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 leper held up his hand . `` Hold your shot , Dickon ! '' cried a familiar voice . `` Hold your shot , mad wag ! Know ye not a friend ? '' And then laying down Matcham on the turf , he undid the hood from off his face , and disclosed the features of Sir Daniel Brackley . `` Sir Daniel ! '' cried Dick . `` Ay , by the mass , Sir Daniel ! '' returned the knight . `` Would ye shoot upon your guardian , rogue ?
But here is this '' -- And there he broke off , and pointing to XXXXX , asked : `` How call ye him , Dick ? ''
Ay Brackley Daniel Dickon Matcham captor fall leper rustlings wag