The Red Romance Book, page 129 by Various Authors

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130

went, 'Do not fly from me, cowards that you are! It is but a single knight with whom you must do battle!' And, calling on the Lady Dulcinea to come to his aid, he thrust his lance through the sail of the nearest windmill, which happened to be turned by a sharp gust of wind. The sail struck Rozinante so violently on the side that he and his master rolled over together, while the lance broke into small pieces.

When Sancho Panza saw what had befallen the Don--though indeed it was no more than he had expected--he rode up hastily to give him help. Both man and horse were half stunned with the blow; but, though Don Quixote's body was bruised, his spirit was unconquered, and to Sancho's complaint that no one could have doubted that the windmills were giants save those who had other windmills in their brains, he only answered:

'Be silent, my friend, and do not talk of things of which you know nothing. For of this I am sure, that the enchanter Friston, who robbed me of my books, has changed these knights into windmills to rob me of my glory also. But in the end, his black arts will have little power against my keen blade!'

'I pray that it may be so,' said Sancho, as he still held the stirrup for his master, when he struggled, not without pain, to mount Rozinante.

'Sit straighter in your saddle,' went on the worthy man; 'you lean too much on one side, but that doubtless comes from the fall you have had.'

'You speak truly,' replied Don Quixote; 'and if I do not complain of my hurt, it is because it was never heard that any knight complained of a wound, however sore!'

'If that is so, I am thankful that I am only a squire,' answered Sancho; 'for this I can say, that I shall cry as loud as I please for any pain, however little it may be--unless squires are forbidden to cry out as well as knights-errant.'

At this Don Quixote laughed, in spite of his hurts, and bade him complain whenever he pleased, for squires might lawfully do what was forbidden to knighthood. And with that the

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