and had like to have killed Mrs. Sarah, she
having but newly gone out of it.

25th. Up both of us pretty early and to my chamber, where he and I did
draw up a letter to Sir G. Carteret in excuse and preparation for Creed
against we meet before the Duke upon his accounts, which I drew up and
it proved very well, but I am pleased to see with what secret cunning
and variety of artifice this Creed has carried on his business even
unknown to me, which he is now forced by an accident to communicate
to me. So that taking up all the papers of moment which lead to the
clearing of his accounts unobserved out of the Controller's hand, which
he now makes great use of; knowing that the Controller has not wherewith
to betray him. About this all the morning, only Mr. Bland came to me
about some business of his, and told me the news, which holds to be
true, that the Portuguese did let in the Spaniard by a plot, and they
being in the midst of the country and we believing that they would have
taken the whole country, they did all rise and kill the whole body, near
8,000 men, and Don John of Austria having two horses killed under him,
was forced with one man to flee away. Sir George Carteret at the office
(after dinner, and Creed being gone, for both now and yesterday I was
afraid to have him seen by Sir G. Carteret with me, for fear that he
should increase his doubt that I am of a plot with Creed in the business
of his accounts) did tell us that upon Tuesday last, being with my Lord
Treasurer, he showed him a letter from Portugall speaking of the advance
of the Spaniards into their country, and yet that the Portuguese were
never more courageous than now; for by an old prophecy, from France,
sent thither some years, though not many since, from the French King,
it is foretold that the Spaniards should come into their country, and in
such a valley they should be all killed, and then their country should
be wholly delivered from the Spaniards. This was on Tuesday last, and
yesterday came the very first news that in this very valley they had
thus routed and killed the Spaniards, which is very strange but true.
So late at the office, and then home to supper and to bed. This noon I
received a letter from the country from my wife, wherein she seems much
pleased with the country; God continue that she may have pleasure while
she is there. She, by my Lady's advice, desires a new petticoat of
the new silk striped stuff, very pretty. So I went to Pat