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 Wyck, to which it is join’d by a stone Bridge of six fair Arches.  The design was, by a false Attack on that regular Fortification to draw the Strength of the Garrison to its Defence, which was but very natural to imagine would be the Consequence.  Ready to attend that well concerted false Attack, a large flat bottom’d Boat, properly furnish’d with Barrels of Gun-Powder, and other Necessaries, was to fall down under one of the middle Arches, and when fix’d there, by firing the Powder to have blown up the Bridge, and by that means to have prevented the Return of the Garrison to oppose a real Attack at that instant of Time to be made upon the Town of Maestrich by the whole Army.

The false Attack on Wyck was accordingly made, which, as propos’d, drew the Main of the Garrison of Maestrich to its Defence, and the Boat so furnish’d fell down the River as projected, but unfortunately, before it could reach the Arch, from the Darkness of the Night, running upon a Shoal, it could not be got off; for which Reason the Men in the Boat were glad to make a hasty Escape for fear of being discovered; as the Boat was, next Morning; and the whole Design laid open.