Запретный лес
XIII. White Magic
"AnIrishb-bitch,"onehiccoughed."What’sthesteerforabawbeejoe?"
"TamPorteouskittledherwi’hisswordpoint,"saidanother."Justinthewayo’daffin,yeken.Sheletoutaskellochandranlikethewund."Themanputhishandstohissidesandguffawedatthememoryofit.
Hedidnotlaughlong,forDavidwasonhimlikeatempest.Thefuddledtroopersheardadenunciationwhichdidsomethingtosoberthembychillingtheirmarrow.Asmen,assoldiers,asChristians,heleftthemnoragtocoverthem."YouthatfightinGod’scause,"hecried,"andareworsethanbrutebeasts!Getbacktoyourstyes,youswine,andknowthatforeverymisdeedtheLordwillexactpunishmentathousandfold."Hewascarriedoutofhimselfinhiswrath."Iseeeachoneofyouwrithingonacomingfieldofbattle,waitingtochangethetormentsofthefleshfortheeternalagoniesofHell.Youarethebraveones--yourbigoddsgaveyouachancevictoryoveronethatforayearhuntedyouandyourlikeroundthecompass--andyoupurgeyourmanhoodbymurderingfrailwomen."
Itwasnotadiscreetspeech,andasentenceortwoofitpiercedthroughtheirbefuddlement,butitsentthempacking.TheyweretooconsciousofthepowerofablackgowninLeslie’sarmytodaretooutfaceaminister.Davidmarchedhomewardwithhisheartinastorm,tofindananxiousIsobel.
"Thesearedreidfu’days,"shemoaned."WeweretelledthatMontrose’ssodgersweresonsofBelial,butiftheywerewaurthanyonLeslie’stheymaunbetheblackDeilhimsel’.Wae’sme,bluidisrinnin’likewateronAllerside.
