"I know nothing about omecils," answered Sancho, "nor in my life have had

anything to do with one; I only know that the Holy Brotherhood looks

after those who fight in the fields, and in that other matter I do not

meddle."

"Then thou needst have no uneasiness, my friend," said Don Quixote, "for

I will deliver thee out of the hands of the Chaldeans, much more out of

those of the Brotherhood. But tell me, as thou livest, hast thou seen a

more valiant knight than I in all the known world; hast thou read in

history of any who has or had higher mettle in attack, more spirit in

maintaining it, more dexterity in wounding or skill in overthrowing?"

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"The truth is," answered Sancho, "that I have never read any history, for

I can neither read nor write, but what I will venture to bet is that a

more daring master than your worship I have never served in all the days

of my life, and God grant that this daring be not paid for where I have

said; what I beg of your worship is to dress your wound, for a great deal

of blood flows from that ear, and I have here some lint and a little

white ointment in the alforjas."

"All that might be well dispensed with," said Don Quixote, "if I had

remembered to make a vial of the balsam of Fierabras, for time and

medicine are saved by one single drop."

"What vial and what balsam is that?" said Sancho Panza.

"It is a balsam," answered Don Quixote, "the receipt of which I have in

my memory, with which one need have no fear of death, or dread dying of

any wound; and so when I make it and give it to thee thou hast nothing to

do when in some battle thou seest they have cut me in half through the

middle of the body--as is wont to happen frequently,--but neatly and with

great nicety, ere the blood congeal, to place that portion of the body

which shall have fallen to the ground upon the other half which remains

in the saddle, taking care to fit it on evenly and exactly. Then thou

shalt give me to drink but two drops of the balsam I have mentioned, and

thou shalt see me become sounder than an apple."

"If that be so," said Panza, "I renounce henceforth the government of the

promised island, and desire nothing more in payment of my many and

faithful services than that your worship give me the receipt of this

supreme liquor, for I am persuaded it will be worth more than two reals

an ounce anywhere, and I want no more to pass the rest of my life in ease

and honour; but it remains to be told if it costs much to make it."




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