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Now it was nearing evening after the leisurely lunch that had begun several hours before the sun was at it zenith and with the two skins of wine which had been provided by the Monsignor, the knight-errant and his squire were in happy spirits no doubt encouraged by the heat of the day and the dryness of their mouth. Rozinante and Amadis were near as they had their fill of the green grass and were in hopes that their masters might lead them to a cool stream so that they might drink their fill. A breeze was quickening from off the coast and large thunderheads were abuilding on the horizon. Neither Don Quixote or Sancho had an idea of where they were or where their next adventure might lie, but both became anxious that the approaching storm might find them in the open or worse yet under tall trees that might attract the wrath of the heavenly gods. Without discussion both began gathering their luncheon waste and hurriedly packed it into the valise. As Don Quixote had not removed his armour, he was ready in little time and although having grown stiff from sitting on the hard ground, he with only a bit of assistance from Sancho was able to regain his seat on Rozinante. Now all that remained was for Sancho to finish off the remainder in the skin of wine and they were ready to face the events that were to be.
As the approaching storm was to the West and the beach road only skirted the ocean, it remained for them to turn toward the mountain chain which grew before them to the East. Fortunate were they for they found themselves on what appeared to be a well traveled path although there were no signs of dwellings no matter how humble. The trail lead toward the base of what appeared to be a division between two mountains so it was that they thought perhaps in the valley was surely a village where they would find a place of lodging. As the wind now was becoming strong and the temperature of the air began to drop. Sancho in his leathers was not that much uncomfortable however, the metal of Don Quixote's armour was like a magnet attracting the coolness of the day and in short order he was chilled and most uncomfortable.
Onward they pressed and the trail became more difficult as it now began an assent that had but little been noticed when they were on the flat plain. While Amadis, sturdy beast that he was, was little troubled by the climb, Rozinante now began to wheeze and foam at the mouth. He in fact now was in a hard sweat even tho the air was chilling. Seeing his distress, Sancho asked for a respite from the climb, but the Don being now numb from the cold insisted that they press on.
Turning a bend in the path they found that it now forked, one continuing toward the cleft between the mountains, but the other going directly to the foot of the nearmost one. Sancho said, "Surely whoever has trod this path before had reason for so doing and I believe that we will find shelter if we take the trail that leads to the mountain." Don Quixote shivering mightily, only nodded his approval and the foursome turned away from the more heavily traveled path.
They had only gone a short distance when to their surprise they found themselves in a small clearing in which there were signs of past work. A crib of sorts had been erected and within it was a grey substance that was easily carried on the wind. Shovels and other implements were strewn about without regard to ownership or good keeping. And yet it was obvious that not too long a time had passed since several persons had been occupied here. As the crib provided no shelter they looked about the clearing and beyond for something to protect them from the wind and the coming onslaught of the storm. Nothing was obvious and the small scrubby growth would not provide even good materials for a fire to warm their bones. They had no choice but to follow the trail as it continued to the mountain wall where as luck provides for those fools that care not to provide for themselves, they found an opening that was not high enough for Don Quixote mounted on Rozinante to pass. And the opening was narrow, making it necessary for Sancho to dismount as his legs protruding from Amadis' well rounded sides would not pass the rocky walls as well.
They quickly dismounted and Sancho leading Amadis by his halter, Don Quixote taking a firm grasp of Amadis' tail and leading Rozinante they entered the cavern through the portillo (or breach in the wall). Had they had the wisdom of a cat or at least his whiskers they would have known that a passage so narrow would make it difficult to retreat. But such was their desire to escape the storm that they threw wisdom to the wind so to speak and entered as has just been described.
Now as one should know a narrow passage in limiting entry by horses, asses and man also gives limited light as well. It was fortunate that on Amadis was the wallet that contained an iron lamp and oil as well. Striking the flint, Sancho was able to raise a flicker which soon became a warm glow, lighting the passage into which they had entered. It should be remembered that while Rozinante, Don Quixote and Amadis shielded Sancho from the furry outside, they were still touched by the storm and Don Quixote bade Sancho to go further within so that they all might be protected.
It is the property of these dry caverns that are formed by earthquakes to have neither stalactites or stalagmites as are found in water-worn caves. The floor, ceiling and walls are shaped by the breaking rocks and are often most irregular. However, as this particular cave was host to millions of bats, they had contributed their spoils to the floor and rendered it not unlike a carpet of moss, and the ceiling was as velvet so many of these strange creatures of the night did dwell there. If Sancho and his master had so noted they would have then understood the strange crib and implements that were outside.
Workers removed the guano, transferring it by wheelbarrows to the crib that was immediately outside. There either by fortunate rainfall or by addition of water carried to the site, the strong nitrogen products were washed from the waste of the bats. A white rime was formed at the base of the crib which was carefully removed and when dry, packed in saddlebags for transport to the coast. Sodium nitrate, or saltpetre as it is called, found a ready market for gunpowder, explosives and if not too dear, a fertilizer of great value in increasing the production of plants.
But I digress. Sancho now with light to guide him, took up Amadis' halter and led him deeper into the narrow passage way. Not wanting to be left behind, Don Quixote grasp the grey's tail for guidance and led Rozinante, who followed with no small difficulty as the saddle and bags plus lance of the knight-errant sometimes struck the cavern walls. At first the passage was straight and travel was not difficult and they soon were away from the howling winds and now driving rain.
Simple Sancho continued on his way and with time they were deep within the mountain's bowels. Although alternative passages offered themselves, Sancho as if following a compass continued on this particular one bypassing some which appeared to be of greater size and would have been easier for passage. Truth be known, this crevice had not the dwellers that others did, and it was relief from the bats that Sancho sought.
As they continued, Don Quixote's lance which rested easily on Rozinante's saddle became dislodged and swung to the side causing it to become stuck in the rock wall. Immediately the noble horse was brought to a sudden stop as the girth of the saddle cut sharply into his stomach and was unyielding. In succession, Don Quixote was arrested but so sudden was his braking that he lost footing on the carpet of stone, and falling backward struck his head on a rock and passed into blissful unawareness of the events that followed.
Now relieved of the pressure on his tail which much restrained him, Amadis lunged forward causing Sancho to loose his footing and he in turn fell striking his head and shoulders on the walls of the narrow passage. The lantern described a wide arch as it left his hand and just before it gave up its last light, revealed that had Sancho gone two paces forward would have fallen into a deep pit, the bottom of which was not revealed by the lantern as it tumbled below into the darkness.
Sancho saw all this in the flash before his eyes and now sitting with his feet just at the edge of the precipice, he began to thank his Holy Father, and for good measure, Allah, Abraham and all others that he could think of that were responsible for his salvation. Now this sudden change of events and his master's wailing had an effect on Amadis who was not accustomed to such action and he immediately began to bray. The noise of the two filled the cave and set flight to waves of bats.
Good fortune was to reward Amadis for his music, for in one of the side passages, a group of men had been gathering the fruit of the bat, and upon hearing the ass, thought how great was God to provide them an easy means for transporting their wares. They dropped their shovels and by following the sound soon located Rozinante who stood patiently with his weight resting against a cavern wall and standing on three legs as only a horse can do.
The workers light was seen by Sancho who believed that the Virgin Mary had come and he, now kneeling, prayed to all the saints that he could remember, including many of the knights of old on whom he had been so recently instructed by Don Quixote. Calling on their manhood, good graces, and protection for those who were in need. Squeezing by the bony hips of Rozinante, the miners discovered our Knight-in-Armour still in slumbers on the floor, and then through Amadis' legs they were able to see Sancho who now was beginning to regain his senses.
At first the cave men thought best to do nothing to help the foursome, as they now were aware that they were not to be blessed with an ass to help in their mining venture. And, much difficulty was to be in removing the horse and ass as well as the two men from their narrow crypt. But good men that they were and with wonderment as to the reason for a metal encrusted man being in their caverns, they planned on how to remove them from their peril.
Anyone who has attempted to back a horse, or cause him to remove his weight from your foot if his hoof happens to have chosen the same spot for purchase, or to move one aside, knows that it is the nature of the beast to resist. It is not unlike pushing a snake. Seemingly, there is no connection between the nostril and the tail that can be controlled and placing pressure on the head or shoulders causes the horse to instead of backing, to lean forward. Pulling on the tail likewise only encourages the beast to go forward not back. No amount of verbal abuse or striking the poor beast has effect, if any to the contrary.
Loosening Rozinante's saddle and taking it away at least reduced the difficulty in moving through the narrow passage. How to proceed? In one of the saddlebags was a modest feed of oats intended for a time when food would be in short supply and the good Don Quixote wanted not for his steed to hunger. One of the cave dwellers placed these good oats in his hat and offered a bite to Rozinante. The horse, always hungry, accepted the gift and sought yet another mouthful, but the crafty miner, moved the hat with its charge of oats back toward Rozinante's shoulder. This was considered poor manners by Rozinante, but by stepping back, he found that he could just reach the brim of the hat, and its reward of oats. Each time he stepped back, the hat moved back as well and soon he was beyond the passage from which the miners had entered the crypt. Now taking the reins, the horse was led to a place of more ample size and permitted to have his reward of oats.
What to do with our valorous knight who still lay as if in death? Sancho had crawled to his master's side and found him to be not unwell but still quite away from the world of consciousness. He would have gladly carried his master to protection but at this moment, a worker appeared with a barrow and unceremoniously loaded Don Quixote aboard and wheeled him away. Only Amadis remained to be removed. The patient and loyal ass taking his master's command, easily backed along the passage until he, as well as his master, was free from the danger.
In the larger cavern, light from several lanterns made it easy to see in the dim light and one had to be amazed at the industriousness of the workers who had dwelt in these caves for generations. While Quixote continued in his slumbers, Sancho was treated to a skin of wine and bread that was fresh from the morning's oven. The miners gladly showed him the results of their efforts.
How does one avoiding becoming lost in the maze of passageways was one of the questions asked by our flatland farmer. The answer was simplicity in its self. At a distance from the floor, convenient to reach by the hand, and on the left side of the cave walls was inscribe into the rock, a system of numbers. In the absence of light, one need only feel the wall. If no marks were there it was the right-hand wall, if marks were found, then the system of braille provided a means for determining where one was and how to go either to the entrance or deeper into the labyrinth. Sancho could hardly wait to impress his master with his new found knowledge, but there was more.
He was led to a room that had for centuries been used by the local villages. There in row after row, were the deceased. If this had been known to Sancho at the beginning, neither storm nor other dangers would have caused him to enter this place of death. The dry cave combined with the bat's off-fall created an environment that preserved all that was brought inside. Each family member had been given their respective place and the skulls and other bones as well as in more recent times the skin and wraps were there for all to see.
This was enough for Sancho who wanted to know no more. Had they entreated him of how phosphate could be obtained by burning bones he would have thought himself in the presence of necromancers rather than his Saviour. It is with good fortune that the noble knight, Don Quixote, now begin to stir.
His first words; "Sancho, have you been asleep as well? Gather up our possessions as we must depart from this darkened womb of the earth and return to the outside world where many adventure await us. There is nothing here to deserve our attention. Saddle Rozinante, put the bags on Amadis, we must be off. And who are these strange looking fellows covered in a foul-smelling dust? You dolt, when I entrust you to find shelter from a storm, you waste my time and yours! What am I doing in a barrow fit only for a stable? "
The questions coming so fast, Sancho attempted no answer, instead, with gracious bow to his saviors, did as his master demanded and they were soon led from the cavern and sent on their way, although it was now near dark and no shelter was near. Another night in the embrace of the trees, on a bed of sand and with empty belly appeared to be Rozinante's and Amadis' rewards for having brought our most valorous knight and his squire to this happy ending.
But there is . more .
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