Instantly the hardy hillmen of Urbino were in arms to reconquer Guidobaldo's duchy for him.

Stronghold after stronghold fell into their hands, until they were in Urbino itself.

They made short work of the capital's scanty defenders, flung Cesare's governor into prison, and finally obtained possession of the citadel.
It was the news of this that caused the confederates once more to pause.
Before declaring themselves, they waited to see what action Venice would take, whilst in the meantime they sought shelter behind a declaration that they were soldiers of the Church and would do nothing against the will of the Pontiff.

They were confidently assured that Venice would befriend Guidobaldo, and help him back to his throne now that his own people had done so much towards that end.

It remained, however, to be seen whether Venice would at the same time befriend Pesaro and Rimini.
Instantly Cesare Borgia--who was assailed by grave doubts concerning the Venetians--took his measures.