The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-01-20
AN ISLAND TRAGEDY.

Lire tnere mas not one attractive fea-
ture
was attached number of years ago
to the fleet in the South Atlantic, and
during the course of our journeying
we anchored off Salute Island. One
night sat on the deck in company with
another officer We were lazily smok-
Ing our after dinner cigars, when l
heard cry of "Helpr from the water
below. followed by splash.
ran Immediately to the rail. as
thought 1t was a-case of a man over
board. But there was a sailor ahead
of me, who tossed a rope to "a man
who was swimming in the water below.
In moment he was drawn up on deck
and at once began an explanation of
his appearance.
He was a convict from the dread sta
tion on the island. He had seen our
flag and he had swum out to the ship.
Would we take him aboard and enable
him to escape?"
l did not listen to another word Of
explanation. 1t was altogether too ser
ious matter for me. The admiral of
the fleet was then dining on board the
very ship where l was. / sent an officer
to him, asking him If he would come
on deck.
1 shall never forget the picture pre-
sented when the admiral appeared He
was in full dress Of his rank. as the
dinner was one of ceremony. The prls-
oner was tall, gaunt and haggard. He
stood in his convict dress, in an atti-
tude of entreaty
The admiral said "Well, sir" and
then the man began to tell his story
in the clear, we'll modulated French of
an 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
home. He had come out to the ship
at great peril in the hope that he
would find freedom here. He swan out
to our flag the emblem of which
meant liberty. Had he made his ap-
peal in vain?
The admiral was deeply moved, but
his face was stern as he said:
az am sorry. sir but can do nothing
for you. 1t is not your life or mine
that would be at stake If we were
to take you away, l should be guilty of
interfering with the police regulations
of friendly foreign nation, and that
would be sufficient cause for war, in
which many innocent lives would be
lost am sorry, but you must go
back"
The prisoners attitude was now one
of intense detection. He said, without
further argument, Sir you have just
condemned me to death"
"How is that?" asked the admiral
According to the regulations of the
island. which is governed by military
law" replied the convict, ANY prisoner
who attempts to escape is shot. At
o'clock the rounds of the cell are
made. If a prisoner is absent at that
hour, lthis absence is considered as
proof of his attempt to get away"
Our admiral started as as if he had {
heard the crack of shot.
Heavens, manw said he, what time
is it now?"
He pulled out his watch as he spoke
with o nervous wrench.
1T is only 20 minutes to 8; 1 will get
you back"
without a seconds delay, the admiral
turned to the side of the ship opposite
the island. A few hurried orders were
given in low tone. A boat was dropp-
ed. The oars were promptly muffied, :
and a boats crew clambered like mon
keys.
The prisoner was buried in the bot
tom of the boat, and within four min {
utes from the time the order was given,
the boat started on it's errand of mercy
toward the island. A little black cloud
came across the moon just as the boat
started, as If the elements were lending
q kindly hand in concealing the return
of the unhappy man.
The officers who heard the story all
swarmed to the side with their glasses.
We watched in the darkness for the 6
appearance of lights or some signal of
alarm. The boat landed without a sim :
gle sign of disturbance. The prisoner [
was back a few minutes before 9, in q
ample time to return to his cell. A
sigh of relief was breathed by us all e
when we saw the boat coming back and q
nowhere any evidence of anything un-
usual in the appearance of the island. :
But still we felt uneasy. The ad- il
miral walked up and down, talking i
about the poor man. Some way he
felt that it was not all right. We could
not feel certain of his escape. We sat /
up nearly all night studying the island Il
our glasses.
The next morning we felt that we i,
must satisfy in some manner our v
doubts. The admiral decided to pay a
a visit of ceremony to the French mill =
tary commander of the island The q
officers on board our ship were invited
to accompany him. We thought surely p
in a visit of this kind we would hear q
II any unusual event like an attempt !
at an escape or an execution had taken A
place.
We all put on full uniform for a visit
Of ceremony. The admiral's gig was c
lowered and we set out FOR the island t
about 10 o'clock. We were received v
with great politeness. The French :
invited us to remain for i,
a midday breakfast n
At the close of the meal the COM :
mandant selected a young officer Of :
his staff and directed him to turn out a
with guard of honor and accompany !:
Is back to our boat The commandant, 2 :