Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. III.djvu/106

80 80 ITALIAN WARS. PART to agree on any plan of operations, or any point on ^ — which to rally in case of defeat. They accordingly scattered in different directions, and Pedro de la Paz was despatched in pursuit of Louis d'Ars, who threw himself into Venosa,^^ where he kept the enemy at bay for many months longer. Paredes kept close on the scent of Allegre, who, finding the gates shut against him wherever he passed, at length took shelter in Gaeta on the extreme point of the Neapolitan territory. There he endeavoured to rally the scattered relics of the field of Cerignola, and to establish a strong position, from which the French, when strengthened by fresh supplies from home, might recommence operations for the recov- ery of the kingdom. D'Aubigny Thc day after the battle of Cerignola the Span- efeated. •' r- i • l iards received tidings of another victory, scarcely less important, gained over the French in Calabria, the preceding week.^^ The army sent out under Portocarrero had reached that coast early in March ; but, soon after its arrival, its gallant commander fell ill and died.^^ The dying general named Don Fer- 23 It was to this same city of Gaillard, it was regarded from this Venusium that the rash and unfor- time by the French with more su- tunate Varro made his retreat, some perstitious dread than ever. Isto- seventeen centuries before, from ria, torn. i. p. 304. — Rivalite, torn, the bloody field of Cannae. Liv. iv. p. 348. Hist. lib. 22, cap. 49. 23 Zurita, Hist, del Rey Hcrnan- 24 Giovio Vita? Illust. Virorum, do, torn. i. lib. 5, cap. 8, 24. — fol. 255. — Peter Martyr, Opus Giovio, Vitse Illust. Virorum, fol. Epist., epist. 256. — Chr6nica del 250. Gran Capitan, cap. 80. The reader may perhaps recol- Friday, says Guicciardini, allud- lect the distinguished part played ing no doubt to Columbus's discov- in the IMoorish war by Luis Porto- eries, as well as these two victo- carrcro, lord of Palma. He was ries, was observed to be a lucky of noble Italian origin, being de- day to the Spaniards ; according to scended from the ancient Genoese