Запретный лес

           "

           Thenightwasnowfallen,andDavidturnedforhome,afteronelastlookatthepitofblacknessbeneathhim.Theidiothobbledbesidehim,coveringthegroundatapacewhichtriedevenhisyounglegs,andashewenthebabbled.

           "Tak’Gibbie’sadviceandkeepfarfraetheWud,Mr.Sempill,andifye’reforRoodfootorCalidonhaudbytheguidroad.I’veheardtellthatintheaulddays,whentherewasmonksatthekirkton,theybodetogangouteveryyearwi’bellsandcandlesandblesstheroadtokeepitfreeo’bogles.ButtheyneverventuredintotheWud,honestmen.I’llnosaybutwhataministerismairpowerfu’thanamonk,butaneidentbodywillrunnaerisks.KeeptofinecallerbitslikethisHillo’Deer,andifyewanttotraivel,gangwestbyChasehopeoreastbyKirkAller.There’snochtforamano’GodintheWud."

           "Aretherenoneofmyfolkthere?"

           ForasecondGibbiestoppedasifthunderstruck."Yourfolk!"hecried."IntheWud!"ThenheperceivedDavid’smeaning."Na,na.There’snaedwallin’there.NetherFennanisnofaroffandReiverslawisabowshotfromthetrees,buttobideintheWud!--Na,na,amanwouldbesairlefttohimsel’ereheventuredthat!There’snaehoosebiggit[built]byhumanhandthatwadnabeclaweddounbyboglesaforethewa’raseaspanfraethegrund."

           AttheoutfieldofMirehopeGibbiefledabruptly,chantinglikeanightbird.