The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-02
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chances OF escane" reads like a detec-
tive romance Of the most generous type.
In the wine shops Of Cayenne they
chuckle over Il to-day. For scenery there
are three islands lying In the sombro
night without moon. without stars. Inc
wind IS on the sea. The breakers dash
against the rocks. IL was at such an hour
that NJ. NerignOn got up MS eNDedlllon'
Leaving the lie Royale in a SMALL SAIL
boat, with three picked men and an IN
dian pilot. he sailed round the lie Gu
Diable. landing in a little creek Silently
they picked their way 10 the goat house
beside the little grove. where Dreyiu5
was locked in. Nobody stopped them.
Every one was sleeping peacefully. An
escape" would have succeeded. what
IS more curious. the adventure was re-
peated This decided NJ. Nerignon, IL
seems. He reported TO NJ Lebon, nc
Paris. that the prisoner was mot SAFE
under the regime existing.
Soon there came from Paris voluml-
nous secret dossier" In duplicate, with
minute instructions for the treatment or
the prisoner I'm all foreseen eventuah-
ties" Dreyfus was made TO leave his
grove lie was no longer left 10 roam
about the island with a guard behind
him The new buildings down on the
sun-hlistered shore were quickly run up,
the wooden tower that holds the Hotch-
kiss gun. the house OF tho guards. with
its broad poarch the palisade which is
the prison yard Of Dreyfus. and the hut
inside which is his solitary cell.
II was now that Dreyfus became rebel
lious and was put I'm irons lie ragged
against the new regime Of solitary con-
finement I'm a tiny prison yard without a
view of sea or land. Then they cut of
the privilege Of the canteen, and told
him that for occupation he should do his
cooking. Dufourg the agent at Cayenne,
advised the Dreyfus family 10 protest In
Paris against the close confinement as
illegal. contrary 10 the terms OF tho
court-martials sentence which were that
the prisoner should be- kept simply IN
a fortified place" but the campaign for
the revision had already been begun I'm
Paris and the minister would receive no
communication from the family. The
doctor OF the penal colony protested say
ing that he could not answer Tor the Hle
of Dreyfus under the changed circum-
stances. The answer was 10 send from
Paris a complete embalming outnt.
IF Dreyfus dies" Jhey wrote. send
on his body. Otherwise II VIII be SAID
that YOU allowed him 20 escape.
HOW HE KEEPS INFORMED.
Ever since the public sentiment OF cay
eane has been I'm favor OF the prisoner.
The Governor himself admits that Dres
fus has been treated harshy. As for the
cinvicts, liberated and confined, II mas
been for a year and more past their am
hilton and delight 10 send the prisoner
indications OF the progress OF his case.
His guards have found words written on
his shirts as they came from the lauh-
dry. Another trick has been 10 scratch
certain letters Of the labels on the boxes
monthly Thus when every letter
upon a label would be scratched the pris-
oner might know that the revision was IN
progress. How do you know that Drey-
fus noticed such minute things without
beino warned to look for them2' one OF
these men was asked He IL no fool,
ne answered DO not be deceived A
prisoners eyes are always sharper than
a ialers"
In confirmation Of the general belief at
Cayenne that for some months Dfeyius
has had information Of the outside world
there IS the story OF a soldier JUST re-
turned One day. when he was helping
10 convey provisions 70 the palsade no
heard the guard cry from the hut inside.
quick! quick the prisoner IS dying'
lie rushed In. Dreyfus was lying IA
dead faint on the floor. Together they
revived him When Dreyfus came 10 ana
saw the stranger there he spoke. the
guard said for the first time In year.
II am not ill" he said. Il am very well.
But | will be much better when | get out
OF this hell. You can tell them tnat
know
Here the guard stopped him.
Tell them / am posted" Dreyfus shout
ed as the door slammed on the frightcn-
ed soldier.-Sterling Heilis in Washington
star AZ