The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-06
DREYFUs' DAILY LIFE.
Description by Sailor Who Saw Him on
DEVILS Island.

DEVILS Island.
Ter, Karl Weinheber, cook of the Meth
erland steamship Andalusia gives this
account of visit to DEVILS Island
Our ship. the Netherland steamship
Andalusia, was anchored off Devils
Island on April /, after a visit to Cay
enne, when we were hailed from the
shore. AT the same time a small boat
put off, manned by soldiers.
They came alongside to ask the
captain for the loan of a cook, while
tie 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
they 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 q soldier in the mysteries
of broiltng lamb chops and cooking
pork, 1 had plenty of opportunity to
question Captain Dreyfus' guards. The
men, who had at first seemed disin-
elfned to speak, became quite Ioqua-
cious after awhile. He was not so
i'll treated as those in the world seemed
go everywhere on the island. OF course,
two men are always at his heels. He
gets up between 6 and in the morn
ing, and his first breakfast consists of
cup Of chocolate. If the weather is
good, he goes for a walk afterWard,
and winds UP his promenade by bath
But you are not afraid he might
swim away or commit suicideT
asked.
lot OF oil e,asJ ~
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 Observation-Disclosures,
bread, ham and eggs and a 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. Az
ter awhile 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 p
No; we read only the letters he de-
sires to have forwarded. These are
sent to the commander in Cayenne
And does the commander send them
off as receivedT
" No, they are copied, and the orig
inals are retained at Cayenne.
What does he do beside reading
and writing?'
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 din
ner-he has always soup, q roast and
dessert-about O'clock in the after
noon we always play baccarat to-
gether.'
." What are the stakes?'
The soldier laughed. He has not got
a sou and there are probably not three
francs on the whole island. We play
for shells. The prisoner gets his sup
per at 8 in the evening-roast or ham
and bottle of beer. Soon afterwards
he goes to bed. He is not allowed to
have any light, you know, only the
guard at the door keeps up a wood
fire. He says the hours from to 10
are his worst. He cannot go to sleep
before 10 o'clock, and the guard is not
allowed to answer any question he may
put. In the daytime we may talk to
him, but only on the most trifling sub
iects, the weather, his health, etc. Our
own country is not to be mentioned.
Is he allowed to smoker
-" No; that Is, / think he Is not, for
the commander does not furnish him
tobacco
May leave some cigars for him?'
Tine soldier did not answer. | emp
tied my tobacco pouch and my cigar
case or the table. I hope he got what
I left for him.
LAS L was about to return to nv
ship l saw a man, followed by two SOL
diers, approaching from the strand.
Dreyfus! He seemed to have heard of
my presence and measured me with
questioning looks. His lips moved, but
he did not speak. He is middle sized
man, cadaverous and of a yellow com
plexion. His eyes are deep in their
sockets, he walks with a stoop, and is
forehead is furrowed. He Is growing
old rapidly, no doubt
"Dreyfus whispered with his guard
and when the latter had nodded assent
walked up to me and shook me hy The
hand. Bring my good wishes to the
wide world, he said, in a voice culver
ing with emotion. Then he walked
slowly toward his hut. where he re-
manned standing at the door, waving
his hand as my boat dashed into the
pillows. Half an hour later we were
on our way home. American Hebrew
Avoid OF