The times., 1898-09-04
He SAW POOR DREYFUS.
A Few Words From the Prisoner Of
DEVILS Island.

DEVILS Island.
In the Kuche und Keller, a European
magazine, Karl Vein Geber, cook of the
Netherland steamship Andalusia, writes
as follows:
Our ship, the Netherland steamship An
dalusia, was anchored off Devils Island
on April ! after visit TO Cayenne, when
we were hailed from shore. A. the same
time a small boat put off, manned by sol
ders. They came alongside to ask the
captain for the loan of a 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, so that he might
be able TO attend to the kitchen until
another was sent by the commander.
The captain sent me to the island, and
while busy in the little kitchen instructing
a soldier in the mysteries of broiling
lamb chops and cooking pork, l had plen-
~ Of opportunity TO question Capt. Drey-
fuss guards. The men, who had at first
seemed disinclined to speak, became quite
loquaciouS after awhile. He was not
so i'll treated as those in the world seem
to think; me" is not confined; 'he" can
go everywhere on the island. OF course
two men are always at his heels. He
gets up between and in the morning
and his first breakfast consists OF a cup
of chocolate. II the weather is good 'he
goes for walk soon af f.erward and winds
up his promenade by bath.
But are you not afraid he might swim
away or commit suicide?" / asked
Not at all, said the soldiers, for
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 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: He is only
allowed to read technical works. But he
can write whatever he pfeases He is
now writing an account of his life
Must he show you what he writesT'
NO; we read only the letters he desires
to have forwarded. These are sent to the
commander in Cayenne"
And does the commander send them
off as recefved?'
NO; they are copied and the originals
are retained at Cayenne"
What does he do besides reading and
writing?'
Two weeks ago we received permission
from the commander to play cards with
the prisoner, and he has become an in
veterate gambler since. After dinner
he has always soup, roast, and dessert
~about o'clock in the afternoon we al
ways play baccarat together
What are the stakes?"
The soldier laughed. He has not got
sou, and there are probably not three
francs on the whole island We play
for shells The prisoner gets his supper
at in the evening-roast, or ham and a
bottle of beer. Soon afterward he goes
10 bed. He is not allowed to have light
you know. Only the guard at the door
keeps up wood fire. He says the hours
from 10 ~ are his worst. He cannot
go 10 sleep before 10 o'clock, and the
guard is not allowed TO answer any ques-
tions he may put. IN the daytime we
may talk TO him, but only on the most
trifiing subjects. the weather his health
| etc. Our own country is not to be men
toned"
rs he allowed to smoke.''
mo; that is. l think he is not. for the
commander does not furnish him tobac-
| CO."
May l leave some cigars for him?'
The soldier did not answer. l emptied
my tobacco pouch and my cigar case on
| the table. l hope he got what | left for
| him.
AS l was about to return to my shin I
1 N'N" - iAisAAif AOaiONth ny bNO SVitlGTS. dp-
preaching from the strand. Dreyfus, RE
| seemed TO have heard of my presence and
| measured me with questioning looks His
| lips moved, but he did not speak He is a
| middle-sized man, cadaverous and of a
/ yellow complexion His eyes are deep in
their sockets; he walks with "a stoop and
! his forehead is furrowed. He is growing
| old rapidly, no doubt
Dreyfus whispered with his guard and
tx-D . hal lars hal .ya1 IL
| ed up TO me and shook me by the hand.
| Bring my good wishes TO the wide world
| he said, In voice quiveting with emo
| ton Then he walked slowly toward his
| hut, where he remained standing at the
door, waving his hand as my boat DASH
| ed into the billows. Half an hour later
we were on the way home