176 THE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



lance in position, urged poor Rozinante to his ut- 

 most speed. The windmill stood its ground, how- 

 ever, and received the charge with more compo- 

 sure than the knight had reckoned. The lance, 

 sticking fast in the sail, was wrenched out of 

 his hands and broken into shivers ; and rider and 

 ■ horse were struck with such force that they were 

 both sent rolling into the sand a good way off. 

 When Don Quixote found his breath again, and 

 was able to rise, he saw the faithful Rozinante 

 standing quietly by him, somewhat the worse for 

 the stroke which had been given him, but ready 

 for any further adventure that his master might 

 wish to undertake. 



" I do believe," said the good knight, rubbing 

 his eyes and looking around him, " I do believe 

 that some wizard has transformed all these giants 

 into windmills so as to take away from me the 

 honor of victory." 



Then, mounting Rozinante, he rode thought- 

 fully away. 



