Colonel Ortega says he speaks no English, said Hornblower.
There was only the slightest extra stress on the word says, and only the slightest lingering in the glance that Hornblower shot at his two superiors as he said it, but it conveyed a warning.
Well, ask him what he wants, said Buckland.
The conversation in Spanish was formal; obviously all the opening remarks were cautious fencing as each speaker felt for the weaknesses in the others position and sought to conceal his own. But even Bush was aware of the moment when the vague sentences ended and definite proposals began. Ortega was bearing himself as a man conferring a favour; Hornblower like someone who did not care whether a favour was conferred or not. In the end he turned to Buckland and spoke in English.
He has terms for a capitulation pat enough, he said.
Well?
Please dont let him guess what you think, sir. But he suggests a free passage for the garrison. Shipsmencivilians. Passports for the ships while on passage to a Spanish possessionCuba or Puerto Rico, in other words, sir. In exchange hell hand over everything intact. Military stores. The battery across the bay. Everything.
But Buckland struggled wildly to keep himself from revealing his feelings.
I havent said anything to him worth mentioning, so far, sir, said Hornblower.
Ortega had been watching the byplay keenly enough, and now he spoke again to Hornblower, with his shoulders back and his head high. There was passion in his voice, but what was more at odds with the dignity of his bearing was a peculiar gesture with which he accentuated one of his remarksa jerk of the hand which called up the picture of someone vomiting.
He says otherwise hell fight to the last, interposed Hornblower. He says Spanish soldiers can be relied upon to die to the last man sooner than submit to dishonour. He says we can do no more to them than weve done alreadythat weve reached the end of our tether, in other words, sir. And that we darent stay longer in the island to starve him out because of the yellow feverthe vomito negro , sir.
In the whirl of excitement of the last few days Bush had forgotten all about the possibility of yellow fever. He found that he was looking concerned at the mention of it, and he hurriedly tried to assume an appearance of indifference. A glance at Buckland showed his face going through exactly the same transitions.
I see, said Buckland.
It was an appalling thought. If yellow fever were to strike it might within a week leave the Renown without enough men to work her sails.
Ortega broke into passionate speech again, and Hornblower translated.
He says his troops have lived here all their lives. They wont get yellow jack as easily as your men, and many of them have already had it. He has had it himself, he says, sir.
Bush remembered the emphasis with which Ortega had tapped his breast.
And the blacks believe us to be their enemies, because of what happened in Dominica, sir, so he says. He could make an alliance with them against us. They could send an army against us here in the fort tomorrow, then. But please dont look as if you believe him, sir.
Damn it to hell, said Buckland, exasperated. Bush wondered vaguely what it was that had happened in Dominica. Historyeven contemporary historywas not one of his strong points.
Again Ortega spoke.
He says thats his last word, sir. An honourable proposal and he wont abate a jot, so he says. You could send him away now that youve heard it all and say that youll give him an answer in the morning.
Very well.
There were ceremonious speeches still to be made. Ortegas bows were so polite that Buckland and Bush were constrained, though reluctantly, to stand and endeavour to return them. Hornblower tied the handkerchief round Ortegas eyes again and led him out.
What do you think about it? said Buckland to Bush.
Id like to think it over, sir, replied Bush.
Hornblower came in again while they were still considering the matter. He glanced at them both before addressing himself to Buckland.
Will you be needing me again tonight, sir?
Oh, damn it, youd better stay. You know more about these Dagoes than we
do. What do you think about it?
He made some good arguments, sir.
I thought so too, said Buckland with apparent relief.
Cant we turn the thumbscrews on them somehow, sir? asked Bush.
Even if he could not make suggestions himself, he was too cautious to agree readily to a bargain offered by a foreigner, even such a tempting one as this.
We can bring the ship up the bay, said Buckland. But the channels tricky. You saw that yesterday.
Good God! it was still only yesterday that the Renown had tried to make her way in under the fire of redhot shot. Buckland had had a day of comparative peace, so that the mention of yesterday did not appear as strange to him.
Well still be under the fire of the battery across the bay, even though we hold this one, said Buckland.
We ought to be able to run past it, sir, protested Bush We can keep over to this side.
And if we do run past? Theyve warped their ships right up the bay again. They draw six feet less of water than we doand if theyve got any sense theyll lighten em so as to warp em farther over the shallows. Nice fools well look if we come in an then find em out of range, an have to run out again under fire. That might stiffen em so that they wouldnt agree to the terms that fellow just offered.