p to the spot where they had seen the last of
them, they found themselves at the head of a ladder, all the steps of
which were formed of purple and amber clouds that descended to what
appeared to be a vast and shining plain, streaked with purple and
gold. In the spaces between the streaks of gold and purple they saw
soft, milk-white stars. And the children thought that the great plain,
so far below them, also belonged to cloudland.

They could not see the little pipers, but up the steps was borne by
the cool, sweet air the fairy music; and lured on by it step by step
they travelled down the fleecy stairway. When they were little more
than half way down there came mingled with the music a sound almost as
sweet--the sound of waters toying in the still air with pebbles on a
shelving beach, and with the sound came the odorous brine of the
ocean. And then the children knew that what they thought was a plain
in the realms of cloudland was the sleeping sea unstirred by wind or
tide, dreaming of the purple clouds and stars of the sunset sky above
it.

When Connla and Nora reached the strand they saw the nine little
pipers marching out towards the sea, and they wondered where they were
going to. And they could hardly believe their eyes when they saw them
stepping out upon the level ocean as if they were walking upon the
land; and away the nine little pipers marched, treading the golden
line cast upon the waters by the setting sun. And as the music became
fainter and fainter as the pipers passed into the glowing distance,
the children began to wonder what was to become of themselves. Just at
that very moment they saw coming towards them from the sinking sun a
little white horse, with flowing mane and tail and golden hoofs. On
the horse's back was a little man dressed in shining green silk. When
the horse galloped on to the strand the little man doffed his hat, and
said to the children:

"Would you like to follow the nine little pipers?" The children said,
"yes."

"Well, then," said the little man, "come up here behind me; you, Nora,
first, and Connla after."

Connla helped up Nora, and then climbed on to the little steed
himself; and as soon as they were properly seated the little man said
"swish," and away went the steed, galloping over the sea without
wetting hair or hoof. But fast as he galloped the nine little pipers
were always ahead of him, although they seemed to be going only at a
walking pace. When at last he came