Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-11-24
nov DsErrus lfrFs.


MINI |
, Karl Weinheber, cook OF the Neither
lands steamship Andalusia, writes the
following interesting account to huche
and Keller of what he saw and learned
In the short time spent as cook on
Devils Island. where Dreyfus is i'm
prisoned: - |
Our ship, the Netherlands steamship
Andalusia, was anchored off Devils
Island on April 1st, after visit to
Cayenne, when we we're 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, 80 that he might be
able to attend to the kitchen until an
other was sent by tho commander.
The captain sent me to the island,
and while busy in tho little kitchen
instructing soldier in the mysteries
Of broiling lamb chops. and cooking
pork had plenty of opportunity to
question Capt. Dreyfus' guards. The
men, who had at first seemed dis
inclined to speak, became quite loqua-
cious after awhile. "He' is not so
ill-treated as those in the world seem
TO think; "he'' is not confined; "he'
can go everywhere on the island. or
course, two men are always at his
heels. "He" gets up between and
O'Clock in the morning, and his first
breakfast consists Of cup OF choco-
late. If the weether is good he" goes
for walk soon afterward, and winds
up his promenade by u bath.
"But are you not afraid he might
swim away or commit suicide?" l said.
mot at all, - 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. lie
reads and writes for several hours.
"What kind Of books has he got?"
| Tho soldiers looked at each other.
| After a while one of them said: :" He
| 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 wfites!'
mo; we read only the letters he
desires to have forwarded These are
sent to tho commander In Cayenne.
"And does the commander send them
off rs rec"iyed2n
mo; they arG copied, and the origi-
mails ARE retained at Cayenne.
What does he do besides reading
and writingih 49,.
1.-Two weeks ago We received permits
sion from the commander to play cards
with the prisoner. and he has become
an inveterate gambler since. After
dinner, he has always so, "a roast and
dessert: about Q o'clcea in the after
noon We always play baccarat to-
gether." ~
"What are the stakes?'
Tho soldier laughed. -"He has not
got sou, and there are probably NOT
three rancs on. the whole island. We
play for shells. The prisoner gets his
supper at O'Clock in the evening
: roast or ham and a bottle OF beer. Soon
afterwards no goes to bed. He is moi
allowed to have a light you know.
Only tho guard at the door keeps up a
! wood fire, He says the hours from
l to 10 are his worst He cannot 90 tx
| sleep before 10'o'clock, and the guart
is not allowed to answer any question:
3 he may put. In the daytime we ma.
! talk to him, but only on the mos
. trihing subjects, the weather, his healtl
, and the like. Our own country is no
+, to be mentioned =
r "Is he allowed to smoke
Q "No-that is, ! think he is not, 70
!, tho commander does not furnish hir
tobacco.
d MAY. l leave some cigars for him?'
! The soldier did not answer. l emptie
II my tobacco pouch and my cigar cas-
, on the table. I hope he got what lei
|. for him. SN
= AS 1 was about to return to my shi
u | saw man, followed by two soldiers
N approaching from the strand. Dreyfus
He seemed to have heard of my presenc
and measured me with questionin
looks. His lips moved. but he did nc
" speak. He is a middle-sized mar
cadaverous and of yellow complexion
s, His eyes are deep in their sockets;
"a walks with q stoop and his, forehead
r furrowed. He is growing old rapid.
Is no doubt.
~ Dreyfus whispered with his guar,
Of and, when the latter had nodded a
70 sent, walked up to me and shook n
IL by the hand. .:Bring my good wish
oe to the wide world,'' he said in vol,
a. auivering with emotion. Then
al walked slowly toward his hut, whe
e. he remained standing at the doc
,a waving his hand as my boat dash,
u into the pillows. Half an hour lat
y - we were on our way home.