Заборонений ліс
XI. The Minister Girds up his Loins
IcangetawheenMoffatdroversthatfearneithermannordeil,andaiblinssomeo’LairdHawkshaw’sfolkfraeCalidon,andwe’llbreakinontheircovenandtearthemasksfraethemen,andrubtheirnebsintheirainmire,anddookthelotintheWatero’Aller.I’llwagerthat’sthewaytogetrido’witchcraftfraetheparochine,forwe’llmak’itanuncopainfu’businesstotak’theWud.Awitchorawarlockisafearsomethingtothemindo’man,butthey’rebyewi’tginwemak’themgowksandlaughing-stocks."
Thetwoshepherdsstaredatthespeakerwithupbraidingeyes,andDavid’sfacelookedasifablasphemyhadbeenspoken.
"YouwouldfighttheDevilinyourowncarnalstrength,"hesaidsadly."It’slittleyouwouldmakeofit.YoutalkasifthiswickednessoftheWoodwerebutanaturalhumanprank,whenitisblacksinthatcanonlybecombatedbythespiritofGodandsuchweaponsasGodhasexpresslyordained.Man,man,Reiverslaw,you’vebutapoornotionofthepoweroftheAdversary.ItellyoulastnightIwastremblinglikeaweanedchildbeforeyonblastthatblewoutofHell,andyouyourselfwerenobetterwhenIfoundyouhere.IdurstnahaveenteredtheWoodexceptasasoldieroftheLord."
Reiverslawlaughed.
"Iwassairfleyed[frightened],I’llnodeny,butIgotajusterviewo’thingswi’thedaylicht."
"ItwouldappearthatyougotcouragealsofromLuckyWeir."
"True.Ihadmymornin’andmymeridianandanorrastouportwasinsyne.I’mamanthat’sayebeenusedwi’aguidallowanceo’liquor.