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           Alas!thatyouwhohavefoughtstoutlyinyourcountry’sbattlesshouldbesuchapoorsoldierinGod’sbattles."

           Therewasnoanswer.Thetwohadresumedtheirwalk,andthesmithstrodeatapacewhichwasalmostarun,hiseyessteadilyavertedfromhiscompanion.

           "Thisismylastwordtoyou,Amos,"saidDavid,astheyreachedtheturnwheretheloanrantothemanse."Wednesday--thedayafterthemorn--isthesecondBeltane,andIfearthatthatnighttherewillbefurtherevilintheWood.IwillgothereandoutfacetheDevil,butthefleshisweak,andIamoneagainstmany,andIwouldfainhaveafriend.Willyounotbearmecompany?"

           Thesmithstoppedagain."DeilhaemeifIgangneartheWud!Na,na,I’llnopitmyheidintilonysicwull-cat’shole.And,Mr.Sempill,beyouguiditbyanauldermanandbideathame."

           "Youareafraid?"

           "Ay.I’mfeared--butmairforyouthanformysel’."

           "You’relikethemenofIsraelthatfailedGideonatthewaterside,"Davidcriedangrilyasheturnedaway.

           Thenexttwodayswerespentbytheministerinastrangerestlessness.Hewalkedeachafternoonsomeviolentmilesonthehilltops,butfortheresthestayedinthemanse,principallyinhisstudy.Isobelbelievedhimtobeatprayer,andindeedheprayedlongandfervently,buthewasalsobusiedaboutotherthings.Amonghisbelongingswasasmall-sword,forhehadwonsomeskilloffenceinEdinburgh,andthishehadoutandsawtoitspointandedge.Alsohereadmuchinbookswhichwerenotdivinity,forhefelthimselfasoldier,andwouldbracehisspiritwithmartialtales.