How happy was Ian as his kind old friend seated himself by Ian's side with the same boyish leap!
"Well, Ian, lad," said Sandy, "the same bonny Aberfoyle, the same bonny laddie! And do you have the same bonny dreams?"
"Ach, Sandy, more than ever before. And have you traveled far since last I saw you?"
"Ay, that have I, and many's the tale I'll tell you this day. But first I must show you something."
Beckoning Ian to his cart, Sandy pointed to a bundle wrapped up in his coat.
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 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.
"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. I could feed it with my wee sister's nursing bottle."
"Ach, ay, laddie! Your mother would like that fine!" laughed Sandy. "But," he continued soberly, "if you would keep the wee creature, I could give you something for your trouble."
"No, Sandy. I would keep it for you, and gladly."
Sandy was still dubious. He was worried for fear the boy's father would object to a charge of this kind. The lamb would need tender nursing and careful watching.
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," 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.
"Two sets o' pipes, Sandy!" exclaimed Ian.
"Ay! One was given me by a man for a service. It is not so bonny as mine but might do for a laddie learning to play!"