144 ROGER OF VVEX'DOVF.R. [A.D . non. Of a treaty made brtiecen the kings if France and England. A.D. 1196. King Richard spent Christmas at the eity of Poietiers; ami1 after the feast of St. Hilary, Philip king of the French, anil Richard king of the English, met at a conference at Fonciers, where the following treaty was made between them. The king of the French quitted claim to king Richard and his heirs, of lsoildun with the appurtenances, and of all right which he had in Berry, Auvergne, and Gascon}', and gave him quiet possession of the castle of Arches, and the counties of Anches and Attillarle, and many other fortresses which the French monarch had seized on since his return from his pilgrimage to the Holy Land: and the English king quitted claim to the king of the French of the castle of Gisors. and the whole of Norman Vexin ; and in order that all these terms might be ratified and confirmed, they mutually found with the cross, neither of them, though fierce anil hungry, ventured to attack him. All that night he spent in this pit, crying and moaning, and expecting with lamentations the approach of so hase a death. A poor wood-cutter, passing by chance that way to c dlect faggots, heard his cries, which seemed to come from beneath the gTound, and following the sound till he came to Ibe pit's mouth, he looked in and called nut, '' Wh o is there 1" Vitalis sprang up, rejoiced 1 eyond measure, and eagerly replied, " It is I, Vitalis. a Venetian, who knowing nothing of these pit-falls, fell in, and shall be devoured by wild beasts, besides which I am dying of hunger and terror. There are two fierce animals livre, a lion and a serpent, but, by God's protection and the sign of the cross, they have not yet hurt me, and it remains for you to save ine, that i may afterwards show you my gratitude. If you will save me, I will give you half of all my property, namclv, five hundred talents ; tor 1 am worth a thousand/' The poor man answered, " I will do ILS you request, if you will be as good as your word." Upon this Vitalis pledged himself on oath to do as be hail promised. Whilst the)- were speaking, the lion by η bland movement of his tail, and the serpent Ivy a gentle hissing, signified lo the poor man their approbation, and eemed to join in Vitalis's request to be delivered. The poor man immediately went home for a ladder and ropes, with which lie returned mid lettile ladder down into the pii, without anyone to help him. Immediately the lion and serpent, striving which should be first, mounted by the rounds of the ladder and gave thanks to the poor man, crouching lit his feet, for their deliverance. The wood-cutter, approaching Vitalis, kissed his hand, saving, " hong live this hand ! 1 am glad to say that 1 have earned my bargain," and with these words he conducted Vilnus until they came to a road with which he was acquainted. When they parted, the poor man .•uiked when and where Vitali» would disellarne his promise? " Within four days," said Vitalis, "in Venice, in mvoiui palace, which inrell known and easy to find." The countryman returned home to dinner, and us be was fitting at table, the Jion entered with a (lead goat, as a present in return for