The savoury Conference which the Duchess and her Wo- Containing Ways and Means for disenchanting the peer- Wherein is contained the Information given to Don Quix- The strange and never-thought-of Adventure of the Dis- The Instructions which Don Quixote gave Sancho Panza THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE RENOWNED DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA. PART II.-CONTINUED. CHAPTER XVIII. Where you will find set forth the highest and utmost proof that great Don Quixote ever gave, or could give, of his incredible Courage; with the successful issue of the Adventure of the Lions. THE history relates, that Sancho was chaffering with the shepherds for some curds, when Don Quixote called to him; and finding that his master was in haste, he did not know what to do with them, nor what to bring them in ; yet loth to lose his purchase (for he had already paid for them) he bethought himself at last of clapping them into the helmet, where having them safe, he went to know his mas ter's pleasure. As soon as he came up to him, "Give me that helmet, friend," said the knight, "for if I understand any thing of adventures, I descry one yonder that obliges me to arm." The gentleman in green, hearing this, looked about to see what was the matter, but could perceive nothing but a waggon, which made towards them; and by the little flags about it, he judged it to be one of the king's carriages, and so he told Don Quixote. But his head was too much possessed with notions of adventures to give any credit to what the gentleman said; "Sir," answered he, "fore-warned, fore-armed; a man loses nothing by standing on his guard. I know by experience, that I have enemies visible and invisible, and I cannot tell when nor where, nor in what shape they may attack me." At the same time he snatched the helmet out of Sancho's hands, before he could discharge it of the curds, and clapped it on his head, without examining the contents. Now the curds being squeezed between his bare crown and the iron, the whey began to run all about his face and beard; which so surprised him, that, calling to Sancho in great disorder, "What's this," cried he, "Sancho! What's the matter with me? Sure my skull is growing soft, or my brains are melting, or else I sweat from head to foot! But if I do, I am sure it is not for fear. This certainly must be a very dreadful adventure that is proaching. Give me something to wipe me if thou can'st, for I am almost blinded with the torrent of sweat." ap Sancho did not dare to say a word, but giving him a cloth, blessed his stars that his master had not found him out. Don Quixote dried himself, and taking off the helmet to see what it should be that felt so cold on his head, perceiving some white stuff, and putting it to his nose, soon found what it was. "Now, by the life of my lady Dulcinea del Toboso," cried he, "thou hast put curds in my helmet, vile traitor, and unmannerly squire !"—" Nay," replied Sancho cunningly, and keeping his countenance, "if they be curds, good your worship, give them me hither, and I will eat them: But hold, now I think on it, the devil eat them for me; for he himself must have put them there. What! I offer to do so beastly a trick! Do you think I have no more manners? As sure as I am alive, sir, I have got my enchanters too, that owe me a grudge, and plague me as a limb of your worship; and I warrant have put that nasty stuff there on purpose to set you against me, and make you fall foul on my bones. But I hope they have missed their aim this time, i'troth! My master is a wise man, and must needs know that I had neither curds nor milk, nor any thing of that kind; and if I had met with curds, I should sooner have put them in my belly than his helmet."—" Well," said Don Quixote, "there may be something in that." The gentleman had observed these passages, and stood amazed, but especially at what immediately followed; for the knight-errant having put on the helmet again, fixed himself well in the stirrups, tried whether his sword were loose enough in his scab |