Pagina 239 van 310

So the whole party entered Sinigalia, dismounted at the duke's

quarters, and went with him into a secret chamber, where the duke

made them prisoners; he then mounted on horseback, and issued

orders that the men of Oliverotto and the Orsini should be

stripped of their arms. Those of Oliverotto, being at hand, were

quickly settled, but those of the Orsini and Vitelli, being at a

distance, and having a presentiment of the destruction of their

masters, had time to prepare themselves, and bearing in mind the

valour and discipline of the Orsinian and Vitellian houses, they

stood together against the hostile forces of the country and

saved themselves.