The Guard answered that it was because he had committed more crimes than all the rest put together, and that he was such a desperate scoundrel that although they carried him tied up in that fashion, they were not sure of him, but feared that he might make an escape. 'He goes,' continued the Guard, 'to the galleys for ten years; and when I tell you he is the infamous Gines of Passamonte, you will need, I think, to know no more about him.'
At this, Gines, who seemed very impatient at the Guard's history, broke out into a torrent of abuse, and then, turning to Don Quixote, said: 'Sir Knight, if you have anything to bestow on us, give it us now, and begone, for you do but weary us by wanting to know the stories of other men's lives; and if you want to learn more, know that I am Gines of Passamonte, whose life has been written by his own hand.'
'He speaks truly,' said the Guard, 'for he himself hath penned his own history.'
'And how is the book called?' asked Don Quixote.
'It is called the Life of Gines of Passamonte,' replied the Slave.
'And is it yet ended?' inquired the Knight.
'How can it be finished,' replied Gines, 'seeing my life is not yet finished? I intend to finish it in the galleys.'
'You seem to be a clever fellow,' said Don Quixote.
'And an unlucky one,' replied Gines, 'for bad luck always pursues genius.'
'It pursues knaves,' interrupted the Guard; and at this Gines burst out again into abuse and bad language, which ended in the Guard threatening to beat him with his rod if he did not hold his peace.