The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-10-05
ON DEVILS ISLAND.
How Drsyfus Passes his Time in Exile.

How Dreyfus Passes his Time in Exile.
Karl Weinheber, cook Of the Neither
land steamship Andaiusia, writes the
following interesting account Of what
he saw and learned in the short time
spent as cook on DEVILS island, where
Dreyfus is imprisoned
Our ship, the NetherIand steamship
Andalusia, was anchored on DEVILS
island on April after visit to Cay
enne, when we were hailed from shore.
At the same time small boat put off,
manned by soldiers. They came along
side 10 ask the captain for the loan Of
cook while the Andalusia was waiting
for freight. The cook of the little gar
rison had broken his arm. they said,
aud our cook was to teach one Of their
men, 50 that he might be able to attend
to the kitchen until another was sent
by the commander, says the Kuehie
und Keller.
The captain sent me to the island,
aud while busy in the little kitchen in
structing a soldier IN the mysteries Of
broiling lamb-ehops and cooking pork,
had plenty of opportunity to question
Captain Dreyfus' guards. The men,
who had at first seemed disinclined to
speak, became quite loquacious after
while. "Her was rot so ill-treated as
those in the world seemed to think
'he'' is not confined ''he" can go ev-
erywhere on the island. OF course, two
men are always at his heels. He
gets up between and In the morn
ing, and his irst breakfast consists OF a
cup of chocolate. If the weather is
good che" goes for walk soon after
ward, and winds up his promenade by
a bath.
"But are you not afraid he might
swim away or commit suicide?'' said.
'sNot 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 a bottle Of beer. Then
he goes in for study. He reads and
writes for several hours-p
"What kind of books has he got?'
The 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 writes?''
aNo; we only read the letters he de
sires TO have forwarded. These are
sent to the commander in Cayenne"
sAnd does the commander send them
off as received -
mo; they are copied and the origin
ais are retained in Cheyenne"
"What does he do besides reading
and writing?'
1.-Two weeks ago we received permis-
sion from the commander to play cards
with the prisoner, and he has become
an inveterate gambler since. After din
ner-he has always soup, roast, aud
dessert -about two O'Clock in the aft
ernOOn. we always play baeearat to-
gether."
"What are the stakes?'
The soldier laughed. "He has not
got sou, aud there are probably not
three francs on the island We play
for shell. The prisoner gets his supper
at six in the eevening-roast,o OF ham and
a bottle of beer. Soon sfterward he
goes to bed. He is not allowed to have
light, you know. Only the guard at
the door keeps up a wood fire He says
the hours fcOm seven 10 ten are his
worst. He eau not go to sleep before
ten O'Clock, and the guard is not allow
ed to answer any questions he may put.
In the daytime We may talk TO him,
but only on the most trifling subjects,
the weather, his health, and the like.
Our own country is not to be mem
toned"
'Is he allow, 4 to smoker
NO; that is, l think he is not, for
the commander does not fdrnishhim
tobacco"
"May / leave some cigars for him ~
The soldier did not answer. emp
tied my tobacco pouch and cigar case
on the table l hope that he got what
I left for him.
As / was about 10 return to my ship
I saw a man, followed by two soldiers,
approaching from the strand. Drey-
fusl He seemed to have heard of my
presence and measured me with ques-
tioning looks. His lips moved. but he
did not speak. He is a middle-sized
man, eadaverous, and Of a yellow com
plexion. His eyes are deep in their
sockets; he walks with stoop, aud his
forehead is furrowed. He is growing
old rapidly, no doubt.
Dreyfus whispered with his guard
aud, when the latter had nodded as
sent, walked up to me and shook me by
the hand. "Bring my good wishes to
the wide world" he said, in a voice
quivering with emotion. Then he
walked slowly toward his hot, where
he remained standing at the door,
waving his hand as my boat dashed
cut into the billows. Half an hour
later we were on cur way home.