`` His touch is death , '' said Matcham . `` Let us run . '' `` Not so , '' returned Dick . `` See ye not ? -- he is stone blind . He guideth him with a staff . Let us lie still ; the wind bloweth towards the path , and he will go by and hurt us not . Alas , poor soul , and we should rather pity him ! '' `` I will pity him when he is by , '' replied Matcham . The blind leper was now about halfway towards them , and just then the sun rose and shone full on his veiled face . He had been a tall man before he was bowed by his disgusting sickness , and even now he walked with a vigorous step . The dismal beating of his bell , the pattering of the stick , the eyeless screen before his countenance , and the knowledge that he was not only doomed to death and suffering , but shut out for ever from the touch of his fellow-men , filled the lads ' bosoms with dismay ; and at every step that brought him nearer , their courage and strength seemed to desert them . As he came about level with the pit , he paused , and turned his face full upon the lads . `` Mary be my shield ! He sees us ! '' said Matcham , faintly . `` Hush ! '' whispered Dick . `` He doth but hearken . He is blind , fool ! ''
The XXXXX looked or listened , whichever he was really doing , for some seconds .
Dick Matcham bell bloweth death leper pattering shield staff sun