I remember we were not marched very far from the Place, where this Rencounter happen'd; when an _Irish_ Dragoon overtook the Captain, with a civil Message from Major _O Rairk_, desiring that he would not entertain a mean Opinion of him for the Defence that was made; since could he have got the _Spaniards_ to have stood their Ground, he should have given him good Reason for a better. The Captain return'd a complimental Answer, and so march'd on. This Major _O Rairk_, or _O Roork_, was the next Year killed at _Alkay_, being much lamented, for he was esteemed both for his Courage and Conduct, one of the best of the _Irish_ Officers in the _Spanish_ Service. I was likewise informed that he was descended from one of the ancient Kings of _Ireland_; the Mother of the honourable Colonel _Paget_, one of the Grooms of the Bedchamber to his present Majesty, was nearly related to this Gallant Gentleman. One remarkable Thing I saw in that Action, which affected and surprised me; A _Scotch_ Dragoon, of but a moderate Size, with his large basket-hilted Sword, struck off a _Spaniard's_ Head at one stroke, with the same ease, in appearance, as a Man would do that of a Poppy. When we came to _Elda_ (a Town much in the Interest of King _Charles_, and famous for its fine Situation, and the largest Grapes in _Spain_) the Inhabitants received us in a manner as handsome as it was peculiar; all standing at their Doors with lighted Torches; which considering the Time we enter'd was far from an unwelcome or disagreeable Sight. The next Day several requested to be the Messengers of the Action at _Villena_ to the Earl of _Peterborow_ at _Alicant_; but the Captain return'd this Answer to all, that in consideration of the Share that I might justly claim in that Day's Transactions, he could not think of letting any other Person be the Bearer. So giving me his Letters to the Earl, I the next Day deliver'd them to him at _Alicant_. At the Delivery, Colonel _Killigrew_ (whose Dragoons they were) being present, he expressed a deal of Satisfaction at the Account, and his Lordship was pleased at the same time to appoint me sole Engineer of the Castle of _Alicant_.