Sir Richard began to put into effect a design of his, which was to fashion within its shelter yet a third pinnace out of the timber brought down; which was done in something over ten days, and fitted and launched. During all this time, until the 24th of the month, on which day the company departed from the island, only desultory acquaintance with the Spanish settlers was made. On the 16th there appeared for the first time a party of eight of them, horsemen, who rode out of the woods, and halted at a quarter mile distance to survey the fort; but on ten shot of the Admiral’s force being detached to approach them, they wheeled and galloped away. Six days later again a body numbering twenty mounted Spaniards appeared on the other side of the river; seeing whom Sir Richard despatched a score of footmen to oppose them, together with two mounted on a couple of horses which had been found and seized on the island. And these two were no other than our young gallants, to whom had been deputed the glad task of leadership in a possible fray. ‘Look for trouble, but invite it not,’ were Sir Richard’s sole directions; and the couple went off rejoicing, proud of the trust committed to them, and so far resolved, within discretion, not to abuse it. But at the very outset their hearts fell, for there were the Spaniards already showing a flag of truce, and making signs for a parley. ‘They will not fight,’ said Brion, ‘unless by our will.’ ‘I am little Johnny Nobody, and in your hands,’ said Tony. Two of the Spaniards rode out upon the sands, where the river ran thin and scattered, and Brion and his companion pricked over to meet them. They were typical Southerners, lean and hot-eyed as hawks, but lavish in the sort of courtly ceremonial which precedes a duel to the death with rapiers. One of them spoke quite good English, and it was he addressed himself to the strangers. He opened with elaborate salutations:-- ‘Greetings, senores. We make you many welcome to St John’s.’ Brion thanked him, with a return of his courtesy. ‘We take your welcome in good part, Sir,’ said he. ‘Ah!’ said the Spaniard; ‘but not in the best part, since you come to fortify against us in our own land.’ ‘It is the mosquitos we wanted to keep out,’ said Brion politely. ‘They are very fierce in this island of yours, Sir.’ Young Russe could not repress a small explosion; but the Spaniard remained as solemn as a church. ‘It is not well, senor,’ he said, ‘so to requite our hospitality.’ ‘It is the first we have heard of it,’ said Brion. ‘May I ask, senor, does it extend to supplying us with some things of which we stand in need--fresh meat and water among others?’ ‘If I say no, senor, you will seize these things by force, is it so?’ ‘The answer, I am afraid, senor, is that we shall.’ The Spaniard considered gravely. ‘_Bien está_,’ he said at last. ‘We will supply you then all you want, and without delaying. I go, senor, to make the instant provision.’