bear, means were, at the same time, used to break or
dislocate all his small bones. It was an instrument of punishment
reserved for the worst of criminals; and no torture was deemed so awful
as that which it was capable of inflicting.

'What do you say to be put in this engine of punishment?' asked the
ambassador, pointing significantly to the bernicles.

'I have already told you,' replied Louis, unmoved, 'that I am the
sultan's prisoner, and that he can do with me as he pleases.'

In fact, the courage of Louis was proof against any danger to his own
person; and he held all the menaces of his captors so cheap, that they
scarcely knew how to deal with him. At length, the sultan determined to
propose terms more likely to be acceptable to the saint-king, and again
sent ambassadors to his prison, with the object of bringing about a
treaty.

'King,' said the ambassador, 'the sultan has sent to ask how much money
you will give for your ransom, besides restoring Damietta?'

'In truth,' replied Louis, 'I scarcely know what answer to make; but, if
the sultan will be contented with a reasonable sum, I will write to the
queen to pay it for myself and my army.'

'But wherefore write to the queen, who is but a woman?' asked the
ambassador somewhat surprised.

'She is my lady and companion,' answered Louis, even at that moment
mindful of the principles of chivalry; 'and it is only reasonable that
her consent should be obtained.'

'Well,' said the ambassador, 'if the queen will pay a million golden
bezants, the sultan will set you free.'

'However,' said Louis, with dignity, 'I must tell you that, as King of
France, I cannot be redeemed by money; but a million of bezants will be
paid as the ransom of my army, and Damietta given up in exchange for my
own freedom.'

After some negotiations the terms were agreed to; and the sultan not
only concluded the treaty joyfully, but expressed his admiration of the
nobility of spirit which Louis had displayed.

'By my faith!' said Touran Chah to the ambassador, 'this Frenchman is
generous and noble, seeing that he does not condescend to bargain about
so large a sum of money, but instantly complies with the first demand.
Go,' added the sultan, 'and tell him, from me, that I make him a present
of a fifth of the sum, so that he will only have to pay four-fifths; and
that I will command all the principal nobles and his great officers to
be embarked in four of my largest galleys, and cond