The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-12-24
Ia GLIMPSE OF DREYFUS,
elIlFul LIES ROUTINE OF THE
PRISONER ON DEVILS ISLAND.

Narrative of the Cook ON Board tn
Dutch Ship Andalusia. Which Recent
Visited the French Penal Colony-Ap
pearance of the Prisoner-Aged Rapidly
|. Our ship, the Netherland steamship
Andalusia, was anchored off Devil
Island recently after a visit to Cav
enne, when we were hailed from
shore. At the same time small boa
put of, manned by soldiers. The,
came alongside to ask the captain fol
the loan of cook while the Andalusi,
was waiting for freight. The cook o.
the little garrison had broken hi.
arm, they said, and our cook was tt
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
instructing soldier in the mysteries
of broiling lamb chops and cooking
pork I had plenty of opportunity to
question Captain DreyfuS guards.
The men, who had at first seemed dis
inclined to speak, became loauacious
after awhile. "He'' was not SO ill.,
treated as those in the world seemed
to think; She is not confined; she"
can go everywhere on the island. OF
course, two men are always at his
heels. ''He" gets up between and
7 in the morning, and his first break
fast consists of a cup of chocolate. If
the weather is good che" goes for a
walk soon afterward and winds up his
promenade by bath.
"But are you not afraid he might
swim away or commit suicide?"
asked.
"Not at all, 4" said the soldiers, 'for
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 breakfast-butter,
bread, ham or eggs and a bottle of
beer. Then he goes in for study.
He reads and writes for several
hours
"What kind of books has he got?"
The soldiers looked at each other.
After awhile one of them said:
che is only allowed to read techni-
,al works, but he can write whatever
ne pleases. He is now writing an ac-
count of his life. -
"Must he show You what he
vrites?''
mo; we read only the letters he
lesires to have forwarded. These
re sent to the commander at Cay
nne,"
''And does the commander send
hem off as received?"
mo, they are copied and the orig
nails are retained at Cayenne"
what does he do besides reading
nd writing?"
'Two weeks ago we received per-
nss1on from the commander to play
ards with the prisoner, and he has
ecome an inveterate gambler since.
fter dinner-he has always soup,
oast and dessert-about 2 O'Clock in
he afternoon we always play baccarat
,gether.
w udb are tu6 SIakoSg
The soldier laughed. "He has not
ot sou and there are not probably
lree francs on the whole island. We
ay for shells. The prisoner gets
IS supper at 6 in the evening-roast,
ham and bottle of beer. Soon
terward he goes to bed. He is not
lowed to have a light, you know.
My the guard on the door keeps up
wood fire. He says the hours from
to 10 are his worst. He cannot go
sleep before 10 o'clock and the
lard is not allowed to answer any
Iestions he may put. In the day {
ne we may talk to him, but only on
g most triaing subjects, the weather,
health, etc. Our own country is |
It to be mentioned" I
"Is he allowed to smoker" |
'sNo; that is, think he is not, for '
Q commander does not furnish him t
Dacco." t
May l leave some cigars for him?" l
The soldier did not answer. I
ptied my tobacco pouch and my
ar case on the table. l hope he got
at left for him. n
As was about to return to nv e
p l saw man, followed by two l
dlers, approaching the strand. t.
eyfus He seemed to have heard of g
presence and measured me with II
sstioning looks. His lips moved, K
he did not speak. He is middle N
ed man, cadaverous and of a yell p
complexion. His eyes are deep K
their sockets; he walks with q 81
op and his forehead is furrowed. D.
is growing old rapidly, no doubt.
)reyfus whispered with his guard II
!, when the latter had nodded as ID
t, walked up to me and shook me d
the hand. Bring my good wishes M
he wide world" he said, in a voice b,
vering with emotion. Then he pl
ked slowly toward his hut. where M
remained standing at the door, tn
ing his hand as my boat dashed g
, the pillows. Half an hour later ia
were on our way home. Karl IS
inheber, Cook of the Netherlands va
amship Andaiusia, in Kuche und 3
Ter. In