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thoroughly convinced that Don Quixote was not quite right in his
head as he had committed such a vagary as to set them free）； finding
himself abused in this fashion； gave the wink to his companions； and
falling back they began to shower stones on Don Quixote at such a rate
that he was quite unable to protect himself with his buckler； and poor
Rocinante no more heeded the spur than if he had been made of brass。
Sancho planted himself behind his ass； and with him sheltered
himself from the hailstorm that poured on both of them。 Don Quixote
was unable to shield himself so well but that more pebbles than I
could count struck him full on the body with such force that they
brought him to the ground； and the instant he fell the student pounced
upon him； snatched the basin from his head； and with it struck three
or four blows on his shoulders； and as many more on the ground；
knocking it almost to pieces。 They then stripped him of a jacket
that he wore over his armour； and they would have stripped off his
stockings if his greaves had not prevented them。 From Sancho they took
his coat； leaving him in his shirt…sleeves； and dividing among
themselves the remaining spoils of the battle； they went each one
his own way； more solicitous about keeping clear of the Holy
Brotherhood they dreaded； than about burdening themselves with the
chain； or going to present themselves before the lady Dulcinea del
Toboso。 The ass and Rocinante； Sancho and Don Quixote； were all that
were left upon the spot； the ass with drooping head； serious；
shaking his ears from time to time as if he thought the storm of
stones that assailed them was not yet over； Rocinante stretched beside
his master； for he too had been brought to the ground by a stone；
Sancho stripped； and trembling with fear of the Holy Brotherhood；
and Don Quixote fuming to find himself so served by the very persons
for whom he had done so much。
CHAPTER XXIII
OF WHAT BEFELL DON QUIXOTE IN THE SIERRA MORENA； WHICH WAS ONE OF
THE RAREST ADVENTURES RELATED IN THIS VERACIOUS HISTORY
SEEING himself served in this way； Don Quixote said to his squire；
〃I have always heard it said； Sancho； that to do good to boors is to
throw water into the sea。 If I had believed thy words； I should have
avoided this trouble； but it is done now； it is only to have
patience and take warning for the future。〃
〃Your worship will take warning as much as I am a Turk；〃 returned
Sancho； 〃but； as you say this mischief might have been avoided if
you had believed me； believe me now； and a still greater one will be
avoided； for I tell you chivalry is of no account with the Holy
Brotherhood； and they don't care two maravedis for all the
knights…errant in the world； and I can tell you I fancy I hear their
arrows whistling past my ears this minute。〃
〃Thou art a coward by nature； Sancho；〃 said Don Quixote； 〃but lest
thou shouldst say I am obstinate； and that I never do as thou dost
advise； this once I will take thy advice； and withdraw out of reach of
that fury thou so dreadest； but it must be on one condition； that
never； in life or in death； thou art to say to anyone that I retired
or withdrew from this danger out of fear； but only in compliance
with thy entreaties； for if thou sayest otherwise thou wilt lie
therein； and from this time to that； and from that to this； I give
thee lie； and say thou liest and wilt lie every time thou thinkest
or sayest it； and answer me not again； for at the mere thought that
I am withdrawing or retiring from any danger； above all from this；
which does seem to carry some little shadow of fear with it； I am
ready to take my stand here and await alone； not only that Holy
Brotherhood you talk of and dread； but the brothers of the twelve
tribes of Israel； and the Seven Maccabees； and Castor and Pollux；
and all the brothers and brotherhoods in the world。〃
〃Senor；〃 replied Sancho； 〃to retire is not to flee； and there is
no wisdom in waiting when danger outweighs hope； and it is the part of
wise men to preserve themselves to…day for to…morrow； and not risk all
in one day； and let me tell you； though I am a clown and a boor； I
have got some notion of what they call safe conduct； so repent not
of having taken my advice； but mount Rocinante if you can； and if
not I will help you； and follow me； for my mother…wit tells me we have
more need of legs than hands just now。〃
Don Quixote mounted without replying； and； Sancho leading the way on
his ass； they entered the side of the Sierra Morena； which was close
by； as it was Sancho's design to cross it entirely and come out
again at El Viso or Almodovar del Campo； and hide for some days
among its crags so as to escape the search of the Brotherhood should
they come to look for them。 He was encouraged in this by perceiving
that the stock of provisions carried by the ass had come safe out of
the fray with the galley slaves； a circumstance that he regarded as
a miracle； seeing how they pillaged and ransacked。
That night they reached the very heart of the Sierra Morena； where
it seemed prudent to Sancho to pass the night and even some days； at
least as many as the stores he carried might last； and so they
encamped between two rocks and among some cork trees； but fatal
destiny； which； according to the opinion of those who have not the
light of the true faith； directs； arranges； and settles everything
in its own way； so ordered it that Gines de Pasamonte； the famous
knave and thief who by the virtue and madness of Don Quixote had
been released from the chain； driven by fear of the Holy
Brotherhood； which he had good reason to dread； resolved to take
hiding in the mountains； and his fate and fear led him to the same
spot to which Don Quixote and Sancho Panza had been led by theirs；
just in time to recognise them and leave them to fall asleep： and as
the wicked are always ungrateful； and necessity leads to evildoing；
and immediate advantage overcomes all considerations of the future；
Gines； who was neither grateful nor well…principled； made up his
mind to steal Sancho Panza's ass； not troubling himself about
Rocinante； as being a prize that was no good either to pledge or sell。
While Sancho slept he stole his ass； and before day dawned he was
far out of reach。
Aurora made her appearance bringing gladness to the earth but
sadness to Sancho Panza； for he found that his Dapple was missing； and
seeing himself bereft of him he began the saddest and most doleful
lament in the world； so loud that Don Quixote awoke at his
exclamations and heard him saying； 〃O son of my bowels； born in my
very house； my children's plaything； my wife's joy； the envy of my
neighbours； relief of my burdens； and lastly； half supporter of
myself； for with the six…and…twenty maravedis thou didst earn me daily
I met half my charges。〃
Don Quixote； when he heard the lament and learned the cause；
consoled Sancho with the best arguments he could； entreating him to be
patient； and promising to give him a letter of exchange ordering three
out of five ass…colts that he had at home to be given to him。 Sancho
took comfort at this； dried his tears； suppressed his sobs； and
returned thanks for the k