OF HOW THE GREAT SANCHO PANZA TOOK POSSESSION OF HIS ISLAND;
AND OF HOW HE MADE A BEGINNING IN GOVERNING
When Sancho arrived in his village he learned that his island was
called Barataria. He was greeted with great demonstrations: the whole
community had turned out to meet him, and all the churchbells were
ringing. He was first taken to the church, where he gave thanks to
God; then he was presented with the keys of the town. From the church
he was taken to the judgment seat outside, and there he was told to
answer numerous questions which the majordomo put to him, saying that
that was an ancient custom on taking office.
The questions were cases of quarrels between the villagers, and Sancho
answered each one of them so sagely that every one gaped in wonder,
for, judging by his appearance and the way he talked, they had thought
their governor a fool. Instead of thinking thus, they now began to
admire him and to consider themselves lucky and blessed by having him
in their midst.