Part 12 (1/2)
”dick, good dick, he saw us,” repeated Matcham ”When a man hearkeneth, he doth not as this ; it was not hearing He means foully Hark, else, if his bell be not stopped!”
Such was the case The bell rang no longer
”Nay,” said dick, ”I like not that Nay,” he cried again, ”I like that little What one east,” added Matchaht; I shall not breathe till I have my back turned upon that leper”
”Jack, y' are too cowardly,” replied dick ”We shall go fair for Holywood, or as fair, at least, as I can guide you, and that will be due north”
They were afoot at once, passed the streaan to in of the wood The ground becarew scattered or in clumps; it became difficult to choose a path, and the lads someandered They eary, besides, with yesterday's exertions and the lack of food, and theythe sand
Presently, co to the top of a knoll, they were aware of the leper, so the line of their er tapped the ground, and he went before him with the swift and assured footsteps of a man who sees Next moment he had disappeared into a little thicket
The lads, at the first gliorse; there they lay, horror-struck
”Certain, he pursueth us,” said dick--”certain! He held the clapper of his bell in one hand, saw ye? that it should not sound Now th to combat pestilence!”
”What maketh he?” cried Matcham ”What doth he want? Who ever heard the like, that a leper, out of mere malice, should pursue unfortunates? Hath he not his bell to that very end, that peopledeeper”
”Nay, I care not,” s are like water The saints be mine assistance!”
”Would ye lie there idle?” cried Matcham ”Let us back into the open
We have the better chance; he cannot steal upon us unawares”
”Not I,” said dick ”My time is come, and peradventure he may pass us by”
”Bend me, then, your bow!” cried the other ”What! will ye be a man?”
dick crossed himself ”Would ye have me shoot upon a leper?” he cried
”The hand would fail me Nay, now,” he added--”nay, now, let be! With sound hosts and lepers Which this is, I wot not One or other, Heaven be our protection!”
”Now,” said Matcha is ht, let us lie close”
Then cale on the bell
”He hath missed his hold upon the clapper,” whispered Matcham ”Saints!
how near he is!”
But dick answered never a word; his teeth were near chattering
Soon they saw a piece of the white robe between some bushes; then the leper's head was thrust forth frohbourhood before he once again withdrew To their stretched senses, the whole bush appeared alive with rustlings and the creak of twigs; and they heard the beating of each other's heart