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of water of such virtue that by tasting one drop of it they were cured
of their hurts and wounds in an instant and left as sound as if they
had not received any damage whatever。 But in case this should not
occur； the knights of old took care to see that their squires were
provided with money and other requisites； such as lint and ointments
for healing purposes； and when it happened that knights had no squires
（which was rarely and seldom the case） they themselves carried
everything in cunning saddle…bags that were hardly seen on the horse's
croup； as if it were something else of more importance； because；
unless for some such reason； carrying saddle…bags was not very
favourably regarded among knights…errant。 He therefore advised him
（and； as his godson so soon to be； he might even command him） never
from that time forth to travel without money and the usual
requirements； and he would find the advantage of them when he least
expected it。
Don Quixote promised to follow his advice scrupulously； and it was
arranged forthwith that he should watch his armour in a large yard
at one side of the inn； so； collecting it all together； Don Quixote
placed it on a trough that stood by the side of a well； and bracing
his buckler on his arm he grasped his lance and began with a stately
air to march up and down in front of the trough； and as he began his
march night began to fall。
The landlord told all the people who were in the inn about the craze
of his guest； the watching of the armour； and the dubbing ceremony
he contemplated。 Full of wonder at so strange a form of madness；
they flocked to see it from a distance； and observed with what
composure he sometimes paced up and down； or sometimes； leaning on his
lance； gazed on his armour without taking his eyes off it for ever
so long； and as the night closed in with a light from the moon so
brilliant that it might vie with his that lent it； everything the
novice knight did was plainly seen by all。
Meanwhile one of the carriers who were in the inn thought fit to
water his team； and it was necessary to remove Don Quixote's armour as
it lay on the trough； but he seeing the other approach hailed him in a
loud voice； 〃O thou； whoever thou art； rash knight that comest to
lay hands on the armour of the most valorous errant that ever girt
on sword； have a care what thou dost； touch it not unless thou wouldst
lay down thy life as the penalty of thy rashness。〃 The carrier gave no
heed to these words （and he would have done better to heed them if
he had been heedful of his health）； but seizing it by the straps flung
the armour some distance from him。 Seeing this； Don Quixote raised his
eyes to heaven； and fixing his thoughts； apparently； upon his lady
Dulcinea； exclaimed； 〃Aid me； lady mine； in this the first encounter
that presents itself to this breast which thou holdest in subjection；
let not thy favour and protection fail me in this first jeopardy；〃
and； with these words and others to the same purpose； dropping his
buckler he lifted his lance with both hands and with it smote such a
blow on the carrier's head that he stretched him on the ground； so
stunned that had he followed it up with a second there would have been
no need of a surgeon to cure him。 This done； he picked up his armour
and returned to his beat with the same serenity as before。
Shortly after this； another； not knowing what had happened （for
the carrier still lay senseless）； came with the same object of
giving water to his mules； and was proceeding to remove the armour
in order to clear the trough； when Don Quixote； without uttering a
word or imploring aid from anyone； once more dropped his buckler and
once more lifted his lance； and without actually breaking the second
carrier's head into pieces； made more than three of it； for he laid it
open in four。 At the noise all the people of the inn ran to the
spot； and among them the landlord。 Seeing this； Don Quixote braced his
buckler on his arm； and with his hand on his sword exclaimed； 〃O
Lady of Beauty； strength and support of my faint heart； it is time for
thee to turn the eyes of thy greatness on this thy captive knight on
the brink of so mighty an adventure。〃 By this he felt himself so
inspired that he would not have flinched if all the carriers in the
world had assailed him。 The comrades of the wounded perceiving the
plight they were in began from a distance to shower stones on Don
Quixote； who screened himself as best he could with his buckler； not
daring to quit the trough and leave his armour unprotected。 The
landlord shouted to them to leave him alone； for he had already told
them that he was mad； and as a madman he would not be accountable even
if he killed them all。 Still louder shouted Don Quixote； calling
them knaves and traitors； and the lord of the castle； who allowed
knights…errant to be treated in this fashion； a villain and a low…born
knight whom； had he received the order of knighthood； he would call to
account for his treachery。 〃But of you；〃 he cried； 〃base and vile
rabble； I make no account； fling； strike； come on； do all ye can
against me； ye shall see what the reward of your folly and insolence
will be。〃 This he uttered with so much spirit and boldness that he
filled his assailants with a terrible fear； and as much for this
reason as at the persuasion of the landlord they left off stoning him；
and he allowed them to carry off the wounded； and with the same
calmness and composure as before resumed the watch over his armour。
But these freaks of his guest were not much to the liking of the
landlord； so he determined to cut matters short and confer upon him at
once the unlucky order of knighthood before any further misadventure
could occur； so； going up to him； he apologised for the rudeness
which； without his knowledge； had been offered to him by these low
people； who； however； had been well punished for their audacity。 As he
had already told him； he said； there was no chapel in the castle；
nor was it needed for what remained to be done； for； as he
understood the ceremonial of the order； the whole point of being
dubbed a knight lay in the accolade and in the slap on the shoulder；
and that could be administered in the middle of a field； and that he
had now done all that was needful as to watching the armour； for all
requirements were satisfied by a watch of two hours only； while he had
been more than four about it。 Don Quixote believed it all； and told
him he stood there ready to obey him； and to make an end of it with as
much despatch as possible； for； if he were again attacked； and felt
himself to be dubbed knight； he would not； he thought； leave a soul
alive in the castle； except such as out of respect he might spare at
his bidding。
Thus warned and menaced； the castellan forthwith brought out a
book in which he used to enter the straw and barley he served out to
the carriers； and； with a lad carrying a candle…end； and the two
damsels already mentioned； he returned to where Don Quixote stood； and
bade him kneel down。 Then； reading from his account…book as if he were
repeating some devout prayer； in the middle of his delivery he
raised his hand and gave him