Chapter XXVIII
Once Don Quixote examines Sancho’s wounds and assists him
back onto his mule, he and Sancho get into a serious confrontation about wages,
as Sancho grumbles that his master does not pay him after all that he has to
put up with “gallivanting after [Don Quixote] over trackless roads and
nonexistent paths, drinking badly and eating worse.” However, Don Quixote rebukes him, and Sancho
feels badly for complaining and asks his master to pardon him; and he does.
Chapter XXIX
Quixote and Sancho come upon the Ebro River and spot a
small, unattended boat at the water’s edge, which Quixote claims has been left
there specifically for him for a particular adventure, such as rescuing a
person of rank in distress as featured in books of chivalry; and against his
best judgment, Sancho joins his master in the boat. As they slowly float down stream, they come
to two great water mills, which Quixote thinks are castles holding that person
of rank whom he is to rescue; however, instead the millers attempt to keep the
boat from entering the water wheel, capsize the boat, rescue knight and squire,
and assure Quixote that no one is being held captive there. Quixote is sure the world is full of tricks
and must give up the adventure to another knight, as he and Sancho return to
their animals.
Chapter XXX
The next day, Quixote sees a hawking party and an elegant
lady, a duchess, on a horse, and he prompts Sancho to go introduce himself to
her and receive permission for his master to approach her; she obliges, as she
knows who Sancho and the Knight of the Rueful Figure are because she and her
husband, the Duke, have read the history written about them. Quixote approaches, but as Sancho attempts to
leave his mule to help Quixote dismount, his foot catches his pack saddles, he
falls to his face hanging from his mule, while Quixote dismounts without aid
and falls to his face as well because Sancho did not tighten the saddle to his
horse.
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