At every step the bell clanked . Face , it had none ; a white hood , not even pierced with eye-holes , veiled the head ; and as the creature moved , it seemed to feel its way with the tapping of a stick . Fear fell upon the lads , as cold as death . `` A leper ! '' said Dick , hoarsely . `` 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 XXXXX , faintly .
Dick Matcham bloweth death eye-holes leper pattering pit shield staff