogs are the best protection to country property. Many bandits who have no fear of armed resistance will not venture into an enclosure guarded by fierce dogs. It is the purpose of the robbers to always surprise their victims in an assault, or to gain admission to a house by stealth, and the barking of dogs frustrates their plans. A curious custom among Chilean bandits, who operate in bands, is the taking with them on their thieving raids what is known as a “loro” (parrot). This individual is usually selected for his cowardly or cautious traits, rather than because of his bravery. When a robbery is planned the loro is placed on guard to keep watch and give the alarm, in the event of danger or discovery. Fearful of being caught, he is keenly alert and quick to sound a warning if anything suspicious is observed. Bandits are seldom known by their real names, and some of the cognomens applied to them are as characteristic of the individual as they are curious. One who is a clever talker is called a “Pico de Oro” (golden beak); “cojo” (lame); “Tenorio” (ladies’ man); “El Tuerto” (squint eye), etc. As previously stated there are few great commercial robberies, embezzlements or forgeries in Chile. This may be due to the fact that escape is difficult. The Cordilleras forming a natural barrier on one side and the ocean upon the other, it is only necessary to guard the mountain passes and watch the departure of ships to prevent persons from leaving the country. Men connected with commercial interests, which give them the opportunity to steal or embezzle large sums of money are, as a rule, unfamiliar with the mountainous country or the ways of bandits, and are therefore unable to escape by going to the interior.