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Uguccione, finding himself growing worse, went to Montecarlo to

be cured, and left the command of the army in the hands of

Castruccio. This change brought about the ruin of the Guelphs,

who, thinking that the hostile army having lost its captain had

lost its head, grew over-confident. Castruccio observed this, and

allowed some days to pass in order to encourage this belief; he

also showed signs of fear, and did not allow any of the munitions

of the camp to be used. On the other side, the Guelphs grew more

insolent the more they saw these evidences of fear, and every day

they drew out in the order of battle in front of the army of

Castruccio. Presently, deeming that the enemy was sufficiently

emboldened, and having mastered their tactics, he decided to join

battle with them. First he spoke a few words of encouragement to

his soldiers, and pointed out to them the certainty of victory if

they would but obey his commands.