I was returning full of these melancholy Tidings, when Sir Thomas, advancing after me a little Distance from the rest of the Company; Hark ye, Sir, says he, I believe there may be among ’em some of our old Acquaintance (for we had serv’d together in the Service of the States in Flanders) therefore tell them they shall have good Quarter.  I very willingly carry’d back a Message to much chang’d to my Mind; and upon delivering of it, without the least Hesitation, they threw down the Barricado, open’d the Door, and out came one Brody, who, as he then told me, had had a Piece of his Nose taken off by one of my Grenadoes.  I carry’d him to Sir Thomas, who confirming my Message, they all came out, and surrendered themselves Prisoners.  This happen’d on May Day in the Morning; for which Reason we return’d to Inverness with our Prisoners, and Boughs in our Hats; and the Highlanders never held up their Heads so high after this Defeat.

Upon this Success Sir Thomas wrote to Court, giving a full Account of the whole Action.  In which being pleas’d to make mention of my Behaviour, with some Particularities, I had soon after a Commission order’d me for a Company in the Regiment under the Command of Brigadier Tiffin.

My Commission being made out, sign’d, and sent to me, I repair’d immediately to Portsmouth, where the Regiment lay in Garrison.  A few Days after I had been there, Admiral Russel arriv’d with the Fleet, and anchor’d at St. Hellen’s, where he remain’d about a Week.  On the 18th of May the whole Fleet set Sail; and it being my Turn the same Day to mount the Main Guard, I was going the Rounds very early, when I heard great shooting at Sea.  I went directly to acquaint the Governor, and told him my Sentiments, that the two contending Fleets were actually engag’d, which indeed prov’d true; for that very Night a Pinnace, which came from our Fleet, brought News that Admiral Russel had engag’d the French Admiral Turvile; and, after a long and sharp Dispute, was making after them to their own Coasts.

The next Day, towards Evening, several other Expresses arriv’d, one after another, all agreeing in the Defeat of the French Fleet, and in the Particulars of the burning their Rising Sun, together with many other of their Men of War, at la Hogue.  All which Expresses were immediately forwarded to Court by Mr. Gibson, our Governor.

About two Months after this, our Regiment, among many others, was, according to Order, shipp’d off on a Secret Expedition, under the Command of the Duke of Leinster, no Man knowing to what Place we were going, or on what Design; no, not the Commander himself.  However, when we were out at Sea, the General, according to Instructions, opening his Commission, we were soon put out of our Suspence, and inform’d, that our Orders were to attack Dunkirk.  But what was so grand a Secret to those concern’d in the Expedition, having been intrusted to a Female Politician on Land, it was soon discover’d to the Enemy; for which Reason our Orders were countermanded, before we reach’d the Place of Action, and our Forces receiv’d Directions to land at Ostend.