Запретный лес

           IcangetawheenMoffatdroversthatfearneithermannordeil,andaiblinssomeo’LairdHawkshaw’sfolkfraeCalidon,andwe’llbreakinontheircovenandtearthemasksfraethemen,andrubtheirnebsintheirainmire,anddookthelotintheWatero’Aller.I’llwagerthat’sthewaytogetrido’witchcraftfraetheparochine,forwe’llmak’itanuncopainfu’businesstotak’theWud.Awitchorawarlockisafearsomethingtothemindo’man,butthey’rebyewi’tginwemak’themgowksandlaughing-stocks."

           Thetwoshepherdsstaredatthespeakerwithupbraidingeyes,andDavid’sfacelookedasifablasphemyhadbeenspoken.

           "YouwouldfighttheDevilinyourowncarnalstrength,"hesaidsadly."It’slittleyouwouldmakeofit.YoutalkasifthiswickednessoftheWoodwerebutanaturalhumanprank,whenitisblacksinthatcanonlybecombatedbythespiritofGodandsuchweaponsasGodhasexpresslyordained.Man,man,Reiverslaw,you’vebutapoornotionofthepoweroftheAdversary.ItellyoulastnightIwastremblinglikeaweanedchildbeforeyonblastthatblewoutofHell,andyouyourselfwerenobetterwhenIfoundyouhere.IdurstnahaveenteredtheWoodexceptasasoldieroftheLord."

           Reiverslawlaughed.

           "Iwassairfleyed[frightened],I’llnodeny,butIgotajusterviewo’thingswi’thedaylicht."

           "ItwouldappearthatyougotcouragealsofromLuckyWeir."

           "True.Ihadmymornin’andmymeridianandanorrastouportwasinsyne.I’mamanthat’sayebeenusedwi’aguidallowanceo’liquor.