"That is true," said Don Quixote, "and Andres must have patience until my

return as you say, senora; but I once more swear and promise not to stop

until I have seen him avenged and paid."

"I have no faith in those oaths," said Andres; "I would rather have now

something to help me to get to Seville than all the revenges in the

world; if you have here anything to eat that I can take with me, give it

me, and God be with your worship and all knights-errant; and may their

errands turn out as well for themselves as they have for me."

Sancho took out from his store a piece of bread and another of cheese,

and giving them to the lad he said, "Here, take this, brother Andres, for

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we have all of us a share in your misfortune."

"Why, what share have you got?"

"This share of bread and cheese I am giving you," answered Sancho; "and

God knows whether I shall feel the want of it myself or not; for I would

have you know, friend, that we squires to knights-errant have to bear a

great deal of hunger and hard fortune, and even other things more easily

felt than told."

Andres seized his bread and cheese, and seeing that nobody gave him

anything more, bent his head, and took hold of the road, as the saying

is. However, before leaving he said, "For the love of God, sir

knight-errant, if you ever meet me again, though you may see them cutting

me to pieces, give me no aid or succour, but leave me to my misfortune,

which will not be so great but that a greater will come to me by being

helped by your worship, on whom and all the knights-errant that have ever

been born God send his curse."

Don Quixote was getting up to chastise him, but he took to his heels at

such a pace that no one attempted to follow him; and mightily chapfallen

was Don Quixote at Andres' story, and the others had to take great care

to restrain their laughter so as not to put him entirely out of

countenance.




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