[Illustration:  THE UNHAPPY FATHER SANK INTO THE GRAVE.]

He cursed his sons and died miserably, deserted by his followers, who took such clothing as fitted them best, and would have pawned the throne had it not been out of style and unavailable for that purpose, beside being secured to the castle.  His official life was creditable to a high degree, but his private life seemed to call loudly for a good, competent disinfectant.

[Illustration:  WHEN RICHARD WAS SICK THE GENEROUS SULTAN SENT HIM FRUITS AND ICE.]

Richard Kyur duh le ong, as the French have it, or Richard I. of the lion heart, reigned in his father’s stead from 1189 to 1199.  His reign opened with a disagreeable massacre.  The Jews, who had brought him some presents to wear at his inaugural ball, were insulted by the populace, who believed that the king favored a massacre, and so many were put to death.

Richard and Philip of France organized a successful crusade against people who were not deemed orthodox, and succeeded in bagging a good many in Syria, where the woods were full of infidels.

Richard, however, was so overbearing that Philip could not get along with him, and they dissolved partnership; but Richard captured Ascalon after this.  His army was too much reduced, however, to capture Jerusalem.

Saladin, the opposing sultan, was a great admirer of Richard, and when the lion-hearted king was ill, sent him fruits and even ice, so the historian says.  Where the Saracens got their ice at that time we can only surmise.

Peace was established, and the pilgrims who desired to enter the holy city were unmolested.  This matter was settled in 1192.

On his return Richard was compelled to go incog. through Germany, as the authorities were opposed to him.  He was discovered and confined till a large ransom was paid.

Philip and John, the king’s brother, decided that Richard’s extremity was their opportunity, and so concluded to divide up his kingdom between them.  At this dramatic moment Richard, having paid his sixty thousand pounds ransom and tipped his custodian, entered the English arena, and the jig was up.  John was obliged to ask pardon, and Richard generously gave it, with the exclamation, “Oh, that I could forget his injuries as soon as he will my forgiveness!”

[Illustration:  RICHARD TRAVELLING INCOG.  THROUGH GERMANY.]

Richard never secured a peace with Philip, but died, in 1199, from the effects of a wound received in France, and when but forty-two years of age.  The longevity among monarchs of the present day is indeed gratifying when one reads of the brief lives of these old reigners, for it surely demonstrates that royalty, when not carried to excess, is rather conducive to health than otherwise.

Richard died from the effects of an arrow wound, and all his foes in this engagement were hanged, except the young warrior who had given him his death wound.  Doubtless this was done to encourage good marksmanship.