Then seeing the mischief they had done, the Yanguesians loaded their team with as much haste as possible, and went their way, leaving the adventurers in a doleful plight and a worse humour.
[Illustration: THE MANNER OF DON QUIXOTE'S TRAVEL TO THE INN]
How Don Quixote arrived at an Inn which he imagined to be a Castle, and there cured himself and Sancho with the Balsam of Fierabras
For some time after the Yanguesian Carriers had gone on their way Don Quixote and Sancho Panza lay on the ground groaning and saying nothing.
The first that came to himself was Sancho Panza, who cried in a weak and pitiful voice: 'Sir Don Quixote! O Sir Don Quixote!'
'What wouldst thou, brother Sancho?' answered Don Quixote in the same faint and grievous tone as Sancho.
'I would, if it were possible,' said Sancho Panza, 'that your Worship should give me a couple of mouthfuls of that Balsam of Fierabras, if so be that your Worship has it at hand. Perhaps it will be as good for broken bones as for wounds.'
'If I had it here,' sighed Don Quixote, 'we should lack nothing. But I swear to thee, Sancho Panza, on the faith of a Knight Errant, that before two days pass, unless fortune forbids, I will have it in my possession.'
'I pray you,' asked Sancho, 'in how many days do you think we shall be able to move our feet?'
'I cannot say,' said the battered Knight; 'but I take on myself the blame of all, for I should not have drawn my sword against men that are not Knights. Therefore, brother Sancho, take heed of what I tell thee, for it mightily concerns the welfare of us both; and it is this, that when thou seest such rabble offer us any wrong, wait not for me to draw sword upon them, for I will not do it in any wise, but put thou thy hand to thy sword and chastise them at thy pleasure.'
But Sancho Panza did not much relish his Master's advice, and replied: 'Sir, I am a peaceable, sober, and quiet man, and can let pass any injury whatever, for I have a wife and children to take care of. Therefore, let me also say a word to your Worship, that by no manner of means shall I put hand to sword either against Clown or against Knight. And from this time forth I forgive whatever insults are paid to me, whether they are or shall be paid by persons high or low, rich or poor, gentle or simple.'