Vidomer,  viscount  of  Limoges,  having  found  a  treasure,
it  was  claimed  by  Richard,  as  his  superior  lord ;  and  that
nobleman  was  besieged  by  the  king  in  the  castle  of  Cha-
lons. As  Richard  approached  to  survey  the  works,  one
Bertrand  de  Gourdon,  an  archer,  pierced  his  shoulder  with
an  arrow.  The  wound  was  not  dangerous ;  but  the  un-
skilfulness  of  the  surgeon  rendered  it  mortal.  The  king,
sensible  that  his  end  was  approaching,  sent  for  Gourdon,
and  said,  "  wretch,  what  have  I  liter  done  to  you,  to  in-
duce you  to  seek  my  life  V1  The  prisoner  coolly  replied,
"  you  killed  with  your  own  hands  my  father  and  my  two
brothers :  I  am  now  in  your  power,  and  you  may  take
revenge,  by  inflicting  on  me  the  most  severe  torments ;
but  I  shall  endure  them  with  pleasure,  provided  I  casi
think  that  I  have  been  so  happy  as  to  rid  the  world"  from
such  a  nuisance."     The  mind  of  Richard  was  softened  by


60  HISTORY  OF  ENGLAND.
the  near  approach  of  death,  and  the  magnanimity  of  Gour-
don ;  he  ordered  him  to  be  set  at  liberty,  and  a  sum  of
money  to  be  given  him  ;  but  Marcadee,  one  of  Richard's
generals,  privately  seized  the  unhappy  man,  flaye<}  him
alive,  and  then  hanged  him.
