On the approach of spring, Niccolo Piccinino was the first to take
the field, and encamped before Cignano, a fortress twelve miles from
Brescia; the count marched to its relief, and the war between them was
conducted in the usual manner. The count, apprehensive for the city of
Bergamo, besieged Martinengo, a castle so situated that the possession
of it would enable him to relieve the former, which was closely pressed
by Niccolo, who, having foreseen that the enemy could impede him only
from the direction of Martinengo, had put the castle into a complete
state of defense, so that the count was obliged to lend his whole
force to the siege. Upon this, Niccolo placed his troops in a situation
calculated to intercept the count's provisions, and fortified himself
with trenches and bastions in such a manner that he could not be
attacked without the most manifest hazard to his assailant. Hence the
besiegers were more distressed than the people of Martinengo whom they
besieged. The count could not hold his position for want of food, nor
quit it without imminent danger; so that the duke's victory appeared
certain, and defeat equally inevitable to the count and the Venetians.

But fortune, never destitute of means to assist her favorites, or to
injure others, caused the hope of victory to operate so powerfully
upon Niccolo Piccinino, and made him assume such a tone of unbounded
insolence, that, losing all respect for himself and the duke, he sent
him word that, having served under his ensign for so long, without
obtaining sufficient land to serve him for a grave, he wished to know
from himself what was to be the reward of his labors; for it was in his
power to make him master of Lombardy, and place all his enemies in
his power; and, as a certain victory ought to be attended by a sure
remuneration, he desired the duke to concede to him the city of
Piacenza, that when weary with his lengthened services he might at
last betake himself to repose. Nor did he hesitate, in conclusion, to