Запретный лес
VIII. The Second Blast
FordyceatCauldshawseemedabrokenreed,forMr.Fordycewasanailingsaint,andthistaskwasforthechurchmilitant.No,hemustfighthisbattlesalone,andtrusttoGodtosendhimallies.Hewantedmenofviolence,whowouldfightnotwithwordsbutwithdeeds,IsraelitishprophetswhowiththeirownhandscutdowngrovesanduprootedaltarsandhewedAgaginpieces.Andwherewouldhefindtheminacountrysidewherethegoodweretimidassheepandtheirpastorslikeloudvoicesinafog?
Junewasamonthofhotsunsandclearskies,whenthehillswerebone-dryandthedeepestflowe-mosscouldbesafelypassed.Itwasweatherforthehightops,andoneafternoonDavid,walkingoffhisrestlessnessontheRooduplands,stumbledunexpectedlyonafriend.Forattheheadoftheglenwherethedrove-roadcrossesfromClydetoAller,hefellinwiththefarmerofReiverslawleadinghishorseupasteeppatchofscrees.
Thisman,AndrewShillinglaw,wassomethingofamysterybothtoparishandminister.Hewasalongleanfellowofsomefortyyears,black-haired,black-bearded,whosesullenfacewasredeemedbyahumorousmouth,sothattheimpressionwasofagenialferocity.Hewasreputedthemostskilfulfarmerintheplace,andsomeheldhimarivalinworldlywealthtothemiller,butbeyondthefactthathehadinReiverslawthebestofthehillfarms,therewasnocluetohisprosperity.Hehadtheonlygoodriding-horseinWoodilee,andwasanotablefigureontheroads,forhetravelledthecountrylikeapackman.
