The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-12-27
OUR BOYS
and GIRLS
THE WIND PIPER OF
ADVENTURE ISLAND

EoEo4OEo FoEo+oFo+ol

/ LdSS anu WSAJ uOWn ny bAAO oe"DAS'
1t was their first day on Adventure
Island, and the, two lads had made
up their minds to explore the island
and see what adventures they could
find there.
Don't go near the wind-piper,"
warned Jed. the hired man, as they
passed the stable door.
"The who? What?" asked both
boys, interested.
"The wind-piper. He's a queer old
man that lives over on the other side
of the island. They do say he has a
panther for a pet, and that he's been
turrible man in his time" Jed shook
his head ominously.
what would he do to us?" queried
Billy, fascinated.
"Ain't no telling" declared the hir-
ed man, waggling his head myster-
iously. "He might just spank We both
with big pine board, and then again
he might!"- Here Jed opened and
shut his jaws with chopping sound
that sent shivers up and down the
lads backs.
1--WE won't go near where he lives"
they promised willingly-and away
they went to explore Adventure Is
land.
Not until dusk fell did Billy and
Tom take thought for the passing
time. Then they suddenly looked
about them.
Gee! It's night, Billy" exclaimed
Tom in dismay. Lets go home" He
looked about. (which way is it we
go?"
Billy looked b1ankly at the shadcwy
trees which surrounded them.
al don't know!' he said. Il thought
you knew the way"
They started at each other. Were
Iost!" they both exclaimed.
Hurriedly they ran this way and
that while the darkness of night set
tied over the island and rapidly hid
the trails beyond all finding. They
were lost on Adventure Island, and
one fear was uppermost in the minds
of both lads-the terrible Nwind-piper
must be somewhere about! What il
they should run upon him in the dark
ness! They gripped each others
hands and CROPPED their way through
the night.
From somewhere ahead came lit
tie whining sound. The lads stood
still.
eWh-what can it be-" whispered
Tom, his hair prickling.
81 DIDN'T knowi It might be the
w-wind-p iper!" whispered Billy, his
voice shaking.
Together they moved slowly away
from the place where they thought
they had heard the sound. A puff OF
wind from the darkness blew in their
faces. Then with a moan the sound
arose right ahead First it was lows
then louder and higher, until it be-
came almost a shrek. With gasps
of horror both the lads ran headlong
away through the dark woods.
"It's the wind-piper blowing his
pipes!" chartered Billy, as they STUN
bled along.
A light cleaned through the bushes.
Terror stricken, the boys rushed up
to a little hut and flung themselves
into its warmly lighted doorway. An
old man arose from stool by the
fireplace, and putting down large
housecat from his knees, came to-
ward them smiling.
ooh, the wind-piper's after usi"
gasped Tom. "Can we stay here till
he's gomez"
"Come in" invited the old man cor
daily. while his little blue eyes twin
kled with amusement. ''You are Mr..
Morgan's boys, from the cottage, are
MT your" he asked You'd better
have some supper with me now, and
later I'll show you the way home"
Billy and Tom exchanged glances
of satisfaction, for they were very
hungry. Then, while they ate before
the fire, the little old man told them
of strange adventures and played
weird shrill tunes by blowing into
| queer instrument When he had fin
ished they watched him put up the
instrument.
''What is it?" asked Billy curious
| ly The old man laughed.
"Bagpipes," he said, his eyes twin
lted merrily. 81 am the wind-piper!"
Tabby there, is the panther they talk
about. Have hurt you any?"
"But-but that awful noise we
heardl" exclaimed Tom. 'You didn't
make it?"
| '0That was the sea-wind blowing
through cave in the cliff" the old
wind-piper explained. 81 often hear
it. Now you boys must be getting
home. But I'll tell you some other
stories If you want to come again.
Do your"
do wei" the echoed happily. "Just
as soon as we can we are coming!"