Запретный лес
XV. Hallowmass
Themountwasnofarmer’ssheltyorminister’sgarron,butamettledchestnutmare,withmarksofbreedinheadandpaces,andhewhorodeherwasthenewtacksmanofCrossbasket.
Inthatopenbrightplacetherecouldbenoeavesdropper.Theriderdismountedandflunghisarmsroundtheminister.
"Ipaymydebt,"hecried,"bybecomingyourdutifulparishioner,yournext-doorneighbour,andyourfaithfulhearerilkaSabbath....Danger,yousay.Man,thedarkesthidy-holeisjustunderthelight,andthebestsanctuaryforahuntedmaniswhereheisnotexpected.They’reripingtheportsforMarkKerr,oncecaptainofMackay’sandtilllateabrigadierundertheKing’sCaptain-general,butthey’llnotroubleabouthonestMarkRiddel,aplainfarmer-bodyfromTeviotside,thatcomesupAllerseekingabettertackandhasmairknowledgeofsheepthananyherdonthehills.AndMarkwillpayhiswaywithgoodwhitesiller,andwillbeakindneighbouratkirkandmarket.MyRoxburghekinareburieddeep,butthere’sfolkinWoodileealreadythatmindofmygreat-auntthatwasmarriedintoAnnandale,andmycousinonceremovedthatwasaherdinMegget.Trustanoldsoldierformakingafinepalisadoaroundhimofcrediblelees.IrunnorisksavethenewonesthatImakeformyself,andI’minnomindforthat,forapeacefulyearortwowillbegoodformysoul,tillIseewhatnawaythecatjumps.Montrosemustgethimabroad,andifI’mtobidequietletitbeinmyowncountrysideandnotinastinkingforeigncity....Butforyourself,Mr.
