Upon this path, stepping forth from the margin of the wood, a white

figure now appeared. It paused a little, and seemed to look about; and

then, at a slow pace, and bent almost double, it began to draw near

across the heath. 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

The Black Arrow