Young Folks Treasury, Volume 3 (of 12)

unny Spain an old gentleman named Quixada, who owned a

one old white horse, which, though its master imagined it to be an animal of great strength

by wicked ogres. In time, so fond did he become of such tales that he passed his days, and even the best part of his nights, in reading them. His mind was so wholly taken up in this wa

rusty old suit of armor, which had belonged to his great-grandfather. This was

alf of the helmet to be found, and a kn

t slash. Alas! a whole week's work was ruined by that one stroke; the pasteboard flew into pieces. This troubled Quixada sadly, but he set to work at on

is horse a name-every knight's horse should have a good name-and after

f puzzling, he resolved that he shoul

of his Heart, whose glove he wore in his helmet; and if anybody dared to deny that this lady was

uixote should select some lady

f Mistress of his Heart? To whom could he better send the defeated knights and ogres whom he was going out to fight? It was true that her name. Aldonza Lorenzo

thout saying a word to anybody, put on his armor, took his sword, and spear

on his shield. What was to be done? He was so staggered by this thought that he almost felt that he must turn back. But then he remembered that he had read how adventurers were sometimes knighted by persons whom they happened to meet on th

row without finding anythin

be a great castle, and he halted at some distance from it, expecting that, as in days of old, a dwarf would certainly appear on the battlements, and, by sounding a trum

ote, imagining that this must be the dwarf at last giving notice of his coming, rode quickly up to the inn door, beside which it chance

re, and a little frightened, the girls turne

e said. "I will harm no one, least of

ve done had not the innkeeper at that moment come out. This innkeeper was very fat and good-natured, and anxious not to offend anybody, but even he could

se and handed it to the innkeeper (to whom he spoke as governor of the castle), asking him

men, he was trying to get rid of his armor. His back and breastplates had been taken off, but by no means could his

more than he could do without help. However, one of the young women fed him, and the innkeeper having made a k

hat still vexed him. He h

him to the stable. Having shut the door, Don Quixote threw himself at the landlord's feet, s

ld not by any means make Don Quixote ri

n which I crave is that to-morrow you will be

is armor" in the chapel of the castle, it being the duty of any one on whom the honor of knighthood was to be conferred, to stand on his feet in the chapel, praying, until the morning. The innkeeper, thinking that great sport might come of this, encouraged Don Quixote,

oney?" then ask

"for I never yet read of any kn

rts and other things. But when a knight had no squire, he always carried his money and his shirts, and salve for his

Then taking his armor, he went into the

light, very solemnly keeping his eyes on his armor, while the

uld not do while the armor lay in the horse-trough. As Don Quixote saw the man come up, "Take heed, rash K

tice of Don Quixote. He picked

spear with both hands and gave the mule-driver such a whack over the head that the man fell down senseless. Then, picking up

carrier who also want

e poor wretch made such an outcry that all the people in the inn came running, and the friends of the two carriers began to pelt Don Quixote with

finish the ceremony it would now be enough if he were touched on the neck and shoulders with a sword. Don Quixote was quite satisfied, and prayed the innkeeper to get the b

g women, and a boy to hold a candle, he ordered Don Quixote to kneel. Then muttering from his book, as if he were reading, he finished by giving Don Quixote a good blow on the neck, and a slap on the back, with the f

glad to see him go, even wi

nce, you