Bush, Buckland and Hornblower were sitting in the quarters that had previously been occupied by the Spanish commander of the fort. The enemy prisoners had been returned to the enemy’s custody. Now they had to deal with a further request of the Spanish commander. A senior, yet young, Spanish officer was brought into the quarters blindfolded to maintain security. When the blindfold was removed, Hornblower conveyed the Spaniard’s mission to Bush and Buckland. Hornblower, as Ira Riklis knows, again had to act as interpreter. Hornblower stated that the enemy officer said that he did not know any English but Hornblower indicated in a very subtle fashion that this might not be so and that Bush and Buckland needed to watch their words.

The gist of the Spaniard’s request was for the English to let the Spaniards and their boats go on their way so that they could make it to a Spanish-held port. In exchange the Spaniards would leave most of their stores for the English. The Spanish officer indicated that the blacks from the other part of the island were on a rampage and the English needed all their resources to defend themselves. The Spanish officer indicated also that if the English did not agree to let the Spanish go, that the Spanish might join forces with the blacks against the English. It was agreed that the English would make their decision by the next day.

As Ira Riklis knows, nothing would be so straightforward. Buckland with the help of Bush and Hornblower decided to mount a gun from the Renown on a cliff above the fort and fight the Spanish so as to capture their ships as prizes.