Washington sentinel., 1899-04-15
DreyRns on Devils Island.
LoRaoR B6,,BiHP.

Netherland steamer Andalusia has
visited the prison quarters OF Cap
tain Dreytus, on DEVILS Island,
and received direct from him a
message TO the world. AS sub
stitute tor the cook at the prison
garrison, who had broken has arm,
lac sIayCu a SiUtt ti,nS UI the
spider, centipede, and scorpion in
tested island. Mr.. Weinheber has
written a straightforward, simple
account Of mis- experience there, OF
which the following is a literal
translation
The Netherland steamer Andal
usia was anchored off Devils ISL
and after a visit to Cayenne, when
we were hailed from shore At the
same time a small boat put off
manned by soldiers. They Came
alongside to ask the captain for
the loan oil a cook while the An
dalusia was waiting for freight.
The cook Of the little garrison had
broken his arm, they said, and our
cook was 10 teach one ftheir men,
so that he might be able to attend
to the kitchen until another was
sent by the commander. The cap
tain sent me to the island, and
while busy in the little Kitchen
| instructed a soldier in the mys.
teries OF broiling lamb chops and
cooking pork had plenty of op-
portunlty to question Captain
DreYius's guards.
The men, who had first seemed
disinclined to speak, became quite
loquacious after a while, "He"
was not so ill-treated as those in
the world seemed 10 think. He"
is not confined. "He can 90 every
where on the island. OF course,
two men are always at his heels.
He gets up between 6 and in
the morning, and his first break
last consists Of cup OF chocolate.
II the weather is good che" goes
Tor a walk soon afterwards, and
winds uphis promenade by 4 bath.
But are you not afraid he might
swim away or commit suicide2" |
asked. mot all, " said the soldier,
"for a 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 break
last butter, bread, ham or eggs,
and bottle ofbeer. Thenhe goes
in for study. He reads and writes
tor several hours"
What kind OF books has he
got1" The soldiers looked at each
other. After a while one OF them
said: "EIe is only allowed to read
technical works. But can write
whatever he pleases. He is now
writing an account of his lie"
Must he show you what he
writes9"-"No. We read only the
letters he desires to have tor
warded. These are sent to the
commander at Cayenne"
And does the commander send
them of as received"-"No; they
are copied, and the originals are
retained at Cayenne.
what does he do besides read
ing and writing7"-"Two weeks
ago we received permission from
the commander to play cards with
the prisoner, aid since then he has
become an inveterate gambler.
Alter dinner--he has always soup,
roast and dessert-after two in
the afternoon we always play bac.
carat together"
What are the stakes2"--The
soldiers laughed. "He has not got
sou; and there are probably not
three francs on the whole island.
We play for shells. The prisoner
gets his supper at six in the even
ing-roast or ham and a bottle OF
beer. Soon afterwards 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 from seven 10 |
en- are his worst. He cannot 90 !
o sleep before ten o'clock, and the |
yuard IS not allowed to answer ny /
questions he may Put la daytime |
he may talk to him, but only on /
he most triaing subjects-the
weather., his health, &c; France
must not be mentioned"
us he allowed to smoker mo; /
hat IS, | think he is not, TOR the
commander does not send him any
obacco."
MAY leave some cigars for
lim2" AS the soldiers did NOT
answer, ! emptied my tobacco
pouch and my cigar case on the
able. l hope he got what left
or him.
When | was about to return 10
ny ship, saw man, followed by
wo soldiers, approach from the
and-DreYfus. He seemed to
lave heard Of my presence and
measured me with questioning |
ooks. His lips moved, but he did |
lot speak. He is a middle sized
nan, cadaverous and Of a yellow
complexion. His eyes are deep in
heir sockets, he walks with a stoop
md his forehead is furrowed. 1t
5 evident that he is ageing rapidly.
)reyius whispered " ith his guard,
nd when the latter had nodded
ssent walked up to me and shook
ne by the hand. Bring my good
wishes to the wide world, he said,
n a voice quivering with emotion.
Then he walked slowly into his
tut. He remained standing at the
ioor waving his hands towards me
IS the boat dashed into the wavas