Next moment he had disappeared into a little thicket.
The lads, at the first glimpse, had crouched behind a tuft of gorse; 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 may the saints aid and guide us, for I have no strength 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 people may avoid him?
Dick, there is below this something deeper." "Nay, I care not," moaned Dick; "the strength is gone out of me; my legs 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.