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 men I will fight , but not with ghosts and lepers . Which this is , I wot not . One or other , Heaven be our protection ! '' `` Now , '' said Matcham , `` if this be man 's courage , what a poor thing is man ! But sith ye will do naught , let us lie close . '' Then came a single , broken jangle 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 from behind a trunk , and he seemed narrowly to scan the neighbourhood 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 .
Suddenly , with a cry , the XXXXX sprang into the open close by , and ran straight upon the lads .
Dick Matcham bell clapper ghosts jangle leper lepers rustlings sith