New-York tribune., 1912-02-11

appalling lack OF space, nor the deliberately
cruel regulations by which it is governed.
II those who care can picture thirty men,
or even more, spending the night shut up in
a cell of about five wards square, with one
pail and one water Jug between them, no
light, and only a tiny hole in the wall for
ventilation, they will get faint idea Of the
place. No more than an idea, however; for
there are lacking the most elementary pro-
visions and safeguards for ordinary human
existence, with results impossible to describe,
but which Justify the description Of the
general cells Of the prison as pits OF pcstl-
lcncc." The single cells are better in that
they contain but one occupant, and he has
a space at his disposal Of about nine feet
by three, in which he must exist sleeping
and waking, q space but little larger than
stone coffin.
Il was 10 such a single cell that Belmont
was bounded, 10 await his brict appearance
before the Colonel Of the regiment. After
that he would be sent 90 Oran for an almost
equally brief appearance before the court
martial. and thence 10 the inhuman tasks
OF the penal battaionS in the far south,
where men are worked as no slaves in the
world were ever worked, and without a
tenth Of the slaves reward or food
He sat on the tiny, dirt Incrustcd wooden
bench waiting, dazcd and dumb, for the day
light.
Outside the steps Of the sentry beat
steadily in time to the intolcrablc lhrobbing
IN his brain that the tourney behind the fast
horses Of the Arab gcndarmcs had started,
which seemed now as though II would never
cease. Now and then the sound Of subducd
curses and Of groans from the packed gen
cral cells would penetrate duly through the
vcntilating hole over the door.
HOW long this had con,inucd-cach sec
IL ond dragging out into anagco Of horror
Bcmon, was in no condition 70 Judge; but
after thousand years in he'll as It seemed,
he heard q sound that conveyed amcanlng 20
him. /, was the heavy thud Of a rife butt
on the floor Of the corridor outside. Bel
mon, knew its import. II Was signal from
the sentry outside the nearest general cell
who doubtless had experienced It's horrors
himsclf-that a Sergeant was approaching.
Instantly the sounds Of torment, the cncs
and curses. died out in unCanny silence. NO
man dared face the extra punishment lhal
would follow if he was discovered breaking
the prison rule Of absolute silence al mgnt.
The approach Of the sentry meant moth
ing 10 Belmont: he knew that the worst
tia, could bcfall him would be Accomplished
and he had nothing to fear now. In any case
il was not likely that the Sergeant would
enter any Of the dreadful cells. Belmont
resting his head on his hands, ignored the
sounds Of the colloquy between the Sergeant
and the sentry outside.
But !, seemed that the usual order was
changed that night; for presently the door
Of the Englshman's cell opened softly and
the Sergeant, carrying bundle and a lamp
entered noisclcssly.
Belmont looked up duly. The Sergeant,
q brutal faced Austrian, whispered softly.
BE silent. you," and passed a flask.
Drink this" Belmont drank. II was
brandy. and it ran through the veins Of the
prisoner ike fire. Accustomed as he was
onlv 10 the sweet, heavy wine Of the cantcecon
orfbc hot. tas,clcss coffee Of the cheap cafes,
the stimulan, came as an elixir Of life to the
wornout man. He drained the flask to the
last drcgs. Slowly the throbbing behind ms
forehead slackcncd its rcmorsclcss beat dy-
ing down and Belmont stood up.
The Sergeant grinncd, without icGIin&.
He had not come here to this poor devil out
Of yitv: he had come for sake Of the DnDe
he had already received and the further
bribc he would receive tomorrow. me
Shoulder had lost no time in carrying out ms
promise 10 Pcrdita Of the Cafe du Legion.
Strip" said the Sergeant curtly, opening
ID I. 1,l-..