Запретный лес
XIII. White Magic
Hehadayearofmiracles,forthathappenedwhichwascleanbeyondallsenseandprevision,butmiracleshaveanuglytrickofstoppingjustwhentheyaresorestneeded....AyearsynetherewerethreemenonTayside--MontroseandInchbrakieandme--andthatwastheKing’sarmy.BythemercyofProvidencewefellinwithAlasdairMacdonaldontheAthollbraes,andgotakindofmusteratourback....There’snoHielandbloodinyou,Mr.Sempill?No?Well,it’saverygoodkindofbloodinitsway,butit’sliketheHielandburns--eitherdryasthecausewayoraroaringspate.It’sgrandinabattle,butmortaluncertaininacampaign,ifyoufollowme--andthatJamesshouldhavehelditinleashtillhehadroutedArgyllandBaillieandHurry,andbroughttheKirkandEstatestotheirknees,isaproofofgeniusforwarthatGustavusneverbettered.ButforconqueringScotland,andkeepingtheconquestfixed--na,na!HielandswillneverholddownLowlandsforlong,andthatLowlandsupportwereckonedonwasbutarottenwillowwand.Mylorddeceivedhimself,anditwasnotformetoenlightenhim,methathadwitnessedsomanyportents.Sowekeptourownthoughts--Nicholasandme--andindeedwehadhalfahopethatafaithwhichhadalreadysetthehillsloupingmightperchanceremovethemucklemountains.ButItellyou,sir,whenwemarchedfortheBordersIhadapresageofcalamityonmeasblackasathundercloud."
"ButyouhadthearmythatwonKilsyth?"
"Notathirdofit.YonderonBothwellhaughsitmeltedawaylikeasnow-wreath.
