Запретный лес
XVIII. The Plague
Thedarkkeenfaceandthereputationofmysteryandcommandwhichhehadwonatthewitch-prickingwereargumentssufficientlypotent,apartfromthelongswordwhichheworeathisside.ForinthisworkthedoucetacksmanofCrossbaskethaddisappeared:itwasthecaptainofMackay’swhogaveordersandsawthattheywereobeyed.
ByCandlemasitwasclearthatthetidehadturned,forthereweremoreonthewaytorecoverythandying.Wellitwasthatthechangehadcome,fortheweathernowbroke--not,asDavidhadprayed,inwholesomefrost,butinperpetualdrenchingrains.Thedownpourhadcomeinaninstant;withinhalfanhourduringthenightthewindhadshifted,theskyhadclouded,andthefallhadbegun.Itwasthenight,theeveofCandlemas,whichthethreemenhadchosenfortheirworkofburning.Nowthatpeoplewerebeginningtomoveaboutthestreetsagain,itwasessentialtogetridofcentresofinfection,andtwooftheworstwerecottagesintheclachanwherealltheinmateshaddied.Suchhousescouldonlybepurifiedbyburning,andabouttenthatnightfirewasputtothem.Dryastinder,theyblazedfuriouslytoheaven,andtherewerethoseintheparish,dabblersinwitchcraft,whomusthaveturnedscaredeyestotheglowwhichwasfiercerthananythatthealtarintheWoodhadknown....Butinanhourcametherain,andthemurkysmoke-wreathswereturnedtosteamingembers.
Itwasaproofofthereturningstrengthoftheparishthattheburningofthecotsstartleditoutofapathy.Woodileefeeblyandconfusedlybegantotakestockofthings,andtonguesstartedtowagagain.
