The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-19

baked the dough or dried IT as best We
could in the sun. the cod we took raw.
Sometimes we traded these uncooked ra-
tons with some of our ellow-prisoners'
who were fortunate enough TO get on IN
daily detail TO unload supplies from the
steamers and who were allowed 10 PICK
IN chips. barrel hoops and broken slaves,
which was their only source for procur-
ing fuel for cooking purposes. We were
imprisoned in an immense PEN surround
ed by a high fence upon the parapet OF
which the guards were stationed. we
were guarded by a regiment OF the
blacklist slickest, latest set of negroes
| ever saw. they were so slick and fat
that the grease actually ran like the
precious ointment upon the head, that
ran down upon the beard. even Aaron's
beard. that went down to the skirts OF
his garment" the odor. however was not
OF the precious ointment ORDER once
a day at the pOstofice a bulletin or let
ters was placed for inspection, but only
a few Of the prisoners at time were
allowed 10 inspect this list IN the nope
OF hearing from their friends.
AN EFFECTIVE WARNING.
II was a faVorite amusement or these
black rascals 10 fire into this gathering
and It WAS not an uncommon occurrence
TO see a prisoner drop dead, the shot be-
ing so far OF that the sound attracted
no attention. This became so frequent
that the commandant after having repri-
manded the guards and ordered us DIS
continuance. being justly incensed at sucn
cruelty. came into the pen one day ana
called I'd the rebels i'm line. and told them
that such cowardly acts were against his
orders and If they were requested TO go
nd he grYg would fhaX
return again quietly 20 their prison. The
veil that went up in response was appall-
ing and significant. He then went out
ard drawing up his troops Ia line, asked
them if they heard that yell. The silence
was ominious but suggestive. Now said
he. II you shoot into the prisoners again
without orders or without an attempt
to cross the dead-line. | will turn those
rebels out OH YOU" We had no more
shooting for sport after this and peace
reigned In Warsaw,
The water. with the exception OF two
wells. one of which was fortunately. in
my division, was intolerable and was so
thoroughly impregnated with sulphur,
that you could not drink IL unless you
held your nose during the act Of degluti-
ton.
FATAL ATTEMPTS TO GET WATER.
The prisoners We're not allowed out of
their tents after dark and many poor
fellow was shot trying TO get little wa
ter from the fayorite wells. / well re-
member a night or two before my re-
lease. we were lying in our tent discuss
ing the prospect OF return home-taik-
ing after taps was forbidden also. but
the prospect Of a speedy release set our
tongues going and we were reveling In
our imagination upon what We would eat
when We got home Suddenly a hand
from a sleeve of darkness was thrust
into our tent and an army revolver cock
ed leveled at us and silence commanded.
il is unnecessary to say that the silence
that followed was "coeval with eternity"
IL was painful, II could be felt our hearts
beat so quick and loud We were afraid
they would burst and we were quite sure
that Niger would hear them. To our In
tense relief that hand with It's rnurderous
implement was withdrawn and the ten.
sion on our strained nerves was re-
Taxed. In a few moments We heard the
discharge of a pistol and groan. Some
poor prisoner. trying TO get drink OF
water had been shot at and the ball had