OF THE ADVENTURE OF THE TWO ARMIES
CHAPTER X
Of the Adventure of the Two Armies
Whilst they were riding on their way, Don Quixote saw a large, dense cloud of dust rolling towards them, and turning to Sancho said: 'This is the day on which shall be shown the might of my arm and on which I am to do deeds which shall be written in the books of fame. Dost thou see the dust which arises there? Know then that it is caused by a mighty army composed of various and numberless nations that are marching this way.'
'If that be so,' replied Sancho, 'then must there be two armies, for on this other side there is as great a dust.'
Don Quixote turned round to behold it, and seeing that it was so, he was marvellous glad, for he imagined that there were indeed two armies coming to fight each other in the midst of that spacious plain. For at every hour and moment his fancy was full of battles, enchantments, and adventures, such as are related in the books of Knighthood, and all his thoughts and wishes were turned towards such things.
As for the clouds he had seen, they were raised by two large flocks of sheep which were being driven along the same road from two opposite sides, and this by reason of the dust could not be seen until they came near.