PIPERS
"Do you think my dog would grieve if I should die?" asked Ian, as he
brushed away a tear with his sleeve and tried to distract Sandy's
attention from his action.
"Ay, if you treat him kindly, lad," answered the old man. "Beasties are
faithful to us when they know we love them."
"Ay," said Ian. "Roy is faithful, and a smart sheep dog, too."
"Do you like fine to herd the sheep, laddie?" asked Sandy.
Ian hung his head.
"No, Sandy. I like finer to go about and have adventures and make up
that I am--" He hesitated.
"What, lad? Speak. Do not be afraid of Sandy for he knows the hearts of
laddies well."
"If I could play the pipes, Sandy, I would go away and be a piper in
the band some day," confessed Ian.
This was, indeed, a dream so near to his heart that he had never before
spoken it aloud. After the admission, Ian turned his head away and did
not look at Sandy. But the old man's voice was very soft and his tone
caressing, as he said, "And a fine dream it is, Ian lad, for to be a
piper is a great and honored calling."
"Ay," answered Ian huskily, "but 'tis not for me, Sandy."
Sandy turned the boy around then and looked him squarely in the eye.
"Ian, lad, do not speak so, for nothing is too hard to get when you
want it."
Ian's eyes lighted up for a moment. Then the same forlorn look came
into them as he let his head droop.
"No, Sandy. The pipes are too dear, and it takes many months to learn
to play."
"And you study hard at school, lad?" asked the piper.
"Ay, do I," spoke the boy.
"Then some day, you'll be liking to hear of the fine military school I
saw."
[Illustration: THE PIPER LADDIES]
"Ach, Sandy, tell me about it. Have you really seen it?" Ian was at
once alert.
"Ay, that have I, and only three weeks ago when I was passing by
Dunblane."
As the poor little village lad drank in his words, Sandy talked on
about the wonderful school in Dunblane. This school is called the Queen
Victoria School. Here lads between the ages of nine and fifteen are
trained as soldiers.
They are sons of military men, some of whom fell in the World War.
These boys are reared and taught free of charge. It is a great and good
school for a boy to attend.
[Illustration: THE DRUM MAJOR]
To see and hear these sons of Scotland's heroes is an experience never
to be forgotten. They present a fine appearance in their bright-colored
kilts and military trappings, as they march and play upon their pipes.
Sandy saw and heard, and carried away with him a memory of the
loveliest sight and sound imaginable. Coming toward him were boys.
Children they were, with their kilts making a vivid pattern.
Their bare knees moved in perfect unison as they stepped to the tunes
of Scotland's patriotic melodies. They played in a way unsurpassed by
pipers older and more experienced than they.
First came a waltz, gracefully played and gracefully stepped. Then came
a march, loud, fast, but always in perfect harmony. The sound might
have come from a single organ played, perhaps, by Scottish cherubim.
The drum major wore a plumed helmet and carried a baton. He was only
fourteen years old, but he twirled his stick and marched like a veteran
of many wars.
[Illustration: THE DRUMMER BOY]
The little twelve-year-old drummer swung his drumsticks into the air
and caught them again. He never missed a beat on his drum. The rest,
pipers all, marched and played. Their cheeks puffed in and out, while
their fingers moved and made melodies.
Throughout the hills echoed the sound. It was the same as echoed during
the Battle of Bannockburn, when Scottish history was made. To these
tunes, in this same rugged country marched, years ago, these lads'
ancestors.
And Sandy carried his memories of Queen Victoria School back to Ian
Craig. Ian's longing to become a piper grew greater as he listened. In
his heart he uttered a silent prayer.