by way of Precaution, to keep as much as we could upon the Rampart. In
this Attack Captain _Barnwell_ lost his Life; and it happened my new
Commission was wetted (not, as too frequently is the Custom, with a
Debauch) but with a Bullet through my Hand, and the Breach of my Collar
Bone with the Stroke of a Halberd.

After about half an hour's Possession of the Bastion, the Mine under it,
of which the _French_ Officer gave us warning, was sprung; the Enemy at
the same Time making a furious Sally upon us. The Mine did a little,
though the less, Execution, for being discovered; but the Sally no way
answer'd their End, for we beat them back, and immediately fix'd our
Lodgment; which we maintain'd during the Time of the Siege. But to our
double Surprize, a few Days after they fir'd another Mine under, or
aside, the former, in which they had plac'd a quantity of Grenadoes,
which did much more Execution than the other: Notwithstanding all which,
a Battery of Guns was presently erected upon that Bastion, which very
considerably annoy'd the Enemy.

The Breach for a general Storm was now render'd almost practicable; yet
before that could be advisably attempted, there was a strong Horn-work
to be taken. Upon this Exploit the _Dutch_ Troops only were to signalize
themselves; and they answered the Confidence repos'd in them; for though
they were twice repuls'd, at the third Onset they were more successful,
and took Possession; which they likewise kept to the Raising of the
Siege.

There was a Stratagem lay'd at this Time, which in its own Merit one
would have thought should not have fail'd of a good Effect; but to shew
the Vanity of the highest human Wisdom it miscarry'd. On the other side
of the _Maes_, opposite to _Maestrich_, lies the strong Fortress of