Behind him were four who carried a sick one in a litter, but they held back, not overtaking the leper.
"Come!" said Ulric. "I would look into the face of this god once more. We may hear another of the demons. I have much curiosity concerning them. Put thy arm around me and aid me on."
"Woe is me, son of Brander," moaned Wulf, but his strong arm went around the waist of his jarl and they walked along.
"Unclean! Unclean! Unclean!" the terrible voice repeated, but on the brow of a little knoll the rabbi of Nazareth stood and ceased not his preaching.
All around him were men and women, the old and the young, but these stepped suddenly away, as if in fear, while the leper came toward them.
"He hath no right!" exclaimed one.
"Touch him not! Breathe not his breath," said another, "lest thou become leprous!"
Down knelt the leper, but the rabbi ceased speaking and looked upon him kindly.
"What wilt thou?" he asked.
"That I might be clean," gasped the leper.