`` 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 leper sprang into the open close by , and ran straight upon the lads . They , shrieking aloud , separated and began to run different ways . But their horrible enemy fastened upon Matcham , ran him swiftly down , and had him almost instantly a prisoner . The lad gave one scream that echoed high and far over the forest , he had one spasm of struggling , and then all his limbs relaxed , and he fell limp into his captor 's arms . Dick heard the cry and turned . He saw Matcham fall ; and on the instant his spirit and his strength revived ; With a cry of pity and anger , he unslung and bent his arblast .
But ere he had time to shoot , the XXXXX held up his hand .
Dick Matcham arblast clapper fall jangle leper lepers rustlings sith