The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-17

Interesting Tale by Man Who Was
Sent 20 DcviI's Island.

In q recent Issue OF 'Kuche und KEEL
Ier." Karl Weinheber. cook of the
Netherland steamship Andalusla, gives
this account of visit 20 Devils island:
Our ship. the Netherland steamship
Andalusia, was anchored off Devirs ISL
and on April after visit TO Cayenne
when we were hailed from shore. At
the same time small boat put of.
manned by soldiers.
They came alongside to ask the cap
tain 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. so that he might
be able TO attend 10 the kitchen until
another was sent by the commander.
The captain sent me to the island,
and while busy in the little kitchen in
structing 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 disincined to speak,
became quite loquacious after while.
"TIe" was not so in treated as those in
the world seemed to think: "he' is not
confined: "he" can go everywhere on
the island. OF course. two men are all
WAYS at his heels. He" gets up be-
tween and in the morning. and his
first breakfast consists of cup of cho-
colatc III the weather is good "he"
goes for walk soon afterward and
winds up his promenade by bath
but are you not afraid he might
swim away or commit suicide?" l
asked
mot al ALL" said the soldiers. "for
rope is fastened to both his wrists. and
the ends of the rope are I'm the hands of
the guard After the bath he tal<eg his
second breakfast-butter. bread, ham
and eggs and bottle of beer. Then
ne goes i'm for study. He reads and
writes for several hours"
What kind OF books has he got?"
The soldiers looked atjeach other. After
a while one Of them said: "He is only
allowed 10 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?'
"No: we read only the letters he de-
sires 70 have forwarded. These are
sent to the commander in Cayenne.
"And does the commander send them
off as receivcd?"
mo: they are copied, and the origi-
nails are retained at Cayenne"
What does ne do besides reading
and writing?"
Two weeks ago we received permis-
sion from the commander To play cards
with the prisoner, and he has become
an inveterste gambler since. After
dinner--he has always soup. a roast
and dessert--about 2 o'clock in the af
ternoon we always play baccarat to-
gether."
What are the stakes"
The soldier laughed. He has not got
q 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
bottle OF beer. Soon afterward he
goes TO bed. He is not allowed TO have
any light you know. ONLY the guard
at the door keeps up wood fire. He
SAYS the hours from to 20 are his
worst He cannot go to sleep before 10
o'clock. and the guard is not allowed
10 answer any question 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 coun-
try is not to be mentioned,
"Is he allowed to smoke?"
"No that is. think he is not. for the
commander does not furnish him to-
bacco."
May leave some cigars for him?"
The soldier did not answer | emptied
my tobacco pouch and my cigar case on
the table. hope he got what left Tor
him.
AS was about to return to my shin
saw n man. followed by two soldiers.
approaching from the strand Dreyfus!
He seemed to have heard of my pres
ence and measured me with questioning
looks. His lips moveCp but he did not
speak. He is middle sized man.
cadaverous and OF a yellow complexion.
His eyes are deep I'm their sockets: he
walks with q stoop and his 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 by the
hand. Bring my rood wishes to the
wide world" he said, IN voice auiver-
ing with emotion. Then he walked
slowly toward his hut. where he re-
manned standing mt the door, waving
his hand "a my boat dashed into the
pillows. Half an hour later we were on