Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-05

other Information by my observations of
this afternoon. Devils Island is a small
one, as you saw. On the north side MOTTO
ed that 1t IS rocky, with no signs of
beach. 1t seems to be impossible for a boat
to land there. If the French think 1t i'm
possible our task will be so much easier,
for that is where we shall land. On the
south side you noticed that the land runs
sloping down to the waters edge. There
is stretch of white sand, and that is
good boat landing. Through the telescope
l saw that there were only three buildings
on the island. AS well as I could make out
the one to the eastward is the prison cell
of Captain Dreyfus. The small hut to the
westward of this IS where, in all proba-
bility, The guard. or that part of it which
is not patroling the prison. sleeps. Farther
back, nearer the center of the island, there
is large building, a sort Of barracks, and
there probably is the company of French
soldiers which has been stationed on the
island ever since Dreyfus arrived
Hudson found by turning to the almanac
that there would not be a moonless night
for three days, and we could not do thing
except on a pitch-dark night.
Chapter III.
On the third day luck seemed to favor
u.s. From the southwest blew up storm,
not much wind in it, but heavy banks Of
rain clouds, pouring rain and stirring up
enough of sea to make it unpleasant. 1t
was bad weather to be near land, but 1t
was good weather for our purpose. and the
storm had hardly begun before the steam
er's head was slowed round and we were
heading against the storm, straight for
Devils Island, as fast as steam would take
us.
In the afternoon We changed our course
and ran westward until We got sight,
through the haze and rain, of the coast of
French Guiana. Our pilot was puzzled at
the glimpse of the coast we gave him. so
We had to run closer than was really safe.
that he might get his bearings. When he
was able to recognize the land he told US
we we're just south of Sinnamarce, scarce
sixty miles from Cayenne Here We hove
to, keeping enough way on the vessel to
hold her head to the seas; so We waited for
darkness.
AS darkness fell We gave orders to go
ahead, and, steering south by east half
east, we found ourselves at o O'Clock two
miles north Of Devils Island, and, as the
wind was from the south. we were under
its Ice.
Our men were called away to supper
After they had eaten and had glass of
grog We made them take of their shoes,
and offered them moccasins for their feet
All accepted them but the negro Jones,
whose feet were calloused and who averred
that he could walk the rockiest shore sure
footed and without noise.
BY 900 steam was up on the naphtha
launch, when she was hoisted overheard,
and the men took their stations. Hudson
The captain Of the steamer had been or
dered to lay to end wait for us, showing
no light anywhere, but keeping up full
head of steara. If we fired a rocket he was
to show light, steam in the direction of
the rocket, pick Us up and steam seaward.
! II he got no sign from the shore by o clock
in the morning he had orders to put
straight to sea, lay to till night and at night
to try and return to the position occupied
where We left him. This latter order we
thought necessary, as it might be possible
that we should be compelled to hide among
the rocks of the island all next day.
As we put away from the steamer there
was heavy sea running, q sea that threat
ened to engulf and swamp the small launch
root Dy foot against 1t we made our way
up and then down the north coast of Dew
IFS island. Picking our course with the
greatest care for fear of rocks, we yet
Kept sharp eye out for a place where II
would be possible to land, but we found
none. We wasted an hour thus
AT last We saw one place, a small OPEN
ing In the rocky coast. and inside Of this
the water was slightly smoother. but the
waves dashed madly against the coast,
and there was no sign of beach, Hudson
headed the launch for this
saw the negro get UP and crawl aft.
coutd see him pointing to the black rock
and finally saw him take or his clothes
sup rope around his shoulders and slip
over the side II was the act OF volun-
| eeer- III was hard for q man to swim I'm
such a sea, but the negro made It.
In lew moments We saw him clinein9
70 the rock, up which he slowly rnounted.
To the thin line ne had carried ashore we
fastened stoufer one, and Jones pulled II
ashore. he fastened 1t around a point Of
rock. ana to this we pulled the launch.
heEd over hand The wind from the south
kept her of the rocks, and she promised to
ride safely in her narrow harbOraRe 1t