two blocks, passing bis legs through broad pins ; they then fix the upper block on the sufferer, and make aman sit on him, by which means all the small bones of his legs are broken or dislocated. To increase the torture, at the end of three days thev replace his legs, which are now greatly swollen, in the Denudes, and break them again, which is the most cruel thing ever heard ; and they tie his head down with bullock's sinews, for fear he should move himself while in them. The good king held all their menaces cheap, and said, that since he was their prisoner they might do to him whatever they pleased* The Saracens finding they could not conquer the king by threats, came to him, and asked how much money he would give the sultan for his ransom, in addition to Damietta, which was to be surrendered. The king replied, that if the sultan would be contented with a reasonable ransom, he would write to the queen to pay it for himself and his army. The Saracens asked why he wanted to write to the queen. He answered, that it was but reasonable he should do so, for that she was his wife and companion. The council then went to the sultan to know what sum he required from the king ; and on their return told the king, that if the queen would pay a million of golden besants, equal at that time to 500,000 livres, she would, by so doing, obtain the king's liberty. The king then asked them, on their oath, should the queen pay these 500,000 livres, would the sultan consent to his deliverance. On this they again returned to the sultan to know if be would bind himself by such a promise, and brought back his answer, that he was very willing so to do. The council then took their oaths to the punctual fulfilment of this agreement, which, when done, the king engaged to pay cheerfully, for the ransom of his army, 500,000 livres ; and that for his own ransom he would surrender the town of Damietta to the sultan ; for he was of a rank whose bodily ransom could not be estimated by the value of money. When the sultan heard the good disposition of the king, he said, " By my faith, the Frenchman is generous and liberal, when he does not condescend to bargain about so large a sum of money, but has instantly complied with the first demand. Go, and tell him from me, added tbe sultan, " that I make him a present of 100,000 livres, so that he will have only to pay 400,000." Tbe sultan then commanded that all of the principal nobles,