New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-27

- I'm q coffin one that serves for them all,
=. roved a little distance from the shore.
-..,e II is flung to the sharks, which gather at
-. tolling Of the chapel bell and follow the
,nreraI boat like pack Of famished wolves.
.ne- We had learned these particulars about
~ life Of the "iorcats the good doctor took us
mind the hospital which was filled with pa
sents Fitvre du pays, kind of intermittent
river. elephantiasis. cholera. and, above all.
,-opjcal anemia. or white blood" are the prev
.,sn, diseases The anemia generally attacks
xhte subjects after a residence of some years
IN the country, and a speedy return to colder
Zines is the only means CT saving the patient.
snos that is the case. need hardly say tina.
there is no hope for poor convict stricken
nth the disease We walked through long
,.,ss full OF these unfortunate men: some
,-onned up in a fixed attitude Others stretched
Ar, rigid and motonless upon their trundle
,sss ghas,ly pale. with black. staring eyes,
whose intelligence alone betokened life--fe
hound in death The quiet cleanliness and
sou.ort Of the wards was patent to us all. The
nursing is in the hands Of some kind Sisters Of
c,sriiy. who have voluntarily exiled themselves
from Europe To undertake this truly Christian
WIT" on THE lie JOSEPH
On leaving the hospital We crossed to the lie
Joseph The prisons here were simply row
q narrow stone cells with plastered walls. and
rge enough TO mold a single inmate. All the
urt, and air entered by the open door A
wooden bench covered with blanket. was the
only furniture; a chunk Of coarse bread and a
calsbash the only fare. All the madmen were
filtered round both ankles and chained to the
"a
N Arab-hs eyes half-olosed and besieged with
nes his feet swollen and suppurating with
slgres a tropical insect which pierces the flesh
ud breeds under the nails. There was no sign
Of animation or even Of intelligence about the
nan He did not seem 10 notice our presence
The attendant gave him kick TO stir him up
ia, We might him better. and said THE
sooner he dies the better" In the next cell lay
slow-browcd man. transported for murder. He
vas halt-naked. with heavy irons on his bare
ankles He was reading. and never raised his
eyes from the book nor moved a muscle 10
speak or show that he knew we We're looking on
The book was an old torn copy OF the Bible
be. too received a slap like an animal when II
|, made to stand up. lie told us that he was
Prenehman. and had been condemned for life
The doctor then examined an open sore on his
tOulder-it was another insect ravage-and he
rlapsed into his old attitude Of insensibilty 10
al around him. The hot sunlight poured in
through the narrow doorway, and neither sound
breath Of. air tempered the tropical heat
II third cell was poor murder maniac with
vld yet melancholy eyes. He was growing
rzy. but still tail and powerful and was
ngOrousy chained for the sight OF bis own
Teces mallened him. In other cells were
French convict in irons FOR stealing cocoanuts
q the island a kabyle from Algeria, a coolie
Ron Pondicherry who seemed quite harmless,
md little old man with a chlldlike smile, who
nd Us that ne was very sick Some Of the pris-
Csrs had covered the walls Of their cells with
e.;ehes in charcoal. emblems and scraps Of the
Koran
As We left these saddening sights q strange
procession Of cOnyicts wound up the rocky path
q Single file under the blazing sun The last
q this band riyetted our attention Under the
vide brm OF his palmetto hat. his jet black
At fell In wavy ringlets on his shoulders. His
tatures were small, nervous and refined his
~nplex!On pale aad bloodless. His Countenance
sore settled expression OF deep seriousness
nd woe Round his bare neck. which was
Srned TO fiery red by the sun, little brass
sucidx hung from leather thong. He walked
nh slow ana measured step. his hands folded
q ron- and his eyes cast on the ground When
e came up We stopped and spoke to him He
answered 2 a soft and resigned tone. but
no great earnestness, never altering the seri-
~s and settled look Of his face Il am" said
e superior being sent to teach mankind but
have been prosecuted by the Jesuits. They
ave disembowelled me: they have turned my
a00d to water. they have crucifed me. But they
emo, kill me My inspiration keeps me alive
'oe s1n has burnt into my breast and tried TO