Запретный лес

XVIII. The Plague

           I’llfacesteelandpouther,angrymenandangrybeasts,butI’llnofacewhatgarsamandeelikearattoninahole.AndwhatforshouldIfaceitforfolkthatarenoadrapbluid’skintome?"

           Themanspokeloudlyandviolently,asifalittleashamedofhimself,andwentintothehouse,whereDavidcouldhearthebarfalling.

           FromAmosRitchiehehadadifferentanswer.Amos,sincehiswife’sdeath,hadgoneaboutwithbentshouldersandagreyface,andhadsatforlonghoursinhissmithybesideadeadfire.ThereDavidfoundhim,andpropoundedhisrequest.

           "I’lldoyourwill,sir,"wastheanswer."I’vesaelittlelefttoliveforthatI’vethelesstofear.Butthere’llbeneedo’mairthanyouandme,fortheparishisdementit,anddaftfolkareilltoguide.Thefirstthingistogetthedeidburied.ForGod’ssakedinnaspeakofburnin’,forthoughthebodyisbutourearthlytenement,burnin’isowerliketheDeil’swark."

           ThatnightKatrinecameagain,andwithherMarkRiddel.Thesoldierhadlostsomethingofhisbluffcomposure,andatroubledeyemetDavid’s.

           "Ihavebeenlisteningtoasermononcourage,"hesaidruefully.

           Katrinepointedamockingfingerathim.

           "Hewouldrunaway,"shesaid,"he,theoldsoldierofahundredbattles."

           "’DeedandIwould.Ahundredbattles,norathousandbattles,wouldnareconcilemetothepest.Icouldnameyoumanyaboldcaptainwhoattherumourofpestilenceshiftedhisleaguer,thoughhewouldhaveheldhisgroundbeforealltheEmperor’sarmies.

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