`` Let us go so far forth , for I am sore athirst . '' The ground sloped down gently ; and , sure enough , in the bottom , they found a little murmuring river , running among willows . Here they threw themselves down together by the brink ; and putting their mouths to the level of a starry pool , they drank their fill . `` Dick , '' said Matcham , `` it may not be . I can no more . '' `` I saw a pit as we came down , '' said Dick . `` Let us lie down therein and sleep . '' `` Nay , but with all my heart ! '' cried Matcham . The pit was sandy and dry ; a shock of brambles hung upon one hedge , and made a partial shelter ; and there the two lads lay down , keeping close together for the sake of warmth , their quarrel all forgotten . And soon sleep fell upon them like a cloud , and under the dew and stars they rested peacefully . CHAPTER VII -- THE HOODED FACE They awoke in the grey of the morning ; the birds were not yet in full song , but twittered here and there among the woods ; the sun was not yet up , but the eastern sky was barred with solemn colours . Half starved and over-weary as they were , they lay without moving , sunk in a delightful lassitude . And as they thus lay , the clang of a bell fell suddenly upon their ears . `` A bell ! '' said Dick , sitting up . `` Can we be , then , so near to Holywood ? '' A little after , the bell clanged again , but this time somewhat nearer hand ; and from that time forth , and still drawing nearer and nearer , it continued to sound brokenly abroad in the silence of the morning . `` Nay , what should this betoken ? '' said Dick , who was now broad awake .
`` It is some one walking , '' returned XXXXX , and `` the bell tolleth ever as he moves . ''
Dick Holywood Matcham VII athirst colours dew heart lassitude morning