54 ITALIAN WARS. PART when the flying cavalry of the Spaniards, suddenly ^ — wheeling round in the rapid style of the Moorish tactics, charged them boldly in front. All was now confusion. Some made resistance, but most sought only to escape ; a few effected it, but the greater part of those who did not fall on the field were carried prisoners to Barleta ; where Mendoza found the Great Captain with his whole army drawn up under the walls in order of battle, ready to support him in person, if necessary. The whole affair passed so expeditiously, that the viceroy, who, as has been said, conducted his retreat in a most dis- orderly manner, and in fact, had already dispersed several battalions of his infantry to the different towns from which he had drawn them, knew noth- ing of the rencontre, till his men were securely lodged within the walls of Barleta. ^^ Arrival of Thc arrlval of a Venetian trader at this time, with supplies. a cargo of grain, brought temporary relief to the pressing necessities of the garrison. ^"^ This was 26 Giovio, Vitas Illust. Virorum, battle, and is told with pride and a pp. 243, 244. — Ulloa, Vita di Car- swell of exultation, which show, lo V.,fol. II, 12. A dispute arose, that this insult of the French cut soon after this affair, between a more deeply than all the injuries French ofiBcer and some Italian inflicted by them. Giovio, Vitae gentlemen at Gonsalvo's table, in Illust. Virorum, pp. 244 - 247. — consequence of certain injurious Guicciardini, Istoria, pp. 296-298. reflections made by the former on — Giannone, Istoria di Napoli, lib. the bravery of the Italian nation. 29, cap. 4. — Summonte, Hist, di The quarrel was settled by a com- Napoli, tom. iii. pp. 542 - 552. — bat d Voutrance between thirteen et al. knights on each side, fought un- ^7 This supply was owing to the der the protection of the Great avarice of the French general Ale- Captain, who took a lively interest gre, who, having got possession of in the success of his allies. It ter- a magazine of corn in Foggia, sold minated in the discomfiture and it to the Venetian merchant, in- capture of all the French. The stead of reserving it, where it was tourney covers more pages in the most needed, for his own army. Italian historians than the longest
