On the same evening at the Sylvester Arms an announcement was
made that knocked the breath out of its hearers.

In the debate that night on the fast-approaching Dale Trials and the
relative abilities of red and gray, M'Adam on the one side, and
Tammas, backed by Long Kirby and the rest, on the other, had
cudgelled each other with more than usual vigor. The controversy
rose to fever-heat; abuse succeeded argument; and the little man
again and again was hooted into silence.

"It's easy laffin'," he cried at last, "but ye'll laff t'ither side o' yer
ugly faces on Cup Day."

"Will us, indeed? lJs'll see," came the derisive chorus.

"We'll whip ye till ye're deaf, dumb, and blind, Wullie and I."

''Yo'll not!''

"We will!"

The voices were rising like the east wind in March.

"Yo'll not, and for a very good reason too," asseverated Tammas
loudly.

"Gie us yer reason, ye muckle liar," cried the little man, turning on
him.