Young Folks Treasury, Volume 3 (of 12)

man stared very hard at Don Quixote, and the two began to speak together about knight-errantry, and were so interested in what they were sa

e, and he called to Sancho for his helmet. At the moment, Sancho was bargaining with the shepherds for some curds. Hearing his master call, he had not time to wait till the shepherds could give h

r if I know anything of my business, here

the King of Spain's colors, he thought that no doubt it was one of his Majesty's treasure-vans. He said as much to Don Quixote, but the Knight answered: "Sir,

illing hands, he clapped it on h

lting, or am I breaking out in a cold sweat? If I am, it is not from fear. This must be a dreadful adventure

Don Quixote dried himself, and then took off his he

e of the curds to his nose. "Sancho, you vile tr

make such a mess in your helmet, sir? It must have been one of those vile enchanters

say," said Don Quixote. "

he helmet, and made re

may, I dare mee

was seated a man, and the driver rode one of

What wagon is this, and what have you i

lion that is being sent to the King, and the flags are fly

Don Quixote, "Is

but I never saw one so large as this. Pray get out of the way, sir, for we must hurry on to our stopping-place. I

ot to be scared by any of their lions. So, Mr. Keeper, just jump down and open his cage, and let him out. In spite of

to the gentl

't let my master get at the lion,

r master so mad that you fear he'l

d; he's only rash, very,

t," and up he went to Don Quixote, who was

off in safety. That is more like madness than courage. Besides, this is the King's wagon; it will neve

I know best whether this lion has been sent against me or not. Now you, sir," he cried to

s out of harm's way before the lion gets out. My cart and my mules are

n," said Don Quixote, "and

otice, everybody, that it is against my will that I am forced to let loose the lion, and that this gentleman

Knight only said, "I know very well what I am doing. If you are afraid, and do not care to se

danger, but Don Quixote only said, "Take yourself away, Sancho, and leave me alone. If I am killed,

eyond the brow of the hill. Sancho hurried after them at the top speed of his ass, kicking him in the ribs all the while to make him go even faster, and loudly bewail

foot, for the reason that "Rozinante" would probably be too much afraid to face the lion. So he got off his horse, drew his sword, and holding h

s. Then he opened his enormous mouth, and, letting out a tongue as long as a man's arm, licked the dust off his

Don Quixote calmly waited for the animal to

w eyes-then, slowly turning, it strolled to the back of

" cried Don Quixote to

ent with your day's work. I beseech you, go no further. You have shown how brave you are. No man can be expected t

ate you can of what you have seen me do; how you opened the door, and how I waited for

the cloth with which he had wiped the curds from hi

." And they all hurried up to the wagon where the keeper gave them a long account of what had

ll him," said Don Quixote, "that it was the Knight of the L

ays, to the great contentment of Sancho. And of the wedding at which they were present, of the fea

at an inn. To this inn, while Don Quixote was outside, waiting for supper, there came a man, al

d voice; "for here comes the fortune-telling ape, an

ster Peter. Now we shall have a merry night of it. You

Peter. "I only came on before to

f rather than you should want room. Bring on the monkey and the show, for

aid Peter, going off

Peter?" asked

er was seen. Then he has the cleverest ape in the world. You have only to ask it a question and it will jump on its master's shoulder and whisper the answer in his ear

he ape, than he marched up

l can't tell what is going to happe

know what is past. Who can tell that better than myself

head at his ear, began to chatter-as apes do-for a minute. Then it skipped down aga

ay enough in praise of the great Don Quixote de la Mancha, the

the inn. He did not guess that Master Peter was a clever rogue, who, before giving a perfo

ho, he quak

e world, be not unhappy about your wife. She is well, and at this moment is dressing flax.

e enough,"

ld have made me believe that apes have the gift of second sight. I am in very t

he ape having such powers, and taking Sancho

Quixote and Sancho went into the room where it stood, with candles burning all round it. Master Pet

story goes that Don Gayferos, when riding past, in his search, spied her on the balcony. Melisendra, with the help of a rope, lets herself down to her husband, mounts behind him, and the two gallop away from t

yferos and Melisendra, he could keep quiet no longer. Starting up, "It shall never be said," cried he, "that in my presence I suffered such

ing others, and sending the rest flying into every corner. And had not Master Peter ducked and squatted

mercy's sake, hold! These are not real Moo

a wreck. Everybody ran to get out of harm's way, and the ape scampered, chattering, on to the roof

, "How miserable had been the fate of poor Don Gayferos and Melisendra his wife if I

, "it may live long enough. As for me, I may as

took pity o

Don't be cast down. My master will pay you when

his honor will pay for my

do not see that I have inju

ter. "Do but look at those figure

they are, and then presently after change them as they please. Really and truly gentlemen, I vow and protest that all that was acted here seemed to me to be

xote known that this same Master Peter was the very man who stole