Madeline Brandeis

“ Alan Craig shook his head sadly.
"I've sent Roy again, laddie, but he's returned once alone. I fear the beastie is lost."
[Pg 99]
Lost! Ian's world fell about him. The sound of distant bagpipes seemed to resound dully in his ears. The words of Sandy came to him through the dim: "In the spring, if this beastie is fine, and you have done your duty—"
His duty! And poor Betty! Where could she be? A little lonely creature, more baby than animal, tended so carefully, and unused to the thorns and sharp rocks of the hills—alone and lost!
"Father!" was all that Ian could gasp. ”

“ As you go along, soon you pass the peaceful, hilly country and come to rocky, steep, and rugged land. You might be in the mountains, for it is wild and desolate except for the sheep, which are everywhere.
Around a corner, another village looms into space. This one is cold and bleak. You pass through it without sight or sound of human beings. Its buildings are tall, stony, and gray. In the center is a pump, where the people come to draw their water, but no one is about. ”

“ The family of Jamie Robinson had been [Pg 118] huddled together in their tent like lost sheep. When Jamie entered the tent, the baby was crying. Jamie knew she was hungry.
While Sandy MacGregor traveled, he usually sang or whistled. Sandy was always happy. He was getting old, and his stride was not what it had been. Still he gloried in his happy-go-lucky life.
Since leaving Aberfoyle, Sandy had thought often of the little boy in whose charge he had left the baby lamb. Old Sandy chuckled to himself when he thought about his return and Ian's joy upon receiving the bagpipes. ”

“ As Sandy's old handcart rattles through each little Scottish town, he is impressed with the many bookshops he sees in his country. The Scotch are enthusiastic readers. Their love and desire for education are national traits.
Often Sandy passes young boys or young girls sitting by the roadside, absorbed in their books. The colleges and schools of Scotland are fine indeed.
When Sandy asks a direction, he is sure to receive a courteous reply. The children who come to his side are polite and kind and anxious to help. ”

“ While the boy climbed down the precipitous rocks, the faithful dog, deprived of his rightful work, whined and howled. Had he not been trained to obey, he would never have stayed. But to a shepherd dog, a master's [Pg 134] word is law. Roy watched his young friend as the boy made the perilous descent to rescue the terrified animal on the ledge.
The sheep was large, and its wool weighed heavily. But Ian grasped the creature firmly. With all his might, he pulled until he had it on the rock above. When the baby lamb saw its mother coming, it uttered loud, joyous bleatings. ”

“ Sandy talked, and the boy listened. The sun grew lower and lower in the heavens. Ian Craig thought that never before had he known an afternoon to slip by so quickly.
Sandy told Ian about the time he had visited Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, and one of the most attractive cities in the world.
He told of Princes Street, with its [Pg 40] sunken gardens on one side, and its wonderful view of historic Edinburgh Castle, its pretty shops and stately monuments. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful street in all the world. ”

“ SCOTLAND IS FULL OF SHEEP
On a hill sat Alan Craig, and by his side his faithful dog, Roy. Roy was a real sheep dog and was proud of his profession.
You know, when people are called professionals, it means that they are trained in one occupation. Of course, people make money at their professions, and this was the only difference between Roy and a professional human. ”

“ Alan was poor like most [Pg 21] of the villagers, for Scotland is rather a poor country.
Still, in the little village of Aberfoyle, everyone was happy. In the evenings the people from the big city of Glasgow came in big buses. They danced outside on the village green to the tune of the pipes, while they gloried in the fresh country air.
So you must not think that Alan Craig and his family suffered. Indeed, there could hardly have been a happier little family in Scotland.
That evening Alan wended his way homeward and was met by his wife and baby. ”

“ He hugged first Sandy, then Roy, and then Betty. At last the piper became his old jolly self once more and laughed.
"Ay, lad, we'll share the pipes together, though they belong to you. But old Sandy will have to make a living, and he'll teach you all the tunes he knows!"
No happier boy than Ian Craig lived in Scotland that night. Standing before the door of the cottage, he puffed [Pg 150] and blew on his pipes. There issued forth the sound of a thousand sheep all bleating at once but all in pain! Sandy listened from his tent on the hill opposite and chuckled to himself. ”

“ CHAPTER VI IAN'S BETTY
For many weeks after Sandy's departure from Aberfoyle, Ian tended the lamb carefully. He fed it from a baby's bottle. The young creature grew strong and fat. It would follow the boy around as though it knew him to be its nurse.
It was a loving little animal, and Ian became very fond of it. He would take it with him when he sat with his father upon the hill where Roy guarded the other sheep.
It did not mingle with the others, for it was an orphan. It knew that it [Pg 92] did not belong with the flock. Sheep are not like people. ”

“ Telling Jamie that he wished to try his luck in the town once more, he hastened thither, his pipes under his arm.
Sandy had never been a rich man. He always had enough to buy his meals, and that was all. A piper cannot make a great deal. Sandy's music usually brought him ample money for his needs. ”

“ Sometimes small boys grow careless, although their intentions are of the best. Then the task falls to Father or Mother.
As Sandy was revolving these thoughts in his mind, he suddenly had a plan.
"Ian," he said, "do you remember the story I told you of the pipers at Dunblane?"
"I've thought of little else, Sandy," [Pg 69] replied Ian, as he stroked the lamb. The little creature was nestling down comfortably in Sandy's arms.
"Well, lad, uncover the plaid on my cart and see what I have there."
Ian turned back the bit of plaid covering the cart. Sandy used it to protect his personal belongings. ”

“ Tenderly unwrapping it, the old piper pulled out a young lamb, dirty, thin, and bleating.
"'Tis a poor hurt beastie, Ian," he said. "I found it on the road. Its mother is dead, and it was left to die, too. I picked it up and now cannot [Pg 67] care for it, as I'm wandering and have no place to keep it."
"Ach, Sandy, couldn't I keep the wee beastie for you?" asked Ian eagerly.
Sandy stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"You could, laddie. But 't would be a while till I return—maybe not till next spring. And a lamb with no mother is a care."
"Ach, Sandy," cried the boy, "let me do it for you. ”

“ Now, Ian was always full of stories and tales of adventure. He was one of those children to whom something exciting is always happening.
[Pg 25]
ALAN CRAIG, IAN, AND ROY
So the family were quite accustomed to having him return home with vivid tales. Some were strange, some droll and, alas, some sad and painful, told to the tune of bandages and arnica.
[Pg 26]
Still, what boy is not sometimes hurt? And Ian's accidents were few, in comparison to his other experiences. Surely, it is to be wondered how, in a small, quiet town like Aberfoyle, so many wondrous happenings could occur. ”

“ 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.
[Pg 49]
THE DRUM MAJOR
To see and hear these sons of Scotland's heroes is an experience never to be forgotten. ”

“ Each tartan is different from every other. To-day in Scotland you will see the children wearing kilts or ties or tams made of their own family tartan.
The town of Paisley is famous for its Paisley shawls. These are very much admired by all the world and worn by ladies of fashion.
The Shetland shawls, also famous, are dear to old ladies, because they [Pg 87] are soft and warm. The Shetland ponies are dear to children, for they are so little that they are more like large dogs than like horses. Both come from the Shetland Islands, which are north of Scotland and are ruggedly wild. ”

“ Alan Craig and Roy soon returned, and Sandy was introduced to them.
After the little repast, Ian beckoned Sandy to him. Nodding his head toward the hills, he said, "Come away and tell now about your travels through Scotland, Sandy."
The two sat on the hill and watched the smoke curling up from the cottage chimney. And while Sandy smoked his pipe he told Ian once more of his wondrous adventures.
Traveling through Scotland is like going through many different countries. For Scotland's beauties are varied. Here in the hollow is a lovely, [Pg 75] quaint village. ”

“ Betty was nowhere to be found. Though Ian and Roy hunted in every conceivable place, the lamb had disappeared.
On Monday, Ian was forced to relinquish his hunt and go to school. Immediately after school he called to Roy and was off again.
"The lad hardly eats his meals, he's [Pg 104] so troubled!" said Mrs. Craig to her husband, as she shook her head.
Alan bit his pipe in silence, while his heart bled for Ian.
Alan had been training a new dog for the sheep. He was using this dog instead of Roy, who was allowed to stay with Ian and help him in his search. ”

“ No doubt the word refers to their piece of bread, which, with an apple, is sometimes all they get.
At home, Ian's mother always had waiting for him a plate of Scotch broth, potatoes, and sometimes an apple tart. After school Ian was drawn to the bridge.
The work at home was not pressing to-day. Father was away with the sheep. Mother did not need Ian. His heart was light as he started off for the old brig. He walked along with the hope of adventure, while in his ears the imaginary sound of pipes played.
[Pg 60]
"Ian, wait," called Elsie, and ran after him. ”

“ For in the narrow streets are children, dogs, women, peasants, bicyclists, and more children.
Little girls walk along knitting. Everyone is walking in the middle of the cobbled street. Sandy has difficulty in going through the crowd with his cart.
This is Kurrimuir, better known as Thrums. It is the scene of many of [Pg 77] J. M. Barrie's delightful stories. Here on the corner is the dear little cottage made famous by Barrie's "A Window in Thrums."
BOYS PLAY CRICKET IN SCOTLAND
Passing a field, Sandy stops to watch some boys playing cricket. ”

“ When I began to write these stories about children of all lands I had just returned from Europe whither I journeyed with Marie and Ref. Maybe you don't know Marie and Ref. I'll introduce them: Please meet Marie, my very little daughter, and Ref, my very big reflex camera.
These two are my helpers. Marie helps by being a little girl who knows what other little girls like and by telling me; and Ref helps by snapping pictures of everything interesting that Marie and I see on our travels. I couldn't get along without them. ”

“ Alan picked up his crook—the kind that little Bopeep used—only Alan did not look like little Bopeep. Indeed, he was very different.
He was a big strong man. Although we picture a Scotch shepherd dressed in kilts and socks and perhaps a tam, Alan Craig wore none of these. Kilts [Pg 20] and socks and tams are for the gentry, Alan would tell you, and shepherds are too poor to afford them.
MRS. CRAIG AND IAN'S BABY SISTER AT THE VILLAGE PUMP
So Alan wore an old suit which might have once been worn by your own father and then given away to some beggar. ”

“ Then he stood back and pointed to the lamb. Evidently Sandy had not noticed it.
"And do you not see our beastie, Sandy? 'Tis the same you left with me, and well and fat she is."
Sandy turned and looked at Betty. But he did not talk as Ian had expected him to, nor did he compliment [Pg 146] [Pg 147] Ian on the lamb's well-being. He only stood fingering his pipes and slowly shaking his head.
"SANDY HIMSELF WILL TEACH YOU TO PLAY"
As Ian stared in wonderment, the piper lifted his bagpipes from his shoulder and handed them to the boy. ”

“ When the people were generous, his family might have a good dinner. But often Jamie Robinson did not bring the money home to his family. Unfortunately Jamie, who was a weak man, was often led by some of the village men into public houses. Here men gamble and drink. ”

“ All the boys play it, just as American boys play baseball.
Doune Castle! Sandy climbs over the fence and starts up toward the towering mass of rock. He thinks of the many battles fought around this ancient stronghold. It was here that King Robert Bruce made some of Scotland's history.
Stirling Castle! Another massive stone memorial of the days of Scotland's stormy wars.
Sandy passes on until he comes to the city of Perth. Here he stops before the old, old house in which lived "The Fair Maid of Perth," made famous by Sir Walter Scott.
[Pg 79]
DOUNE CASTLE
In St. ”

“ That was a lonely day for the lamb Betty. She was lonely because her [Pg 95] young guardian had hardly ever left her side. The lamb was clearly worried and bleated unmercifully until Ian returned from school.
IAN HOME FROM SCHOOL
When, the next day, the same thing happened, Ian's pet could stand it no [Pg 96] longer and started out to find him.
Every child in the world knows the song about "Mary's little lamb." That day, as Betty marched herself up the steps of Ian's schoolhouse, a chorus of childish voices sang out:
"Ian had a wee, wee lamb ”

“ One day he tramped miles to recover a terrified mother and her baby. After this long walk, Alan sat on the hillside.
Meanwhile the new dog looked at him out of the corner of his eye, and dropped his tail because he was ashamed.
As the shepherd sat smoking, he saw his son coming toward him, followed by Roy. Ian threw himself down beside his father. Letting his head sink upon the shepherd's knee, he gave up the search.
"'Tis weary I am, Father," he [Pg 106] sighed. "The search is over, and my wee lamb is gone."
IAN GIVES UP THE SEARCH
"And your pipes, Ian? ”