While the events that have been portrayed in the writings of S. J. Mahtrow serve to add understanding of the gentle nature of Alonso the Good and his friends, we must not leave them away from the homes where they are to spend their time until called by God. Senior Alonso has given a challenge to Sancho who has readily accepted it as it is to benefit all. Sancho is to trade his most valued possession, Amadis, the grey ass, for a herd of ten sows. This will ensure Sancho and his family of a needed source of income and will provide a means for senor Quixada to transport the possessions of his new bride-to-be to La Mancha. We must now address the manner in which the trusted foursome, joined by a fifth, make their way to La Mancha.
As the day was growing late, it was assured that Sancho could not depart with his charge of swine until the next morn, but much was in need to prepare for this effort which would as history records much different from any other challenge to come before the erstwhile squire. First he must become acquainted with his newly bought wards. For this it is right and proper to make introductions that will be adequate to promote a lasting friendship and trust between owner and property.
Dame Shirlee, gathering a slop bucket of scraps from the table, to which had been enriched a charge of mill waste, and permitted to ferment overnight, called for Alonso and Sancho to follow as he went to see her gathering of swine. There in a sty not far from the stables, well bedded in cast off straw and other waste were the colorful animals best described as stout-hearted swine, with short legs and portly bodies of black and white or red and white spots or perhaps all black, red or white, it being difficult to say as they, as swine are accustomed, had covered their generous bodies with a fair blend of mud and other assemblages fitting for their station in life. At once noting the coming of their mistress either by sight, sound but probably the aroma of the bucket's contents, all sprang to life with joyous sounds of squeals, grunts and others acknowledgments. Gathering at the trough, which lay with one side alongside the pen wall, they with not too orderly progression awaited the morning's feed. It was presented by ingloriously dumping the contents into the trough, some of which missed the trough but landed instead on the heads of the awaiting pack, but never mind, they would find ways of recovering each shred, bit, crumb and liquid they found to be most delectable. In no short time the trough was polished clean as any dish set for the table and now peace reigned in the sty. With grunts showing their satisfaction and perhaps in anticipation that an adventure awaited them as well, they stood by looking to the opening of the gate so that they might go about the business that only pigs know how to address. In some folk's eyes, pigs are unclean animals that cover themselves with slime, mud and other matters, but it should be stated that they are a most clean animal when it comes to matters of their own waste. They refuse to spoil their own nest and only after having removed themselves a distance from the sty did they seek to relieve themselves of their night charge. The human animal is not as careful as swine or other animals that mind to do so. Perhaps this is an instinct to avoid detection by other animals, but whatever, they chose carefully the placement of their excrement.
Now the entourage, Dame Shirlee and Don Quixada were followed by the sows and boar, in the rear was Sancho not knowing quite what to make of the events, emerged from the village and entered the near wood. As if by assignment, the animals began foraging for their daily feed of acorns, roots, herbs, mushrooms and whatever banquet that nature had provided. At this time, the swine mistress began the introduction of the respective swine to their new owner, taking Sancho by the hand as the Don chose not to be too much involved, the lady approached a nearby large sow weighing perhaps twice that of Sancho, that is to say perhaps twenty-five stone or four hundred pounds .
Addressing the sow as Maria, for that was the pig's name, Shirlee spoke in a most conversational tone as she scratched the sow's ear. She bid Sancho to do the same which he did, but with some reluctance. Seeing no resistance to his attention, he scratched the old sows back as well and for this she gave a sound that if a kitten, would have been called a purr, but in the case of swine, a rhythmic grunting was the description for want of other words. It is reported that the "oink" of an American pig is said to be "grwahng" in France, "hroo-hroo" in Russia and in Spain the sound is "troo". Be that as it may, Sancho's swine grunted.
The right ear of the sow had a number of cuts in it and Sancho asked how she might have been injured, to which Shirlee pointed out that they were markings used to identify ownership as well as the number of those swine that were lacking in proper name. On observation there were two notches cut in the right ear. On the left ear was a single straight cut, and the tip of the ear had been lopped off making it somewhat shorter than its match on the other side. "The two notches are your mark, Sancho. You must defend the right to their use if challenged because if you fail to so do, then others may take possession of your good sows and their produce. Note carefully the mark of the sow, for her piglets bear the same identification on their right ear, but on the left are different. I will draw the design for you when we return to the hut so that you may understand the method of record keeping and counting." To this Sancho showed great distress as he was not accustomed to understanding writing and especially numbers. "Be not too worried, Sancho, your master and I can help you to read the code and your children as well can be taught." The idea that his boy and girl might learn from this, encouraged Sancho as he had visions that with his livestock holdings he would soon be advanced to one who could delegate rather than having to take matters into his own hands.
In such a way, Sancho was introduced to each of his charges and they for the most part ignored the attention. "Sancho, you must now stay with the herd and if any stray, bring them back to the group. Take a small stick and strike them firmly on the hind leg beneath the knee if they seem to be unruly. Or if necessary, a sharp blow on the tip of the nose, that is the snout, will gain their attention. Never, never strike them across the back or on the ham or shoulder. Bruises there are slow to heal and a cripple you do not need. I find that by talking to them they are quick to respond and it is well known that swine are much advanced over dogs in intellect." These and other things she revealed to Sancho. While not comfortable with an audience of swine for his eloquent discourses, he settled into the thought that they would perhaps be more appreciative than some of his own species. On his master and new mistress taking leave of him, Sancho began a most enlightened discussion with the herd who for the most part found his voice pleasant and as he interfered little with their foraging soon came to accept him as one of their own. In fact as he moved to a place in the sun under a large cork tree, they saw the wisdom of his actions and followed him there where they also stretched in the sun and took a pleasant nap. In this way Sancho spent the most part of the day and it was only when Dame Shirlee returned to announce it was time for the penning that he was roused to action. Seeing their mistress, the swine herd roused themselves from their leisure and awaiting her signal began the trek home. She and Sancho rather than driving the swine as is the custom for many who manage animals, simply walked back toward the village and their charges, followed as school children.
On the way, Sancho was told how the next day was to begin. It seems that she and the Don had packed those items of value and assembled them in the portmanteau so that they could be placed on Amadis's back in the morn. A goodly feed of shorts and mill run (for that is the name for the waste from the granary) had been bagged and would be placed on Amadis as well. All her goods that were to be left behind had been given to her good friends and they in wishing her well had prepared a feast to include rabbit, cabrito, fresh caught fish from the stream and pork from her larder. Water which was judged to be better than any wine from Seville was to be drunk. Although a few bags of wine were set aside either for the evening or for the trip to follow.
With the pigs safely in their sty, Sancho was bid wash and prepare himself for the banquet. The maids of yesterday were pleased to see Sancho but this time the sadness of the departure of their friend the swine herd mistress seemed to dampen their enthusiasm and they offered not to bathe Sancho as the day before. He removed himself to the stream where he with the aid of the lye soap provided did a reasonable job of removing the day's grime. On returning he for the first time since the morn saw his neighbor the Don. How smartly did Quixada appear? He was outfitted in clothes unlike any he had previously worn. From his well-trimmed mustache to the soles of the boots there was nothing amiss. If his stockings were in need of darning, the problem had been attended to. The pants had been tailored by the ladies of the village to fit nicely and concealed the bony knees and legs that all knew were within. Buttons on the shirt were of bone or perhaps shell and shown in the light. The Don was enjoying the merriment of the day and was comfortably seated in a chair of honor and attended by the blooming girls of the village. A large hewn board had been placed over the horse trough and it was covered with food. The feast began.
With her hands, Shirlee took a fricasseed rabbit and the accompaniments and placed a generous serving before Sancho. For the Don, she serving as hostess, took a roasted rabbit from the fire, and first having wiped her hands clean, proceeded to tear the rabbit limb from limb until it was reassembled in a pile of steaming meat, over which she ladled a sweet-smelling sauce from one of several jars that had been brought to the table. Then she served herself with a joint of cabrito which was cooked in front of the open fire. Seated by Sancho and the Don's side, they the guest of honor were ready to enjoy the last supper. Seeing their completeness of food, a young miss poured water and the rest of the villagers then addressed the bounty set before them.
The men from the mine had been enjoined to take a day of rest from their work and they gladly partook. Giving many wishes of gladness to the Don, saying words of kindness about Rozinante and Amadis and speaking well of Sancho, they all appeared genuinely sorry that their new found friends would soon depart. But the food was the occasion and the time for words could come later, as so much in the peak of cooking perfection deserved their attention. Soon Sancho's plate was empty and he was entreated to try a different meat, with little reluctance did he visit each offering and found each better than the last. If you may wonder why mead or wine was not served this was a feast to host the departure of a dear friend and speed the husband-to-be and his Squire to their new home. As the time grew late and the moon now provided light with the assistance of the roasting fire, it was apparent that soon the festive time would draw to a close. Two skins of wine were produced and all partook, the skin being passed from person to person, beginning with Don Quixada and his to-be mistress, followed by Sancho then the men of the village, next the women and finally all the children old enough to hold the bag. The two skins were adequate and at the conclusion, while it would have been customary for Don Quixote to have embarked on a speech that would have wearied the ears of all in attendance, he said only the following, which is perhaps the shortest of utterances that the reader will encounter: "Thank you for your grace. I shall treasure Dame Shirlee as a remembrance of one of your many blessings bestowed upon me, and will remand my friend Sancho to accept my words as proper thanks for us so that he need not speak. Good eve." The host being men and women of few words appreciated his brief speech and with a rousing cheer that resounded from the near mountain, wished the couple and Sancho as well, good fortune. With this the banquet ended and all went to their well-deserved beds to await the coming day. It is not recorded whence beds each did attend.
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