Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-08-19
Tragedy of the Sea.
Midnight Experience off the
Coast of Brazil, as Told by
General Remey.
A French Convict Makes a He
roic Attempt to Escape
from Salute Island.
He is Taken Up by a Man-of-
War and Carried Back
to the Island.

TO the Island.
Helena independent: Judge Adyo-
cate General Remey, of the United
states navy, has a handsome office on
the east side Of the great war and
navy department building Gen. Re
mey is the highest officer charged VITA
the records of the court martial trials
OF naval officers. He also passes upon
contracts and questions of legal inter
est. His position is that of Judge OF
= court of the highest appeal in the ser
vice of the navy
lie is Il gentleman i'll the neighbour
mood of 4O years Of age One day. Scv-
cral years ago, when was in his office,
he turned from the pcruSal of some
papers on the desk before him and told
me most remarkable story The story
was suggested by Il map of South Amer
lea attached to the papers which h.
was examining.
Pointing to Il little spot upon the maI,
TO the northeast of the coast of Brazil
ne said: That is Salute Island. 1t is
I; French convict station. 1t is IL bar
rem strip of sandy desert bare absolute
~ Of vegetation. 1t lies very low AMI
IS wholly unprotected from the glare of
the tropical sun. Life there has not
one attractive feature. Only convic;s
of the most unfortunate character are
sent to the island. Fevers are common
IN the despair and discomfort of this
hideouS llf" the prisoners die like sheep.
| TX: be sent to this island is almost
equivalent to being sentenced to death
/ 'thc Sisters of Charity go there and by
their devotion show the unSeltiSh Spir-
it that aninlates them. They go there
and share the nliscl'ics and diScomfortS
and deaths which are common to all
on the island.
Il WAS attached Il number of years
ago to the fleet in the South Atlantic,
and during the course of our Journey
ing we anchored off Salute Island Ono
night l sat upon the deck in the com
pany of another officer. We had lust
i finished dinner below. 1t was Il soft
moonlight night, with occasional sour
res of cloud which made the night
light at times uncertain and dim We
were lazily smoking our after diacr
cigars when | heard Il cry Of Help"
from the water below, followed by 4
splash.
Il ran imediately to the rail as
thought it was Il ease of Il man over
board, but there was Il sailor ahead of
me. who tossed Il rope to Il man who
WAS swimming in the water below. In
Il moment he was drawn III, on deck
md at once he began an explanation
OF his appearance.
lie W;lS Il convict from the dread
station on the island. He had seen our
flag and he had swan OIL to our ship.
'Wonld we take bim aboard and enable
him to escape?
i lid not listen to another word of
his explanation. 1t was altogether too
serious Il matter for me- Th,. admiral
of the fleet was then dining on board
the very ship where | was | sent IN
officer to him asking him if he could
come on deck.
Il shall never forget the picture pre-
scented when the admiral appeared. He
was in full dress of his rank as the din
ner was one of ceremony. He was Il
handsome officer with snowy white
hair and short white beard In striking
contrast was the attitude and the ap-
pearance of the prisoner The latter
was tail. gaunt and haggard. He stood
of intense entreaty.
''The admiral said, well. sir and
then the man began to tell his story in
the clear. well moduiated French of IN
educated person. According to his
story he had committed no crime. He
had been exiled for his political opin-
ions. He had wife and family at
great peril in the hope that he would
find here freedom. He swan out to
the flag of the country the emblem Of
which meant liberty. Had he made his
appeal in vain?
The character Of the man was most
impressive. The admiral believed that
he was listening to the words of Il man
of truth and honor He was deeply
moved, but his face was stern as he
Said:'I am sorry. sir, but ] can do moth
ing for you. 1t is not your life or mine
that would be at stake. If / We're to
take YOU away | would be guilty Of in
terfering with the police regulations Of
Il friendly foreign nation, and that |
would be a sufficient cause for war, in |
which many innocent lives would be |
l. st. / am sorry, but you must 90 back |
The prisoners attitude was now one |
of intense detection. He said, without |
further Argument, Sir, you have just |
me to death
" How is that? " asked the admiral.
According to the regulations of the
which is governed by military law re-
['lied the prisoner, any prisoner who
attempts to escape is shot. At nine
o'clock the rounds of the cells are made.
II a prisoner is found absent at that
hour his absence is considered as proof
IF an attempt to get away
Our American admiral started as if
ne had heard the crack of Il shot.
My God, man. said he, what tine
5 it now"
He pulled out his watch as he spoke
with Il nervous wrench.
ct is only twenty minutes to nine.
will get you back
Without a seconds delay the adj
niral turned to the side of the ship op-
oosite the Stand. A few hurried or
lers We're given in a low tone. A boat
vas dropped. The oars We're promptly
nuffled and boats crew clamberad