The age-herald., 1898-09-07
DREYFUS ON
 DEVILS ISLAND

 | Our ship, the Netherland steamship An- dalusia, was anchored off Devils Island on April l. after a vist to Cayenne, when we were hailed from shore. At the same time a small boat put off. manned by soldiers. They came alongside to ask the captain for the loan of cook while the Andalusia was waiting for freight. The cook of the little garrison had broken his arm, they said, and our cook was to teach one of their men, so that he might be able to attend to the kitchen until another was sent by the com- mander.
 The captain sent me to the island and while busy in the little kitchen instructng soldier in the mysteries of broilng lamb chops and cooking pork I had plenty of opportunity to question Captain Dreyfus' guards. The men, who had at first seemed disfnclined to speak, became quite loqua- cfous after a while. "He'' was not so i'll treated as those in the world seem to think; he is not confined; "he' can go anywhere on the island. Of course, two men are al- ways at his heels. "He' gets up between and in the morning, and his first break fast consists of a cup of chocolate. If the weather Is good "he" goes for a walk soon afterward and winds up his promenade by bath.
 'But you are not afraid he might swim away or commit suicide?' I asked.
 Not at all' said the soldiers, flor a rope is fastened to both his wrists, and the ends of the rope are in the hands of the guard. After the bath he takes his second break- fast-butter, bread. ham or eggs and bot- Ia of beer ba fo.. reads and writes for several hours"
 What kind of books has he got?' The soldiers looked at each other. After while one of them said: "Ie is only allowed to read technical works. But he can write whatever he pleases. He is now writing an account of his life"
 Must he show you what he writes?'
 "No; we read only the letters he desires to have forwarded. These are sent to the commander in Cayenne"
 And does the commander send them off as received?"
 "No; they are copied and the originals are retained at Cayenne
 What does he do besides reading and writing?"
 1.-Two weeks ago we received permission from the commander to play cards with the prisoner, and he has become an invet- crate gambler since. After dinner-he has always soup, a roast and dessert-about o'clock in the afternoon we always play baccarat together"
 What are the stakes?'
 The soldier laughed "He has not got a sou and there are probably not three francs on the whole island We play for shells. The prisoner gets his supper at 6 in the evening-roast, or ham and bottle of beer Soon afterward he goes to bed. He is not allowed to have light you know. Only the guard at the door keeps up a wood fire. He says the hours from to 10 are his worst. He cannot go to sleep be- fore 10 o'clock and the guard is not al- lowed to answer any questions he may put. In the day time we may talk to him, but only on the most trifling subjects. the weather, his health, etc. Our own country is not to be mentioned
 'Is he allowed to smoke?"
 "No, that is, I think he is not, for the commander does not furnish him tobacco"
 May l leave some cigars for him?"
 The soldier did not answer. I emptied nay tobacco pouch and my cigar case the table. l hope he got what I left for him.
 As was about to return to my ship I saw man. followed by two soldiers, ap- preaching from the strand. Dreyfus! He seemed to have heard of my presence and measured me with questioning looks. His lips moved, but he did not speak. He is a middle-sized man, eadaverous and of a yei- low complexion. His eyes are deep in their sockets; he walks with stoop and his forehead is furrowed. He is growing old rapidly, doubt.
 Dreyfus whispered with his guard and, when the latter had nodded assent. walked up to me and shook by the hand. Bring my good wishes to the wide world,' he said, in voice quivering with emotion. Then he walked slowly toward his hut, where he remained standing at the door, waving his hand as my boat dashed into the pillows. Half an hour later we were our way home.-Karl Weinheber Cook of the Netherland Steamship Andalusia, in Kuche und Keller, for May.