Запретный лес

           Insensiblythehorizonshortened,theboldsummitofHerstaneCraigbecameablurandthenwashiddeninclouds,thelightwindofthemorningdiedaway,andoverthelandcreptablindeeriestillness.Davidturnedforhome,andlongbeforehehadreachedthecrestaboveReiverslawthefogwasdownonhim.Itwasstillagossamercoveringthroughwhichitwaspossibletoseeahundredyardsahead,butobjectsstoodupinitinunfamiliaroutlines--asheepfoldlikeacitywall,ascragofrowanlikeaforesttree.

           Amonstrousfigureappearedinthedimness,whichpresentlyrevealeditselfasamanonhorseback.DavidsawthatitwasMarkonhischestnut.

           "Wellmet,"themancried."I’mpushingforhome,forI’mgettingtheyowestotheinfield,butIsawyoubeforethemistdroppedandIguessedIwouldfindyouhere.There’safriendofyoursupbyethatwouldbeblithetoseeyou--uptherigfromtheauldaikontheroadtotheGreenshiel."WithnofurtherwordMarktouchedhismareandwentoffatacanter.

           Thefriend,thoughtDavid,wouldbeRichieSmail,whomighthavesomemessagetohimfromReiverslaw.Soheturnedasdirectedpasttherootofoaktowardstheridgeofthehill.Intwentyyardsafigureloomedbeforehim,afigureonahorse.HefancieditwasMarkreturning,tillashedrewnearerhesawthatitwasnomanthatsattheblackgeldingandpeeredintothethickweather.

           ItflashedthroughhismindthatMarkhadsenthimhereonpurpose.Andthensomethingcameintohissoulwhichhehadneverknownbefore,arecklessboldness,awildjoywhichcaughtathisheart.