The Ass, Rozinante, Sancho, and Don Quixote remained alone. The Ass, with drooping head, stood shaking his ears every now and then as if he thought the storm of stones was not yet over, Rozinante lay overthrown by his Master, who was lying on the ground, Sancho stood trembling at the thought of the bullets of the Holy Brotherhood, and Don Quixote was amazed to see himself so wickedly used by those to whom he had done so great a service.
CHAPTER XIV
Of what befell Don Quixote in the Brown Mountains
Don Quixote, finding himself in such a bad plight, said to his Squire: 'I have often heard it said that to do good to ungrateful men, is to cast water into the sea. If I had listened to your advice, I might have avoided this trouble. But, now that it is over, there is nothing for it but to be patient and to be wise another time.'
'If you take warning by this or anything else,' replied Sancho, 'call me a Turk. But, as you say, you might have avoided this trouble by taking my advice. Listen to what I say now, and you will avoid a greater danger. For let me tell you that it is no use talking about Knighthood and its customs to the Holy Brotherhood, for it cares not two farthings for all the Knights Errant in the world, and for myself, I seem to hear their arrows buzzing round my ears already.'
'Thou art by nature a coward, Sancho,' replied Don Quixote; 'but that thou mayest not say that I am obstinate, and that I never follow thine advice, I will take thy counsel this time, and hide myself from the attacks thou fearest so greatly. But it must be on one condition, that thou never tell to any mortal creature that I withdrew myself out of this danger for fear, but only to humour thy wishes. For if thou sayest anything else thou liest.'
DON QUIXOTE MEETING CARDENIO
'Sir,' answered Sancho Panza, 'to retreat is not to run away, nor is it wise to wait where there is more danger than hope, and it is the part of a wise man to spend to-day in keeping himself safe for to-morrow. Therefore, rude clown as I am, take my advice, and mount Rozinante and follow me as quickly as you are able.'