two Dragoons, who, upon promise of Promotion, undertook to go as Spies
to the Duke of _Arcos_, whose Forces lay not far off, on the other Side
a large Plain, which the Earl must unavoidably pass, and which would
inevitably be attended with almost insuperable Dangers, if there
attack'd by a Force so much superior. Those Spies, according to
Instructions, were to discover to the Duke, that they over-heard the
Conference between the Earl and _Mahoni_; and at the same time saw a
considerable Number of Pistoles deliver'd into _Mahoni_'s Hands, large
Promises passing at that Instant reciprocally: But above all, that the
Earl had recommended to him the procuring the March of the Duke over the
Plain between them. The Spies went and deliver'd all according to
Concert; concluding, before the Duke, that they would ask no Reward, but
undergo any Punishment, if _Mahoni_ did not very soon send to the Duke a
Request to march over the Plain, in order to put the concerted Plot in
execution. It was not long after this pretended Discovery before
_Mahoni_ did send indeed an Officer to the Duke, desiring the March of
his Forces over the Plain; but, in reality, to obstruct the Earl's
Passage, which he knew very well must be that and no other way. However,
the Duke being prepossess'd by the Spies, and what those _Spanish_
Officers that at first escap'd had before infus'd, took Things in their
Sense; and as soon as _Mahoni_, who was forc'd to make the best of his
way over the Plain before the Earl of _Peterborow_, arriv'd at his Camp,
he was put under Arrest and sent to _Madrid_. The Duke having thus
imbib'd the Venom, and taken the Alarm, immediately decamp'd in
Confusion, and took a different Rout than at first he intended; leaving
that once formidable Plain open to the Earl, without an Enemy to
obstruct him. In some little time after he arriv'd at _Madrid_, _Mahoni_
made his Innocence appear, and was created a General; while the Duke of
_Arcos_ was recall'd from his Post of Honour.