Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/343

319 CAMPAIGNS OF GONSALVO. 319 II. surprises Laino. departure, he prepared to strike such a blow as chapier should, if possible, incapacitate his enemy for any effectual movement during his absence. He received intelligence that a considerable consaiv O surprise number of Angevin lords, mostly of the powerful house of San Severino, with their vassals and a re- inforcement of French troops, were assembled at the little town of Laino, on the northwestern bor- ders of Upper Calabria ; where they lay awaiting a junction with D'xA.ubigny. Gonsalvo determined to surprise this place, and capture the rich spoils which it contained, before his departure. His road lay through a wild and mountainous country. The passes were occupied by the Calabrian peasantry in the interest of the Angevin party. The Spanish general, however, found no difficulty in forcing a way through this undisciplined rabble, a large body of whom he surrounded and cut to pieces, as they lay in ambush for him in the valley of Murano. Laino, whose base is washed by the waters of the Lao, was defended by a strong castle built on the opposite side of the river, and connected by a bridge with the town. All approach to the place by the high road was commanded by this fortress. Gonsalvo obviated this difficulty, however, by a cir- cuitous route across the mountains. He marched all night, and fording the waters of the Lao about two miles above the town, entered it with his little army before break of day, having previously de- tached a small corps to take possession of the bridge. The inhabitants, startled from their slum- bers by the unexpected appearance of the enemy in