Запретный лес
XIII. White Magic
"TheupshotisthatthebravestofScottishheartsisnow,byGod’sgrace,somewhereontheroadtotheHielands,andthegreatventureisbyeanddonewith,andhereamI,alameter,seekingsanctuaryofamercifulopponent.Iftosheltermedoesviolencetoyourconscience,sir,saythewordandI’llhirpleoffassoonasthenightfalls.You’vegivenmebiteandsup,likeagoodChristian,andsufferedmetogetmysleep,andyou’venocalltodomoreforabrokenmalignant."
"Myconscienceisateaseanentsuccouringthewoundedandsavingaman’slife.AndIhavenoclearnessaboutthisquarrelofMontroseandtheKirk,andwouldthereforegiveitthego-by.ButIwillexactthepromisethat,ifyoucomeoffsafe,youwillfightnomoreinScotland.InthatmuchIamboundtoservemycalling."
"Youshallhavethepromise.MarkKerrisforbeatinghisswordintoaploughshare.WhatsaystheWord?’Hisspeechshallbeofcattle’--though,nowIcometothinkofit,that’sfromwhatyougentrycalltheApocryphalbooksandthinklittleof....I’monethathasnogreatloveforidlenessonthebroadofhisback.Haveyounoabooktowhileawaythehours?Anythingbutdivinity--I’velostconceitofdivinitytheselastmonthswhenI’vebeendoingbattlewiththedivines."
Davidfurnishedhisguestwithreadingwhichwasapproved,andthenwentforthintoWoodilee.Thevillagemadeholiday,andeverywifewasatherdoorstep.AbatchoftroopersweredrinkingatankardatLuckyWeir’s,andsalutedhimashepassed.
