The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-06
ON SALUTE ISLAND.

glare OF the tropical sun. Life there has
not one attractive feature
was attached number Of years ago to
the feet in the south Atlantic, and dur
ing the course Of our journeying we an
chored of Salute island One night 1 sat
ON the deck in the company Of ANOTHER Off
GER We were lazily smoking our after
dinner cigars. when heard a cry of
"HelpP' from the water below followed
by a splash.
I ran Immediately to the rail, as I
thought it was a case of man overheard
But there was sailor ahead of me, who
tossed a rope to a man who was swimming
in the water below. In a moment he was
drawn up on deck and at once began an
explanation of his appearance.
He was a convict from the dread station
on the island He had seen our flag, and
he had sW@n cut to the ship. would we
take him aboard and enable him to es-
capeP''
did not listen to another word of ex-
PLANTATION 1t was altogether too serious a
matter for me. The admiral of the fleet
was then dining on board the very ship
where was. I sent an officer to him ask
ing him if he would come on deck
shall never forget the picture present
ed when the admiral appeared He was in
full dress Of his rank, as the dinner was
one Of ceremony. The prisoner was tall,
gaunt and haggard. He stood, in his con-
Wet dress, in an attitude of entreaty.
The admiral said, ''Well sirP' and then
the man began to tell his story in the clear,
we'll mOdulated French of an educated per
son. According to his story he had com
mitted no crime He had been exiled for
his political opinions. He had wife and
family at home. He had come out to the
ship at great peril in hope that he would
find freedom mere. He swan out to the
flag of Britain, the emblem Of which
L. L L.
in vain9
The admiral was deeply moved, but his
face was stern as he said:
Il am sorry, sir, but I can do nothing
for you 1t is not your life or mine that
would be at stake. If I were to take you
away, should be guilty of interfering
with the police regulations of a friendly
foreign nation, and that would be a sufi-
cient cause for a war, in which many in
nocent lives would be lost am sorry,
but you must go back.
The prisoners attitude was now one of
intense detection. He said, without fur
Their argument, ''Sir, you have just con-
demped me to death -
'tHow is thet9'' 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 9 O'Clock
the rounds of the cells are made If a
prisoner is away at that hour, his absence
is considered as proof Of an attempt to get
away
Our admiral started as If he had heard
the crack of a shot.
Heavens, manl' said he. "What time
is it nowP''
He pulled out his watch as he spoke with
a nervous wrench.
1T is only 20 minutes to 9. I will get
you back. y
Without r5a1o,
turned to the side of the ship opposite the
island. A few hurried orders were given
in a low tone A boat was dropped. The
oars were promptly muf1ed, and a boats
crew clambered down like monkeys.
The prisoner was hidden in the bottom
of the boat, and within four minutes from
the time the order was given the boat shot
out on its errand Of mercy toward the is
land. A little black cloud came across the
moon just as the boat started, as if the
elements were lending a kindly hand in
concealing the return of the unhappy man.
The officers who had heard the story all
swarmed to the rail with their glasses.
We watched in the darkness for the appear
ance Of lights or some signal of alarm.
The boat landed without single sign of
disturbance. The prisoner was back few
minutes before 9, in ample time to return
to his cell A sigh of relief was breathed
by us all when we saw the boat coming
back and nowhere any evidence of any
thing unusual in the appearance Of the is
land.
But still we felt very uneasy. The ad-
miral walked up and down talking about
the poor man. Some way he felt that it
was not all right. We could not feel Ger
tain of his escape. We sat up nearly all
night studying the island through our
glasses.
The next morning we felt that we must
n wa 2 n OT1bf ar
miral decided to pay a visit of ceremony to
the French military commander of the is
land. The officers on board our ships
were invited to accompany him. We
thought surely in visit of this kind we
would hear if any unusual event like an
attempt at an escape or an execution had
taken place.
We all put on full uniform for a visit of
ceremony. The admiral 5 gig was lowered,
and we set out for the island about 10
pollock. We were received with great DO
likeness The French comInandant inyit-
ed US to remain for midday breakfast
At the close of the meal the command
ant selected a young officer of his staff and
directed him to turn out with a guard of
honor to accompany US back to our boat.
The commandant, in giving his instruc-
tons, added, when these gentlemen are
ready to depart, give them my message"
This phrase sent a cold chill through our
company. We felt that everything was not
all right.
We marched back in silence to our boat.
When every one was in position and the
oars were ready to let fall and pull away,
the young French officer said, with his
hand to his head in an attitude of military
salute:
"This is the message of the command
ant of this post. He wishes me first to
present to you his compliments. You are
brave and honorable men You have at
tempted to do a merciful act. Last night
a prisoner escaped from this island He
was seen by the sentry as he entered the
water. He was seen to swim out in the