Запретный лес
XIII. White Magic
Oneofmyprofessionmustthinkwellintothefutureifhe’stokeephiscraigunraxed.I’vehadsomesuchescapadoinmindeversinceItravellednorthayearsyne,andI’vehadawordonthematterwithNicholasHawkshaw,sowhentheglee’d[squinting]auldfarmerbodyfromTeviotsideseeksthetackofCrossbasket,thelawyerfolkinEdinburghwillbepreparedforhim.Nicholaswaslikeme--hekennedfinethatourtriumphintheNorthwasfairygoldthatisbrawdollarsonedayandthenextanieve-fullofbracken."
"WhereisthelairdofCalidon?"
"ByamercifuldispensationwelefthimsickatLinlithgow,andNicholas,beinganeidentsoul,hadaboattrystedattheBorrowstounness,andbythistimedoubtlesswillbebeatingdowntheForthonhiswaytoakindercountry.He’llbeputtothehorn,likemanyanotherhonestgentleman,andhisbrawestatesmayberoupit.ThanktheLord,Ihavenothingtolose,forI’mayoungersonthatheiredlittlebutasword."
"Amonthago,"saidDavid,"MontrosewaslordofallScotland.Youtellmethateverythinghasbeenlostinonebattle,andthatyouandotherswereconfidentofitsloss.Man,howdidhesucceedwithsucharabbleofthehalf-heartedbehindhim?"
"Iwouldnajustcallithalf-hearted.WewonbecauseJamesGrahamisthegreatestcaptainsinceGustavuswenttoGodatLutzen,andbecausehehasaspiritthatburnslikeapureflame.ButhedidnotkenthislandofScotlandasmeandNicholaskennedit.
