Запретный лес

           Thereweresomeofthenoblesthatwecountedon--myLordHome,andmycousinRoxburghe,andtheslytodTraquair.Jameswasingoodheartattheirpromises,butImistrustedthegentry,andIwasmostlamentablyjustified,forwhenwewereonTeviotside,whereweremylordsbutinLeslie’scamp?--prisoners,theysaid--butwillingrefugees,asIkennedbrawandwell."

           "Andthebattle?"

           Aspasmofpainpassedovertheother’sface.

           "Itwasnot,properlyspeaking,abattle,butmoreinthenatureofasurpriseandarout.WewereencampedonYarrowatthegateofthehills,forthecomingofDavieLesliehadalteredourplans,andwewereabouttomarchwestwardtotheDouglaslands.Weweredeceivedbyfalseintelligence--itwasTraquair’sdoing,forwhichsomedayhewillgetmysteelinhiswame--butIbitterlyblamemyselfthatanoldsoldieroftheGermanwarswassoreadilyoutwittedandsoremissinthematterofoutposts....InthefogofthemorningDaviewasonus,andDouglas’splough-ladsscatteredlikepeesweeps.TherewerefivehundredofO’Keen’sIrish,andfivescoreofOgilvy’shorse,andforthreehoursweheldDavie’ssixthousand.Theseareoddsthatarejustaweebitbeyondmyliking,forbyethatwehadnomeatinourbellies.Brawlytheyfought,thepoorlads,foughtasIneversawmenfightinthebigwars--butwhatwouldyouhave?...It’snotaleformetotell,thoughitwillbeinmymindtillmylastbreath."

           Hesighed,andforamomenthisfacewaswornandold.

           "Wellandon,sir,"hecontinued.