Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1898-11-16
A GLIMPSE OF DREYFUS.
PlTIFUL LIES ROUTINE OF THE
PRISONER ON DEVILS ISLAND.

Narrative OF the Cook on Board the
Dutch Ship Andalusia. Which Recently
Visited the French Penal Colony-ApA
pearance Of the Prisoner-Aged Rapidly.
Our ship, the Netherland steamship
Andalusia, was anchored off Devils 8
Island recently after visit to Cay:
enne, when we were hailed from
shore. At the same time small boat
put off, manned by soldiers. They
came alongside to ask the captain 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 to the kitchen
until another was sent by the COM
mander.
The captain sent me to the island,
and while busy il the little kitchen
instructing a soldier in the mysteries
of broiling lamb chops and cooking
pork had plenty of opportunity to
question Captain Dreyfus guards.
The men, who had at first seemed dis.
inclined to speak, became loquacious
after awhile. "He' was not 30 ill-
treated as those in the world seemed
to think; ''he" is not confined; she"
can 60 everywhere on ths island. OF
course, two men are always at his
heels. "He" gets up between 6 and
7 in the morning, and his first break.
fast consists of cup of chocolate. If
the weather is good She goes for d
walk soon afterward and winds up his
promenade by bath.
'tBut are you not afraid he might
swim away or commit suicide?" 1
asked.
'Not at all, said the soldiers, s'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"
"What kind of books has he got?"
The -'diers looked at each other.
Aftel awhile one of them said:
"He is only allowed to read techni-
cal works, but he can write whatever
he pleases. He is now writing an &C..
count of his life. 5s'eg
''Must he show you what he
writes?''I
''No; we read only the letters he
desires to have forwarded. These
are sent to the commander at Cay
enne,"
"And does the commander send
them off as received?"
'No, they are copied and the orig
inals are retained at Cayenne.
"What does he do besides reading
and writing?"
"Two weeks ago we received per-
mission from the commander to play
cards with the prisoner, and he has
become an inveterate gamblSr since.
After dinner-he has always soup, a
roast aud dessert-about.2 o'clock in
the afternoon We always play baccarat
together.
sWhat are the stakes?"
The soldier laughed. ''He has not
got sou and there are not probably
three francs on the whole island. We
play for shells. The prisoner gets
his supper at in the eveuing-roast.
or ham and bottle of beer. Soon;
afterward he goes to bed. BE is not
allowed to have, o light. you Know.
Only the guard on the door keeps up
q wood fire. He says the hours from
z to 10 are lis worst. He cannot go,
to sleep before. 10 o'clock and the
guard is not allowed to answer any
questions he may put. In the dny.
time we may talk to him, but only on
the most trifing subjects, the weather,
his health, etc. Our own country is
not to be mentioned"
SIS he allowed to smoke?"
''No; that is, I think he is not, for
the commander does not furnish him
tobacco"
"May leave some cigars for him?"
The soldier did not answer. 1
emptied my tobacco pouch and my
cigar case on,the table. I hope he got
what left for him.
AS I was about to return to my
ship 1 saw man, followed by two
soldiers, approaching 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,.yel-
low complexion; n His,4eyes are deep
IN their sotkets$$ he walks with a
stoop and his forehead is furrowed.
He is growing old rapidly, no doubt.
Dreyfus whispered with his guard
and, when the latter had nodded as
sent, walked up to me and shook me
by the hand. Bring my good wishes
to Che wide world" lie said, in voice
quivering with emotion. Then he
walked slowly toward his hut. where
he remained standing at the door,
waving his hand as my boat dashed
into the pillows. Half an hour later
we were on our way home.
Weinheber, Cook of the Netherlands
Steamship Andalusia, in Kuche und
Keller.