Запретный лес
VIII. The Second Blast
"Youpoorfolk,"hecried,"withyourlittledarkdayoflife,withyourfewyearsoftoilandcoldandhungerbeforethegrave,whathaveyouifyouhavenotChrist?"Hewasmovedwithanecstasyofpity,andtoldthem,liketheApostle,thatifhecouldbutsavetheirsouls,hewaswillingthathisownshouldbecastaway.
NottheoldestrememberedsuchasermoninthekirkofWoodilee,andthefameofitwassoontogoabroadinthecountryside.Theplaceemptiedinastrangesilence,asifthecongregationwentontiptoe,andmenandwomendidnotlookateachothertilltheywereoutsidethekirkyardgates.Theeldersdidnotawaittheministerinthesession-house,andasDavidwalkedthehundredyardstothemansehesawwhatlookedlikethebackofPeterPennecuik,crouchingbehindaturfdyketoavoidameeting.
TheseweredaysoflonelinessandmiseryfortheministerofWoodilee.Hesawhimselfsolitaryamongenemies,foreventhosewhomhethoughthisfriendshadfailedhim.ItwasclearthatAmosRitchiehadconspiredwithIsobeltoimprisonhiminhisstudyontheeveofthesecondBeltane,andthoughtheirmotivewasdoubtlessaffectionitbutemphasizedthehopelessnessofhistask.Hehadtobringconvictionofsinintoaparishwhereeventheinnocentwerereadytocumberhisarm.Thesehonestcreaturesfearedforhim--what?Angerwouldchokehimatthethoughtofsuchcontemptforhissacredmission,andthenawewouldtakeitsplace,aweattheimmensityoftheevilwithwhichhefought."Principalitiesandpowers,"Amoshadsaid--yes,thePowersoftheAirandthePrincipalitiesofDarkness.
