Запретный лес
XXI. The Going of the Minister
"InthenameofHimthatsnappeththespearasunderIwilloutfaceyou."Hestumbleddownthepulpitstairs,andwouldnodoubthaveflunghimselfonMarkhadnotoldNanceKellowhosatatthefootimpededhimandgivenMirehopetimetocatchhiscoat-skirts.Hestopped,breathingheavily,aboutthreeyardsfromMark,and,ashestood,itwasnottheswordthatasecondtimedeterredhim.Hefeltdimlythatthisoutlawhadcometowearafearfulauthority.ItwasnotthetacksmanofCrossbasketthatspoke,butthecaptainofMackay’s--notthefarmerofJedWater,butthekinsmanofRoxburgheandthebrigadierofMontrose.
Mr.ProudfootturnedtohiscolleagueandsawthattheModerator’seyewaspuzzledanduncertain.Hebethoughthimofhischiefallyintheparish."WhereisChasehope?"hecried."WhereisEphraimCaird?"
Theanswercamefromanunlooked-forquarter.DaftGibbiesatcrouchedinacornerofthekirk,andthosenearhimhadmarkedhisunwontedsilence.Hedidnotgabbleasusual,butsatwithhisgreatheadinhishands,murmuringsoftlyandrollinghiswildeyes.ButatthementionofChasehopehesuddenlyfoundvoice.
"He’supinthehills,"hecried."Iseenhimatskreigho’dayatthebuchtso’theDrygrain,andhewasrivin’ayoweandcryin’thatitwasahoundo’hellandthatitsuldnadevourhim.Hewasa’lapperedwi’bluid,andwhenheseenmeheranonme,andhiseenwereredandheslaveredlikeamadtyke,andhisfacewasthrawedooto’theshapeo’man.
