DENIA was the first Town, that in our Way to Barcelona, declar’d for King Charles; and was then by his Order made a Garrison.  The Town is but small, and surrounded with a thin Wall; so thin, that I have known a Cannon-Ball pierce through it at once.

When I arriv’d at Denia, I found a Spaniard Governor of the Town, whose Name has slipt my Memory; tho’ his Behaviour merited everlasting Annals.  Major Percival, an Englishman, commanded in the Castle, and on my coming there, I understood, it had been agreed between ’em, that in case of a Siege, which they apprehended, the Town should be defended wholly by Spaniards, and the Castle by the English.

I had scarce been there three Weeks before those Expectations were answered.  The Place was invested by Count D’Alfelt, and Major General Mahoni; two Days after which, they open’d Trenches on the East Side of the Town.  I was necessitated upon their so doing, to order the Demolishment of some Houses on that Side, that I might erect a Battery to point upon their Trenches, the better to annoy them.  I did so; and it did the intended Service; for with that, and two others, which I rais’d upon the Castle (from all which we fir’d incessantly, and with great Success) the Besiegers were sufficiently incommoded.

The Governor of the Town (a Spaniard as I said before, and with a Spanish Garrison) behav’d very gallantly; insomuch, that what was said of the Prince of Hesse, when he so bravely defended Gibraltar against the joint Forces of France and Spain, might be said of him, that he was Governor, Engineer, Gunner, and Bombardier all in one; For no Man could exceed him, either in Conduct or Courage; nor were the Spaniards under him less valiant or vigilant; for in case the Place was taken, expecting but indifferent Quarter, they fought with Bravery, and defended the Place to Admiration.

The Enemy had answer’d our Fire with all the Ardour imaginable; and having made a Breach, that, as we thought was practicable, a Storm was expected every Hour.  Preparing against which to the great Joy of all the Inhabitants, and the Surprize of the whole Garrison, and without our being able to assign the least Cause, the Enemy suddenly raised the Siege, and withdrew from a Place, which those within imagined in great Danger.

The Siege thus abdicated (if I may use a modern Phrase) I was resolved to improve my Time, and make the best Provision I could against any future Attack.  To that purpose I made several new Fortifications, together with proper Casemets for our Powder, all which render’d the Place much stronger, tho’ Time too soon show’d me that Strength it self must yield to Fortune.