The San Francisco call., 1913-07-27

ourselves understood by those savages.
In vain we pointed to the shore and
kneeled to them in mute appeal. They
didn't want to bother with us or else
they thought they were acting for the
best So they took us to Brazilian
fishing boat some miles down the coast
that they had evidently sighted.
Antoine was for throwing the saw
ages overheard and seizing the boat.
But we were too weak even to lay a
finger on the weakest of them and had
to submit. When the captain of that
boat saw us he told us that we looked
more like animals than men. No doubt
that was true!
"He cared for US after fashion, but
to our despair he took us to Dutch
Guiana and turned us over to the Gov
ernor of little port. 1t was no use to
plead. When we got we'll enough we
were sent back to the hell-hole from
which we had fed. Back to undergo
solitary confinement. Just as If we had
not been punished enough"
Pleuchot ther told about the way in
which they treated him and his two
comrades when they got back. For six
months the raging Antoine and his
more tractable companions we're kept
In close confinement cells. These are
dark but have an opening through
which the guards may look to see that
the inmates keep walking about or
standing during the day! If they lie
down a shot is fired into the cell. Very
few can stand that kind of punishment.
It Is declared that most of them die.
Again Pleuchot took up his tragic
story.
"About 1902 the intrepid Antoine or
ganized another party and boat was
built. This time we had the benefit
of our previous experience. Our new
craft was far better than the old one.
It cost us six months of secret labor.
We had better store OF food and
water; victory now seemed sure. Our
plans were laid with the greatest care
and we watched patiently for the most
favorable opportunity.
"One night we were positive we
would not be seen. We scrambled
aboard the boat and dropped down the
but hardly an hour had gone
by before an armed launch threw
searchlight on us and we were cap
tured. There were ten of us this time,
and every man had to undergo six
months of solitary confinement.
"But we did not despair!
They tried to keep watch on An
tome the Bull and myself, but in the
course of time the guards changed and
the new ones must have thought that
we were thoroughly cowed and they
began to relax their vigilance That
was our chance.
I'm April, 1908. Antoine led another
band into the woods and third boat
vas built. 1t was better than the other
two. When we got out Into the open
'ea we had good luck. Everything fav-
bred us. To be sure, we had to go
through the terrors Of the sun and
heat, but our hopes were high and
that sustained us.
After five days we found ourselves
,ff the coast of British Guiana Now
fpf
or food. 1t was necessary to try to
Keep out of the clutches of the British
because unfortunately. con-
Jicts fleeing from French Guiana had
7ery bad regulations. Others who had
zone before had not hesitated to COM
nit murder in their search for food.
"It was feeling of utter hopeless
less that struck us all, eleven OF us,
when we were surrounded in our camp
~ some colonial British soldiers and
ragged OF to Georgetown But to our
mazement the English Governor
reated US very kindly and listened to
'ur stories. You know no love is lost
'etween the French and English down
here Antoine was tower OF strength
o us again. He made such an impress
ion on the Governor in talking to him
With all the eloquence that he could
ommand that permission was granted
o us to stay in the British colony for
wo months, but not more than ninety
lays.
won't send you back IL you can
,et money to get to Europe said the
iovernor, but you will have to stay in
all till you find out If you can raise
our passage money. | won't give you
chance to steal it.
we were only too glad to accept the
onditions. All wrote home and in time
'ot enough money to go to the Barba-
oes. had two British five-pound notes.
1t Barbados I paid for a medical In
pection and vaccination and was ad-
nitted by the American Consul into
,olon. Our party had separated and
catered in all directions. My papers s,
how that worked In Colon for some
nonths, saving every penny. At last
had enough to pay my way North
nd ! finally landed in New York
rom the steerage -f the City of Sa-
annah That was eight vaorc No.