1 
TENERIFFE. 31 
prise, lost his arm, and had ahnost the whole of his party 
killed or wounded by grape and musquetry from the citadel 
on the left ; not, however, before they had completely dis- 
persed the enemy, and driven them from the mole. Another 
division landed to the southward of the mole, among rocks 
and breakers, where all the boats were dashed in pieces. 
From this place, however, under the command of Captain 
(now Rear-Admii-al) Sir Thomas Troubridge, the party forced 
their way into the great square, where they formed about 
four hundred strong. Here they were informed that eight or 
ten thousand Spaniards, with a considerable artillery, were 
preparing to attack them ; Avhich, although not strictly true 
as to numbers, they had no reason to disbelieve. Yet, in 
this situation, cool and collected as a British officer is gene- 
rally found to be in the most critical moments. Sir Thomas 
sent to the Governor a spirited message to say that, on con- 
dition of his immediately supplying a sufficient number of 
boats to reimbark his people, the squadron would forbear to 
bombard the town ; otherwise, that he could not answer for 
the consequences. The Governor required them to surrender 
as prisoners of war ; in reply to Avhich, Captain Troubridge 
declared, in the most peremptory manner, that if the terms 
he proposed Avere not instantly accepted he would be under, 
the necessity of setting fire to the town ; having kindled a 
blaze on the windAvard side of the square, to sheAv them that 
they had it in their power to put their threat in execution. 
On this being repoi ted, the Governor not only complied, but 
performed the conditions of the treaty in a manner that was 
highly honourable to his character. 
