Betimes in the Morning the Conspirators met at the appointed Places, where they were to be furnish'd with Arms. They all appear'd with so much Resolution and Courage, that they rather seem'd marching to a certain Victory, than to an uncertain Enterprize. But what is very much to be admir'd at, is, that amongst such a Number of Nobility, Gentry, Citizens, nay Priests, not one should falsify his Word, or break his Promise, tho their Interests in the Event were very different; but they all seem'd as impatient for the important Moment, as if each there had been the Contriver of the Scheme, or at the Head of the Enterprize; or rather, as if the Crown was to have been the Reward of each individual Man's Labour. Several Ladies also made themselves famous on that Day. But the noble Behaviour of Donna _Philippa de Villenes_ ought never to be forgotten, who with her own hands arm'd both her Sons; and giving them their Swords, "Go, my Children, _said she_, put an end to a Tyrant's Power, revenge yourselves on your Enemies, free your Country, and be assur'd, that if Success does not crown your Undertaking, your Mother never will live to see the cruel Fate of so many brave and deserving Patriots." Every one being arm'd, they made the best of their way towards the Palace, most of them in Litters, that they might conceal their Number and their Arms. There they divided into four Companies, and waited with impatience till the Palace-Clock struck Eight; that, and the firing of a Pistol, being the appointed Signal. Never did time seem so long; they fear'd that their being at that Place so early, and in such a Number, might make the Secretary jealous of their Design: but at last the long-expected Hour struck, and _Pinto_ firing a Pistol, they rush'd forward to execute their bold Design. Don _Miguel d'Almeida_, with those that accompany'd him, fell upon the _German_ Guard, who were so far from expecting any Attack, that they were sitting very carelessly, few of them having their Arms in hand; so that they were cut to pieces, without scarce making any resistance. The Lord _Ranger_, with his Brother _Mello_, and Don _Estevan d'Acugna_, fell on the _Spaniards_ who kept Guard at a Place before the Palace, call'd the _Fort_. These Nobles, followed by most of the Citizens who were engag'd in the Conspiracy, fell upon the _Castilians_ Sword in hand, and fought most resolutely; but no one behav'd himself more bravely than one of the City Priests: this Reverend Man, with a Crucifix in one hand, and a Sword in the other, appear'd at the head of his Party, and encourag'd the People, both by his Words and his Example, to cut their Enemies in pieces. The _Spaniards_, aw'd at the sight of so religious an Object, neither durst offend him, nor defend themselves, but fled before him. In short, after some small Resistance, the Officer of the Guard, willing to save his own Life, was forc'd to cry out with the rest, _Long live the Duke of_ Braganza, _King of_ Portugal!