New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-07-10
WAR PRISONER STOwAwAY
BoER WHO ESCAPED FROM DARRELL's
ISLAND NAY NoT BE ALLOWED
TO REMAIN HERE.

TO REMAIN HERE.
Slowed sway in the coal bunkers OF the
Trinidad. witch smiled from Bermuda last Fri
aav night. unknown 20 al on board. prisoner
% war. who had escaped from Darrelfs Island.
was brought 90 this port yesterday. His name Is
David stephen ia Piooy. and he was captured
with the rest ~ The troops when Cronje sur
rendered a. Modder River. Du Piooy Is held
now AZ n stowaway. and may be sent back 10
tho Port where he boarded the vessel
pu p1ooy Is six feet two inches tall lie Is
twenty four years old lie speaks some English.
To was born IN KIerksdorf IN tho orange Free
state. ~ a French mother hy a German father
lie tells straight story which cross questioning
fails 20 shake 81 his battles with the British on
the side 81 the Beers. his capture. his trans
portation 90 tho prison colony on parrells ISL
and IN tho Bcrruudas and his escape from that
place by a clever ruse.
Il ioined the Poer army when but boy IN
1893" he said yesterday hut left II st'er"aFu
o. get a better education. When the can TOT
troops 20 fight tho British came Joined AGAIN
and was IN the battle Of Nafeking. was with
General Cronie ~ Modder River, ana that Is
whore wns captured by the British.
ION tho way 20 Darrelrs Island We prisoners
Matched three separate plots 20 seize the ves.el
and escape The first was arranged 70 take
place of St Helena. and we 10 take the
vessel 20 some point on the African coast.
Thirty-hve men were concerned in II. and we
ana not think there would be much difficulty
because the two British companies that were on
board drilled every day on the decks, We were
not confined and it would have been an easy
matter 20 rush on them and overpower them
before they could kill many Of us or course
some would die. but were willing TO risk
that. We were not ready at the proper time
however. so the plot was carried over.
PLOT BETRAYED.
The next slime everything was to be ready
when we were off 81. Vincent. Cape Verde
Islands. This time. however two OF the four
leaders were sick and the scheme had TO be
again postponed Another plan was made. and
we were TO seize the vessel when we were two
days from Bermuda, and land at some point in
the United States. This was the largest plot
Of all in point Of numbers engaged in it. One
man. however. betrayed TO the officers and
we were confined to our quarters until we were
landed The traitor is known. and will be dealt
with when he can be properly reached
When we were landed on Darrelrs Island
placed in tents. seven TO a tent. I de-
termined that ! would not remain a prisoner.
1 could not swim. but made W my mind that I
would learn to swim soon possible and at
tempt 20 escape that way. The island is divid-
sentries are stationed. There was no use in
trying TO escape this way. But along the shore
there sentries, and the prisoners
allowed TO go in bathing UP TO 10 o'clock at
night We were not confined in any way, and
that made my plan easier. After six days I
had learned to paddle about fairly we'll. and
thought was able TO swim to the island Of
Bermuda.
There two war vessels stationed near
Darrells Island. each with watch for escap-
ing prisoners. At night they kept their search
lights sweeping over the water. l knew that If
one of these shone I would be discovered
and brought back. First I searched for some
seaweed. but there was none there. Then I
made covering of small bushes for my head.
hoping that If 1 were detected by the lights of
the vessels the watch would think was some
floating weeds
"On Friday night last I adjusted this head
dress. put my clothes in a bag and stepped
quietly into the water. I started out under the
shadow of the island. making for a point on the
northwest end. which nearest to Bermuda.
l reached the point safely and started across.
In doing 1 went within two hundred yards
of one Of the war vessels, knowing that I was
safer when so close to them.
REACHED THE BERMUDA SHORE.
After three hours 1 managed to reach the
shore Of Bermuda, somewhere near Hamilton. l
put my clothes, and although l was nearly
exhausted. started along the road, which is
the shore, hoping to meet somebody who
would help / finally came across some
negroes who were going in a boat to the break
water, where a vessel anchored. / found
that this was the Trinidad, bound that
evening for the United States. They took TO
where the vessel locked.
Il walked boldly aboard though I had
business there and followed who
going TO the engine room. From there found
my way to the coal DunkeTs l climbed on the
top of the coal and crept back far as 1 could.
Ali the food had was six uncooked eggs that
the colored men had given to me.
II cannot tell you how l suffered on the Voy
age. From the time l slowed away until this
morning / had not a drop of water, and l was
so sick that l able to eat only four of my
eggs. Finally this morning the stokers had
dug back so far that / could hear them talking.
They spoke German, and I thought that any
body who spoke German would give me help.
cared whether they would not But I rolled
down on the coal and showed myself to them.
They We're kind TO me and offered me food and
drink. I was nearly exhausted that | could
only nibble little at first. AfterwarC they let
me wash myself, for l covered with coal
dust, and gave me some clothes, for my own
were ruined. Then they took me to Captain
Fraser. who kind to me as though he
were my father l will never forget him. He
gave me food and waited until had eaten 1t.
Then told him my story. Captain Fraser
said he would be obliged to hand me over to the
United States authorities a stowaway That
is how came TO be here. / hope the Americans
will not allow to be sent back to the British
a prisoner"