Cinder Path Tales

THE HOLLOW HAMMER 41 they would have found the day altogether too tropical. I could see the crowds flocking around the swings, merry-go-rounds, and the monkey cage, andthere wasa motley crowdin hired bathing-suits enjoying a dip in the salt water. Of these last only was I in the least envious. The clans, immediately upon landing, formed in procession, and marched off in the broilingsun, ahalf-dozen pipers playing "The Campbells are coming "as loudly as possible, skirlinglike so many pigs under a gate. The most conspicuous figure was an old fellow who blew as if his life depended on the effort, and until Ifeared he would burst his bagpipe if he did not rupture a blood­ vessel first. He seemed to feel that the world was looking at him, and he was well conscious of its admiration. He was big-boned, loose- jointed, andso sandy that it was a riddle to guess his age. His shoulders were badly rounded, but he straightened up every few seconds inan abortive effort to appear erect on this occasion, if never again. He was clad in full Highland costume, evento dirk and claymore, — a rather unusual accompani­ ment, anddangerous as well, for a Scot on a