itic, under the
circumstances, to reduce the influence of the emirs and Mamelukes by
bringing about a treaty with the Crusaders.

'In these people,' said they to the sultan, 'you have enemies far more
dangerous than the Christians. Nothing will content them but reigning in
your stead. They never cease to boast of their victories, as if they
alone had conquered the Franks, and as if the God of Mahomet had not
sent pestilence and famine to aid you in triumphing. But hasten to
terminate the war, that you may strengthen your power within; and then
you will be able to reign in reality.'

As soon as Touran Chah was convinced that the emirs and Mamelukes
entertained projects of ambition dangerous to his power, and that war
was favourable to their designs, he resolved to show the chiefs how
little he regarded their opinions; and, without even consulting them, he
sent some of his favourites to the house of Lokman, and empowered them
to treat with Louis.

'King,' said the ambassador, 'I come from the sultan, to inform you that
he will restore you to liberty, on condition that you surrender to him
the cities of Palestine now held by the Franks.'

'The cities of Palestine are not mine to give,' replied Louis, calmly;
'and I cannot pretend to dispose of them.'

'But beware of rashly refusing to submit to the sultan's terms,' said
the ambassador; 'for you know not what may happen. He will send you to
the caliph at Bagdad, who will imprison you for life; or he will cause
you to be led throughout the East, to exhibit to all Asia a Christian
king reduced to slavery.'

'I am the sultan's prisoner,' replied Louis, unmoved, 'and he can do
with me what he pleases.'

On hearing this answer, the ambassadors intimated their intention of
employing personal violence; and, one of them having stamped three times
with his foot, the Eunuch Sahil entered, followed by the jailers,
bearing that frightful instrument of torture, known as 'the bernicles.'

Now this terrible engine was made of pieces of wood pierced with holes,
into which the legs of the criminal were put; and the holes were at so
great a distance from each other, and could be forced to so great an
extension, that the pain was about the most horrible that could be
produced. Moreover, the holes being at various distances, the legs of
the victim could be inserted into those that extended them to the
greatest distance, and while the pain inflicted was more than flesh and
blood could