Запретный лес
X. What the Moon Saw
Hisally,aweirddrippingfigure,satonastoolsippingtheaquavitæwhichRabPrenticehadbroughtwithhim.He,whohadstartedthenight’sventurewithsuchnotablesang-froid,wasnowinasweatoffright.
"Bethankitye’resafe,"hestuttered,whilethespiritsspilledoverhisbeard."Ineverthochttoseeyemair,forIneverthochttowinouto’yonawesomeplace.Mylegsarea’gashedandscartit,forIcam’herethroughstaneandbriarlikeadementitstaig[younghorse].Oh,sir,siccanasichtformortaleen!"
"SawyetheFoulThief?"askedtheawedPrentice.
"Isawaneinhisimage,andIgotadrapo’theredcock’sbluid,andIloupitlikethelave,butitwasnawi’theirunholyglee.Sir,Iwasfairwudwi’terror--methatamnogientofearmuckle--forIgotacauldgrueinmybanesandmyeenturnedbackintheirsockets.Itellye,IforgottheerrandIhadcomeon,Iforgotmynameandmyhonestupbringing,andIwaslikeaweanforwanderedamongbogles....I’veburntthaeskins,andwhenIgetnameI’llburneverystitcho’cleading,forthereeko’thePitisonit."
"Didyourecognizemany?"Davidasked.
"Nome.Ihadnaeeentoseewi’.Ispunroundlikeateetotum,andIwadnasaybutIletoutskellochswi’thebest--mayGodforgieme!"
"Buttheoil--theaniseed?"
ReiverslawheldupsomethingwhichDavidsawwasanemptybottle.
"Ididnafailyethere.FortheaemanIkennedinthecovenwashimthatpiped.WhenIcam’nearhimIfeltastoundo’blackhate,andthere’sbuttheaemanonGod’searththatcangarmescunnerlikeyon
