Запретный лес
XX. The Judgment
Itwasaflameofsuchheatthatitburnedcalmly,buttheglowofit,radiatingfromhim,madetheother’smerewildfire.
Davidspokenofurtherword,butanervousrestlessnesscameuponChasehope.Heblusteredandbragged.Seetowhatapitchofesteemhehadcomefromfollowingthenarrowway!Andhewhined.Hehadthefrailtyofallmortals,butitwasatonedforbytheimputedrighteousnessofhisRedeemer.Heseemedtolongforawordofconfirmation,andhepawedattheminister’ssleeve.Butnoanswercame,andthesilenceoftheotherbegantounnervehim.Hisvoicehadastartlednote,hequotedtextsasiftheyweresupplicationstothestonyimpassivenessofhiscompanion.Whenhishorsestumbledandhealmostcollidedwiththeminister,hecriedoutsuddenly,asifinfear.
TheyhadcrossedAllerhalfamilebelowRoodfoot,andhadcometotheturningoftheways.ThecloudshadthinnedandthestrugglingmoonshowedMelanudrigillbeforethem,risingandfallinglikeanoceanofdarkness.Davidkepthishorse’sheadstraightforit,andChasehope,whohadbeenridingonhisleft,edgedhisbeastacrossthepath.
"Ye’llbefortheshortroad.I’llgangquickerbythebacko’Windyways....Losh,that’sanawesomewind."
"ItisthewindoftheLord’sanger."
"Guide’entoye,andGodsendyeacontriteheart!"Chasehopeseemedtohaverecoveredcourageattheprospectofpartingcompany.
Davidlaidahandonhisbridle.
"Nay,youandIdonottwinehere.Ourroadliesyonder."
"Areyedaft,man?"Chasehopecried,hisvoicestrongagain.