officers received orders to hang on the rear of the
enemy, to harass him, and to do him all possible damage
consistent with the possibility of avoiding a general
engagement, until the main army under Parma and Don
John should arrive. The orders were at first
strictly obeyed. As the skirmishing grew hotter,
however, Goazaga observed that a spirited cavalry
officer, named Perotti, had already advanced, with
a handful of men, much further within the reach of
the hostile forces than was deemed expedient.
He sent hastily to recal the too eager chieftain.
The order, delivered in a tone more peremptory than
agreeable, was flatly disobeyed. “Tell Ottavio
Gonzaga,” said Perotti, “that I never
yet turned my back on the enemy, nor shall I now begin.
Moreover, were I ever so much inclined to do so, retreat
is impossible.” The retiring army was then
proceeding along the borders of a deep ravine, filled
with mire and water, and as broad and more dangerous
than a river. In the midst of the skirmishing,
Alexander of Parma rode up to reconnoitre. He
saw at once that the columns of the enemy were marching
unsteadily to avoid being precipitated into this creek.
He observed the waving of their spears, the general
confusion of their ranks, and was quick to take advantage
of the fortunate moment. Pointing out to the
officers about him the opportunity thus offered of
attacking the retiring army unawares in flank, he
assembled, with great rapidity, the foremost companies
of cavalry already detached from the main body.
Mounting a fresh and powerful horse, which Camillo
Monte held in readiness for him, he signified his
intention of dashing through the dangerous ravine,
and dealing a stroke where it was least expected, “Tell
Don John of Austria,” he cried to an officer
whom he sent back to the Commander-in-chief, “that
Alexander of Parma has plunged into the abyss, to
perish there, or to come-forth again victorious.”
The sudden thought was executed with lightning-like
celerity. In an instant the bold rider was already
struggling through the dangerous swamp; in another,
his powerful charger had carried him across. Halting
for a few minutes, lance in rest, till his troops had
also forced their passage, gained the level ground
unperceived, and sufficiently breathed their horses,
he drew up his little force in a compact column.
Then, with a few words of encouragement, he launched
them at the foe. The violent and entirely unexpected
shock was even more successful than the Prince had
anticipated. The hostile cavalry reeled and fell
into hopeless confusion, Egmont in vain striving to
rally them to resistance. That name had lost
its magic. Goignies also attempted, without success,
to restore order among the panic-struck ranks.
The sudden conception of Parma, executed as suddenly
and in so brilliant a manner, had been decisive.
Assaulted in flank and rear at the same moment, and
already in temporary confusion, the cavalry of the
enemy turned their backs and fled. The centre