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Updated: May 18, 2025
And when at the Sylvester Arms, on one of those rare occasions when M'Adam was not present, Tammas summed up the little man in that historic phrase of his, "When he's drunk he's wi'lent, and when he bain't he's wicious," there was an applause to gratify the blasé heart of even Tammas Thornton. Yet it had not been till his wife's death that the little man had allowed loose rein to his ill-nature.
It may have been that the temper of the Tailless Tyke gave in the time of trial; it may have been that his sheep were wild, as M'Adam declared; certainly not, as the little man alleged in choking voice, that they had been chosen and purposely set aside to ruin his chance. Certain it is that his tactics scared them hopelessly: and he never had them in hand.
M'Adam could but remark the absence of enthusiasm as he pushed up through the throng toward the committee tent. No single voice hailed him victor; no friendly hand smote its congratulations. Broad backs were turned; contemptuous glances levelled; spiteful remarks shot.
"I'd mind Kenmuir, d'ye see, Kirby?" It was about the middle of the lambing-time, when the Killer was working his worst, that the Dalesmen had a lurid glimpse of Adam M'Adam as he might be were he wounded through his Wullie. Thus it came about: It was market-day in Grammoch-town, and in the Border Ram old Rob Saunderson was the centre of interest.
She noticed the expression on his face; and her tender heart went out to the lone man in his defeat. She went up to him and laid a hand upon his arm. "Mr. M'Adam," she said timidly, "won't you come and sit down in the tent? You look so tired! I can find you a corner where no one shall disturb you." The little man wrenched roughly away.
Though he is but as big as a man's thumb, a dog's a dog for a' that he! he! the leetle devil." And he fell to flipping finger and thumb afresh. "Ye're maybe wantin' a dog?" inquired the stranger. "Yer friend said as much." "Ma friend lied; it's his way," M'Adam replied. "I'm willin' to part wi' him," the other pursued. The little man yawned.
Ask yer conscience, Mr. M'Adam. An' if he was a wee aggravatin' at times, had he no reason? He'd a heavy cross to bear, had David, and yo' know best if yo' helped to ease it for him." The little man pointed to the door; but the girl paid no heed. "D'yo' think when yo' were cruel to him, jeerin' and fleerin', he never felt it, because he was too proud to show ye?
Another useful article, the homely mackintosh, takes its name from that of another Scotsman, Charles Macintosh, who lived at the same time as M'Adam. It was he who first, in 1823, finished the invention of a waterproof cloth. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries many great discoveries were made in science, and many names of discoverers and inventors have been preserved in scientific words.
At the shock of the great body the colt was thrown violently on his side; Kirby was tossed over the hedge; and Red Wull pinned beneath the debris. M'Adam had time to rush up and save a tragedy. "I've a mind to knife ye, Kirby," he panted, as he bandaged the smith's broken head.
"Ye murderin' devil, wad ye duar touch ma Wullie?" yelled M'Adam, and, breaking away, pursued hotly down the hill; for the gray dog had picked up the puppy, like a lancer a tent-peg, and was sweeping on, his captive in his mouth, toward the stream. Behind, hurried James Moore and Sam'l, wondering what the issue of the comedy would be. After them toddled old Tammas, chuckling.
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