Sancho came so close that he almost put his eyes into his mouth; now just

at that moment the balsam had acted on the stomach of Don Quixote, so, at

the very instant when Sancho came to examine his mouth, he discharged all

its contents with more force than a musket, and full into the beard of

the compassionate squire.

"Holy Mary!" cried Sancho, "what is this that has happened me? Clearly

this sinner is mortally wounded, as he vomits blood from the mouth;" but

considering the matter a little more closely he perceived by the colour,

taste, and smell, that it was not blood but the balsam from the flask

which he had seen him drink; and he was taken with such a loathing that

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his stomach turned, and he vomited up his inside over his very master,

and both were left in a precious state. Sancho ran to his ass to get

something wherewith to clean himself, and relieve his master, out of his

alforjas; but not finding them, he well-nigh took leave of his senses,

and cursed himself anew, and in his heart resolved to quit his master and

return home, even though he forfeited the wages of his service and all

hopes of the promised island.

Don Quixote now rose, and putting his left hand to his mouth to keep his

teeth from falling out altogether, with the other he laid hold of the

bridle of Rocinante, who had never stirred from his master's side--so

loyal and well-behaved was he--and betook himself to where the squire

stood leaning over his ass with his hand to his cheek, like one in deep

dejection. Seeing him in this mood, looking so sad, Don Quixote said to

him:

"Bear in mind, Sancho, that one man is no more than another, unless he

does more than another; all these tempests that fall upon us are signs

that fair weather is coming shortly, and that things will go well with

us, for it is impossible for good or evil to last for ever; and hence it

follows that the evil having lasted long, the good must be now nigh at

hand; so thou must not distress thyself at the misfortunes which happen

to me, since thou hast no share in them."

"How have I not?" replied Sancho; "was he whom they blanketed yesterday

perchance any other than my father's son? and the alforjas that are

missing to-day with all my treasures, did they belong to any other but

myself?"

"What! are the alforjas missing, Sancho?" said Don Quixote.

"Yes, they are missing," answered Sancho.

"In that case we have nothing to eat to-day," replied Don Quixote.




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