Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-13
CHAPTER III.
THE DOCTORS EXPERIMENT

During the breakfast, the conversation
chiefly dwelt on the administration OF the
colony, on the manners and customs OF
the inhabitants, on the relations which
had been established between the Spanish
and native populations. Incidentally the
doctor was led to speak OF the convict
whom he had awakened from the magne-
tic sleep two or three days before on the
road into the town.
"He remem bers nothing about it, prob
ablyV asked the doctor.
Nothing replied the governor, "but
he is not now at work on the roads,"
Where is he, then?" asked the doctor
with a certain feeling of anxiety that
Pierre was the only one to remark.
''He is in the hospital" answered the
governor. SIT seems that the shock upset
his precious health"
"W no is her"
"A Spaniard named Carpena, a vulgar
murderer, not at all interesting, DR.. An
tekirtt; and If he happened to die,
can assure you that he would be no loss
to us!"
Then the conversation took another
turn. Doubtless it did not suit the doctor
to lay too much stress on the case of the
convict, who would be quite recovered
after day or two in hospital.
Breakfast over, coffee was served on
in smoke beneath the awning. Then the
doctor suggested going ashore without
| delay He now belonged to the governor,
! and was readvtO visit the Spanish colony
| in all its branches.
The suggestion was accepted, and up to
dinner-tme the governor devoted himself
| to doing the hOnors of the colony to his
| illustrious visitor. The doctor and Pierre
| were cOnscienti0usly taken all over the
arn not j i
not miss a single detail either in the
| prisons or the barracks. The day being
! Sunday, the cOnvicts were not at their
| ordinary tasks, and the doctor could OBJ.
/ serve them under different cIrcum.
stances. Carpena he only saw as they
passed through one OF the wards in the
hospital, and he did not appear to attract
his attention.
The doctor intended to leave for Ante.
kirtta that evening but not until he had
given the greater part Of the evening, to
the governor; and about 6 O'Clock he re-
turned to the house, where an elegantly
served dinner awaited them-the reply to
the mornings breakfast.
We need hardly say that during this
walk through the colony the doctor was
| followed by Namir, and quite unaware
that he WAS so closely watched.
The dinner was pleasant one. A few
Of the chief people In the colony, officers
and their wives, and two or three rich
merchants had been invited, and did not
| conceal the pleasure they experienced al
seeing and hearing DR.. Anteklrtt. The
doctor spoke OF his travels IN the East, in
! Syria, in Arabia, in the north of Africa.
Then leading the conversation round TO
Ceuta he complimented the governor
who administered the Spanish colony
with so much ability. 40
"But,' added he, "looking after the
convicts must give you great deal OF
trOuble.' va
"And why, my dear doctorY rs
because they must try to escape. And
as the prisoner must think more Of get
ting away than the warders think Of STOP
ping him. IL follows that the advantage u
on the side OF the prisoner, and should
not be surprised if there is sometimes one
or two missing at roll-call."
"Neyer,' answered the Governor.
"NeYerl Where would the hlgitlves 20?
BY sea escape Is impossible. by laAd
among the savage people OF MoroooD
flight would be dangerous. And SO tth
conYicts remain here II not from pleas-
ure, from prudence" MA
"Well." answered the doctor, 81 must
congratulate youi For il is 10 be feared
that guarding the prisoners will become
more and more difficult In the future.n ID
Sand why, if you pleaseW asked ono 81
the guests who was much interested In
the conversation owing To his being the
director OF the penitentiary.
"Beoauee, sir" replied the doctor, "the
study OF magnetic phenomena has made
great progress, because their action can
he applied n everything In the world, be-
cause the effects of suggestion are becom.
ing more and more frequent and tend 50
muchtOwards substituting one PERSONAL.
" for another"
'"And in that casei" asked the Cover.
nor.
''ln that case think that n IL Is wise
10 watch your prisoners, IL liz iust as wise
20 watch your warders. During my tray,
els have witnessed some extraordinary
things, that | would not have believed
possible, with regard to these phenomena
And In your own interest do not forge
that II prisoner can unc0nsoiously es
cane under the influence OF stranger'l
will, warder subject to the same infu
ence can none the less unconsciously al
low him 10 escape"
"Will YOU explain 10 US Of what thes,
phenomena consist" asked the directo
OF the penitenaryD
"ies, sir, and / will give you an exam
: pie 10 make them clear 20 you. Suppose
warder has anatural disposition TO sub
nit TO magnetic or hypnotic influence
and admit that prisoner can do what b.