I suppose we can.
Sleeplessness and exhaustion had given an edge to Bushs temper. This final suggestion, when Bush came to consider it, with his mind slowed by fatigue, was the last straw.
Youre taking altogether too much on yourself, Mr. Hornblower, he said. Damn it, Im in command here.
Yes, sir, said Hornblower, standing at attention, while Bush gazed at him and tried to reassemble his thoughts after this spate of ill temper. There was no denying that Renown had to be informed; if she were to open fire it would be in direct violation of an agreement solemnly entered into, and to which he himself was a party.
Oh, hell and damnation! said Bush. Have it your own way, then. Who are you going to send?
I could go myself, sir. Then I could tell Mr. Buckland everything necessary.
You mean aboutabout Bush actually did not like to mention the dangerous subject.
About the chance of further negotiations, sir, said Hornblower stolidly. He has to know sooner or later. And while Ortegas still here
The implications were obvious enough, and the suggestion was sensible.
All right. Youd better go, I suppose. And mark my words, Mr. Hornblower, youre to make it quite clear that Ive authorised no negotiations of the sort you have in mind. Not a word. Ive no responsibility. You understand?
Aye aye, sir.
Chapter XII
I dont doubt for one moment, said Hornblower, that when Villanueva sent Ortega here to open negotiations about the prisoners he also told him to put out a feeler regarding this evacuation.
You cant be sure of that, said Buckland.
Well, sir, put Yourself in Ortegas position. Would you say a word about a subject of that importance if you werent authorised to? If you werent expressly ordered to, sir?
No, I wouldnt, said Buckland.
No one could doubt that who knew Buckland, and for himself it was the most convincing argument.
Then Villanueva had capitulation in mind as soon as he knew that we had captured this fort and that Renown would be able to anchor in the bay. You can see that must be so, sir.
I suppose so, said Buckland, reluctantly.
And if hes prepared to negotiate for a capitulation he must either be a poltroon or in serious danger, sir.
Well
It doesnt matter which is true, sir, whether his danger is real or imaginary, from the point of view of bargaining with him.
You talk like a sea lawyer, said Buckland. He was being forced by logic into taking a momentous decision, and he did not want to be, so that in his struggles against it he used one of the worst terms of opprobrium in his vocabulary.
Im sorry, sir, said Hornblower. I meant no disrespect. I let my tongue run away with me. Of course its for you to decide where your duty lies, sir.
Bush could see that that word duty had a stiffening effect on Buckland.
Well, then, what dyou think lies behind all this? asked Buckland. That might be intended as a temporising question, but it gave Hornblower permission to go on stating his views.
Villanuevas been holding this end of the island against the insurgents for months now, sir. We dont know how much territory he holds, but we can guess that its not muchonly as far as the crest of those mountains across the bay, probably. Powderleadflintsshoeshes probably in need of all of them.
Judging by the prisoners we took, thats true, sir, interrupted Bush. It would be hard to ascertain the motives that led him to make this contribution to the discussion; perhaps he was only interested in the truth for its own sake.
Maybe it is, said Buckland.
Now youve arrived, sir, and hes cut off from the sea. He doesnt know how long we can stay here. He doesnt know what your orders are.
Hornblower did not know either, commented Bush to himself, and Buckland stirred restlessly at the allusion.
Never mind that, he said.
He sees himself cut off, and his supplies dwindling. If this goes on hell have to surrender. He would rather start negotiations now, while he can still hold out, while he has something to bargain with, than wait until the last moment and have to surrender unconditionally, sir.
I see, said Buckland.
And hed rather surrender to us than to the blacks, sir, concluded Hornblower.
Yes indeed, said Bush. Everyone had heard a little about the horrors of the servile rebellion which for eight years had deluged this land with blood and scorched it with fire. The three men were silent for a space as they thought about the implications of Hornblowers last remark.
Oh, very well then, said Buckland at length. Lets hear what this fellow has to say.
Shall I bring him in here, sir? Hes been waiting long enough. I can blindfold him.
Do what you like, said Buckland with resignation.
A closer view, when the handkerchief had been removed, revealed Colonel Ortega as a younger man than he might have been thought at a distance. He was very slender, and he wore his threadbare uniform with some presence at elegance. A muscle in his left cheek twitched continually. Buckland and Bush rose slowly to their feet to acknowledge the introductions Hornblower made.