began to bray so vigorously that all the valleys around rang again.

One of those, however, that stood near him, fancying he was

mocking them, lifted up a long staff he had in his hand and smote

him such a blow with it that Sancho dropped helpless to the ground.

Don Quixote, seeing him so roughly handled, attacked the man who had

struck him lance in hand, but so many thrust themselves between them

that he could not avenge him. Far from it, finding a shower of

stones rained upon him, and crossbows and muskets unnumbered