"Iwillsayitinone," repliedDonQuixote, "anditisthis; thatatonce, thisveryinstant, yereleasethatfairladywhosetearsandsadaspectshowplainlythatyearecarryingheroffagainstherwill, andthatyehavecommittedsomescandalousoutrageagainsther; andI, whowasbornintotheworldtoredressallsuchlikewrongs, willnotpermityoutoadvanceanotherstepuntilyouhaverestoredtoherthelibertyshepinesforanddeserves."
Fromthesewordsallthehearersconcludedthathemustbeamadman, andbegantolaughheartily, andtheirlaughteractedlikegunpowderonDonQuixote'sfury, , leavingtheburdentohiscomrades, advancedtomeethim, flourishingaforkedstickthathehadforproppingupthestandwhenresting, andwiththishecaughtamightycutDonQuixotemadeathimthatsevereditintwo; butwiththeportionthatremainedinhishandhedealtsuchathwackontheshoulderofDonQuixote'sswordarm (whichthebucklercouldnotprotectagainsttheclownishassault) thatpoorDonQuixotecametothegroundinasadplight.
SanchoPanza, whowascomingonclosebehindpuffingandblowing, seeinghimfall, criedouttohisassailantnottostrikehimagain, forhewasapoorenchantedknight, whohadneverharmedanyoneallthedaysofhislife; butwhatcheckedtheclownwas, notSancho'sshouting, butseeingthatDonQuixotedidnotstirhandorfoot; andso, fancyinghehadkilledhim, hehastilyhitcheduphistunicunderhisgirdleandtooktohisheelsacrossthecountrylikeadeer.
