Don Quixote mounted Rozinante without another word, and, Sancho leading the way on his Ass, they entered that part of the Brown Mountains that was near them, a favourite haunt for outlaws and robbers in those days, and a spot where they would be safe from pursuit. For it was Sancho's plan to hide themselves for some days among the crags, so as not to be found even if the Holy Brotherhood should come and look for them.
They arrived that night in the very midst of the mountains, and there Sancho thought it best to spend the night, and, indeed, as many days as their food lasted; and with this intention they took up their abode among a number of tall trees that grew between two rocks.
It happened, however, that Gines of Passamonte, the famous cheat and robber whom Don Quixote by his valour and folly had released from his chains, resolved to hide himself also among the same mountains, and destiny led him to the very spot where Don Quixote and his Squire were hiding, and at the very moment that they had fallen asleep, tired out with the day's toil. And as the wicked are always ungrateful, and necessity forces them to evil deeds, Gines, who was neither grateful nor good natured, resolved to rob Sancho Panza of his Ass, not caring for Rozinante, as he thought he was not worth riding or selling. Sancho Panza slept soundly, and, while he slept, Gines stole his Ass, and before morning he was so far off as to be past finding.
The morning sun arose bringing joy to the earth, but only grief to poor Sancho, for he missed his Dapple, and, finding himself deprived of him, he began the saddest and most doleful lamentation possible, and when Don Quixote awoke he heard him mourning in a most melancholy way, crying out: 'O my beloved Ass, born in mine own house, the sport of my children, the comfort of my wife, the envy of my neighbours, the ease of my burdens, and, beyond all, the support of my household, for with what I gained daily by thee did I pay half of mine expenses!'
Don Quixote, who heard this lament, and knew the cause of it, comforted Sancho as best he could, and desired him to have patience, promising to give him a letter to command those at his house to hand over to him three out of five ass foals that he had at home. Sancho was comforted by this, dried his tears, moderated his sobs, and thanked Don Quixote for the favours he had done him.
And as they entered farther among the mountains the Knight felt glad at heart that he had come to a place so suitable for the adventures he was in search of. They reminded him of marvellous stories he had read of what had happened to Knights Errant in similar wild places, and his mind was so full of these things that he thought of nothing else whatever. As for Sancho, he trudged behind his Master, loaded with the things that his Ass should have carried.
While Sancho was thus walking along, he raised his eyes and saw that his Master had come to a stop, and was trying with the point of his lance to lift what seemed like a bundle that was lying on the ground. Upon which he ran to see whether his Master wanted his aid, and came up to him just as he was lifting up a saddle cushion with a portmanteau fast to it. These were half rotten and falling to pieces, yet they weighed so much that Sancho's help was required to lift them up. His Master ordered him to see what was in the portmanteau, and Sancho obeyed him as quickly as might be. And although it was shut with a chain and a padlock, yet Sancho could see through the rents and tears what was inside it, namely, four fine Holland shirts and other linen clothes, both curious and delicate, besides a handkerchief containing a good quantity of gold.
'At last,' cried Sancho, 'we have met with an adventure worth something,' and searching on he came across a little memorandum book very richly bound.
Don Quixote asked him for this, but bade him keep the money for himself.
For this rich favour Sancho kissed his hands, and taking all the linen, he crammed it into their provision-bag.