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Title: Nights With Uncle Remus
Author: Harris, Joel Chandler, 1848-1908
Language: English
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*** Start of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Nights With Uncle Remus" ***
NIGHTS WITH
UNCLE REMUS
BY
JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY MILO WINTER
[Illustration]
BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
The Riverside Press Cambridge
1917
COPYRIGHT, 1851, 1853, 1909, AND 1911, BY THE CENTURY CO.
COPYRIGHT, 1885, BY JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS
COPYRIGHT, 1911, BY ESTHER LA ROSE HARRIS
COPYRIGHT, 1917, BY HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
_Published October 1917_
PUBLISHERS' NOTE
Nights With Uncle Remus is a story-book dearly loved by children.
Besides that, it is an important contribution to the study of
Afro-American folk-lore, and through many years of popularity it
has carried a long and learned Introduction, of great interest to
students but rather forbidding in aspect to youthful readers. In
this new edition, which has been prepared especially for children,
and illustrated in colors by an artist who knows how to please them
as well as their elders, the Introduction has been omitted, but the
stories and their charming setting have been left intact.
_June, 1917_
CONTENTS
I. MR. FOX AND MISS GOOSE 3
II. FOX CATCHES MR. HORSE 7
III. BRER RABBIT AND THE LITTLE GIRL 11
IV. BRER FOX COPIES BRER RABBIT 14
V. BRER RABBIT'S ASTONISHING PRANK 18
VI. BRER RABBIT SECURES A MANSION 22
VII. MR. LION HUNTS FOR MR. MAN 27
VIII. THE STORY OF THE PIGS 31
IX. MR. BENJAMIN RAM AND HIS WONDERFUL FIDDLE 35
X. BRER RABBIT'S RIDDLE 41
XI. HOW MR. ROOSTER LOST HIS DINNER 49
XII. BRER RABBIT BREAKS UP A PARTY 53
XIII. BRER FOX, BRER RABBIT, AND KING DEER'S DAUGHTER 58
XIV. BRER TERRAPIN DECEIVES BRER BUZZARD 62
XV. BRER FOX COVETS THE QUILLS 66
XVI. HOW BRER FOX FAILED TO GET HIS GRAPES 70
XVII. BRER FOX FIGURES AS AN INCENDIARY 75
XVIII. A DREAM AND A STORY 79
XIX. THE MOON IN THE MILL-POND 83
XX. BRER RABBIT TAKES SOME EXERCISE 89
XXI. WHY BRER BEAR HAS NO TAIL 97
XXII. HOW BRER RABBIT FRIGHTENED HIS NEIGHBORS 100
XXIII. MR. MAN HAS SOME MEAT 105
XXIV. HOW BRER RABBIT GOT THE MEAT 108
XXV. AFRICAN JACK 112
XXVI. WHY THE ALLIGATOR'S BACK IS ROUGH 119
XXVII. BRER WOLF SAYS GRACE 123
XXVIII. SPIRITS, SEEN AND UNSEEN 129
XXIX. A GHOST STORY 134
XXX. BRER RABBIT AND HIS FAMOUS FOOT 141
XXXI. "IN SOME LADY'S GARDEN" 149
XXXII. BRER 'POSSUM GETS IN TROUBLE 156
XXXIII. WHY THE GUINEA-FOWLS ARE SPECKLED 162
XXXIV. BRER RABBIT'S LOVE-CHARM 166
XXXV. BRER RABBIT SUBMITS TO A TEST 170
XXXVI. BRER WOLF FALLS A VICTIM 174
XXXVII. BRER RABBIT AND THE MOSQUITOES 179
XXXVIII. THE PIMMERLY PLUM 185
XXXIX. BRER RABBIT GETS THE PROVISIONS 195
XL. "CUTTA CORD-LA!" 200
XLI. AUNT TEMPY'S STORY 204
XLII. THE FIRE-TEST 209
XLIII. THE CUNNING SNAKE 214
XLIV. HOW BRER FOX WAS TOO SMART 218
XLV. BRER WOLF GETS IN A WARM PLACE 225
XLVI. BRER WOLF STILL IN TROUBLE 229
XLVII. BRER RABBIT LAYS IN HIS BEEF SUPPLY 234
XLVIII. BRER RABBIT AND MR. WILDCAT 238
XLIX. MR. BENJAMIN RAM DEFENDS HIMSELF 245
L. BRER RABBIT PRETENDS TO BE POISONED 249
LI. MORE TROUBLE FOR BRER WOLF 253
LII. BRER RABBIT OUTDOES MR. MAN 256
LIII. BRER RABBIT TAKES A WALK 260
LIV. OLD GRINNY-GRANNY WOLF 263
LV. HOW WATTLE WEASEL WAS CAUGHT 267
LVI. BRER RABBIT TIES MR. LION 272
LVII. MR. LION'S SAD PREDICAMENT 276
LVIII. THE ORIGIN OF THE OCEAN 279
LIX. BRER RABBIT GETS BRER FOX'S DINNER 283
LX. HOW THE BEAR NURSED THE LITTLE ALLIGATORS 291
LXI. WHY MR. DOG RUNS BRER RABBIT 295
LXII. BRER WOLF AND THE HORNED CATTLE 298
LXIII. BRER FOX AND THE WHITE MUSCADINES 302
LXIV. MR. HAWK AND BRER BUZZARD 306
LXV. MR. HAWK AND BRER RABBIT 309
LXVI. THE WISE BIRD AND THE FOOLISH BIRD 312
LXVII. OLD BRER TERRAPIN GETS SOME FISH 315
LXVIII. BRER FOX MAKES A NARROW ESCAPE 318
LXIX. BRER FOX'S FISH TRAP 321
LXX. BRER RABBIT RESCUES BRER TERRAPIN 325
LXXI. THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS 333
ILLUSTRATIONS
UNCLE REMUS AND THE LITTLE BOY _Frontispiece_
"HE TO' DOWN A WHOLE PANEL ER FENCE GITTIN' 'WAY FUM DAR" 20
"BRER RABBIT TURNT 'ER ALOOSE, EN DOWN SHE COME--_KER-SWOSH!_" 44
"'BRER TARRYPIN, PLEASE LEMME GO!'" 68
"'_AH-YI!_ YOU OUGHTER AX ME DAT FUS', BRER COON'" 92
"BRER RABBIT FOTCH A WIGGLE, HE DID, EN LIT ON HE FOOTS" 128
"'EF YOU GIT ANY MO' SENSE, SON RILEY, YOU'LL BE DE RUINATION EV
DE WHOLE SETTLEMENT'" 174
"DE LITTLE RABS, DEY PROMISE DAT DEY WON'T OPEN DE DO' FER NOBODY" 212
"EN, BLESS GRACIOUS! DEM AR CREETURS RACKED OFF FUM DAR EN LEF'
OLE BRER WOLF UND' DAT AR ROCK" 232
"HE SORTER HUNCH BRER POSSUM IN DE SHORT RIBS, EN AX 'IM HOW HE
COME ON" 268
"'I DUNNER W'EN I BIN SO SORRY 'BOUT ANYTHING EZ I IS 'BOUT BRER
FOX NICE LONG TAIL'" 286
"HE GIT DE FINEST MESS ER FISH YOU MOS' EVER LAID YO' EYES ON" 324
[Illustration: MR. FOX AND MISS GOOSE]
NIGHTS WITH UNCLE REMUS
I
MR. FOX AND MISS GOOSE
It had been raining all day so that Uncle Remus found it impossible to
go out. The storm had begun, the old man declared, just as the chickens
were crowing for day, and it had continued almost without intermission.
The dark gray clouds had blotted out the sun, and the leafless limbs of
the tall oaks surrendered themselves drearily to the fantastic gusts
that drove the drizzle fitfully before them. The lady to whom Uncle
Remus belonged had been thoughtful of the old man, and 'Tildy, the
house-girl, had been commissioned to carry him his meals. This
arrangement came to the knowledge of the little boy at supper time, and
he lost no time in obtaining permission to accompany 'Tildy.
Uncle Remus made a great demonstration over the thoughtful kindness of
his "Miss Sally."
"Ef she ain't one blessid w'ite 'oman," he said, in his simple, fervent
way, "den dey ain't none un um 'roun' in deze parts."
With that he addressed himself to the supper, while the little boy sat
by and eyed him with that familiar curiosity common to children. Finally
the youngster disturbed the old man with an inquiry:--
"Uncle Remus, do geese stand on one leg all night, or do they sit down
to sleep?"
"Tooby sho' dey does, honey; dey sets down same ez you does. Co'se, dey
don't cross der legs," he added, cautiously, "kase dey sets down right
flat-footed."
"Well, I saw one the other day, and he was standing on one foot, and I
watched him and watched him, and he kept on standing there."
"Ez ter dat," responded Uncle Remus, "dey mought stan' on one foot en
drap off ter sleep en fergit deyse'f. Deze yer gooses," he continued,
wiping the crumbs from his beard with his coat-tail, "is mighty kuse
fowls; deyer mighty kuse. In ole times dey wuz 'mongs de big-bugs, en in
dem days, w'en ole Miss Goose gun a-dinin', all de quality wuz dere.
Likewise, en needer wuz dey stuck-up, kase wid all der kyar'n's on, Miss
Goose wer'n't too proud fer ter take in washin' fer de neighborhoods, en
she make money, en get slick en fat lak Sis Tempy.
"Dis de way marters stan' w'en one day Brer Fox en Brer Rabbit, dey wuz
settin' up at de cotton-patch, one on one side de fence, en t'er one on
t'er side, gwine on wid one er n'er, w'en fus' news dey know, dey year
sump'n--_blim_, _blim_, _blim_!
"Brer Fox, he ax w'at dat fuss is, en Brer Rabbit, he up'n 'spon' dat
it's ole Miss Goose down at de spring. Den Brer Fox, he up'n ax w'at she
doin', en Brer Rabbit, he say, sezee, dat she battlin' cloze."
"Battling clothes, Uncle Remus?" said the little boy.
"Dat w'at dey call it dem days, honey. Deze times, dey rubs cloze on
deze yer bodes w'at got furrers in um, but dem days dey des tuck'n tuck
de cloze en lay um out on a bench, en ketch holt er de battlin'-stick en
natally paddle de fillin' outen um.
"W'en Brer Fox year dat ole Miss Goose wuz down dar dabblin' in soapsuds
en washin' cloze, he sorter lick he chops, en 'low dat some er dese
odd-come-shorts he gwine ter call en pay he 'specks. De minnit he say
dat, Brer Rabbit, he know sump'n' 'uz up, en he 'low ter hisse'f dat he
'speck he better whirl in en have some fun w'iles it gwine on. Bimeby
Brer Fox up'n say ter Brer Rabbit dat he bleedzd ter be movin' 'long
todes home, en wid dat dey bofe say good-bye.
"Brer Fox, he put out ter whar his fambly wuz, but Brer Rabbit, he slip
'roun', he did, en call on ole Miss Goose. Ole Miss Goose she wuz down
at de spring, washin', en b'ilin', en battlin' cloze; but Brer Rabbit he
march up en ax her howdy, en den she tuck'n ax Brer Rabbit howdy.
"'I'd shake han's 'long wid you, Brer Rabbit,' sez she, 'but dey er all
full er suds,' sez she.
"'No marter 'bout dat, Miss Goose,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'so long ez
yo' will's good,' sezee."
"A goose with hands, Uncle Remus!" the little boy exclaimed.
"How you know goose ain't got han's?" Uncle Remus inquired, with a
frown. "Is you been sleepin' longer ole man Know-All? Little mo' en
you'll up'n stan' me down dat snakes ain't got no foots, and yit you
take en lay a snake down yer 'fo' de fier, en his foots 'll come out
right 'fo' yo' eyes."
Uncle Remus paused here, but presently continued:--
"Atter ole Miss Goose en Brer Rabbit done pass de time er day wid one er
n'er, Brer Rabbit, he ax 'er, he did, how she come on deze days, en Miss
Goose say, mighty po'ly.
"'I'm gittin' stiff en I'm gittin' clumpsy,' sez she, 'en mo'n dat I'm
gittin' bline,' sez she. 'Des 'fo' you happen 'long, Brer Rabbit, I drap
my specks in de tub yer, en ef you'd 'a' come 'long 'bout dat time,' sez
ole Miss Goose, sez she, 'I lay I'd er tuck you for dat nasty, owdashus
Brer Fox, en it ud er bin a born blessin' ef I had n't er scald you wid
er pan er b'ilin' suds,' sez she. 'I'm dat glad I foun' my specks I
dunner w'at ter do,' sez ole Miss Goose, sez she.
"Den Brer Rabbit, he up'n say dat bein's how Sis Goose done fotch up
Brer Fox name, he got sump'n' fer ter tell 'er, en den he let out 'bout
Brer Fox gwine ter call on 'er.
"He comin' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee; 'he comin' sho', en w'en he come hit
'll be des 'fo' day,' sezee.
"Wid dat, ole Miss Goose wipe 'er han's on 'er apun, en put 'er specks
up on 'er forrerd, en look lak she done got trouble in 'er mine.
"'Laws-a-massy!' sez she, 'spozen he come, Brer Rabbit! W'at I gwine do?
En dey ain't a man 'bout de house, n'er,' sez she.
"Den Brer Rabbit, he shot one eye, en he say, sezee:--
"'Sis Goose, de time done come w'en you bleedzd ter roos' high. You look
lak you got de dropsy,' sezee, 'but don't mine dat, kase ef you don't
roos' high, youer goner,' sezee.
"Den ole Miss Goose ax Brer Rabbit w'at she gwine do, en Brer Rabbit he
up en tell Miss Goose dat she mus' go home en tie up a bundle er de
w'ite folks' cloze, en put um on de bed, en den she mus' fly up on a
rafter, en let Brer Fox grab de cloze en run off wid um.
"Ole Miss Goose say she much 'blige, en she tuck'n tuck her things en
waddle off home, en dat night she do lak Brer Rabbit say wid de bundle
er cloze, en den she sont wud ter Mr. Dog, en Mr. Dog he come down, en
say he'd sorter set up wid 'er.
"Des 'fo' day, yer come Brer Fox creepin' up, en he went en push on de
do' easy, en de do' open, en he see sump'n' w'ite on de bed w'ich he
took fer Miss Goose, en he grab it en run. 'Bout dat time Mr. Dog sail
out fum und' de house, he did, en ef Brer Fox had n't er drapt de cloze,
he'd er got kotch. Fum dat, wud went 'roun' dat Brer Fox bin tryin' ter
steal Miss Goose cloze, en he come mighty nigh losin' his stannin' at
Miss Meadows. Down ter dis day," Uncle Remus continued, preparing to
fill his pipe, "Brer Fox b'leeve dat Brer Rabbit wuz de 'casion er Mr.
Dog bein' in de neighborhoods at dat time er night, en Brer Rabbit ain't
'spute it. De bad feelin' 'twix' Brer Fox en Mr. Dog start right dar, en
hits bin agwine on twel now dey ain't git in smellin' distuns er one er
n'er widout dey's a row."
II
BRER FOX CATCHES MR. HORSE
There was a pause after the story of old Miss Goose. The culmination was
hardly sensational enough to win the hearty applause of the little boy,
and this fact appeared to have a depressing influence upon Uncle Remus.
As he leaned slightly forward, gazing into the depths of the great
fireplace, his attitude was one of pensiveness.
"I 'speck I done wo' out my welcome up at de big house," he said, after
a while. "I mos' knows I is," he continued, setting himself resignedly
in his deep-bottomed chair. "Kase de las' time I uz up dar, I had my eye
on Miss Sally mighty nigh de whole blessid time, en w'en you see Miss
Sally rustlin' 'roun' makin' lak she fixin' things up dar on de
mantle-shelf, en bouncin' de cheers 'roun', en breshin' dus' whar dey
ain't no dus', en flyin' 'roun' singin' sorter louder dan common, den I
des knows sump'n' done gone en rile 'er."
"Why, Uncle Remus!" exclaimed the little boy; "Mamma was just glad
because I was feeling so good."
"Mought er bin," the old man remarked, in a tone that was far from
implying conviction. "Ef 't wa'n't dat, den she wuz gittin' tired er
seem' me lounjun' 'roun' up dar night atter night, en ef 't wa'n't dat,
den she wuz watchin' a chance fer ter preach ter yo' pa. Oh, I done bin
know Miss Sally long fo' yo' pa is!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, in response
to the astonishment depicted upon the child's face. "I bin knowin' 'er
sence she wuz so high, en endurin' er all dat time I ain't seed no mo'
up'n spoken' w'ite 'oman dan w'at Miss Sally is.
"But dat ain't needer yer ner dar. You done got so youk'n rush down yer
des like you useter, en we kin set yer en smoke, en tell tales, en
study up 'musements same like we wuz gwine on 'fo' you got dat splinter
in yo' foot.
"I mines me er one time"--with an infectious laugh--"w'en ole Brer
Rabbit got Brer Fox in de wuss trubble w'at a man wuz mos' ever got in
yit, en dat 'uz w'en he fool 'im 'bout de hoss. Ain't I never tell you
'bout dat? But no marter ef I is. Hoe-cake ain't cook done good twel
hit's turnt over a couple er times.
"Well, atter Brer Fox done git rested fum keepin' out er de way er Mr.
Dog, en sorter ketch up wid his rations, he say ter hisse'f dat he be
dog his cats ef he don't slorate ole Brer Rabbit ef it take 'im a mont';
en dat, too, on top er all de 'spe'unce w'at he done bin had wid um.
Brer Rabbit he sorter git win' er dis, en one day, w'iles he gwine 'long
de road studyin' how he gwineter hol' he hand wid Brer Fox, he see a
great big Hoss layin' stretch out flat on he side in de pastur'; en he
tuck'n crope up, he did, fer ter see ef dish yer Hoss done gone en die.
He crope up en he crope 'roun', en bimeby he see de Hoss switch he tail,
en den Brer Rabbit know he ain't dead. Wid dat, Brer Rabbit lope back
ter de big road, en mos' de fus' man w'at he see gwine on by wuz Brer
Fox, en Brer Rabbit he tuck atter 'im, en holler:--
"'Brer Fox! O Brer Fox! Come back! I got some good news fer you. Come
back, Brer Fox,' sezee.
"Brer Fox, he tu'n 'roun', he did, en w'en he see who callin' 'im, he
come gallopin' back, kaze it seem like dat des ez gooder time ez any fer
ter nab Brer Rabbit; but 'fo' he git in nabbin' distance, Brer Rabbit he
up'n say, sezee:--
"'Come on, Brer Fox! I done fine de place whar you kin lay in fresh meat
'nuff fer ter las' you plum twel de middle er nex' year,' sezee.
"Brer Fox, he ax wharbouts, en Brer Rabbit, he say, right over dar in de
pastur', en Brer Fox ax w'at is it, en Brer Rabbit, he say w'ich 'twuz a
whole Hoss layin' down on de groun' whar dey kin ketch 'im en tie 'im.
Wid dat, Brer Fox, he say come on, en off dey put.
"W'en dey got dar, sho' nuff, dar lay de Hoss all stretch out in de sun,
fas' 'sleep, en den Brer Fox en Brer Rabbit, dey had a 'spute 'bout how
dey gwine ter fix de Hoss so he can't git loose. One say one way en de
yuther say n'er way, en dar dey had it, twel atter w'ile Brer Rabbit, he
say, sezee:--
"'De onliest plan w'at I knows un, Brer Fox,' sezee, 'is fer you ter git
down dar en lemme tie you ter de Hoss tail, en den, w'en he try ter git
up, you kin hol' 'im down,' sezee. 'Ef I wuz big man like w'at you is,'
sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'you mought tie me ter dat Hoss' tail, en ef I
ain't hol' 'im down, den Joe's dead en Sal's a widder. I des knows you
kin hol' 'im down,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'but yit, ef you 'feared, we
des better drap dat idee en study out some yuther plan,' sezee.
"Brer Fox sorter jubus 'bout dis, but he bleedzd ter play biggity 'fo'
Brer Rabbit, en he tuck'n 'gree ter de progrance, en den Brer Rabbit, he
tuck'n tie Brer Fox ter de Hoss' tail, en atter he git 'im tie dar hard
en fas', he sorter step back, he did, en put he han's 'kimbo, en grin,
en den he say, sezee:--
"Ef ever dey wuz a Hoss kotch, den we done kotch dis un. Look sorter lak
we done put de bridle on de wrong een',' sezee, 'but I lay Brer Fox is
got de strenk fer ter hol' 'im,' sezee.
"Wid dat, Brer Rabbit cut 'im a long switch en trim it up, en w'en he
get it fix, up he step en hit de Hoss a rap--_pow!_ De Hoss 'uz dat
s'prise at dat kinder doin's dat he make one jump, en lan' on he foots.
W'en he do dat, dar wuz Brer Fox danglin' in de a'r, en Brer Rabbit, he
dart out de way en holler:--
"'Hol' 'im down, Brer Fox! Hol' 'im down! I'll stan' out yer en see fa'r
play. Hol' 'im down, Brer Fox! Hol' 'im down!'
"Co'se, w'en de Hoss feel Brer Fox hangin' dar onter he tail, he thunk
sump'n' kuse wuz de marter, en dis make 'im jump en r'ar wusser en
wusser, en he shake up Brer Fox same like he wuz a rag in de win', en
Brer Rabbit, he jump en holler:--
"'Hol' 'im down, Brer Fox! Hol' 'im down! You got 'im now, sho'! Hol'
yo' grip, en hol' 'im down,' sezee.
"De Hoss, he jump en he hump, en he rip en he r'ar, en he snort en he
t'ar. But yit Brer Fox hang on, en still Brer Rabbit skip 'roun' en
holler:--
"'Hol' 'im down, Brer Fox! You got 'im whar he can't needer back ner
squall. Hol' 'im down, Brer Fox!' sezee.
"Bimeby, w'en Brer Fox git chance, he holler back, he did:--
"'How in de name er goodness I gwine ter hol' de Hoss down 'less I git
my claw in de groun'?'
"Den Brer Rabbit, he stan' back little furder en holler little louder:--
"'Hol' 'im down, Brer Fox! Hol' 'im down! You got 'im now, sho'! Hol'
'im down!'
"Bimeby de Hoss 'gun ter kick wid he behime legs, en de fus' news you
know, he fetch Brer Fox a lick in de stomach dat fa'rly make 'im squall,
en den he kick 'im ag'in, en dis time he break Brer Fox loose, en sont
'im a-whirlin'; en Brer Rabbit, he keep on a-jumpin' 'roun' en
hollerin':--
"'Hol' 'im down, Brer Fox!'"
"Did the fox get killed, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy.
"He wa'n't 'zackly kilt, honey," replied the old man, "but he wuz de
nex' do' ter't. He 'uz all broke up, en w'iles he 'uz gittin' well, hit
sorter come 'cross he min' dat Brer Rabbit done play n'er game on 'im."
III
BRER RABBIT AND THE LITTLE GIRL
"What did Brother Rabbit do after that?" the little boy asked presently.
"Now, den, you don't wanter push ole Brer Rabbit too close," replied
Uncle Remus significantly. "He mighty tender-footed creetur, en de mo'
w'at you push 'im, de furder he lef' you."
There was prolonged silence in the old man's cabin, until, seeing that
the little boy was growing restless enough to cast several curious
glances in the direction of the tool chest in the corner, Uncle Remus
lifted one leg over the other, scratched his head reflectively, and
began:--
"One time, atter Brer Rabbit done bin trompin' 'roun' huntin' up some
sallid fer ter make out he dinner wid, he fine hisse'f in de
neighborhoods er Mr. Man house, en he pass 'long twel he come ter de
gyardin-gate, en nigh de gyardin-gate he see Little Gal playin' 'roun'
in de san'. Wen Brer Rabbit look 'twix' de gyardin-palin's en see de
colluds, en de sparrer-grass, en de yuther gyardin truck growin' dar,
hit make he mouf water. Den he take en walk up ter de Little Gal, Brer
Rabbit did, en pull he roach,[1] en bow, en scrape he foot, en talk
mighty nice en slick.
"'Howdy, Little Gal,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee; 'how you come on?' sezee.
"Den de Little Gal, she 'spon' howdy, she did, en she ax Brer Rabbit how
he come on, en Brer Rabbit, he 'low he mighty po'ly, en den he ax ef dis
de Little Gal w'at 'er pa live up dar in de big w'ite house, w'ich de
Little Gal, she up'n say 'twer'. Brer Rabbit, he say he mighty glad,
kaze he des bin up dar fer to see 'er pa, en he say dat 'er pa, he sont
'im out dar fer ter tell de Little Gal dat she mus' open de gyardin-gate
so Brer Rabbit kin go in en git some truck. Den de Little Gal, she jump
'roun', she did, en she open de gate, en wid dat, Brer Rabbit, he hop
in, he did, en got 'im a mess er greens, en hop out ag'in, en w'en he
gwine off he make a bow, he did, en tell de Little Gal dat he much
'blije', en den atter dat he put out fer home.
"Nex' day, Brer Rabbit, he hide out, he did, twel he see de Little Gal
come out ter play, en den he put up de same tale, en walk off wid a n'er
mess er truck, en hit keep on dis a-way, twel bimeby Mr. Man, he 'gun
ter miss his greens, en he keep on a-missin' un um, twel he got ter
excusin' eve'ybody on de place er 'stroyin' un um, en w'en dat come ter
pass, de Little Gal, she up'n say:--
"'My goodness, pa!' sez she, 'you done tole Mr. Rabbit fer ter come and
make me let 'im in de gyardin atter some greens, en ain't he done come
en ax me, en ain't I done gone en let 'im in?' sez she.
"Mr. Man ain't hatter study long 'fo' he see how de lan' lay, en den he
laff, en tell de Little Gal dat he done gone en disremember all 'bout
Mr. Rabbit, en den he up'n say, sezee:--
"'Nex' time Mr. Rabbit come, you tak'n tu'n 'im in, en den you run des
ez fas' ez you kin en come en tell me, kase I got some bizness wid dat
young chap dat's bleedze ter be 'ten' ter,' sezee.
"Sho' nuff, nex' mawnin' dar wuz de Little Gal playin' 'roun', en yer
come Brer Rabbit atter he 'lowance er greens. He wuz ready wid de same
tale, en den de Little Gal, she tu'n 'im in, she did, en den she run up
ter de house en holler:--
"'O pa! pa! O pa! Yer Brer Rabbit in de gyardin now! Yer he is, pa!'
"Den Mr. Man, he rush out, en grab up a fishin'-line w'at bin hangin' in
de back po'ch, en mak fer de gyardin, en w'en he git dar, dar wuz Brer
Rabbit tromplin' 'roun' on de strawbe'y-bed en mashin' down de
termartusses. W'en Brer Rabbit see Mr. Man, he squot behime a collud
leaf, but 't wa'n't no use. Mr. Man done seed him, en 'fo' you kin
count 'lev'm, he done got ole Brer Rabbit tie hard en fas' wid de
fishin'-line. Atter he got him tie good, Mr. Man step back, he did, en
say, sezee:--
"'You done bin fool me lots er time, but dis time you er mine. I'm gwine
ter take you en gin you a larrupin',' sezee, 'en den I'm gwine ter skin
you en nail yo' hide on de stable do',' sezee; 'en den ter make sho dat
you git de right kinder larrupin', I'll des step up ter de house,'
sezee, 'en fetch de little red cowhide, en den I'll take en gin you
brinjer,' sezee.
"Den Mr. Man call to der Little Gal ter watch Brer Rabbit w'iles he
gone.
"Brer Rabbit ain't sayin' nothin', but Mr. Man ain't mo'n out de gate
'fo' he 'gun ter sing; en in dem days Brer Rabbit wuz a singer, mon,"
continued Uncle Remus, with unusual emphasis, "en w'en he chuned up fer
ter sing he make dem yuther creeturs hol' der bref."
"What did he sing, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy.
"Ef I ain't fergit dat song off'n my min'," said Uncle Remus, looking
over his spectacles at the fire, with a curious air of attempting to
remember something, "hit run sorter dish yer way:--
"'_De jay-bird hunt de sparrer-nes',
De bee-martin sail all 'roun';
De squer'l, he holler from de top er de tree,
Mr. Mole, he stay in de groun';
He hide en he stay twel de dark drop down--
Mr. Mole, he hide in de groun'._'
"W'en de Little Gal year dat, she laugh, she did, and she up'n ax Brer
Babbit fer ter sing some mo', but Brer Rabbit, he sorter cough, he did,
en 'low dat he got a mighty bad ho'seness down inter he win'pipe
some'rs. De Little Gal, she swade,[2] en swade, en bimeby Brer Rabbit,
he up 'n 'low dat he kin dance mo' samer dan w'at he kin sing. Den de
Little Gal, she ax' im won't he dance, en Brer Rabbit, he 'spon' how in
de name er goodness kin a man dance w'iles he all tie up dis a-way, en
den de Little Gal, she say she kin ontie 'im, en Brer Rabbit, he say he
ain't keerin' ef she do. Wid dat de Little Gal, she retch down en
onloose de fish-line, en Brer Rabbit, he sorter stretch hisse'f en look
'roun'."
Here Uncle Remus paused and sighed, as though he had relieved his mind
of a great burden. The little boy waited a few minutes for the old man
to resume, and finally he asked:--
"Did the Rabbit dance, Uncle Remus?"
"Who? Him?" exclaimed the old man, with a queer affectation of elation.
"Bless yo' soul, honey! Brer Rabbit gedder up his foots und' 'im, en he
dance outer dat gyardin, en he dance home. He did dat! Sho'ly you don't
'speck' dat a ole-timer w'at done had 'spe'unce like Brer Rabbit gwine
ter stay dar en let dat ar Mr. Man sackyfice 'im? _Shoo!_ Brer Rabbit
dance, but he dance home. You year me!"
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Topknot, foretop.
[2] Persuaded.
IV
BRER FOX COPIES BRER RABBIT
Uncle Remus chuckled a moment over the escape of Brother Rabbit, and
then turned his gaze upward toward the cobwebbed gloom that seemed to
lie just beyond the rafters. He sat thus silent and serious a little
while, but finally squared himself around in his chair and looked the
little boy full in the face. The old man's countenance expressed a
curious mixture of sorrow and bewilderment. Catching the child by the
coat-sleeve, Uncle Remus pulled him gently to attract his attention.
"Hit look like ter me," he said presently, in the tone of one
approaching an unpleasant subject, "dat no longer'n yistiddy I see one
er dem ar Favers chillun clim'in' dat ar big red-oak out yan', en den it
seem like dat a little chap 'bout yo' size, he tuck'n start up ter see
ef he can't play smarty like de Favers's yearlin's. I dunner w'at in de
name er goodness you wanter be a-copyin' atter dem ar Faverses fer. Ef
you er gwine ter copy atter yuther folks, copy atter dem w'at's some
'count. Yo' pa, he got de idee dat some folks is good ez yuther folks;
but Miss Sally, she know better. She know dat dey ain't no Favers 'pon
de top side er de yeth w'at kin hol' der han' wid de Abercrombies in
p'int er breedin' en raisin'. Dat w'at Miss Sally know. I bin keepin'
track er dem Faverses sence way back yan' long 'fo' Miss Sally wuz
born'd. Ole Cajy Favers, he went ter de po'house, en ez ter dat Jim
Favers, I boun' you he know de inside er all de jails in dish yer State
er Jawjy. Dey allers did hate niggers kase dey ain't had none, en dey
hates um down ter dis day.
"Year 'fo' las'," Uncle Remus continued, "I year yo Unk' Jeems
Abercrombie tell dat same Jim Favers dat ef he lay de weight er he han'
on one er his niggers, he'd slap a load er buck shot in 'im; en, bless
yo' soul, honey, yo' Unk' Jeems wuz des de man ter do it. But dey er
monst'us perlite unter me, dem Faverses is," pursued the old man,
allowing his indignation, which had risen to a white heat, to cool off,
"en dey better be," he added spitefully, "kase I knows der pedigree fum
de fus' ter de las', en w'en I gits my Affikin up, dey ain't nobody,
'less it's Miss Sally 'erse'f, w'at kin keep me down.
"But dat ain't needer yer ner dar," said Uncle Remus, renewing his
attack upon the little boy. "W'at you wanter go copyin' atter dem Favers
chillun fer? Youer settin' back dar, right dis minnit, bettin' longer
yo'se'f dat I ain't gwine ter tell Miss Sally, en dar whar youer lettin'
yo' foot slip, kaze I'm gwine ter let it pass dis time, but de ve'y nex'
time w'at I ketches you in hollerin' distuns er dem Faverses, right den
en dar I'm gwine ter take my foot in my han' en go en tell Miss Sally,
en ef she don't natally skin you 'live, den she ain't de same 'oman w'at
she useter be.
"All dish yer copyin' atter deze yer Faverses put me in min' er de time
w'en Brer Fox got ter copyin' atter Brer Rabbit. I done tole you 'bout
de time w'en Brer Rabbit git de game fum Brer Fox by makin' like he
dead?"[3]
The little boy remembered it very distinctly, and said as much.
"Well, den, ole Brer Fox, w'en he see how slick de trick wuk wid Brer
Rabbit, he say ter hisse'f dat he b'leeve he'll up'n try de same kinder
game on some yuther man, en he keep on watchin' fer he chance, twel
bimeby, one day, he year Mr. Man comin' down de big road in a one-hoss
waggin, kyar'n some chickens, en some eggs, en some butter, ter town.
Brer Fox year 'im comin', he did, en w'at do he do but go en lay down in
de road front er de waggin. Mr. Man, he druv 'long, he did, cluckin' ter
de hoss en hummin' ter hisse'f, en w'en dey git mos' up ter Brer Fox, de
hoss, he shy, he did, en Mr. Man, he tuck'n holler Wo! en de hoss, he
tuck'n wo'd. Den Mr. Man, he look down, en he see Brer Fox layin' out
dar on de groun' des like he cole en stiff, en w'en Mr. Man see dis, he
holler out:--
"'Heyo! Dar de chap w'at been nabbin' up my chickens, en somebody done
gone en shot off a gun at 'im, w'ich I wish she'd er bin two guns--dat I
does!'
"Wid dat, Mr. Man he druv on en lef Brer Fox layin' dar. Den Brer Fox,
he git up en run 'roun' thoo de woods en lay down front er Mr. Man
ag'in, en Mr. Man come drivin' 'long, en he see Brer Fox, en he say,
sezee;--
"'Heyo! Yer de ve'y chap what been 'stroyin' my pigs. Somebody done gone
en kilt 'im, en I wish dey'd er kilt 'im long time ago.'
"Den Mr. Man, he druv on, en de waggin-w'eel come mighty nigh mashin'
Brer Fox nose; yit, all de same, Brer Fox lipt up en run 'roun' 'head er
Mr. Man, en lay down in de road, en w'en Mr. Man come 'long, dar he wuz
all stretch out like he big 'nuff fer ter fill a two-bushel baskit, en
he look like he dead 'nuff fer ter be skint. Mr. Man druv up, he did, en
stop. He look down pun Brer Fox, en den he look all 'roun' fer ter see
w'at de 'casion er all deze yer dead Fox is. Mr. Man look all 'roun', he
did, but he ain't see nothin', en needer do he year nothin'. Den he set
dar en study, en bimeby he 'low ter hisse'f, he did, dat he had better
'zamin' w'at kinder kuse zeeze[4] done bin got inter Brer Fox fambly, en
wid dat he lit down outer de waggin, en feel er Brer Fox year; Brer Fox
year feel right wom. Den he feel Brer Fox neck; Brer Fox neck right wom.
Den he feel er Brer Fox in de short ribs; Brer Fox all soun' in de short
ribs. Den he feel er Brer Fox lim's; Brer Fox all soun' in de lim's. Den
he tu'n Brer Fox over, en, lo en beholes, Brer Fox right limber. Wen Mr.
Man see dis, he say ter hisse'f, sezee:--
"'Heyo, yer! how come dis? Dish yer chicken-nabber look lak he dead, but
dey ain't no bones broked, en I ain't see no blood, en needer does I
feel no bruise; en mo'n dat he wom en he limber,' sezee. 'Sump'n' wrong
yer, sho'! Dish yer pig-grabber _mought_ be dead, en den ag'in he
moughtent,' sezee; 'but ter make sho' dat he is, I'll des gin 'im a
whack wid my w'ip-han'le,' sezee; en wid dat, Mr. Man draw back en fotch
Brer Fox a clip behime de years--_pow!_--en de lick come so hard en it
come so quick dat Brer Fox thunk sho' he's a goner; but 'fo' Mr. Man kin
draw back fer ter fetch 'im a n'er wipe, Brer Fox, he scramble ter his
feet, he did, en des make tracks 'way fum dar."
Uncle Remus paused and shook the cold ashes from his pipe, and then
applied the moral:--
"Dat w'at Brer Fox git fer playin' Mr. Smarty en copyin' atter yuther
foks, en dat des de way de whole Smarty fambly gwine ter come out."
FOOTNOTES:
[3] _Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings_, p. 70 (New York: D.
Appleton & Co.).
[4] Disease.
V
BRER RABBIT'S ASTONISHING PRANK
"I 'speck dat 'uz de reas'n w'at make ole Brer Rabbit git 'long so well,
kaze he ain't copy atter none er de yuther creeturs," Uncle Remus
continued, after a while. "Wen he make his disappearance 'fo' um, hit
'uz allers in some bran new place. Dey ain't know wharbouts fer ter
watch out fer 'im. He wuz de funniest creetur er de whole gang. Some
folks moughter call him lucky, en yit, w'en he git in bad luck, hit look
lak he mos' allers come out on top. Hit look mighty kuse now, but 't
wa'n't kuse in dem days, kaze hit 'uz done gun up dat, strike 'im w'en
you might en whar you would, Brer Rabbit wuz de soopless creetur gwine.
"One time, he sorter tuck a notion, ole Brer Rabbit did, dat he'd pay
Brer B'ar a call, en no sooner do de notion strike 'im dan he pick
hisse'f up en put out fer Brer B'ar house."
"Why, I thought they were mad with each other," the little boy
exclaimed.
"Brer Rabbit make he call w'en Brer B'ar en his fambly wuz off fum
home," Uncle Remus explained, with a chuckle which was in the nature of
a hearty tribute to the crafty judgment of Brother Rabbit.
"He sot down by de road, en he see um go by,--ole Brer B'ar en ole Miss
B'ar, en der two twin-chilluns, w'ich one un um wuz name Kubs en de t'er
one wuz name Klibs."
The little boy laughed, but the severe seriousness of Uncle Remus would
have served for a study, as he continued:--
"Ole Brer B'ar en Miss B'ar, dey went 'long ahead, en Kubs en Klibs, dey
come shufflin' en scramblin' 'long behime. W'en Brer Rabbit see dis, he
say ter hisse'f dat he 'speck he better go see how Brer B'ar gittin' on;
en off he put. En 't wa'n't long n'er 'fo' he 'uz ransackin' de
premmuses same like he 'uz sho' 'nuff patter-roller. Wiles he wuz gwine
'roun' peepin' in yer en pokin' in dar, he got ter foolin' 'mong de
shelfs, en a bucket er honey w'at Brer B'ar got hid in de cubbud fall
down en spill on top er Brer Rabbit, en little mo'n he'd er bin drown.
Fum head ter heels dat creetur wuz kiver'd wid honey; he wa'n't des only
bedobble wid it, he wuz des kiver'd. He hatter set dar en let de natal
sweetness drip outen he eyeballs 'fo' he kin see he han' befo' 'im, en
den, atter he look' 'roun' little, he say to hisse'f, sezee:--
"'Heyo, yer! W'at I gwine do now? Ef I go out in de sunshine, de
bumly-bees en de flies dey'll swom up'n take me, en if I stay yer, Brer
B'ar'll come back en ketch me, en I dunner w'at in de name er gracious I
gwine do.'
"Ennyhow, bimeby a notion strike Brer Rabbit, en he tip 'long twel he
git in de woods, en w'en he git out dar, w'at do he do but roll in de
leafs en trash en try fer ter rub de honey off'n 'im dat a-way. He roll,
he did, en de leafs dey stick; Brer Rabbit roll, en de leafs dey stick,
en he keep on rollin' en de leafs keep on stickin', twel atter w'ile
Brer Rabbit wuz de mos' owdashus-lookin' creetur w'at you ever sot eyes
on. En ef Miss Meadows en de gals could er seed 'im den en dar, dey
would n't er bin no mo' Brer Rabbit call at der house; 'deed, en dat dey
would n't.
"Brer Rabbit, he jump 'roun', he did, en try ter shake de leafs off'a
'im, but de leafs, dey ain't gwine ter be shuck off. Brer Rabbit, he
shake en he shiver, but de leafs dey stick; en de capers dat creetur cut
up out dar in de woods by he own-alone se'f wuz scan'lous--dey wuz dat;
dey wuz scan'lous.
"Brer Rabbit see dis wa'nt gwine ter do, en he 'low ter hisse'f dat he
better be gittin' on todes home, en off he put. I 'speck you done year
talk er deze yer booggers w'at gits atter bad chilluns," continued Uncle
Remus, in a tone so seriously confidential as to be altogether
depressing; "well, den, des 'zactly dat a-way Brer Rabbit look, en ef
you'd er seed 'im you'd er made sho' he de gran'-daddy er all de
booggers. Brer Rabbit pace 'long, he did, en ev'y motion he make, de
leafs dey'd go _swishy-swushy_, _splushy-splishy_, en, fum de fuss he
make en de way he look, you'd er tuck 'im ter be de mos' suvvigus
varment w'at disappear fum de face er de yeth sence ole man Noah let
down de draw-bars er de ark en tu'n de creeturs loose; en I boun' ef
you'd er struck up long wid 'im, you'd er been mighty good en glad ef
you'd er got off wid dat.
"De fus' man w'at Brer Rabbit come up wid wuz ole Sis Cow, en no sooner
is she lay eyes on 'im dan she h'ist up 'er tail in de elements, en put
out like a pack er dogs wuz atter 'er. Dis make Brer Rabbit laff, kaze
he know dat w'en a ole settle' 'oman like Sis Cow run 'stracted in de
broad open day-time, dat dey mus' be sump'n' mighty kuse 'bout dem leafs
en dat honey, en he keep on a-rackin' down de road. De nex' man w'at he
meet wuz a black gal tollin' a whole passel er plantation shotes, en
w'en de gal see Brer Rabbit come prancin' 'long, she fling down 'er
basket er corn en des fa'rly fly, en de shotes, dey tuck thoo de woods,
en sech n'er racket ez dey kick up wid der runnin', en der snortin', en
der squealin' ain't never bin year in dat settlement needer befo' ner
since. Hit keep on dis a-way long ez Brer Rabbit meet anybody--dey des
broke en run like de Ole Boy wuz atter um.
[Illustration: "HE TO' DOWN A WHOLE PANEL ER FENCE GITTEN
'WAY FUM DAR"]
"Co'se, dis make Brer Rabbit feel monst'us biggity, en he 'low ter
hisse'f dat he 'speck he better drap 'roun' en skummish in de
neighborhoods er Brer Fox house. En w'iles he wuz stannin' dar runnin'
dis 'roun' in he min', yer come old Brer B'ar en all er he fambly. Brer
Rabbit, he git crossways de road, he did, en he sorter sidle todes um.
Ole Brer B'ar, he stop en look, but Brer Rabbit, he keep on sidlin'
todes um. Ole Miss B'ar, she stan' it long ez she kin, en den she fling
down 'er parrysol en tuck a tree. Brer B'ar look lak he gwine ter stan'
his groun', but Brer Rabbit he jump straight up in de a'r en gin hisse'f
a shake, en, bless yo' soul, honey! ole Brer B'ar make a break, en dey
tells me he to' down a whole panel er fence gittin' 'way fum dar. En
ez ter Kubs en Klibs, dey tuck der hats in der han's, en dey went
skaddlin' thoo de bushes des same ez a drove er hosses."
"And then what?" the little boy asked.
"Brer Rabbit p'raded on down de road," continued Uncle Remus, "en bimeby
yer come Brer Fox en Brer Wolf, fixin' up a plan fer ter nab Brer
Rabbit, en dey wuz so intents on der confab dat dey got right on Brer
Rabbit 'fo' dey seed 'im; but, gentermens! w'en dey is ketch a glimpse
un 'im, dey gun 'im all de room he want. Brer Wolf, he try ter show off,
he did, kase he wanter play big 'fo' Brer Fox, en he stop en ax Brer
Rabbit who is he. Brer Rabbit, he jump up en down in de middle er de
road, en holler out:--
"'I'm de Wull-er-de-Wust.[5] I'm de Wull-er-de-Wust, en youer de man I'm
atter!'
"Den Brer Rabbit jump up en down en make lak he gwine atter Brer Fox en
Brer Wolf, en de way dem creeturs lit out fum dar wuz a caution.
"Long time atter dat," continued Uncle Remus, folding his hands placidly
in his lap, with the air of one who has performed a pleasant
duty,--"long time atter dat, Brer Rabbit come up wid Brer Fox en Brer
Wolf, en he git behime a stump, Brer Rabbit did, en holler out:--
"'I'm de Wull-er-de-Wust, en youer de mens I'm atter!'
"Brer Fox en Brer Wolf, dey broke, but 'fo' dey got outer sight en outer
yar'n', Brer Rabbit show hisse'f, he did, en laugh fit ter kill hisse'f.
Atterwuds, Miss Meadows she year 'bout it, en de nex' time Brer Fox
call, de gals dey up en giggle, en ax 'im ef he ain't feard de
Wull-er-de-Wust mought drap in."
FOOTNOTE:
[5] Or Wull-er-de-Wuts. Probably a fantastic corruption of
"will-o'-the-wisp," though this is not by any means certain.
VI
BRER RABBIT SECURES A MANSION
The rain continued to fall the next day, but the little boy made
arrangements to go with 'Tildy when she carried Uncle Remus his supper.
This happened to be a waiter full of things left over from dinner. There
was so much that the old man was moved to remark:--
"I cl'ar ter gracious, hit look lak Miss Sally done got my name in de
pot dis time, sho'. I des wish you look at dat pone er co'n-bread,
honey, en dem ar greens, en see ef dey ain't got Remus writ some'rs on
um. Dat ar chick'n fixin's, dey look lak deyer good, yet 'taint
familious wid me lak dat ar bile ham. Dem ar sweet-taters, dey stan's
fa'r fer dividjun, but dem ar puzzuv,[6] I lay dey fit yo' palate mo'
samer dan dey does mine. Dish yer hunk er beef, we kin talk 'bout dat
w'en de time come, en dem ar biscuits, I des nat'ally knows Miss Sally
put um in dar fer some little chap w'ich his name I ain't gwine ter call
in comp'ny."
It was easy to perceive that the sight of the supper had put Uncle Remus
in rare good-humor. He moved around briskly, taking the plates from the
waiter and distributing them with exaggerated carefulness around upon
his little pine table. Meanwhile he kept up a running fire of
conversation.
"Folks w'at kin set down en have der vittles brung en put down right
spang und' der nose--dem kinder folks ain't got no needs er no umbrell.
Night 'fo' las', w'iles I wuz settin' dar in de do', I year dem
Willis-whistlers, en den I des knowed we 'uz gwine ter git a season."[7]
"The Willis-whistlers, Uncle Remus," exclaimed the little boy. "What are
they?"
"Youer too hard fer me now, honey. Dat w'at I knows I don't min'
tellin', but w'en you axes me 'bout dat w'at I dunno, den youer too hard
fer me, sho'. Deze yer Willis-whistlers, dey bangs my time, en I bin
knockin' 'roun' in dish yer low-groun' now gwine on eighty year. Some
folks wanter make out deyer frogs, yit I wish dey p'int out unter me how
frogs kin holler so dat de nigher you come t'um, de furder you is off; I
be mighty glad ef some un 'ud come 'long en tell me dat. Many en many's
de time is I gone atter deze yer Willis-whistlers, en, no diffunce whar
I goes, deyer allers off yander. You kin put de shovel in de fier en
make de squinch-owl hush he fuss, en you kin go out en put yo' han' on
de trees en make deze yere locus'-bugs quit der racket, but dem ar
Willis-whistlers deyer allers 'way off yander."[8]
Suddenly Uncle Remus paused over one of the dishes, and exclaimed:--
"Gracious en de goodness! W'at kinder doin's is dis Miss Sally done gone
sont us?"
"That," said the little boy, after making an investigation, "is what
mamma calls a floating island."
"Well, den," Uncle Remus remarked, in a relieved tone, "dat's diffunt. I
wuz mos' fear'd it 'uz some er dat ar sillerbug, w'ich a whole jugful
ain't ska'cely 'nuff fer ter make you seem like you dremp 'bout smellin'
dram. Ef I'm gwine ter be fed on foam," continued the old man, by way of
explaining his position on the subject of syllabub, "let it be foam, en
ef I'm gwine ter git dram, lemme git in reach un it w'ile she got some
strenk lef'. Dat's me up an down. W'en it come ter yo' floatin' ilun,
des gimme a hunk er ginger-cake en a mug er 'simmon-beer, en dey won't
fine no nigger w'ats got no slicker feelin's dan w'at I is.
"Miss Sally mighty kuse w'ite 'oman," Uncle Remus went on. "She sendin'
all deze doin's en fixin's down yer, en I 'speck deyer monst'us nice,
but no longer'n las' Chuseday she had all de niggers on de place, big en
little, gwine squallin' 'roun' fer Remus. Hit 'uz Remus yer en Remus
dar, en, lo en beholes, w'en I come ter fine out, Miss Sally want Remus
fer ter whirl in en cook 'er one er deze yer ole-time ash-cakes. She
bleedzd ter have it den en dar; en w'en I git it done, Miss Sally, she
got a glass er buttermilk, en tuck'n sot right flat down on de flo', des
like she useter w'en she wuz little gal." The old man paused,
straightened up, looked at the child over his spectacles, and continued,
with emphasis: "En I be bless ef she ain't eat a hunk er dat ash-cake
mighty nigh ez big ez yo' head, en den she tuck'n make out 't wa'n't
cook right.
"Now, den, honey, all deze done fix. You set over dar, and I'll set over
yer, en 'twix' en 'tween us we'll sample dish yer truck en see w'at is
it Miss Sally done gone en sont us; en w'iles we er makin' 'way wid it,
I'll sorter rustle 'roun' wid my 'membunce, en see ef I kin call ter
min' de tale 'bout how ole Brer Rabbit got 'im a two-story house widout
layin' out much cash."
Uncle Remus stopped talking a little while and pretended to be trying to
remember something,--an effort that was accompanied by a curious humming
sound in his throat. Finally, he brightened up and began:--
"Hit tu'n out one time dat a whole lot er de creeturs tuck a notion dat
dey'd go in coboots wid buil'n' un um a house. Ole Brer B'ar, he was
'mongs' um, en Brer Fox, en Brer Wolf, en Brer 'Coon, en Brer 'Possum. I
won't make sho', but it seem like ter me dat plum down ter ole Brer Mink
'uz 'mongs' um. Leas'ways, dey wuz a whole passel un um, en dey whirl
in, dey did, en dey buil' de house in less'n no time. Brer Rabbit, he
make lak it make he head swim fer ter climb up on de scaffle, en
likewise he say it make 'im ketch de palsy fer ter wuk in de sun, but he
got 'im a squar', en he stuck a pencil behime he year, en he went
'roun' medjun[9] en markin'--medjun en markin'--en he wuz dat busy dat
de yuther creeturs say ter deyse'f he doin' monst'us sight er wuk, en
folks gwine 'long de big road say Brer Rabbit doin' mo' hard wuk dan de
whole kit en bilin' un um. Yit all de time Brer Rabbit ain't doin'
nothin', en he des well bin layin' off in de shade scratchin' de fleas
off'n 'im. De yuther creeturs, dey buil' de house, en, gentermens! she
'uz a fine un, too, mon. She'd 'a' bin a fine un deze days, let 'lone
dem days. She had er upsta'rs en downsta'rs, en chimbleys all 'roun', en
she had rooms fer all de creeturs w'at went inter cahoots en hope make
it.
"Brer Rabbit, he pick out one er de upsta'rs rooms, en he tuck'n' got
'im a gun, en one er deze yer brass cannons, en he tuck'n' put um in dar
w'en de yuther creeturs ain't lookin', en den he tuck'n' got 'im a tub
er nasty slop-water, w'ich likewise he put in dar w'en dey ain't
lookin'. So den, w'en dey git de house all fix, en w'iles dey wuz all
a-settin' in de parlor atter supper, Brer Rabbit, he sorter gap en
stretch hisse'f, en make his 'skuses en say he b'leeve he'll go ter he
room. W'en he git dar, en w'iles all de yuther creeturs wuz a-laughin'
en a-chattin' des ez sociable ez you please, Brer Rabbit, he stick he
head out er de do' er he room en sing out:--
"'Wen a big man like me wanter set down, wharbouts he gwine ter set?'
sezee.
"Den de yuther creeturs dey laugh, en holler back:--
"'Ef big man like you can't set in a cheer, he better set down on de
flo'.'
"'Watch out down dar, den,' sez ole Brer Rabbit, sezee. 'Kaze I'm a
gwine ter set down,' sezee.
"Wid dat, _bang!_ went Brer Rabbit gun. Co'se, dis sorter 'stonish de
creeturs, en dey look 'roun' at one er n'er much ez ter say, W'at in de
name er gracious is dat? Dey lissen en lissen, but dey don't year no mo'
fuss, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' dey got ter chattin' en jabberin' some
mo'. Bimeby, Brer Rabbit stick he head outer he room do', en sing out:--
"'Wen a big man like me wanter sneeze, wharbouts he gwine ter sneeze
at?'
"Den de yuther creeturs, dey tuck'n holler back:--
"'Ef big man like you ain't a-gone gump, he kin sneeze anywhar he
please.'
"'Watch out down dar, den,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. 'Kaze I'm gwine ter
tu'n loose en sneeze right yer,' sezee.
"Wid dat, Brer Rabbit let off his cannon--_bulderum-m-m!_ De
winder-glass dey shuck en rattle, en de house shuck like she gwine ter
come down, en ole Brer B'ar, he fell out de rockin'-cheer--_kerblump!_
W'en de creeturs git sorter settle, Brer 'Possum en Brer Mink, dey up'n
'low dat Brer Rabbit got sech a monst'us bad cole, dey b'leeve dey'll
step out and git some fresh a'r, but dem yuther creeturs, dey say dey
gwine ter stick it out; en atter w'ile, w'en dey git der h'ar smoove
down, dey 'gun ter jower 'mongs' deyse'f. 'Bout dat time, w'en dey get
in a good way, Brer Rabbit, he sing out:--
"'W'en a big man like me take a chaw terbacker, wharbouts he gwine ter
spit?'
"Den de yuther creeturs, dey holler back, dey did, sorter like deyer
mad:--
"'Big man er little man, spit whar you please.'
"Den Brer Rabbit, he squall out:--
"'Dis de way a big man spit!' en wid dat he tilt over de tub er
slop-water, en w'en de yuther creeturs year it come a-sloshin' down de
sta'r-steps, gentermens! dey des histed deyse'f outer dar. Some un um
went out de back do', en some un um went out de front do', en some un um
fell out de winders; some went one way en some went n'er way; but dey
all went sailin' out."
"But what became of Brother Rabbit?" the little boy asked.
"Brer Rabbit, he des tuck'n shot up de house en fassen de winders, en
den he got ter bed, he did, en pull de coverled up 'roun' he years, en
he sleep like a man w'at ain't owe nobody nuthin'; en needer do he owe
um, kaze ef dem yuther creeturs gwine git skeer'd en run off fum der own
house, w'at bizness is dat er Brer Rabbit? Dat w'at I like ter know."
FOOTNOTES:
[6] Preserves.
[7] In the South, a rain is called a "season," not only by the negroes,
but by many white farmers.
[8] It is a far-away sound that might be identified with one of the
various undertones of silence, but it is palpable enough (if the word
may be used) to have attracted the attention of the humble philosophers
of the old plantation.
[9] Measuring.
VII
MR. LION HUNTS FOR MR. MAN
Uncle Remus sighed heavily as he lifted the trivet on the head of his
walking-cane, and hung it carefully by the side of the griddle in the
cavernous fireplace.
"Folks kin come 'long wid der watchermaycollums," he said presently,
turning to the little boy, who was supplementing his supper by biting
off a chew of shoemaker's-wax, "en likewise dey kin fetch 'roun' der
watziznames. Dey kin walk biggity, en dey kin talk biggity, en mo'n dat,
dey kin feel biggity, but yit all de same deyer gwine ter git kotch up
wid. Dey go 'long en dey go 'long, en den bimeby yer come trouble en
snatch um slonchways, en de mo' bigger w'at dey is, de wusser does dey
git snatched."
The little boy did n't understand this harangue at all, but he
appreciated it because he recognized it as the prelude to a story.
"Dar wuz Mr. Lion," Uncle Remus went on; "he tuck'n sot hisse'f up fer
ter be de boss er all de yuther creeturs, en he feel so biggity dat he
go ro'in' en rampin' 'roun' de neighborhoods wuss'n dat ar speckle bull
w'at you see down at yo' Unk' Jeems Abercrombie place las' year. He went
ro'in' 'roun', he did, en eve'ywhar he go he year talk er Mr. Man. Right
in de middle er he braggin', some un 'ud up'n tell 'im 'bout w'at Mr.
Man done done. Mr. Lion, he say he done dis, en den he year 'bout how
Mr. Man done dat. Hit went on dis a-way twel bimeby Mr. Lion shake he
mane, he did, en he up'n say dat he gwine ter s'arch 'roun' en 'roun',
en high en low, fer ter see ef he can't fine Mr. Man, en he 'low, Mr.
Lion did, dat w'en he do fine 'im, he gwine ter tu'n in en gin Mr. Man
sech n'er larrupin' w'at nobody ain't never had yit. Dem yuther
creeturs, dey tuck'n tell Mr. Lion dat he better let Mr. Man 'lone, but
Mr. Lion say he gwine ter hunt 'im down spite er all dey kin do.
"Sho' nuff, atter he done tuck some res', Mr. Lion, he put out down de
big road. Sun, she rise up en shine hot, but Mr. Lion, he keep on; win',
hit come up en blow, en fill de elements full er dust; rain, hit drif'
up en drizzle down; but Mr. Lion, he keep on. Bimeby, w'iles he gwine on
dis a-way, wid he tongue hangin' out, he come up wid Mr. Steer, grazin'
'long on de side er de road. Mr. Lion, he up'n ax 'im howdy, he did,
monst'us perlite, en Mr. Steer likewise he bow en scrape en show his
manners. Den Mr. Lion, he do lak he wanter have some confab wid 'im, en
he up'n say, sezee:--
"'Is dey anybody 'roun' in deze parts name Mr. Man?' sezee.
"'Tooby sho' dey is,' sez Mr. Steer, sezee; 'anybody kin tell you dat. I
knows 'im mighty well,' sezee.
"'Well, den, he de ve'y chap I'm atter,' sezee.
"'W'at mought be yo' bizness wid Mr. Man?' sez Mr. Steer, sezee.
"'I done come dis long ways fer ter gin 'im a larrupin',' sez Mr. Lion,
sezee. 'I'm gwine ter show 'im who de boss er deze neighborhoods,'
sezee, en wid dat Mr. Lion, he shake he mane, en switch he tail, en
strut up en down wuss'n one er deze yer town niggers.
"'Well, den, ef dat w'at you come atter,' sez Mr. Steer, sezee, 'you des
better slew yo'se'f 'roun' en p'int yo' nose todes home, kaze you fixin'
fer ter git in sho' 'nuff trouble,' sezee.
"'I'm gwine ter larrup dat same Mr. Man,' sez Mr. Lion, sezee; 'I done
come fer dat, en dat w'at I'm gwine ter do,' sezee.
"Mr. Steer, he draw long breff, he did, en chaw he cud slow, en atter
w'ile he say, sezee:--
"'You see me stannin' yer front er yo' eyes, en you see how big I is, en
w'at long, sharp hawns I got. Well, big ez my heft is, en sharp dough my
hawns be, yit Mr. Man, he come out yer en he ketch me, en he put me und'
a yoke, en he hitch me up in a kyart, en he make me haul he wood, en he
drive me anywhar he min' ter. He do dat. Better let Mr. Man 'lone,'
sezee. 'If you fool 'long wid 'im, watch out dat he don't hitch you up
en have you prancin' 'roun' yer pullin' he kyart,' sezee.
"Mr. Lion, he fotch a roar, en put out down de road, en 't wa'n't so
mighty long 'fo' he come up wid Mr. Hoss, w'ich he wuz a-nibblin' en
a-croppin' de grass. Mr. Lion make hisse'f know'd, en den he tuck'n ax
Mr. Hoss do he know Mr. Man.
"'Mighty well,' sez Mr. Hoss, sezee, 'en mo'n dat, I bin a-knowin' 'im a
long time. W'at you want wid Mr. Man?' sezee.
"'I'm a-huntin' 'im up fer ter larrup 'im,' sez Mr. Lion, sezee. 'Dey
tells me he mighty stuck up,' sezee, 'en I gwine take 'im down a peg,'
sezee.
"Mr. Hoss look at Mr. Lion like he sorry, en bimeby he up'n say:--
"'I 'speck you better let Mr. Man 'lone,' sezee. 'You see how big I is,
en how much strenk w'at I got, en how tough my foots is,' sezee; 'well
dish yer Mr. Man, he kin take'n take me en hitch me up in he buggy, en
make me haul 'im all 'roun', en den he kin take'n fassen me ter de plow
en make me break up all his new groun',' sezee. 'You better go 'long
back home. Fus' news you know, Mr. Man'll have you breakin' up his new
groun',' sezee.
"Spite er all dis, Mr. Lion, he shake he mane en say he gwine ter larrup
Mr. Man anyhow. He went on down de big road, he did, en bimeby he come
up wid Mr. Jack Sparrer, settin' up in de top er de tree. Mr. Jack
Sparrer, he whirl 'roun' en chirp, en flutter 'bout up dar, en
'pariently make a great 'miration.
"'Heyo yer!' sezee; 'who'd er 'speckted fer ter see Mr. Lion 'way down
yer in dis neighborhoods?' sezee. 'Whar you gwine, Mr. Lion?' sezee.
"Den Mr. Lion ax ef Mr. Jack Sparrer know Mr. Man, en Mr. Jack Sparrer
say he know Mr. Man mighty well. Den Mr. Lion, he ax ef Mr. Jack Sparrer
know whar he stay, w'ich Mr. Jack Sparrer say dat he do. Mr. Lion ax
wharbouts is Mr. Man, en Mr. Jack Sparrer say he right 'cross dar in de
new groun', en he up'n ax Mr. Lion w'at he want wid 'im, w'ich Mr. Lion
'spon' dat he gwine larrup Mr. Man, en wid dat, Mr. Jack Sparrer, he
up'n say, sezee:--
"'You better let Mr. Man 'lone. You see how little I is, en likewise how
high I kin fly; yit, 'spite er dat, Mr. Man, he kin fetch me down w'en
he git good en ready,' sezee. 'You better tuck yo' tail en put out
home,' sez Mr. Jack Sparrer, sezee, 'kaze bimeby Mr. Man 'll fetch you
down,' sezee.
"But Mr. Lion des vow he gwine atter Mr. Man, en go he would, en go he
did. He ain't never see Mr. Man, Mr. Lion ain't, en he dunner w'at he
look lak, but he go on todes de new groun'. Sho' 'nuff, dar wuz Mr. Man,
out dar maulin' rails fer ter make 'im a fence. He 'uz rippin' up de
butt cut, Mr. Man wuz, en he druv in his wedge en den he stuck in de
glut. He 'uz splittin' 'way, w'en bimeby he year rustlin' out dar in de
bushes, en he look up, en dar wuz Mr. Lion. Mr. Lion ax 'im do he know
Mr. Man, en Mr. Man 'low dat he know 'im mo' samer dan ef he wer' his
twin brer. Den Mr. Lion 'low dat he wanter see' im, en den Mr. Man say,
sezee, dat ef Mr. Lion will come stick his paw in de split fer ter hol'
de log open twel he git back, he go fetch Mr. Man. Mr. Lion he march up
en slap his paw in de place, en den Mr. Man, he tuck'n' knock de glut
out, en de split close up, en dar Mr. Lion wuz. Mr. Man, he stan' off en
say, sezee:--
"'Ef you'd 'a' bin a steer er hoss, you mought er run'd, en ef you'd
'a' bin a sparrer, you mought er flew'd, but yer you is, en you kotch
yo'se'f,' sezee.
"Wid dat, Mr. Man sa'nter out in de bushes en cut 'im a hick'ry, en he
let in on Mr. Lion, en he frail en frail 'im twel frailin' un 'im wuz a
sin. En down ter dis day," continued Uncle Remus, in a tone calculated
to destroy all doubt, "you can't git no Lion ter come up whar dey 's a
Man a-maulin' rails en put he paw in de split. Dat you can't!"
VIII
THE STORY OF THE PIGS
Uncle Remus relapsed into silence again, and the little boy, with
nothing better to do, turned his attention to the bench upon which the
old man kept his shoemaker's tools. Prosecuting his investigations in
this direction, the youngster finally suggested that the supply of
bristles was about exhausted.
"I dunner w'at Miss Sally wanter be sendin' un you down yer fer, ef you
gwine ter be stirr'n' en bodderin' 'longer dem ar doin's," exclaimed
Uncle Remus, indignantly. "Now don't you scatter dem hog-bristle! De
time wuz w'en folks had a mighty slim chance fer ter git bristle, en dey
ain't no tellin' w'en dat time gwine come ag'in. Let 'lone dat, de time
wuz w'en de breed er hogs wuz done run down ter one po' little pig, en
it look lak mighty sorry chance fer dem w'at was bleedzd ter have
bristle."
By this time Uncle Remus's indignation had vanished, disappearing as
suddenly and unexpectedly as it came. The little boy was curious to know
when and where and how the bristle famine occurred.
"I done tole you 'bout dat too long 'go ter talk 'bout," the old man
declared; but the little boy insisted that he had never heard about it
before, and he was so persistent that at last Uncle Remus, in
self-defence, consented to tell the story of the Pigs.
"One time, 'way back yander, de ole Sow en er chilluns wuz all livin'
'longer' de yuther creeturs. Hit seem lak ter me dat de ole Sow wuz a
widder 'oman, en ef I don't run inter no mistakes, hit look like ter me
dat she got five chilluns. Lemme see," continued Uncle Remus, with the
air of one determined to justify his memory by a reference to the
record, and enumerating with great deliberation,--"dar wuz Big Pig, en
dar wuz Little Pig, en dar wuz Speckle Pig, en dar wuz Blunt, en las' en
lonesomes' dar wuz Runt.
"One day, deze yer Pig ma she know she gwine kick de bucket, and she
tuck'n call up all 'er chilluns en tell um dat de time done come w'en
dey got ter look out fer deyse'f, en den she up'n tell um good ez she
kin, dough 'er breff mighty scant, 'bout w'at a bad man is ole Brer
Wolf. She say, sez she, dat if dey kin make der 'scape from ole Brer
Wolf, dey'll be doin' monst'us well. Big Pig 'low she ain't skeer'd,
Speckle Pig 'low she ain't skeer'd, Blunt, he say he mos' big a man ez
Brer Wolf hisse'f, en Runt, she des tuck'n root 'roun' in de straw en
grunt. But ole Widder Sow, she lay dar, she did, en keep on tellin' um
dat dey better keep der eye on Brer Wolf, kaz he mighty mean en 'seetful
man.
"Not long atter dat, sho' 'nuff ole Miss Sow lay down en die, en all dem
ar chilluns er hern wuz flung back on deyse'f, en dey whirl in, dey did,
en dey buil' um all a house ter live in. Big Pig, she tuck'n buil' 'er a
house outer bresh; Little Pig, she tuck'n buil' a stick house; Speckle
Pig, she tuck'n buil' a mud house; Blunt, he tuck'n buil' a plank house;
en Runt, she don't make no great ter-do, en no great brags, but she went
ter wuk, she did, en buil' a rock house.
"Bimeby, w'en dey done got all fix, en marters wuz sorter settle, soon
one mawnin' yer come ole Brer Wolf, a-lickin' un his chops en a-shakin'
un his tail. Fus' house he come ter wuz Big Pig house. Brer Wolf walk
ter de do', he did, en he knock sorter saf'--_blim! blim! blim!_ Nobody
ain't answer. Den he knock loud--_blam! blam! blam!_ Dis wake up Big
Pig, en she come ter de do', en she ax who dat. Brer Wolf 'low it's a
fr'en', en den he sing out:
"'_Ef you'll open de do' en let me in,
I'll wom my han's en go home ag'in._'
"Still Big Pig ax who dat, en den Brer Wolf, he up'n say, sezee:--
"'How yo' ma?' sezee.
"'My ma done dead,' sez Big Pig, sezee, 'en 'fo' she die she tell me fer
ter keep my eye on Brer Wolf. I sees you thoo de crack er de do', en you
look mighty like Brer Wolf,' sezee.
"Den ole Brer Wolf, he draw a long breff lak he feel mighty bad, en he
up'n say, sezee:--
"I dunner w'at change yo' ma so bad, less'n she 'uz out'n er head. I
year tell dat ole Miss Sow wuz sick, en I say ter myse'f dat I'd kinder
drap 'roun' en see how de ole lady is, en fetch 'er dish yer bag er
roas'n'-years. Mighty well dose I know dat ef yo' ma wuz yer right now,
en in 'er min', she 'd take de roas'n'-years en be glad fer ter git um,
en mo'n dat, she'd take'n ax me in by de fire fer ter worn my han's,'
sez ole Brer Wolf, sezee.
"De talk 'bout de roas'n'-years make Big Pig mouf water, en bimeby,
atter some mo' palaver, she open de do' en let Brer Wolf in, en bless
yo' soul, honey! dat uz de las' er Big Pig. She ain't had time fer ter
squeal en needer fer ter grunt 'fo' Brer Wolf gobble 'er up.
"Next day, ole Brer Wolf put up de same game on Little Pig; he go en he
sing he song, en Little Pig, she tuck'n let 'im in, en den Brer Wolf he
tuck'n 'turn de compelerments[10] en let Little Pig in."
Here Uncle Remus laughed long and loud at his conceit, and he took
occasion to repeat it several times.
"Little Pig, she let Brer Wolf in, en Brer Wolf, he let Little Pig in,
en w'at mo' kin you ax dan dat? Nex' time Brer Wolf pay a call, he drop
in on Speckle Pig, en rap at de do' en sing his song:--
"'_Ef you'll open de do' en let me in,
I'll wom my han's en go home ag'in._'
"But Speckle Pig, she kinder 'spicion sump'n', en she 'fuse ter open de
do'. Yit Brer Wolf mighty 'seetful man, en he talk mighty saf' en he
talk mighty sweet. Bimeby, he git he nose in de crack er de do' en he
say ter Speckle Pig, sezee, fer ter des let 'im git one paw in, en den
he won't go no furder. He git de paw in, en den he beg fer ter git de
yuther paw in, en den w'en he git dat in he beg fer ter git he head in,
en den w'en he git he head in, en he paws in, co'se all he got ter do is
ter shove de do' open en walk right in; en w'en marters stan' dat way,
't wa'n't long 'fo' he done make fresh meat er Speckle Pig.
"Nex' day, he make way wid Blunt, en de day atter, he 'low dat he make a
pass at Runt. Now, den, right dar whar ole Brer Wolf slip up at. He lak
some folks w'at I knows. He'd 'a' bin mighty smart, ef he had n't er bin
too smart. Runt wuz de littles' one er de whole gang, yit all de same
news done got out dat she 'uz pestered wid sense like grown folks.
"Brer Wolf, he crope up ter Runt house, en he got un'need de winder, he
did, en he sing out:--
"'_Ef you'll open de do' en let me in,
I'll wom my han's en go home ag'in._'
"But all de same, Brer Wolf can't coax Runt fer ter open de do', en
needer kin he break in, kaze de house done made outer rock. Bimeby Brer
Wolf make out he done gone off, en den atter while he come back en knock
at de do'--_blam, blam, blam!_
"Runt she sot by de fier, she did, en sorter scratch 'er year, en holler
out:--
"'Who dat?' sez she.
"'Hit's Speckle Pig,' sez ole Brer Wolf, sezee, 'twix' a snort en a
grunt. 'I fotch yer some peas fer yo' dinner!'
"Runt, she tuck'n laugh, she did, en holler back:--
"'Sis Speckle Pig ain't never talk thoo dat many toofies.'
"Brer Wolf go off 'g'in, en bimeby he come back en knock. Runt she sot
en rock, en holler out:--
"'Who dat?'
"'Big Pig,' sez Brer Wolf. 'I fotch some sweet-co'n fer yo' supper.'
"Runt, she look thoo de crack un'need de do', en laugh en say, sez
she:--
"'Sis Big Pig ain't had no ha'r on 'er huff.'
"Den ole Brer Wolf, he git mad, he did, en say he gwine come down de
chimbley, en Runt, she say, sez she, dat de onliest way w'at he kin git
in; en den, w'en she year Brer Wolf clam'in' up on de outside er de
chimbley, she tuck'n pile up a whole lot er broom sage front er de
h'a'th, en w'en she year 'im clam'in' down on de inside, she tuck de
tongs en shove de straw on de fier, en de smoke make Brer Wolf head
swim, en he drap down, en 'fo' he know it he 'uz done bu'nt ter a
cracklin'; en dat wuz de las' er ole Brer Wolf. Leas'ways," added Uncle
Remus, putting in a cautious proviso to fall back upon in case of an
emergency, "leas'ways, hit 'uz de las' er dat Brer Wolf."
FOOTNOTE:
[10] Compliments.
IX
MR. BENJAMIN RAM AND HIS WONDERFUL FIDDLE
"I 'speck you done year tell er ole man Benjermun Ram," said Uncle
Remus, with a great affectation of indifference, after a pause.
"Old man who?" asked the little boy.
"Ole man Benjermun Ram. I 'speck you done year tell er him too long 'go
ter talk 'bout."
"Why, no, I have n't, Uncle Remus!" exclaimed the little boy, protesting
and laughing. "He must have been a mighty funny old man."
"Dat's ez may be," responded Uncle Remus, sententiously. "Fun deze days
would n't er counted fer fun in dem days; en many's de time w'at I see
folks laughin'," continued the old man, with such withering sarcasm that
the little boy immediately became serious,--"many's de time w'at I sees
um laughin' en laughin', w'en I lay dey ain't kin tell w'at deyer
laughin' at deyse'f. En 'taint der laughin' w'at pesters me,
nudder,"--relenting a little,--"hit's dish yer ev'lastin' snickle en
giggle, giggle en snickle."
Having thus mapped out, in a dim and uncertain way, what older people
than the little boy might have been excused for accepting as a sort of
moral basis, Uncle Remus proceeded:--
"Dish yer Mr. Benjermun Ram, w'ich he done come up inter my min', wuz
one er dezeyer ole-timers. Dey tells me dat he 'uz a fiddler fum away
back yander--one er dem ar kinder fiddlers w'at can't git de chune down
fine 'less dey pats der foot. He stay all by he own-alone se'f way out
in de middle un a big new-groun', en he sech a handy man fer ter have at
a frolic dat de yuther creeturs like 'im mighty well, en w'en dey tuck a
notion fer ter shake der foot, w'ich de notion tuck'n struck um eve'y
once in a w'ile, nuthin' 'ud do but dey mus' sen' fer ole man Benjermun
Ram en he fiddle; en dey do say," continued Uncle Remus, closing his
eyes in a sort of ecstasy, "dat w'en he squar' hisse'f back in a cheer,
en git in a weavin' way, he kin des snatch dem ole-time chunes fum who
lay de rail.[11] En den, w'en de frolic wuz done, dey'd all fling in, dem
yuther creeturs would, en fill up a bag er peas fer ole Mr. Benjermun
Ram fer ter kyar home wid 'im.
"One time, des 'bout Christmas, Miss Meadows en Miss Motts en de gals,
dey up'n say dat dey 'd sorter gin a blowout, en dey got wud ter ole man
Benjermun Ram w'ich dey 'speckted 'im fer ter be on han'. Wen de time
done come fer Mr. Benjermun Ram fer ter start, de win' blow cole en de
cloud 'gun ter spread out 'cross de elements--but no marter fer dat; ole
man Benjermun Ram tuck down he walkin'-cane, he did, en tie up he fiddle
in a bag, en sot out fer Miss Meadows. He thunk he know de way, but hit
keep on gittin' col'er en col'er, en mo' cloudy, twel bimeby, fus' news
you know, ole Mr. Benjermun Ram done lose de way. Ef he'd er kep' on
down de big road fum de start, it moughter bin diffunt, but he tuck a
nigh-cut, en he ain't git fur 'fo' he done los' sho' 'nuff. He go dis
a-way, en he go dat a-way, en he go de yuther way, yit all de same he
wuz done los'. Some folks would er sot right flat down whar dey wuz en
study out der way, but ole man Benjermun Ram ain't got wrinkle on he
hawn fer nothin', kaze he done got de name er ole Billy Hardhead long
'fo' dat. Den ag'in, some folks would er stop right still in der tracks
en holler en bawl fer ter see ef dey can't roust up some er de
neighbors, but ole Mr. Benjermun Ram, he des stick he jowl in de win',
he did, en he march right on des 'zackly like he know he ain't gwine de
wrong way. He keep on, but 't wa'n't long 'fo' he 'gun ter feel right
lonesome, mo' speshually w'en hit come up in he min' how Miss Meadows en
de gals en all de comp'ny be bleedz ter do de bes' dey kin bidout any
fiddlin'; en hit kinder make he marrer git cole w'en he study 'bout how
he gotter sleep out dar in de woods by hisse'f.
"Yit, all de same, he keep on twel de dark 'gun ter drap down, en den he
keep on still, en bimeby he come ter a little rise whar dey wuz a
clay-gall. W'en he git dar he stop en look 'roun', he did, en 'way off
down in de holler, dar he see a light shinin', en w'en he see dis, ole
man Benjermun Ram tuck he foot in he han', en make he way todes it des
lak it de ve'y place w'at he bin huntin'. 'T wa'n't long 'fo' he come
ter de house whar de light is, en, bless you soul, he don't make no
bones er knockin'. Den somebody holler out:--
"'Who dat?'
"'I'm Mr. Benjermun Ram, en I done lose de way, en I come fer ter ax you
ef you can't take me in fer de night,' sezee.
"In common," continued Uncle Remus, "ole Mr. Benjermun Ram wuz a mighty
rough-en-spoken somebody, but you better b'leeve he talk monst'us
perlite dis time.
"Den some un on t'er side er de do' ax Mr. Benjermun Ram fer ter walk
right in, en wid dat he open de do' en walk in, en make a bow like
fiddlin' folks does w'en dey goes in comp'ny; but he ain't no sooner
make he bow en look 'roun' twel he 'gun ter shake en shiver lak he done
bin strucken wid de swamp-ager, kaze, settin' right dar 'fo' de fier wuz
ole Brer Wolf, wid his toofies showin' up all w'ite en shiny like dey
wuz bran new. Ef ole Mr. Benjermun Ram ain't bin so ole en stiff I boun'
you he'd er broke en run, but 'mos' 'fo' he had time fer ter study 'bout
gittin' 'way, ole Brer Wolf done bin jump up en shet de do' en fassen
'er wid a great big chain. Ole Mr. Benjermun Ram he know he in fer't, en
he tuck'n put on a bol' face ez he kin, but he des nat'ally hone[12] fer
ter be los' in de woods some mo'. Den he make n'er low bow, en he hope
Brer Wolf and all his folks is well, en den he say, sezee, dat he des
drap in fer ter wom hisse'f, en 'quire uv de way ter Miss Meadows', en
ef Brer Wolf be so good ez ter set 'im in de road ag'in, he be off putty
soon en be much 'blige in de bargains.
"'Tooby sho', Mr. Ram,' sez Brer Wolf, sezee, w'iles he lick he chops en
grin; 'des put yo' walkin'-cane in de cornder over dar, en set yo' bag
down on de flo', en make yo'se'f at home,' sezee. 'We ain't got much,'
sezee, 'but w'at we is got is yone w'iles you stays, en I boun' we'll
take good keer un you,' sezee; en wid dat Brer Wolf laugh en show his
toofies so bad dat ole man Benjermun Ram come mighty nigh havin' 'n'er
ager.
"Den Brer Wolf tuck'n flung 'n'er lighter'd-knot on de fier, en den he
slip inter de back room, en present'y, w'iles ole Mr. Benjermun Ram wuz
settin' dar shakin' in he shoes, he year Brer Wolf whispun' ter he ole
'oman:--
"'Ole 'oman! ole 'oman! Fling 'way yo' smoke meat--fresh meat fer
supper! Fling 'way yo' smoke meat--fresh meat fer supper!'
"Den ole Miss Wolf, she talk out loud, so Mr. Benjermun Ram kin year:--
"'Tooby sho' I'll fix 'im some supper. We er 'way off yer in de woods,
so fur fum comp'ny dat goodness knows I'm mighty glad ter see Mr.
Benjermun Ram.'
"Den Mr. Benjermun Ram year ole Miss Wolf whettin' 'er knife on a
rock--_shirrah! shirrah! shirrah!_--en ev'y time he year de knife say
_shirrah!_ he know he dat much nigher de dinner-pot. He know he can't
git 'way, en w'iles he settin' dar studyin', hit come 'cross he min' dat
he des mought ez well play one mo' chune on he fiddle 'fo' de wuss come
ter de wuss. Wid dat he ontie de bag en take out de fiddle, en 'gun ter
chune 'er up--_plink, plank, plunk, plink! plunk, plank, plink, plunk!_"
Uncle Remus's imitation of the tuning of a fiddle was marvellous enough
to produce a startling effect upon a much less enthusiastic listener
than the little boy. It was given in perfect good faith, but the serious
expression on the old man's face was so irresistibly comic that the
child laughed until the tears ran down his face. Uncle Remus very
properly accepted this as a tribute to his wonderful resources as a
story-teller, and continued, in great good-humor:--
"W'en ole Miss Wolf year dat kinder fuss, co'se she dunner w'at is it,
en she drap 'er knife en lissen. Ole Mr. Benjermun Ram ain't know dis,
en he keep on chunin' up--_plank, plink, plunk, plank!_ Den ole Miss
Wolf, she tuck'n hunch Brer Wolf wid 'er elbow, en she say, sez she:--
"'Hey, ole man! w'at dat?"
"Den bofe un um cock up der years en lissen, en des 'bout dat time ole
Mr. Benjermun Ram he sling de butt er de fiddle up und' he chin, en
struck up one er dem ole-time chunes."
"Well, what tune was it, Uncle Remus?" the little boy asked, with some
display of impatience.
"Ef I ain't done gone en fergit dat chune off'n my min'," continued
Uncle Remus; "hit sorter went like dat ar song 'bout 'Sheep shell co'n
wid de rattle er his ho'n,' en yit hit mout er been dat ar yuther one
'bout 'Roll de key, ladies, roll dem keys.' Brer Wolf en ole Miss Wolf,
dey lissen en lissen, en de mo' w'at dey lissen de skeerder dey git,
twel bimeby dey tuck ter der heels en make a break fer de swamp at de
back er de house des lak de patter-rollers wuz atter um.
"W'en ole man Benjermun Ram sorter let up wid he fiddlin', he don't see
no Brer Wolf, en he don't year no ole Miss Wolf. Den he look in de back
room; no Wolf dar. Den he look in de back po'ch; no Wolf dar. Den he
look in de closet en de cubberd; no Wolf ain't dar yit. Den ole Mr.
Benjermun Ram, he tuck'n shot all de do's en lock um, en he s'arch
'roun' en he fine some peas en fodder in de lof', w'ich he et um fer he
supper, en den he lie down front er de fier en sleep soun' ez a log.
"Nex' mawnin' he 'uz up en stirrin' monst'us soon, en he put out fum
dar, en he fine de way ter Miss Meadows' time 'nuff fer ter play at de
frolic. W'en he git dar, Miss Meadows en de gals, dey run ter de gate
fer ter meet 'im, en dis un tuck he hat, en dat un tuck he cane, en
t'er'n tuck he fiddle, en den dey up'n say:--
"'Law, Mr. Ram! whar de name er goodness is you bin? We so glad you
come. Stir 'roun' yer, folks, en git Mr. Ram a cup er hot coffee.'
"Dey make a mighty big ter-do 'bout Mr. Benjermun Ram, Miss Meadows en
Miss Motts en de gals did, but 'twix' you en me en de bedpos', honey,
dey'd er had der frolic wh'er de ole chap 'uz dar er not, kaze de gals
done make 'rangerments wid Brer Rabbit fer ter pat fer um, en in dem
days Brer Rabbit wuz a patter, mon. He mos' sholy wuz."
FOOTNOTES:
[11] That is, from the foundation, or beginning.
[12] To pine or long for anything. This is a good old English word,
which has been retained in the plantation vocabulary.
X
BRER RABBIT'S RIDDLE
"Could Brother Rabbit pat a tune, sure enough, Uncle Remus?" asked the
little boy, his thoughts apparently dwelling upon the new accomplishment
of Brother Rabbit at which the old man had hinted in his story of Mr.
Benjamin Ram. Uncle Remus pretended to be greatly surprised that any one
could be so unfamiliar with the accomplishments of Brother Rabbit as to
venture to ask such a question. His response was in the nature of a
comment:--
"Name er goodness! w'at kinder pass dish yer we comin' ter w'en a great
big grow'd up young un axin' 'bout Brer Rabbit? Bless yo' soul, honey!
dey wa'n't no chune gwine dat Brer Rabbit can't pat. Let 'lone dat, w'en
dey wuz some un else fer ter do de pattin', Brer Rabbit kin jump out
inter de middle er de flo' en des nat'ally shake de eyel'ds off'en dem
yuther creeturs. En 't wa'n't none er dish yer bowin' en scrapin', en
slippin' en slidin', en han's all 'roun', w'at folks does deze days. Hit
uz dish yer up en down kinder dancin', whar dey des lips up in de a'r
fer ter cut de pidjin-wing, en lights on de flo' right in de middle er
de double-shuffle. _Shoo!_ Dey ain't no dancin' deze days; folks' shoes
too tight, en dey ain't got dat limbersomeness in de hips w'at dey uster
is. Dat dey ain't.
"En yit," Uncle Remus continued, in a tone which seemed to imply that he
deemed it necessary to apologize for the apparent frivolity of Brother
Rabbit,--"en yit de time come w'en ole Brer Rabbit 'gun ter put dis en
dat tergedder, en de notion strak 'im dat he better be home lookin'
atter de intruss er he fambly, 'stidder trapesin' en trollopin' 'roun'
ter all de frolics in de settlement. He tuck'n study dis in he min' twel
bimeby he sot out 'termin' fer ter 'arn he own livelihoods, en den he
up'n lay off a piece er groun' en plant 'im a tater-patch.
"Brer Fox, he see all dish yer gwine on, he did, en he 'low ter hisse'f
dat he 'speck Brer Rabbit rashfulness done bin supjued kaze he skeer'd,
en den Brer Fox make up his min' dat he gwine ter pay Brer Rabbit back
fer all he 'seetfulness. He start in, Brer Fox did, en fum dat time
forrerd he aggervate Brer Rabbit 'bout he tater-patch. One night he
leave de draw-bars down, 'n'er night he fling off de top rails, en nex'
night he t'ar down a whole panel er fence, en he keep on dis a-way twel
'pariently Brer Rabbit dunner w'at ter do. All dis time Brer Fox keep on
foolin' wid de tater-patch, en w'en he see w'ich Brer Rabbit ain't
makin' no motion, Brer Fox 'low dat he done skeer'd sho' 'nuff, en dat
de time done come fer ter gobble him up bidout lief er license. So he
call on Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox did, en he ax 'im will he take a walk.
Brer Rabbit, he ax wharbouts. Brer Fox say, right out yander. Brer
Rabbit, he ax w'at is dey right out yander? Brer Fox say he know whar
dey some mighty fine peaches, en he want Brer Rabbit fer ter go 'long en
climb de tree en fling um down. Brer Rabbit say he don't keer ef he do,
mo' speshually fer ter 'blige Brer Fox.
"Dey sot out, dey did, en atter w'ile, sho' 'nuff, dey come ter de
peach-orchud, en Brer Rabbit, w'at do he do but pick out a good tree, en
up he clum. Brer Fox, he sot hisse'f at de root er de tree, kaze he 'low
dat w'en Brer Rabbit come down he hatter come down backerds, en den dat
'ud be de time fer ter nab 'im. But, bless yo' soul, Brer Rabbit dun see
w'at-Brer Fox atter 'fo' he clum up. W'en he pull de peaches, Brer Fox
say, sezee:--
"'Fling um down yer, Brer Rabbit--fling um right down yer so I kin
ketch um,' sezee.
"Brer Rabbit, he sorter wunk de furdest eye fum Brer Fox, en he holler
back, he did:--
"'Ef I fling um down dar whar you is, Brer Fox, en you misses um, dey'll
git squshed,' sezee, 'so I'll des sorter pitch um out yander in de grass
whar dey won't git bus',' sezee.
"Den he tuck'n flung de peaches out in de grass, en w'iles Brer Fox went
atter um, Brer Rabbit, he skint down outer de tree, en hustle hisse'f
twel he git elbow-room. Wen he git off little ways, he up 'n holler back
ter Brer Fox dat he got a riddle he want 'im ter read. Brer Fox, he ax
w'at is it. Wid dat, Brer Rabbit, he gun it out ter Brer Fox lak a man
sayin' a speech:--
"'_Big bird rob en little bird sing,
De big bee zoon en little bee sting,
De little man lead en big hoss foller--
Kin you tell w'at's good fer a head in a holler?_'
"Ole Brer Fox scratch he head en study, en study en scratch he head, but
de mo' he study de wuss he git mix up wid de riddle, en atter w'ile he
tuck'n tell Brer Rabbit dat he dunno how in de name er goodness ter
onriddle dat riddle.
"'Come en go 'longer me,' sez ole Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en I boun' you I
show you how ter read dat same riddle. Hit's one er dem ar kinder
riddle,' sez ole man Rabbit, sezee, 'w'ich 'fo' you read 'er you got ter
eat a bait er honey, en I done got my eye sot on de place whar we kin
git de honey at,' sezee.
"Brer Fox, he ax wharbouts is it, en Brer Rabbit, he say up dar in ole
Brer B'ar cotton-patch, whar he got a whole passel er bee-gums. Brer
Fox, he 'low, he did, dat he ain't got no sweet-toof much, yit he wanter
git at de innerds er dat ar riddle, en he don't keer ef he do go 'long.
"Dey put out, dey did, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' dey come ter ole Brer B'ar
bee-gums, en ole Brer Rabbit, he up'n gun um a rap wid he walkin'-cane,
des lak folks thumps water-millions fer ter see ef dey er ripe. He tap
en he rap, en bimeby he come ter one un um w'ich she soun' like she plum
full, en den he go 'roun' behime it, ole Brer Rabbit did, en he up'n
say, sezee:--
"'I'll des sorter tilt 'er up, Brer Fox,' sezee, 'en you kin put yo'
head und' dar en git some er de drippin's,' sezee.
"Brer Rabbit, he tilt her up, en, sho' 'nuff, Brer Fox, he jam he head
un'need de gum. Hit make me laugh," Uncle Remus continued, with a
chuckle, "fer ter see w'at a fresh man is Brer Fox, kaze he ain't no
sooner stuck he head un'need dat ar bee-gum, dan Brer Rabbit turnt 'er
aloose, en down she come--_ker-swosh!_--right on Brer Fox neck, en dar
he wuz. Brer Fox, he kick; he squeal; he jump; he squall; he dance; he
prance; he beg; he pray; yit dar he wuz, en w'en Brer Rabbit git way
off, en tu'n 'roun' fer ter look back, he see Brer Fox des a-wigglin' en
a-squ'min', en right den en dar Brer Rabbit gun one ole-time whoop, en
des put out fer home.
"W'en he git dar, de fus' man he see wuz Brer Fox gran'daddy, w'ich
folks all call 'im Gran'sir' Gray Fox. W'en Brer Rabbit see 'im, he say,
sezee:--
"'How you come on, Gran'sir' Gray Fox?'
"'I still keeps po'ly, I'm 'blije ter you, Brer Rabbit,' sez Gran'sir'
Gray Fox, sezee. 'Is you seed any sign er my gran'son dis mawnin'?'
sezee.
"Wid dat Brer Rabbit laugh en say w'ich him en Brer Fox bin a-ramblin'
'roun' wid one er'n'er havin' mo' fun dan w'at a man kin shake a stick
at.
"'We bin a-riggin' up riddles en a-readin' un um,' sez Brer Rabbit,
sezee. 'Brer Fox is settin' off some'rs in de bushes right now, aimin'
fer ter read one w'at I gun 'im. I'll des drap you one,' sez ole Brer
Rabbit, sezee, 'w'ich, ef you kin read it, hit'll take you right spang
ter whar yo' gran'son is, en you can't git dar none too soon,' sez Brer
Rabbit, sezee.
[Illustration: "BRER RABBIT TURNT 'ER ALOOSE, EN DOWN SHE
COME--_KER-SWOSH!_"]
"Den ole Gran'sir' Gray Fox, he up'n ax w'at is it, en Brer Rabbit, he
sing out, he did:--
"'_De big bird rob en little bird sing;
De big bee zoon en little bee sting,
De little man lead en big hoss foller--
Kin you tell w'at's good fer a head in a holler?_'
"Gran'sir' Gray Fox, he tuck a pinch er snuff en cough easy ter hisse'f,
en study en study, but he ain't make it out, en Brer Rabbit, he laugh en
sing:--
"'_Bee-gum mighty big fer ter make Fox collar,
Kin you tell w'at's good fer a head in a holler?_'
"Atter so long a time, Gran'sir' Gray Fox sorter ketch a glimpse er w'at
Brer Rabbit tryin' ter gin 'im, en he tip Brer Rabbit good-day, en
shuffle on fer ter hunt up he gran'son."
"And did he find him, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy.
"Tooby sho', honey. Brer B'ar year de racket w'at Brer Fox kickin' up,
en he go down dar fer ter see w'at de marter is. Soon ez he see how de
lan' lay, co'se he tuck a notion dat Brer Fox bin robbin' de bee-gums,
en he got 'im a han'ful er hick'ries, Brer B'ar did, en he let in on
Brer Fox en he wom he jacket scannerlous, en den he tuck'n tu'n 'im
loose; but 't wa'n't long 'fo' all de neighbors git wud dat Brer Fox bin
robbin' Brer B'ar bee-gums."
[Illustration: How Mr. Rooster lost his Dinner]
XI
HOW MR. ROOSTER LOST HIS DINNER
It seemed that the rainy season had set in in earnest, but the little
boy went down to Uncle Remus's cabin before dark. In some mysterious
way, it appeared to the child, the gloom of twilight fastened itself
upon the dusky clouds, and the great trees without, and the dismal
perspective beyond, gradually became one with the darkness. Uncle Remus
had thoughtfully placed a tin pan under a leak in the roof, and the
_drip-drip-drip_ of the water, as it fell in the resonant vessel, made a
not unmusical accompaniment to the storm.
The old man fumbled around under his bed, and presently dragged forth a
large bag filled with lightwood knots, which, with an instinctive
economy in this particular direction, he had stored away for an
emergency. A bright but flickering flame was the result of this timely
discovery, and the effect it produced was quite in keeping with all the
surroundings. The rain, and wind, and darkness held sway without, while
within, the unsteady lightwood blaze seemed to rhyme with the
_drip-drip-drip_ in the pan. Sometimes the shadow of Uncle Remus, as he
leaned over the hearth, would tower and fill the cabin, and again it
would fade and disappear among the swaying and swinging cobwebs that
curtained the rafters.
"W'en bed-time come, honey," said Uncle Remus, in a soothing tone, "I'll
des snatch down yo' pa buggy umbrell' fum up dar in de cornder, des lak
I bin a-doin', en I'll take'n take you und' my arm en set you down on
Miss Sally h'a'th des ez dry en ez wom ez a rat'-nes' inside a
fodder-stack."
At this juncture 'Tildy, the house-girl, rushed in out of the rain and
darkness with a water-proof cloak and an umbrella, and announced her
mission to the little boy without taking time to catch her breath.
"Miss Sally say you got ter come right back," she exclaimed. "Kaze she
skeerd lightin' gwine strak 'roun' in yer 'mongs' deze high trees
some'rs."
Uncle Remus rose from his stooping posture in front of the hearth and
assumed a threatening attitude.
"Well, is anybody year de beat er dat!" was his indignant exclamation.
"Look yer, gal! don't you come foolin' 'longer me--now, don't you do it.
Kaze ef yer does, I'll take'n hit you a clip w'at'll put you ter bed
'fo' bed-times come. Dat's w'at!"
"Lawdy! w'at I done gone en done ter Unk' Remus now?" asked 'Tildy, with
a great affectation of innocent ignorance.
"I'm gwine ter put on my coat en take dat ar umbrell', en I'm gwine
right straight up ter de big house en ax Miss Sally ef she sont dat
kinder wud down yer, w'en she know dat chile sittin' yer 'longer me. I'm
gwine ter ax her," continued Uncle Remus, "en if she ain't sont dat wud,
den I'm gwine ter fetch myse'f back. Now, you des watch my motions."
"Well, I year Miss Sally say she 'feard lightnin' gwine ter strak
some'rs on de place," said 'Tildy, in a tone which manifested her
willingness to compromise all differences, "en den I axt 'er kin I come
down yer, en den she say I better bring deze yer cloak en pairsol."
"Now you dun brung um," responded Uncle Remus, "you des better put um in
dat cheer over dar, en take yo'se'f off. Thunder mighty ap' ter hit
close ter whar deze here slick-head niggers is."
But the little boy finally prevailed upon the old man to allow 'Tildy to
remain, and after a while he put matters on a peace footing by inquiring
if roosters crowed at night when it was raining.
"Dat dey duz," responded Uncle Remus. "Wet er dry, dey flops der wings
en wakes up all de neighbors. Law, bless my soul!" he exclaimed
suddenly, "w'at make I done gone en fergit 'bout Mr. Rooster?"
"What about him?" inquired the little boy.
"One time, 'way back yander," said Uncle Remus, knocking the ashes off
his hands and knees, "dey wuz two plan'ations right 'longside one er
'ne'r, en on bofe er deze plan'ations wuz a whole passel of fowls. Dey
wuz mighty sociable in dem days, en it tu'n out dat de fowls on one
plan'ation gun a party, w'ich dey sont out der invites ter de fowls on
de 't'er plan'ation.
"W'en de day come, Mr. Rooster, he blow his hawn, he did, en 'semble um
all tergedder, en atter dey 'semble dey got in line. Mr. Rooster, he
tuck de head, en atter 'im come ole lady Hen en Miss Pullet, en den dar
wuz Mr. Peafowl, en Mr. Tukkey Gobbler, en Miss Guinny Hen, en Miss
Puddle Duck, en all de balance un um. Dey start off sorter raggedy, but
't wa'n't long 'fo' dey all kotch de step, en den dey march down by de
spring, up thoo de hoss-lot en 'cross by de gin-house, en 't wa'n't long
'fo' dey git ter whar de frolic wuz.
"'Dey dance, en dey play, en dey sing. Mo' 'speshually did dey play en
sing dat ar song w'ich it run on lak dis:--
"'_Come under, come under,
My honey, my love, my own true love;
My heart bin a-weepin'
Way down in Galilee._'
"Dey wuz gwine on dis a-way, havin' der 'musements, w'en, bimeby, ole
Mr. Peafowl, he got on de comb er de barn en blow de dinner-hawn. Dey
all wash der face en ban's in de back po'ch, en den dey went in ter
dinner. W'en dey git in dar, dey don't see nothin' on de table but a
great big pile er co'n-bread. De pones was pile up on pones, en on de
top wuz a great big ash-cake. Mr. Rooster, he look at dis en he tu'n up
he nose, en bimeby, atter aw'ile, out he strut. Ole Miss Guinny Hen, she
watchin' Mr. Rooster motions, en w'en she see dis, she take'n squall
out, she did:--
"_'Pot-rack! Pot-rack!_ Mr. Rooster gone back! _Pot-rack! Pot-rack!_ Mr.
Rooster gone back!'
"Wid dat dey all make a great ter-do. Miss Hen en Miss Pullet, dey
cackle en squall, Mr. Gobbler, he gobble, en Miss Puddle Duck, she shake
'er tail en say, _quickity-quack-quack_. But Mr. Rooster, he ruffle up
he cape, en march on out.
"Dis sorter put a damper on de yuthers, but 'fo' Mr. Rooster git outer
sight en year'n dey went ter wuk on de pile w'at wuz 'pariently
co'n-bread, en, lo en beholes, un'need dem pone er bread wuz a whole
passel er meat en greens, en bake' taters, en bile' turnips. Mr.
Rooster, he year de ladies makin' great 'miration, en he stop en look
thoo de crack, en dar he see all de doin's en fixin's. He feel mighty
bad, Mr. Rooster did, w'en he see all dis, en de yuther fowls dey holler
en ax 'im fer ter come back, en he craw, w'ich it mighty empty,
likewise, it up'n ax 'im, but he mighty biggity en stuck up, en he strut
off, crowin' ez he go; but he 'speunce er dat time done las' him en all
er his fambly down ter dis day. En you neenter take my wud fer't, ne'r,
kaze ef you'll des keep yo' eye open en watch, you'll ketch a glimse er
ole Mr. Rooster folks scratchin' whar dey 'specks ter fine der rations,
en mo' dan dat, dey'll scratch wid der rations in plain sight. Since dat
time, dey ain't none er de Mr. Roosters bin fool' by dat w'at dey see on
top. Dey ain't res' twel dey see w'at und' dar. Dey'll scratch spite er
all creation."
"Dat's de Lord's truth!" said 'Tildy, with unction. "I done seed um wid
my own eyes. Dat I is."
This was 'Tildy's method of renewing peaceful relations with Uncle
Remus, but the old man was disposed to resist the attempt.
"You better be up yander washin' up dishes, stidder hoppin' down yer wid
er whole packet er stuff w'at Miss Sally ain't dreamp er sayin'."
XII
BRER RABBIT BREAKS UP A PARTY
As long as Uncle Remus allowed 'Tildy to remain in the cabin, the little
boy was not particularly interested in preventing the perfunctory abuse
which the old man might feel disposed to bestow upon the complacent
girl. The truth is, the child's mind was occupied with the episode in
the story of Mr. Benjamin Ram which treats of the style in which this
romantic old wag put Mr. and Mrs. Wolf to flight by playing a tune upon
his fiddle. The little boy was particularly struck with this remarkable
feat, as many a youngster before him had been, and he made bold to recur
to it again by asking Uncle Remus for all the details. It was plain to
the latter that the child regarded Mr. Ram as the typical hero of all
the animals, and this was by no means gratifying to the old man. He
answered the little boy's questions as well as he could, and, when
nothing more remained to be said about Mr. Ram, he settled himself back
in his chair and resumed the curious history of Brother Rabbit:--
"Co'se Mr. Ram mighty smart man. I ain't 'spute dat; but needer Mr. Ram
ner yet Mr. Lam is soon creeturs lak Brer Rabbit. Mr. Benjermun Ram, he
tuck'n skeer off Brer Wolf en his ole 'oman wid his fiddle, but, bless
yo' soul, ole Brer Rabbit he gone en done wuss'n dat."
"What did Brother Rabbit do?" asked the little boy.
"One time," said Uncle Remus, "Brer Fox, he tuck'n ax some er de yuther
creeturs ter he house. He ax Brer B'ar, en Brer Wolf, en Brer 'Coon, but
he ain't ax Brer Rabbit. All de same, Brer Rabbit got win' un it, en he
'low dat ef he don't go, he 'speck he have much fun ez de nex' man.
"De creeturs w'at git de invite, dey tuck'n 'semble at Brer Fox house,
en Brer Fox, he ax um in en got um cheers, en dey sot dar en laugh en
talk, twel, bimeby, Brer Fox, he fotch out a bottle er dram en lay 'er
out on de side-bode, en den he sorter step back en say, sezee:--
"'Des step up, gentermens, en he'p yo'se'f,' en you better b'lieve dey
he'p derse'f.
"Wiles dey wuz drinkin' en drammin' en gwine on, w'at you 'speck Brer
Rabbit doin'? You des well make up yo' min' dat Brer Rabbit monst'us
busy, kaze he 'uz sailin' 'roun' fixin' up his tricks. Long time 'fo'
dat, Brer Rabbit had been at a bobbycue whar dey was a muster, en w'iles
all de folks 'uz down at de spring eatin' dinner, Brer Rabbit he crope
up en run off wid one er de drums. Dey wuz a big drum en a little drum,
en Brer Rabbit he snatch up de littles' one en run home.
"Now, den, w'en he year 'bout de yuther creeturs gwine ter Brer Fox
house, w'at do Brer Rabbit do but git out dis rattlin' drum en make de
way down de road todes whar dey is. He tuk dat drum," continued Uncle
Remus, with great elation of voice and manner, "en he went down de road
todes Brer Fox house, en he make 'er talk like thunner mix up wid hail.
Hit talk lak dis:--
"'_Diddybum, diddybum, diddybum-bum-bum--diddybum!_'
"De creeturs, dey 'uz a-drinkin', en a-drammin', en a-gwine on at a
terrible rate, en dey ain't year de racket, but all de same, yer come
Brer Rabbit:--
"'_Diddybum, diddybum, diddybum-bum-bum--diddybum!_'
"Bimeby Brer 'Coon, w'ich he allers got one year hung out fer de news,
he up'n ax Brer Fox w'at dat, en by dat time all de creeturs stop en
lissen; but all de same, yer come Brer Rabbit:--
"'_Diddybum, diddybum, diddybum-bum-bum--diddybum!_'
"De creeturs dey keep on lis'nin', en Brer Rabbit keep on gittin'
nigher, twel bimeby Brer 'Coon retch und' de cheer fer he hat, en say,
sezee:--
"'Well, gents, I 'speck I better be gwine. I tole my ole 'oman dat I
won't be gone a minnit, en yer 't is 'way 'long in de day.'
"Wid dat Brer 'Coon, he skip out, but he ain't git much furder dan de
back gate, 'fo' yer come all de yuther creeturs like dey 'uz runnin' a
foot-race, en ole Brer Fox wuz wukkin' in de lead."
"Dar, now!" exclaimed 'Tildy, with great fervor.
"Yasser! dar dey wuz, en dar dey went," continued Uncle Remus. "Dey tuck
nigh cuts, en dey scramble over one er 'n'er, en dey ain't res' twel dey
git in de bushes.
"Ole Brer Rabbit, he came on down de road--_diddybum, diddybum,
diddybum-bum-bum_--en bless gracious! w'en he git ter Brer Fox house dey
ain't nobody dar. Brer Rabbit is dat ow-dacious, dat he hunt all 'roun'
twel he fine de a'r-hole en de drum, en he put his mouf ter dat en sing
out, sezee:--
"'Is dey anybody home?' en den he answer hisse'f, sezee, 'Law, no,
honey--folks all gone.'
"Wid dat, ole Brer Rabbit break loose en laugh, he did, fit ter kill
hisse'f, en den he slam Brer Fox front gate wide open, en march up ter
de house. W'en he git dar, he kick de do' open en hail Brer Fox, but
nobody ain't dar, en Brer Rabbit he walk in en take a cheer, en make
hisse'f at home wid puttin' his foots on de sofy en spittin' on de flo'.
"Brer Rabbit ain't sot dar long 'fo' he ketch a whiff er de dram--"
"You year dat?" exclaimed 'Tildy, with convulsive admiration.
"--'Fo' he ketch a whiff er de dram, en den he see it on de side-bode,
en he step up en drap 'bout a tumbeler full some'rs down in de
neighborhoods er de goozle. Brer Rabbit mighty lak some folks I knows.
He tuck one tumbeler full, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' he tuck 'n'er'n, en
w'en a man do dis a-way," continued Uncle Remus, somewhat
apologetically, "he bleedz ter git drammy."
"Truth, too!" said 'Tildy, by way of hearty confirmation.
"All des time de yuther creeturs wuz down hi de bushes lissenin' fer de
_diddybum_, en makin' ready fer ter light out fum dar at de drop uv a
hat. But dey ain't year no mo' fuss, en bimeby Brer Fox, he say he gwine
back en look atter he plunder, en de yuther creeturs say dey b'leeve
dey'll go 'long wid 'im. Dey start out, dey did, en dey crope todes Brer
Fox house, but dey crope mighty keerful, en I boun' ef somebody'd 'a'
shuck a bush, dem ar creeturs 'ud 'a' nat'ally to' up de ye'th gittin'
'way fum dar. Yit dey still ain't year no fuss, en dey keep on creepin'
twel dey git in de house.
"W'en dey git in dar, de fus' sight dey see wuz ole Brer Rabbit stannin'
up by de dram-bottle mixin' up a toddy, en he wa'n't so stiff-kneed
n'er, kase he sorter swage fum side ter side, en he look lak he mighty
limbersome, w'ich, goodness knows, a man bleedz ter be limbersome w'en
he drink dat kinder licker w'at Brer Fox perwide fer dem creeturs.
"W'en Brer Fox see Brer Rabbit makin' free wid he doin's dat a-way, w'at
you 'speck he do?" inquired Uncle Remus, with the air of one seeking
general information.
"I 'speck he cusst," said 'Tildy, who was apt to take a vividly
practical view of matters.
"He was glad," said the little boy, "because he had a good chance to
catch Brother Rabbit."
"Tooby sho' he wuz," continued Uncle Remus, heartily assenting to the
child's interpretation of the situation: "tooby sho' he wuz. He stan'
dar, Brer Fox did, en he watch Brer Rabbit motions. Bimeby he holler
out, sezee:--
"'Ah yi![13] Brer Rabbit!' sezee. 'Many a time is you made yo' 'scape,
but now I got you!' En wid dat, Brer Fox en de yuther creeturs cloze in
on Brer Rabbit.
"Seem like I done tole you dat Brer Rabbit done gone en tuck mo' dram
dan w'at 'uz good fer he wholesome. Yit he head ain't swim so bad dat he
dunner w'at he doin', en time he lay eyes on Brer Fox, he know he done
got in close quarters. Soon ez he see dis, Brer Rabbit make like he bin
down in de cup mo' deeper dan w'at he is, en he stagger 'roun' like town
gal stannin' in a batteau, en he seem lak he des ez limber ez a wet rag.
He stagger up ter Brer Fox, he did, en he roll he eyeballs 'roun', en
slap 'im on he back en ax 'im how he ma. Den w'en he see de yuther
creeturs," continued Uncle Remus, "he holler out, he did:--
"'Vents yo' uppance, gentermens! Vents yo' uppance![14] Ef you'll des
gimme han'-roomance en come one at a time, de tussle 'll las' longer.
How you all come on, nohow?' sezee.
"Ole Brer Rabbit talk so kuse dat de yuther creeturs have mo' fun dan
w'at you k'n shake a stick at, but bimeby Brer Fox say dey better git
down ter business, en den dey all cloze in on Brer Rabbit, en dar he
wuz.
"In dem days, ole man B'ar wuz a jedge 'mongs' de creeturs, en dey all
ax 'im w'at dey gwine do 'long wid Brer Rabbit, en Jedge B'ar, he put on
his specks, en cle'r up his th'oat, en say dat de bes' way ter do wid a
man w'at kick up sech a racket, en run de neighbors outer der own house,
en go in dar en level[15] on de pantry, is ter take 'im out en drown 'im;
en ole Brer Fox, w'ich he settin' on de jury, he up'n smack he hands
togedder, en cry, en say, sezee, dat atter dis he bleedz ter b'leeve dat
Jedge B'ar done got all-under holt on de lawyer-books, kaze dat 'zackly
w'at dey say w'en a man level on he neighbor pantry.
"Den Brer Rabbit, he make out he skeerd, en he holler en cry, en beg um,
in de name er goodness, don't fling 'im in de spring branch, kaze dey
all know he dunner how ter swim: but ef dey bleedz fer ter pitch 'im in,
den for mussy sake gin' 'im a walkin'-cane, so he kin have sumpin' ter
hol' ter w'iles he drownin'.
"Ole Brer B'ar scratch his head en say, sezee, dat, fur ez his
'membunce go back, he ain't come 'cross nothin' in de lawyer-book ter
de contraries er dat, en den dey all 'gree dat Brer Rabbit kin have a
walkin'-cane.
"Wid dat, dey ketch up Brer Rabbit en put 'im in a wheelborrow en kyar
'im down ter de branch, en fling 'im in."
"Eh-eh!" exclaimed 'Tildy, with well-feigned astonishment.
"Dey fling 'im in," continued Uncle Remus, "en Brer Rabbit light on he
foots, same ez a tomcat, en pick his way out by de helps er de
walkin'-cane. De water wuz dat shaller dat it don't mo'n come over Brer
Rabbit slipper, en w'en he git out on t'er side, he holler back,
sezee:--
"'So long, Brer Fox!'"
FOOTNOTES:
[13] A corruption of "aye, aye." It is used as an expression of triumph
and its employment in this connection is both droll and picturesque.
[14] Southern readers will recognize this and "han'-roomance" as terms
used by negroes in playing marbles,--a favorite game on the plantations
Sunday afternoons. These terms were curt and expressive enough to gain
currency among the whites.
[15] Levy.
XIII
BRER FOX, BRER RABBIT, AND KING DEER'S DAUGHTER
Notwithstanding Brother Rabbit's success with the drum, the little boy
was still inclined to refer to Mr. Benjamin Ram and his fiddle; but
Uncle Remus was not, by any means, willing that such an ancient vagabond
as Mr. Ram should figure as a hero, and he said that, while it was
possible that Brother Rabbit was no great hand with the fiddle, he was a
drummer, and a capital singer to boot. Furthermore, Uncle Remus declared
that Brother Rabbit could perform upon the quills,[16] an accomplishment
to which none of the other animals could lay claim. There was a time,
too, the old man pointedly suggested, when the romantic rascal used his
musical abilities to win the smiles of a nice young lady of quality--no
less a personage, indeed, than King Deer's daughter. As a matter of
course, the little boy was anxious to hear the particulars, and Uncle
Remus was in nowise loath to give them.
"W'en you come ter ax me 'bout de year en day er de mont'," said the
old man, cunningly arranging a defence against criticism, "den I'm done,
kaze de almanick w'at dey got in dem times won't pass muster deze days,
but, let 'lone dat, I 'speck dey ain't had none yit; en if dey is, dey
ain't none bin handed down ter Remus.
"Well, den, some time 'long in dar, ole Brer Fox en Brer Rabbit got ter
flyin' 'roun' King Deer daughter. Dey tells me she 'uz a monst'us likely
gal, en I 'speck may be she wuz; leas'ways, Brer Fox, he hanker atter
'er, en likewise Brer Rabbit, he hanker atter 'er. Ole King Deer look
lak he sorter lean todes Brer Fox, kaze ter a settle man like him, hit
seem lak dat Brer Fox kin stir 'roun' en keep de pot a-b'ilin', mo'
speshually bein's he de bigges'. Hit go on dis a-way twel hardly a day
pass dat one er de yuther er dem creeturs don't go sparklin' 'roun' King
Deer daughter, en it got so atter w'ile dat all day long Brer Rabbit en
Brer Fox keep de front gate a-skreakin', en King Deer daughter ain't
ska'cely had time fer ter eat a meal vittels in no peace er min'.
"In dem days," pursued Uncle Remus, in a tone of unmistakable historical
fervor, "w'en a creetur go a-courtin' dey wa'n't none er dish yer bokay
doin's mix' up 'longer der co'tship, en dey ain't cut up no capers like
folks does now. Stidder scollopin' 'roun' en bowin' en scrapin', dey des
go right straight atter de gal. Ole Brer Rabbit, he mouter had some
bubby-blossoms[17] wrop up in his hankcher, but mostly him en Brer Fox
'ud des drap in on King Deer daughter en 'gin ter cas' sheep-eyes at 'er
time dey sot down en cross der legs."
"En I bet," said 'Tildy, by way of comment, and looking as though she
wanted to blush, "dat dey wa'n't 'shame', nuther."
"Dey went 'long dis a-way," continued Uncle Remus, "twel it 'gun ter
look sorter skittish wid Brer Rabbit, kaze ole King Deer done good ez
say, sezee, dat he gwine ter take Brer Fox inter de fambly. Brer
Rabbit, he 'low, he did, dat dis ain't gwine ter do, en he study en
study how he gwine ter cut Brer Fox out.
"Las', one day, w'iles he gwine thoo King Deer pastur' lot, he up wid a
rock en kilt two er King Deer goats. Wen he git ter de house, he ax King
Deer daughter whar'bouts her pa, en she up'n say she go call 'im, en
w'en Brer Rabbit see 'im, he ax w'en de weddin' tuck place, en King Deer
ax w'ich weddin', en Brer Rabbit say de weddin' 'twix' Brer Fox en King
Deer daughter. Wid dat, ole King Deer ax Brer Rabbit w'at make he go on
so, en Brer Rabbit, he up'n 'spon' dat he see Brer Fox makin' monst'us
free wid de fambly, gwine 'roun' chunkin' de chickens en killin' up de
goats.
"Ole King Deer strak he walkin'-cane down 'pon de flo', en 'low dat he
don't put no 'pennunce in no sech tale lak dat, en den Brer Rabbit tell
'im dat ef he'll des take a walk down in de pastur' lot, he kin see de
kyarkiss er de goats. Ole King Deer, he put out, en bimeby he come back,
en he 'low he gwine ter settle marters wid Brer Fox ef it take 'im a
mont'.
"Brer Rabbit say he a good frien' ter Brer Fox, en he ain't got no room
ter talk 'bout 'im, but yit w'en he see 'im 'stroyin' King Deer goats en
chunkin' at his chickens, en rattlin' on de palin's fer ter make de dog
bark, he bleedz ter come lay de case 'fo' de fambly.
"'En mo'n dat,' sez ole Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'I'm de man w'at kin make
Brer Fox come en stan' right at de front gate en tell you dat he is kill
dem goat; en ef you des wait twel ter-night, I won't ax you ter take my
wud,' sezee.
"King Deer say ef Brer Rabbit man 'nuff ter do dat, den he kin git de
gal en thanky, too. Wid dat, Brer Rabbit jump up en crack he heels
tergedder, en put out fer ter fine Brer Fox. He ain't git fur 'fo' he
see Brer Fox comin' down de road all primp up. Brer Rabbit, he sing out,
he did:--
"'Brer Foxy, whar you gwine?' "En Brer Fox, he holler back:--
"'Go 'way, Rab; don't bodder wid me. I'm gwine fer ter see my gal.'
"Brer Rabbit, he laugh 'way down in his stomach, but he don't let on, en
atter some mo' chat, he up'n say dat ole King Deer done tell 'im 'bout
how Brer Fox gwine ter marry he daughter, en den he tell Brer Fox dat he
done promise King Deer dat dey'd drap 'roun' ter-night en gin 'im some
music.
"'En I up'n tole 'im,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'dat de music w'at we
can't make ain't wuth makin',--me wid my quills, en you wid yo'
tr'angle.[18] De nex' motion we makes,' sezee, we'll hatter go off
some'rs en practise up on de song we'll sing, en I got one yer dat'll
tickle um dat bad,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'twel I lay dey'll fetch out
a hunk er dat big chicken-pie w'at I see um puttin' in de pot des now,'
sezee.
"In a 'casion lak dis, Brer Fox say he de ve'y man w'at Brer Rabbit
huntin', en he 'low dat he'll des 'bout put off payin' he call ter King
Deer house en go wid Brer Rabbit fer ter practise on dat song.
"Den Brer Rabbit, he git he quills en Brer Fox he git he tr'angle, en
dey went down on de spring branch, en dar dey sing en play, twel dey git
it all by heart. Ole Brer Rabbit, he make up de song he own se'f, en he
fix it so dat he sing de call, lak de captain er de co'n-pile, en ole
Brer Fox, he hatter sing de answer."[19]
At this point Uncle Remus paused to indulge in one of his suggestive
chuckles, and then proceeded:--
"Don't talk 'bout no songs ter me. Gentermens! dat 'uz a funny song fum
de wud go. Bimeby, w'en dey practise long time, dey gits up en goes
'roun' in de neighborhoods er King Deer house, en w'en night come dey
tuck der stan' at de front gate, en atter all got still, Brer Rabbit, he
gun de wink, en dey broke loose wid der music. Dey played a chune er two
on de quills en tr'angle, en den dey got ter de song. Ole Brer Rabbit,
he got de call, en he open up lak dis:--
"'_Some folks pile up mo'n dey kin tote,
En dot w'at de marter wid King Deer goat,_'
en den Brer Fox, he make answer:--
"'_Dat's so, dat's so, en I'm glad dat it's so!_'
Den de quills en de tr'angle, dey come in, en den Brer Rabbit pursue on
wid de call:--
"'_Some kill sheep en some kill shote,
But Brer Fox kill King Deer goat,_'
en den Brer Fox, he jine in wid de answer:--
"'_I did, dat I did, en I'm glad dat I did!_'
En des 'bout dat time King Deer, he walk outer de gate en hit Brer Fox a
clip wid his walkin'-cane, en he foller it up wid 'n'er'n, dat make Brer
Fox fa'rly squall, en you des better b'lieve he make tracks 'way fum
dar, en de gal she come out, en dey ax Brer Rabbit in."
"Did Brother Rabbit marry King Deer's daughter, Uncle Remus?" asked the
little boy.
"Now, den, honey, you're crowdin' me," responded the old man. "Dey ax
'im in, en dey gun 'im a great big hunk er chicken-pie, but I won't make
sho' dat he tuck'n marry de gal. De p'int wid me is de way Brer Rabbit
run Brer Fox off fum dar."
FOOTNOTES:
[16] The veritable Pan's pipes. A simple but very effective musical
instrument made of reeds, and in great favor on the plantations.
[17] A species of sweet-shrub growing wild in the South.
[18] Triangle.
[19] That is to say, Brother Rabbit sang the air and Brother Fox the
refrain.
XIV
BRER TERRAPIN DECEIVES BRER BUZZARD
There was a pause here, which was finally broken by 'Tildy, whose remark
was in the shape of a very undignified yawn. Uncle Remus regarded her
for a moment with an expression of undisguised scorn, which quickly
expressed itself in words:--
"Ef you'd er bin outer de house dat whack, you'd er tuck us all in.
Pity dey ain't some place er 'n'er whar deze yer trollops kin go en
l'arn manners."
Tildy, however, ignored the old man, and, with a toss of her head, said
to the little boy in a cool, exasperating tone, employing a pet name she
had heard the child's mother use:--
"Well, Pinx, I 'speck we better go. De rain done mos' hilt up now, en
bimeby de stars'll be a-shinin'. Miss Sally lookin' fer you right now."
"You better go whar you gwine, you triflin' huzzy, you!" exclaimed Uncle
Remus. "You better go git yo' Jim Crow kyard en straighten out dem wrops
in yo' ha'r. I allers year w'ite folks say you better keep yo' eye on
niggers w'at got der ha'r wrop up in strings. Now I done gun you fa'r
warnin's."
"Uncle Remus," said the little boy, when the old man's wrath had
somewhat subsided, "why do they call them Jim Crow cards?"
"I be bless ef I know, honey, 'ceppin' it's kaze dey er de onliest
machine w'at deze yer low-life niggers kin oncomb der kinks wid. Now,
den," continued the old man, straightening up and speaking with
considerable animation, "dat 'min's me 'bout a riddle w'at been runnin'
'roun' in my head. En dat riddle--it's de outdoin'es' riddle w'at I mos'
ever year tell un. Hit go lak dis: Ef he come, he don't come; ef he
don't come, he come. Now, I boun' you can't tell w'at is dat."
After some time spent in vain guessing, the little boy confessed that he
did n't know.
"Hit's crow en co'n," said Uncle Remus sententiously.
"Crow and corn, Uncle Remus?"
"Co'se, honey. Crow come, de co'n don't come; crow don't come, den de
co'n come."
"Dat's so," said 'Tildy. "I done see um pull up co'n, en I done see co'n
grow w'at dey don't pull up."
If 'Tildy thought to propitiate Uncle Remus, she was mistaken. He
scowled at her, and addressed himself to the little boy:--
"De Crow, he mighty close kin ter de Buzzud, en dat puts me in min' dat
we ain't bin a-keepin' up wid ole Brer Buzzud close ez we might er done.
"W'at de case mout be deze days, I ain't a-sayin', but, in dem times,
ole Brer Tarrypin love honey mo' samer dan Brer B'ar, but he wuz dat
flat-footed dat, w'en he fine a bee-tree, he can't climb it, en he go so
slow dat he can't hardly fine um. Bimeby, one day, w'en he gwine 'long
down de road des a-honin' atter honey, who should he meet but ole Brer
Buzzud.
"Dey shuck han's mighty sociable en ax 'bout de news er de
neighborhoods, en den, atter w'ile, Brer Tarrypin say ter ole Brer
Buzzud, sezee, dat he wanter go inter cahoots wid 'im 'longer gittin'
honey, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' dey struck a trade. Brer Buzzud wuz ter
fly 'roun' en look fer de bee-tree, en Brer Tarrypin he wuz ter creep en
crawl, en hunt on de groun'.
"Dey start out, dey did, ole Brer Buzzud sailin' 'roun' in de elements,
en ole Brer Tarrypin shufflin' en shamblin' on de groun'. 'Mos' de ve'y
fus' fiel' w'at he come ter, Brer Tarrypin strak up wid a great big
bumbly-bee nes' in de groun'. He look 'roun', ole Brer Tarrypin did, en
bimeby he stick he head in en tas'e de honey, en den he pull it out en
look all 'roun' fer ter see ef he kin ketch a glimpse er Brer Buzzud;
but Brer Buzzud don't seem lak he nowhar. Den Brer Tarrypin say to
hisse'f, sezee, dat he 'speck dat bumbly-bee honey ain't de kinder honey
w'at dey been talkin' 'bout, en dey ain't no great shakes er honey dar
nohow. Wid dat, Brer Tarrypin crope inter de hole en gobble up de las'
drop er de bumbly-bee honey by he own-alone se'f. Atter he done make
'way wid it, he come out, he did, en he whirl in en lick it all off'n
his footses, so ole Brer Buzzud can't tell dat he done bin git a mess er
honey.
"Den ole Brer Tarrypin stretch out he neck en try ter lick de honey
off'n he back, but he neck too short; en he try ter scrape it off up
'g'in' a tree, but it don't come off; en den he waller on de groun', but
still it don't come off. Den old Brer Tarrypin jump up, en say ter
hisse'f dat he'll des 'bout rack off home, en w'en Brer Buzzud come he
kin lie on he back en say he sick, so ole Brer Buzzud can't see de
honey.
"Brer Tarrypin start off, he did, but he happen ter look up, en, lo en
beholes, dar wuz Brer Buzzud huv'rin' right spang over de spot whar he
is. Brer Tarrypin know Brer Buzzud bleedz ter see 'im ef he start off
home, en mo'n dat, he know he be fine out ef he don't stir 'roun' en do
sump'n' mighty quick. Wid dat, Brer Tarrypin shuffle back ter de
bumbly-bee nes' swif' ez he kin, en buil' 'im a fier in dar, en den he
crawl out en holler:--
"'Brer Buzzud! O Brer Buzzud! Run yer, fer gracious sake, Brer Buzzud,
en look how much honey I done fine! I des crope in a little ways, en it
des drip all down my back, same like water. Run yer, Brer Buzzud! Half
yone en half mine, Brer Buzzud!'
"Brer Buzzud, he flop down, en he laugh en say he mighty glad, kaze he
done git hongry up dar whar he bin. Den Brer Tarrypin tell Brer Buzzud
fer ter creep in little ways en tas'e en see how he like um, w'iles he
take his stan' on de outside en watch fer somebody. But no sooner is
Brer Buzzud crope in de bumbly-bee nes' dan Brer Tarrypin take'n roll a
great big rock front er de hole. Terreckly, de fier 'gun ter bu'n Brer
Buzzud, en he sing out like a man in trouble:--
"'Sump'n' bitin' me, Brer Tarrypin--sump'n' bitin' me, Brer Tarrypin!'
"Den ole Brer Tarrypin, he holler back:--
"'It's de bumbly-bees a-stingin' you, Brer Buzzud; stan' up en flop yo'
wings, Brer Buzzud. Stan' up en flop yo' wings, Brer Buzzud, en you'll
drive um off,' sezee.
"Brer Buzzud flop en flop he wings, but de mo' w'at he flop, de mo' he
fan de fier, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' he done bodaciously bu'n up, all
'ceppin' de big een er his wing-fedders, en dem ole Brer Tarrypin tuck
en make inter some quills, w'ich he go 'roun' a-playin' un um, en de
chune w'at he play was dish yer:--
"'_I foolee, I foolee, I foolee po' Buzzud;
Po' Buzzud I foolee, I foolee, I foolee._'"
XV
BRER FOX COVETS THE QUILLS
"That must have been a mighty funny song," said the little boy.
"Fun one time ain't fun 'n'er time; some folks fines fun whar yuther
folks fines trouble. Pig may laugh w'en he see de rock a-heatin', but
dey ain't no fun dar fer de pig.[20]
"Yit, fun er no fun, dat de song w'at Brer Tarrypin play on de quills:--
"'_I foolee, I foolee, I foolee po' Buzzud;
Po' Buzzud I foolee, I foolee, I foolee._'
"Nobody dunner whar de quills cum fum, kaze Brer Tarrypin, he ain't
makin no brags how he git um; yit ev'ybody wants um on account er der
playin' sech a lonesome[21] chune, en ole Brer Fox, he want um wuss'n
all. He beg en he beg Brer Tarrypin fer ter sell 'im dem quills; but
Brer Tarrypin, he hol' on t' um tight, en say eh-eh! Den he ax Brer
Tarrypin fer ter loan um t' um des a week, so he kin play fer he
chilluns, but Brer Tarrypin, he shake he head en put he foot down, en
keep on playin':--
"'_I foolee, I foolee, I foolee po' Buzzud;
Po' Buzzud I foolee, I foolee, I foolee._'
"But Brer Fox, he ain't got no peace er min' on account er dem quills,
en one day he meet Brer Tarrypin en he ax 'im how he seem ter
segashuate[22] en he fambly en all he chilluns; en den Brer Fox ax Brer
Tarrypin ef he can't des look at de quills, kaze he got some
goose-fedders at he house, en if he kin des get a glimpse er Brer
Tarrypin quills, he 'speck he kin make some mighty like um.
"Brer Tarrypin, he study 'bout dis, but he hate ter 'ny small favors
like dat, en bimeby he hol' out dem quills whar Brer Fox kin see um. Wid
dat, Brer Fox, he tuck'n juk de quills outen Brer Tarrypin han', he did,
and dash off des ez hard ez he kin go. Brer Tarrypin, he holler en
holler at 'im des loud ez he kin holler, but he know he can't ketch 'im,
en he des sot dar, Brer Tarrypin did, en look lak he done los' all de
kin-folks w'at he got in de roun' worrul'.
"Atter dis, Brer Fox he strut 'roun' en play mighty biggity, en eve'y
time he meet Brer Tarrypin in de road he walk all 'roun' 'im en play on
de quills like dis:--
"'_I foolee, I foolee po' Buzzud;
I foolee ole Tarrypin, too._'
"Brer Tarrypin, he feel mighty bad, but he ain't sayin' nothin'. Las',
one day w'iles ole Brer Tarrypin was settin' on a log sunnin' hisse'f,
yer come Brer Fox playin' dat same old chune on de quills, but Brer
Tarrypin, he stay still. Brer Fox, he come up little nigher en play, but
Brer Tarrypin, he keep he eyes shot en he stay still. Brer Fox, he come
nigher en git on de log; Brer Tarrypin ain't sayin' nothin'. Brer Fox
still git up nigher en play on de quills; still Brer Tarrypin ain't
sayin' nothin'.
"'Brer Tarrypin mighty sleepy dis mawnin',' sez Brer Fox, sezee.
"Still Brer Tarrypin keep he eyes shot en stay still. Brer Fox keep on
gittin' nigher en nigher, twel bimeby Brer Tarrypin open he eyes en he
mouf bofe, en he make a grab at Brer Fox en miss 'im.
"But hol' on!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, in response to an expression of
intense disappointment in the child's face. "You des wait a minnit. Nex'
mawnin', Brer Tarrypin take hisse'f off en waller in a mud-hole, en
smear hisse'f wid mud twel he look des 'zackly lak a clod er dirt. Den
he crawl off en lay down un'need a log whar he know Brer Fox come eve'y
mawnin' fer ter freshen[23] hisse'f.
"Brer Tarrypin lay dar, he did, en terreckly yer come Brer Fox. Time he
git dar, Brer Fox 'gun ter lip backerds en forerds 'cross de log, and
Brer Tarrypin he crope nigher en nigher, twel bimeby he make a grab at
Brer Fox en kotch him by de foot. Dey tells me," continued Uncle Remus,
rubbing his hands together in token of great satisfaction,--"dey tells
me dat w'en Brer Tarrypin ketch holt, hit got ter thunder 'fo' he let
go. All I know, Brer Tarrypin git Brer Fox by de foot, en he hilt 'im
dar. Brer Fox he jump en he r'ar, but Brer Tarrypin done got 'im. Brer
Fox, he holler out:--
"'Brer Tarrypin, please lemme go!'
"Brer Tarrypin talk way down in his th'oat:--
"'Gim' my quills!'
"'Lemme go en fetch um.'
"'Gim'my quills!'
"'Do pray lemme go git um.'
"'Gim'my quills!'
[Illustration: "'BRER TARRYPIN. PLEASE LEMME GO!'"]
"En, bless gracious! dis all Brer Fox kin git outer Brer Tarrypin. Las',
Brer Fox foot hu't 'im so bad dat he bleedz ter do sump'n', en he sing
out fer his ole 'oman fer ter fetch de quills, but he ole 'oman, she
busy 'bout de house, en she don't year 'im. Den he call he son, w'ich he
name Tobe. He holler en bawl, en Tobe make answer:
"'Tobe! O Tobe! You Tobe!'
"'Wat you want, daddy?'
"'Fetch Brer Tarrypin quills.'
"'Wat you say, daddy? Fetch de big tray ter git de honey in?'
"'No, you crazy-head! Fetch Brer Tarrypin quills!'
"'Wat you say, daddy? Fetch de dipper ter ketch de minners in?'
"'No, you fool! Fetch Brer Tarrypin quills!'
"'Wat you say, daddy? Water done been spill?'
"Hit went on dis a-way twel atter w'ile ole Miss Fox year de racket, en
den she lissen, en she know dat 'er ole man holler'n' fer de quills, en
she fotch um out en gun um ter Brer Tarrypin, en Brer Tarrypin, he let
go he holt. He let go he holt," Uncle Remus went on, "but long time
atter dat, w'en Brer Fox go ter pay he calls, he hatter go
_hoppity-fetchity, hoppity-fetchity_."
The old man folded his hands in his lap, and sat quietly gazing into the
lightwood fire. Presently he said:--
"I 'speck Miss Sally blessin' us all right now, en fus' news you know
she'll h'ist up en have Mars John a-trapesin' down yer; en ef she do
dat, den ter-morrer mawnin' my brekkuss'll be col', en lakwise my
dinner, en ef dey's sump'n' w'at I 'spizes hit's col' vittels."
Thereupon Uncle Remus arose, shook himself, peered out into the night to
discover that the rain had nearly ceased, and then made ready to carry
the little boy to his mother. Long before the chickens had crowed for
midnight, the child, as well as the old man, had been transported to the
land where myths and fables cease to be wonderful,--the land of pleasant
dreams.
FOOTNOTES:
[20] An allusion to the primitive mode of cleaning hogs by heating
rocks, and placing them in a barrel or tank of water.
[21] This word "lonesome," as used by the negroes, is the equivalent of
"thrilling," "romantic," etc., and in that sense is very expressive.
[22] An inquiry after his health. Another form is: "How does yo'
corporosity seem ter segashuate?"
[23] Exercise himself.
XVI
HOW BRER FOX FAILED TO GET HIS GRAPES
One night the little boy failed to make his appearance at the accustomed
hour, and the next morning the intelligence that the child was sick went
forth from the "big house." Uncle Remus was told that it had been
necessary during the night to call in two physicians. When this
information was imparted to the old man, there was an expression upon
his countenance of awe not unmixed with indignation. He gave vent to the
latter:--
"Dar now! Two un um! W'en dat chile rize up, ef rize up he do, he'll des
nat'ally be a shadder. Yer I is, gwine on eighty year, en I ain't tuck
none er dat ar docter truck yit, ceppin' it's dish yer flas' er
poke-root w'at ole Miss Favers fix up fer de stiffness in my j'ints.
Dey'll come en dey'll go, en dey'll po' in der jollup yer, en slap on
der fly-plarster dar, en sprinkle der calomy yander, twel bimeby dat
chile won't look like hisse'f. Dat's w'at! En mo'n dat, hit's mighty
kuse unter me dat ole folks kin go 'long en stan' up ter de rack en
gobble up der 'lowance, en yit chilluns is got ter be strucken down. Ef
Miss Sally'll des tu'n dem docter mens loose onter me, I lay I lick up
der physic twel dey go off 'stonish'd."
But no appeal of this nature was made to Uncle Remus. The illness of the
little boy was severe, but not fatal. He took his medicine and improved,
until finally even the doctors pronounced him convalescent. But he was
very weak, and it was a fortnight before he was permitted to leave his
bed. He was restless, and yet his term of imprisonment was full of
pleasure. Every night after supper Uncle Remus would creep softly into
the back piazza, place his hat carefully on the floor, rap gently on the
door by way of announcement, and so pass into the nursery. How patient
his vigils, how tender his ministrations, only the mother of the little
boy knew; how comfortable and refreshing the change from the bed to the
strong arms of Uncle Remus, only the little boy could say.
Almost the first manifestation of the child's convalescence was the
renewal of his interest in the wonderful adventures of Brother Rabbit,
Brother Fox, and the other brethren who flourished in that strange past
over which this modern Æsop had thrown the veil of fable. "Miss Sally,"
as Uncle Remus called the little boy's mother, sitting in an adjoining
room, heard the youngster pleading for a story, and after a while she
heard the old man clear up his throat with a great affectation of
formality and begin.
"Dey ain't skacely no p'int whar ole Brer Rabbit en ole Brer Fox made
der 'greements side wid one er 'n'er; let 'lone dat, dey wuz one p'int
'twix' 'um w'ich it wuz same ez fier en tow, en dat wuz Miss Meadows en
de gals. Little ez you might 'speck, dem same creeturs wuz bofe un um
flyin' 'roun' Miss Meadows en de gals. Ole Brer Rabbit, he'd go dar, en
dar he'd fine ole Brer Fox settin' up gigglin' wid de gals, en den he'd
skuze hisse'f, he would, en gallop down de big road a piece, en paw up
de san' same lak dat ar ball-face steer w'at tuck'n tuck off yo' pa'
coat-tail las' Feberwary. En lakwise ole Brer Fox, he'd sa'nter in, en
fine old man Rab. settin' 'longside er de gals, en den he'd go out down
de road en grab a 'simmon-bush in he mouf, en nat'ally gnyaw de bark
off'n it. In dem days, honey," continued Uncle Remus, responding to a
look of perplexity on the child's face, "creeturs wuz wuss dan w'at dey
is now. Dey wuz dat--lots wuss.
"Dey went on dis a-way twel, bimeby, Brer Rabbit 'gun ter cas' 'roun',
he did, fer ter see ef he can't bus' inter some er Brer Fox
'rangerments, en, atter w'ile, one day w'en he wer' settin' down by de
side er de road wukkin up de diffunt oggyment w'at strak pun he mine, en
fixin' up he tricks, des 'bout dat time he year a clatter up de long
green lane, en yer come ole Brer
Fox_toobookity--bookity--bookity-book--_lopin' 'long mo' samer dan a
bay colt in de bolly-patch. En he wuz all primp up, too, mon, en he look
slick en shiny lak he des come outen de sto'. Ole man Rab., he sot dar,
he did, en w'en ole Brer Fox come gallopin' 'long, Brer Rabbit, he up'n
hail 'im. Brer Fox, he fotch up, en dey pass de time er day wid one er
nudder monst'us perlite; en den, bimeby atter w'ile, Brer Rabbit, he
up'n say, sezee, dat he got some mighty good news fer Brer Fox; en Brer
Fox, he up'n ax 'im w'at is it. Den Brer Rabbit, he sorter scratch he
year wid his behime foot en say, sezee:--
"'I wuz takin' a walk day 'fo' yistiddy,' sezee, 'w'en de fus' news I
know'd I run up gin de bigges' en de fattes' bunch er grapes dat I ever
lay eyes on. Dey wuz dat fat en dat big,' sezee, 'dat de natal juice wuz
des drappin' fum um, en de bees wuz a-swawmin' atter de honey, en little
ole Jack Sparrer en all er his fambly conneckshun wuz skeetin' 'roun'
dar dippin' in der bills,' sezee.
"Right den en dar," Uncle Remus went on, "Brer Fox mouf 'gun ter water,
en he look outer he eye like he de bes' frien' w'at Brer Rabbit got in
de roun' worl'. He done fergit all 'bout de gals, en he sorter sidle up
ter Brer Rabbit, he did, en he say, sezee:--
"'Come on, Brer Rabbit,' sezee, 'en less you 'n me go git dem ar grapes
'fo' deyer all gone,' sezee. En den ole Brer Rabbit, he laff, he did, en
up'n 'spon', sezee:--
"'I hungry myse'f, Brer Fox,' sezee, 'but I ain't hankerin' atter
grapes, en I'll be in monst'us big luck ef I kin rush 'roun' yer some'rs
en scrape up a bait er pusley time nuff fer ter keep de breff in my
body. En yit,' sezee,' ef you take'n rack off atter deze yer grapes,
w'at Miss Meadows en de gals gwine do? I lay dey got yo' name in de
pot,' sezee.
"'Ez ter dat,' sez ole Brer Fox, sezee, 'I kin drap 'roun' en see de
ladies atterwards,' sezee.
"'Well, den, ef dat's yo' game,' sez ole man Rab., sezee, 'I kin squot
right flat down yer on de groun' en p'int out de way des de same ez
leadin' you dar by de han',' sezee; en den Brer Rabbit sorter chaw on he
cud lak he gedder'n up his 'membunce, en he up'n say, sezee:--
"'You know dat ar place whar you went atter sweetgum fer Miss Meadows en
de gals t'er day?' sezee.
"Brer Fox 'low dat he know dat ar place same ez he do he own
tater-patch.
"'Well, den,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'de grapes ain't dar. You git ter
de sweetgum,' sezee, 'en den you go up de branch twel you come ter a
little patch er bamboo brier--but de grapes ain't dar. Den you follow
yo' lef' han' en strike 'cross de hill twel you come ter dat big red oak
root--but de grapes ain't dar. On you goes down de hill twel you come
ter 'n'er branch, en on dat branch dars a dogwood-tree leanin' 'way
over, en nigh dat dogwood dars a vine, en in dat vine, dar you'll fine
yo' grapes. Deyer dat ripe,' sez ole Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'dat dey look
like deyer done melt tergedder, en I speck you'll fine um full er bugs,
but you kin take dat fine bushy tail er yone, Brer Fox,' sezee, 'en
bresh dem bugs away.'
"Brer Fox 'low he much 'blige, en den he put out atter de grapes in a
han'-gallop, en w'en he done got outer sight, en likewise outer year'n,
Brer Rabbit, he take'n git a blade er grass, he did, en tickle hisse'f
in de year, en den he holler en laff, en laff en holler, twel he hatter
lay down fer ter git he breff back 'gin.
"Den, atter so long time, Brer Rabbit he jump up, he do, en take atter
Brer Fox, but Brer Fox, he ain't look ter de right ner de lef', en
needer do he look behime; he des keep a-rackin' 'long twel he come ter
de sweetgum-tree, en den he tu'n up de branch twel he come ter de bamboo
brier, en den he tu'n squar ter de lef' twel he come ter de big red-oak
root, en den he keep on down he hill twel he come ter de yuther branch,
en dar he see de dogwood; en mo'n dat, dar nigh de dogwood he see de
vine, en in dat vine dar wuz de big bunch er grapes. Sho' nuff, dey wuz
all kivvud wid bugs.
"Ole Brer Rabbit, he'd bin a-pushin' 'long atter Brer Fox, but he des
hatter scratch gravel fer ter keep up. Las' he hove in sight, en he lay
off in de weeds, he did, fer ter watch Brer Fox motions. Present'y Brer
Fox crope up de leanin' dogwood-tree twel he come nigh de grapes, en den
he sorter ballunce hisse'f on a lim' en gun um a swipe wid his big bushy
tail, fer ter bresh off de bugs. But, bless yo' soul, honey! no sooner
is he done dat dan he fetch a squall w'ich Miss Meadows vow atterwards
she year plum ter her house, en down he come--_kerblim_!"
"What was the matter, Uncle Remus?" the little boy asked.
"Law, honey! dat seetful Brer Rabbit done fool ole Brer Fox. Dem ar
grapes all so fine wuz needer mo' ner less dan a great big was'-nes', en
dem bugs wuz deze yer red wassies--deze yer speeshy w'at's rank pizen
fum cen' ter cen'. W'en Brer Fox drap fum de tree de wassies dey drap
wid 'im, en de way dey wom ole Brer Fox up wuz sinful. Dey ain't mo'n
tetch' im 'fo' dey had 'im het up ter de b'ilin' p'int. Brer Fox, he
run, en he kick, en he scratch, en he bite, en he scramble, en he
holler, en he howl, but look lak dey git wuss en wuss. One time, hit
seem lak Brer Fox en his new 'quaintance wuz makin' todes Brer Rabbit,
but dey ain't no sooner p'int dat way, dan ole Brer Rabbit, he up'n make
a break, en he went sailin' thoo de woods wuss'n wunner dese
whully-win's, en he ain't stop twel he fetch up at Miss Meadows.
"Miss Meadows en de gals, dey ax 'im, dey did, wharbouts wuz Brer Fox,
en Brer Rabbit, he up'n 'spon' dat he done gone a-grape-huntin', en den
Miss Meadows, she 'low, she did:--
"'Law, gals! is you ever year de beat er dat? En dat, too, w'en Brer Fox
done say he comin' ter dinner,' sez she. 'I lay I done wid Brer Fox,
kaze you can't put no pennunce in deze yer men-folks,' sez she. 'Yer de
dinner bin done dis long time, en we bin a-waitin' lak de quality. But
now I'm done wid Brer Fox,' sez she.
"Wid dat, Miss Meadows en de gals dey ax Brer Rabbit fer ter stay ter
dinner, en Brer Rabbit, he sorter make like he wanter be skuze, but
bimeby he tuck a cheer en sot um out. He tuck a cheer," continued Uncle
Remus, "en he ain't bin dar long twel he look out en spy ole Brer Fox
gwine 'long by, en w'at do Brer Rabbit do but call Miss Meadows en de
gals en p'int 'im out? Soon's dey seed 'im dey sot up a monst'us
gigglement, kaze Brer Fox wuz dat swell up twel little mo'n he'd a bus'.
He head wuz swell up, en down ter he legs, dey wuz swell up. Miss
Meadows, she up'n say dat Brer Fox look like he done gone en got all de
grapes dey wuz in de neighborhoods, en one er de yuther gals, she
squeal, she did, en say:--
"'Law, ain't you 'shame', en right yer 'fo' Brer Rabbit!'
"En den dey hilt der han's 'fo' der face en giggle des like gals duz
deze days."
XVII
BRER FOX FIGURES AS AN INCENDIARY
The next night the little boy had been thoughtful enough to save some of
his supper for Uncle Remus, and to this "Miss Sally" had added, on her
own account, a large piece of fruit-cake. The old man appeared to be
highly pleased.
"Ef ders enny kinder cake w'at I likes de mos', hit's dish yer kine
w'at's got reezins strowed 'mongs' it. Wid sick folks, now," he
continued, holding up the cake and subjecting it to a critical
examination, "dish yer hunk 'ud mighty nigh las' a mont', but wid a well
man lak I is, hit won't las' a minnit."
And it did n't. It disappeared so suddenly that the little boy laughed
aloud, and wanted Uncle Remus to have some more cake; but the latter
protested that he did n't come there "fer ter git founder'd," but merely
to see "ef somebody's strenk uz strong 'nuff fer ter stan' 'n'er tale."
The little boy said if Uncle Remus meant him, he was sure his health was
good enough to listen to any number of stories. Whereupon, the old man,
without any tantalizing preliminaries, began:--
"Brer Fox done bin fool so much by Brer Rabbit dat he sorter look 'roun'
fer ter see ef he can't ketch up wid some er de yuther creeturs, en so,
one day, w'iles he gwine long down de big road, who should he strak up
wid but old Brer Tarrypin. Brer Fox sorter lick his chops, en 'low dat
ef he kin fling ennybody en gin um all-under holt, Brer Tarrypin de man,
en he march up, mighty biggity, like he gwine ter make spote un 'im.
W'en he git up nigh 'nuff, Brer Fox hail 'im:--
"'How you 'speck you fine yo'se'f dis mawnin', Brer Tarrypin?' sezee.
"'Slow, Brer Fox--mighty slow,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee. 'Day in en day
out I'm mighty slow, en it look lak I'm a-gittin' slower; I'm slow en
po'ly, Brer Fox--how you come on?' sezee.
"'Oh, I'm slanchindickler, same ez I allers is,' sez Brer Fox, sezee.
'W'at make yo' eye so red, Brer Tarrypin?' sezee.
"'Hit's all 'longer de trouble I see, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Tarrypin,
sezee. 'I see trouble en you see none; trouble come en pile up on
trouble,' sezee.
"'Law, Brer Tarrypin!' sez Brer Fox, sezee, 'you ain't see no trouble
yit. Ef you wanter see sho' 'nuff trouble, you des oughter go 'longer
me; I'm de man w'at kin show you trouble,' sezee.
"'Well, den,' sez ole Brer Tarrypin, sezee, 'ef youer de man w'at kin
show me trouble, den I'm de man w'at want a glimpse un it,' sezee.
"Den Brer Fox, he ax Brer Tarrypin is he seed de Ole Boy, en den Brer
Tarrypin, he make answer dat he ain't seed 'im yit, but he year tell un
'im. Wid dat, Brer Fox 'low de Ole Boy de kinder trouble he bin talkin'
'bout, en den Brer Tarrypin, he up'n ax how he gwine see 'im. Brer Fox,
he tak'n lay out de pogrance, en he up'n tell Brer Tarrypin dat ef he'll
step up dar in de middle er dat ole broom-sage fiel', en squot dar a
spell, 't won't be no time 'fo' he'll ketch a glimpse er de Ole Boy.
"Brer Tarrypin know'd ders sump'n' wrong some'rs, yit he mos' too
flat-flooted fer ter have enny scuffle wid Brer Fox, en he say ter
hisse'f dat he'll go 'long en des trus' ter luck; en den he 'low dat ef
Brer Fox he'p 'im 'cross de fence, he b'lieve he'll go up en resk one
eye on de Ole Boy. Co'se Brer Fox hope 'im 'cross, en no sooner is he
good en gone, dan Brer Fox, he fix up fer ter make 'im see trouble. He
lipt out ter Miss Meadows house, Brer Fox did, en make like he wanter
borry a chunk er fier fer ter light he pipe, en he tuck dat chunk, en he
run 'roun' de fiel', en he sot de grass a fier, en't wa'n't long 'fo' it
look lak de whole face er de yeth waz a-blazin' up."
"Did it burn the Terrapin up?" interrupted the little boy.
"Don't push me, honey; don't make me git de kyart 'fo' de hoss. W'en ole
Brer Tarrypin 'gun ter wade thoo de straw, de ve'y fus' man w'at he
strak up wid wuz ole man Rabbit layin' dar sleepin' on de shady side uv
a tussock. Brer Rabbit, he one er deze yer kinder mens w'at sleep wid
der eye wide open, en he wuz 'wake d'reckly he year Brer Tarrypin
scufflin' en scramblin' 'long thoo de grass. Atter dey shuck han's en ax
'bout one er n'er fambly, hit ain't take long fer Brer Tarrypin fer ter
tell Brer Rabbit w'at fotch 'im dar, en Brer Rabbit, he up'n say,
sezee:--
"'Hit's des na'tally a born blessin' dat you struck up wid me w'en you
did,' sezee, 'kaze little mo' en bofe un us would 'a' bin bobbycu'd,'
sezee.
"Dis kinder tarrify Brer Tarrypin, en he say he wanter git out fum dar;
but Brer Rabbit he 'low he'd take keer un 'im, en he tuck'n tuck Brer
Tarrypin in de middle er de fiel' whar dey wuz a big holler stump. Onter
dis stump Brer Rabbit lif' Brer Tarrypin, en den he lip up hisse'f en
crope in de holler, en, bless yo' soul, honey, w'en de fier come
a-snippin' en a-snappin', dar dey sot des ez safe en ez snug ez you iz
in yo' bed dis minnit.
"W'en de blaze blow over, Brer Tarrypin look 'roun', en he see Brer Fox
runnin' up'n down de fence lak he huntin' sump'n'. Den Brer Rabbit, he
stick he head up outen de hole, en likewise he seed 'im, and den he
holler like Brer Tarrypin" (Here Uncle Remus puckered his voice, so to
say, in a most amusing squeak):
"'Brer Fox! Brer Fox! O Brer Fox! Run yer--we done kotch Brer Rabbit!'
"En den Brer Fox, he jump up on de top rail er de fence en fetch a
spring dat lan' 'im 'way out in de bu'nin' grass, en it hurted 'im en
sting 'im in de footses dat bad, dat he squeal en he roll, en de mo' he
roll de wuss it bu'n him, en Brer Rabbit en Brer Tarrypin dey des holler
en laff. Bimeby Brer Fox git out, en off he put down de road, limpin'
fus' on one foot en den on de yuther."
The little boy laughed, and then there was a long silence--so long,
indeed, that Uncle Remus's "Miss Sally," sewing in the next room,
concluded to investigate it. An exceedingly interesting tableau met her
sight. The little child had wandered into the land of dreams with a
smile on his face. He lay with one of his little hands buried in both of
Uncle Remus's, while the old man himself was fast asleep, with his head
thrown back and his mouth wide open. "Miss Sally" shook him by the
shoulder and held up her finger to prevent him from speaking. He was
quiet until she held the lamp for him to get down the back steps, and
then she heard him say, in an indignantly mortified tone:--
"Now den, Miss Sally'll be a-riggin' me 'bout noddin', but stidder dat
she better be glad dat I ain't bus loose en sno' en 'larm de house--let
'lone dat sick baby. Dat's w'at!"
XVIII
A DREAM AND A STORY
"I dreamed all about Brother Fox and Brother Rabbit last night, Uncle
Remus," exclaimed the little boy when the old man came in after supper
and took his seat by the side of the trundle-bed; "I dreamed that
Brother Fox had wings and tried to catch Brother Rabbit by flying after
him."
"I don't 'spute it, honey, dat I don't!" replied the old man, in a tone
which implied that he was quite prepared to believe the dream itself was
true. "Manys en manys de time, deze long nights en deze rainy spells,
dat I sets down dar in my house over ag'in de chimbley-jam--I sets dar
en I dozes, en it seem lak dat ole Brer Rabbit, he'll stick he head in
de crack er de do' en see my eye periently shot, en den he'll beckon
back at de yuther creeturs, en den dey'll all come slippin' in on der
tip-toes, en dey'll set dar en run over de ole times wid one er n'er, en
crack der jokes same ez dey useter. En den ag'in," continued the old
man, shutting his eyes and giving to his voice a gruesome intonation
quite impossible to describe,--"en den ag'in hit look lak dat Brer
Rabbit'll gin de wink all 'roun', en den dey'll tu'n in en git up a
reg'lar juberlee. Brer Rabbit, he'll retch up en take down de trivet, en
Brer Fox, he'll snatch up de griddle, en Brer B'ar, he'll lay holt er de
pot-hooks, en ole Brer Tarrypin, he'll grab up de fryin' pan en dar
dey'll have it, up en down, en' roun' en 'roun'. Hit seem like ter me
dat ef I kin git my mine smoove down en ketch up some er dem ar chunes
w'at dey sets dar en plays, den I 'd lean back yer in dish yer cheer en
I'd intrance you wid um, twel, by dis time termorrer night, you'd be
settin' up dar at de supper-table 'sputin' 'longer yo' little brer 'bout
de 'lasses pitcher. Dem creeturs dey sets dar," Uncle Remus went on, "en
dey plays dem kinder chunes w'at moves you fum 'way back yander; en
manys de time w'en I gits lonesome kaze dey ain't nobody year um
'ceppin' it's me. Dey ain't no tellin' de chunes dey is in dat trivet,
en in dat griddle, en in dat fryin'-pan er mine; dat dey ain't. W'en dem
creeturs walks in en snatches um down, dey lays Miss Sally's pianner in
de shade, en Mars John's flute, hit ain't nowhars."
"Do they play on them just like a band, Uncle Remus?" inquired the
little boy, who was secretly in hopes that the illusion would not be
destroyed.
"Dey comes des lak I tell you, honey. W'en I shets my eyes en dozes, dey
comes en dey plays, but w'en I opens my eyes dey ain't dar. Now, den,
w'en dat's de shape er marters, w'at duz I do? I des shets my eyes en
hol' um shot, en let um come en play dem ole time chunes twel long atter
bed-time done come en gone."
Uncle Remus paused, as though he expected the little boy to ask some
question or make some comment, but the child said nothing, and presently
the old man resumed, in a matter-of-fact tone:--
"Dat dream er yone, honey, 'bout Brer Fox wid wings, fetches up de time
w'en Brer Fox en Brer Wolf had der fallin' out wid one er n'er--but I
'speck I done tole you 'bout dat."
"Oh, no, you have n't, Uncle Remus! You know you have n't!" the little
boy exclaimed.
"Well, den, one day, atter so long a time, Brer Wolf en Brer Fox dey got
ter 'sputin' 'longer one er n'er. Brer Wolf, he tuck'n 'buse Brer Fox
kaze Brer Fox let Brer Rabbit fool 'im, en den Brer Fox, he tuck'n quol
back at Brer Wolf, kaze Brer Wolf let ole man Rabbit lakwise fool 'im.
Dey keep on 'sputin' en 'sputin', twel bimeby dey clinch, en Brer Wolf,
bein' de bigges' man, 't would n't a bin long 'fo' he'd a wool Brer Fox,
but Brer Fox, he watch he chance, he did, en he gin 'im leg bail."
"Gave him what, Uncle Remus?"
"Gin 'im leg bail, honey. He juk loose fum Brer Wolf, Brer Fox did, en,
gentermens, he des mosey thoo de woods. Brer Wolf, he tuck atter 'm, he
did, en dar dey had it, en Brer Wolf push Brer Fox so close, dat de
onliest way Brer Fox kin save he hide is ter fine a hole some'rs, en de
fus' holler tree dat he come 'cross, inter it he dove. Brer Wolf fetcht
a grab at 'im, but he wuz des in time fer ter be too late.
"Den Brer Wolf, he sot dar, he did, en he study en study how he gwine
git Brer Fox out, en Brer Fox, he lay in dar, he did, en he study en
study w'at Brer Wolf gwine do. Bimeby, Brer Wolf, he tuck'n gedder up a
whole lot er chunks, en rocks, en sticks, en den he tuck'n fill up de
hole what Brer Fox went in so Brer Fox can't git out. Wiles dis wuz
gwine on, ole Brer Tukky Buzzud, he wuz sailin' 'roun' 'way up in de
elements, wid he eye peel fer bizness, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' he glance
lit on Brer Wolf, en he 'low ter hisse'f, sezee:--
"'I'll des sorter flop down,' sezee, 'en look inter dis, kaze ef Brer
Wolf hidin' he dinner dar wid de expeck'shun er findin' it dar w'en he
come back, den he done gone en put it in de wrong place,' sezee.
"Wid dat ole Brer Tukky Buzzud, he flop down en sail 'roun' nigher, en
he soon see dat Brer Wolf ain't hidin' no dinner. Den he flop down
furder, ole Brer Buzzud did, twel he lit on de top er de holler tree.
Brer Wolf, he done kotch a glimpse er ole Brer Buzzud shadder, but he
keep on puttin' chunks en rocks in de holler. Den, present'y, Brer
Buzzud, he open up:--
"'W'at you doin' dar, Brer Wolf?'
"'Makin' a toom-stone, Brer Buzzud.'
"Co'se Brer Buzzud sorter feel like he got intruss in marters like dis,
en he holler back:--
"'Who dead now, Brer Wolf?'
"'Wunner yo' 'quaintance, w'ich he name Brer Fox, Brer Buzzud.'
"'Wen he die, Brer Wolf?'
"'He ain't dead yit, but he won't las' long in yer, Brer Buzzud.'
"Brer Wolf, he keep on, he did, twel he done stop up de hole good, en
den he bresh de trash off'n his cloze, en put out fer home. Brer Tukky
Buzzud, he sot up dar, he did, en ontankle his tail fedders, en lissen
en lissen, but Brer Fox, he keep dark, en Brer Buzzud ain't year
nuthin'. Den Brer Buzzud, he flop he wings en sail away.
"Bimeby, nex' day, bright en early, yer he come back, en he sail all
'roun' en 'roun' de tree, but Brer Fox he lay low en keep dark, en Brer
Buzzud ain't year nuthin'. Atter w'ile, Brer Buzzud he sail 'roun'
ag'in, en dis time he sing, en de song w'at he sing is dish yer:--
"'_Boo, boo, boo, my filler-mer-loo,
Man out yer wid news fer you!_'
Den he sail all 'roun' en 'roun' n'er time en listen, en bimeby he year
Brer Fox sing back:--
"'_Go 'way, go 'way, my little jug er beer,
De news you bring, I yeard las' year._'"
"Beer, Uncle Remus? What kind of beer did they have then?" the little
boy inquired.
"Now, den, honey, youer gittin' me up in a close cornder," responded the
old man, in an unusually serious tone. "Beer is de way de tale runs, but
w'at kinder beer it moughter bin ain't come down ter me--en yit hit seem
lak I year talk some'rs dat dish yer beer wuz mos' prins'ply 'simmon
beer."
This seemed to satisfy the small but exacting audience, and Uncle Remus
continued:--
"So, den, w'en Brer Buzzud year Brer Fox sing back, he 'low he ain't
dead, en wid dat, Brer Buzzud, he sail off en 'ten' ter he yuther
business. Nex' day back he come, en Brer Fox, he sing back, he did, des
ez lively ez a cricket in de ashes, en it keep on dis way twel Brer Fox
stomach 'gun ter pinch him, en den he know dat he gotter study up some
kinder plans fer ter git out fum dar. N'er day pass, en Brer Fox, he
tuck'n lay low, en it keep on dat a-way twel hit look like ter Brer Fox,
pent up in dar, he mus' sholy pe'sh. Las', one day Brer Buzzud come
sailin' all 'roun' en 'roun' wid dat
"'_Boo, boo, boo, my filler-mer-loo_,'
but Brer Fox, he keep dark en Brer Buzzud, he tuck'n spishun dat Brer
Fox wuz done dead. Brer Buzzud, he keep on singin', en Brer Fox he keep
on layin' low, twel bimeby Brer Buzzud lit en 'gun ter cle'r 'way de
trash en truck fum de holler. He hop up, he did, en tuck out one chunk,
en den he hop back en lissen, but Brer Fox stay still. Den Brer Buzzud
hop up en tuck out n'er chunk, en den hop back en lissen, en all dis
time Brer Fox mouf 'uz waterin' w'iles he lay back in dar en des
nat'ally honed atter Brer Buzzud. Hit went on dis a-way, twel des 'fo'
he got de hole unkivvud, Brer Fox, he break out he did, en grab Brer
Buzzud by de back er de neck. Dey wuz a kinder scuffle 'mongs' um, but
't wa'n't fer long, en dat wuz de las' er ole Brer Tukky Buzzud."
XIX
THE MOON IN THE MILL-POND
One night when the little boy made his usual visit to Uncle Remus, he
found the old man sitting up in his chair fast asleep. The child said
nothing. He was prepared to exercise a good deal of patience upon
occasion, and the occasion was when he wanted to hear a story. But, in
making himself comfortable, he aroused Uncle Remus from his nap.
"I let you know, honey," said the old man, adjusting his spectacles, and
laughing rather sheepishly,--"I let you know, honey, w'en I gits my
head r'ar'd back dat a-way, en my eyeleds shot, en my mouf open, en my
chin p'intin' at de rafters, den dey's some mighty quare gwines on in my
min'. Dey is dat, des ez sho' ez youer settin' dar. W'en I fus' year you
comin' down de paf," Uncle Remus continued, rubbing his beard
thoughtfully, "I 'uz sorter fear'd you mought 'spicion dat I done gone
off on my journeys fer ter see ole man Nod."
This was accompanied by a glance of inquiry, to which the little boy
thought it best to respond.
"Well, Uncle Remus," he said, "I did think I heard you snoring when I
came in."
"Now you see dat!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, in a tone of grieved
astonishment; "you see dat! Man can't lean hisse'f 'pun his 'membunce,
'ceppin' dey's some un fer ter come high-primin' 'roun' en 'lowin' dat
he done gone ter sleep. _Shoo!_ W'en you stept in dat do' dar I 'uz
right in 'mungs some mighty quare notions--mighty quare notions. Dey
ain't no two ways; ef I uz ter up en let on 'bout all de notions w'at I
gits in 'mungs, folks 'ud hatter come en kyar me off ter de place whar
dey puts 'stracted people.
"Atter I sop up my supper," Uncle Remus went on, "I tuck'n year some
flutterments up dar 'mungs de rafters, en I look up, en dar wuz a Bat
sailin' 'roun'. 'Roun' en 'roun', en 'roun' she go--und' de rafters,
'bove de rafters--en ez she sail she make noise lak she grittin' 'er
toofies. Now, w'at dat Bat atter, I be bless ef I kin tell you, but dar
she wuz; 'roun' en 'roun', over en under. I ax 'er w'at do she want up
dar, but she ain't got no time fer ter tell; 'roun' en 'roun', en over
en under. En bimeby, out she flip, en I boun' she grittin' 'er toofies
en gwine 'roun' en 'roun' out dar, en dodgin' en flippin' des lak de
elements wuz full er rafters en cobwebs.
"W'en she flip out I le'nt my head back, I did, en 't wa'n't no time
'fo' I git mix up wid my notions. Dat Bat wings so limber en 'er will
so good dat she done done 'er day's work dar 'fo' you could 'er run ter
de big house en back. De Bat put me in min' er folks," continued Uncle
Remus, settling himself back in his chair, "en folks put me in min' er
de creeturs."
Immediately the little boy was all attention.
"Dey wuz times," said the old man, with something like a sigh, "w'en de
creeturs 'ud segashuate tergedder des like dey ain't had no fallin' out.
Dem wuz de times w'en ole Brer Rabbit 'ud 'ten 'lak he gwine quit he
'havishness, en dey'd all go 'roun' des lak dey b'long ter de same
fambly connexion.
"One time atter dey bin gwine in cohoots dis a-way, Brer Rabbit 'gun ter
feel his fat, he did, en dis make 'im git projecky terreckly. De mo'
peace w'at dey had, de mo' wuss Brer Rabbit feel, twel bimeby he git
restless in de min'. W'en de sun shine he'd go en lay off in de grass en
kick at de gnats, en nibble at de mullen stalk en waller in de san'. One
night atter supper, w'iles he 'uz romancin' 'roun', he run up wid ole
Brer Tarrypin, en atter dey shuck han's dey sot down on de side er de
road en run on 'bout ole times. Dey talk en dey talk, dey did, en bimeby
Brer Rabbit say it done come ter dat pass whar he bleedz ter have some
fun, en Brer Tarrypin 'low dat Brer Rabbit des de ve'y man he bin
lookin' fer.
"'Well den,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'we'll des put Brer Fox, en Brer
Wolf, en Brer B'ar on notice, en termorrer night we'll meet down by de
mill-pon' en have a little fishin' frolic. I'll do de talkin',' sez Brer
Rabbit, sezee, 'en you kin set back en say _yea_,' sezee.
"Brer Tarrypin laugh.
"'Ef I ain't dar,' sezee, 'den you may know de grasshopper done fly 'way
wid me,' sezee.
"'En you neenter bring no fiddle, n'er,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'kaze
dey ain't gwineter be no dancin' dar,' sezee.
"Wid dat," continued Uncle Remus, "Brer Rabbit put out fer home, en
went ter bed, en Brer Tarrypin bruise 'roun' en make his way todes de
place so he kin be dar 'gin de 'p'inted time.
"Nex' day Brer Rabbit sont wud ter de yuther creeturs, en dey all make
great 'miration, kaze dey ain't think 'bout dis deyse'f. Brer Fox, he
'low, he did, dat he gwine atter Miss Meadows en Miss Motts, en de
yuther gals.
"Sho' nuff, w'en de time come dey wuz all dar. Brer B'ar, he fotch a
hook en line; Brer Wolf, he fotch a hook en line; Brer Fox, he fotch a
dip-net, en Brer Tarrypin, not ter be outdone, he fotch de bait."
"What did Miss Meadows and Miss Motts bring?" the little boy asked.
Uncle Remus dropped his head slightly to one side, and looked over his
spectacles at the little boy.
"Miss Meadows en Miss Motts," he continued, "dey tuck'n stan' way back
fum de aidge er de pon' en squeal eve'y time Brer Tarrypin shuck de box
er bait at um. Brer B'ar 'low he gwine ter fish fer mud-cats; Brer Wolf
'low he gwine ter fish fer horneyheads; Brer Fox 'low he gwine ter fish
fer peerch fer de ladies; Brer Tarrypin 'low he gwine ter fish fer
minners, en Brer Rabbit wink at Brer Tarrypin en 'low he gwine ter fish
fer suckers.
"Dey all git ready, dey did, en Brer Rabbit march up ter de pon' en make
fer ter th'ow he hook in de water, but des 'bout dat time hit seem lak
he see sump'n'. De t'er creeturs, dey stop en watch his motions. Brer
Rabbit, he drap he pole, he did, en he stan' dar scratchin' he head en
lookin' down in de water.
"De gals dey 'gun ter git oneasy w'en dey see dis, en Miss Meadows, she
up en holler out, she did:--
"'Law, Brer Rabbit, w'at de name er goodness de marter in dar?'
"Brer Rabbit scratch he head en look in de water. Miss Motts, she hilt
up 'er petticoats, she did, en 'low she monst'us fear'd er snakes. Brer
Rabbit keep on scratchin' en lookin'.
"Bimeby he fetch a long bref, he did, en he 'low:--
"'Ladies en gentermuns all, we des might ez well make tracks fum dish
yer place, kaze dey ain't no fishin' in dat pon' fer none er dish yer
crowd.'
"Wid dat, Brer Tarrypin, he scramble up ter de aidge en look over, en he
shake he head, en 'low:--
"'Tooby sho'--tooby sho'! Tut-tut-tut!' en den he crawl back, he did, en
do lak he wukkin' he min'.
"'Don't be skeert, ladies, kaze we er boun' ter take keer un you, let
come w'at will, let go w'at mus',' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. 'Accidents
got ter happen unter we all, des same ez dey is unter yuther folks; en
dey ain't nuthin' much de marter, 'ceppin' dat de Moon done drap in de
water. Ef you don't b'leeve me you kin look fer yo'se'f,' sezee.
"Wid dat dey all went ter de bank en lookt in; en, sho' nuff, dar lay de
Moon, a-swingin' an' a-swayin' at de bottom er de pon'."
The little boy laughed. He had often seen the reflection of the sky in
shallow pools of water, and the startling depths that seemed to lie at
his feet had caused him to draw back with a shudder.
"Brer Fox, he look in, he did, en he 'low, 'Well, well, well!' Brer
Wolf, he look in, en he 'low, 'Mighty bad, mighty bad!' Brer B'ar, he
look in, en he 'low, 'Tum, tum, tum!' De ladies dey look in, en Miss
Meadows she squall out, 'Ain't dat too much?' Brer Rabbit, he look in
ag'in, en he up en 'low, he did:--
"'Ladies en gentermuns, you all kin hum en haw, but less'n we gits dat
Moon out er de pon', dey ain't no fish kin be ketch 'roun' yer dis
night; en ef you'll ax Brer Tarrypin, he'll tell you de same.'
"Den dey ax how kin dey git de Moon out er dar, den Brer Tarrypin 'low
dey better lef' dat wid Brer Rabbit. Brer Rabbit he shot he eyes, he
did, en make lak he wukkin' he min'. Bimeby, he up'n 'low:--
"'De nighes' way out'n dish yer diffikil is fer ter sen' 'roun' yer to
ole Mr. Mud-Turkle en borry his sane, en drag dat Moon up fum dar,'
sezee.
"'I 'clar' ter gracious I mighty glad you mention dat,' says Brer
Tarrypin, sezee. 'Mr. Mud-Turkle is setch clos't kin ter me dat I calls
'im Unk Muck, en I lay ef you sen' dar atter dat sane you won't fine Unk
Muck so mighty disaccomerdatin'.'
"Well," continued Uncle Remus, after one of his tantalizing pauses, "dey
sont atter de sane, en w'iles Brer Rabbit wuz gone, Brer Tarrypin, he
'low dat he done year tell time en time ag'in dat dem w'at fine de Moon
in de water en fetch 'im out, lakwise dey ull fetch out a pot er money.
Dis make Brer Fox, en Brer Wolf, en Brer B'ar feel mighty good, en dey
'low, dey did, dat long ez Brer Rabbit been so good ez ter run atter de
sane, dey ull do de sanein'.
"Time Brer Rabbit git back, he see how de lan' lay, en he make lak he
wanter go in atter de Moon. He pull off he coat, en he 'uz fixin' fer
ter shuck he wescut, but de yuther creeturs dey 'low dey wa'n't gwine
ter let dryfoot man lak Brer Rabbit go in de water. So Brer Fox, he tuck
holt er one staff er de sane, Brer Wolf he tuck holt er de yuther staff,
en Brer B'ar he wade 'long behime fer ter lif' de sane 'cross logs en
snags.
"Dey make one haul--no Moon; n'er haul--no Moon; n'er haul--no Moon. Den
bimeby dey git out furder fum de bank. Water run in Brer Fox year, he
shake he head; water run in Brer Wolf year, he shake he head; water run
in Brer B'ar year, he shake he head. En de fus' news you know, w'iles
dey wuz a-shakin', dey come to whar de bottom shelfed off. Brer Fox he
step off en duck hisse'f; den Brer Wolf duck hisse'f; en Brer B'ar he
make a splunge en duck hisse'f; en, bless gracious, dey kick en splatter
twel it look lak dey 'uz gwine ter slosh all de water outer de
mill-pon'.
"W'en dey come out, de gals 'uz all a-snickerin' en a-gigglin', en dey
well mought, 'kaze go whar you would, dey wa'n't no wuss lookin'
creeturs dan dem; en Brer Rabbit, he holler, sezee:--
"'I 'speck you all, gents, better go home en git some dry duds, en n'er
time we'll be in better luck,' sezee. 'I hear talk dat de Moon'll bite
at a hook ef you take fools fer baits, en I lay dat's de onliest way fer
ter ketch 'er,' sezee.
"Brer Fox en Brer Wolf en Brer B'ar went drippin' off, en Brer Rabbit en
Brer Tarrypin, dey went home wid de gals."
XX
BRER RABBIT TAKES SOME EXERCISE
One night while the little boy was sitting in Uncle Remus's cabin,
waiting for the old man to finish his hoe-cake, and refresh his memory
as to the further adventures of Brother Rabbit, his friends and his
enemies, something dropped upon the top of the house with a noise like
the crack of a pistol. The little boy jumped, but Uncle Remus looked up
and exclaimed, "Ah-yi!" in a tone of triumph.
"What was that, Uncle Remus?" the child asked, after waiting a moment to
see what else would happen.
"News fum Jack Fros', honey. W'en dat hick'y-nut tree out dar year 'im
comin' she 'gins ter drap w'at she got. I mighty glad," he continued,
scraping the burnt crust from his hoe-cake with an old case-knife, "I
mighty glad hick'y-nuts ain't big en heavy ez grinestones."
He waited a moment to see what effect this queer statement would have on
the child.
"Yasser, I mighty glad--dat I is. 'Kaze ef hick'y-nuts 'uz big ez
grinestones dish yer ole callyboose 'ud be a-leakin' long 'fo'
Chris'mus."
Just then another hickory-nut dropped upon the roof, and the little boy
jumped again. This seemed to amuse Uncle Remus, and he laughed until he
was near to choking himself with his smoking hoe-cake.
"You does des 'zackly lak ole Brer Rabbit done, I 'clar' to gracious ef
you don't!" the old man cried, as soon as he could get his breath; "dez
zackly fer de worl'."
The child was immensely flattered, and at once he wanted to know how
Brother Rabbit did. Uncle Remus was in such good humor that he needed no
coaxing. He pushed his spectacles back on his forehead, wiped his mouth
on his sleeve, and began:--
"Hit come 'bout dat soon one mawnin' todes de fall er de year, Brer
Rabbit wuz stirrin' 'roun' in de woods atter some bergamot fer ter make
'im some h'ar-grease. De win' blow so col' dat it make 'im feel right
frisky, en eve'y time he year de bushes rattle he make lak he skeerd. He
'uz gwine on dis a-way, hoppity-skippity, w'en bimeby he year Mr. Man
cuttin' on a tree way off in de woods. He fotch up, Brer Rabbit did, en
lissen fus' wid one year en den wid de yuther.
"Man, he cut en cut, en Brer Rabbit, he lissen en lissen. Bimeby, w'iles
all dis was gwine on, down come de tree--_kubber-lang-bang-blam!_ Brer
Rabbit, he tuck'n jump des lak you jump, en let 'lone dat, he make a
break, he did, en he lipt out fum dar lak de dogs wuz atter 'im."
"Was he scared, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy.
"Skeerd! Who? _Him?_ Shoo! don't you fret yo'se'f 'bout Brer Rabbit,
honey. In dem days dey wa'n't nothin' gwine dat kin skeer Brer Rabbit.
Tooby sho', he tuck keer hisse'f, en ef you know de man w'at 'fuse ter
take keer hisse'f, I lak mighty well ef you p'int 'im out. Deed'n dat I
would!"
Uncle Remus seemed to boil over with argumentative indignation.
"Well, den," he continued, "Brer Rabbit run twel he git sorter het up
like, en des 'bout de time he makin' ready fer ter squot en ketch he
win', who should he meet but Brer Coon gwine home atter settin' up wid
ole Brer Bull-Frog. Brer Coon see 'im runnin', en he hail 'im.
"'Wat yo' hurry, Brer Rabbit?'
"'Ain't got time ter tarry.'
"'Folks sick?'
"'No, my Lord! Ain't got time ter tarry!'
"'Tryin' yo' soopleness?'
"'No, my Lord! Ain't got time ter tarry!'
"'Do pray, Brer Rabbit, tell me de news!'
"'Mighty big fuss back dar in de woods. Ain't got time ter tarry!'
"Dis make Brer Coon feel mighty skittish, 'kaze he fur ways fum home, en
he des lipt out, he did, en went a-b'ilin' thoo de woods. Brer Coon
ain't gone fur twel he meet Brer Fox.
"'Hey, Brer Coon, whar you gwine?'
"'Ain't got time ter tarry!'
"'Gwine at'-de doctor?'
"'No, my Lord! Ain't got time ter tarry.'
"'Do pray, Brer Coon, tell me de news.'
"'Mighty quare racket back dar in de woods! Ain't got time ter tarry!'
"Wid dat, Brer Fox lipt out, he did, en fa'rly split de win'. He ain't
gone fur twel he meet Brer Wolf.
"'Hey, Brer Fox! Stop en res' yo'se'f!'
"'Ain't got time ter tarry!'
"'Who bin want de doctor?'
"'No'ne, my Lord! Ain't got time ter tarry!'
"'Do pray, Brer Fox, good er bad, tell me de news.'
"'Mighty kuse fuss back dar in de woods! Ain't got time ter tarry!'
"Wid dat, Brer Wolf shuck hisse'f loose fum de face er de yeth, en he
ain't git fur twel he meet Brer B'ar. Brer B'ar he ax, en Brer Wolf
make ans'er, en bimeby Brer B'ar he fotch a snort en run'd off; en,
bless gracious! 't wa'n't long 'fo' de las' one er de creeturs wuz
a-skaddlin' thoo de woods lak de Ole Boy was atter um--en all 'kaze Brer
Rabbit year Mr. Man cut tree down.
"Dey run'd en dey run'd," Uncle Remus went on, "twel dey come ter Brer
Tarrypin house, en dey sorter slack up 'kaze dey done mighty nigh los'
der win'. Brer Tarrypin, he up'n ax um wharbouts dey gwine, en dey 'low
dey wuz a monst'us tarryfyin' racket back dar in de woods. Brer
Tarrypin, he ax w'at she soun' lak. One say he dunno, n'er say he dunno,
den dey all say dey dunno. Den Brer Tarrypin, he up'n ax who year dis
monst'us racket. One say he dunno, n'er say he dunno, den dey all say
dey dunno. Dis make ole Brer Tarrypin laff 'way down in he insides, en
he up'n say, sezee:--
"You all kin run 'long ef you feel skittish,' sezee. 'Atter I cook my
brekkus en wash up de dishes, ef I gits win' er any 'spicious racket may
be I mought take down my pairsol en foller long atter you,' sezee.
"Wen de creeturs come ter make inquirements 'mungs one er n'er 'bout who
start de news, hit went right spang back ter Brer Rabbit, but, lo en
beholes! Brer Rabbit ain't dar, en it tu'n out dat Brer Coon is de man
w'at seed 'im las'. Den dey got ter layin' de blame un it on one er
n'er, en little mo' en dey'd er fit dar scan'lous, but ole Brer
Tarrypin, he up'n 'low dat ef dey want ter git de straight un it, dey
better go see Brer Rabbit.
"All de creeturs wuz 'gree'ble, en dey put out ter Brer Rabbit house.
W'en dey git dar, Brer Rabbit wuz a-settin' cross-legged in de front
po'ch winkin' he eye at de sun. Brer B'ar, he speak up:--
"'W'at make you fool me, Brer Rabbit?'
"'Fool who, Brer B'ar?'
"'Me, Brer Rabbit, dat's who.'
[Illustration: "'_AH-YI_: YOU OUGHTER AX ME DAT FUS', BRER COON'"]
"'Dish yer de fus' time I seed you dis day, Brer B'ar, en you er mo'
dan welcome ter dat.'
"Dey all ax 'im en git de same ans'er, en den Brer Coon put in:--
"'Wat make you fool me, Brer Rabbit?'
"'How I fool you, Brer Coon?'
"'You make lak dey wuz a big racket, Brer Rabbit.'
"'Dey sholy wuz a big racket, Brer Coon.'
"'Wat kinder racket, Brer Rabbit?'
"'_Ah-yi!_ You oughter ax me dat fus', Brer Coon.'
"'I axes you now, Brer Rabbit.'
"'Mr. Man cut tree down, Brer Coon.'
"Co'se dis make Brer Coon feel like a nat'al-born Slink, en 't wa'n't
long 'fo' all de creeturs make der bow ter Brer Rabbit en mosey off
home."
"Brother Rabbit had the best of it all along," said the little boy,
after waiting to see whether there was a sequel to the story.
"Oh, he did dat a-way!" exclaimed Uncle Remus. "Brer Rabbit was a mighty
man in dem days."
[Illustration: Why Brother Bear has no Tail]
XXI
WHY BRER BEAR HAS NO TAIL
"I 'clar' ter gracious, honey," Uncle Remus exclaimed one night, as the
little boy ran in, "you sholy ain't chaw'd yo' vittles. Hit ain't bin no
time, skacely, sence de supper-bell rung, en ef you go on dis a-way,
you'll des nat'ally pe'sh yo'se'f out."
"Oh, I wasn't hungry," said the little boy. "I had something before
supper, and I wasn't hungry anyway."
The old man looked keenly at the child, and presently he said:--
"De ins en de outs er dat kinder talk all come ter de same p'int in my
min'. Youer bin a-cuttin' up at de table, en Mars John, he tuck'n sont
you 'way fum dar, en w'iles he think youer off some'rs a-snifflin' en
a-feelin' bad, yer you is a-high-primin' 'roun' des lak you done had mo'
supper dan de King er Philanders."
Before the little boy could inquire about the King of Philanders he
heard his father calling him. He started to go out, but Uncle Remus
motioned him back.
"Des set right whar you is, honey,--des set right still."
Then Uncle Remus went to the door and answered for the child; and a very
queer answer it was--one that could be heard half over the plantation:--
"Mars John, I wish you en Miss Sally be so good ez ter let dat chile
'lone. He down yer cryin' he eyes out, en he ain't bodderin' 'long er
nobody in de roun' worl'."
Uncle Remus stood in the door a moment to see what the reply would be,
but he heard none. Thereupon he continued, in the same loud tone:--
"I ain't bin use ter no sich gwines on in Ole Miss time, en I ain't
gwine git use ter it now. Dat I ain't."
Presently 'Tildy, the house-girl, brought the little boy his supper, and
the girl was no sooner out of hearing than the child swapped it with
Uncle Remus for a roasted yam, and the enjoyment of both seemed to be
complete.
"Uncle Remus," said the little boy, after a while, "you know I wasn't
crying just now."
"Dat's so, honey," the old man replied, "but 't would n't er bin long
'fo' you would er bin, kaze Mars John bawl out lak a man w'at got a
strop in he han', so w'at de diff'unce?"
When they had finished eating, Uncle Remus busied himself in cutting and
trimming some sole-leather for future use. His knife was so keen, and
the leather fell away from it so smoothly and easily, that the little
boy wanted to trim some himself. But to this Uncle Remus would not
listen.
"'T ain't on'y chilluns w'at got de consate er doin' eve'ything dey see
yuther folks do. Hit's grown folks w'at oughter know better," said the
old man. "Dat's des de way Brer B'ar git his tail broke off
smick-smack-smoove, en down ter dis day he de funnies'-lookin' creetur
w'at wobble on top er dry groun'."
Instantly the little boy forgot all about Uncle Remus's sharp knife.
"Hit seem lak dat in dem days Brer Rabbit en Brer Tarrypin done gone in
cohoots fer ter outdo de t'er creeturs. One time Brer Rabbit tuck'n make
a call on Brer Tarrypin, but w'en he git ter Brer Tarrypin house, he
year talk fum Miss Tarrypin dat her ole man done gone fer ter spen' de
day wid Mr. Mud-Turkle, w'ich dey wuz blood kin. Brer Rabbit he put out
atter Brer Tarrypin, en w'en he got ter Mr. Mud-Turkle house, dey all
sot up, dey did, en tole tales, en den w'en twelf er'clock come dey had
crawfish fer dinner, en dey 'joy deyse'f right erlong. Atter dinner dey
went down ter Mr. Mud-Turkle mill-pon', en w'en dey git dar Mr.
Mud-Turkle en Brer Tarrypin dey 'muse deyse'f, dey did, wid slidin' fum
de top uv a big slantin' rock down inter de water.
"I 'speck you moughter seen rocks in de water 'fo' now, whar dey git
green en slipp'y," said Uncle Remus.
The little boy had not only seen them, but had found them to be very
dangerous to walk upon, and the old man continued:--
"Well, den, dish yer rock wuz mighty slick en mighty slantin'. Mr.
Mud-Turkle, he'd crawl ter de top, en tu'n loose, en go a-sailin' down
inter de water--_kersplash!_ Ole Brer Tarrypin, he'd foller atter, en
slide down inter de water--_kersplash!_ Ole Brer Rabbit, he sot off, he
did, en praise um up.
"W'iles dey wuz a-gwine on dis a-way, a-havin' der fun, en 'joyin'
deyse'f, yer come ole Brer B'ar. He year um laffin' en holl'in', en he
hail um.
"'Heyo, folks! W'at all dis? Ef my eye ain't 'ceive me, dish yer's Brer
Rabbit, en Brer Tarrypin, en ole Unk' Tommy Mud-Turkle,' sez Brer B'ar,
sezee.
"'De same,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en yer we is 'joyin' de day dat
passes des lak dey wa'n't no hard times.'
"'Well, well, well!' sez ole Brer B'ar, sezee, 'a-slippin' en a-slidin'
en makin' free! En w'at de matter wid Brer Rabbit dat he ain't j'inin'
in?' sezee.
"Ole Brer Rabbit he wink at Brer Tarrypin, en Brer Tarrypin he hunch Mr.
Mud-Turkle, en den Brer Rabbit he up'n 'low, he did:--
"'My goodness, Brer B'ar! you can't 'speck a man fer ter slip en slide
de whole blessid day, kin you? I done had my fun, en now I'm a-settin'
out yer lettin' my cloze dry. Hit's tu'n en tu'n about wid me en deze
gents w'en dey's any fun gwine on,' sezee.
"'Maybe Brer B'ar might jine in wid us,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee.
"Brer Rabbit he des holler en laff.
"'Shoo!' sezee, 'Brer B'ar foot too big en he tail too long fer ter
slide down dat rock,' sezee.
"Dis kinder put Brer B'ar on he mettle, en he up'n 'spon', he did:--
"'Maybe dey is, en maybe dey ain't, yit I ain't a-feared ter try.'
"Wid dat de yuthers tuck'n made way fer 'im, en ole Brer B'ar he git up
on de rock, he did, en squot down on he hunkers, en quile he tail und'
'im, en start down. Fus' he go sorter slow, en he grin lak he feel good;
den he go sorter peart, en he grin lak he feel bad; den he go mo'
pearter, en he grin lak he skeerd; den he strack de slick part, en,
gentermens! he swaller de grin en fetch a howl dat moughter bin yeard a
mile, en he hit de water lak a chimbly a-fallin'.
"You kin gimme denial," Uncle Remus continued after a little pause, "but
des ez sho' ez you er settin' dar, w'en Brer B'ar slick'd up en flew
down dat rock, he break off he tail right smick-smack-smoove, en mo'n
dat, w'en he make his disappear'nce up de big road, Brer Rabbit holler
out:--
"'Brer B'ar!--O Brer B'ar! I year tell dat flaxseed poultices is mighty
good fer so' places!'
"Yit Brer B'ar ain't look back."
XXII
HOW BRER RABBIT FRIGHTENED HIS NEIGHBORS
When Uncle Remus was in a good humor he turned the most trifling
incidents into excuses for amusing the little boy with his stories. One
night while he was hunting for a piece of candle on the shelf that took
the place of a mantel over the fireplace, he knocked down a tin plate.
It fell upon the hearth with a tremendous clatter.
"Dar now!" exclaimed Uncle Remus. "Hit's a blessin' dat dat ar platter
is got mo' backbone dan de common run er crockery, 'kaze 't would er bin
bust all ter flinderations long time ago. Dat ar platter is got dents on
it w'at Miss Sally put dar w'en she 'uz a little bit er gal. Yet dar 't
is, en right dis minnit hit'll hol' mo' vittles dan w'at I got ter put
in it.
"I lay," the old man continued, leaning his hand against the chimney and
gazing at the little boy reflectively,--"I lay ef de creeturs had a bin
yer w'iles all dat clatterment gwine on dey'd a lef' bidout tellin'
anybody good-bye. All 'ceppin' Brer Rabbit. Bless yo' soul, he'd er
stayed fer ter see de fun, des lak he did dat t'er time w'en he skeer um
all so. I 'speck I done tole you 'bout dat."
"When he got the honey on him and rolled in the leaves?"
Uncle Remus thought a moment.
"Ef I make no mistakes in my 'membunce, dat wuz de time w'en he call
hisse'f de Wull-er-de-Wust."
The little boy corroborated Uncle Remus's memory.
"Well, den, dish yer wuz n'er time, en he lak ter skeer um plum out'n de
settlement. En it all come 'bout 'kaze dey wanter play smarty."
"Who wanted to play smarty, Uncle Remus?" asked the child.
"Oh, des dem t'er creeturs. Dey wuz allers a-layin' traps fer Brer
Rabbit en gittin' cotch in um deyse'f, en dey wuz allers a-pursooin'
atter 'im day in en day out. I ain't 'nyin' but w'at some er Brer Rabbit
pranks wuz mighty ha'sh, but w'y'n't dey let 'im 'lone deyse'f?"
Naturally, the little boy was not prepared to meet these arguments, even
had their gravity been less impressive, so he said nothing.
"In dem days," Uncle Remus went on, "de creeturs wuz same lak folks. Dey
had der ups en dey had der downs; dey had der hard times, and dey had
der saf' times. Some seasons der craps 'ud be good, en some seasons
dey'd be bad. Brer Rabbit, he far'd lak de res' un um. W'at he'd make,
dat he'd spen'. One season he tuck'n made a fine chance er goobers, en
he 'low, he did, dat ef dey fetch 'im anywhars nigh de money w'at he
'speck dey would, he go ter town en buy de truck w'at needcessity call
fer.
"He ain't no sooner say dat dan ole Miss Rabbit, she vow, she did, dat
it be a scannul en a shame ef he don't whirl in en git sevin tin cups
fer de chilluns fer ter drink out'n, en sevin tin plates fer 'm fer ter
sop out 'n, en a coffee-pot fer de fambly. Brer Rabbit say dat des
zackly w'at he gwine do, en he 'low, he did, dat he gwine ter town de
comin' We'n'sday."
Uncle Remus paused, and indulged in a hearty laugh before he resumed:--
"Brer Rabbit wa'n't mo'n out'n de gate 'fo' Miss Rabbit, she slap on 'er
bonnet, she did, en rush 'cross ter Miss Mink house, en she ain't bin
dar a minnit 'fo' she up'n tell Miss Mink dat Brer Rabbit done promise
ter go ter town We'n'sday comin' en git de chilluns sump'n'. Co'se, w'en
Mr. Mink come home, Miss Mink she up'n 'low she want ter know w'at de
reason he can't buy sump'n' fer his chilluns same ez Brer Rabbit do fer
his'n, en dey quo'll en quo'll des lak folks. Atter dat Miss Mink she
kyar de news ter Miss Fox, en den Brer Fox he tuk'n got a rakin' over de
coals. Miss Fox she tell Miss Wolf, en Miss Wolf she tell Miss B'ar, en
't wa'n't long 'fo' ev'ybody in dem diggin's know dat Brer Rabbit gwine
ter town de comin' We'n'sday fer ter git his chilluns sump'n'; en all de
yuther creeturs' chilluns ax der ma w'at de reason der pa can't git
_dem_ sump'n'. So dar it went.
"Brer Fox, en Brer Wolf, en Brer B'ar, dey make up der mines, dey did,
dat ef dey gwine ter ketch up wid Brer Rabbit, dat wuz de time, en dey
fix up a plan dat dey'd lay fer Brer Rabbit en nab 'im w'en he come back
fum town. Dey tuck'n make all der 'rangerments, en wait fer de day.
"Sho' nuff, w'en We'n'sday come, Brer Rabbit e't he brekkus 'fo'
sun-up, en put out fer town. He tuck'n got hisse'f a dram, en a plug er
terbarker, en a pocket-hankcher, en he got de ole 'oman a coffee-pot, en
he got de chillun sevin tin cups en sevin tin plates, en den todes
sundown he start back home. He walk 'long, he did, feelin' mighty
biggity, but bimeby w'en he git sorter tired, he sot down und' a
black-jack tree, en 'gun to fan hisse'f wid one er der platters.
"W'iles he doin' dis a little bit er teenchy sap-sucker run up'n down de
tree en keep on makin' mighty quare fuss. Atter w'ile Brer Rabbit tuk'n
shoo at 'im wid de platter. Seem lak dis make de teenchy little
sap-sucker mighty mad, en he rush out on a lim' right over Brer Rabbit,
en he sing out:--
"'_Pilly-pee, pilly-wee!
I see w'at he no see!
I see, pilly-pee,
I see, w'at he no see!_'
"He keep on singin' dis, he did, twel Brer Rabbit 'gun ter look 'roun',
en he ain't no sooner do dis dan he see marks in de san' whar sum un
done bin dar 'fo' 'im, en he look little closer en den he see w'at de
sap-sucker drivin' at. He scratch his head, Brer Rabbit did, en he 'low
ter hisse'f:--
"'Ah-yi! Yer whar Brer Fox bin settin', en dar de print er he nice bushy
tail. Yer whar Brer Wolf bin settin', en dar de print er he fine long
tail. Yer whar Brer B'ar bin squattin' on he hunkers, en dar de print
w'ich he ain't got no tail. Dey er all bin yer, en I lay dey er hidin'
out in de big gully down dar in de holler.'
"Wid dat, ole man Rab. tuck'n put he truck in de bushes, en den he run
'way 'roun' fer ter see w'at he kin see. Sho' nuff," continued Uncle
Remus, with a curious air of elation,--"sho' nuff, w'en Brer Rabbit git
over agin de big gully down in de holler, dar dey wuz. Brer Fox, he 'uz
on one side er de road, en Brer Wolf 'uz on de t'er side; en ole Brer
B'ar he 'uz quiled up in de gully takin' a nap.
"Brer Rabbit, he tuck'n peep at um, he did, en he lick he foot en roach
back he h'ar, en den hol' his han's 'cross he mouf en laff lak some
chilluns does w'en dey t'ink dey er foolin' der ma."
"Not me, Uncle Remus--not me!" exclaimed the little boy promptly.
"Heyo dar! don't kick 'fo' you er spurred, honey! Brer Rabbit, he seed
um all dar, en he tuck'n grin, he did, en den he lit out ter whar he
done lef he truck, en w'en he git dar he dance 'roun' en slap hisse'f on
de leg, en make all sorts er kuse motions. Den he go ter wuk en tu'n de
coffee-pot upside down en stick it on he head; den he run he gallus thoo
de han'les er de cups, en sling um crosst he shoulder; den he 'vide de
platters, some in one han' en some in de yuther. Atter he git good en
ready, he crope ter de top er de hill, he did, en tuck a runnin' start,
en flew down like a harrycane--_rickety, rackety, slambang!_"
The little boy clapped his hands enthusiastically.
"Bless yo' soul, dem creeturs ain't year no fuss lak dat, en dey ain't
seed no man w'at look lak Brer Rabbit do, wid de coffee-pot on he head,
en de cups a-rattlin' on he gallus, en de platters a-wavin' en a-shinin'
in de a'r.
"Now, mine you, ole Brer B'ar wuz layin' off up de gully takin' a nap,
en de fuss skeer 'im so bad dat he make a break en run over Brer Fox. He
rush out in de road, he did, en w'en he see de sight, he whirl 'roun' en
run over Brer Wolf. Wid der scramblin' en der scufflin', Brer Rabbit got
right on um 'fo' dey kin git away. He holler out, he did:--
"'Gimme room! Tu'n me loose! I'm ole man Spewter-Splutter wid long
claws, en scales on my back! I'm snaggle-toofed en double-j'inted! Gimme
room!'
"Eve'y time he'd fetch a whoop, he'd rattle de cups en slap de platters
tergedder--_rickety, rackety, slambang!_ En I let you know w'en dem
creeturs got dey lim's tergedder dey split de win', dey did dat. Ole
Brer B'ar, he struck a stump w'at stan' in de way, en I ain't gwine tell
you how he to' it up 'kaze you won't b'leeve me, but de nex' mawnin'
Brer Rabbit en his chilluns went back dar, dey did, en dey got nuff
splinters fer ter make um kin'lin' wood all de winter. Yasser! Des ez
sho' ez I'm a-settin' by dish yer h'ath."
XXIII
MR. MAN HAS SOME MEAT
The little boy sat watching Uncle Remus sharpen his shoe-knife. The old
man's head moved in sympathy with his hands, and he mumbled fragments of
a song. Occasionally he would feel of the edge of the blade with his
thumb, and then begin to sharpen it again. The comical appearance of the
venerable darkey finally had its effect upon the child, for suddenly he
broke into a hearty peal of laughter; whereupon Uncle Remus stopped
shaking his head and singing his mumbly-song, and assumed a very
dignified attitude. Then he drew a long, deep breath, and said:--
"'Wen folks git ole en stricken wid de palsy, dey mus' 'speck ter be
laff'd at. Goodness knows, I bin use ter dat sence de day my whiskers
'gun to bleach."
"Why, I was n't laughing at you, Uncle Remus; I declare I was n't,"
cried the little boy. "I thought maybe you might be doing your head like
Brother Rabbit did when he was fixing to cut his meat."
Uncle Remus's seriousness was immediately driven away by a broad and
appreciative grin.
"Now, dat de way ter talk, honey, en I boun' you wa'n't fur wrong, n'er,
'kaze fer all dey'll tell you dat Brer Rabbit make he livin' 'long er
nibblin' at grass en greens, hit 't wa'n't dat a-way in dem days, 'kaze
I got in my 'membunce right now de 'casion whar Brer Rabbit is tuck'n
e't meat."
The little boy had learned that it was not best to make any display of
impatience, and so he waited quietly while Uncle Remus busied himself
with arranging the tools on his shoe-bench. Presently the old man
began:--
"Hit so happen dat one day Brer Rabbit meet up wid Brer Fox, en w'en dey
'quire atter der corporosity, dey fine out dat bofe un um mighty po'ly.
Brer Fox, he 'low, he do, dat he monst'us hongry, en Brer Rabbit he
'spon' dat he got a mighty hankerin' atter vittles hisse'f. Bimeby dey
look up de big road, en dey see Mr. Man comin' 'long wid a great big
hunk er beef und' he arm. Brer Fox he up 'n 'low, he did, dat he lak
mighty well fer ter git a tas'e er dat, en Brer Rabbit he 'low dat de
sight er dat nice meat all lineded wid taller is nuff fer ter run a body
'stracted.
"Mr. Man he come en he come 'long. Brer Rabbit en Brer Fox dey look en
dey look at 'im. Dey wink der eye en der mouf water. Brer Rabbit he 'low
he bleedz ter git some er dat meat. Brer Fox he 'spon', he did, dat it
look mighty fur off ter him. Den Brer Rabbit tell Brer Fox fer ter
foller 'long atter 'im in hailin' distuns, en wid dat he put out, he
did, en 't wa'nt long 'fo' he kotch up wid Mr. Man.
"Dey pass de time er day, en den dey went joggin' 'long de road same lak
dey 'uz gwine 'pun a journey. Brer Rabbit he keep on snuffin' de a'r.
Mr. Man up'n ax 'im is he got a bad cole, en Brer Rabbit 'spon' dat he
smell sump'n' w'ich it don't smell like ripe peaches. Bimeby, Brer
Rabbit 'gun to hoi' he nose, he did, en atter w'ile he sing out:--
"'Gracious en de goodness, Mr. Man! hit's dat meat er yone. _Phew!_
Whar'bouts is you pick up dat meat at?'
"Dis make Mr. Man feel sorter 'shame' hisse'f, en ter make marters wuss,
yer come a great big green fly a-zoonin' 'roun'. Brer Rabbit he git way
off on t'er side er de road, en he keep on hol'in' he nose. Mr. Man, he
look sorter sheepish, he did, en dey ain't gone fur 'fo' he put de meat
down on de side er de road, en he tuck'n ax Brer Rabbit w'at dey gwine
do 'bout it. Brer Rabbit he 'low, he did:--
"'I year tell in my time dat ef you take'n drag a piece er meat thoo' de
dus' hit'll fetch back hits freshness. I ain't no superspicious man
myse'f,' sezee, 'en I ain't got no 'speunce wid no sech doin's, but dem
w'at tell me say dey done try it. Yit I knows dis,' says Brer Rabbit,
sezee,--'I knows dat 't ain't gwine do no harm, 'kaze de grit w'at gits
on de meat kin be wash off,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee.
"'I ain't got no string,' sez Mr. Man, sezee.
"Brer Rabbit laff hearty, but still he hol' he nose.
"'Time you bin in de bushes long ez I is, you won't miss strings,' sez
Brer Rabbit, sezee.
"Wid dat Brer Rabbit lipt out, en he ain't gone long 'fo' he come
hoppin' back wid a whole passel er bamboo vines all tied tergedder. Mr.
Man, he 'low:--
"'Dat line mighty long.'
"Brer Rabbit he 'low:--
"'Tooby sho', you want de win' fer ter git 'twix' you en dat meat.'
"Den Mr. Man tuck'n tied de bamboo line ter de meat. Brer Rabbit he
broke off a 'simmon bush, he did, en 'low dat he'd stay behime en keep
de flies off. Mr. Man he go on befo' en drag de meat, en Brer Rabbit he
stay behime, he did, en take keer un it."
Here Uncle Remus was compelled to pause and laugh before he could
proceed with the story.
"En he is take keer un it, mon--dat he is. He tuck'n git 'im a rock, en
w'iles Mr. Man gwine 'long bidout lookin' back, he ondo de meat en tie
de rock ter de bamboo line, en w'en Brer Fox foller on, sho' nuff, dar
lay de meat. Mr. Man, he drug de rock, he did, en Brer Rabbit he keep de
flies off, twel atter dey gone on right smart piece, en den w'en Mr.
Man look 'roun', whar wuz ole man Rabbit?
"Bless yo' soul, Brer Rabbit done gone back en jine Brer Fox, en he wuz
des in time, at dat, 'kaze little mo' en Brer Fox would 'a' done bin
outer sight en yearin'. En so dat de way Brer Rabbit git Mr. Man meat."
The little boy reflected a little, and then said:--
"Uncle Remus, was n't that stealing?"
"Well, I tell you 'bout dat, honey," responded the old man, with the air
of one who is willing to compromise. "In dem days de creeturs bleedz ter
look out fer deyse'f, mo' speshually dem w'at ain't got hawn en huff.
Brer Rabbit ain't got no hawn en huff, en he bleedz ter be he own
lawyer."
Just then the little boy heard his father's buggy rattling down the
avenue, and he ran out into the darkness to meet it. After he was gone,
Uncle Remus sat a long time rubbing his hands and looking serious.
Finally he leaned back in his chair, and exclaimed:--
"Dat little chap gittin' too much fer ole Remus--dat he is!"
XXIV
HOW BRER RABBIT GOT THE MEAT
When the little boy next visited Uncle Remus the cabin was dark and
empty and the door shut. The old man was gone. He was absent for several
nights, but at last one night the little boy saw a welcome light in the
cabin, and he made haste to pay Uncle Remus a visit. He was full of
questions:--
"Goodness, Uncle Remus! Where in the world have you been? I thought you
were gone for good. Mamma said she reckoned the treatment here did n't
suit you, and you had gone off to get some of your town friends to hire
you."
"Is Miss Sally tell you dat, honey? Well, ef she ain't de beatenes'
w'ite 'oman dis side er kingdom come, you kin des shoot me. Miss Sally
tuck'n writ me a pass wid her own han's fer ter go see some er my kin
down dar in de Ashbank settlement. Yo' mammy quare 'oman, honey, sho'!
"En yit, w'at de good er my stayin' yer? T'er night, I ain't mo'n git
good en started 'fo' you er up en gone, en I ain't seed ha'r ner hide un
you sence. W'en I see you do dat, I 'low ter myse'f dat hit's des 'bout
time fer ole man Remus fer ter pack up he duds en go hunt comp'ny
some'r's else."
"Well, Uncle Remus," exclaimed the little boy, in a tone of
expostulation, "did n't Brother Fox get the meat, and was n't that the
end of the story?"
Uncle Remus started to laugh, but he changed his mind so suddenly that
the little boy was convulsed. The old man groaned and looked at the
rafters with a curious air of disinterestedness. After a while he went
on with great seriousness:--
"I dunner w'at kinder idee folks got 'bout Brer Rabbit nohow, dat I
don't. S'pozen you lays de plans so some yuther chap kin git a big hunk
er goody, is you gwine ter set off some'r's en see 'im make way wid it?"
"What kind of goody, Uncle Remus?"
"Dish yer kinder goody w'at town folks keeps. Mint draps and reezins, en
sweet doin's lak Miss Sally keep und' lock en key. Well, den, if you
gits some er dat, er may be some yuther kinder goody, w'ich I wish 't
wuz yer right dis blessid minnit, is you gwine ter set quile up in dat
cheer en let n'er chap run off wid it? Dat you ain't--dat you ain't!"
"Oh, I know!" exclaimed the little boy. "Brother Rabbit went back and
made Brother Fox give him his part of the meat."
"Des lak I tell you, honey; dey wa'n't no man 'mungs de creeturs w'at
kin stan' right flat-footed en wuk he min' quick lak Brer Rabbit. He
tuck'n tie de rock on de string, stidder de meat, en he pursue long
atter it, he did, twel Mr. Man tu'n a ben' in de road, en den Brer
Rabbit, he des lit out fum dar--_terbuckity-buckity, buck-buck-buckity!_
en 't wa'n't long 'fo' he tuck'n kotch up wid Brer Fox. Dey tuck de
meat, dey did, en kyar'd it way off in de woods, en laid it down on a
clean place on de groun'.
"Dey laid it down, dey did," continued Uncle Remus, drawing his chair up
closer to the little boy, "en den Brer Fox 'low dey better sample it, en
Brer Rabbit he 'gree. Wid dat, Brer Fox he tuck'n gnyaw off a hunk, en
he shut bofe eyes, he did, en he chaw en chaw, en tas'e en tas'e, en
chaw en tas'e. Brer Rabbit, he watch 'im, but Brer Fox, he keep bofe
eyes shot, en he chaw en tas'e, en tas'e en chaw."
Uncle Remus not only furnished a pantomime accompaniment to this recital
by shutting his eyes and pretending to taste, but he lowered his voice
to a pitch of tragical significance in reporting the dialogue that
ensued:--
"Den Brer Fox smack he mouf en look at de meat mo' closeter, en up'n
'low:--
"'Brer Rabbit, _hit's lam'!_'
"'_No_, Brer Fox! _sho'ly not!_'
"'Brer Rabbit, _hit's lam'!_'
"'Brer Fox, _tooby sho'ly not!_'
"Den Brer Rabbit, he tuck'n gnyaw off a hunk, en he shot bofe eyes, en
chaw en tas'e, en tas'e en chaw. Den he smack he mouf, en up'n 'low:--
"'Brer Fox, _hit's shote!_'
"'Brer Rabbit, you foolin' me!'
"'Brer Fox, _I vow hit's shote!_'
"'Brer Rabbit, hit des _can't be!_'
"'Brer Fox, _hit sho'ly is!_'
"Dey tas'e en dey 'spute, en dey 'spute en dey tas'e. Atter w'ile, Brer
Rabbit make lak he want some water, en he rush off in de bushes, en
d'reckly yer he come back wipin' he mouf en cle'rin' up he th'oat. Den
Brer Fox he want some water sho' nuff:--
"'Brer Rabbit, whar you fin' de spring?'
"'Cross de road, en down de hill en up de big gully.'
"Brer Fox, he lope off, he did, en atter he gone Brer Rabbit totch he
year wid he behime foot lak he flippin' 'im good-bye. Brer Fox, he cross
de road en rush down de hill, he did, yit he ain't fin' no big gully. He
keep on gwine twel he fin' de big gully, yit he ain't fin' no spring.
"W'iles all dish yer gwine on, Brer Rabbit he tuck'n grabble a hole in
de groun', he did, en in dat hole he hid de meat. Atter he git it good
en hid, he tuck'n cut 'im a long keen hick'ry, en atter so long a time,
w'en he year Brer Fox comin' back, he got in a clump er bushes, en tuck
dat hick'ry en let in on a saplin', en ev'y time he hit de saplin', he
'ud squall out, Brer Rabbit would, des lak de patter-rollers had 'im:--
"_Pow, pow!_ 'Oh, pray, Mr. Man!'--_Pow, pow!_ 'Oh, pray, Mr.
Man!'--_Chippy-row, pow!_ 'Oh, Lordy, Mr. Man! Brer Fox tuck yo'
meat!'--_Pow!_ 'Oh, pray, Mr. Man! Brer Fox tuck yo' meat!'"
Every time Uncle Remus said "_Pow!_" he struck himself in the palm of
his hand with a shoe-sole by way of illustration.
"Co'se," he went on, "w'en Brer Fox year dis kinder doin's, he fotch up,
he did, en lissen, en ev'y time he year de hick'ry come down _pow!_ he
tuck'n grin en 'low ter hisse'f, 'Ah-yi! you fool me 'bout de water!
Ah-yi! you fool me 'bout de water!'
"Atter so long a time, de racket sorter die out, en seem lak Mr. Man wuz
draggin' Brer Rabbit off. Dis make Brer Fox feel mighty skittish. Bimeby
Brer Rabbit come a-cally-hootin' back des a-hollerin':--
"'Run, Brer Fox, run! Mr. Man say he gwine to kyar dat meat up de road
ter whar he son is, en den he's a-comin' back atter you. Run, Brer Fox,
run!'
"En I let you know," said Uncle Remus, leaning back and laughing to see
the little boy laugh, "I let you know Brer Fox got mighty skace in dat
neighborhood!"
XXV
AFRICAN JACK
Usually, the little boy, who regarded himself as Uncle Remus's partner,
was not at all pleased when he found the old man entertaining, in his
simple way, any of his colored friends; but he was secretly delighted
when he called one night and found Daddy Jack sitting by Uncle Remus's
hearth. Daddy Jack was an object of curiosity to older people than the
little boy. He was a genuine African, and for that reason he was known
as African Jack, though the child had been taught to call him Daddy
Jack. He was brought to Georgia in a slave-ship when he was about twenty
years old, and remained upon one of the sea-islands for several years.
Finally, he fell into the hands of the family of which Uncle Remus's
little partner was the youngest representative, and became the trusted
foreman of a plantation, in the southern part of Georgia, known as the
Walthall Place. Once every year he was in the habit of visiting the Home
Place in Middle Georgia, and it was during one of these annual visits
that the little boy found him in Uncle Remus's cabin.
Daddy Jack appeared to be quite a hundred years old, but he was probably
not more than eighty. He was a little, dried-up old man, whose weazened,
dwarfish appearance, while it was calculated to inspire awe in the minds
of the superstitious, was not without its pathetic suggestions. The
child had been told that the old African was a wizard, a conjurer, and a
snake-charmer; but he was not afraid, for, in any event,--conjuration,
witchcraft, or what not,--he was assured of the protection of Uncle
Remus.
As the little boy entered the cabin Uncle Remus smiled and nodded
pleasantly, and made a place for him on a little stool upon which had
been piled the odds and ends of work. Daddy Jack paid no attention to
the child; his thoughts seemed to be elsewhere.
"Go en shake han's, honey, en tell Daddy Jack howdy. He lak good
chilluns." Then to Daddy Jack: "Brer Jack, dish yer de chap w'at I bin
tellin' you 'bout."
The little boy did as he was bid, but Daddy Jack grunted ungraciously
and made no response to the salutation. He was evidently not fond of
children. Uncle Remus glanced curiously at the dwarfed and withered
figure, and spoke a little more emphatically:--
"Brer Jack, ef you take good look at dis chap, I lay you'll see mo'n you
speck ter see. You'll see sump'n' dat'll make you grunt wusser dan you
grunted deze many long year. Go up dar, honey, whar Daddy Jack kin see
you."
The child went shyly up to the old African and stood at his knee. The
sorrows and perplexities of nearly a hundred years lay between them; and
now, as always, the baffled eyes of age gazed into the Sphinx-like face
of youth, as if by this means to unravel the mysteries of the past and
solve the problems of the future.
Daddy Jack took the plump, rosy hands of the little boy in his black,
withered ones, and gazed into his face so long and steadily, and with
such curious earnestness, that the child did n't know whether to laugh
or cry. Presently the old African flung his hands to his head, and
rocked his body from side to side, moaning and mumbling, and talking to
himself, while the tears ran down his face like rain.
"Ole Missy! Ole Missy! 'E come back! I bin shum dey-dey, I bin shum de
night! I bin yeddy 'e v'ice, I bin yeddy de sign!"
"Ah-yi!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, into whose arms the little boy had fled;
"I des know'd dat 'ud fetch 'im. Hit's bin manys de long days sence
Brer Jack seed Ole Miss, yit ef he ain't seed 'er dat whack, den I ain't
settin' yer."
After a while Daddy Jack ceased his rocking, and his moaning, and his
crying, and sat gazing wistfully into the fireplace. Whatever he saw
there fixed his attention, for Uncle Remus spoke to him several times
without receiving a response. Presently, however, Daddy Jack exclaimed
with characteristic but laughable irrelevance:--
"I no lakky dem gal wut is bin-a stan' pidjin-toe. Wun 'e fetch pail er
water on 'e head, water churray, churray. I no lakky dem gal wut tie 'e
wool up wit' string; mekky him stan' ugly fer true. I bin ahx da' 'Tildy
gal fer marry me, un 'e no crack 'im bre't' fer mek answer 'cep' 'e
bre'k out un lahf by me werry face. Da' gal do holler un lahf un stomp
'e fut dey-dey, un dun I shum done gone pidjin-toe. Oona bin know da'
'Tildy gal?"
"I bin a-knowin' dat gal," said Uncle Remus, grimly regarding the old
African; "I bin a-knowin' dat gal now gwine on sence she 'uz knee-high
ter one er deze yer puddle-ducks; en I bin noticin' lately dat she
mighty likely nigger."
"Enty!" exclaimed Daddy Jack, enthusiastically, "I did bin mek up ter
da' lilly gal troo t'ick un t'in. I bin fetch 'im one fine 'possum, un
mo' ez one, two, free peck-a taty, un bumbye I bin fetch 'im one bag
pop-co'n. Wun I bin do dat, I is fley 'roun' da' lilly gal so long tam,
un I yeddy 'im talk wit' turrer gal. 'E do say: 'Daddy Jack fine ole man
fer true.' Dun I is bin talk: 'Oona no call-a me Daddy Jack wun dem
preacher man come fer marry we.' Dun da' lilly gal t'row 'e head back;
'e squeal lak filly in canebrake."
The little boy understood this rapidly spoken lingo perfectly well, but
he would have laughed anyhow, for there was more than a suggestion of
the comic in the shrewd seriousness that seemed to focus itself in Daddy
Jack's pinched and wrinkled face.
"She tuck de truck w'at you tuck'n fotch 'er," said Uncle Remus, with
the air of one carefully and deliberately laying the basis of a judicial
opinion, "en den w'en you sail in en talk bizness, den she up en gun you
de flat un 'er foot en de back un 'er han', en den, atter dat, she
tuck'n laff en make spote un you."
"Enty!" assented Daddy Jack, admiringly.
"Well, den, Brer Jack, youer mighty ole, en yit hit seem lak youer
mighty young; kaze a man w'at ain't got no mo' speunce wid wimmen folks
dan w'at you is neenter creep 'roun' yer callin' deyse'f ole. Dem kinder
folks ain't ole nuff, let 'lone bein' too ole. W'en de gal tuck'n laff,
Brer Jack, w'at 'uz yo' nex' move?" demanded Uncle Remus, looking down
upon the shrivelled old man with an air of superiority.
Daddy Jack shut his shrewd little eyes tightly and held them so, as if
by that means to recall all the details of the flirtation. Then he
said:--
"Da' lilly gal is bin tek dem t'ing. 'E is bin say, 'T'anky, t'anky.'
Him eaty da' 'possum, him eaty da' pop-co'n, him roas'n da' taty. 'E do
say, 'T'anky, t'anky!' Wun I talk marry, 'e is bin ris 'e v'ice un
squeal lak lilly pig stuck in 'e t'roat. 'E do holler: 'Hi, Daddy Jack!
wut is noung gal gwan do wit' so ole man lak dis?' Un I is bin say: 'Wut
noung gal gwan do wit' ole Chris'mus' cep' 'e do 'joy 'ese'f?' Un da'
lil gal 'e do lahff un flut 'ese'f way fum dey-dey."
"I know'd a nigger one time," said Uncle Remus, after pondering a
moment, "w'at tuck a notion dat he want a bait er 'simmons, en de mo'
w'at de notion tuck 'im de mo' w'at he want um, en bimeby, hit look lak
he des nat'ally erbleedz ter have um. He want de 'simmons, en dar dey is
in de tree. He mouf water, en dar hang de 'simmons. Now, den, w'at do
dat nigger do? W'en you en me en dish yer chile yer wants 'simmons, we
goes out en shakes de tree, en ef deyer good en ripe, down dey comes, en
ef deyer good en green, dar dey stays. But dish yer yuther nigger, he
too smart fer dat. He des tuck'n tuck he stan' und' de tree, en he open
he mouf, he did, en wait fer de 'simmons fer ter drap in dar. Dey ain't
none drap in yit," continued Uncle Remus, gently knocking the cold ashes
out of his pipe; "en w'at's mo', dey ain't none gwine ter drap in dar.
Dat des 'zackly de way wid Brer Jack yer, 'bout marryin'; he stan' dar,
he do, en he hol' bofe han's wide open en he 'speck de gal gwine ter
drap right spang in um. Man want gal, he des got ter grab 'er--dat's
w'at. Dey may squall en dey may flutter, but flutter'n' en squallin'
ain't done no damage yit ez I knows un, en 't ain't gwine ter. Young
chaps kin make great 'miration 'bout gals, but w'en dey gits ole ez I
is, dey ull know dat folks is folks, en w'en it come ter bein' folks, de
wimmen ain gut none de 'vantage er de men. Now dat's des de plain up en
down tale I'm a-tellin' un you."
This deliverance from so respectable an authority seemed to please Daddy
Jack immensely. He rubbed his withered hands together, smacked his lips
and chuckled. After a few restless movements he got up and went
shuffling to the door, his quick, short steps causing Uncle Remus to
remark:--
"De gal w'at git ole Brer Jack 'ull git a natchul pacer, sho'. He move
mo' one-sideder dan ole Zip Coon, w'ich he rack up de branch all night
long wid he nose p'int lak he gwine 'cross."
While the little boy was endeavoring to get Uncle Remus to explain the
nature of Daddy Jack's grievances, muffled laughter was heard outside,
and almost immediately 'Tildy rushed in the door. 'Tildy flung herself
upon the floor and rolled and laughed until, apparently, she could laugh
no more. Then she seemed to grow severely angry. She arose from the
floor and flopped herself down in a chair, and glared at Uncle Remus
with indignation in her eyes. As soon as she could control her inflamed
feelings, she cried:--
"Wat is I done ter you, Unk' Remus? 'Fo' de Lord, ef anybody wuz ter
come en tole me dat you gwine ter put de Ole Boy in dat ole Affikin
nigger head, I would n't er b'leeved um--dat I would n't. Unk' Remus,
w'at is I done ter you?"
Uncle Remus made no direct response; but he leaned over, reached out his
hand, and picked up an unfinished axe-helve that stood in the corner.
Then he took the little boy by the arm, and pushed him out of the way,
saying in his gentlest and most persuasive tone:--
"Stan' sorter 'roun' dar, honey, 'kaze w'en de splinters 'gin ter fly, I
want you ter be out'n de way. Miss Sally never gimme 'er fergivance in
de roun' worl' ef you 'uz ter git hurted on account er de frazzlin' er
dish yer piece er timber."
Uncle Remus's movements and remarks had a wonderful effect on 'Tildy.
Her anger disappeared, her eyes lost their malignant expression, and her
voice fell to a conversational tone.
"Now, Unk' Remus, you ought n't ter do me dat a-way, 'kaze I ain't done
nothin' ter you. I 'uz settin' up yon' in Aunt Tempy house, des now,
runnin' on wid Riah, en yer come dat ole Affikin Jack en say you say he
kin marry me ef he ketch me, en he try ter put he arm 'roun' me en kiss
me."
'Tildy tossed her head and puckered her mouth at the bare remembrance of
it.
"W'at wud did you gin Brer Jack?" inquired Uncle Remus, not without
asperity.
"W'at I gwine tell him?" exclaimed 'Tildy disdainfully. "I des tuck'n up
en tole 'im he foolin' wid de wrong nigger."
'Tildy would have continued her narration, but just at that moment the
shuffling of feet was heard outside, and Daddy Jack came in, puffing and
blowing and smiling. Evidently he had been hunting for 'Tildy in every
house in the negro quarter.
"Hi!" he exclaimed, "lil gal, 'e bin skeet sem lak ma'sh hen. 'E no run
no mo'."
"Pick 'er up, Brer Jack," exclaimed Uncle Remus; "she's yone."
'Tildy was angry as well as frightened. She would have fled, but Daddy
Jack stood near the door.
"Look yer, nigger man!" she exclaimed, "ef you come slobbun 'roun' me,
I'll take one er deze yer dog-iüns en brain you wid it. I ain't gwine
ter have no web-foot nigger follerin' atter me. Now you des come!--I
ain't feard er yo' cunjun. Unk' Remus, ef you got any intruss in dat ole
Affikin ape, you better make 'im lemme 'lone. G'way fum yer now!"
All this time Daddy Jack was slowly approaching 'Tildy, bowing and
smiling, and looking quite dandified, as Uncle Remus afterward said.
Just as the old African was about to lay hands upon 'Tildy, she made a
rush for the door. The movement was so unexpected that Daddy Jack was
upset. He fell upon Uncle Remus's shoe-bench, and then rolled off on the
floor, where he lay clutching at the air, and talking so rapidly that
nobody could understand a word he said. Uncle Remus lifted him to his
feet, with much dignity, and it soon became apparent that he was neither
hurt nor angry. The little boy laughed immoderately, and he was still
laughing when 'Tildy put her head in the door and exclaimed:--
"Unk' Remus, I ain't kilt dat ole nigger, is I? 'Kaze ef I got ter go
ter de gallus, I want to go dar fer sump'n' n'er bigger'n dat."
Uncle Remus disdained to make any reply, but Daddy Jack chuckled and
patted himself on the knee as he cried:--
"Come 'long, lilly gal! come 'long! I no mad. I fall down dey fer laff.
Come 'long, lilly gal, come 'long."
'Tildy went on laughing loudly and talking to herself. After awhile
Uncle Remus said:--
"Honey, I 'speck Miss Sally lookin' und' de bed en axin' whar you is.
You better leak out fum yer now, en by dis time termorrer night I'll
git Brer Jack all primed up, en he'll whirl in en tell you a tale."
Daddy Jack nodded assent, and the little boy ran laughing to the "big
house."
XXVI
WHY THE ALLIGATOR'S BACK IS ROUGH
The night after the violent flirtation between Daddy Jack and 'Tildy,
the latter coaxed and bribed the little boy to wait until she had
finished her work about the house. After she had set things to rights in
the dining-room and elsewhere, she took the child by the hand, and
together they went to Uncle Remus's cabin. The old man was making a
door-mat of shucks and grass and white-oak splits, and Daddy Jack was
dozing in the corner.
"W'at I tell you, Brer Jack?" said Uncle Remus, as 'Tildy came in. "Dat
gal atter you, mon!"
"Fer de Lord sake, Unk' Remus, don't start dat ole nigger. I done
promise Miss Sally dat I won't kill 'im, en I like ter be good ez my
word; but ef he come foolin' longer me I'm des nat'ally gwine ter
onj'int 'im. Now you year me say de word."
But Daddy Jack made no demonstration. He sat with his eyes closed, and
paid no attention to 'Tildy. After awhile the little boy grew restless,
and presently he said:--
"Daddy Jack, you know you promised to tell me a story to-night."
"He wukkin' wid it now, honey," said Uncle Remus, soothingly. "Brer
Jack," he continued, "wa'n't dey sump'n' n'er 'bout ole man Yalligater?"
"Hi!" exclaimed Daddy Jack, arousing himself, "'e 'bout B'er 'Gater fer
true. Oona no bin see da' B'er 'Gater?"
The child had seen one, but it was such a very little one he hardly
knew whether to claim an acquaintance with Daddy Jack's 'Gater.
"Dem all sem," continued Daddy Jack. "Big mout', pop-eye, walk on 'e
belly; 'e is bin got bump, bump, bump 'pon 'e bahk, bump, bump, bump
'pon 'e tail. 'E dife 'neat' de water, 'e do lif 'pon de lan'.
"One tam Dog is bin run B'er Rabbit, tel 'e do git tire; da' Dog is bin
run 'im tel him ent mos' hab no bre't' in 'e body; 'e hide 'ese'f by de
crik side. 'E come close 'pon B'er 'Gater, en B'er 'Gater, 'e do say:--
"'Ki, B'er Rabbit! wut dis is mek you blow so? Wut mekky you' bre't'
come so?'
"'Eh-eh! B'er 'Gater, I hab bin come 'pon trouble. Dog, 'e do run un-a
run me.'
"'Wey you no fetch 'im 'long, B'er Rabbit? I is bin git fat on all da'
trouble lak dem. I proud fer yeddy Dog bark, ef 'e is bin fetch-a me
trouble lak dem.'
"'Wait, B'er 'Gater! Trouble come bisitin' wey you lif; 'e mekky you'
side puff; 'e mekky you' bre't' come so.'
"'Gater, he do flup 'e tail un 'tretch 'ese'f, un lahff. 'E say:--
"'I lak fer see dem trouble. Nuddin' no bodder me. I ketch-a dem swimp,
I ketch-a dem crahb, I mekky my bed wey de sun shiün hot, un I do 'joy
mese'f. I proud fer see dem trouble.'
"''E come 'pon you, B'er 'Gater, wun you bin hab you' eye shed; 'e come
'pon you fum de turrer side. Ef 'e no come 'pon you in da' crik, dun 'e
come 'pon you in da' broom-grass.'
"'Dun I shekky um by de han', B'er Rabbit; I ahx um howdy.'
"'Eh-eh, B'er 'Gater! you bin-a lahff at me; you no lahff wun dem
trouble come. Dem trouble bin ketch-a you yit.'"
Daddy Jack paused to wipe his face. He had reported the dialogue between
Brother Rabbit and Brother Alligator with considerable animation, and
had illustrated it as he went along with many curious inflections of the
voice, and many queer gestures of head and hands impossible to describe
here, but which added picturesqueness to the story. After awhile he went
on:--
"B'er Rabbit, 'e do blow un 'e do ketch urn bre't'. 'E pit one year wey
Dog is bin-a bark; 'e pit one eye 'pon B'er 'Gater. 'E lissen, 'e look;
'e look, 'e lissen. 'E no yeddy Dog, un 'e comforts come back. Bumbye
B'er 'Gater, 'e come drowsy; 'e do nod, nod, un 'e head sway down, tel
ma'sh-grass tickle 'e nose, un 'e do cough sem lak 'e teer up da' crik
by da' root. 'E no lak dis place fer sleep at, un 'e is crawl troo da'
ma'sh 'pon dry lan'; 'e is mek fer da' broom-grass fiel'. 'E mek 'e bed
wid 'e long tail, un 'e is 'tretch 'ese'f out at 'e lenk. 'E is shed 'e
y-eye, un opun 'e mout', un tek 'e nap.
"B'er Rabbit, 'e do hol' 'e y-eye 'pon B'er 'Gater. Him talk no wud; him
wallup 'e cud; him stan' still. B'er 'Gater, 'e do tek 'e nap; B'er
Rabbit 'e do watch. Bum-bye, B'er 'Gater bre't', 'e do come _loud_; 'e
is bin sno' _hard!_ 'E dream lilly dream; 'e wuk 'e fut un shek 'e tail
in 'e dream. B'er Rabbit wink 'e y-eye, un 'e do watch. B'er 'Gater, he
do leaf 'e dream bahine, un 'e sleep soun'. B'er Rabbit watch lil, wait
lil. Bumbye, 'e do go wey fier bu'n in da' stump, un 'e is fetch some.
'E say, 'Dis day I is mek you know dem trouble; I is mek you know dem
well.' 'E hop 'roun' dey-dey, un 'e do light da' broom-grass; 'e bu'n,
bu'n--bu'n, bu'n; 'e do bu'n smaht.
"B'er 'Gater, 'e is dream some mo' lilly dream. 'E do wuk 'e fut, 'e do
shek 'e tail. Broom-grass bu'n, bu'n; B'er 'Gater dream. 'E dream da'
sun is shiün' hot; 'e wom 'e back, 'e wom 'e belly; 'e wuk 'e fut, 'e
shek 'e tail. Broom-grass bu'n high, 'e bu'n low; 'e bu'n smaht, 'e bu'n
hot. Bumbye, B'er 'Gater is wek fum 'e dream; 'e smell-a da' smoke, 'e
feel-a da' fier. 'E run dis way, 'e run turrer way; no diffran' wey 'e
is run, dey da' smoke, dey da' fier. _Bu'n, bu'n, bu'n!_ B'er 'Gater
lash 'e tail, un grine 'e toof. Bumbye, 'e do roll un holler:--
"'Trouble, trouble, trouble! _Trouble, trouble!_'
"B'er Rabbit, 'e is stan' pas' da' fier, un 'e do say:--
"'Ki! B'er 'Gater! Wey you fer l'arn-a dis talk 'bout dem trouble?'
"B'er 'Gater, 'e lash 'e tail, 'e fair teer da' ye't,[24] un 'e do
holler:--
"'Oh, ma Lord! Trouble! _Trouble, trouble, trouble!_'
"'Shekky um by de han', B'er 'Gater. Ahx um howdy!'
"'Ow, ma Lord! _Trouble, trouble, trouble!_'
"'Lahff wit' dem trouble, B'er 'Gater, lahff wit' dem! Ahx dem is dey
he'lt' bin well! You bin-a cry fer dey 'quaintun',[25] B'er 'Gater; now
you mus' beer wit' dem trouble!'
"B'er 'Gater come so mad, 'e mek dash troo da' broom-grass; 'e fair teer
um down. 'E bin scatter da' fier wide 'part, un 'e do run un dife in da'
crik fer squinch da' fier 'pon 'e bahk. 'E bahk swivel, 'e tail swivel
wit' da' fier, un fum dat dey is bin stan' so. Bump, bump 'pon 'e tail;
bump, bump 'pon 'e bahk, wey da' fier bu'n."
"Hit's des lak Brer Jack tell you, honey," said Uncle Remus, as Daddy
Jack closed his eyes and relapsed into silence. "I done seed um wid my
own eyes. En deyer mighty kuse creeturs, mon. Dey back is all ruffed up
en down ter dis day en time, en mo'n dat, you ain't gwineter ketch Brer
Rabbit rackin' 'roun' whar de Yallergaters is. En de Yallergaters
deyse'f, w'en dey years any crackin' en rattlin' gwine on in de bushes,
dey des makes a break fer de creek en splunges in."
"Enty!" exclaimed Daddy Jack, with momentary enthusiasm. "'E do tu'n go
da' bahnk, un dife 'neat' da' crik. 'E bin so wom wit' da' fier, 'e mek
de crik go si-z-z-z!"
Here Daddy Jack looked around and smiled. His glance fell on 'Tildy, and
he seemed suddenly to remember that he had failed to be as polite as
circumstances demanded.
"Come-a set nex' em, lilly gal. I gwan tell you one tale."
"Come 'long, Pinx," said 'Tildy, tossing her head disdainfully, and
taking the little boy by the hand. "Come 'long, Pinx; we better be
gwine. I done say I won't kill dat ole nigger man. Yit ef he start atter
me dis blessid night, I lay I roust de whole plantation. Come on, honey;
less go."
The little boy was not anxious to go, but Uncle Remus seconded 'Tildy's
suggestion.
"Better let dat gal mosey 'long, honey, 'kaze she mout start in fer ter
cut up some 'er capers in yer, en I hate mighty bad ter bus' up dis yer
axe-helve, w'ich I'm in needs un it eve'y hour er de day."
Whereupon the two old negroes were left sitting by the hearth.
FOOTNOTES:
[24] Tear the earth.
[25] Acquaintance.
XXVII
BRER WOLF SAYS GRACE
'Tildy, the house-girl, made such a terrible report of the carryings on
of Daddy Jack that the little boy's mother thought it prudent not to
allow him to visit Uncle Remus so often. The child amused himself as
best he could for several nights, but his play-things and picture-books
finally lost their interest. He cried so hard to be allowed to go to see
Uncle Remus that his mother placed him under the care of Aunt Tempy,--a
woman of large authority on the place, and who stood next to Uncle Remus
in the confidence of her mistress. Aunt Tempy was a fat, middle-aged
woman, who always wore a head-handkerchief, and kept her sleeves rolled
up, displaying her plump, black arms, winter and summer. She never
hesitated to exercise her authority, and the younger negroes on the
place regarded her as a tyrant; but in spite of her loud voice and
brusque manners she was thoroughly good-natured, usually good-humored,
and always trustworthy. Aunt Tempy and Uncle Remus were secretly jealous
of each other, but they were careful never to come in conflict, and, to
all appearances, the most cordial relations existed between them.
"Well de goodness knows!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, as Aunt Tempy went in
with the little boy. "How you come on, Sis Tempy? De rainy season ain't
so mighty fur off w'en you come a-sojourneyin' in dis house. Ef I'd
a-know'd you'd a-bin a-comin' I'd a-sorter steered 'roun' en bresh'd de
cobwebs out'n de cornders."
"Don't min' me, Brer Remus. Luck in de house whar de cobwebs hangs low.
I 'uz des a-passin'--a-passin' 'long--en Miss Sally ax me ef I kin come
fur ez de do' wid dat chile dar, but bless you, 't ain't in my manners
ter tu'n back at de do'. How you come on, Brer Remus?"
"Po'ly, Sis Tempy; en yit I ain't complainin'. Pain yer, en a ketch
yander, wid de cramps th'ow'd in, ain't no mo' dan ole folks kin 'speck.
How you is, Sis Tempy?"
"I thank de Lord I'm able to crawl, Brer Remus, en dat's 'bout all. Ef I
wa'n't so sot in my ways, deze yer niggers would er run me 'stracted
d'reckly."
Daddy Jack was sitting in the corner laughing and talking to himself,
and the little boy watched him not without a feeling of awe. After a
while he said:--
"Uncle Remus, won't Daddy Jack tell us a story to-night?"
"Now, den, honey," responded the old man, "we ain't got ter push Brer
Jack too closte; we ull des hatter creep up on 'im en ketch 'im fer er
tale wence he in de humors. Sometimes hoss pull, sometime he ain't pull.
You ain't bin down yer so long, hit sorter look lak it my tu'n; 'kaze it
done come 'cross my 'membunce dat dey wuz one time w'en Brer Wolf kotch
Brer Rabbit, w'ich I ain't never gun it out ter you yit."
"Brother Wolf caught Brother Rabbit, Uncle Remus?" exclaimed the little
boy, incredulously.
"Yasser! dat's de up en down un it, sho'," responded the old man with
emphasis, "en I be mighty glad ef Sis Tempy yer will 'scuze me w'iles I
runs over de tale 'long wid you."
"Bless yo' soul, Brer Remus, don't pay no 'tention ter me," said Aunt
Tempy, folding her fat arms upon her ample bosom, and assuming an
attitude of rest and contentment. "I'm bad ez de chillun 'bout dem ole
tales, 'kaze I kin des set up yer un lissen at um de whole blessid
night, un a good part er de day. Yass, Lord!"
"Well, den," said Uncle Remus, "we ull des huddle up yer en see w'at
'come er Brer Rabbit, w'en ole Brer Wolf kotch 'im. In dem days," he
continued, looking at Daddy Jack and smiling broadly, "de creeturs wuz
constant gwine a-courtin'. Ef 't wa'n't Miss Meadows en de gals dey wuz
flyin' 'roun', hit 'uz Miss Motts. Dey wuz constant a-courtin'. En 't
wa'n't none er dish yer 'Howdy-do-ma'm-I-'speck-I-better-be-gwine,'
n'er. Hit 'uz go atter brekkus en stay twel atter supper. Brer Rabbit,
he got tuk wid a-likin' fer Miss Motts, en soon one mawnin', he tuck'n
slick hisse'f up, he did, en put out ter call on 'er. W'en Brer Rabbit
git ter whar Miss Motts live, she done gone off some'rs.
"Some folks 'ud er sot down en wait twel Miss Motts come back, en den
ag'in some folks 'ud er tuck der foot in der han' en went back; but ole
Brer Rabbit, he ain't de man fer ter be outdone, en he des tuck'n go in
de kitchen en light he seegyar, en den he put out fer ter pay a call on
Miss Meadows en de gals.
"W'en he git dar, lo en beholes, he fine Miss Motts dar, en he tipped
in, ole Brer Rabbit did, en he galanted 'roun' 'mungs um, same lak one
er dese yer town chaps, w'at you see come out ter Harmony Grove
meetin'-house. Dey talk en dey laff; dey laff en dey giggle. Bimeby,
'long todes night, Brer Rabbit 'low he better be gwine. De wimmen folks
dey all ax 'im fer ter stay twel atter supper, 'kaze he sech lively
comp'ny, but Brer Rabbit fear'd some er de yuther creeturs be hidin'
out fer 'im; so he tuck'n pay his 'specks, he did, en start fer home.
"He ain't git fur twel he come up wid a great big basket settin' down by
de side er de big road. He look up de road; he ain't see nobody. He look
down de road; he ain't see nobody. He look befo', he look behime, he
look all 'roun'; he ain't see nobody. He lissen, en lissen; he ain't
year nothin'. He wait, en he wait; nobody ain't come.
"Den, bimeby Brer Rabbit go en peep in de basket, en it seem lak it half
full er green truck. He retch he han' in, he did, en git some en put it
in he mouf. Den he shet he eye en do lak he studyin' 'bout sump'n'.
Atter w'ile, he 'low ter hisse'f, 'Hit look lak sparrer-grass, hit feel
lak sparrer-grass, hit tas'e lak sparrer-grass, en I be bless ef 't
ain't sparrer-grass.'
"Wid dat Brer Rabbit jump up, he did, en crack he heel tergedder, en he
fetch one leap en lan' in de basket, right spang in 'mungs de
sparrer-grass. Dar whar he miss he footin'," continued Uncle Remus,
rubbing his beard meditatively, "'kaze w'en he jump in 'mungs de
sparrer-grass, right den en dar he jump in 'mungs ole Brer Wolf, w'ich
he wer' quile up at de bottom."
"Dar now!" exclaimed Aunt Tempy, enthusiastically. "W'at I tell you?
W'at make him pester t'er folks doin's? I boun' Brer Wolf nail't 'im."
"Time Brer Wolf grab 'im," continued Uncle Remus, "Brer Rabbit knowed he
'uz a gone case; yit he sing out, he did:--
"'I des tryin' ter skeer you, Brer Wolf; I des tryin' ter skeer you. I
know'd you 'uz in dar, Brer Wolf, I know'd you by de smell!' sez Brer
Rabbit, sezee.
"Ole Brer Wolf grin, he did, en lick he chops, en up'n say:--
"'Mighty glad you know'd me, Brer Rabbit, 'kaze I know'd you des time
you drapt in on me. I tuck'n tell Brer Fox yistiddy dat I 'uz gwine take
a nap 'longside er de road, en I boun' you 'ud come 'long en wake me
up, en sho' nuff, yer you come en yer you is,' sez Brer Wolf, sezee.
"Oh-ho, Mr. Rabbit! How you feel now?" exclaimed Aunt Tempy, her
sympathies evidently with Brother Wolf.
"W'en Brer Rabbit year dis," said Uncle Remus, paying no attention to
the interruption, "he 'gun ter git mighty skeer'd, en he whirl in en beg
Brer Wolf fer ter please tu'n 'im loose; but dis make Brer Wolf grin
wusser, en he toof look so long en shine so w'ite, en he gum look so
red, dat Brer Rabbit hush up en stay still. He so skeer'd dat he bref
come quick, en he heart go lak flutter-mill. He chune up lak he gwine
cry:--
"'Whar you gwine kyar me, Brer Wolf?'
"'Down by de branch, Brer Rabbit.'
"'W'at you gwine down dar fer, Brer Wolf?'
"'So I kin git some water ter clean you wid atter I done skunt you, Brer
Rabbit.'
"'Please, sir, lemme go, Brer Wolf.'
"'You talk so young you make me laff, Brer Rabbit.'
"'Dat sparrer-grass done make me sick, Brer Wolf.'
"'You'll be sicker'n dat 'fo' I git done wid you, Brer Rabbit.'
"'Whar I come fum nobody dast ter eat sick folks, Brer Wolf.'
"'Whar I come fum dey ain't dast ter eat no yuther kin', Brer Rabbit.'"
"Ole Mr. Rabbit wuz a-talkin', mon," said Aunt Tempy, with a chuckle
that caused her to shake like a piece of jelly.
"Dey went on dis a-way," continued Uncle Remus, "plum twel dey git ter
de branch. Brer Rabbit, he beg en cry, en cry en beg, en Brer Wolf, he
'fuse en grin, en grin en 'fuse. W'en dey come ter de branch, Brer Wolf
lay Brer Rabbit down on de groun' en hilt 'im dar, en den he study how
he gwine make way wid 'im. He study en he study, en w'iles he studyin'
Brer Rabbit, he tuck'n study some on he own hook.
"Den w'en it seem lak Brer Wolf done fix all de 'rangerments, Brer
Rabbit, he make lak he cryin' wusser en wusser; he des fa'rly blubber."
Uncle Remus gave a ludicrous imitation of Brother Rabbit's wailings.
"'Ber--ber--Brer Wooly--ooly--oolf! Is you gwine--is you gwine ter
sakerfice-t me right now--ow--ow?'
"'Dat I is, Brer Rabbit; dat I is.'
"'Well, ef I blee-eedz ter be kilt, Brer Wooly--ooly--oolf, I wants ter
be kilt right, en ef I blee-eedz ter be e't, I wants ter be e't
ri--ight, too, now!'
"'How dat, Brer Rabbit?'
"'I want you ter show yo' p'liteness, Brer Wooly--ooly--oolf!'
"'How I gwine do dat, Brer Rabbit?'
"'I want you ter say grace, Brer Wolf, en say it quick, 'kaze I gittin'
mighty weak.'
"'How I gwine say grace, Brer Rabbit?'
"'Fol' yo' han's und' yo' chin, Brer Wolf, en shet yo' eyes, en say:
"Bless us en bine us, en put us in crack whar de Ole Boy can't fine us."
Say it quick, Brer Wolf, 'kaze I failin' mighty fas'.'"
"Now ain't dat des too much!" exclaimed Aunt Tempy, as delighted as the
little boy. Uncle Remus laughed knowingly and went on:--
"Brer Wolf, he put up he han's, he did, en shot he eyes, en 'low, 'Bless
us en bine us;' but he ain't git no furder, 'kaze des time he take up he
han's, Brer Rabbit fotch a wiggle, he did, en lit on he foots, en he des
nat'ally lef a blue streak behime 'im."
"Ah-yi-ee!" exclaimed Daddy Jack, while Aunt Tempy allowed her arms to
drop helplessly from her lap as she cried "Dar now!" and the little boy
clasped his hands in an ecstasy of admiration.
"Oh, I just knew Brother Rabbit would get away," the child declared.
[Illustration: BRER RABBIT FOTCH A WIGGLE, HE DID, EN LIT ON HE FOOTS]
"Dat's right, honey," said Uncle Remus. "You put yo' pennunce in Brer
Rabbit en yo' won't be fur out er de way."
There was some further conversation among the negroes, but it was mostly
plantation gossip. When Aunt Tempy rose to go she said:--
"Goodness knows, Brer Remus, ef dis de way you all runs on, I'm gwine
ter pester you some mo'. Hit come 'cross me like ole times, dat it do."
"Do so, Sis Tempy, do so," said Uncle Remus, with dignified hospitality.
"You allers fine a place at my h'a'th. Ole times is about all we got
lef'."
"Trufe, too!" exclaimed Aunt Tempy; and with that she took the child by
the hand and went out into the darkness.
XXVIII
SPIRITS, SEEN AND UNSEEN
It was not many nights before the same company was gathered in Uncle
Remus's cabin,--Daddy Jack, Aunt Tempy, and the little boy. The
conversation took a turn that thrilled the child with mingled fear and
curiosity. Uncle Remus had inquired as to the state of Aunt Tempy's
health, when the latter came in, and her response was:--
"I feelin' mighty creepy, Brer Remus, sho'. Look like I bleedz ter hunt
comp'ny. W'en I come 'long down I felt dat skittish twel ef a leaf had
blow'd 'crost de paff, I'd 'a' des about drapt in my tracks."
"How come dat, Sis Tempy?" Uncle Remus inquired.
"You know dat little gal er Riah's? Well, I 'uz settin' up dar in my
house 'w'ile ergo, w'en, bless gracious! fus' news I know, I year dat
chile talkin' in the yuther room. I 'low ter myse'f, she ain't talkin'
ter Riah, 'kaze Riah ain't come yit, un den I crope up, dar wuz de
chile settin' right flat in de middle er de flo', laffin' un talkin' un
makin' motions like she see somebody in de cornder. I des stood dar un
watch 'er, un I ain't a livin' human ef she don't do like dey 'uz
somebody er n'er in dar wid 'er. She ax um fer ter stay on dey own side,
un den, w'en it seem like dey come todes 'er, den she say she gwine git
a switch un drive um back. Hit make me feel so cole un kuse dat I des
tuck'n come 'way fum dar, un ef dey's sump'n' n'er dar, hit'll be dem un
Riah fer't."
"'E do talk wid ghos'; 'e is bin larf wit' harnt," exclaimed Daddy Jack.
"I 'speck dat's 'bout de upshot un it," said Uncle Remus. "Dey tells me
dat w'ence you year chilluns talkin' en gwine on periently wid deyse'f,
der er bleedz ter see ha'nts."
The little boy moved his stool closer to his venerable partner. Daddy
Jack roused himself.
"Oona no bin-a see dem ghos'? Oona no bin-a see dem harnt? Hi! I is
bin-a see plenty ghos'; I no 'fraid dem; I is bin-a punch dem 'way wit'
me cane. I is bin-a shoo dem 'pon dey own siëd da' road. Dem is bin walk
w'en da' moon stan' low; den I is bin shum. Oona no walk wit' me dun. 'E
berry bahd. Oona call, dey no answer. Wun dey call, hol' you' mout'
shet. 'E berry bahd fer mek answer, wun da' harnt holler. Dem call-a you
'way fum dis lan'. I yeddy dem call; I shetty me y-eye, I shekkey me
head.
"Wun I is bin noung mahn, me der go fer git water, un wun I der dip
piggin 'neat' da' crik, I yeddy v'ice fer call me--'_Jahck! O Jahck!_' I
stan', I lissen, I yeddy de v'ice--'_Jahck! Jahck! O Jahck!_' I t'ink 'e
bin Titty Ann;[26] I ahx um:--
"Wey you bin call-a me, Titty Ann?' Titty Ann 'tretch 'e y-eye big:--
"'I no bin-a call. Dead ghos' is bin-a call. Dem harnt do call-a you.'
"Dun I rise me y-eye, un I is bin shum gwan by sundown; 'e is bin gwan
bahckwud. I tell Titty Ann fer look at we nuncle, gwan bahckwud by
sundown. Titty Ann pit 'e two han' 'pon me y-eyes, en 'e do bline me. 'E
say I bin-a see one dead ghos'."
"What then, Daddy Jack?" asked the little boy, as the old African
paused.
"Ki! nuff dun. 'Kaze bumbye, so long tam, folks come fetch-a we nuncle
'tretch out. 'E is bin-a tek wit' da' _he_cup; 'e t'row 'e head dis way;
'e t'row 'e head dat way." Daddy Jack comically suited the action to the
word. "'E is bin tek-a da' _he_cup; da' _he_cup is bin tek um--da' cramp
is bin fetch um. I is bin see mo' dead ghos', but me no spot um lak
dis."
"I boun' you is," said Uncle Remus. "Dey tells me, Brer Jack," he
continued, "dat w'en you meets up wid one er deze ha'nts, ef you'll
take'n tu'n yo' coat wrong-sud-outerds, dey won't use no time in makin'
der disappearance."
"Hey!" exclaimed Daddy Jack, "tu'n coat no fer skeer dead ghos'. 'E
skeer dem Jack-me-Lantun. One tam I is bin-a mek me way troo t'ick
swamp. I do come hot, I do come cole. I feel-a me bahck quake; me bre't'
come fahs'. I look; me ent see nuttin'; I lissen; me ent yeddy nuttin'.
I look, dey de Jack-me-Lantun mekkin 'e way troo de bush; 'e comin'
stret by me. 'E light bin-a flick-flicker; 'e git close un close. I yent
kin stan' dis; one foot git heffy, da' heer 'pon me head lif' up. Da'
Jack-me-Lantun, 'e git-a high, 'e git-a low, 'e come close. Dun I t'ink
I bin-a yeddy ole folks talk _tu'n you' coat-sleef_ wun da'
Jack-me-Lantun is bin run you. I pull, I twis', I yerk at dem jacket; 'e
yent come. 'E is bin grow on me bahck. Jack-me-Lantun fly close. I say
me pray 'pon da' jacket; 'e is bin-a yerk loose; da' sleef 'e do tu'n.
Jack-me-Lantun, 'e see dis, 'e lif' up, 'e say '_Phew!_' 'E done gone!
Oona no walk in da' swamp 'cep' you is keer you' coat 'cross da' arm.
Enty!"
"Dat w'at make me say," remarked Aunt Tempy, with a little shiver, "dat
'oman like me, w'at ain't w'ar no jacket, ain't got no business
traipsin' un trollopin' 'roun' thoo the woods atter dark."
"You mout tu'n yo' head-hankcher, Sis Tempy," said Uncle Remus,
reassuringly, "en ef dat ain't do no good den you kin whirl in en gin um
leg-bail."
"I year tell," continued Aunt Tempy, vouchsafing no reply to Uncle
Remus, "dat dish yer Jacky-ma-Lantun is a sho' nuff sperit. Sperits
ain't gwine to walk un walk less'n dey got sump'n' n'er on der min', un
I year tell dat dish yer Jacky-ma-Lantun is 'casioned by a man w'at got
kilt. Folks kilt 'im un tuck his money, un now his ha'nt done gone un
got a light fer ter hunt up whar his money is. Mighty kuse ef folks kin
hone atter money w'en dey done _gone_. I dunner w'at he wanter be
ramblin' 'roun' wid a light w'en he done _dead_. Ef anybody got any hard
feelin's 'gin' me, I want um ter take it out w'ile deyer in de flesh;
w'en dey come a-ha'ntin' me, den I'm done--I'm des _done_."
"Are witches spirits?" the little boy asked.
The inquiry was not especially directed at Daddy Jack, but Daddy Jack
was proud of his reputation as a witch, and he undertook to reply.
"None 't all. Witch, 'e no dead ghos'--'e life folks, wey you shekky
han' wit'. Oona witch mebbe; how you is kin tell?"
Here Daddy Jack turned his sharp little eyes upon the child. The latter
moved closer to Uncle Remus, and said he hoped to goodness he was n't a
witch.
"How you is kin tell diffran 'cep' you bin fer try um?" continued Daddy
Jack. "'E good t'ing fer be witch; 'e mek-a dem folks fred. 'E mek-a dem
fred; 'e mek-a dem hol' da' bre't', wun dey is bin-a come by you'
place."
"In de name er de Lord, Daddy Jack, how kin folks tell wh'er dey er
witches er no?" asked Aunt Tempy.
"Oo! 'e easy nuff. Wun da' moon is shiün low, wet-a you' han' wit' da'
pot-licker grease; rub noung heifer 'pon 'e nose; git 'pon 'e bahck.
Mus' hol' um by 'e year; mus' go gallop, gallop down da' lane, tel 'e do
come 'cross one-a big gully. Mus' holler, '_Double, double, double up!
double, double, double up!_' Heifer jump, oona witch; heifer no jump,
oona no witch."
"Did you ever ride a heifer, Daddy Jack?" asked the little boy.
"Mo' tam es dem," replied the old negro, holding up the crooked fingers
of one withered hand.
"Did--did she jump across the big gully?"
The child's voice had dropped to an awed whisper, and there was a glint
of malicious mischief in Daddy Jack's shrewd eyes, as he looked up at
Uncle Remus. He got his cue. Uncle Remus groaned heavily and shook his
head.
"Hoo!" exclaimed Daddy Jack, "wun I is bin-a tell all, dey no mo' fer
tell. Mus' kip some fer da' Sunday. Lilly b'y no fred dem witch; 'e no
bodder lilly b'y. Witch, 'e no rassel wit' 'e ebry-day 'quaintan'; 'e do
go pars 'e own place."
It was certainly reassuring for the child to be told that witches did
n't trouble little boys, and that they committed their depredations
outside of their own neighborhood.
"I is bin-a yeddy dem talk 'bout ole witch. 'E do leaf 'e skin wey 'e is
sta't fum. Man bin-a come pars by; 'e is fine dem skin. 'E say:--
"'Ki! 'E one green skin; I fix fer dry um.'
"Man hang um by da' fier. Skin, 'e do swink, i' do swivel. Bumbye 'e do
smell-a bahd; man, 'e hol' 'e nose. 'E do wait. Skin swink, skin stink,
skin swivel. 'E do git so bahd, man pitch um in da' ya'd. 'E wait; 'e is
wait, 'e is lissen. Bumbye, 'e yeddy da' witch come. Witch, e' do sharp'
'e claw on-a da' fence; 'e is snap 'e jaw--_flick! flick! flick!_ 'E
come-a hunt fer him skin. 'E fine um. 'E trey um on dis way; 'e no fit.
'E trey um on dat way; 'e no fit. 'E trey um on turrer way; 'e no fit.
'E pit um 'pon 'e head; skin 'e no fit. 'E pit um 'pon 'e foot; skin 'e
no fit. 'E cuss, 'e sweer; skin 'e no fit. 'E cut 'e caper; skin 'e no
fit. Bumbye 'e holler:--
"''Tiss-a me, Skin! wey you no know me? Skin, 'tiss-a me! wey you no
know me?'
"Skin, 'e no talk nuttin' 'tall. Witch 'e do jump, 'e do holler; à mek
no diffran. Skin 'e talk nuttin' 'tall. Man, 'e tekky to'ch, 'e look in
ya'd. 'E see big blahck Woolf lay by da' skin. E toof show; 'e y-eye
shiün. Man drife um 'way; 'e is come bahck. Man bu'n da' skin; 'e is
bin-a come bahck no mo'."
The little boy asked no more questions. He sat silent while the others
talked, and then went to the door and looked out. It was very dark, and
he returned to his stool with a troubled countenance.
"Des wait a little minnit, honey," said Uncle Remus, dropping his hand
caressingly on the child's shoulder. "I bleedz ter go up dar ter de big
house fer ter see Mars John, en I'll take you 'long fer comp'ny."
And so, after a while, the old man and the little boy went hand in hand
up the path.
FOOTNOTE:
[26] Sissy Ann.
XXIX
A GHOST STORY
The next time the little boy visited Uncle Remus he persuaded 'Tildy to
go with him. Daddy Jack was in his usual place, dozing and talking to
himself, while Uncle Remus oiled the carriage-harness. After a while
Aunt Tempy came in.
The conversation turned on Daddy Jack's story about "haunts" and
spirits. Finally 'Tildy said:--
"W'en it come ter tales 'bout ha'nts," said she, "I year tell er one
dat'll des nat'ally make de kinks on yo' head onquile deyse'f."
"W'at tale dat, chile?" asked Aunt Tempy.
"Unk' Remus, mus' I tell it?"
"Let 'er come," said Uncle Remus.
"Well, den," said 'Tildy, rolling her eyes back and displaying her white
teeth, "one time dey wuz a 'Oman en a Man. Seem like dey live close ter
one er n'er, en de Man he sot his eyes on de 'Oman, en de 'Oman, she des
went 'long en 'ten' ter her bizness. Man, he keep his eyes sot on 'er.
Bimeby, de 'Oman, she 'ten' ter her bizness so much tel she tuck'n tuck
sick en die. Man, he up'n tell de folks she dead, en de folks dey come
en fix 'er. Dey lay 'er out, en dey light some candles, en dey sot up
wid 'er, des like folks does now; en dey put two great big roun' shiny
silver dollars on 'er eyes fer ter hol' 'er eyeleds down."
In describing the silver dollars 'Tildy joined the ends of her thumbs
and fore-fingers together, and made a figure as large as a saucer.
"Dey wuz lots bigger dan dollars is deze days," she continued, "en dey
look mighty purty. Seem like dey wuz all de money de 'Oman got, en de
folks dey put um on 'er eyeleds fer to hol' um down. Den w'en de folks
do dat dey call up de Man en take'n tell 'im dat he mus' dig a grave en
bury de 'Oman, en den dey all went off 'bout der bizness.
"Well, den, de Man, he tuck'n dig de grave en make ready fer ter bury de
'Oman. He look at dat money on 'er eyeleds, en it shine mighty purty.
Den he tuck it off en feel it. Hit feel mighty good, but des 'bout dat
time de Man look at de 'Oman, en he see 'er eyeleds open. Look like she
lookin' at 'im, en he take'n put de money whar he git it fum.
"Well, den, de Man, he take'n git a waggin en haul de 'Oman out ter de
buryin'-groun', en w'en he git dar he fix ever'thing, en den he grab de
money en kivver up de grave right quick. Den he go home, en put de money
in a tin box en rattle it 'roun.' Hit rattle loud en hit rattle nice,
but de Man, he ain't feel so good. Seem like he know de 'Oman eyeled
stretch wide open lookin' fer 'im. Yit he rattle de money 'roun', en hit
rattle loud en hit rattle nice.
"Well, den, de Man, he take'n put de tin box w'at de money in on de
mantel-shel-uf. De day go by, en de night come, en w'en night come de
win' 'gun ter rise up en blow. Hit rise high, hit blow strong. Hit blow
on top er de house, hit blow und' de house, hit blow 'roun' de house.
Man, he feel quare. He set by de fier en lissen. Win' say
'_Buzz-zoo-o-o-o-o!_' Man lissen. Win' holler en cry. Hit blow top er de
house, hit blow und' de house, hit blow 'roun' de house, hit blow in de
house. Man git closte up in de chimbly-jam. Win' fin' de cracks en blow
in um. '_Bizzy, bizzy, buzz-zoo-o-o-o-o!_'
"Well, den, Man, he lissen, lissen, but bimeby he git tired er dis, en
he 'low ter hisse'f dat he gwine ter bed. He tuck'n fling a fresh
light'd knot in de fier, en den he jump in de bed, en quile hisse'f up
en put his head und' de kivver. Win' hunt fer de cracks--_bizzy-buzz,
bizzy-buzz, buzz-zoo-o-o-o-o-o!_ Man keep his head und' de kivver.
Light'd knot flar' up en flicker. Man ain't dast ter move. Win' blow en
w'issel _Phew-fee-e-e-e!_ Light'd knot flicker en flar'. Man, he keep
his head kivvud.
"Well, den, Man lay dar, en git skeer'der en skeer'der. He ain't dast
ter wink his eye skacely, en seem like he gwine ter have swamp agur.
W'iles he layin' dar shakin', en de win' a-blowin', en de fier flickin',
he year someyuther kind er fuss. Hit mighty kuse kind er fuss.
_Clinkity, clinkalinkle!_ Man 'low:--
"'Hey! who stealin' my money?'
"Yit he keep his head kivvud w'iles he lay en lissen. He year de win'
blow, en den he year dat yuther kinder fuss--_Clinkity, clink, clinkity,
clinkalinkle!_ Well, den, he fling off de kivver en sot right up in de
bed. He look, he ain't see nothin'. De fier flicker en flar' en de win'
blow. Man go en put chain en bar 'cross de do'. Den he go back to bed,
en he ain't mo'n totch his head on de piller tel he year de yuther
fuss--_clink, clink, clinkity, clinkalinkle!_ Man rise up, he ain't see
nothin' 'tall. Mighty quare!
"Des 'bout time he gwine ter lay down 'g'in, yer come de
fuss--_clinkity, clinkalinkle_. Hit soun' like it on de mantel-shel-uf;
let 'lone dat, hit soun' like it in de tin box on de mantel-shel-uf; let
'lone dat, hit soun' like it de money in de tin box on de
man-tel-shel-uf. Man say:--
"'Hey! rat done got in box!'
"Man look; no rat dar. He shet up de box, en set it down on de shel-uf.
Time he do dat yer come de fuss--_clinkity, clinkity, clinkalinkle!_ Man
open de box en look at de money. Dem two silver dollars layin' in dar
des like he put um. W'iles de man dun dis, look like he kin year sump'n'
say 'way off yander:--
"'_Whar my money? Oh, gim me my money!_'
"Man, he sot de box back on de shel-uf, en time he put it down he year
de money rattle--_clinkity, clinkalinkle, clink!_--en den fum 'way off
yander sump'n' say:--
"'_Oh, gim me my money! I want my money!_'
"Well, den, de Man git skeer'd sho' nuff, en he got er flat-iün en put
on de tin box, en den he tuck'n pile all de cheers 'gin' de do', en run
en jump in de bed. He des know dey's a booger comin'. Time he git in bed
en kivver his head, de money rattle louder, en sump'n' cry way off
yander:--
"'_I want my money! Oh, gim me my money!_'
"Man, he shake en he shiver; money, hit clink en rattle; booger, hit
holler en cry. Booger come closter, money clink louder. Man shake wusser
en wusser. Money say: _'Clinkity, clinkalinkle!'_ Booger cry, _'Oh, gim
me my money!'_ Man holler, '_O Lordy, Lordy!_'
"Well, den, hit keep on dis a-way, tel dreckly Man year de do' open. He
peep fum und' de kivver, en in walk de 'Oman w'at he done bury in de
buryin'-groun'. Man shiver en shiver, win' blow en blow, money rattle
en rattle, 'Oman cry en cry. '_Buzz-zoo-o-o-o-o!_' sez de win';
'_Clinkalink!_' sez de box; '_Oh, gim me my money!_' sez de 'Oman; '_O
Lordy!_' sez de Man. 'Oman year de money, but look like she ain't kin
see, en she grope 'roun', en grope 'roun', en grope 'roun' wid 'er han'
h'ist in de a'r des dis away."
Here 'Tildy stood up, pushed her chair back with her foot, raised her
arms over her head, and leaned forward in the direction of Daddy Jack.
"Win' blow, fier flicker, money rattle, Man shake en shiver, 'Oman grope
'roun' en say, '_Gim me my money! Oh, who got my money?_'"
'Tildy advanced a few steps.
"Money look like it gwine ter t'ar de tin box all ter flinders. 'Oman
grope en cry, grope en cry, tel bimeby she jump on de man en holler:--
"'_You got my money!_'"
As she reached this climax, 'Tildy sprang at Daddy Jack and seized him,
and for a few moments there was considerable confusion in the corner.
The little boy was frightened, but the collapsed appearance of Daddy
Jack convulsed him with laughter. The old African was very angry. His
little eyes glistened with momentary malice, and he shook his cane
threateningly at 'Tildy. The latter coolly adjusted her ear-rings, as
she exclaimed:--
"Dar, now! I know'd I'd git even wid de ole vilyun. Come a-callin' me
pidjin-toed!"
"Better keep yo' eye on 'im, chile," said Aunt Tempy. "He 'witch you,
sho'."
"'Witch who? Ef he come witchin' roun' me, I lay I break his back. I
tell you dat right pine-blank."
[Illustration: Brother Rabbit and his Famous Foot]
XXX
BRER RABBIT AND HIS FAMOUS FOOT
The little boy was very glad, one night shortly after he had heard about
Daddy Jack's ghosts and witches and 'Tildy's "ha'nts," to find Uncle
Remus alone in his cabin. The child liked to have his venerable partner
all to himself. Uncle Remus was engaged in hunting for tobacco crumbs
with which to fill his pipe, and in turning his pockets a rabbit foot
dropped upon the hearth.
"Grab it, honey!" he exclaimed. "Snatch it up off'n de h'a'th. In de
name er goodness, don't let it git in de embers; 'kaze ef dat ar rabbit
foot git singe, I'm a goner, sho'!"
It was the hind foot of a rabbit, and a very large one at that, and the
little boy examined it curiously. He was in thorough sympathy with all
the superstitions of the negroes, and to him the rabbit foot appeared to
be an uncanny affair. He placed it carefully on Uncle Remus's knee, and
after the pipe had been filled, he asked:--
"What do you carry that for, Uncle Remus?"
"Well, honey," responded the old man, grimly, "ef you want me ter make
shorts out'n a mighty long tale, dat rabbit foot is fer ter keep off
boogers. W'en I hatter run er'n's fer myse'f all times er night, en take
nigh cuts thoo de woods, en 'cross by de buryin'-groun', hits monst'us
handy fer ter have dat ar rabbit foot. Keep yo' head studdy, now; mine
yo' eye; I ain't sayin' deyer any boogers anywhars. Brer Jack kin say
w'at he mineter; I ain't sayin' nothin'. But yit, ef dey wuz any, en dey
come slinkin' atter me, I let you know dey'd fine out terreckly dat de
ole nigger heel'd wid rabbit foot. I 'ud hol' it up des dis a-way, en I
boun' you I'd shoo um off'n de face er de yeth. En I tell you w'at,"
continued Uncle Remus, seeing that the little boy was somewhat troubled,
"w'en it come to dat pass dat you gotter be dodgin' 'roun' in de dark,
ef you'll des holler fer me, I'll loan you dish yer rabbit foot, en
you'll be des ez safe ez you is w'en Miss Sally stannin' by yo' bed wid
a lit can'le in 'er han'.
"Strip er red flannil tied 'roun' yo' arm'll keep off de rheumatis;
stump-water 'll kyo 'spepsy; some good fer one 'zeeze,[27] en some good
fer n'er, but de p'ints is dat dish yer rabbit foot 'll gin you good
luck. De man w'at tote it mighty ap' fer ter come out right een' up w'en
dey's any racket gwine on in de neighborhoods, let 'er be whar she will
en w'en she may; mo' espeshually ef de man w'at got it know 'zactly w'at
he got ter do. W'ite folks may laugh," Uncle Remus went on, "but w'en
rabbit run 'cross de big road front er me, w'at does I do? Does I shoo
at um? Does I make fer ter kill um? Dat I don't--_dat_ I don't! I des
squots right down in de middle er de road, en I makes a cross-mark in de
san' des dis way, en den I spits in it."[28]
Uncle Remus made a practical illustration by drawing a cross-mark in the
ashes on the hearth.
"Well, but, Uncle Remus, what good does all this do?" the little boy
asked.
"Lots er good, honey; bless yo' soul, lots er good. W'en rabbit crosses
yo' luck, w'at you gwine do, less'n you sets down en crosses it out,
right den en dar? I year talk er folks shootin' rabbit in de big road,
yit I notices dat dem w'at does de shootin' ain't come ter no good
een'--dat w'at I notices."
"Uncle Remus," the little boy asked, after a while, "how did people
happen to find out about the rabbit's foot?"
"Oh, you let folks 'lone fer dat, honey! You des let um 'lone. W'at de
wimmen ain't up'n tell bidout anybody axin' un um, folks mighty ap' fer
ter fine out fer deyse'f. De wimmen, dey does de talkin' en de flyin',
en de mens, dey does de walkin' en de pryin', en betwixt en betweenst
um, dey ain't much dat don't come out. Ef it don't come out one day it
do de nex', en so she goes--Ant'ny over, Ant'ny under--up one row en
down de udder, en clean acrosst de bolly-patch!"
It may be that the child did n't understand all this, but he had no
doubt of its wisdom, and so he waited patiently for developments.
"Dey's a tale 'bout de rabbit foot," continued Uncle Remus, "but yo' eye
look watery, like ole man Nod 'bout ter slip up behime you; en let 'lone
dat, I 'speck Miss Sally clock clickin' fer you right now."
"Oh, no, it is n't, Uncle Remus," said the child, laughing. "Mamma said
she'd make 'Tildy call me."
"Dar, now!" exclaimed the old man, indignantly, "'Tildy dis en 'Tildy
dat. I dunner w'at yo' mammy dreamin' 'bout fer ter let dat nigger gal
be a-holl'in' en a-bawlin' atter you all 'roun' dish yer plan'ation. She
de mos' uppity nigger on de hill, en de fus' news you know dey ull all
hatter make der bows en call 'er Mistiss. Ef ole Miss wuz 'live, dey
would n't be no sech gwines on 'roun' yer. But nummine.[29] You des let
'er come a-cuttin' up front er my do', en I lay you'll year squallin'.
Now, den," continued the old man, settling himself back in his chair,
"wharbouts wuz I?"
"You said there was a tale about the rabbit foot," the little boy
replied.
"So dey is, honey! so dey is!" Uncle Remus exclaimed, "but she got so
many crooks en tu'ns in 'er dat I dunner but w'at I ain't done gone en
fergotted some un um off'n my min'; 'kaze ole folks lak me knows lots
mo' dan w'at dey kin 'member.
"In de days w'ence Brer Rabbit wuz sorter keepin' de neighborhoods
stirred up, de yuther creeturs wuz studyin' en studyin' de whole blessid
time how dey gwine ter nab 'im. Dey ain't had no holiday yit, 'kaze w'en
de holiday come, dey'd go ter wuk, dey would, en juggle wid one er n'er
fer ter see how dey gwine ter ketch up wid Brer Rabbit. Bimeby, w'en all
der plans, en der traps, en der jugglements ain't do no good, dey all
'gree, dey did, dat Brer Rabbit got some cunjerment w'at he trick um
wid. Brer B'ar, he up'n 'low, he did, dat he boun' Brer Rabbit is a
nat'al bawn witch; Brer Wolf say, sezee, dat he 'speck Brer Rabbit des
in cahoots wid a witch; en Brer Fox, he vow dat Brer Rabbit got mo' luck
dan smartness. Den Jedge B'ar, he drap he head one side, he did, en he
ax how come Brer Rabbit got all de luck on he own side. De mo' dey ax,
de mo' dey git pestered, en de mo' dey git pestered, de wuss dey worry.
Day in en day out dey wuk wid dis puzzlement; let 'lone dat, dey sot up
nights; en bimeby dey 'gree 'mungs deyse'f dat dey better make up wid
Brer Rabbit, en see ef dey can't fine out how come he so lucky.
"Wiles all dis gwine on, ole Brer Rabbit wuz a-gallopin' 'roun' fum
Funtown ter Frolicville, a-kickin' up de devilment en terrifyin' de
neighborhoods. Hit keep on dis a-way, twel one time, endurin' de
odd-come-shorts,[30] ole Jedge B'ar sont wud dat one er his chilluns done
bin tooken wid a sickness, en he ax won't ole Miss Rabbit drap 'roun' en
set up wid 'im. Ole Miss Rabbit, she say, co'se she go, en atter she
fill 'er satchy full er yerbs en truck, off she put.
"I done fergit," said Uncle Remus, scratching his head gravely, "w'ich
one er dem chilluns wuz ailin'. Hit mout er bin Kubs, en hit mout er bin
Klibs; but no marter fer dat. W'en ole Miss Rabbit git dar, ole Miss
B'ar wuz a-settin' up in de chimbly-cornder des a-dosin' en a-nussin' de
young un; en all de wimmin er de neighborhoods wuz dar, a-whispun en
a-talkin', des fer all de worl' lak wimmin does deze days. It 'uz:--
"'Come right in, Sis Rabbit! I mighty proud to see you. I mighty glad
you fotch yo' knittin', 'kaze I'm pow'ful po' comp'ny w'en my chillun
sick. Des fling yo' bonnet on de bed dar. I'm dat flustrated twel I
dunner w'ich een's up, skacely. Sis Wolf, han' Sis Rabbit dat
rickin'-cheer dar, 'kaze 't ain't no one step fum her house ter mine.'
"Dat de way ole Miss B'ar run on," continued Uncle Remus, "en dey set
dar en dey chatter en dey clatter. Ole Brer Wolf, he 'uz settin' out on
de back peazzer smokin' en noddin'. He 'ud take en draw a long whiff, he
would, en den he 'ud drap off ter noddin' en let de smoke oozle out thoo
he nose. Bimeby ole Sis Rabbit drap 'er knittin' in 'er lap, en sing
out, sez she:--
"'Law, Sis B'ar! I smells 'barker smoke,' sez she.
"Ole Sis B'ar, she jolt up de sick baby, en swap it fum one knee ter de
yuther, en 'low:--
"'My ole man bin smokin' 'roun' yer de whole blessid day, but soon'z
dish yer chile tuck sick, I des tuck'n tole 'im, sez I, fer ter take
hisse'f off in de woods whar he b'long at, sez I. Yessum! I did dat! I
pities any 'oman w'at 'er ole man is fer'verlastin' stuck 'roun' de
house w'en dey's any sickness gwine on,' sez she.
"Ole Brer Wolf sot out dar on de back peazzer, en he shot one eye, he
did, en open um 'g'in, en let de smoke oozle out'n he nose. Sis B'ar,
she jolt de sick baby en swap it fum one knee ter de yuther. Dey sot dar
en talk twel bimeby der confab sorter slack up. Fus' news dey know Sis
Rabbit drap 'er knittin' en fling up 'er han's en squall out:--
"'De gracious en de goodness! Ef I ain't done come traipsin' off en lef'
my ole man money-pus, en he got sump'n' in dar w'at he won't take a
purty fer, needer! I'm dat fergitful,' sez she, 'twel hit keep me
mizerbul mighty nigh de whole time,' sez she.
"Brer Wolf, he lif' up he year en open he eye, en let de smoke oozle
out'n he nose. Sis B'ar, she jolt de sick baby wuss en wuss, en bimeby,
she up'n say, sez she:--
"'I mighty glad 't ain't me, dat I is,' sez she, 'bekaze ef I wuz ter
lef' my ole man money-pus layin' 'roun' dat a-way, he'd des nat'ally rip
up de planks in de flo', en t'ar all de bark off'n de trees,' sez she.
"Ole Miss Rabbit, she sot dar, she did, en she rock en study, en study
en rock, en she dunner w'at ter do. Ole Sis B'ar, she jolt en jolt de
baby. Ole Brer Wolf, he let de 'barker smoke oozle thoo he nose, he did,
en den he open bofe eyes en lay he pipe down. Wid dat, he crope down de
back steps en lit out fer Brer Rabbit house. Brer Wolf got gait same lak
race-hoss, en it ain't take 'im long fer ter git whar he gwine. W'en he
git ter Brer Rabbit house, he pull de latch-string en open de do', en
w'en he do dis, one er de little Rabs wake up, en he holler out:--
"'Dat you, mammy?'
"Den Brer Wolf wish he kin sing 'Bye-O-Baby,' but 'fo' he kin make
answer, de little Rab holler out 'g'in:--
"'Dat you, mammy?'
"Ole Brer Wolf know he got ter do sump'n', so he tuck'n w'isper, he
did:--
"'Sh-sh-sh! Go ter sleep, honey. De boogers'll git you!' en wid dat de
little Rab 'gun ter whimple, en he whimple hisse'f off ter sleep.
"Den w'en it seem lak de little Rabs, w'ich dey wuz mighty nigh
forty-eleven un um, is all gone ter sleep, Brer Wolf, he crope 'roun',
he did, en feel on de mantel-shelf, en feel, en feel, twel he come ter
ole Brer Rabbit money-pus. Ef he want so light wid he han'," Uncle Remus
went on, glancing quizzically at the child, "he'd a knock off de
pollygollic vial w'at ole Miss Rabbit put up dar. But nummine! Brer
Wolf, he feel, en feel, twel he come ter de money-pus, en he grab dat,
he did, en he des flew'd away fum dar.
"W'en he git out er sight en year'n', Brer Wolf look at de money-pus,
en see w'at in it. Hit 'uz one er deze yer kinder money-pus wid tossle
on de een' en shiny rings in de middle. Brer Wolf look in dar fer ter
see w'at he kin see. In one een' dey wuz a piece er calamus-root en some
collard-seeds, en in de t'er een' dey wuz a great big rabbit foot. Dis
make Brer Wolf feel mighty good, en he gallop off home wid de
shorance[31] un a man w'at done foun' a gol' mine."
Here Uncle Remus paused and betrayed a disposition to drop off to sleep.
The little boy, however, touched him upon the knee, and asked him what
Brother Rabbit did when he found his foot was gone. Uncle Remus laughed
and rubbed his eyes.
"Hit's mighty kuse 'bout Brer Rabbit, honey. He ain't miss dat money-pus
fer mighty long time, yit w'en he do miss it, he miss it mighty bad. He
miss it so bad dat he git right-down sick, 'kaze he know he bleedz ter
fine dat ar foot let go w'at may, let come w'at will. He study en he
study, yit 't ain't do no good, en he go all 'roun' 'lowin' ter
hisse'f:--
"'I know whar I put dat foot, yit I dunner whar I lef' um; I know whar I
put dat foot, yit I dunner whar I lef' um.'
"He mope en he mope 'roun'. Look lak Brer Wolf got all de luck en Brer
Rabbit ain't got none. Brer Wolf git fat, Brer Rabbit git lean; Brer
Wolf run fas', Brer Rabbit lope heavy lak ole Sis Cow; Brer Wolf feel
funny, Brer Rabbit feel po'ly. Hit keep on dis a-way, twel bimeby Brer
Rabbit know sump'n' n'er bleedz ter be done. Las' he make up he min' fer
ter take a journey, en he fix up he tricks, he do, en he go en see ole
Aunt Mammy-Bammy Big-Money."
"And who was old Aunt Mammy-Bammy Big-Money, Uncle Remus?" the little
boy inquired.
"Ah-yi!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, in a tone of triumph, "I know'd w'en I
fotch dat ole creetur name up, dey wa'n't gwine ter be no noddin' 'roun'
dish yer h'a'th. In dem days," he continued, "dey wuz a Witch-Rabbit,
en dat wuz her entitlements--ole Aunt Mammy-Bammy Big-Money. She live
way off in a deep, dark swamp, en ef you go dar you hatter ride some,
slide some; jump some, hump some; hop some, flop some; walk some, balk
some; creep some, sleep some; fly some, cry some; foller some, holler
some; wade some, spade some; en ef you ain't monst'us keerful you ain't
git dar den. Yit Brer Rabbit he git dar atter so long a time, en he
mighty nigh wo' out.
"He sot down, he did, fer ter res' hisse'f, en bimeby he see black smoke
comin' outer de hole in de groun' whar de ole Witch-Rabbit stay. Smoke
git blacker en blacker, en atter w'ile Brer Rabbit know de time done
come fer 'im ter open up en tell w'at he want."
As Uncle Remus interpreted the dialogue, Brother Rabbit spoke in a
shrill, frightened tone, while the voice of the Rabbit-Witch was hoarse
and oracular:--
"'Mammy-Bammy Big-Money, I needs yo' he'p.'
"'Son Riley Rabbit, why so? Son Riley Rabbit, why so?'
"'Mammy-Bammy Big-Money, I los' de foot you gim me.'
"'O Riley Rabbit, why so? Son Riley Rabbit, why so?'
"'Mammy-Bammy Big-Money, my luck done gone. I put dat foot down 'pon de
groun'. I lef um dar I know not whar.'
"'De Wolf done tuck en stole yo' luck, Son Riley Rabbit, Riley. Go fine
de track, go git hit back, Son Riley Rabbit, Riley.'
"Wid dat," continued Uncle Remus, "ole Aunt Mammy-Bammy Big-Money sucked
all de black smoke back in de hole in de groun', and Brer Rabbit des put
out fer home. W'en he git dar, w'at do he do? Do he go off in a cornder
by hisse'f, en wipe he weepin' eye? Dat he don't--dat he don't. He des
tuck'n wait he chance. He wait en he wait; he wait all day, he wait all
night; he wait mighty nigh a mont'. He hang 'roun' Brer Wolf house; he
watch en he wait.
"Bimeby, one day, Brer Rabbit git de news dat Brer Wolf des come back
fum a big frolic. Brer Rabbit know he time comin', en he keep bofe eye
open en bofe years h'ist up. Nex' mawnin' atter Brer Wolf git back fum
de big frolic, Brer Rabbit see 'im come outer de house en go down de
spring atter bucket water. Brer Rabbit, he slip up, he did, en he look
in. Ole Miss Wolf, she 'uz sailin' 'roun' fryin' meat en gittin'
brekkus, en dar hangin' 'cross er cheer wuz Brer Wolf wes'cut where he
keep he money-pus. Brer Rabbit rush up ter do' en pant lak he mighty
nigh fag out. He rush up, he did, en he sing out:--
"'Mawnin', Sis Wolf, mawnin'! Brer Wolf sont me atter de shavin'-brush,
w'ich he keep it in dat ar money-pus w'at I 'loant 'im.'
"Sis Wolf, she fling up 'er han's en let um drap, en she laugh en say,
sez she:--
"'I 'clar' ter gracious, Brer Rabbit! You gimme sech a tu'n, dat I ain't
got room ter be perlite skacely.'
"But mos' 'fo' she gits de wuds out'n 'er mouf, Brer Rabbit done grab de
money-pus en gone!"
"Which way did he go, Uncle Remus?" the little boy asked, after a while.
"Well, I tell you dis," Uncle Remus responded emphatically, "Brer Rabbit
road ain't lay by de spring; I boun' you dat!"
Presently 'Tildy put her head in the door to say that it was bedtime,
and shortly afterward the child was dreaming that Daddy Jack was
Mammy-Bammy Big-Money in disguise.
FOOTNOTES:
[27] Disease.
[28] If, as some ethnologists claim, the animal myths are relics of
zoötheism, there can scarcely be a doubt that the practice here
described by Uncle Remus is the survival of some sort of obeisance or
genuflexion by which the negroes recognized the presence of the Rabbit,
the great central figure and wonder-worker of African mythology.
[29] Never mind.
[30] Sometime, any time, no time. Thus: "Run fetch me de ax, en I'll
wait on you one er deze odd-come-shorts."
[31] Assurance.
XXXI
"IN SOME LADY'S GARDEN"
When the little boy next visited Uncle Remus the old man was engaged in
the somewhat tedious operation of making shoe-pegs. Daddy Jack was
assorting a bundle of sassafras roots, and Aunt Tempy was transforming
a meal-sack into shirts for some of the little negroes,--a piece of
economy of her own devising. Uncle Remus pretended not to see the child.
"Hit's des lak I tell you all," he remarked, as if renewing a
conversation; "I monst'us glad dey ain't no bad chilluns on dis place
fer ter be wadin' in de spring-branch, en flingin' mud on de yuther
little chilluns, w'ich de goodness knows dey er nasty nuff bidout dat. I
monst'us glad dey ain't none er dat kinder young uns 'roun' yer--I is
dat."
"Now, Uncle Remus," exclaimed the little boy, in an injured tone,
"somebody's been telling you something on me."
The old man appeared to be very much astonished.
"Heyo! whar you bin hidin', honey? Yer 't is mos' way atter supper en
you ain't in de bed yit. Well--well--well! Sit over ag'in in de chimbly
jam dar whar you kin dry dem shoes. En de ve'y nex' time w'at I see you
wadin' in dat branch, wid de sickly season comin' on, I'm a-gwine ter
take you 'cross my shoulder en kyar you ter Miss Sally, en ef dat ain't
do no good, den I'll kyar you ter Mars John, en ef dat ain't do no good,
den I'm done wid you, so dar now!"
The little boy sat silent a long time, listening to the casual talk of
Uncle Remus and his guests, and watching the vapor rise from his wet
shoes. Presently there was a pause in the talk, and the child said:--
"Uncle Remus, have I been too bad to hear a story?"
The old man straightened himself up and pushed his spectacles back on
his forehead.
"Now, den, folks, you year w'at he say. Shill we pursue on atter de
creeturs? Shill er shan't?"
"Bless yo' soul, Brer Remus, I mos' 'shame' myse'f, yit I tell you de
Lord's trufe, I'm des ez bad atter dem ar tales ez dat chile dar."
"Well, den," said Uncle Remus, "a tale hit is. One time dey wuz a man,
en dish yer man he had a gyardin. He had a gyardin, en he had a little
gal fer ter min' it. I don't 'speck dish yer gyardin wuz wide lak Miss
Sally gyardin, but hit 'uz lots longer. Hit 'uz so long dat it run down
side er de big road, 'cross by de plum thicket, en back up de lane. Dish
yer gyardin wuz so nice en long dat it tuck'n 'track de 'tention er Brer
Rabbit; but de fence wuz built so close en so high, dat he can't git in
nohow he kin fix it."
"Oh, I know about that!" exclaimed the little boy. "The man catches
Brother Rabbit and ties him, and the girl lets him loose to see him
dance."
Uncle Remus dropped his chin upon his bosom. He seemed to be humbled.
"Sis Tempy," he said, with a sigh, "you'll hatter come in some time w'en
we ain't so crowded, en I'll up en tell 'bout Billy Malone en Miss
Janey."
"_That_ wasn't the story I heard, Uncle Remus," said the little boy.
"_Please_ tell me about Billy Malone and Miss Janey."
"Ah-yi!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, with a triumphant smile; "I 'low'd maybe
I wa'n't losin' de use er my 'membunce, en sho' nuff I ain't. Now, den,
we'll des wuk our way back en start fa'r en squar'. One time dey wuz a
man, en dish yer man he had a gyardin en a little gal. De gyardin wuz
chock full er truck, en in de mawnin's, w'en de man hatter go off, he
call up de little gal, he did, en tell 'er dat she mus' be sho' en keep
ole Brer Rabbit outer de gyardin. He tell 'er dis eve'y mawnin'; but one
mawnin' he tuck en forgit it twel he git ter de front gate, en den he
stop en holler back:--
"'O Janey! You Janey! Min' w'at I tell you 'bout ole Brer Rabbit. Don't
you let 'im get my nice green peas.'
"Little gal, she holler back: 'Yes, daddy.'
"All dis time, Brer Rabbit he 'uz settin' out dar in de bushes dozin'.
Yit, w'en he year he name call out so loud, he cock up one year en
lissen, en he 'low ter hisse'f dat he bleedz ter outdo Mr. Man. Bimeby,
Brer Rabbit, he went 'roun' en come down de big road des ez natchul ez
ef he bin trafflin' some'rs. He see de little gal settin' by de gate, en
he up'n 'low:--
"'Ain't dish yer Miss Janey?'
"Little gal say: 'My daddy call me Janey.'" Uncle Remus mimicked the
voice and manner of a little girl. He hung his head, looked excessively
modest, and spoke in a shrill tone. The effect was so comical that even
Daddy Jack seemed to enjoy it.
"'My daddy call me Janey; w'at yo' daddy call you?'
"Brer Rabbit look on de groun', en sorter study lak folks does w'en dey
feels bad. Den he look up en 'low:--
"I bin lose my daddy dis many long year, but w'en he 'live he call me
Billy Malone.' Den he look at de little gal hard en 'low: 'Well, well,
well! I ain't seed you sence you 'uz a little bit er baby, en now yer
you is mighty nigh a grown 'oman. I pass yo' daddy in de road des now,
en he say I mus' come en tell you fer ter gimme a mess er
sparrer-grass.'
"Little gal, she fling de gate wide open, en let Mr. Billy Malone git de
sparrer-grass.
"Man come back en see whar somebody done bin tromplin' on de gyardin
truck, en den he call up de little gal, en up'n ax 'er who bin dar since
he bin gone; en de little gal, she 'low, she did, dat Mr. Billy Malone
bin dar. Man ax who in de name er goodness is Mr. Billy Malone. Little
gal 'low hit's des a man w'at say 'er daddy sont 'im fer ter git some
sparrer-grass on account er ole acquaintance. Man got his 'spicions, but
he ain't say nothin'.
"Nex' day, w'en he start off, he holler en tell de little gal fer ter
keep one eye on ole Brer Rabbit, en don't let nobody git no mo'
sparrer-grass. Brer Rabbit, he settin' off dar in de bushes, en he year
w'at de man say, en he see 'im w'en he go off. Bimeby, he sorter run
'roun', ole Brer Rabbit did, en he come hoppin' down de road, twel he
git close up by de little gal at de gyardin gate. Brer Rabbit drapt 'er
his biggest bow, en ax 'er how she come on. Den, atter dat, he 'low, he
did:--
"'I see yo' daddy gwine 'long down de road des now, en he gimme a rakin'
down 'kaze I make 'way wid de sparrer-grass, yit he say dat bein' 's how
I sech a good fr'en' er de fambly I kin come en ax you fer ter gimme a
mess er Inglish peas.'
"Little gal, she tuck'n fling de gate wide open, en ole Brer Rabbit, he
march in, he did, en he git de peas in a hurry. Man come back atter
w'ile, en he 'low:--
"'Who bin tromplin' down my pea-vines?'
"'Mr. Billy Malone, daddy.'
"Man slap he han' on he forrud;[32] he dunner w'at ter make er all dis.
Bimeby, he 'low:--
"'W'at kinder lookin' man dish yer Mr. Billy Malone?'
"'Split lip, pop eye, big year, en bob-tail, daddy.'
"Man say he be bless ef he ain't gwine ter make de acquaintance er Mr.
Billy Malone; en he went ter wuk, he did, en fix 'im up a box-trap, en
he put some goobers in dar, en he tell de little gal nex' time Mr. Billy
Malone come fer 'vite 'im in. Nex' mawnin', Man git little ways fum de
house en tuck'n holler back, he did:--
"'W'atsumever you does, don't you dast ter let nobody git no mo'
sparrer-grass, en don't you let um git no mo' Inglish peas.'
"Little gal holler back: 'No, daddy.'
"Den, atter dat, 't wa'n't long 'fo' yer come Mr. Billy Malone, hoppin'
'long down de big road. He drapt a bow, he did, en 'low:--
"'Mawnin', Miss Janey, mawnin'! Met yo' daddy down de big road, en he
say dat I can't git no mo' sparrer-grass en green peas but you kin gimme
some goobers.'
"Little gal, she lead de way, en tell Mr. Billy Malone dar dey is in de
box. Mr. Billy Malone, he lick he chops, he did, en 'low:--
"'You oughter be monst'us glad, honey, dat you got sech a good daddy
lak dat.'
"Wid dat, Mr. Billy Malone wunk he off eye, en jump in de box."
"W'at I done tell you!" exclaimed Aunt Tempy.
"He jump in de box," continued Uncle Remus, "en dar he wuz, en ef de
little gal hadder bin a minnit bigger, I lay she'd 'a' tuck'n done some
mighty tall winkin'.
"Man ain't gone fur, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' yer he come back. W'en Brer
Rabbit year 'im comin' he bounce 'roun' in dar same ez a flea in a
piller-case, but 't ain't do no good. Trap done fall, en Brer Rabbit in
dar. Man look thoo de slats, en 'low:--
"'Dar you is--same old hoppum-skippum run en jumpum. Youer de ve'y chap
I'm atter. I want yo' foot fer ter kyar in my pocket, I want yo' meat
fer ter put in de pot, en I want yo' hide fer ter w'ar on my head.'
"Dis make cole chill rush up en down Brer Rabbit backbone, en he git
more 'umble dan a town nigger w'at been kotch out atter nine erclock.[33]
He holler en cry, en cry en holler:--
"'Do pray, Mr. Man, tu'n me go! I done 'ceive you dis time, but I ain't
gwine ter 'ceive you no mo'. Do pray, Mr. Man, tu'n me go, des dis
little bit er time.'
"Man he ain't sayin' nothin'. He look lak he studyin' 'bout somep'n'
ne'r way off yan', en den he take de little gal by de han' en go off
todes de house."
"Sho'ly Brer Rabbit time done come now!" exclaimed Aunt Tempy, in a tone
of mingled awe and expectation.
Uncle Remus paid no attention to the interruption, but went right on:--
"Hit seem lak dat Brer Rabbit got mo' luck dan w'at you kin shake a
stick at, 'kaze de man en de little gal ain't good en gone skacely twel
yer come Brer Fox a-pirootin' 'roun'. Brer Fox year Brer Rabbit holl'in'
en he up'n ax w'at de 'casion er sech gwines on right dar in de broad
open daylight. Brer Rabbit squall out:--
"'Lordy, Brer Fox! you better make 'as'e 'way fum yer, 'kaze Mr. Man ull
ketch you en slap you in dish yer box en make you eat mutton twel you
ull des nat'ally bus' right wide open. Run, Brer Fox, run! He bin
feedin' me on mutton the whole blessid mawnin' en now he done gone atter
mo'. Run, Brer Fox, run!'
"Yit, Brer Fox ain't run. He up'n ax Brer Rabbit how de mutton tas'e.
"'He tas'e mighty good 'long at fus', but nuff's a nuff, en too much is
a plenty. Run, Brer Fox, run! He ull ketch you, sho'!'
"Yit, Brer Fox ain't run. He up'n 'low dat he b'leeve he want some
mutton hisse'f, en wid dat he onloose de trap en let Brer Rabbit out, en
den he tuck'n git in dar. Brer Rabbit ain't wait fer ter see w'at de
upshot gwine ter be, needer--I boun' you he ain't. He des tuck'n gallop
off in de woods, en he laff en laff twel he hatter hug a tree fer ter
keep fum drappin' on de groun'."
"Well, but what became of Brother Fox?" the little boy asked, after
waiting some time for Uncle Remus to proceed.
"Now, den, honey," said the old man, falling back upon his dignity, "hit
e'en about takes all my spar' time fer ter keep up wid you en Brer
Rabbit, let 'lone keepin' up wid Brer Fox. Ole Brer Rabbit tuck'n tuck
keer hisse'f, en now let Brer Fox take keer hisse'f."
"I say de word!" exclaimed Aunt Tempy.
FOOTNOTES:
[32] Forehead.
[33] During slavery, the ringing of the nine-o'clock bell in the towns
and villages at night was the signal for all negroes to retire to their
quarters.
XXXII
BRER 'POSSUM GETS IN TROUBLE
When Uncle Remus began his story of Billy Malone and Miss Janey, Daddy
Jack sat perfectly quiet. His eyes were shut, and he seemed to be
dozing; but, as the story proceeded, he grew more and more restless.
Several times he was upon the point of interrupting Uncle Remus, but he
restrained himself. He raised his hands to a level with his chin, and
beat the ends of his fingers gently together, apparently keeping time to
his own thoughts. But his impatience exhausted itself, and when Uncle
Remus had concluded, the old African was as quiet as ever. When Brother
Fox was left so unceremoniously to his fate, Daddy Jack straightened
himself temporarily and said:--
"Me yent bin-a yerry da tale so. 'E nice, fer true, 'e mek larf come;
oona no bin-a yerry um lak me."
"No," said Uncle Remus, with grave affability, "I 'speck not. One man,
one tale; 'n'er man, 'n'er tale. Folks tell um diffunt. I boun' yo' way
de bes', Brer Jack. Out wid it--en we ull set up yer, en hark at you en
laff wid you plum twel de chick'ns crow."
Daddy Jack needed no other invitation. He clasped his knee in his hands
and began:--
"Dey is bin lif one Màn wut plan' some pea in 'e geerden. 'E plan' some
pea, but 'e mek no pea; B'er Rabbit, 'e is fine um. 'E fine um un 'e eat
um. Màn mek no pea, B'er Rabbit 'e 'stroy um so. 'E plan' dem pea; dey
do grow, un 'e go off. 'E come bahk; pea no dere. B'er Rabbit teer um up
un mek 'e cud wit' dem. So long tam, Màn say 'e gwan ketch um, un 'e no
ketch um. Màn go, B'er Rabbit come; Màn come, B'er Rabbit go. Bumbye,
Màn, 'e is git so mad, 'e y-eye bin-a come red; 'e crack 'e toof, 'e do
cuss. 'E oby 'e gwan ketch B'er Rabbit nohow. Dun 'e is bin-a call 'e
lilly gal. 'E talk, 'e tell 'im fer let B'er Rabbit go troo da geerden
gett. Lil gal say yasser. 'E talk, 'e tell 'im wun B'er Rabbit go troo
da gett, dun 'e mus' shed da gett, un no le'm come pas' no mo'. Lil gal
say yasser.
"Ole Màn is bin-a gone 'bout 'e wuk; lil gal, 'e do lissun. B'er Rabbit,
'e come tippy-toe, tippy-toe; gone in da geerden; eat dem pea tel 'e
full up; eat tel he mos' git seeck wit' dem pea. Dun 'e start fer go
out; 'e fine da gett shed. 'E shek um, 'e no open; 'e push um, 'e no
open; 'e fair grunt, 'e push so hard, 'e no open. 'E bin-a call da lil
gal; e' say:--
"'Lil gal, lil gal! cum y-open da gett. 'T is hu't me feelin' fer fine
da gett shed lak dis.'
"Lil gal no talk nuttin'. B'er Rabbit say:--
"''T is-a bin hu't me feelin', lil gal! Come y-open da gett, lil gal,
less I teer um loose from da hinch.'
"Lil gal v'ice come bahk. 'E talk:
"'Daddy say mus'n'.'
"B'er Rabbit open 'e mout'. 'E say:--
"'See me long sha'p toof? 'E bite you troo un troo!'
"Lil gal skeer; 'e tu'n loose de gett un fly. B'er Rabbit _gone_! Ole
Màn come bahk; 'e ahx 'bout B'er Rabbit. Lil gal say:--
"''E done gone, daddy. I shed da gett, I hol' um fas'. B'er Rabbit bin
show 'e toof; 'e gwan fer bite-a me troo un troo. I git skeer', daddy.'
Màn ahx:--
"'How 'e gwin fer bite you troo un troo, wun 'e toof fix bite grass?
B'er Rabbit tell one big tale. 'E no kin bite-a you. Wun 'e come 'g'in,
you shed dem gett, you hol' um tight, you no le'm go pas' no mo'.' Lil
gal say yasser.
"Nex' day mawnin', Màn go 'long 'bout 'e wuk. Lil gal, 'e play 'roun',
un 'e play 'roun'. B'er Rabbit, 'e is come tippy-tippy. 'E fine gett
open; 'e slip in da geerden. 'E chew dem pea, 'e gnyaw dem pea; 'e eat
tel dem pea tas'e bad. Dun 'e try fer go out; gett shed fas'. 'E no kin
git troo. 'E push, gett no open; 'e keek wit' um fut, gett no open; 'e
butt wit' um head, gett no open. Dun 'e holler:--
"'Lil gal, lil gal! come y-open da gett. 'E berry bad fer fool wit' ole
màn lak me. I no kin hol' me feelin' down wun you is do lak dis. 'E
berry bad.'
"Lil gal hol' 'e head down; 'e no say nuttin'. B'er Rabbit say:--
"'Be shame, lil gal, fer do ole màn lak dis. Me feelin' git wusser. Come
y-open de gett 'fo' I is teer um down.'
"Lil gal say: 'Daddy say mus'n'.'
"B'er Rabbit open 'e y-eye wide; 'e is look berry mad. 'E say:--
"'See me big y-eye? I pop dis y-eye stret at you, me kill-a you dead.
Come y-open da gett 'fo' me y-eye pop.'
"Lil gal skeer fer true. 'E loose de gett, 'e fair fly. B'er Rabbit done
_gone_! Lil gal daddy bahk. 'E ahx wey is B'er Rabbit. Lil gal say:--
"''E done gone, daddy. I hol' gett fas'; 'e is bin-a 'come berry mad. 'E
say he gwan pop 'e y-eye at me, shoot-a me dead.' Màn say:--
"'B'er Rabbit tell-a too big tale. How 'e gwan shoot-a you wit' 'e
y-eye? 'E y-eye sem lak turrer folks y-eye. Wun 'e come some mo', you
shed dem gett, you hol' um fas'.' Lil gal say yasser.
"Nex' day mawnin', Màn go, B'er Rabbit come. 'E is ma'ch in da gett un
eat-a dem pea tel 'e kin eat-a no mo'. 'E sta't out; gett shed. 'E no
kin come pas'. 'E shek, 'e push, 'e pull; gett shed. Dun 'e holler:--
"'Lil gal, lil gal! come y-open da gett. 'Tis berry bad fer treat you'
kin lak dis. Come y-open da gett, lil gal. 'Tis full me up wit' sorry
wun you do lak dis.'
"Lil gal, 'e no say nuttin'. B'er Rabbit say:--
"''E berry bad fer treat you' kin lak dis. Tu'n go da gett, lil gal.'
Lil gal say:--
"'How you is kin wit' me, B'er Rabbit?'
"'You' gran'daddy foller at' me nuncle wit' 'e dog. Da mek we is kin.
Come y-open da gett, lil gal.'"
"Dat ole Rabbit wuz a-talkin', mon!" exclaimed Aunt Tempy,
enthusiastically.
"Lil gal no say nuttin' 't all!" Daddy Jack went on, with renewed
animation. "Dun B'er Rabbit say:--
"'See me long, sha'p toof, lil gal? Me bite-a you troo un troo.' Lil gal
say:--
"'Me no skeer da toof. 'E bite nuttin' 'tall 'cep' 'e bite grass.' B'er
Rabbit say:--
"'See me big y-eye? I pop um at you, shoot-a you dead.' Lil gal say:--
"Me no skeer da y-eye. 'E sem lak turrer folks y-eye.' B'er Rabbit
say:--
"'Lil gal, you mek me 'come mad. I no lak fer hu't-a me kin. Look at me
ho'n! I run you troo un troo.'
"B'er Rabbit lif 'e two year up; 'e p'int um stret at da lil gal. Lil
gal 'come skeer da ho'n; 'e do tu'n go da gett; 'e fly fum dey-dey."
"Well, ef dat don't beat!" exclaimed Aunt Tempy, laughing as heartily as
the little boy. "Look at um one way, en Rabbit year does look lak sho'
nuff ho'ns."
"Lil gal tu'n go da gett," Daddy Jack continued; "B'er Rabbit _gone_!
Màn come bahk; 'e ahx wey is B'er Rabbit. Lil gal cry; 'e say 'e skeer
B'er Rabbit ho'n. Màn say 'e is hab no ho'n. Lil gal is stan' um down 'e
see ho'n. Màn say da ho'n is nuttin' 't all but B'er Rabbit year wut 'e
yeddy wit'. 'E tell lil gal nex' tam B'er Rabbit come, 'e mus' shed da
gett; 'e mus' run fum dey-dey un leaf um shed. Lil gal say yasser.
"Màn gone, B'er Rabbit come. 'E is go in da gett; 'e eat-a dem pea tel
'e tire'. 'E try fer go pas' da gett, gett shed. 'E call lil gal; lil
gal _gone_! 'E call, call, call; lil gal no yeddy. 'E try fer fine crack
in da palin'; no crack dey. 'E try fer jump over; de palin' too high.
'E 'come skeer; 'e is 'come so skeer 'e squot 'pun da groun'; 'e shek,
'e shiver.
"Màn come bahk. 'E ahx wey B'er Rabbit. Lil gal say 'e in da geerden.
Màn hug lil gal, 'e is lub um so. 'E go in da geerden; 'e fine B'er
Rabbit. 'E ketch um--'e ca' um off fer kill um; 'e mad fer true. Lil gal
come holler:--
"'Daddy, daddy! missus say run dere! 'E wan' you come stret dere!'
"Màn tie B'er Rabbit in da bag; 'e hang um on tree lim'. 'E say:--
"'I gwan come bahk. I l'arn you fer mek cud wit' me green pea.'
"Màn gone fer see 'e missus. Bumbye, B'er 'Possum is bin-a come pas'. 'E
look up, 'e ketch glimp' da bag 'pun da lim'. 'E say:--
"'Ki! Wut dis is bin-a hang in da bag 'pun da tree-lim'?' B'er Rabbit
say:--
"'Hush, B'er 'Possum! 'T is-a me. I bin-a lissen at dem sing in da
cloud.'
"B'er 'Possum lissen. 'E say:--
"'I no yed dem sing, B'er Rabbit.'
"'Hush, B'er 'Possum! How is I kin yeddy dem sing wun you is mek-a da
fuss dey-dey?'
"B'er 'Possum, 'e hoi' 'e mout' still, 'cep' 'e do grin. B'er Rabbit
say:--
"'I yed dem now! I yed dem now! B'er 'Possum, I wish you is yeddy dem
sing!'
"B'er 'Possum say 'e mout' water fer yeddy dem sing in da cloud. B'er
Rabbit, 'e say 'e is bin-a hab so long tarn 'quaintun wit' B'er 'Possum,
'e le'm yeddy dem sing. 'E say:--
"'I git fum da bag. I tu'n-a you in tel you is yeddy dem sing. Dun you
is git fum da bag, tel I do come bahk un 'joy mese'f.'
"B'er 'Possum, 'e do clam up da tree; 'e git dem bag, 'e bring um down.
'E tak off da string; 'e tu'n B'er Rabbit go. 'E crawl in un 'e quile
up. 'E say:--
"'I no yeddy dem sing, B'er Rabbit!'
"'Hi! wait tel da bag it tie, B'er 'Possum. You yed dem soon nuff!' 'E
wait.
"'I no yeddy dem sing, B'er Rabbit!'
"'Hi! wait tel I clam da tree, B'er 'Possum. You yed dem soon nuff!' 'E
wait.
"'I no yeddy dem sing, B'er Rabbit!'
"'Wait tel I fix um 'pun da lim', B'er 'Possum. You yed dem soon nuff!'
'E wait.
"B'er Rabbit clam down; 'e run 'way fum dey-dey; 'e hide in da bush
side. Màn come bahk. 'E see da bag moof. B'er 'Possum say:--
"'I no yeddy dem sing. I wait fer yed um sing!'
"Màn t'ink 'e B'er Rabbit in da bag. 'E say:--
"'Ah-yi-ee! I mekky you yed dem sing!'
"Màn teka da bag fum da tree-lim'; 'e do slam da bag 'gin' da face da
ye't'. 'E tek-a 'e walkin'-cane, un 'e beat B'er 'Possum wut is do um no
ha'm tel 'e mos' kill um. Màn t'ink B'er Rabbit mus' bin dead by dis. 'E
look in da bag; 'e 'tretch 'e y-eye big; 'e 'stonish'. B'er Rabbit, 'e
do come fum da bush side; 'e do holler, 'e do laff. 'E say:--
"'You no is ketch-a me! I t'ief you' green pea,--I t'ief um some mo',--I
t'ief um tel I dead!'
"Màn, 'e 'come so mad, 'e is fling hatchet at B'er Rabbit un chop off 'e
tail."
At this moment Daddy Jack subsided. His head drooped forward, and he was
soon in the land of Nod. Uncle Remus sat gazing into the fireplace, as
though lost in reflection. Presently, he laughed softly to himself, and
said:--
"Dat's des 'bout de long en de short un it. Mr. Man clip off Brer Rabbit
tail wid de hatchet, en it bleed so free dat Brer Rabbit rush off ter
de cotton-patch en put some lint on it, en down ter dis day dat lint
mos' de fus' t'ing you see w'en Brer Rabbit jump out'n he bed en tell
you good-bye."
"But, Uncle Remus, what became of Brother 'Possum?"
Uncle Remus smacked his lips and looked wise.
"Don't talk 'bout Brer 'Possum, honey, ef dat ar Mr. Man wuz nice folks
lak we all is, en I ain't 'spute it, he tuck'n tuck Brer 'Possum en
bobbycue 'im, en I wish I had a great big piece right now. Dat I does."
XXXIII
WHY THE GUINEA-FOWLS ARE SPECKLED
One night, while the little boy was watching Uncle Remus broil a piece
of bacon on the coals, he heard a great commotion among the
guinea-fowls. The squawking and _pot-racking_ went on at such a rate
that the geese awoke and began to scream, and finally the dogs added
their various voices to the uproar. Uncle Remus leaned back in his chair
and listened.
"I 'speck may be dat's de patter-rollers gwine by," he said, after a
while. "But you can't put no 'pen'unce in dem ar Guinny-hins, 'kaze
dey'll wake up en holler ef dey year deyse'f sno'. Dey'll fool you,
sho'."
"They are mighty funny, anyhow," said the little boy.
"Dat's it!" exclaimed Uncle Remus. "Dey looks quare, en dey does quare.
Dey ain't do lak no yuther kinder chick'n, en dey ain't look lak no
yuther kinder chick'n. Yit folks tell me," the old man went on,
reflectively, "dat dey er heap mo' kuse lookin' now dan w'at dey use'
ter be. I year tell dat dey wuz one time w'en dey wuz all blue, 'stid er
havin' all dem ar teenchy little spots on um."
"Well, how did they get to be speckled, Uncle Remus?" asked the little
boy, seeing that the old man was disposed to leave the subject and
devote his attention to his broiling bacon.
Uncle Remus did not respond at once. He turned his meat over carefully,
watched it a little while, and then adroitly transferred it to the cover
of a tin bucket, which was made to answer the purpose of a plate. Then
he searched about in the embers until he found his ash-cake, and in a
little while his supper was ready to be eaten.
"I ain't begrudgin' nobody nothin'," said Uncle Remus, measuring the
victuals with his eye; "yit I'm monst'us glad Brer Jack ain't nowhar's
'roun', 'kaze dey ain't no tellin' de gawm dat ole nigger kin eat. He
look shaky, en he look dry up, en he ain't got no toof, yit w'ence he
set hisse'f down whar dey any vittles, he des nat'ally laps hit up. En
let 'lone dat, he ull wipe he mouf en look' roun' des lak he want mo'.
Time Miss Sally see dat ole nigger eat one meal er vittles, I boun' you
he hatter go back down de country. I ain't begrudgin' Brer Jack de
vittles," Uncle Remus went on, adopting a more conciliatory tone, "dat I
ain't, 'kaze folks is got ter eat; but, gentermens! you be 'stonish'
w'en you see Brer Jack 'pesterin' 'long er he dinner."
The little boy sat quiet awhile, and then reminded Uncle Remus of the
guinea-fowls.
"Tooby sho', honey, tooby sho'! W'at I doin' runnin' on dis-a-way 'bout
ole Brer Jack? W'at he done ter me? Yer I is gwine on 'bout ole Brer
Jack, en dem ar Guinny-hins out dar waitin'. Well, den, one day Sis Cow
wuz a-grazin' 'bout in de ole fiel' en lookin' atter her calf. De wedder
wuz kinder hot, en de calf, he tuck'n stan', he did, in he mammy
shadder, so he kin keep cool, en so dat one flip un he mammy tail kin
keep the flies off'n bofe un um. Atter w'ile, 'long come a drove er
Guinnies. De Guinnies, dey howdied, en Sis Cow, she howdied, en de
Guinnies, dey sorter picked 'roun' en sun deyse'f; en Sis Cow, she crap
de grass en ax um de news er de neighborhoods. Dey went on dis a-way
twel 't wa'n't long 'fo' dey year mighty kuse noise out dar t'er side
er de ole fiel'. De Guinnies, dey make great 'miration, des lak dey does
deze days, en ole Sis Cow fling up 'er head en look all 'roun'. She
ain't see nothin'.
"Atter w'ile dey year de kuse fuss 'g'in, en dey look 'roun', en bless
gracious! stan'in' right dar, 'twix' dem en sundown, wuz a great big
Lion!"
"A Lion, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy, in amazement.
"Des ez sho' ez you er settin' dar, honey,--a great big Lion. You better
b'leeve dey wuz a monst'us flutterment 'mungs de Guinnies, en ole Sis
Cow, she looked mighty skeer'd. De Lion love cow meat mos' better dan he
do any yuther kinder meat, en he shake he head en 'low ter hisse'f dat
he'll des about ketch ole Sis Cow en eat 'er up, en take en kyar de calf
ter he fambly.
"Den he tuck'n shuck he head, de Lion did, en make straight at Sis Cow.
De Guinnies dey run dis a-way, en dey run t'er way, en dey run all
'roun' en 'roun'; but ole Sis Cow, she des know she got ter stan' 'er
groun', en w'en she see de Lion makin' todes 'er, she des tuck'n drapt
'er head down en pawed de dirt. De Lion, he crope up, he did, en crope
'roun', watchin' fer good chance fer ter make a jump. He crope 'roun',
he did, but no diffunce which a-way he creep, dar wuz ole Sis Cow hawns
p'intin' right straight at 'im. Ole Sis Cow, she paw de dirt, she did,
en show de white er her eyes, en beller way down in 'er stomach.
"Dey went on dis a-way, dey did, twel bimeby de Guinnies, dey see dat
Sis Cow ain't so mighty skeer'd, en den dey 'gun ter take heart. Fus'
news you know, one un um sorter drap he wings en fuzzle up de fedders en
run out 'twix' Sis Cow en de Lion. W'en he get dar, he sorter dip down,
he did, en fling up dirt des lak you see um do in de ash-pile. Den he
tuck'n run back, he did, en time he git back, 'n'er one run out en raise
de dus' 'twix' Sis Cow en de Lion. Den 'n'er one, he run out en dip down
en shoo up de dus'; den 'n'er one run out en dip down, en 'n'er one en
yit 'n'er one, twel, bless gracious! time dey all run out en dip down
en raise de dus', de Lion wuz dat blin' twel he ain't kin see he han'
befo' 'im. Dis make 'im so mad dat he make a splunge at Sis Cow, en de
old lady, she kotch 'im on her hawns en got 'im down, en des nat'ally
to' intruls out."
"Did she kill the Lion, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy,
incredulously.
"Dat she did--dat she did! Yit 't ain't make 'er proud, 'kaze atter de
Lion done good en dead, she tuck en call up de Guinnies, she did, en she
'low, dey bin so quick fer ter he'p 'er out, dat she wanter pay um back.
De Guinnies, dey say, sezee:--
"'Don't bodder 'long er we all, Sis Cow,' sezee. 'You had yo' fun en we
all had ourn, en 'ceppin' dat ar blood en ha'r on yo' hawn,' sezee, 'dey
ain't none un us any de wuss off,' sezee.
"But ole Sis Cow, she stan' um down, she did, dat she got ter pay um
back, en den atter w'ile she ax um w'at dey lak bes'.
"One un um up en make answer dat w'at dey lak bes', Sis Cow, she can't
gi' um. Sis Cow, she up en 'low dat she dunno 'bout dat, en she ax um
w'at is it.
"Den de Guinnies, dey tuck'n huddle up, dey did, en hol' er confab wid
one er 'n'er, en w'iles dey er doin' dis, ole Sis Cow, she tuck'n fetch
a long breff, en den she call up 'er cud, en stood dar chawin' on it des
lak she ain't had no tribalation dat day.
"Bimeby one er de Guinnies step out fum de huddlement en make a bow en
'low dat dey all 'ud be mighty proud ef Sis Cow kin fix it some way so
dey can't be seed so fur thoo de woods, 'kaze dey look blue in de sun,
en dey look blue in de shade, en dey can't hide deyse'f nohow. Sis Cow,
she chaw on 'er cud, en shet 'er eyes, en study. She chaw en chaw, en
study en study. Bimeby she 'low:--
"'Go fetch me a pail!' Guinny-hin laff!
"'Law, Sis Cow! w'at de name er goodness you gwine do wid a pail?'
"'Go fetch me a pail!'
"Guinny-hin, she run'd off, she did, en atter w'ile yer she come
trottin' back wid a pail. She sot dat pail down," continued Uncle Remus,
in the tone of an eye-witness to the occurrence, "en Sis Cow, she tuck
'er stan' over it, en she let down 'er milk in dar twel she mighty nigh
fill de pail full. Den she tuck'n make dem Guinny-hins git in a row, en
she dip 'er tail in dat ar pail, en she switch it at de fust un en
sprinkle 'er all over wid de milk; en eve'y time she switch 'er tail at
um she 'low:--
"'I loves dis un!' Den she 'ud sing:--
"'_Oh, Blue, go 'way! you shill not stay!
Oh, Guinny, be Gray, be Gray!_'
"She tuck'n sprinkle de las' one un um, en de Guinnies, dey sot in de
sun twel dey git dry, en fum dat time out dey got dem little speckles un
um."
XXXIV
BRER RABBIT'S LOVE-CHARM
"Dey wuz one time," said Uncle Remus one night, as they all sat around
the wide hearth,--Daddy Jack, Aunt Tempy, and the little boy in their
accustomed places,--"dey wuz one time w'en de t'er creeturs push Brer
Rabbit so close dat he tuck up a kinder idee dat may be he wa'n't ez
smart ez he mout be, en he study 'bout dis plum twel he git humble ez de
nex' man. 'Las' he low ter hisse'f dat he better make inquirements--"
"Ki!" exclaimed Daddy Jack, raising both hands and grinning excitedly,
"wut tale dis? I bin yerry da tale wun I is bin wean't fum me mammy."
"Well, den, Brer Jack," said Uncle Remus, with instinctive deference to
the rules of hospitality, "I 'speck you des better whirl in yer en spin
'er out. Ef you git 'er mix up anywhars I ull des slip in front er you
en ketch holt whar you lef' off."
With that, Daddy Jack proceeded:--
"One tam, B'er Rabbit is bin lub one noung leddy."
"Miss Meadows, I 'speck," suggested Uncle Remus, as the old African
paused to rub his chin.
"'E no lub Miss Meadow nuttin' 't all!" exclaimed Daddy Jack,
emphatically. "'E bin lub turrer noung leddy fum dat. 'E is bin lub
werry nice noung leddy. 'E lub 'um hard, 'e lub 'um long, un 'e is gwan
try fer mek dem noung leddy marry wit' 'im. Noung leddy seem lak 'e no
look 'pon B'er Rabbit, un dis is bin-a mek B'er Rabbit feel werry bad
all da day long. 'E moof 'way off by 'ese'f; 'e lose 'e fat, un 'e heer
is bin-a come out. Bumbye, 'e see one ole Affiky mans wut is bin-a hunt
in da fiel' fer root en yerrub fer mek 'e met'cine truck. 'E see um, un
he go toze um. Affiky mans open 'e y-eye big; 'e 'stonish'. 'E say:--
"'Ki, B'er Rabbit! you' he'lt' is bin-a gone; 'e bin-a gone un lef' you.
Wut mekky you is look so puny lak dis? Who is bin hu't-a you' feelin'?'
"B'er Rabbit larf wit' dry grins. 'E say:--
"'Shoo! I bin got well. Ef you is see me wun I sick fer true, 't will
mekky you heer stan' up, I skeer you so.'
"Affiky mans, 'e mek B'er Rabbit stick out 'e tongue; 'e is count B'er
Rabbit pulse. 'E shekky 'e head; 'e do say:--
"'Hi, B'er Rabbit! Wut all dis? You is bin ketch-a da gal-fever, un 'e
strak in 'pon you' gizzud.'
"Den B'er Rabbit, 'e is tell-a da Affiky mans 'bout dem noung leddy wut
no look toze 'im, un da Affiky mans, 'e do say 'e bin know gal sem lak
dat, 'e is bin shum befo'. 'E say 'e kin fix all dem noung leddy lak
dat. B'er Rabbit, 'e is feel so good, 'e jump up high; 'e is bin crack
'e heel; 'e shekky da Affiky mans by de han'.
"Affiky mans, 'e say B'er Rabbit no kin git da gal 'cep' 'e is mek 'im
one cha'm-bag. 'E say 'e mus' git one el'phan' tush, un 'e mus' git one
'gater toof, un 'e mus' git one rice-bud bill. B'er Rabbit werry glad
'bout dis, un 'e hop way fum dey-dey.
"'E hop, 'e run, 'e jump all nex' day night, un bumbye 'e see one great
big el'phan' come breakin' 'e way troo da woots. B'er Rabbit, 'e say:--
"'Ki! Oona big fer true! I bin-a yeddy talk 'bout dis in me y-own
countree. Oona big fer true; too big fer be strong.'
"El'phan' say: 'See dis!'
"'E tek pine tree in 'e snout; 'e pull um by da roots; 'e toss um way
off. B'er Rabbit say:--
"'Hi! dem tree come 'cause you bin high; 'e no come 'cause you bin
strong.'
"El'phan' say: 'See dis!'
"'E rush troo da woots; 'e fair teer um down. B'er Rabbit say:--
"'Hoo! dem is bin-a saplin' wey you 'stroy. See da big pine? Oona no kin
'stroy dem.'
"El'phan' say: 'See dis!'
"'E run 'pon da big pine; da big pine is bin too tough. El'phan' tush
stick in deer fer true; da big pine hol' um fas'. B'er Rabbit git-a dem
tush; 'e fetch um wey da Affiky mans lif. Affiky mans say el'phan' is
bin too big fer be sma't. 'E say 'e mus' haf one 'gater toof fer go wit'
el'phan' tush.
"B'er Rabbit, 'e do crack 'e heel; 'e do fair fly fum dey-dey. 'E go
'long, 'e go 'long. Bumbye 'e come 'pon 'gater. Da sun shiün hot; da
'gater do 'joy 'ese'f. B'er Rabbit say:--
"'Dis road, 'e werry bad; less we mek good one by da crickside.'
"'Gater lak dat. 'E wek 'ese'f up fum 'e head to 'e tail. Dey sta't fer
clean da road. 'Gater, 'e do teer da bush wit' 'e toof; 'e sweep-a da
trash way wit' 'e tail. B'er Rabbit, 'e do beat-a da bush down wit' 'e
cane. 'E hit lef', 'e hit right; 'e hit up, 'e hit down; 'e hit all
'roun'. 'E hit un 'e hit, tel bumbye 'e hit 'gater in 'e mout' un
knock-a da toof out. 'E grab um up; 'e gone fum dey-dey. 'E fetch-a da
'gater toof wey da Affiky mans lif. Affiky mans say:--
"''Gater is bin-a got sha'p toof fer true. Go fetch-a me one rice-bud
bill.'
"B'er Rabbit gone! 'E go 'long, 'e go 'long, tel 'e see rice-bud
swingin' on bush. 'E ahx um kin 'e fly.
"Rice-bud say: 'See dis!'
"'E wissle, 'e sing, 'e shek 'e wing; 'e fly all 'roun' un 'roun'.
"B'er Rabbit say rice-bud kin fly wey da win' is bin blow, but 'e no kin
fly wey no win' blow.
"Rice-bud say, 'Enty!'
"'E wait fer win' stop blowin'; 'e wait, un 'e fly all 'roun' un 'roun'.
"B'er Rabbit say rice-bud yent kin fly in house wey dey no win'.
"Rice-bud say, 'Enty!'
"'E fly in house, 'e fly all 'roun' un 'roun'. B'er Rabbit pull de do'
shed; 'e look at dem rice-bud; 'e say, 'Enty!'
"'E ketch dem rice-bud; 'e do git um bill, 'e fetch um wey da Affiky
mans lif. Affiky mans says dem rice-bud bill slick fer true. 'E tekky da
el'phan' tush, 'e tekky da 'gater toof, 'e tekky da rice-bud bill, he
pit um in lil bag; 'e swing dem bag 'pon B'er Rabbit neck. Den B'er
Rabbit kin marry dem noung gal. Enty!"
Here Daddy Jack paused and flung a glance of feeble tenderness upon
'Tildy. Uncle Remus smiled contemptuously, seeing which 'Tildy
straightened herself, tossed her head, and closed her eyes with an air
of indescribable scorn.
"I dunner what Brer Rabbit mout er done," she exclaimed; "but I lay ef
dey's any ole nigger man totin' a cunjer-bag in dis neighborhood, he'll
git mighty tired un it 'fo' it do 'im any good--I lay dat!"
Daddy Jack chuckled heartily at this, and dropped off to sleep so
suddenly that the little boy thought he was playing 'possum.
XXXV
BRER RABBIT SUBMITS TO A TEST
"Uncle Remus," said the child, "do you reckon Brother Rabbit really
married the young lady?"
"Bless yo' soul, honey," responded the old man, with a sigh, "hit b'long
ter Brer Jack fer ter tell you dat. 'T ain't none er my tale."
"Was n't that the tale you started to tell?"
"Who? Me? _Shoo!_ I ain't 'sputin' but w'at Brer Jack tale des ez purty
ez dey er any needs fer, yit 't ain't none er my tale."
At this, the little boy laid his head upon Uncle Remus's knee and
waited.
"Now, den," said the old man, with an air of considerable importance,
"we er got ter go 'way back behime dish yer yallergater doin's w'at Brer
Jack bin mixin' us up wid. Ef I makes no mistakes wid my 'membunce, de
place wharbouts I lef' off wuz whar Brer Rabbit had so many 'p'intments
fer ter keep out de way er de t'er creeturs dat he 'gun ter feel
monst'us humblyfied. Let um be who dey will, you git folks in a close
place ef you wanter see um shed der proudness. Dey beg mo' samer dan a
nigger w'en de patter-rollers ketch 'im. Brer Rabbit ain't ko no
beggin', 'kaze dey ain't kotch; yit dey come so nigh it, he 'gun ter
feel he weakness.
"W'en Brer Rabbit feel dis a-way, do he set down flat er de groun' en
let de t'er creeturs rush up en grab 'im? He mought do it deze days,
'kaze times done change; but in dem days he des tuck'n sot up wid
hisse'f en study 'bout w'at he gwine do. He study en study, en las' he
up'n tell he ole 'oman, he did, dat he gwine on a journey. Wid dat, ole
Miss Rabbit, she tuck'n fry 'im up a rasher er bacon, en bake 'im a pone
er bread. Brer Rabbit tied dis up in a bag en tuck down he walkin' cane
en put out."
"Where was he going, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy.
"Lemme 'lone, honey! Lemme sorter git hit up, like. De trail mighty cole
'long yer, sho'; 'kaze dish yer tale ain't come 'cross my min' not sence
yo' gran'pa fotch us all out er Ferginny, en dat's a monst'us long time
ago.
"He put out, Brer Rabbit did, fer ter see ole Mammy-Bammy Big-Money."
"Dat 'uz dat ole Witch-Rabbit," remarked Aunt Tempy, complacently.
"Yasser," continued Uncle Remus, "de ve'y same ole creetur w'at I done
tell you 'bout w'en Brer Rabbit los' he foot. He put out, he did, en
atter so long a time he git dar. He take time fer ter ketch he win', en
den he sorter shake hisse'f up en rustle 'roun' in de grass. Bimeby he
holler:--
"'Mammy-Bammy Big-Money! O Mammy-Bammy Big-Money! I journeyed fur, I
journeyed fas'; I glad I foun' de place at las'.'
"Great big black smoke rise up out er de groun', en ole Mammy-Bammy
Big-Money 'low:--
"'Wharfo', Son Riley Rabbit, Riley? Son Riley Rabbit, wharfo'?'
"Wid dat," continued Uncle Remus, dropping the sing-song tone by means
of which he managed to impart a curious dignity and stateliness to the
dialogue between Brother Rabbit and Mammy-Bammy Big-Money,--"wid dat
Brer Rabbit up'n tell 'er, he did, 'bout how he fear'd he losin' de use
er he min', 'kaze he done come ter dat pass dat he ain't kin fool de
yuther creeturs no mo', en dey push 'im so closte twel 't won't be long
'fo' dey'll git 'im. De ole Witch-Rabbit she sot dar, she did, en suck
in black smoke en puff it out 'g'in, twel you can't see nothin' 't all
but 'er great big eyeballs en 'er great big years. Atter w'ile she
'low:--
"'Dar sets a squer'l in dat tree, Son Riley; go fetch dat squer'l
straight ter me, Son Riley Rabbit, Riley.'
"Brer Rabbit sorter study, en den he 'low, he did:--
"'I ain't got much sense lef', yit ef I can't coax dat chap down from
dar, den hit's 'kaze I done got some zeeze w'ich it make me fibble in de
min',' sezee.
"Wid dat, Brer Rabbit tuck'n empty de provender out'n he bag en got 'im
two rocks, en put de bag over he head en sot down und' de tree whar he
squer'l is. He wait little w'ile, en den he hit de rocks
tergedder--_blip!_
"Squer'l he holler, 'Hey!'
"Brer Rabbit wait little, en den he tuck'n slap de rocks
tergedder--_blap!_
"Squer'l he run down de tree little bit en holler, 'Heyo!'
"Brer Rabbit ain't sayin' nothin'. He des pop de rocks
tergedder--_blop!_
"Squer'l, he come down little furder, he did, en holler, 'Who dat?'
"'Biggidy Dicky Big-Bag!'
"'What you doin' in dar?'
"'Crackin' hick'y nuts.'
"'Kin I crack some?'
"'Tooby sho', Miss Bunny Bushtail; come git in de bag.'
"Miss Bunny Bushtail hang back," continued Uncle Remus, chuckling; "but
de long en de short un it wuz dat she got in de bag, en Brer Rabbit he
tuck'n kyar'd 'er ter ole Mammy-Bammy Big-Money. De ole Witch-Rabbit,
she tuck'n tu'n de squer'l a-loose, en 'low:--
"'Dar lies a snake in 'mungs' de grass, Son Riley; go fetch 'im yer, en
be right fas', Son Riley Rabbit, Riley.'
"Brer Rabbit look 'roun', en sho' nuff dar lay de bigges' kinder
rattlesnake, all quile up ready fer business. Brer Rabbit scratch he
year wid he behime leg, en study. Look lak he gwine git in trouble. Yit
atter w'ile he go off in de bushes, he did, en cut 'im a young
grape-vine, en he fix 'im a slip-knot. Den he come back. Snake
'periently look lak he sleep. Brer Rabbit ax 'im how he come on. Snake
ain't say nothin', but he quile up a little tighter, en he tongue run
out lak it bin had grease on it. Mouf shot, yit de tongue slick out en
slick back 'fo' a sheep kin shake he tail. Brer Rabbit, he 'low, he
did:--
"'Law, Mr. Snake, I mighty glad I come 'cross you,' sezee. 'Me en ole
Jedge B'ar bin havin' a turrible 'spute 'bout how long you is. We bofe
'gree dat you look mighty purty w'en youer layin' stretch out full lenk
in de sun; but Jedge B'ar, he 'low you ain't but th'ee foot long, en I
stood 'im down dat you 'uz four foot long ef not mo',' sezee. 'En de
talk got so hot dat I come mighty nigh hittin' 'im a clip wid my
walkin'-cane, en ef I had I boun' dey'd er bin some bellerin' done
'roun' dar,' sezee.
"Snake ain't say nothin', but he look mo' complassy[34] dan w'at he bin
lookin'.
"'I up'n tole ole Jedge B'ar,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'dat de nex' time
I run 'cross you I gwine take'n medjer you; en goodness knows I mighty
glad I struck up wid you, 'kaze now dey won't be no mo' 'casion fer any
'sputin' 'twix' me en Jedge B'ar,' sezee.
"Den Brer Rabbit ax Mr. Snake ef he won't be so good ez ter onquile
hisse'f. Snake he feel mighty proud, he did, en he stretch out fer all
he wuff. Brer Rabbit he medjer, he did, en 'low:--
"'Dar one foot fer Jedge B'ar; dar th'ee foot fer Jedge B'ar; en, bless
goodness, dar four foot fer Jedge B'ar, des lak I say!'
"By dat time Brer Rabbit done got ter snake head, en des ez de las' wud
drop out'n he mouf, he slip de loop 'roun' snake neck, en den he had 'im
good en fas'. He tuck'n drag 'im, he did, up ter whar de ole
Witch-Rabbit settin' at; but w'en he git dar, Mammy-Bammy Big-Money done
make 'er disappearance, but he year sump'n' way off yander, en seem lak
it say:--
"'Ef you git any mo' sense, Son Riley, you'll be de ruination ev de
whole settlement, Son Riley Rabbit, Riley.'
"Den Brer Rabbit drag de snake 'long home, en stew 'im down en rub wid
de grease fer ter make 'im mo' 'soopler in de lim's. Bless yo' soul,
honey, Brer Rabbit mought er bin kinder fibble in de legs, but he wa'n't
no ways cripple und' de hat."[35]
FOOTNOTES:
[34] A mixture of "complacent" and "placid." Accent on the second
syllable.
[35] A version of this story makes Brother Rabbit capture a swarm of
bees. Mr. W. O. Tuggle, of Georgia, who has made an exhaustive study of
the Creek Indians, has discovered a variant of the legend. The Rabbit
(Chufee) becomes alarmed because he has nothing but the nimbleness of
his feet to take him out of harm's way. He goes to his Creator and begs
that greater intelligence be bestowed upon him. Thereupon the snake test
is applied, as in the negro story, and the Rabbit also catches a swarm
of gnats. He is then told that he has as much intelligence as there is
any need for, and he goes away satisfied.
XXXVI
BRER WOLF FALLS A VICTIM
"Uncle Remus," said the little boy, one night, when he found the old man
sitting alone in his cabin, "did you ever see Mammy-Bammy Big-Money?"
Uncle Remus placed his elbows on his knees, rested his chin in the palms
of his hands, and gazed steadily in the fire. Presently he said:--
"Wen folks 'gin ter git ole en no 'count, hit look lak der 'membunce git
slack. Some time hit seem lak I done seed sump'n' n'er mighty nigh de
make en color er ole Mammy-Bammy Big-Money, en den ag'in seem lak I
ain't. W'en dat de case, w'at does I do? Does I stan' tiptoe en tetch de
rafters en make lak I done seed dat ole Witch-Rabbit, w'en, goodness
knows, I ain't seed 'er? Dat I don't. No, bless you! I'd say de same in
comp'ny, much less settin' in yer 'long side er you. De long en de short
un it," exclaimed Uncle Remus, with emphasis, "is des dis. Ef I bin
run 'crost ole Mammy-Bammy Big-Money in my day en time, den she tuck'n
make 'er disappearance dat quick twel I ain't kotch a glimp' un 'er."
[Illustration: "'EF YOU GIT ANY MO' SENSE, SON RILEY, YOU'LL BE DE
RUINATION EV DE WHOLE SETTLEMENT'"]
The result of this good-humored explanation was that the child did n't
know whether Uncle Remus had seen the Witch-Rabbit or not, but his
sympathies led him to suspect that the old man was thoroughly familiar
with all her movements.
"Uncle Remus," the little boy said, after a while, "if there is another
story about Mammy-Bammy Big-Money, I wish you would tell it to me all by
my own-alone self."
The idea seemed to please the old man wonderfully, and he chuckled over
it for several minutes.
"Now, den, honey," he said, after a while, "you hit me whar I'm
weak--you mos' sho'ly does. Comp'ny mighty good fer some folks en I kin
put up wid it long ez de nex' un, but you kin des take'n pile comp'ny
'pun top er comp'ny, en dey won't kyore de liver complaint. W'en you
talk dat a-way you fetches me, sho', en I'll tell you a tale 'bout de
ole Witch-Rabbit ef I hatter git down yer on my all-fours en grabble it
out'n de ashes. Yit dey ain't no needs er dat, 'kaze de tale done come
in my min' des ez fresh ez ef 't was day 'fo' yistiddy.
"Hit seem lak dat one time atter Brer Wolf tuck'n steal Brer Rabbit
foot, dey wuz a mighty long fallin'-out 'twix' um. Brer Rabbit, he
tuck'n got ashy 'kaze Brer Wolf tuck'n tuck he foot; en Brer Wolf, he
tuck'n got hot 'kaze Brer Rabbit wuk en wuk 'roun' en git he foot ag'in.
Hit keep on dis a-way twel bimeby de ole Witch-Rabbit sorter git tired
er Brer Wolf, en one day she tuck'n sont wud ter Brer Rabbit dat she lak
mighty well fer ter see 'im.
"Dey fix up der plans, dey did, en 't wa'n't so mighty long 'fo' Brer
Rabbit run inter Brer Wolf house in a mighty big hurry, en he 'low, he
did:--
"'Brer Wolf! O Brer Wolf! I des now come fum de river, en des ez sho'
ez youer settin' in dat cheer, ole Big-Money layin' dar stone dead.
Less[36] we go eat 'er up.'
"'Brer Rabbit, sho'ly youer jokin'!'
"'Brer Wolf, I'm a-ginin'[37] un you de fatal fack. Come on, less go!'
"'Brer Rabbit, is you sho' she dead?'
"'Brer Wolf, she done dead; come on, less go!'
"En go dey did. Dey went 'roun' en dey got all de yuther creeturs, en
Brer Wolf, livin' so nigh, he let all he chilluns go, en 't wa'n't so
mighty long 'fo' dey had a crowd dar des lak camp-meetin' times.
"W'en dey git dar, sho' nuff, dar lay ole Big-Money all stretch out on
de river bank. Dis make Brer Wolf feel mighty good, en he tuck'n stick
he han's in he pocket en strut 'roun' dar en look monst'us biggity.
Atter he done tuck'n 'zamine ole Big-Money much ez he wanter, he up'n
'low, he did, dat dey better sorter rustle 'roun' en make a fa'r
dividjun. He ax Brer Mink, he ax Brer Coon, he ax Brer 'Possum, he ax
Brer Tarrypin, he ax Brer Rabbit, w'ich part dey take, en dey all up'n
'low, dey did, dat bein' ez Brer Wolf de biggest en de heartiest in de
neighborhoods er de appetite, dey 'speck he better take de fus'
choosement.
"Wid dat Brer Wolf, he sot down on a log, en hang he head ter one side,
sorter lak he 'shame' er hisse'f. Bimeby, he up'n 'low:--
"'Now, den, folks en fr'en's, sence you shove it on me, de shortes' way
is de bes' way. Brer Coon, we bin good fr'en's a mighty long time; how
much er dish yer meat ought a fibble[38] ole man lak me ter take?' sezee.
"Brer Wolf talk mighty lovin'. Brer Coon snuff de a'r, en 'low:
"'I 'speck you better take one er de fo'-quarters, Brer Wolf,' sezee.
"Brer Wolf look lak he 'stonish'. He lif' up he han's, en 'low:
"'Law, Brer Coon, I tuck you ter be my fr'en', dat I did. Man w'at talk
lak dat ain't got no feelin' fer me. Hit make me feel mighty lonesome,'
sezee.
"Den Brer Wolf tu'n 'roun' en talk mighty lovin' ter Brer Mink:--
"'Brer Mink, many's de day you bin a-knowin' me; how much er dish yer
meat you 'speck oughter fall ter my sheer?' sezee.
"Brer Mink sorter study, en den he 'low:--
"'Bein' ez you er sech a nice man, Brer Wolf, I 'speck you oughter take
one er de fo'-quarters, en a right smart hunk off'n de bulge er de
neck,' sezee.
"Brer Wolf holler out, he did:--
"'Go 'way, Brer Mink! Go 'way! You ain't no 'quaintance er mine!'
"Den ole Brer Wolf tu'n 'roun' ter Brer 'Possum en talk lovin':
"'Brer 'Possum, I done bin tuck wid a likin' fer you long time 'fo' dis.
Look at me, en den look at my fambly, en den tell me, ef you be so good,
how much er dish yer meat gwine ter fall ter my sheer.'
"Brer 'Possum, he look 'roun', he did, en grin, en he up'n 'low:
"'Take half, Brer Wolf, take half!'
"Den ole Brer Wolf holler out:--
"'Shoo, Brer 'Possum! I like you no mo'.'
"Den Brer Wolf tu'n to Brer Tarrypin, en Brer Tarrypin say Brer Wolf
oughter take all 'cep' one er de behime quarters, en den Brer Wolf 'low
dat Brer Tarrypin ain't no fr'en' ter him. Den he up'n ax Brer Rabbit,
en Brer Rabbit, he tuck'n 'spon', he did:--
"'Gentermuns all! you see Brer Wolf chillun? Well, dey er all monst'us
hongry, en Brer Wolf hongry hisse'f. Now I puts dis plan straight at
you: less we all let Brer Wolf have de fus' pass at Big-Money; less tie
'im on dar, en le'm eat much ez he wanter, en den we kin pick de bones,'
sezee.
"'Youer my pardner, Brer Rabbit!' sez Brer Wolf, sezee; 'youer my
honey-pardner!'
"Dey all 'gree ter dis plan, mo' 'speshually ole Brer Wolf, so den dey
tuck'n tie 'im onter Big-Money. Dey tie 'im on dar, dey did, en den ole
Brer Wolf look all 'roun' en wunk at de yuthers. Brer Rabbit, he tuck'n
wunk back, en den Brer Wolf retch down en bite Big-Money on de back er
de neck. Co'se, w'en he do dis, Big-Money bleedz ter flinch; let 'lone
dat, she bleedz ter jump. Brer Wolf holler out:--
"'Ow! Run yer somebody! Take me off! She ain't dead! O Lordy! I feel 'er
move!'
Brer Rabbit holler back:--
"'Nummine de flinchin', Brer Wolf. She done dead; I done year 'er
sesso[39] 'erse'f. She dead, sho'. Bite er ag'in, Brer Wolf, bite 'er
ag'in!'
"Brer Rabbit talk so stiff, hit sorter tuck de chill off'n Brer Wolf, en
he dipt down en bit ole Big-Money ag'in. Wid dat, she 'gun ter move off,
en Brer Wolf he holler des lak de woods done kotch a-fier:--
"'Ow! O Lordy! Ontie me, Brer Rabbit, ontie me! She ain't dead! Ow! Run
yer, Brer Rabbit, en ontie me!'
"Brer Rabbit, he holler back:--
"'She er sho'ly dead, Brer Wolf! Nail 'er, Brer Wolf! Bite 'er! gnyaw
'er!'
"Brer Wolf keep on bitin', en Big-Money keep on movin' off. Bimeby, she
git ter de bank er de river, en she fall in--_cumberjoom!_--en dat 'uz
de las' er Brer Wolf."
"What did Brother Rabbit do?" the little boy asked, after a while.
"Well," responded Uncle Remus, in the tone of one anxious to dispose of
a disagreeable matter as pleasantly as possible, "you know w'at kinder
man Brer Rabbit is. He des went off some'rs by he own-alone se'f en tuck
a big laugh."
FOOTNOTES:
[36] Let us; let's; less.
[37] G hard.
[38] Feeble.
[39] Say so.
XXXVII
BRER RABBIT AND THE MOSQUITOES
The next night Daddy Jack was still away when the little boy went to see
Uncle Remus, and the child asked about him.
"Bless yo' soul, honey! don't ax me 'bout Brer Jack. He look lak he
mighty ole en trimbly, but he mighty peart nigger, mon. He look lak he
shufflin' 'long, but dat ole nigger gits over groun', sho'. Forty year
ergo, maybe I mought er kep' up wid 'im, but I let you know Brer Jack is
away 'head er me. He mos' sho'ly is."
"Why, he's older than you are, Uncle Remus!" the child exclaimed.
"Dat w'at I year tell. Seem lak hit mighty kuse, but sho' ez youer bawn
Brer Jack is a heap mo' pearter nigger dan w'at ole Remus is. He little,
yit he mighty hard. Dat's Brer Jack, up en down."
Uncle Remus paused and reflected a moment. Then he went on:--
"Talkin' 'bout Brer Jack put me in min' 'bout a tale w'ich she sho'ly
mus' er happen down dar in dat ar country whar Brer Jack come fum, en it
sorter ketch me in de neighborhoods er de 'stonishment 'kaze he ain't
done up'n tell it. I 'speck it done wuk loose fum Brer Jack 'membunce."
"What tale was that, Uncle Remus?"
"Seem lak dat one time w'en eve'ything en eve'ybody was runnin' 'long
des lak dey bin had waggin grease 'pun um, ole Brer Wolf"--
The little boy laughed incredulously and Uncle Remus paused and frowned
heavily.
"Why, Uncle Remus! how did Brother Wolf get away from Mammy-Bammy
Big-Money?"
The old man's frown deepened and his voice was full of anger as he
replied:--
"Now, den, is I'm de tale, er is de tale me? Tell me dat! Is I'm de
tale, er is de tale me? Well, den, ef I ain't de tale en de tale ain't
me, den how come you wanter take'n rake me over de coals fer?"
"Well, Uncle Remus, you know what you said. You said that was the end of
Brother Wolf."
"I bleedz ter 'spute dat," exclaimed Uncle Remus, with the air of one
performing a painful duty; "I bleedz ter 'spute it. Dat w'at de tale
say. Ole Remus is one nigger en de tale, hit's a n'er nigger. Yit I
ain't got no time fer ter set back yer en fetch out de oggyments."
Here the old man paused, closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and
sighed. After a while he said, in a gentle tone:--
"So den, Brer Wolf done dead, en yer I wuz runnin' on des same lak he
wuz done 'live. Well! well! well!"
Uncle Remus stole a glance at the little boy, and immediately relented.
"Yit," he went on, "ef I'm ain't de tale en de tale ain't me, hit ain't
skacely make no diffunce whe'er Brer Wolf dead er whe'er he's a
high-primin' 'roun' bodder'n 'longer de yuther creeturs. Dead er no
dead, dey wuz one time w'en Brer Wolf live in de swamp down dar in dat
ar country whar Brer Jack come fum, en, mo'n dat, he had a mighty likely
gal. Look lak all de yuther creeturs wuz atter 'er. Dey 'ud go down dar
ter Brer Wolf house, dey would, en dey 'ud set up en court de gal, en
'joy deyse'f.
"Hit went on dis a-way twel atter w'ile de skeeters 'gun ter git
monst'us bad. Brer Fox, he went flyin' 'roun' Miss Wolf, en he sot dar,
he did, en run on wid 'er en fight skeeters des es big ez life en
twice-t ez natchul. Las' Brer Wolf, he tuck'n kotch Brer Fox slappin' en
fightin' at he skeeters. Wid dat he tuck'n tuck Brer Fox by de off year
en led 'im out ter de front gate, en w'en he git dar, he 'low, he did,
dat no man w'at can't put up wid skeeters ain't gwine ter come
a-courtin' his gal.
"Den Brer Coon, he come flyin' 'roun' de gal, but he ain't bin dar no
time skacely 'fo' he 'gun ter knock at de skeeters; en no sooner is he
done dis dan Brer Wolf show 'im de do'. Brer Mink, he come en try he
han', yit he bleedz ter fight de skeeters, en Brer Wolf ax 'im out.
"Hit went on dis a-way twel bimeby all de creeturs bin flyin' 'roun'
Brer Wolf's gal 'ceppin' it's ole Brer Rabbit, en w'en he year w'at
kinder treatments de yuther creeturs bin ketchin' he 'low ter hisse'f
dat he b'leeve in he soul he mus' go down ter Brer Wolf house en set de
gal out one whet ef it's de las' ack.
"No sooner say, no sooner do. Off he put, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' he fine
hisse'f knockin' at Brer Wolf front do'. Ole Sis Wolf, she tuck'n put
down 'er knittin' en she up'n low, she did:--
"'Who dat?'
"De gal, she 'uz stannin' up 'fo' de lookin'-glass sorter primpin', en
she choke back a giggle, she did, en 'low:--
"'Sh-h-h! My goodness, mammy! dat's Mr. Rabbit. I year de gals say he's
a mighty prop-en-tickler[40] gentermun, en I des hope you ain't gwine ter
set dar en run on lak you mos' allers does w'en I got comp'ny 'bout how
much soap-grease you done save up en how many kitten de ole cat got. I
gits right 'shame' sometimes, dat I does!'"
The little boy looked astonished.
"Did she talk that way to her mamma?" he asked.
"_Shoo_, chile! 'Mungs' all de creeturs dey ain't no mo' kuse creeturs
dan de gals. Ole ez I is, ef I wuz ter start in dis minnit fer ter tell
you how kuse de gals is, en de Lord wuz ter spar' me plum twel I git
done, yo' head 'ud be gray, en Remus 'ud be des twice-t ez ole ez w'at
he is right now."
"Well, what did her mamma say, Uncle Remus?"
"Ole Sis Wolf, she sot dar, she did, en settle 'er cap on 'er head, en
snicker, en look at de gal lak she monst'us proud. De gal, she tuck'n
shuck 'erse'f 'fo' de lookin'-glass a time er two, en den she tipt ter
de do' en open' it little ways en peep out des lak she skeer'd some un
gwine ter hit 'er a clip side de head. Dar stood ole Brer Rabbit lookin'
des ez slick ez a race-hoss. De gal, she tuck'n laff, she did, en
holler:--
"'W'y law, maw! hit's Mr. Rabbit, en yer we bin 'fraid it 'uz some 'un
w'at ain't got no business 'roun' yer!'
"Ole Sis Wolf she look over 'er specks, en snicker, en den she up'n
'low:--
"'Well, don't keep 'im stannin' out dar all night. Ax 'im in, fer
goodness sake.'
"Den de gal, she tuck'n drap 'er hankcher, en Brer Rabbit, he dipt down
en grab it en pass it ter 'er wid a bow, en de gal say she much 'blige,
'kaze dat 'uz mo' den Mr. Fox 'ud er done, en den she ax Brer Rabbit how
he come on, en Brer Rabbit 'low he right peart, en den he ax 'er
wharbouts 'er daddy, en ole Sis Wolf 'low she go fine 'im.
"'T wa'n't long 'fo' Brer Rabbit year Brer Wolf stompin' de mud off'n he
foots in de back po'ch, en den bimeby in he come. Dey shuck han's, dey
did, en Brer Rabbit say dat w'en he go callin' on he 'quaintunce, hit
ain't feel natchul 'ceppin' de man er de house settin' 'roun' some'rs.
"'Ef he don't talk none,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'he kin des set up
ag'in' de chimbly-jam en keep time by noddin'.'
"But ole Brer Wolf, he one er deze yer kinder mens w'at got de
whimzies,[41] en he up'n 'low dat he don't let hisse'f git ter noddin'
front er comp'ny. Dey run on dis a-way twel bimeby Brer Rabbit year de
skeeters come zoonin' 'roun', en claimin' kin wid 'im."
The little boy laughed; but Uncle Remus was very serious.
"Co'se dey claim kin wid 'im. Dey claims kin wid folks yit, let 'lone
Brer Rabbit. Manys en manys de time w'en I year um sailin' 'roun' en
singin' out '_Cousin! Cousin!'_ en I let you know, honey, de skeeters is
mighty close kin w'en dey gits ter be yo' cousin.
"Brer Rabbit, he year um zoonin'," the old man continued, "en he know he
got ter do some mighty nice talkin', so he up'n ax fer drink er water.
De gal, she tuck'n fotch it.
"'Mighty nice water, Brer Wolf.' (_De skeeters dey zoon._)[42]
"'Some say it too full er wiggletails,[43] Brer Rabbit.' (_De skeeters,
dey zoon en dey zoon._)
"'Mighty nice place you got, Brer Wolf.' (_Skeeters dey zoon._)
"'Some say it too low in de swamp, Brer Rabbit.' (_Skeeters dey zoon en
dey zoon._)
"Dey zoon so bad," said Uncle Remus, drawing a long breath, "dat Brer
Rabbit 'gun ter git skeer'd, en w'en dat creetur git skeer'd, he min'
wuk lak one er deze yer flutter-mills. Bimeby, he 'low:--
"'Went ter town t'er day, en dar I seed a sight w'at I never 'speckted
ter see.'
"'W'at dat, Brer Rabbit?'
"'Spotted hoss, Brer Wolf.'
"'_No_, Brer Rabbit!'
"'I mos' sho'ly seed 'im, Brer Wolf.'
"Brer Wolf, he scratch he head, en de gal she hilt up 'er han's en make
great 'miration 'bout de spotted hoss. (_De skeeters dey zoon, en dey
keep on zoonin'._) Brer Rabbit, he talk on, he did:--
"''T wa'n't des one spotted hoss, Brer Wolf, 't wuz a whole team er
spotted hosses, en dey went gallin'-up[44] des lak de yuther hosses,'
sezee. 'Let 'lone dat, Brer Wolf, my grandaddy wuz spotted,' sez Brer
Rabbit, sezee.
"Gal, she squeal en holler out:--
"'W'y, Brer Rabbit! ain't you 'shame' yo'se'f fer ter be talkin' dat
a-way, en 'bout yo' own-'lone blood kin too?'
"'Hit's de naked trufe I'm a-ginin'[45] un you,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee.
(_Skeeter zoon en come closeter._)
"Brer Wolf 'low 'Well--well--well!' Ole Sis Wolf, she 'low 'Tooby
sho'ly, tooby sho'ly!' (_Skeeter zoon en come nigher en nigher._) Brer
Rabbit 'low:--
"'Yasser! Des ez sho' ez youer settin' dar, my grandaddy wuz spotted.
Spotted all over. (_Skeeter come zoonin' up en light on Brer Rabbit
jaw._) He wuz dat. He had er great big spot right yer!'"
Here Uncle Remus raised his hand and struck himself a resounding slap on
the side of the face where the mosquito was supposed to be, and
continued:--
"No sooner is he do dis dan ne'r skeeter come zoonin' 'roun' en light on
Brer Rabbit leg. Brer Rabbit, he talk, en he talk:--
"'Po' ole grandaddy! I boun' he make you laff, he look so funny wid all
dem spots en speckles. He had spot on de side er de head, whar I done
show you, en den he had n'er big spot right yer on de leg,' sezee."
Uncle Remus slapped himself on the leg below the knee, and was
apparently so serious about it that the little boy laughed loudly. The
old man went on:--
"Skeeter zoon en light 'twix' Brer Rabbit shoulder-blades. Den he
talk:--
"'B'leeve me er not b'leeve me ef you min' to, but my grandaddy had a
big black spot up yer on he back w'ich look lak saddle-mark.'
"_Blip Brer Rabbit tuck hisse'f on de back!_
"Skeeter sail 'roun' en zoon en light down yer beyan de hip-bone. He
say he grandaddy got spot down dar.
"_Blip he tuck hisse'f beyan de hip-bone._
"Hit keep on dis a-way," continued Uncle Remus, who had given vigorous
illustrations of Brer Rabbit's method of killing mosquitoes while
pretending to tell a story, "twel bimeby ole Brer Wolf en ole Sis Wolf
dey lissen at Brer Rabbit twel dey 'gun ter nod, en den ole Brer Rabbit
en de gal dey sot up dar en kill skeeters right erlong."
"Did he marry Brother Wolf's daughter?" asked the little boy.
"I year talk," replied Uncle Remus, "dat Brer Wolf sont Brer Rabbit wud
nex' day dat he kin git de gal by gwine atter 'er, but I ain't never
year talk 'bout Brer Rabbit gwine. De day atterwuds wuz mighty long
time, en by den Brer Rabbit moughter had some yuther projick on
han'."[46]
FOOTNOTES:
[40] Proper and particular.
[41] In these latter days a man with the whimzies, or whimsies, is known
simply as a crank.
[42] The information in parentheses is imparted in a low, impressive,
confidential tone.
[43] Is it necessary to say that the wiggletail is the embryo mosquito?
[44] Galloping.
[45] G hard as in give.
[46] This story, the funniest and most characteristic of all the negro
legends, cannot be satisfactorily told on paper. It is full of action,
and all the interest centres in the gestures and grimaces that must
accompany an explanation of Brother Rabbit's method of disposing of the
mosquitoes. The story was first called to my attention by Mr. Marion
Erwin, of Savannah, and it is properly a coast legend, but I have heard
it told by three Middle Georgia negroes.
XXXVIII
THE PIMMERLY PLUM
One night, when the little boy had grown tired of waiting for a story,
he looked at Uncle Remus and said:--
"I wonder what ever became of old Brother Tarrypin."
Uncle Remus gave a sudden start, glanced all around the cabin, and then
broke into a laugh that ended in a yell like a view-halloo.
"Well, well, well! How de name er goodness come you ter know w'at
runnin' on in my min', honey? Mon, you skeer'd me; you sho'ly did; en
w'en I git skeer'd I bleedz ter holler. Let 'lone dat, ef I keep on
gittin' skeerder en skeerder, you better gimme room, 'kaze ef I can't
git 'way fum dar somebody gwine ter git hurted, en deyer gwine ter git
hurted bad. I tell you dat right pine-blank.[47]
"Ole Brer Tarrypin!" continued Uncle Remus in a tone of exultation. "Ole
Brer Tarrypin! Now, who bin year tell er de beat er dat? Dar you sets
studyin' 'bout ole Brer Tarrypin, en yer I sets studyin' 'bout ole Brer
Tarrypin. Hit make me feel so kuse dat little mo' en I'd 'a' draw'd my
Rabbit-foot en shuck it at you."
The little boy was delighted when Uncle Remus went off into these
rhapsodies. However nonsensical they might seem to others, to the child
they were positively thrilling, and he listened with rapt attention,
scarcely daring to stir.
"Ole Brer Tarrypin? Well, well, well!--
"'_Wen in he prime
He tuck he time!_'
"Dat w'at make he hol' he age so good. Dey tells me dat somebody 'cross
dar in Jasper county tuck'n kotch a Tarrypin w'ich he got marks cut in
he back dat 'uz put dar 'fo' our folks went fer ter git revengeance in
de Moccasin war. Dar whar yo' Unk' Jeems bin," Uncle Remus explained,
noticing the little boy's look of astonishment.
"Oh!" exclaimed the child, "that was the Mexican war."
"Well," responded Uncle Remus, closing his eyes with a sigh, "I ain't
one er deze yer kinder folks w'at choke deyse'f wid names. One name
ain't got none de 'vantage er no yuther name. En ef de Tarrypin got de
marks on 'im, hit don't make no diffunce whe'er yo' Unk' Jeems
Abercrombie git his revengeance out'n de Moccasin folks, er whe'er he
got it out'n de Mackersons."
"Mexicans, Uncle Remus."
"Tooby sho', honey; let it go at dat. But don't less pester ole Brer
Tarrypin wid it, 'kaze he done b'long ter a tribe all by he own-'lone
se'f.--I 'clar' ter gracious," exclaimed the old man after a pause, "ef
hit don't seem periently lak 't wuz yistiddy!"
"What, Uncle Remus?"
"Oh, des ole Brer Tarrypin, honey; des ole Brer Tarrypin en a tale w'at
I year 'bout 'im, how he done tuck'n do Brer Fox."
"Did he scare him, Uncle Remus?" the little boy asked, as the old man
paused.
"No, my goodness! Wuss'n dat!"
"Did he hurt him?"
"No, my goodness! Wuss'n dat!"
"Did he kill him?"
"No, my goodness! Lots wuss'n dat!"
"Now, Uncle Remus, what _did_ he do to Brother Fox?"
"Honey!"--here the old man lowered his voice as if about to describe a
great outrage--"Honey! he tuck'n make a fool out'n 'im!"
The child laughed, but it was plain that he failed to appreciate the
situation, and this fact caused Uncle Remus to brighten up and go on
with the story.
"One time w'en de sun shine down mighty hot, ole Brer Tarrypin wuz gwine
'long down de road. He 'uz gwine 'long down, en he feel mighty tired; he
puff, en he blow, en he pant. He breff come lak he got de azmy 'way down
in he win'-pipe; but, nummine! he de same ole Creep-um-crawl-um
Have-some-fun-um. He 'uz gwine 'long down de big road, ole Brer Tarrypin
wuz, en bimeby he come ter de branch. He tuck'n crawl in, he did, en got
'im a drink er water, en den he crawl out on t'er side en set down und'
de shade un a tree. Atter he sorter ketch he win', he look up at de sun
fer ter see w'at time er day is it, en, lo en beholes! he tuck'n skivver
dat he settin' in de shade er de sycamo' tree. No sooner is he skivver
dis dan he sing de ole song:--
"'_Good luck ter dem w'at come and go,
W'at set in de shade er de sycamo'._'
"Brer Tarrypin he feel so good en de shade so cool, dat 't wa'n't long
'fo' he got ter noddin', en bimeby he drapt off en went soun' asleep.
Co'se, Brer Tarrypin kyar he house wid 'im eve'ywhar he go, en w'en he
fix fer ter go ter sleep, he des shet de do' en pull to de
winder-shetters, en dar he is des ez snug ez de ole black cat und' de
barn.
"Brer Tarrypin lay dar, he did, en sleep, en sleep. He dunner how long
he sleep, but bimeby he feel somebody foolin' 'long wid 'im. He keep de
do' shet, en he lay dar en lissen. He feel somebody tu'nin' he house
'roun' en 'roun'. Dis sorter skeer Brer Tarrypin, 'kaze he know dat ef
dey tu'n he house upside down he ull have all sorts er times gittin'
back. Wid dat, he open de do' little ways, en he see Brer Fox projickin'
wid 'im. He open de do' little furder, he did, en he break out in a
great big hoss-laff, en holler:--
"'Well! well, well! Who'd 'a' thunk it! Ole Brer Fox, cuter dan de
common run, is done come en kotch me. En he come at sech a time, too! I
feels dat full twel I can't see straight skacely. Ef dey wuz any
jealousness proned inter me, I'd des lay yer en pout 'kaze Brer Fox done
fine out whar I gits my Pimmerly Plum.'
"In dem days," continued Uncle Remus, speaking to the child's look of
inquiry, "de Pimmerly Plum wuz monst'us skace. Leavin' out Brer Rabbit
en Brer Tarrypin dey wa'n't none er de yuther creeturs dat yuvver got a
glimp' un it, let 'lone a tas'e. So den w'en Brer Fox year talk er de
Pimmerly Plum, bless gracious! he h'ist up he head en let Brer Tarrypin
'lone. Brer Tarrypin keep on laffin' en Brer Fox 'low:--
"'Hush, Brer Tarrypin! you makes my mouf water! Whar'bouts de Pimmerly
Plum?'
"Brer Tarrypin, he sorter cle'r up de ho'seness in he th'oat, en sing:--
"'_Poun' er sugar, en a pint er rum,
Ain't nigh so sweet ez de Pimmerly Plum!_'
"Brer Fox, he lif' up he han's, he did, en holler:--
"'Oh, hush, Brer Tarrypin! you makes me dribble! Whar'bouts dat Pimmerly
Plum?'
"'You stannin' right und' de tree, Brer Fox!'
"'Brer Tarrypin, sho'ly not!'
"'Yit dar you stan's, Brer Fox!'
"Brer Fox look up in de tree dar, en he wuz 'stonish'."
"What did he see in the sycamore tree, Uncle Remus?" inquired the little
boy.
There was a look of genuine disappointment on the old man's face, as he
replied:--
"De gracious en de goodness, honey! Ain't you nev' is see dem ar little
bit er balls w'at grow on de sycamo' tree?"[48]
The little boy laughed. There was a huge sycamore tree in the centre of
the circle made by the carriage way in front of the "big house," and
there were sycamore trees of various sizes all over the place. The
little balls alluded to by Uncle Remus are very hard at certain stages
of their growth, and cling to the tree with wonderful tenacity. Uncle
Remus continued:--
"Well, den, w'en ole Brer Tarrypin vouch dat dem ar sycamo' balls wuz de
ginnywine Pimmerly Plum, ole Brer Fox, he feel mighty good, yit he
dunner how he gwine git at um. Push 'im clos't, en maybe he mought beat
Brer Tarrypin clammin' a tree, but dish yer sycamo' tree wuz too big fer
Brer Fox fer ter git he arms 'roun'. Den he up'n 'low:--
"'I sees um hangin' dar, Brer Tarrypin, but how I gwine git um?'
"Brer Tarrypin open he do' little ways en holler out:--
"'Ah-yi! Dar whar ole Slickum Slow-come got de 'vantage! Youer mighty
peart, Brer Fox, yit somehow er nudder you ain't bin a-keepin' up wid
ole Slickum Slow-come.'
"'Brer Tarrypin, how de name er goodness does you git um?'
"'Don't do no good fer ter tell you, Brer Fox. Nimble heel make restless
min'. You ain't got time fer ter wait en git um, Brer Fox.'
"'Brer Tarrypin, I got all de week befo' me.'
"'Ef I tells you, you'll go en tell all de t'er creeturs, en den dat'll
be de las' er de Pimmerly Plum, Brer Fox.'
"'Brer Tarrypin, dat I won't. Des try me one time en see.'
"Brer Tarrypin shet he eye lak he studyin', en den he 'low:--
"'I tell you how I does, Brer Fox. Wen I wants a bait er de Pimmerly
Plum right bad, I des takes my foot in my han' en comes down yer ter
dish yer tree. I comes en I takes my stan'. I gits right und' de tree,
en I r'ars my head back en opens my mouf. I opens my mouf, en w'en de
Pimmerly Plum draps, I boun' you she draps right spang in dar. All you
got ter do is ter set en wait, Brer Fox.'
"Brer Fox ain't sayin' nothin'. He des sot down und' de tree, he did, en
r'ar'd he head back, en open he mouf, en I wish ter goodness you mought
er bin had er chance fer ter see 'im settin' dar. He look scan'lous,
dat's de long en de short un it; he des look scan'lous."
"Did he get the Pimmerly Plum, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy.
"_Shoo!_ How he gwine git plum whar dey ain't no plum?"
"Well, what did he do?"
"He sot dar wid he mouf wide open, en eve'y time Brer Tarrypin look at
'im, much ez he kin do fer ter keep from bustin' aloose en laffin'. But
bimeby he make he way todes home, Brer Tarrypin did, chucklin' en
laffin', en 't wa'n't long 'fo' he meet Brer Rabbit tippin' 'long down
de road. Brer Rabbit, he hail 'im.
"'W'at 'muze you so mighty well, Brer Tarrypin?'
"Brer Tarrypin kotch he breff atter so long a time, en he 'low:--
"'Brer Rabbit, I'm dat tickle' twel I can't shuffle 'long, skacely, en
I'm fear'd ef I up'n tell you de 'casion un it, I'll be tooken wid one
er my spells whar folks hatter set up wid me 'kaze I laff so loud en
laff so long.'
"Yit atter so long a time, Brer Tarrypin up'n tell Brer Rabbit, en dey
sot dar en chaw'd terbacker en kyar'd on des lak sho' 'nuff folks. Dat
dey did!"
Uncle Remus paused; but the little boy wanted to know what became of
Brer Fox.
"Hit's mighty kuse," said the old man, stirring around in the ashes as
if in search of a potato, "but endurin' er all my days I ain't nev' year
nobody tell 'bout how long Brer Fox sot dar waitin' fer de Pimmerly
Plum."
FOOTNOTES:
[47] Point-blank.
[48] In another version of this story current among the negroes the
sweet-gum tree takes the place of the sycamore.
[Illustration: Brother Rabbit gets Provisions]
XXXIX
BRER RABBIT GETS THE PROVISIONS
The next time the little boy called on Uncle Remus a bright fire was
blazing on the hearth. He could see the light shining under the door
before he went into the cabin, and he knew by that sign that the old man
had company. In fact, Daddy Jack had returned and was dozing in his
accustomed corner, Aunt Tempy was sitting bolt upright, nursing her
contempt, and Uncle Remus was making a curious-looking box. None of the
negroes paid any attention to the little boy when he entered, but
somehow he felt that they were waiting for him. After a while Uncle
Remus finished his curious-looking box and laid it upon the floor. Then
he lifted his spectacles from his nose to the top of his head, and
remarked:--
"Now, den, folks, dar she is, en hit's bin so long sence I uv made one
un um dat she make me sweat. Yasser! She did dat. Howsumev', hit ain't
make no diffunce wid me. Promise is a promise, dough you make it in de
dark er de moon. Long time ago, I tuck'n promise one er my passin'
'quaintance dat some er deze lonesome days de ole nigger 'd whirl in en
make 'im a rabbit-trap ef he'd des be so good ez to quit he devilment,
en l'arn he behavishness."
"Is that my rabbit-trap, Uncle Remus?" exclaimed the child. He would
have picked it up for the purpose of examining it, but Uncle Remus waved
him off with a dignified gesture.
"Don't you dast ter tetch dat ar trap, honey, 'kaze ef you does, dat
spiles all. I'll des hatter go ter wuk en make it bran-new, en de Lord
knows I ain't got no time fer ter do dat."
"Well, Uncle Remus, you've had your hands on it."
"Tooby sho' I is--tooby sho' I is! En w'at's mo' dan dat, I bin had my
han's in tar-water."
"I year talk er dat," remarked Aunt Tempy, with an approving nod.
"Yasser! in de nat'al tar-water," continued Uncle Remus. "You put yo'
han' in a pa'tridge nes', en he'll quit dem premises dough he done got
'lev'm dozen aigs in dar. Same wid Rabbit. Dey ain't got sense lak de
ole-time Rabbit, but I let you know dey ain't gwine in no trap whar dey
smell folks' han's--dat dey ain't. Dat w'at make I say w'at I does.
Don't put yo' han' on it; don't tetch it; don't look at it skacely."
The little boy subsided, but he continued to cast longing looks at the
trap, seeing which Uncle Remus sought to change the current of his
thoughts.
"She bin er mighty heap er trouble, mon, yet I mighty glad I tuck'n make
dat ar trap. She's a solid un, sho', en ef dey wuz ter be any skaceness
er vittles, I lay dat ar trap 'ud help us all out."
"De Lord knows," exclaimed Aunt Tempy, rubbing her fat hands together,
"I hope dey ain't gwine ter be no famishin' 'roun' yer 'mungs we all."
"Likely not," said Uncle Remus, "yet de time mought come w'en a big
swamp rabbit kotch in dat ar trap would go a mighty long ways in a
fambly no bigger dan w'at mine is."
"Mo' speshually," remarked Aunt Tempy, "ef you put dat wid w'at de
neighbors mought sen' in."
"Eh-eh!" Uncle Remus exclaimed, "don't you put no 'pennunce in dem
neighbors--don't you do it. W'en famine time come one man ain't no
better dan no yuther man 'ceppin' he be soopless; en he got ter be
mighty soople at dat."
The old man paused and glanced at the little boy. The child was still
looking longingly at the trap, and Uncle Remus leaned forward and
touched him lightly on the shoulder. It was a familiar gesture, gentle
and yet rough, a token of affection, and yet a command to attention;
for the venerable darkey could be imperious enough when surrendering to
the whims of his little partner.
"All dish yer talk 'bout folks pe'shin' out," Uncle Remus went on with
an indifferent air, "put me in min' er de times w'en de creeturs tuck'n
got up a famine 'mungs deyse'f. Hit come 'bout dat one time vittles wuz
monst'us skace en high, en money mighty slack. Long ez dey wuz any
vittles gwine 'roun', Brer Rabbit, he 'uz boun' ter git he sheer un um,
but bimeby hit come ter dat pass dat Brer Rabbit stomach 'gun ter pinch
'im; en w'iles he gettin' hongry de yuther creeturs, dey 'uz gettin'
hongry deyse'f. Hit went on dis a-way twel one day Brer Rabbit en Brer
Wolf meet up wid one er n'er in de big road, en atter dey holler howdy
dey sat down, dey did, en make a bargain.
"Dey tuck'n 'gree wid one er n'er dat dey sell der mammy en take de
money en git sump'n' n'er ter eat. Brer Wolf, he 'low, he did, dat bein'
's hit seem lak he de hongriest creetur on de face er de yeth, dat he
sell his mammy fus', en den, atter de vittles gin out, Brer Rabbit he
kin sell he own mammy en git some mo' grub.
"Ole Brer Rabbit, he chipt in en 'greed, he did, en Brer Wolf, he tuck'n
hitch up he team, en put he mammy in de waggin, en den him en Brer
Rabbit druv off. Man come 'long:--
"'Whar you gwine?'
"'_Gwine 'long down ter town,
Wid a bag er co'n fer ter sell;
We ain't got time fer ter stop en talk,
Yit we wish you mighty well!_'"
"Did they talk poetry that way, Uncle Remus?" the little boy inquired.
"Shoo! lot's wuss dan dat, honey. Dey wuz constant a-gwine on dat a-way,
en ef I wa'n't gittin' so mighty weak-kneed in de membunce I'd bust
aloose yer en I'd fair wake you up wid de gwines on er dem ar creeturs.
"Now, den, dey tuck'n kyar Brer Wolf mammy ter town en sell 'er, en dey
start back wid a waggin-load er vittles. De day wuz a-wanin' den de sun
wuz a-settin'. De win' tuck'n blow up sorter stiff, en de sun look red
when she settin'. Dey druv on, en druv on. De win' blow, en de sun shine
red. Bimeby, Brer Wolf scrooch up en shiver, en 'low:--
"'Brer Rabbit, I'm a-gittin' mighty cole.'
"Brer Rabbit, he laugh en 'low:--
"'I'm gittin' sorter creepy myself, Brer Wolf.'
"Dey druv on en druv on. Win' blow keen, sun shine red. Brer Wolf
scrooch up in little knot. Bimeby he sing out:--
"'Brer Rabbit, I'm freezin'! I'm dat cole I dunner w'at ter do!'
"Brer Rabbit, he p'int ter de settin' sun en say:--
"'You see dat great big fier 'cross dar in de woods, Brer Wolf? Well,
dey ain't nothin' ter hender you fum gwine dar en wommin' yo'se'f en
I'll wait yer fer you. Gimme de lines, Brer Wolf, en you go wom yo'se'f
all over.'
"Wid dat Brer Wolf, he put out des ez hard ez he kin, fer ter see ef he
can't fin' de fier; en w'iles he wuz gone, bless goodness, w'at should
Brer Rabbit do but cut off de hosses' tails en stick um down deep in de
mud--"
"Le' 'im 'lone, now! Des le' 'im 'lone!" exclaimed Aunt Tempy in an
ecstasy of admiration.
"He stick de hosses' tails down in de mud," continued Uncle Remus, "en
den he tuck'n druv de waggin 'way off in de swamp en hide it. Den he
tuck'n come back, ole Brer Rabbit did, fer ter wait fer Brer Wolf.
"Atter so long a time, sho' 'nuff, yer come Brer Wolf des a-gallin'-up
back. Brer Rabbit he hail 'im.
"'Is you wom yo'se'f, Brer Wolf?'
"'Brer Rabbit, don't talk! Dat de mos' 'seetful fier w'at I had any
speunce un. I run, en I run, en I run, en de mo' w'at I run de furder
de fier git. De nigher you come ter dat fier de furder hit's off.'
"Brer Rabbit, he sorter scratch hisse'f behime de shoulder-blade, en
'low:--
"'Nummine 'bout de fier, Brer Wolf. I got sump'n' yer dat'll wom you up.
Ef you ain't nev' bin wom befo', I lay you'll get wom dis time.'
"Dis make Brer Wolf sorter look 'roun', en w'en he see Brer Rabbit
hol'in' on ter de two hoss-tails, he up'n squall out, he did:--
"'Lawdy mussy, Brer Rabbit! Whar my vittles? Whar my waggin? Whar my
hosses?'
"'Dey er all right yer, Brer Wolf; dey er all right yer. I stayed dar
whar you lef' me twel de hosses gun ter git restless. Den I cluck at um,
en, bless gracious, dey start off en lan' in a quicksan'. W'en dey gun
ter mire, I des tuck'n tu'n eve'ything a-loose en grab de hosses by de
tail, en I bin stan'in' yer wishin' fer you, Brer Wolf, twel I done gone
gray in de min'. I 'low ter myse'f dat I'd hang on ter deze yer
hoss-tails ef it killt eve'y cow in de islan'. Come he'p me, Brer Wolf,
en I lay we'll des nat'ally pull de groun' out but w'at we'll git deze
creeturs out.'
"Wid dat, Brer Wolf, he kotch holt er one hoss-tail, en Brer Rabbit, he
kotch holt er de yuther, en w'en dey pull, co'se de tails come out'n de
mud. Dey stood dar, dey did, en dey look at de tails en den dey look at
one n'er. Bimeby Brer Rabbit 'low:--
"'Well, sir, Brer Wolf; we pull so hard twel we pull de tails plum out!'
"Ole Brer Wolf, he dunner w'at ter do, but it 'gun ter git dark, en 't
wa'n't long 'fo' he tell Brer Rabbit good-by, en off he put fer home.
Dat ar Brer Rabbit," Uncle Remus went on, "he des tuck'n wait twel Brer
Wolf git out'n yearin', en den he went into de swamp en druv de hosses
home en git all de vittles, en he ain't hatter sell he ole mammy n'er.
Dat he ain't."
XL
"CUTTA CORD-LA!"
To all appearances Daddy Jack had taken no interest in Uncle Remus's
story of the horses' tails, and yet, as soon as the little boy and Aunt
Tempy were through laughing at a somewhat familiar climax, the old
African began to twist and fidget in his chair, and mumble to himself in
a lingo which might have been understood on the Guinea coast, but which
sounded out of place in Uncle Remus's Middle Georgia cabin. Presently,
however, his uneasiness took tangible shape. He turned around and
exclaimed impatiently:--
"Shuh-shuh! w'en you sta't fer tell-a dem tale, wey you no tell um lak
dey stan'? 'E bery bad fer twis' dem tale 'roun' un 'roun'. Wey you no
talk um stret?"
"Well, Brer Jack," said Uncle Remus, smiling good-humoredly upon the
queer little old man, "ef we done gone en got dat ar tale all twis' up,
de way fer you ter do is ter whirl in en ontwis' it, en we-all folks 'll
set up yer en he'p you out plum twel Mars John comes a-hollerin' en
a-bawlin' atter dish yer baby; en atter he done gone ter bed, den me en
Sis Tempy yer we ull set up wid you plum twel de chickens crow fer day.
Dem's de kinder folk we all is up yer. We ain't got many swimps en crabs
up yer in Putmon county, but w'en it come ter settin' up wid comp'ny en
hangin' 'roun' atter dark fer ter make de time pass away, we er mighty
rank. Now den, Brer Jack, I done call de roll wid my eye, en we er all
yer 'ceppin' dat ar 'Tildy gal, en 't won't be long 'fo' she'll be
a-drappin' in. Run over in yo' min', en whar my tale 'uz wrong, des
whirl in en put 'er ter rights."
"Shuh-shuh!" exclaimed the old African, "Oona no git dem tale stret. I
yed dem wey me lif; 'e soun' lak dis: One tam dem bittle bin git bery
skace. Da rice crop mek nuttin'; da fish swim low; da bud fly high.
Hard times bin come dey-dey. 'E so hard, dem creeturs do git honkry fer
true. B'er Rabbit un B'er Wolf dey come pit bote 'e head tergerrer; dey
is mek talk how honkry dey is 'way down in da belly.
"Bumbye, B'er Rabbit, 'e shed 'e y-eye, 'e say dey mus' kill dey
gran'mammy. B'er Wolf say 'e mek 'e y-eye come wat'ry fer yeddy da talk
lak dat. B'er Rabbit say:--
"'Ki, B'er Wolf! da water come in you' y-eye wun you is bin honkry. Me
y-eye done bin-a come wat'ry so long tam befo' I bin talky wit' you
'bout we gran'mammy.'
"B'er Wolf, 'e der keep on cryin'; 'e wipe 'e y-eye 'pon 'e coat-sleef.
B'er Rabbit, 'e bin say:--
"'Ef you is bin tek it so ha'd lak dis, B'er Wolf, 'e bery good fer
kill-a you' gran'mammy fus', so you is kin come glad ag'in.'
"B'er Wolf, 'e go dry 'e y-eye un kill 'e gran'mammy, un dey is bin tek
'im gran'mammy off un sell um fer bittle. Dun dey is bin eat dis bittle
day un night tell 'e all done gone. Wun-a tam come fer B'er Rabbit fer
kill 'e gran'mammy, B'er Wolf, 'e go bisitin' 'im. 'E say:--
"'B'er Rabbit, I is bin-a feel honkry troo un troo. Less we kill-a you'
gran'mammy.'
"B'er Rabbit lif' up 'e head high; 'e lahff. 'E shekky one year, 'e
shed-a one eye. 'E say:--
"'Eh-eh, B'er Wolf, you t'ink I gwan kill-a me gran'mammy? Oh, no, B'er
Wolf! Me no kin do dat.'
"Dis mek B'er Wolf wuss mad den 'e is bin befo'. 'E fair teer de yet'
wit' 'e claw; 'e yowl sem lak Injun mans. 'E say 'e gwan make B'er
Rabbit kill 'e gran'mammy nohow.
"B'er Rabbit say 'e gwan see 'im 'bout dis. 'E tek 'e gran'mammy by da
han'; 'e lead um way off in da woods; 'e hide um in da top one big
cocoanut tree: 'e tell um fer stay deer."
The mention of a cocoanut tree caused the little boy to glance
incredulously at Uncle Remus, who made prompt and characteristic
reply:--
"Dat's it, honey; dat's it, sho'. In dem days en in dem countries dey
wuz plenty er cocoanut trees. Less we all set back yer en give Brer Jack
a livin' chance."
"'E hide 'e gran'mammy in top cocoanut tree," continued Daddy Jack, "un
'e gi' um lilly bahskit wit' cord tie on um. In de day-mawnin', B'er
Rabbit, 'e is bin go at da foot da tree. 'E make 'e v'ice fine: 'e
holler:--
"'_Granny!--Granny!--O Granny! Jutta cord-la!_'
"Wun 'e granny yeddy dis, 'e let bahskit down wit' da cord, un B'er
Rabbit 'e fill um wit' bittle un somet'ing t'eat. Ebry day dey is bin-a
do dis t'ing; ebry day B'er Rabbit is come fer feed 'e granny.
"B'er Wolf 'e watch, 'e lissun; 'e sneak up, 'e creep up, 'e do lissun.
Bumbye, 'e do yeddy B'er Rabbit call; 'e see da bahskit swing down, 'e
see um go back. Wun B'er Rabbit bin-a go 'way fum dey-dey, B'er Wolf, 'e
come by da root da tree. 'E holler; 'e do say:--
"'_Granny!--Granny!--O Granny! Shoot-a cord-la!_'
"Da ole Granny Rabbit lissun; 'e bin lissun well. 'E say:--
"'Ki! how come dis? Me son is no talky lak dis. 'E no shoot-a da cord
lak dat.'
"W'en B'er Rabbit come back da granny is bin-a tell um 'bout somet'ing
come-a holler shoot-a da cord-la, un B'er Rabbit, 'e lahff tel 'e is kin
lahff no mo'. B'er Wolf, 'e hidin' close; 'e yed B'er Rabbit crackin' 'e
joke; 'e is git bery mad.
"Wun B'er Rabbit is gone 'way, B'er Wolf bin-a come back. 'E stan' by da
tree root; 'e holler:--
"'_Granny!--Granny!--O Granny! Jutta cord-la!_'
"Granny Rabbit hol' 'e head 'pon one side; 'e lissun good. 'E say:
"'I bery sorry, me son, you bin hab so bad col'. You' v'ice bin-a soun'
rough, me son.'
"Dun Granny Rabbit is bin peep down; 'e bin say:--
"'Hi! B'er Wolf! Go 'way fum dey-dey. You no is bin fool-a me lak dis.
Go 'way, B'er Wolf!'
"B'er Wolf, 'e come bery mad; 'e grin tell 'e tush bin shiün. 'E go in
da swamp; 'e scratch 'e head; 'e t'ink. Bumbye, 'e go bisitin' one
Blacksmit', un 'e ahx 'im how kin 'e do fer make 'e v'ce come fine lak
B'er Rabbit v'ice. Da Blacksmit', 'e say:--
"'Come, B'er Wolf; I run dis red-hot poker in you' t'roat, 'e mekky you
talk easy.'
"B'er Wolf say, 'Well, I lak you for mekky me v'ice fine.'
"Dun da Blacksmit' run da red-hot poker in B'er Wolf t'roat, un 'e hu't
um so bad, 'tiss-a bin long tam befo' B'er Wolf kin tekky da long walk
by da cocoanut tree. Bumbye 'e git so 'e kin come by, un wun 'e git
dey-dey, 'e holler:--
"'_Granny!--Granny!--O Granny! Jutta cord-la!_'
"Da v'ice soun' so nice un fine da' Granny Rabbit is bin t'ink 'e B'er
Rabbit v'ice, un 'e is bin-a let da bahskit down. B'er Wolf, 'e shekky
da cord lak 'e is put some bittle in da bahskit, un dun 'e is bin-a git
in 'ese'f. B'er Wolf, 'e keep still. Da Granny Rabbit pull on da cord;
'e do say:--
"'Ki! 'e come he'ffy; 'e he'ffy fer true. Me son, 'e love 'e Granny
heap.'
"B'er Wolf, 'e do grin; 'e grin, un 'e keep still. Da Granny Rabbit
pull; 'e do pull ha'd. 'E pull tel 'e is git B'er Wolf mos' by da top,
un dun 'e stop fer res'. B'er Wolf look-a down, 'e head swim; 'e look
up, 'e mout' water; 'e look-a down 'g'in, 'e see B'er Rabbit. 'E git
skeer, 'e juk on da rope. B'er Rabbit, 'e do holler:--
"'_Granny!--Granny!--O Granny! Cutta cord-la!_'
"Da Granny Rabbit cut da cord, un B'er Wolf is fall down un broke 'e
neck."
XLI
AUNT TEMPY'S STORY
The little boy observed that Aunt Tempy was very much interested in
Daddy Jack's story. She made no remarks while the old African was
telling it, but she was busily engaged in measuring imaginary quilt
patterns on her apron with her thumb and forefinger,--a sure sign that
her interest had been aroused. When Daddy Jack had concluded--when, with
a swift, sweeping gesture of his wrinkled hand, he cut the cord and
allowed Brother Wolf to perish ignominiously--Aunt Tempy drew a long
breath, and said:--
"Dat ar tale come 'cross me des like a dream. Hit put me in mine er one
w'at I year w'en I wuz little bit er gal. Look like I kin see myse'f
right now, settin' flat down on de h'ath lis'nin' at ole Unk Monk. You
know'd ole Unk Monk, Brer Remus. You bleeze ter know'd 'im. Up dar in
Ferginny. I 'clar' ter goodness, it make me feel right foolish. Brer
Remus, I des know you know'd Unk Monk."
For the first time in many a day the little boy saw Uncle Remus in a
serious mood. He leaned forward in his chair, shook his head sadly, as
he gazed into the fire.
"Ah, Lord, Sis Tempy!" he exclaimed sorrowfully, "don't less we all go
foolin' 'roun' 'mungs' dem ole times. De bes' kinder bread gits sour.
W'at's yistiddy wid us wuz 'fo' de worl' begun wid dish yer chile. Dat's
de way I looks at it."
"Dat's de Lord's trufe, Brer Remus," exclaimed Aunt Tempy with unction,
"un I mighty glad you call me ter myse'f. Little mo' un I'd er sot right
yer un 'a' gone 'way back to Ferginny, un all on 'count er dat ar tale
w'at I year long time ago."
"What tale was that, Aunt Tempy?" asked the little boy.
"Eh-eh, honey!" replied Aunt Tempy, with a display of genuine
bashfulness; "eh-eh, honey! I 'fraid you all 'll set up dar un laugh me
outer de house. I ain't dast ter tell no tale 'long side er Brer Remus
un Daddy Jack yer. I 'fraid I git it all mix up."
The child manifested such genuine disappointment that Aunt Tempy
relented a little.
"Ef you all laugh, now," she said, with a threatening air, "I'm des
gwine ter pick up en git right out er dish yer place. Dey ain't ter be
no laughin', 'kaze de tale w'at I year in Ferginny ain't no laughin'
tale."
With this understanding Aunt Tempy adjusted her head-handkerchief,
looked around rather sheepishly, as Uncle Remus declared afterwards in
confidence to the little boy, and began:--
"Well, den, in de times w'en Brer Rabbit un Brer Fox live in de same
settlement wid one er 'n'er, de season's tuck'n come wrong. De wedder
got hot un den a long dry drouth sot in, un it seem like dat de nat'al
leaf on de trees wuz gwine ter tu'n ter powder."
Aunt Tempy emphasized her statements by little backward and forward
movements of her head, and the little boy would have laughed, but a
warning glance from Uncle Remus prevented him.
"De leaf on de trees look like dey gwine ter tu'n ter powder, un de
groun' look like it done bin cookt. All de truck w'at de creeturs plant
wuz all parched up, un dey wa'n't no crops made nowhars. Dey dunner w'at
ter do. Dey run dis a-way, dey run dat a-way; yit w'en dey quit runnin'
dey dunner whar dey bread comin' frun. Dis de way it look ter Brer Fox,
un so one day w'en he got a mighty hankerin' atter sumpin' sorter joosy,
he meet Brer Rabbit in de lane, un he ax um, sezee:--
"'Brer Rabbit, whar'bouts our bread comin' frun?'
"Brer Rabbit, he bow, he did, un answer, sezee:--
"'Look like it mought be comin' frun nowhar,' sezee."
"You see dat, honey!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, condescending to give the
story the benefit of his patronage; "You see dat! Brer Rabbit wuz allus
a-waitin' a chance fer ter crack he jokes."
"Yas, Lord!" Aunt Tempy continued, with considerable more animation; "he
joke, un joke, but bimeby, he ain't feel like no mo' jokin', un den he
up'n say, sezee, dat him un Brer Fox better start out'n take der
fammerlies wid um ter town un swap um off for some fresh-groun' meal; un
Brer Fox say, sezee, dat dat look mighty fa'r un squar', un den dey
tuck'n make dey 'greements.
"Brer Fox wuz ter s'ply de waggin un team, un he promise dat he gwine
ter ketch he fammerly un tie um hard un fast wid a red twine string.
Brer Rabbit he say, sezee, dat he gwine ter ketch he fammerly un tie um
all, un meet Brer Fox at de fork er de road.
"Sho' 'nuff, soon in de mawnin', w'en Brer Fox draw up wid he waggin, he
holler 'Wo!' un Brer Rabbit he tuck'n holler back, 'Wo yo'se'f!' un den
Brer Fox know dey 'uz all dar. Brer Fox, he tuck'n sot up on de seat, un
all er he fammerly, dey wuz a-layin' under de seat. Brer Rabbit, he
tuck'n put all he fammerly in de behime een' er de waggin, un he say,
sezee, dat he 'speck he better set back dar twel dey git sorter usen ter
dey surrounderlings, un den Brer Fox crack he whip, un off dey wen' toze
town. Brer Fox, he holler ev'y once in a w'ile, sezee:--
"'No noddin' back dar, Brer Rabbit!'
"Brer Rabbit he holler back, sezee:--
"'Brer Fox, you miss de ruts en de rocks, un I'll miss de noddin'.'
"But all dat time, bless yo' soul! Brer Rabbit wuz settin' dar ontyin'
he ole 'oman un he childun, w'ich dey wuz sev'm uv um. W'en he git um
all ontie, Brer Rabbit, he tuck'n h'ist hisse'f on de seat 'long er Brer
Fox, un dey sot dar un talk un laugh 'bout de all-sorts er times dey
gwine ter have w'en dey git de co'n meal. Brer Fox sez, sezee, he gwine
ter bake hoecake; Brer Rabbit sez, sezee, he gwine ter make ashcake.
"Des 'bout dis time one er Brer Rabbit's childun raise hisse'f up easy
un hop out de waggin. Miss Fox, she sing out:--
"'_One frun sev'm
Don't leave 'lev'm._'
"Brer Fox hunch he ole 'oman wid he foot fer ter make 'er keep still.
Bimeby 'n'er little Rabbit pop up un hop out. Miss Fox say, se' she:--
"'_One frun six
Leaves me less kicks._'
"Brer Fox go on talkin' ter Brer Rabbit, un Brer Rabbit go on talkin'
ter Brer Fox, un 't wa'n't so mighty long 'fo' all Brer Rabbit fammerly
done pop up un dive out de waggin, un ev'y time one 'ud go Miss Fox she
'ud fit it like she did de yuthers."
"What did she say, Aunt Tempy?" asked the little boy, who was interested
in the rhymes.
"Des lemme see--
"'_One frun five
Leaves four alive_;
"'_One frun four
Leaves th'ee un no mo'_;
"'_One frun th'ee
Leaves two ter go free_;
"'_One frun one,
Un all done gone_.'"
"What did Brother Rabbit do then?" inquired the little boy.
"Better ax w'at Brer Fox do," replied Aunt Tempy, pleased with the
effect of her rhymes. "Brer Fox look 'roun' atter w'ile, un w'en he see
dat all Brer Rabbit fammerly done gone, he lean back un holler 'Wo!' un
den he say, sezee:--
"'In de name er goodness, Brer Rabbit! whar all yo' folks?'
"Brer Rabbit look 'roun', un den he make like he cryin'. He des fa'rly
boo-hoo'd, un he say, sezee:--
"'Dar now, Brer Fox! I des know'd dat ef I put my po' little childuns
in dar wid yo' folks dey'd git e't up. I des know'd it!'
"Ole Miss Fox, she des vow she ain't totch Brer Rabbit fammerly. But
Brer Fox, he bin wantin' a piece un um all de way, un he begrudge um so
dat he git mighty mad wid he ole 'oman un de childuns, un he say,
sezee:--
"'You kin des make de most er dat, 'kaze I'm a-gwine ter bid you good
riddance dis ve'y day'; un, sho' nuff, Brer Fox tuck'n tuck he whole
fammerly ter town un trade um off fer co'n.
"Brer Rabbit wuz wid 'em, des ez big ez life un twice ez natchul. Dey
start back, dey did, un w'en dey git four er five mile out er town, hit
come 'cross Brer Fox min' dat he done come away un lef' a plug er
terbacker in de sto', en he say he bleeze ter go back atter it.
"Brer Rabbit, he say, sezee, dat he'll stay en take keer er de waggin,
w'ile Brer Fox kin run back un git he terbacker. Soon ez Brer Fox git
out er sight, Brer Rabbit laid de hosses under line un lash un drove de
waggin home, un put de hosses in he own stable, un de co'n in de
smoke-house, un de waggin in de barn, un den he put some co'n in he
pocket, un cut de hosses tails off, un went back up de road twel he come
ter a quog-mire, un in dat he stick de tails un wait fer Brer Fox.
"Atter w'ile yer he come, un den Brer Rabbit gun ter holler un pull at
de tails. He say, sezee:--
"'Run yer, Brer Fox! run yer! Youer des in time ef you ain't too late.
Run yer, Brer Fox! run yer!'
"Brer Fox, he run'd en juk Brer Rabbit away, un say, sezee:--
"'Git out de way, Brer Rabbit! You too little! Git out de way, un let a
man ketch holt.'
"Brer Fox tuck holt," continued Aunt Tempy, endeavoring to keep from
laughing, "un he fetch'd one big pull, un I let you know dat 'uz de
onliest pull he make, 'kaze de tails come out un he tu'n a back
summerset. He jump up, he did, en 'gun ter grabble in de quog-mire des
ez hard ez he kin.
"Brer Rabbit, he stan' by, un drop some co'n in onbeknowns' ter Brer
Fox, un dis make 'im grabble wuss un wuss, un he grabble so hard un he
grabble so long dat 't wa'n't long 'fo' he fall down dead, un so dat 'uz
de las' er ole Brer Fox in dat day un time."
As Aunt Tempy paused, Uncle Remus adjusted his spectacles and looked at
her admiringly. Then he laughed heartily.
"I declar', Sis Tempy," he said, after a while, "you gives tongue same
ez a lawyer. You'll hatter jine in wid us some mo'."
Aunt Tempy closed her eyes and dropped her head on one side.
"Don't git me started, Brer Remus," she said, after a pause; "'kaze ef
you does you'll hatter set up yer long pas' yo' bedtime."
"I b'leeve you, Sis Tempy, dat I does!" exclaimed the old man, with the
air of one who has made a pleasing discovery.
XLII
THE FIRE-TEST
"We er sorter bin a-waitin' fer Sis Tempy," Uncle Remus remarked when
the little boy made his appearance the next night; "but somehow er n'er
look lak she fear'd she hatter up en tell some mo' tales. En yit maybe
she bin strucken down wid some kinder ailment. Dey ain't no countin' on
deze yer fat folks. Dey er up one minnit en down de nex'; en w'at make
it dat a-way I be bless ef I know, 'kaze w'en folks is big en fat look
lak dey oughter be weller dan deze yer long hongry kinder folks.
"Yit all de same, Brer Jack done come," continued Uncle Remus, "en we
ull des slam de do' shet, en ef Sis Tempy come she'll des hatter hol'
'er han's 'fo' 'er face en holler out:--
"'_Lucky de Linktum, chucky de chin,
Open de do' en let me in!_'
"Oh, you kin laugh ef you wanter, but I boun' you ef Sis Tempy wuz ter
come dar en say de wuds w'at I say, de button on dat ar do' 'ud des
nat'ally twis' hitse'f off but w'at 't would let 'er in. Now, I boun'
you dat!"
Whatever doubts the child may have had he kept to himself, for
experience had taught him that it was useless to irritate the old man by
disputing with him. What effect the child's silence may have had in this
instance it is impossible to say, for just then Aunt Tempy came in
laughing.
"You all kin des say w'at you please," she exclaimed, as she took her
seat, "but dat ar _Shucky Cordy_ in de tale w'at Daddy Jack done tole,
bin runnin' 'roun' in my min' en zoonin 'in my years all de time."
"Yer too!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, with emphasis. "Dat's me up en down.
Look lak dat ar cricket over dar in de cornder done tuck it up, en now
he gwine, '_Shucky-cordy! Shucky-cordy!_'"
"Shuh-shuh!" exclaimed Daddy Jack, with vehement contempt, "'e _jutta
cord-la!_ 'E no 'shucky-cordy' no'n 't all."
"Well, well, Brer Jack," said Uncle Remus, soothingly, "in deze low
groun's er sorrer, you des got ter lean back en make 'lowances fer all
sorts er folks. You got ter 'low fer dem dat knows too much same ez dem
w'at knows too little. A heap er sayin's en a heap er doin's in dis
roun' worl' got ter be tuck on trus'. You got yo' sayin's, I got mine;
you got yo' knowin's, en I got mine. Man come 'long en ax me how does de
wum git in de scaly-bark.[49] I tell 'im right up en down, I dunno, sir.
N'er man come 'long en ax me who raise de row 'twix' de buzzud en de
bee-martin.[50] I tell 'im I dunno, sir. Yit, 'kaze I dunno," continued
Uncle Remus, "dat don't hender um. Dar dey is, spite er dat,--wum in de
scaly-bark, bee-martin atter de buzzud."
"Dat's so," exclaimed Aunt Tempy, "dat's de Lord's trufe!"
"Dat ar pullin' at de string," Uncle Remus went on, "en dat ar hollerin'
'bout shucky-cordy"--
"_Jutta cord-la!_" said Daddy Jack, fiercely.
"'Bout de watsizname," said Uncle Remus, with a lenient and forgiving
smile,--"all dish yer hollerin' en gwine on 'bout de watsizname put me
in min' er one time w'en Brer Rabbit wuz gwine off fum home fer ter git
a mess er green truck.
"W'en Brer Rabbit git ready fer ter go, he call all he chilluns up, en
he tell um dat w'en he go out dey mus' fas'n de do' on de inside, en dey
mus'n' tu'n nobody in, nohow, 'kaze Brer Fox en Brer Wolf bin layin'
'roun' waitin' chance fer ter nab um. En he tuck'n tole um dat w'en he
come back, he'd rap at de do' en sing:
"'_I'll stay w'en you away,
'Kaze no gol' will pay toll!_'
"De little Rabs, dey hilt up der ban's en promise dat dey won't open de
do' fer nobody 'ceppin' dey daddy, en wid dat, Brer Rabbit he tuck'n put
out, he did, at a han'-gallop, huntin' sump'n' n'er ter eat. But all dis
time, Brer Wolf bin hidin' out behime de house, en he year eve'y wud dat
pass, en ole Brer Rabbit wa'n't mo'n out'n sight 'fo' Brer Wolf went ter
de do', en he knock, he did,--_blip, blip, blip!_
"Little Rab holler out, 'Who dat?'
"Brer Wolf he sing:--
"'_I'll stay w'en you away,
'Kaze no gol' will pay toll!_'
"De little Rabs dey laugh fit ter kill deyse'f, en dey up'n 'low:--
"'Go 'way, Mr. Wolf, go 'way! You ain't none er we-all daddy!'
"Ole Brer Wolf he slunk off, he did, but eve'y time he thunk er dem
plump little Rabs, he des git mo' hongry dan befo', en 't wa'n't long
'fo' he 'uz back at de do'--_blap, blap, blap!_
"Little Rab holler: 'Who dat?'
"Brer Wolf, he up'n sing:--
"'_I'll stay w'en you away,
'Kaze no gol' will pay toll!_'
"De little Rabs dey laugh en roll on de flo', en dey up'n 'low:--
"'Go 'way, Mr. Wolf! We-all daddy ain't got no bad col' lak dat.'
"Brer Wolf slunk off, but bimeby he come back, en dis time he try mighty
hard fer ter talk fine. He knock at de do'--_blam, blam, blam!_
"Little Rab holler: 'Who dat?'
"Brer Wolf tu'n loose en sing:--
"'_I'll stay w'en you away,
'Kaze no gol' will pay toll!_'
"Little Rab holler back, he did:--
"'Go 'way, Mr. Wolf! go 'way! We-all daddy kin sing lots puttier dan
dat. Go 'way, Mr. Wolf! go 'way!'
"Brer Wolf he slunk off, he did, en he go 'way out in de woods, en he
sing, en sing, twel he kin sing fine ez de nex' man. Den he go back en
knock at de do', en w'en de little Rabs ax who dat, he sing dem de song;
en he sing so nice, en he sing so fine, dat dey ondo de do', en ole Brer
Wolf walk in en gobble um all up, fum de fus' ter de las'.
"W'en ole Brer Rabbit git back home, he fine de do' stannin' wide open
en all de chilluns gone. Dey wa'n't no sign er no tussle; de h'a'th 'uz
all swep' clean, en eve'ything wuz all ter rights, but right over in de
cornder he see a pile er bones, en den he know in reason dat some er de
yuther creeturs done bin dar en make hash outen he chilluns.
[Illustration: "DE LITTLE RABS, DEY PROMISE DAT DEY WON'T OPEN
DE DO' FER NOBODY"]
"Den he go 'roun' en ax um 'bout it, but dey all 'ny it; dey all 'ny it
ter de las', en Brer Wolf, he 'ny it wuss'n all un um. Den Brer Rabbit
tuck'n lay de case 'fo' Brer Tarrypin. Ole Brer Tarrypin wuz a mighty
man in dem days," continued Uncle Remus, with something like a
sigh,--"a mighty man, en no sooner is he year de state er de condition
dan he up'n call all de creeturs tergedder. He call um tergedder, he
did, en den he up'n tell um 'bout how somebody done tuck'n 'stroy all er
Brer Rabbit chillun, en he 'low dat de man w'at do dat bleedz ter be
kotch, 'kaze ef he ain't, dey ain't no tellin' how long it'll be 'fo' de
same somebody'll come 'long en 'stroy all de chillun in de settlement.
"Brer B'ar, he up'n ax how dey gwine fine 'im, en Brer Tarrypin say dey
er allers a way. Den he 'low:--
"'Less dig a deep pit.'
"'I'll dig de pit,' sez Brer Wolf, sezee.
"Atter de pit done dug, Brer Tarrypin say:--
"'Less fill de pit full er lighter'd knots en bresh.'
"'I'll fill de pit,' sez Brer Wolf, sezee.
"Atter de pit done fill up, Brer Tarrypin say:--
"'Now, den, less set it a-fier.'
"'I'll kindle de fier,' sez Brer Wolf, sezee.
"W'en de fier 'gun ter blaze up, Brer Tarrypin 'low dat de creeturs mus'
jump 'cross dat, en de man w'at 'stroy Brer Rabbit chilluns will drap in
en git bu'nt up. Brer Wolf bin so uppity 'bout diggin', en fillin', en
kindlin', dat dey all 'spected 'im fer ter make de fus' trial; but,
bless yo' soul en body! Brer Wolf look lak he got some yuther business
fer ter 'ten' ter.
"De pit look so deep, en de fier bu'n so high, dat dey mos' all 'fear'd
fer ter make de trial, but atter w'ile, Brer Mink 'low dat he ain't
hunted none er Brer Rabbit chilluns, en wid dat, he tuck runnin' start,
en lipt across. Den Brer Coon say he ain't hunted um, en over he sailed.
Brer B'ar say he feel mo' heavy dan he ever is befo' in all he born
days, but he ain't hurted none er Brer Rabbit po' little chilluns, en
wid dat away he went 'cross de fier. Dey all jump, twel bimeby hit come
Brer Wolf time. Den he 'gun ter git skeered, en he mighty sorry 'kaze he
dig dat pit so deep en wide, en kindle dat fier so high. He tuck sech a
long runnin' start, dat time he git ter de jumpin' place, he 'uz done
wo' teetotally out, en he lipt up, he did, en fetch'd a squall en drapt
right spang in de middle er de fier."
"Uncle Remus," said the little boy, after a while, "did Brother Terrapin
jump over the fire?"
"Wat Brer Tarrypin gwine jump fer?" responded Uncle Remus, "w'en
eve'ybody know Tarrypins ain't eat Rabbits."
"Well, you know you said everything was different then," said the child.
"Look yer, Brer Jack," exclaimed Uncle Remus, "ef you got any tale on
yo' mine, des let 'er come. Dish yer youngster gittin' too long-headed
fer me; dat he is."[51]
FOOTNOTES:
[49] A species of hickory-nut. The tree sheds its bark every year, hence
the name, which is applied to both tree and fruit.
[50] The king-bird.
[51] See _Uncle Remus: His Songs and his Sayings_, p. 79.
XLIII
THE CUNNING SNAKE
Daddy Jack, thus appealed to, turned half round in his seat, winked his
bright little eyes very rapidly, and said, with great animation:--
"Hoo! me bin yeddy one sing-tale; me yeddy um so long tam 'go. One tam
dere bin one ole Affiky ooman, 'e call 'im name Coomba. 'E go walky troo
da woots, 'e walky troo da fiel. Bumbye 'e is bin come 'pon one
snake-nes' fill wit' aig. Snake big snake, aig big aig. Affiky oomans is
bin want-a dem aig so bahd; 'e 'fraid fer tek um. 'E gone home; 'e is
see dem aig in 'e dream, 'e want um so bahd. Wun da nex' day mornin'
come, da Affiky oomans say 'e bleeze fer hab dem aig. 'E go 'way, 'e
bin-a see da snake-nes', 'e is git-a da aig; 'e fetch um at 'e own
house; 'e cook um fer 'e brekwuss.
"Bumbye da snake bin-a come by 'e nes'. Aig done gone. 'E pit 'e nose
'pon da groun', 'e is track da Affiky oomans by 'e own house. Snake
come by da Affiky oomans house; 'e ahx 'bout 'e aig. Affiky oomans say
'e no hab bin see no aig. Snake see da skin wut bin 'pon 'e aig; 'e ahx
wut is dis. Affiky oomans no say nuttin' 't all. Snake 'e say:--
"'Wey fer you come brek up me nes' un tekky me aig?'
"Affiky oomans 'e no say nuttin' 't all. 'E toss 'e head, 'e mek lak 'e
no yeddy da snake v'ice, 'e go 'bout 'e wuk. Snake, 'e say:--
"'Ooman! you is bin yed me v'ice wun me cry out. You bin tekky me aig;
you is bin 'stroy me chillun. Tek keer you' own; tek keer you' own.'
"Snake gone 'way; 'e slick out 'e tongue, 'e slide 'way. Bumbye de
Affiky oomans, 'e hab one putty lil pickaninny; 'e lub um ha'd all over.
'E is mine wut da snake say; 'e tote da pickaninny 'roun' 'pon 'e bahck.
'E call um Noncy, 'e tote um fur, 'e lub um ha'd.
"Snake, 'e bin-a stay in da bush-side; 'e watch all day, 'e wait all
night; 'e git honkry fer da pickaninny, 'e want um so bahd. 'E bin slick
out 'e tongue, 'e bin slide troo da grass, 'e bin hanker fer da
pickaninny.
"Bumbye da Affiky oomans tote-a da Noncy til 'e git tire; 'e puff, 'e
blow, 'e wuk 'e gill sem lak cat-fish."
Aunt Tempy burst into loud laughter at this remarkable statement.
"Whoever is year de beat er dat!" she exclaimed. "Daddy Jack, you goes
on owdashus 'bout de wimmen, dat you does!"
"'E puff, 'e blow, 'e pant; 'e say:--
"'Da pickaninny, 'e der git-a big lak one bag rice. 'E der git-a so
heffy, me yent mos' know wut fer do. Me yent kin tote um no mo'.'
"Da Affiky oomans is bin-a pit da pickaninny down 'pon da groun'. 'E mek
up one sing[52] in 'e head, un 'e l'arn da lilly gal fer answer da sing.
'E do show um how fer pull out da peg in da do'. Snake, 'e is bin lay
quile up in da bush; 'e say nuttin' 't all.
"Affiky oomans is l'arn-a da pickaninny fer answer da sing, un wun he
sta't fer go off, 'e say:--
"Pit da peg in da do' un you no y-open um fer nobody 'cep' you is yeddy
me sing.'
"Lil gal, 'e say yassum, un da Affiky oomans gone off. Snake stay still.
'E quile up in 'e quile; 'e yent moof[53] 'e tail. Bumbye, toze
night-time, da Affiky oomans come bahck wey 'e lif. 'E stan' by da do';
'e talk dis sing:--
"'_Walla walla witto, me Noncy,
Walla walla witto, me Noncy,
Walla walla witto, me Noncy!_'
"'E v'ice 'come finer toze da las' tel 'e do git loud fer true. Da lilly
gal, 'e do mek answer lak dis:--
"'_Andolee! Andoli! Andolo!_'
"'E know 'e mammy v'ice, en 'e bin pull out da peg queek. 'E run to 'e
mammy; 'e mammy der hung um up. Nex' day, 'e da sem t'ing; two, t'ree,
sev'm day, 'e da sem t'ing. Affiky oomans holler da sing; da lilly gal
mek answer 'pon turrer side da do'. Snake, 'e lay quile up in da bush.
'E watch da night, 'e lissun da day; 'e try fer l'arn-a da sing; 'e no
say nuttin' 't all. Bumbye, one tam wun Affiky oomans bin gone 'way,
snake, 'e wait 'til 'e mos' tam fer oomans fer come bahck. 'E gone by da
do'; 'e y-open 'e mout'; 'e say:--
"'_Wullo wullo widdo, me Noncy,
Wullo wullo widdo, me Noncy,
Wullo wullo widdo, me Noncy!_'
"'E try fer mekky 'e v'ice come fine lak da lil gal mammy; 'e der hab
one rough place in 'e t'roat, un 'e v'ice come big. Lilly gal no mek
answer. 'E no y-open da do'. 'E say:--
"'Go 'way fum dey-dey! Me mammy no holler da sing lak dat!'
"Snake, 'e try one, two, t'ree time; 'e yent no use. Lilly gal no
y-open da do', 'e no mek answer. Snake 'e slick out 'e tongue un slide
'way; 'e say 'e mus' l'arn-a da sing sho' 'nuff.
"Bumbye, da Affiky oomans come bahck. 'E holler da sing:--
"'_Walla walla witto, me Noncy,
Walla walla witto, me Noncy,
Walla walla witto, me Noncy!_'
"Lilly gal say: 'Da' me mammy!' 'E answer da sing:--
"'_Andolee! Andoli! Andolo!_'
"Snake, 'e quile up in da chimmerly-corner; 'e hol' 'e bre't' fer
lissun; 'e der l'arn-a da sing. Nex' day mornin' da Affiky oomans bin-a
gone 'way un lef' da lilly gal all by 'ese'f. All de day long da snake
'e t'ink about da song; 'e say um in 'e min', 'e say um forwud, 'e say
um backwud. Bumbye, mos' toze sundown, 'e come at da do'; 'e come, 'e
holler da sing:--
"'_Walla walla witto, me Noncy,
Walla walla witto, me Noncy,
Walla walla witto, me Noncy!_'
"Da lil gal, 'e t'ink-a da snake bin 'e mammy; 'e is answer da sing:--
"'Adolee! Andoli! Andolo!'
"'E mek answer lak dat, un 'e y-open da do' queek. 'E run 'pon da snake
'fo' 'e is _shum_.[54] Snake, 'e bin-a hug da lilly gal mo' sem dun 'e
mammy; 'e is twis' 'e tail 'roun' um; 'e is ketch um in 'e quile. Lilly
gal 'e holler, 'e squall; 'e squall, 'e holler. Nobody bin-a come by fer
yeddy um. Snake 'e 'quees'[55] um tight, 'e no l'em go; 'e 'quees' um
tight, 'e swaller um whole; 'e bre'k-a no bone; 'e tekky da lilly gal
lak 'e stan'.
"Bumbye da lil mammy come home at 'e house. 'E holler da sing, 'e git-a
no answer. 'E come skeer'; 'e v'ice shek, 'e body trimple. 'E lissun, 'e
no yeddy no fuss. 'E push de do' y-open, 'e no see nuttin' 't all; da
lilly gal gone! Da ooman 'e holler, 'e cry; 'e ahx way 'e lilly gal bin
gone; 'e no git no answer. 'E look all 'roun', 'e see way da snake bin-a
'cross da road. 'E holler:--
"'Ow, me Lard! da snake bin come swaller me lil Noncy gal. I gwan hunt
'im up; I gwan foller da snake pas' da een' da yet'.'[56]
"'E go in da swamp, 'e cut 'im one cane; 'e come bahck, 'e fine da snake
track, un 'e do foller 'long wey 'e lead. Snake 'e so full wit de lilly
gal 'e no walk fas'; lil gal mammy, 'e bin mad, 'e go stret 'long. Snake
'e so full wit' da lilly gal, 'e come sleepy. 'E lay down, 'e shed-a 'e
y-eye. 'E y-open um no mo'," continued Daddy Jack, moving his head
slowly from side to side, and looking as solemn as he could. "Da ooman
come 'pon de snake wun 'e bin lay dar 'sleep; 'e come 'pon 'im, un 'e
tekky da cane un bre'k 'e head, 'e mash um flat. 'E cut da snake open,
'e fine da lilly gal sem lak 'e bin 'sleep. 'E tek um home, 'e wash um
off. Bumbye da lilly gal y-open 'e y-eye, un soon 'e see 'e mammy, 'e
answer da sing. 'E say:--
"'_Andolee! Andoli! Andolo!_'"
"Well, well, well!" exclaimed Aunt Tempy, sympathetically. "Un de po'
little creetur wuz 'live?"
"Enty!" exclaimed Daddy Jack. No reply could possibly have been more
prompt, more emphatic, or more convincing.
FOOTNOTES:
[52] "'E mek up one sing." She composed a song and taught the child the
refrain.
[53] Move; he ain't move he tail; he hasn't even moved his tail.
[54] Before he see um.
[55] Squeeze.
[56] Earth. Uncle Remus would say "Yeth."
XLIV
HOW BRER FOX WAS TOO SMART
"Uncle Remus," said the little boy, one night when he found the old man
alone, "I don't like these stories where somebody has to stand at the
door and sing, do you? They don't sound funny to me."
Uncle Remus crossed his legs, took off his spectacles and laid them
carefully on the floor under his chair, and made a great pretence of
arguing the matter with the child.
"Now, den, honey, w'ich tale is it w'at you ain't lak de mos'?"
The little boy reflected a moment and then replied:--
"About the snake swallowing the little girl. I don't see any fun in
that. Papa says they have snakes in Africa as big around as his body;
and, goodness knows, I hope they won't get after me."
"How dey gwine git atter you, honey, w'en you settin' up yer 'long side
er me en de snakes 'way 'cross dar in Affiky?"
"Well, Daddy Jack, he came, and the snakes might come too."
Uncle Remus laughed, more to reassure the child than to ridicule his
argument.
"Dem ar snakes ain't no water-moccasin, not ez I knows un. Brer Jack bin
yer mighty long time, en dey ain't no snake foller atter 'im yit."
"Now, Uncle Remus! papa says they have them in shows."
"I 'speck dey is, honey, but who's afear'd er snake stufft wid
meal-bran? Not none er ole Miss gran'chillun, sho'!"
"Well, the stories don't sound funny to me."
"Dat mought be, yit deyer funny ter Brer Jack, en dey do mighty well fer
ter pass de time. Atter w'ile you'll be a-gwine 'roun' runnin' down
ole-Brer Rabbit en de t'er creeturs, en somehow er n'er you'll take'n
git ole Remus mix up wid um twel you won't know w'ich one un um you er
runnin' down, en let 'lone dat, you won't keer needer. Shoo, honey! you
ain't de fus' chap w'at I done tole deze yer tales ter."
"Why, Uncle Remus," exclaimed the little boy, in a horrified tone, "I
_would n't_; you _know_ I would n't!"
"Don't tell me!" insisted the old man, "you er outgrowin' me, en you er
outgrowin' de tales. Des lak Miss Sally change de lenk er yo' britches,
des dat a-way I got ter do w'ence I whirl in en persoo atter de
creeturs. Time wuz w'en you 'ud set down yer by dish yer h'a'th, en
you'd take'n holler en laugh en clap yo' han's w'en ole Brer Rabbit 'ud
kick outen all er he tanglements; but deze times you sets dar wid yo'
eyes wide open, en you don't crack a smile. I say it!" Uncle Remus
exclaimed, changing his tone and attitude, as if addressing some third
person concealed in the room. "I say it! Stidder j'inin' in wid de fun,
he'll take'n lean back dar en 'spute 'long wid you des lak grow'd up
folks. I'll stick it out dis season, but w'en Chrismus come, I be bless
ef I ain't gwine ter ax Miss Sally fer my remoovance papers, en I'm
gwine ter hang my bundle on my walkin'-cane, en see w'at kinder dirt dey
is at de fur een' er de big road."
"Yes!" exclaimed the little boy, triumphantly, "and, if you do, the
patter-rollers will get you."
"Well," replied the old man, with a curious air of resignation, "ef dey
does, I ain't gwine ter do lak Brer Fox did w'en Brer Rabbit showed him
de tracks in de big road."
"How did Brother Fox do, Uncle Remus?"
"Watch out, now! Dish yer one er de tales w'at ain't got no fun in it."
"Uncle Remus, please tell it."
"Hol' on dar! Dey mought be a snake some'rs in it--one er deze yer
meal-bran snakes."
"_Please_, Uncle Remus, tell it."
The old man never allowed himself to resist the artful pleadings of the
little boy. So he recovered his specks from under the chair, looked up
the chimney for luck, as he explained to his little partner, and
proceeded:--
"One day w'en Brer Fox went callin' on Miss Meadows en Miss Motts en de
t'er gals, who should he fine settin' up dar but ole Brer Rabbit?
Yasser! Dar he wuz, des ez sociable ez you please. He 'uz gwine on wid
de gals, en w'en Brer Fox drapt in dey look lak dey wuz mighty tickled
'bout sump'n' n'er Brer Rabbit bin sayin'. Brer Fox, he look sorter
jub'ous, he did, des lak folks does w'en dey walks up in a crowd whar
de yuthers all a-gigglin'. He tuck'n kotch de dry grins terreckerly. But
dey all howdied, en Miss Meadows, she up'n say:--
"'You'll des hatter skuse us, Brer Fox, on de 'count er dish yer
gigglement. Tooby sho', hit monst'us disperlite fer we-all fer to be
gwine on dat a-way; but I mighty glad you come, en I sez ter de gals,
s'I, "'Fo' de Lord, gals! dar come Brer Fox, en yer we is a-gigglin' en
a-gwine on scan'lous; yit hit done come ter mighty funny pass," s'I, "ef
you can't run on en laugh 'fo' home folks," s'I. Dat des 'zactly w'at I
say, en I leave it ter ole Brer Rabbit en de gals yer ef 't ain't.'
"De gals, dey tuck'n jine in, dey did, en dey make ole Brer Fox feel
right splimmy-splammy, en dey all sot dar en run on 'bout dey neighbors
des lak folks does deze days. Dey sot dar, dey did, twel atter w'ile
Brer Rabbit look out todes sundown, en 'low:--
"'Now, den, folks and fr'en's, I bleedz ter say goo' bye. Cloud comin'
up out yan, en mos' 'fo' we know it de rain 'll be a-po'in' en de grass
'll be a-growin'.'"
"Why, that's poetry, Uncle Remus!" interrupted the little boy.
"Tooby sho' 't is, honey! tooby sho' 't is. I des let you know Brer
Rabbit 'uz a mighty man in dem days. Brer Fox, he see de cloud comin'
up, en he up'n 'low he 'speck he better be gittin' 'long hisse'f, 'kaze
he ain't wanter git he Sunday-go-ter-meetin' cloze wet. Miss Meadows en
Miss Motts, en de gals, dey want um ter stay, but bofe er dem ar
creeturs 'uz mighty fear'd er gittin' der foots wet, en atter w'ile dey
put out.
"W'iles dey 'uz gwine down de big road, jawin' at one er 'n'er, Brer
Fox, he tuck'n stop right quick, en 'low:--
"'Run yer, Brer Rabbit! run yer! Ef my eye ain't 'ceive me yer de signs
whar Mr. Dog bin 'long, en mo'n dat dey er right fresh.'
"Brer Rabbit, he sidle up en look. Den he 'low:--
"'Dat ar track ain't never fit Mr. Dog foot in de roun' worl'. W'at
make it mo' bindin',' sezee, 'I done gone en bin 'quainted wid de man
w'at make dat track, too long 'go ter talk 'bout,' sezee.
"'Brer Rabbit, please, sir, tell me he name.'
"Brer Rabbit, he laugh lak he makin' light er sump'n' 'n'er.
"'Ef I ain't make no mistakes, Brer Fox, de po' creetur w'at make dat
track is Cousin Wildcat; no mo' en no less.'
"'How big is he, Brer Rabbit?'
"'He des 'bout yo' heft, Brer Fox.' Den Brer Rabbit make lak he talkin'
wid hisse'f. 'Tut, tut, tut! Hit mighty funny dat I should run up on
Cousin Wildcat in dis part er de worl'. Tooby sho', tooby sho'! Many en
manys de time I see my ole Grandaddy kick en cuff Cousin Wildcat, twel I
git sorry 'bout 'im. Ef you want any fun, Brer Fox, right now de time
ter git it.'
"Brer Fox up'n ax, he did, how he gwine have any fun. Brer Rabbit, he
'low:--
"'Easy 'nuff; des go en tackle ole Cousin Wildcat, en lam 'im 'roun'.'
"Brer Fox, he sorter scratch he year, en 'low:--
"'Eh-eh, Brer Rabbit, I fear'd. He track too much lak Mr. Dog.'
"Brer Rabbit des set right flat down in de road, en holler en laugh. He
'low, sezee:--
"'Shoo, Brer Fox! Who'd 'a' thunk you 'uz so skeery? Des come look at
dish yer track right close. Is dey any sign er claw anywhar's?'
"Brer Fox bleedz ter 'gree dat dey wa'n't no sign er no claw. Brer
Rabbit say:--
"'Well, den, ef he ain't got no claw, how he gwine ter hu't you, Brer
Fox?'
"'W'at gone wid he toofs, Brer Rabbit?'
"'Shoo, Brer Fox! Creeturs w'at barks[57] de trees ain't gwine bite.'
"Brer Fox tuck'n tuck 'n'er good look at de tracks, en den him en Brer
Rabbit put out fer ter foller um up. Dey went up de road, en down de
lane, en 'cross de turnip patch, en down a dreen,[58] en up a big gully.
Brer Rabbit, he done de trackin', en eve'y time he fine one, he up'n
holler:--
"'Yer 'n'er track, en no claw dar! Yer 'n'er track, en no claw dar!'
"Dey kep' on en kep' on, twel bimeby dey run up wid de creetur. Brer
Rabbit, he holler out mighty biggity:--
"'Heyo dar! W'at you doin'?'
"De creetur look 'roun', but he ain't sayin' nothin'. Brer Rabbit
'low:--
"'Oh, you nee'nter look so sullen! We ull make you talk 'fo' we er done
'long wid you! Come, now! W'at you doin' out dar?'
"De creetur rub hisse'f 'gin' a tree des lak you see deze yer house cats
rub 'gin' a cheer, but he ain't sayin' nothin'. Brer Rabbit holler:--
"'W'at you come pesterin' 'long wid us fer, w'en we ain't bin
a-pesterin' you? You got de consate dat I dunner who you is, but I does.
Youer de same ole Cousin Wildcat w'at my gran'daddy use ter kick en cuff
w'en you 'fuse ter 'spon'. I let you know I got a better man yer dan
w'at my gran'daddy ever is bin, en I boun' you he ull make you talk. Dat
w'at I boun' you.'
"De creetur lean mo' harder 'gin' de tree, en sorter ruffle up he
bristle, but he ain't sayin' nothin'. Brer Rabbit, he 'low:--
"'Go up dar, Brer Fox, en ef he 'fuse ter 'spon' slap 'im down! Dat de
way my gran'daddy done. You go up dar, Brer Fox, en ef he dast ter try
ter run, I'll des whirl in en ketch 'im.'
"Brer Fox, he sorter jub'ous, but he start todes de creetur. Ole Cousin
Wildcat walk all 'roun' de tree, rubbin' hisse'f, but he ain't sayin'
nothin'. Brer Rabbit, he holler:--
"'Des walk right up en slap 'im down, Brer Fox--de owdashus vilyun! Des
hit 'im a surbinder, en ef he dast ter run, I boun' you I'll ketch 'im.'
"Brer Fox, he went up little nigher. Cousin Wildcat stop rubbin' on de
tree, en sot up on he behime legs wid he front paws in de a'r, en he
balance hisse'f by leanin' 'gin' de tree, but he ain't sayin' nothin'.
Brer Rabbit, he squall out, he did:--
"'Oh, you nee'nter put up yo' han's en try ter beg off. Dat de way you
fool my ole gran'daddy; but you can't fool we-all. All yo' settin' up en
beggin' ain't gwine ter he'p you. Ef youer so humble ez all dat, w'at
make you come pesterin' longer we-all? Hit 'im a clip, Brer Fox! Ef he
run, I'll ketch 'im!'
"Brer Fox see de creetur look so mighty humble, settin' up dar lak he
beggin' off, en he sorter take heart. He sidle up todes 'im, he did, en
des ez he 'uz makin' ready fer ter slap 'im ole Cousin Wildcat draw'd
back en fotch Brer Fox a wipe 'cross de stomach."
Uncle Remus paused here a moment, as if to discover some term strong
enough to do complete justice to the catastrophe. Presently he went
on:--
"Dat ar Cousin Wildcat creetur fotch Brer Fox a wipe 'cross de stomach,
en you mought a yeard 'im squall fum yer ter Harmony Grove. Little mo'
en de creetur would er to' Brer Fox in two. W'ence de creetur made a
pass at 'im, Brer Rabbit knew w'at gwine ter happen, yit all de same he
tuck'n holler:--
"'Hit 'im ag'in, Brer Fox! Hit 'im ag'in! I'm a-backin' you, Brer Fox!
Ef he dast ter run, I'll inabout cripple 'im--dat I will. Hit 'im
ag'in!'
"All dis time w'iles Brer Rabbit gwine on dis a-way, Brer Fox, he 'uz
a-squattin' down, hol'in' he stomach wid bofe han's en des a-moanin':--
"'I'm ruint, Brer Rabbit! I'm ruint! Run fetch de doctor! I'm teetotally
ruint!'
"'Bout dat time, Cousin Wildcat, he tuck'n tuck a walk. Brer Rabbit, he
make lak he 'stonish' dat Brer Fox is hurted. He tuck'n 'zamin' de
place, he did, en he up'n 'low:--
"'Hit look lak ter me, Brer Fox, dat dat owdashus vilyun tuck'n struck
you wid a reapin'-hook.'
"Wid dat Brer Rabbit lit out fer home, en w'en he git out er sight, he
tuck'n shuck he han's des lak cat does w'en she git water on 'er foots,
en he tuck'n laugh en laugh twel it make 'im sick fer ter laugh."
FOOTNOTES:
[57] Gnaws the bark from the trees.
[58] Drain or ditch.
XLV
BRER WOLF GETS IN A WARM PLACE
The little boy thought that the story of how the wildcat scratched
Brother Fox was one of the best stories he had ever heard, and he did
n't hesitate to say so. His hearty endorsement increased Uncle Remus's
good-humor; and the old man, with a broad grin upon his features and
something of enthusiasm in his tone, continued to narrate the adventures
of Brother Rabbit.
"After Brer Fox git hurted so bad," said Uncle Remus, putting an edge
upon his axe with a whetstone held in his hand, "hit wuz a mighty long
time 'fo' he could ramble 'roun' en worry ole Brer Rabbit. Der time
Cousin Wildcat fetch'd 'im dat wipe 'cross de stomach, he tuck'n lay de
blame on Brer Rabbit, en w'en he git well, he des tuck'n juggle wid de
yuther creeturs, en dey all 'gree dat dem en Brer Rabbit can't drink out
er de same branch, ner walk de same road, ner live in de same
settlement, ner go in washin' in de same wash-hole.
"Tooby sho' Brer Rabbit bleedz ter take notice er all dish yer kinder
jugglements en gwines on, en he des tuck'n strenken he house, in de
neighborhoods er de winders, en den he put 'im up a steeple on top er
dat. Yasser! A sho' 'nuff steeple, en he rise 'er up so high dat folks
gwine 'long de big road stop en say, 'Hey! W'at kinder meetin'-house
dat?'"
The little boy laughed loudly at Uncle Remus's graphic delineation of
the astonishment and admiration of the passers-by. The old man raised
his head, stretched his eyes, and seemed to be looking over his
spectacles right at Brother Rabbit's steeple.
"Folks 'ud stop en ax, but Brer Rabbit ain't got time fer ter make no
answer. _He_ hammer'd, _he_ nailed, _he_ knock'd, _he_ lamm'd! Folks go
by, he ain't look up; creeturs come stan' en watch 'im, he ain't look
'roun'; wuk, wuk, wuk, from sun-up ter sun-down, twel dat er steeple git
done. Den ole Brer Rabbit tuck'n draw long breff, en wipe he forrerd, en
'low dat ef dem t'er creeturs w'at bin atter 'im so long is got any de
'vantage er him, de time done come fer um fer ter show it.
"Wid dat he went en got 'im a snack er sump'n' t' eat, en a long piece
er plough-line, en he tole he ole 'oman fer ter put a kittle er water on
de fire, en stan' 'roun' close by, en eve'yt'ing he tell 'er not ter do,
dat de ve'y t'ing she sho'ly mus' do. Den ole Brer Rabbit sot down in he
rockin'-cheer en lookt out fum de steeple fer ter see how de lan' lay.
"'T wa'n't long 'fo' all de creeturs year talk dat Brer Rabbit done stop
wuk, en dey 'gun ter come 'roun' fer ter see w'at he gwine do nex'. But
Brer Rabbit, he got up dar, he did, en smoke he seegyar, en chaw he
'backer, en let he min' run on. Brer Wolf, he stan' en look up at de
steeple, Brer Fox, he stan' en look up at it, en all de t'er creeturs
dey done de same. Nex' time you see a crowd er folks lookin' at sump'n'
right hard, you des watch um, honey. Dey'll walk 'roun' one er 'n'er en
swap places, en dey'll be constant on de move. Dat des de way de
creeturs done. Dey walk 'roun' en punch one er 'n'er en swap places, en
look en look. Ole Brer Rabbit, he sot up dar, he did, en chaw he
'backer, en smoke he seegyar, en let he min' run on.
"Bimeby ole Brer Tarrypin come 'long, en ole Brer Tarrypin bin in
cohoots wid Brer Rabbit so long dat he des nat'ally know dey wuz gwine
ter be fun er plenty 'roun' in dem neighborhoods 'fo' de sun go down.
He laugh 'way down und' de roof er he house, ole Brer Tarrypin did, en
den he hail Brer Rabbit:--
"'Heyo, Brer Rabbit! W'at you doin' 'way up in de elements lak dat?'
"'I'm a-sojourneyin' up yer fer ter res' myse'f, Brer Tarrypin. Drap up
en see me.'
"''Twix' you en me, Brer Rabbit, de drappin' 's all one way. S'posin'
you tu'n loose en come. Man live dat high up bleedz ter have wings. I
ain't no high-flyer myse'f. I fear'd ter shake han's wid you so fur off,
Brer Rabbit.'
"'Not so, Brer Tarrypin, not so. My sta'rcase is a mighty limbersome
one, en I'll des let it down ter you.'
"Wid dat, Brer Rabbit let down de plough-line.
"'Des ketch holt er dat, Brer Tarrypin,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en up
you comes, _linktum sinktum binktum boo!_' sezee."
"What was that, Uncle Remus?" said the little boy, taking a serious view
of the statement.
"Creetur talk, honey--des creetur talk. Bless yo' soul, chile!" the old
man went on, with a laughable assumption of dignity, "ef you think I got
time fer ter stop right short off en stribbit[59] out all I knows, you er
mighty much mistaken--mighty much mistaken.
"Ole Brer Tarrypin know mighty well dat Brer Rabbit ain't got nothin'
'gin' 'im, yet he got sech a habit er lookin' out fer hisse'f dat he
tuck'n ketch de plough-line in he mouf, he did, en try de strenk un it.
Ole Brer Rabbit, he holler 'Swing on, Brer Tarrypin!' en Brer Tarrypin,
he tuck'n swung on, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' he 'uz settin' up dar side er
Brer Rabbit.
"But I wish ter goodness you'd 'a' bin dar," continued Uncle Remus, very
gracefully leaving it to be inferred that _he_ was there; "I wish ter
goodness you'd 'a' bin dar so you could er seed ole Brer Tarrypin w'iles
Brer Rabbit 'uz haulin' 'im up, wid he tail a-wigglin' en he legs all
spraddled out, en him a-whirlin' 'roun' en 'roun' en lookin' skeer'd.
"De t'er creeturs dey see Brer Tarrypin go up safe en soun', en dey see
de vittles passin' 'roun', en dey 'gun ter feel lak dey wanter see de
inside er Brer Rabbit steeple. Den Brer Wolf, he hail 'im:--
"'Heyo dar, Brer Rabbit! Youer lookin' mighty scrumptious way up dar!
How you come on?'
"Brer Rabbit, he look down, he did, en he see who 't is hollerin', en he
'spon':--
"'Po'ly, mighty po'ly, but I thank de Lord I'm able to eat my
'lowance.[60] Won't you drap up, Brer Wolf?'
"'Hit's a mighty clumsy journey fer ter make, Brer Rabbit, yit I don't
keer ef I does.'
"Wid dat, Brer Rabbit let down de plough-line, en Brer Wolf kotch holt,
en dey 'gun ter haul 'im up. Dey haul en dey haul, en w'en Brer Wolf git
mos' ter de top he year Brer Rabbit holler out:--
"'Stir 'roun', ole 'oman, en set de table; but 'fo' you do dat, fetch de
kittle fer ter make de coffee.'
"Dey haul en dey haul on de plough-line, en Brer Wolf year Brer Rabbit
squall out:--
"'Watch out dar, ole 'oman! You'll spill dat b'ilin' water on Brer
Wolf!'
"En, bless yo' soul!" continued Uncle Remus, turning half around in his
chair to face his enthusiastic audience of one, "dat 'uz 'bout all Brer
Wolf did year, 'kaze de nex' minit down come de scaldin' water, en Brer
Wolf des fetch one squall en turn't hisse'f aloose, en w'en he strak de
groun' he bounce des same ez one er deze yer injun-rubber balls w'at you
use ter play wid 'long in dem times 'fo' you tuck'n broke yo' mammy
lookin'-glass. Ole Brer Rabbit, he lean fum out de steeple en 'pollygize
de bes' he kin, but no 'pollygy ain't gwine ter make ha'r come back
whar de b'ilin' water hit."
"Did they spill the hot water on purpose, Uncle Remus?" the little boy
inquired.
"Now, den, honey, youer crowdin' me. Dem ar creeturs wuz mighty
kuse--mo' speshually Brer Rabbit. W'en it come down ter dat," said Uncle
Remus, lowering his voice and looking very grave, "I 'speck ef youder
s'arch de country fum hen-roost to river-bank,[61] you won't fine a no
mo' kuser man dan Brer Rabbit. All I knows is dat Brer Rabbit en Brer
Tarrypin had a mighty laughin' spell des 'bout de time Brer Wolf hit de
groun'."
FOOTNOTES:
[59] Distribute.
[60] Allowance; ration.
[61] Based on a characteristic negro saying. For instance: "Where's
Jim?" "You can't keep up wid dat nigger. Des let night come, en he's
runnin' fum hen-roost to river-bank." In other words, stealing chickens
and robbing fish baskets.
XLVI
BRER WOLF STILL IN TROUBLE
"En still we er by ourse'fs," exclaimed Uncle Remus, as the little boy
ran into his cabin, the night after he had heard the story of how
Brother Rabbit scalded Brother Wolf. "We er by ourse'fs en time's
a-passin'. Dem ar folks dunner w'at dey er missin'. We er des gittin'
ter dat p'int whar we kin keep de run er creeturs, en it keeps us dat
busy we ain't got time fer ter bolt our vittles skacely.
"I done tell you 'bout Brer Rabbit makin' 'im a steeple; but I ain't
tell you 'bout how Brer Rabbit got ole Brer Wolf out'n er mighty bad
fix."
"No," said the little boy, "you have n't, and that's just what I have
come for now."
Uncle Remus looked at the rafters, then at the little boy, and finally
broke into a loud laugh.
"I 'clar' ter goodness," he exclaimed, addressing the imaginary third
person to whom he related the most of his grievances, "I 'clar' ter
goodness ef dat ar chile ain't gittin' so dat he's eve'y whit ez
up-en-spoken ez w'at ole Miss ever bin. Dat he is!"
The old man paused long enough to give the little boy some uneasiness,
and then continued:--
"Atter ole Brer Wolf git de nat'al hide tuck off'n 'im on de 'count er
Brer Rabbit kittle, co'se he hatter go 'way off by hisse'f fer ter let
de ha'r grow out. He 'uz gone so long dat Brer Rabbit sorter 'low ter
hisse'f dat he 'speck he kin come down out'n he steeple, en sorter rack
'roun' mungs de t'er creeturs.
"He sorter primp up, Brer Rabbit did, en den he start out 'pun he
journeys hether en yan.[62] He tuck'n went ter de crossroads, en dar he
stop en choose 'im a road. He choose 'im a road, he did, en den he put
out des lak he bin sent fer in a hurry.
"Brer Rabbit gallop on, he did, talkin' en laughin' wid hisse'f, en
eve'y time he pass folks, he'd tu'n it off en make lak he singin'. He
'uz gwine on dis a-way, w'en fus' news you know he tuck'n year sump'n'.
He stop talkin' en 'gun ter hum a chune, but he ain't meet nobody. Den
he stop en lissen en he year sump'n' holler:--
"'O Lordy! Lordy! Won't somebody come he'p me?'"
The accent of grief and despair and suffering that Uncle Remus managed
to throw into this supplication was really harrowing.
"Brer Rabbit year dis, en he stop en lissen. 'T wa'n't long 'fo' sump'n'
n'er holler out:--
"'O Lordy, Lordy! Please, somebody, come en he'p me.'
"Brer Rabbit, he h'ist up he years, he did, en make answer back:--
"'Who is you, nohow, en w'at de name er goodness de marter?'
"'Please, somebody, do run yer!'
"Brer Rabbit, he tuck'n stan' on th'ee legs fer ter make sho' er gittin'
a good start ef dey 'uz any needs un it, en he holler back:--
"'Whar'bouts is you, en how come you dar?'
"'Do please, somebody, run yer en he'p a po' mizerbul creetur. I'm down
yer in de big gully und' dish yer great big rock.'
"Ole Brer Rabbit bleedz ter be mighty 'tickler in dem days, en he crope
down ter de big gully en look in, en who de name er goodness you 'speck
he seed down dar?"
Uncle Remus paused and gave the little boy a look of triumph, and then
proceeded without waiting for a reply:--
"Nobody in de roun' worl' but dat ar ole Brer Wolf w'at Brer Rabbit done
bin scalted de week 'fo' dat. He 'uz layin' down dar in de big gully,
en, bless gracious! 'pun top un 'im wuz a great big rock, en ef you want
ter know de reason dat ar great big rock ain't teetotally kilt Brer
Wolf, den you'll hatter ax some un w'at know mo' 'bout it dan w'at I
does, 'kaze hit look lak ter me dat it des oughter mash 'im flat.
"Yit dar he wuz, en let 'lone bein' kilt, he got strenk 'nuff lef' fer
ter make folks year 'im holler a mile off, en he holler so lonesome dat
it make Brer Rabbit feel mighty sorry, en no sooner is he feel sorry dan
he hol' he coat-tails out de way en slid down de bank fer ter see w'at
he kin do.
"W'en he git down dar Brer Wolf ax 'im please, sir, kin he he'p 'im wid
de removance er dat ar rock, en Brer Rabbit 'low he 'speck he kin; en
wid dat Brer Wolf holler en tell 'im fer mussy sake won't he whirl in en
do it, w'ich Brer Rabbit tuck'n ketch holt er de rock en hump hisse'f,
en 't wa'n't long 'fo' he git a purchis on it, en, bless yo' soul, he
lif' 'er up des lak nigger at de log-rollin'.
"Hit tu'n out dat Brer Wolf ain't hurted much, en w'en he fine dis out,
he tuck'n tuck a notion dat ef he ev' gwine git he revengeance out'n
Brer Rabbit, right den wuz de time, en no sooner does dat come 'cross he
min' dan he tuck'n grab Brer Rabbit by de nap er de neck en de small er
de back.
"Brer Rabbit he kick en squeal, but 't ain't do no manner er good,
'kaze de mo' w'at he kick de mo' tighter Brer Wolf clamp 'im, w'ich he
squoze 'im so hard dat Brer Rabbit wuz fear'd he 'uz gwine ter cut off
he breff. Brer Rabbit, he 'low:--
"'Well, den, Brer Wolf! Is dish yer de way you thanks folks fer savin'
yo' life?'
"Brer Wolf grin big, en den he up'n 'low:--
"'I'll thank you, Brer Rabbit, en den I'll make fresh meat out'n you.'
"Brer Rabbit 'low, he did:--
"'Ef you talk dat a-way, Brer Wolf, I never is to do yer 'n'er good turn
w'iles I live.'
"Brer Wolf, he grin some mo' en 'low:--
"'Dat you won't, Brer Rabbit, dat you won't! You won't do me no mo' good
turn tel you er done dead.'
"Brer Rabbit, he sorter study ter hisse'f, he did, en den he 'low:
"'Whar I come fum, Brer Wolf, hit's agin' de law fer folks fer to kill
dem w'at done done um a good turn, en I 'speck hit's de law right 'roun'
yer.'
"Brer Wolf say he ain't so mighty sho' 'bout dat. Brer Rabbit say he
willin' fer ter lef' de whole case wid Brer Tarrypin, en Brer Wolf say
he 'gree'ble.
"Wid dat, dey put out, dey did, en make der way ter whar ole Brer
Tarrypin stay; en w'en dey git dar, Brer Wolf he tuck'n tell he side, en
den Brer Rabbit he tuck'n tell he side. Ole Brer Tarrypin put on he
specks en cle'r up he th'oat, en den he 'low:--
"'Dey's a mighty heap er mixness in dish yer 'spute, en 'fo' I kin take
any sides you'll des hatter kyar me fer ter see de place whar'bouts Brer
Wolf wuz w'en Brer Rabbit foun' 'im,' sezee.
[Illustration: "EN, BLESS GRACIOUS! DEM AR CREETURS RACKED OFF
FUM DAR EN LEF' OLE BRER WOLF UND' DAT AR ROCK"]
"Sho' 'nuff, dey tuck'n kyar'd ole Brer Tarrypin down de big road twel
dey come ter de big gully, en den dey tuck 'im ter whar Brer Wolf got
kotch und' de big rock. Ole Brer Tarrypin, he walk 'roun', he did, en
poke at de place wid de een' er he cane. Bimeby he shuck he head, he
did, en 'low:
"'I hates might'ly fer ter put you all gents ter so much trouble; yit,
dey ain't no two ways, I'll hatter see des how Brer Wolf was kotch, en
des how de rock wuz layin' 'pun top un 'im,' sezee. 'De older folks
gits, de mo' trouble dey is,' sezee, 'en I ain't 'nyin' but w'at I'm
a-ripenin' mo' samer dan a 'simmon w'at's bin strucken wid de fros','
sezee.
"Den Brer Wolf, he tuck'n lay down whar he wuz w'en Brer Rabbit foun'
'im, en de yuthers dey up'n roll de rock 'pun top un 'im. Dey roll de
rock 'pun 'im," continued Uncle Remus, looking over his spectacles to
see what effect the statement had on the little boy, "en dar he wuz.
Brer Tarrypin, he walk all 'roun' en 'roun', en look at 'im. Den he sot
down, he did, en make marks in de san' wid he cane lak he studyin' 'bout
sump'n' n'er. Bimeby, Brer Wolf, he open up:--
"'Ow, Brer Tarrypin! Dish yer rock gittin' mighty heavy!'
"Brer Tarrypin, he mark in de san', en study, en study. Brer Wolf
holler:--
"'Ow, Brer Tarrypin! Dish yer rock mashin' de breff out'n me.'
"Brer Tarrypin, he r'ar back, he did, en he 'low, sezee:--
"'Brer Rabbit, you wuz in de wrong. You ain't had no business fer ter
come bodderin' 'longer Brer Wolf w'en he ain't bodderin' 'longer you. He
'uz 'ten'in' ter he own business en you oughter bin 'ten'in' ter yone.'
"Dis make Brer Rabbit look 'shame' er hisse'f, but Brer Tarrypin talk
right erlong:--
"'W'en you 'uz gwine down dish yer road dis mawnin', you sho'ly mus' bin
a-gwine som'ers. Ef you _wuz_ gwine som'ers you better be gwine on. Brer
Wolf, he wa'n't gwine nowhars den, en he ain't gwine nowhars now. You
foun' 'im und' dat ar rock, en und' dat ar rock you lef 'im.'
"En, bless gracious!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, "dem ar creeturs racked off
fum dar en lef' ole Brer Wolf und' dat ar rock."
FOOTNOTE:
[62] Hither and yon.
XLVII
BRER RABBIT LAYS IN HIS BEEF SUPPLY
"I wonder where Daddy Jack is," said the little boy, one night after he
had been waiting for some time for Uncle Remus to get leisure to tell
him a story.
Uncle Remus, who was delightfully human in his hypocrisy, as well as in
other directions, leaned back in his chair, looked at the little boy
with an air of grieved resignation, and said:--
"I boun' you does, honey, I boun' you does. Ole Brer Jack look mighty
weazly ter de naked eye, but I lay he's a lots mo' likelier nigger dan
w'at ole Remus is. De time done gone by w'en a po' ole no-'count nigger
lak me kin hol' he han' wid a bran new nigger man lak Brer Jack."
The child stared at Uncle Remus with open-eyed astonishment.
"Now, Uncle Remus! I did n't mean that; you know I did n't," he
exclaimed.
"Bless yo' heart, honey! hit don't pester me. I done got de speunce un
it. Dat I is. Plough-hoss don't squeal en kick w'en dey puts 'n'er hoss
in he place. Brer Jack got de age on 'im but he new ter you. Ole er
young, folks is folks, en no longer'n day 'fo' yistiddy, I year you
braggin' 'bout how de vittles w'at dey feeds you on up at de big house
ain't good ez de vittles w'at yuther childun gits. Nummine ole Remus,
honey; you en Brer Jack des go right erlong en I'll be much 'blige ef
you'll des lemme set in de cornder yer en chunk de fier. Sho'ly I ain't
pas' doin' dat."
The child was troubled to think that Uncle Remus should find it
necessary to depreciate himself, and he made haste to explain his
position.
"I thought that if Daddy Jack was here he could tell me a story while
you are working, so you would n't be bothered."
A broad grin of appreciation spread over Uncle Remus's face. He
adjusted his spectacles, looked around and behind him, and then, seeing
no one but the child, addressed himself to the rafters and cobwebs:--
"Well! well! well! ef dish yer don't beat all! Gentermens! dish yer
little chap yer, he puny in de legs, yit he mighty strong in de head."
He paused, as if reflecting over the whole matter, and then turned to
the child:--
"Is _dat_ w'at make you hone atter Daddy Jack, honey--des 'kaze you
wanter set back dar en lissen at a tale? Now, den, ef you had n't 'a'
got me off'n de track, you'd 'a' bin settin' yer lis'nen at one un um
dis blessid minnit, 'kaze des time I year talk dat Mars John gwine ter
have dat ar long-hornded steer kilt fer beef, hit come 'cross my min'
'bout de time w'ence Brer Rabbit en Brer Fox j'ined in wid one er 'n'er
en kilt a cow."
"Killed a cow, Uncle Remus?"
"Des ez sho' ez youer settin' dar," replied the old man with emphasis.
"Look lak dey wa'n't no kinder doin's w'at dem ar creeturs wa'n't up
ter, mo' speshually ole Brer Rabbit. Day in en day out, fum mawnin' twel
night en fum night twel mawnin', he 'uz constant a-studyin' up some bran
new kinder contrapshun fer ter let de yuther creeturs know he 'uz
some'rs in de neighborhoods.
"Come down ter dat, you kin b'leeve me er not b'leeve me, des ez you er
min' ter; you kin take yo' choosement; but ole Brer Rabbit en ole Brer
Fox, spite er dey fallin' out, dey tuck'n go inter cahoots en kilt a
cow. Seem lak I disremember who de cow b'long ter," continued the old
man, frowning thoughtfully, and thus, by a single stroke, imparting an
air of reality to the story; "but she sho'ly b'long'd ter some er de
neighbors, 'kaze you kin des put it down, right pine-blank, dat Brer
Rabbit ain't gwine ter kill he own cow, en needer is Brer Fox.
"Well, den, dey tuck'n kilt a cow, en 't wa'n't dey own cow, en alter
dey done skunt 'er Brer Rabbit, he up'n 'low, he did, dat ef Brer Fox
wanter git de good er de game, he better run home en fetch a tray er
sump'n fer put de jiblets in."
"Jiblets, Uncle Remus?"
"Tooby sho', honey. Dats w'at we-all calls de liver, de lights, de
heart, en de melt. Some calls um jiblets en some calls um hasletts, but
ef you'll lemme take um en kyar um home, you kin des up en call um mos'
by any name w'at creep inter yo' min'. You do de namin'," the old man
went on, smacking his lips suggestively, "en I'll do de eatin', en ef
I'm de loser, I boun' you won't year no complaints fum me.
"But, law bless me! w'at is I'm a-doin'? De time's a-passin', en I'm
ain't skacely got start on de tale. Dey kilt de cow, dey did, en Brer
Rabbit tell Brer Fox 'bout de jiblets, en w'iles Brer Fox gwine on home
atter de bucket fer ter put um in, he say ter hisse'f dat Brer Rabbit
ain't bad ez he crackt up ter be. But no sooner is Brer Fox outer sight
dan Brer Rabbit cut out de jiblets, he did, en kyar'd um off en hide um.
Den he come back en tuck a piece er de meat en drap blood 'way off de
udder way.
"Bimeby yer come Brer Fox wid he bucket, en w'en he git dar Brer Rabbit
wuz settin' down cryin'. Mon, he 'uz des a-boohoo-in'. Brer Fox, he
'low:--
"'Name er goodness, Brer Rabbit! w'at de marter?'
"''Nuff de marter--'nuff de marter. I wish you'd 'a' stayed yer w'iles
you wuz yer--dat I does, Brer Fox!'
"'How come, Brer Rabbit,--how come?'
"'Man come, Brer Fox, en stole all yo' nice jiblets. I bin a-runnin'
atter 'im, Brer Fox, but he outrun me.'
"'W'ich a-way he go, Brer Rabbit?'
"'Yer de way he went, Brer Fox; yer whar he drap de blood. Ef you be
right peart, Brer Fox, you'll ketch 'im.'
"Brer Fox he drapt de bucket, he did, en put out atter de man w'at tuck
de jiblets, en he wa'n't out'n sight good, 'fo' ole Brer Rabbit sail in
en cut out all de fat en taller, en kyar' it off en hide it. Atter
w'ile, yer come Brer Fox back des a-puffin' en a-pantin'. He ain't see
no man. Brer Rabbit, he hail 'im:--
"'You ain't come a minnit too soon, Brer Fox, dat you ain't. W'iles you
bin gone 'n'er man come 'long en kyar'd off all de taller en fat. He
went right off dat a-way, Brer Fox, en ef you'll be right peart, you'll
ketch 'im.'
"Brer Fox, he tuck'n put out, he did, en run, en run, yit he ain't see
no man. Wiles he done gone Brer Rabbit kyar off one er de behime
quarters. Brer Fox come back; he ain't see no man. Brer Rabbit holler en
tell 'im dat 'ne'r man done come en got a behime quarter en run'd off
wid it.
"Brer Fox sorter study 'bout dis, 'kaze it look lak nobody yuver see de
like er mens folks passin' by dat one lonesome cow. He make out he gwine
ter run atter de man w'at steal de behime quarter, but he ain't git fur
'fo' he tuck'n tu'n 'roun' en crope back, en he 'uz des in time fer ter
see Brer Rabbit makin' off wid de yuther behime quarter. Brer Fox mighty
tired wid runnin' hether en yan, en backards en forrerds, but he git so
mad w'en he see Brer Rabbit gwine off dat a-way, dat he dash up en ax
'im whar is he gwine wid dat ar beef.
"Brer Rabbit lay de beef down, he did, en look lak he feelin's hurted.
He look at Brer Fox lak he feel mighty sorry fer folks w'at kin ax
foolish questions lak dat. He shake he head, he did, en 'low:--
"'Well, well, well! Who'd 'a' thunk dat Brer Fox would 'a' come axin' me
'bout dish yer beef, w'ich anybody would er know'd I 'uz a-kyar'n off
fer ter save fer 'im, so nobody could n't git it?'
"But dish yer kinder talk don't suit Brer Fox, en he tuck'n make a
motion 'zef[63] ter ketch Brer Rabbit, but Brer Rabbit he 'gun 'im leg
bail, en dar dey had it thoo de woods twel Brer Rabbit come 'pon a
holler tree, en inter dat he went, des lak one er deze streaked lizzuds
goes inter a hole in de san'."
"And then," said the little boy, as Uncle Remus paused, "along came
Brother Buzzard, and Brother Fox set him to watch the hole, and Brother
Rabbit said he had found a fat squirrel which he would run out on the
other side; and then he came out and ran home."
This was the climax of a story that Uncle Remus had told a long time
before, and he looked at his little partner with astonishment not
unmixed with admiration.
"I 'clar' ter gracious, honey!" he exclaimed, "ef you hol's on ter yo'
pra'rs lak you does ter deze yer tales youer doin' mighty well. But
don't you try ter hol' Brer Rabbit down ter one trick, you won't never
keep up wid 'im in de 'roun' worl'--dat you won't.
"Ole Brer Buzzard wuz dar, en Brer Fox ax 'im fer ter watch de hole, but
he ain't bin dar long 'fo' Brer Rabbit sing out:--
"'I got de 'vantage un you, dis whet, Brer Buzzard, I sho'ly is.'
"'How dat, Brer Rabbit?'
"''Kaze I kin see you, en you can't see me.'
"Wid dat Brer Buzzard stuck he head in de hole, en look up; en no sooner
is he do dis dan Brer Rabbit fill he eyes full er san', en w'iles he
gone ter de branch fer ter wash it out, Brer Rabbit he come down outer
de holler, en went back ter whar de cow wuz; en mo' dan dat, Brer Rabbit
got de ballunce un de beef."
FOOTNOTE:
[63] As if.
XLVIII
BRER RABBIT AND MR. WILDCAT
"Uncle Remus," said the little boy, after a pause, "where did Brother
Rabbit go when he got out of the hollow tree?"
"Well, sir," exclaimed Uncle Remus, "you ain't gwine ter b'leeve me,
skacely, but dat owdashus creetur ain't no sooner git out er dat ar tree
dan he go en git hisse'f mix up wid some mo' trouble, w'ich he git
mighty nigh skeer'd out'n he skin.
"W'en Brer Rabbit git out'n de holler tree, he tuck'n fling some sass
back at ole Brer Buzzard, he did, en den he put out down de big road,
stidder gwine 'long back home en see 'bout he fambly. He 'uz gwine
'long--_lickety-clickety, clickety-lickety_--w'en fus' news you know he
feel sump'n' 'n'er drap down 'pun 'im, en dar he wuz. Bless yo' soul,
w'en Brer Rabbit kin git he 'membunce terge'er, he feel ole Mr. Wildcat
a-huggin' 'im fum behime, en w'ispun in he year."
"What did he whisper, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy.
"Dis, dat, en de udder, one thing en a nudder."
"But what did he say?"
"De way un it wuz dis," said Uncle Remus, ignoring the child's question,
"Brer Rabbit, he 'uz gallin'-up down de road, en ole Mr. Wildcat, he 'uz
layin' stretch' out takin' a nap on a tree-lim' hangin' 'crosst de road.
He year Brer Rabbit come a-lickity-clickitin' down de road, en he des
sorter fix hisse'f, en w'en Brer Rabbit come a-dancin' und' de lim', all
Mr. Wildcat got ter do is ter drap right down on 'im, en dar he wuz. Mr.
Wildcat hug 'im right up at 'im, en laugh en w'isper in he year."
"Well, Uncle Remus, what did he _say_?" persisted the little boy.
The old man made a sweeping gesture with his left hand that might mean
everything or nothing, and proceeded to tell the story in his own way.
"Ole Mr. Wildcat hug Brer Rabbit up close en w'isper in he year. Brer
Rabbit, he kick, he squall. Bimeby he ketch he breff en 'low:--
"'Ow! O Lordy-lordy! W'at I done gone en done now?'
"Mr. Wildcat, he rub he wet nose on Brer Rabbit year, en make cole chill
run up he back. Bimeby he say:--
"'O Brer Rabbit, I des nat'ally loves you! You bin a-foolin' all er my
cousins en all er my kinfolks, en 't ain't bin so mighty long sence you
set Cousin Fox on me, en little mo' en I'd a-to' 'im in two. O Brer
Rabbit! I des nat'ally loves you,' sezee.
"Den he laugh, en he toofs strak terge'er right close ter Brer Rabbit
year. Brer Rabbit, he 'low, he did:--
"Law, Mr. Wildcat, I thunk maybe you mought lak ter have Brer Fox fer
supper, en dat de reason I sent 'im up ter whar you is. Hit done come
ter mighty purty pass w'en folks can't be fr'en's 'ceppin' sump'n' 'n'er
step in 'twix' en 'tween um, en ef dat de case I ain't gwine ter be
fr'en's no mo'--dat I ain't.'
"Mr. Wildcat wipe he nose on Brer Rabbit year, en he do sorter lak he
studyin'. Brer Rabbit he keep on talkin'. He 'low:--
"'Endurin' er all dis time, is I ever pester 'long wid you, Mr.
Wildcat?'
"'No, Brer Rabbit, I can't say ez you is.'
"'No, Mr. Wildcat, dat I ain't. Let 'lone dat, I done my level bes' fer
ter he'p you out. En dough you done jump on me en skeer me scan'lous,
yit I'm willin' ter do you 'n'er good tu'n. I year some wild turkeys
yelpin' out yan', en ef you'll des lem me off dis time, I'll go out dar
en call um up, en you kin make lak you dead, en dey'll come up en
stretch dey neck over you, en you kin jump up en kill a whole passel un
um 'fo' dey kin git out de way.'
"Mr. Wildcat stop en study, 'kaze ef dey er one kinder meat w'at he lak
dat meat is turkey meat. Den he tuck'n ax Brer Rabbit is he jokin'. Brer
Rabbit say ef he 'uz settin' off some'rs by he own-'lone se'f he mought
be jokin', but how de name er goodness is he kin joke w'en Mr. Wildcat
got 'im hug up so tight? Dis look so pleezy-plozzy[64] dat 't wa'n't long
'fo' Mr. Wildcat 'low dat he 'uz mighty willin' ef Brer Rabbit mean w'at
he say, en atter w'ile, bless yo' soul, ef you'd 'a' come 'long dar,
you'd er seed ole Mr. Wildcat layin' stretch out on de groun' lookin'
fer all de wul' des lak he done bin dead a mont', en you'd er yeard ole
Brer Rabbit a-yelpin' out in de bushes des lak a sho' 'nuff tukky-hen."
The little boy was always anxious for a practical demonstration, and he
asked Uncle Remus how Brother Rabbit could yelp like a turkey-hen. For
reply, Uncle Remus searched upon his rude mantel-piece until he found a
reed, which he intended to use as a pipe-stem. One end of this he placed
in his mouth, enclosing the other in his hands. By sucking the air
through the reed with his mouth, and regulating the tone and volume by
opening or closing his hands, the old man was able to produce a
marvellous imitation of the call of the turkey-hen, much to the delight
and astonishment of the little boy.
"Ah, Lord!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, after he had repeated the call until
the child was satisfied, "manys en manys de time is I gone out in de
woods wid old marster 'fo' de crack er day en call de wile turkeys right
spang up ter whar we could er kilt um wid a stick. W'en we fus' move yer
fum Ferginny, dey use ter come right up ter whar de barn sets, en mo'n
dat I done seed ole marster kill um right out dar by de front gate. But
folks fum town been comin' 'roun' yer wid der p'inter dogs twel hit done
got so dat ef you wanter see turkey track you gotter go down dar ter de
Oconee, en dat's two mile off."
"Did the Wildcat catch the turkeys?" the little boy inquired, when it
seemed that Uncle Remus was about to give his entire attention to his
own reminiscences.
"De gracious en de goodness!" exclaimed the old man. "Yer I is runnin'
on en dar lays Mr. Wildcat waitin' fer Brer Rabbit fer ter help dem
turkeys up. En 't ain't take 'im long nudder, 'kaze, bless yo' soul, ole
Brer Rabbit wuz a yelper, mon.
"Sho' 'nuff, atter w'ile yer dey come, ole Brer Gibley Gobbler wukkin'
in de lead. Brer Rabbit, he run'd en meet um en gun um de wink 'bout ole
Mr. Wildcat, en by de time dey git up ter whar he layin', Brer Gibley
Gobbler en all his folks wuz jined in a big 'spute. One 'low he dead,
'n'er one 'low he ain't, 'n'er one 'low he stiff, udder one 'low he
ain't, en t'udder 'low he is. So dar dey had it. Dey stretch out dey
neck en step high wid dey foot, yit dey ain't git too close ter Mr.
Wildcat.
"He lay dar, he did, en he ain't move. Win' ruffle up he ha'r, yit he
ain't move; sun shine down 'pun 'im, yit he ain't move. De turkeys dey
gobble en dey yelp, but dey ain't go no nigher; dey holler en dey
'spute, but dey ain't go no nigher; dey stretch dey neck en dey lif' dey
foot high, yit dey ain't go no nigher.
"Hit keep on dis a-way, twel bimeby Mr. Wildcat git tired er waitin', en
he jump up, he did, en make a dash at de nighest turkey; but dat turkey
done fix, on w'en Mr. Wildcat come at 'im, he des riz in de a'r, en Mr.
Wildcat run und' 'im. Den he tuck'n run at 'n'er one, en dat un fly up;
en dey keep on dat a-way twel 't wa'n't long 'fo' Mr. Wildcat wuz so
stiff in de j'ints en so short in de win' dat he des hatter lay down on
de groun' en res', en w'en he do dis, ole Brer Gibley Gobler en all er
he folks went on 'bout dey own business; but sence dat day deyer
constant a-'sputin' 'long wid deyse'f en eve'ybody w'at come by. Ef you
don't b'leeve me," with an air of disposing of the whole matter
judicially, "you kin des holler at de fus' Gobbler w'at you meets, en ef
he 'fuse ter holler back atter you, you kin des use my head fer a hole
in de wall; en w'at mo' kin you ax dan dat?"
"What became of Brother Rabbit, Uncle Remus?"
"Well, sir, Brer Rabbit tuck'n lef' dem low-groun's. W'iles de 'sputin'
wuz gwine on, he tuck'n bowed his good-byes, en den he des put out fum
dar. Nex' day ole Brer Gibley Gobbler tuck'n sent 'im a turkey wing fer
ter make a fan out'n, en Brer Rabbit, he tuck'n sent it ter Miss Meadows
en de gals. En I let you know," continued the old man, chuckling
heartily to himself, "dey make great 'miration 'bout it."
FOOTNOTE:
[64] No doubt this means that Brother Rabbit's proposition was pleasant
and plausible.
[Illustration: Mr. Benjamin Ram Defends Himself]
XLIX
MR. BENJAMIN RAM DEFENDS HIMSELF
"I 'speck we all dun gone en fergot ole Mr. Benjermun Ram off'n our
min'," said Uncle Remus, one night, as the little boy went into the
cabin with a large ram's horn hanging on his arm.
"About his playing the fiddle and getting lost in the woods!" exclaimed
the child. "Oh, no, I have n't forgotten him, Uncle Remus. I remember
just how he tuned his fiddle in Brother Wolf's house."
"Dat's me!" said Uncle Remus with enthusiasm; "dat's me up en down. Mr.
Ram des ez fresh in my min' now ez he wuz de day I year de tale. Dat ole
creetur wuz a sight, mon. He mos' sho'ly wuz. He wrinkly ole hawn en de
shaggy ha'r on he neck make 'im look mighty servigous,[65] en w'ence he
shake he head en snort, hit seem lak he gwine ter fair paw de yeth fum
und' 'im.
"Ole Brer Fox bin pickin' up ole Mr. Benjermun Ram chilluns w'en dey git
too fur fum home, but look lak he ain't never bin git close ter de ole
creetur.
"So one time w'en he 'uz comin' on down de road, talkin' 'long wid Brer
Wolf, he up'n 'low, ole Brer Fox did, dat he mighty hongry in de
neighborhoods er de stomach. Dis make Brer Wolf look lak he 'stonish'd,
en he ax Brer Fox how de name er goodness come he hongry w'en ole Mr.
Benjermun Ram layin' up dar in de house des a-rollin' in fat.
"Den Brer Fox tuck'n 'low, he did, dat he done bin in de habits er
eatin' Mr. Benjermun Ram chillun, but he sorter fear'd er de ole
creetur 'kaze he look so bad on de 'count er he red eye en he wrinkly
hawn.
"Brer Wolf des holler en laugh, en den he 'low:--
"'Lordy, Brer Fox! I dunner w'at kinder man is you, nohow! W'y, dat ar
ole creetur ain't never hurted a flea in all he born days--dat he
ain't,' sezee.
"Brer Fox, he look at Brer Wolf right hard, he did, en den he up'n
'low:--
"'Heyo, Brer Wolf! manys de time dat you bin hongry 'roun' in deze
diggin's en I ain't year talk er you makin' a meal off'n Mr. Benjermun
Ram,' sezee.
"Brer Fox talk so close ter de fatal trufe, dat Brer Wolf got tooken wid
de dry grins, yit he up'n 'spon', sezee:--
"'I des lak ter know who in de name er goodness wanter eat tough creetur
lak dat ole Mr. Benjermun Ram--dat w'at I lak ter know,' sezee.
"Brer Fox, he holler en laugh, he did, en den he up'n say:--
"'Ah-yi, Brer Wolf! You ax me w'at I goes hongry fer, w'en ole Mr.
Benjermun Ram up dar in he house, yit you done bin hongry manys en manys
de time, en still ole Mr. Benjermun Ram up dar in he house. Now, den,
how you gwine do in a case lak dat?' sez Brer Fox, sezee.
"Brer Wolf, he strak de een' er he cane down 'pun de groun', en he say,
sezee:--
"'I done say all I got ter say, en w'at I say, dat I'll stick ter. Dat
ole creetur lots too tough.'
"Hongry ez he is, Brer Fox laugh way down in he stomach. Atter w'ile he
'low:--
"'Well, den, Brer Wolf, stidder 'sputin' 'longer you, I'm gwine do w'at
you say; I'm gwine ter go up dar en git a bait er ole Mr. Benjermun Ram,
en I wish you be so good ez ter go 'long wid me fer comp'ny,' sezee.
"Brer Wolf jaw sorter fall w'en he year dis, en he 'low:--
"'Eh-eh, Brer Fox! I druther go by my own--'lone se'f,' sezee.
"'Well, den,' sez Brer Fox, sezee, 'you better make 'as'e,' sezee,
''kaze 't ain't gwine ter take me so mighty long fer ter go up dar en
make hash out'n ole Mr. Benjermun Ram,' sezee.
"Brer Wolf know mighty well," said Uncle Remus, snapping his huge tongs
in order to silence a persistent cricket in the chimney, "dat ef he dast
ter back out fum a banter lak dat he never is ter year de las' un it fum
Miss Meadows en Miss Motts en de gals, en he march off todes Mr.
Benjermun Ram house.
"Little puff er win' come en blow'd up some leafs, en Brer Wolf jump lak
somebody shootin' at 'im, en he fly mighty mad w'en he year Brer Fox
laugh. He men' he gait, he did, en 't wa'n't 'long 'fo' he 'uz knockin'
at Mr. Benjermun Ram do'.
"He knock at de do', he did, en co'se he 'speck somebody fer ter come
open de do'; but stidder dat, lo' en beholes yer come Mr. Benjermun Ram
'roun' de house. Dar he wuz--red eye, wrinkly hawn en shaggy head. Now,
den, in case lak dat, w'at a slim-legged man lak Brer Wolf gwine do? Dey
ain't no two ways, he gwine ter git 'way fum dar, en he went back ter
whar Brer Fox is mo' samer dan ef de patter-rollers wuz atter 'im.
"Brer Fox, he laugh en he laugh, en ole Brer Wolf, he look mighty glum.
Brer Fox ax 'im is he done kilt en e't Mr. Benjermun Ram, en ef so be,
is he lef' any fer him. Brer Wolf say he ain't feelin' well, en he don't
lak mutton nohow. Brer Fox 'low:--
"'You may be puny in de min', Brer Wolf, but you ain't feelin' bad in de
leg, 'kaze I done seed you wuk um.'
"Brer Wolf 'low he des a-runnin' fer ter see ef 't won't mak 'im feel
better. Brer Fox, he say, sezee, dat w'en he feelin' puny, he ain't ax
no mo' dan fer somebody fer ter git out de way en let 'im lay down.
"Dey went on in dis a-way, dey did, twel bimeby Brer Fox ax Brer Wolf ef
he'll go wid 'im fer ter ketch Mr. Benjermun Ram. Brer Wolf, he 'low, he
did:--
"'Eh-eh, Brer Fox! I fear'd you'll run en lef' me dar fer ter do all de
fightin'.'
"Brer Fox, he 'low dat he'll fix dat, en he tuck'n got 'im a
plough-line, en tied one een' ter Brer Wolf en t'er een' ter he own
se'f. Wid dat dey put out fer Mr. Benjermun Ram house. Brer Wolf, he
sorter hang back, but he 'shame' fer ter say he skeer'd, en dey went on
en went on plum twel dey git right spang up ter Mr. Benjermun Ram house.
"W'en dey git dar, de ole creetur wuz settin' out in de front po'ch
sorter sunnin' hisse'f. He see um comin', en w'en dey git up in hailin'
distance, he sorter cle'r up he th'oat, he did, en holler out:--
"'I much 'blije to you, Brer Fox, fer ketchin' dat owdashus vilyun en
fetchin' 'im back. My smoke-'ouse runnin' short, en I'll des chop 'im up
en pickle 'im. Fetch 'im in, Brer Fox! fetch 'im in!'
"Des 'bout dat time ole Miss Ram see dem creeturs a-comin', en
gentermens! you mought er yeard er blate plum ter town. Mr. Benjermun
Ram, he sorter skeer'd hisse'f, but he keep on talkin':--
"'Fetch 'im in, Brer Fox! fetch 'im in! Don't you year my ole 'oman
cryin' fer 'im? She ain't had no wolf meat now in gwine on mighty nigh a
mont'. Fetch 'im in, Brer Fox! fetch 'im in!'
"Fus' Brer Wolf try ter ontie hisse'f, den he tuck'n broke en run'd, en
he drag ole Brer Fox atter 'im des lak he ain't weigh mo'n a poun', en I
let you know hit 'uz many a long day 'fo' Brer Fox git well er de
thumpin' he got."
"Uncle Remus," said the little boy after a while, "I thought wolves
always caught sheep when they had the chance."
"Dey ketches lam's, honey, but bless yo' soul! dey ain't ketch deze yer
ole-time Rams wid red eye en wrinkly hawn."
"Where was Brother Rabbit all this time?"
"Now, den, honey, don't less pester wid ole Brer Rabbit right now. Des
less gin 'im one night rest, mo' speshually w'en I year de seven stares
say yo' bed-time done come. Des take yo' foot in yo' han' en put right
out 'fo' Miss Sally come a-callin' you, 'kaze den she'll say I'm
a-settin' yer a-noddin' en not takin' keer un you."
The child laughed and ran up the path to the big-house, stopping a
moment on the way to mimic a bull-frog that was bellowing at a
tremendous rate near the spring.
FOOTNOTE:
[65] Wild; fierce; dangerous; courageous. The accent is on the second
syllable, ser-_vi_-gous; or, ser-_vi_-gus, and the g is hard. Aunt Tempy
would have said "vigrous."
L
BRER RABBIT PRETENDS TO BE POISONED
Not many nights after the story of how Mr. Benjamin Ram frightened
Brother Wolf and Brother Fox, the little boy found himself in Uncle
Remus's cabin. It had occurred to him that Mr. Ram should have played on
his fiddle somewhere in the tale, and Uncle Remus was called on to
explain. He looked at the little boy with an air of grieved
astonishment, and exclaimed:--
"Well, I be bless if I ever year der beat er dat. Yer you bin
a-persooin' on atter deze yer creeturs en makin' der 'quaintunce, en yit
look lak ef you 'uz ter meet um right up dar in der paff you'd fergit
all 'bout who dey is."
"Oh, no, I would n't, Uncle Remus!" protested the child, glancing at the
door and getting a little closer to the old man.
"Yasser! you'd des nat'ally whirl in en fergit 'bout who dey is. 'T
ain't so mighty long sence I done tole you 'bout ole Mr. Benjermun Ram
playin' he fiddle at Brer Wolf house, en yer you come en ax me how come
he don't take en play it at 'im 'g'in. W'at kinder lookin' sight 'ud dat
ole creetur a-bin ef he'd jump up en grab he fiddle en go ter playin' on
it eve'y time he year a fuss down de big road?"
The little boy said nothing, but he thought the story would have been a
great deal nicer if Mr. Benjamin Ram could have played one of the
old-time tunes on his fiddle, and while he was thinking about it, the
door opened and Aunt Tempy made her appearance. Her good-humor was
infectious.
"Name er goodness!" she exclaimed, "I lef' you all settin' yer way las'
week; I goes off un I does my wuk, un I comes back, un I fines you
settin' right whar I lef' you. Goodness knows, I dunner whar you gits
yo' vittles. I dunner whar I ain't bin sence I lef' you all settin' yer.
I let you know I bin a-usin' my feet un I been a-usin' my han's. Dat's
me. No use ter ax how you all is, 'kaze you looks lots better'n me."
"Yas, Sis Tempy, we er settin' yer whar you lef' us, en der Lord, he bin
a-pervidin'. W'en de vittles don't come in at de do' hit come down de
chimbly, en so w'at de odds? We er sorter po'ly, Sis Tempy, I'm 'blige
ter you. You know w'at de jay-bird say ter der squinch owl! 'I'm sickly
but sassy.'"
Aunt Tempy laughed as she replied: "I 'speck you all bin a-havin' lots
er fun. Goodness knows I wish many a time sence I bin gone dat I 'uz
settin' down yer runnin' on wid you all. I ain't bin gone fur--dat's so,
yit Mistiss put me ter cuttin'-out, un I tell you now dem w'at cuts out
de duds fer all de niggers on dis place is got ter wuk fum soon in de
mawnin' plum tel bed-time, dey ain't no two ways. 'T ain't no wuk youk'n
kyar' 'bout wid you needer, 'kaze you got ter spread it right out on de
flo' un git down on yo' knees. I mighty glad I done wid it, 'kaze my
back feel like it done broke in a thous'n pieces. Honey, is Brer Remus
bin a-tellin' you some mo' er dem ole-time tales?"
Aunt Tempy's question gave the little boy an excuse for giving her brief
outlines of some of the stories. One that he seemed to remember
particularly well was the story of how Brother Rabbit and Brother Fox
killed a cow, and how Brother Rabbit got the most and the best of the
beef.
"I done year talk uv a tale like dat," exclaimed Aunt Tempy, laughing
heartily, "but 't ain't de same tale. I mos' 'shame' ter tell it."
"You gittin' too ole ter be blushin', Sis Tempy," said Uncle Remus with
dignity.
"Well den," said Aunt Tempy, wiping her fat face with her apron: "One
time Brer Rabbit un Brer Wolf tuck'n gone off som'ers un kilt a cow, un
w'en dey come fer ter 'vide out de kyarkiss, Brer Wolf 'low dat bein's
he de biggest he oughter have de mos', un he light in, he did, un do
like he gwine ter take it all. Brer Rabbit do like he don't keer much,
but he keer so bad hit make 'im right sick. He tuck'n walk all 'roun' de
kyarkiss, he did, un snuff de air, un terreckly he say:--
"'Brer Wolf!--O Brer Wolf!--is dis meat smell 'zuckly right ter you?'
"Brer Wolf, he cuttin' un he kyarvin' un he ain't sayin' nothin'. Brer
Rabbit, he walk all 'roun' un 'roun' de kyarkiss. He feel it un he kick
it. Terreckly he say:--
"'Brer Wolf!--O Brer Wolf!--Dis meat feel mighty flabby ter me; how it
feel ter you?'
"Brer Wolf, he year all dat's said, but he keep on a-cuttin' un a
kyarvin'. Brer Rabbit say:--
"'You kin talk er not talk, Brer Wolf, des ez youer min' ter, yit ef I
ain't mistooken in de sign, you'll do some tall talkin' 'fo' youer done
wid dis beef. Now you mark w'at I tell you!'
"Brer Rabbit put out fum dar, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' yer he come back
wid a chunk er fier, un a dish er salt. W'en Brer Wolf see dis, he
say:--
"'W'at you gwine do wid all dat, Brer Rabbit?'
"Brer Rabbit laugh like he know mo' dan he gwine tell, un he say:--
"'Bless yo' soul, Brer Wolf! I ain't gwine ter kyar er poun' er dis meat
home tel I fin' out w'at de matter wid it. No I ain't--so dar now!'
"Den Brer Rabbit built 'im a fier un cut 'im off a slishe er steak un
br'ilte it good un done, un den he e't little uv it. Fus' he'd tas'e un
den he'd nibble; den he'd nibble un den he'd tas'e. He keep on tel he
e't right smart piece. Den he went'n sot off little ways like he waitin'
fer sump'n'.
"Brer Wolf, he kyarve un he cut, but he keep one eye on Brer Rabbit.
Brer Rabbit sot up dar same ez Judge on de bench. Brer Wolf, he watch
his motions. Terreckly Brer Rabbit fling bofe han's up ter he head un
fetch a groan. Brer Wolf cut un kyarve un watch Brer Rabbit motions.
Brer Rabbit sorter sway backerds un forrerds un fetch 'n'er groan. Den
he sway fum side to side un holler 'O Lordy!' Brer Wolf, he sorter 'gun
ter git skeer'd un he ax Brer Rabbit w'at de matter. Brer Rabbit, he
roll on de groun' un holler:--
"'O Lordy, Lordy! I'm pizen'd, I'm pizen'd! O Lordy! I'm pizen'd! Run
yer, somebody, run yer! De meat done got pizen on it. Oh, do run yer!'
"Brer Wolf git so skeer'd dat he put out fum dar, un he wa'n't out er
sight skacely 'fo' Brer Rabbit jump up fum dar un cut de pidjin-wing, un
't wa'n't so mighty long atter dat 'fo' Brer Rabbit done put all er dat
beef in his smoke-house."
"What became of Brother Wolf?" the little boy inquired.
"Brer Wolf went atter de doctor," continued Aunt Tempy, making little
tucks in her apron, "un w'en he come back Brer Rabbit un de beef done
gone; un, bless goodness, ef it had n't er bin fer de sign whar Brer
Rabbit built de fier, Brer Wolf would er bin mightly pester'd fer ter
fine der place whar de cow bin kilt."
At this juncture, 'Tildy, the house-girl, came in to tell Aunt Tempy
that one of the little negroes had been taken suddenly sick.
"I bin huntin' fer you over de whole blessid place," said 'Tildy.
"No, you ain't--no, you ain't. You ain't bin huntin' nowhar. You know'd
mighty well whar I wuz."
"Law, Mam' Tempy, I can't keep up wid you. How I know you down yer
courtin' wid Unk Remus?"
"Yo' head mighty full er courtin', you nas' stinkin' huzzy!" exclaimed
Aunt Tempy.
Uncle Remus, strange to say, was unmoved. He simply said:--
"W'en you see dat ar 'Tildy gal pirootin' 'roun' I boun' you ole Brer
Affikin Jack ain't fur off. 'T won't be so mighty long 'fo' de ole
creetur'll show up."
"How you know dat, Unk Remus?" exclaimed 'Tildy, showing her white teeth
and stretching her eyes. "Hit's de Lord's trufe; Mass Jeems done writ a
letter ter Miss Sally, en' he say in dat letter dat Daddy Jack ax 'im
fer ter tell Miss Sally ter tell me dat he'll be up yer dis week. Dat
ole Affikin ape got de impidence er de Ole Boy. He dunner who he foolin'
'longer!"
LI
MORE TROUBLE FOR BRER WOLF
The next night the little boy hardly waited to eat his supper before
going to Uncle Remus's house; and when Aunt Tempy failed to put in an
appearance as early as he thought necessary, he did not hesitate to go
after her. He had an idea that there was a sequel to the story she had
told the night before, and he was right. After protesting against being
dragged around from post to pillar by children, Aunt Tempy said:--
"Atter Brer Rabbit tuck'n make out he 'uz pizen'd un git all de beef, 't
wa'n't long 'fo' he chance to meet ole Brer Wolf right spang in de
middle uv de road. Brer Rabbit, he sorter shied off ter one side, but
Brer Wolf hail 'im:--
"'W'oa dar, my colty! don't be so gayly. You better be 'shame' yo'se'f
'bout de way you do me w'en we go inter cahoots wid dat beef.'
"Brer Rabbit, he up'n ax Brer Wolf how all his folks. Brer Wolf say:--
"'You'll fin' out how dey all is 'fo' dis day gone by. You took'n took
de beef, en now I'm a-gwine ter take'n take you.'
"Wid dis Brer Wolf make a dash at Brer Rabbit, but he des lack a little
bit uv bein' quick 'nuff, en Brer Rabbit he des went a-sailin' thoo de
woods. Brer Wolf, he tuck atter 'im, en yer dey had it--fus' Brer Rabbit
en den Brer Wolf. Brer Rabbit mo' soopler dan Brer Wolf, but Brer Wolf
got de 'vantage er de win', en terreckly he push Brer Rabbit so close
dat he run in a holler log.
"Brer Rabbit bin in dat log befo' en he know dey's a hole at de t'er
een', en he des keep on a-gwine. He dart in one een' en he slip out de
udder. He ain't stop ter say goo'-bye; bless you! he des keep on gwine.
"Brer Wolf, he see Brer Rabbit run in de holler log, en he say ter
hisse'f:--
"'Heyo, dey bin callin' you so mighty cunnin' all dis time, en yer you
done gone en shot yo'se'f up in my trap.'
"Den Brer Wolf laugh en lay down by de een' whar Brer Rabbit went in, en
pant en res' hisse'f. He see whar Brer B'ar burnin' off a new groun', en
he holler en ax 'im fer ter fetch 'im a chunk er fier, en Brer B'ar he
fotch it, en dey sot fier ter de holler log, en dey sot dar en watch it
till it burn plum up. Den dey took'n shuck han's, en Brer Wolf say he
hope dat atter dat dey'll have some peace in de neighborhoods."
Uncle Remus smiled a knowing smile as he filled his pipe, but Aunt Tempy
continued with great seriousness:--
"One time atter dat, Brer Wolf, he took'n pay a call down ter Miss
Meadows, en w'en he git dar en see Brer Rabbit settin' up side uv one er
de gals, he like to 'a' fainted, dat he did. He 'uz dat 'stonish'd dat
he look right down-hearted all endurin' uv de party.
"Brer Rabbit, he bow'd his howdies ter Brer Wolf un shuck han's 'long
wid 'im, des like nothin' ain't never happen 'twixt 'um, en he up'n
say:--
"'Ah-law, Brer Wolf! Youer much mo' my fr'en' dan you ever 'speckted ter
be, en you kin des count on me right straight 'long.'
"Brer Wolf say he feel sorter dat a-way hisse'f, en he ax Brer Rabbit
w'at make 'im change his min' so quick.
"'Bless you, Brer Wolf, I had needs ter change it,' sez Brer Rabbit,
sezee.
"Brer Wolf, he ax 'im how come.
"'All about bein' burnt up in a holler log, Brer Wolf, en w'en you gits
time I wish you be so good ez ter bu'n me up some mo',' sez Brer Rabbit,
sezee.
"Brer Wolf, he ax 'im how so. Brer Rabbit say:--
"'I'm fear'd ter tell you, Brer Wolf, 'kaze I don't want de news ter git
out.'
"Brer Wolf vow he won't tell nobody on de top side er de worl'. Brer
Rabbit say:--
"I done fin' out, Brer Wolf, dat w'en you git in a holler tree en
somebody sets it a-fier, dat de nat'al honey des oozles out uv it, en
mor'n dat, atter you git de honey all over you, 't ain't no use ter try
ter burn you up, 'kaze de honey will puzzuv you. Don't 'ny me dis favor,
Brer Wolf, 'kaze I done pick me out a n'er holler tree,' sez Brer
Rabbit, sezee.
"Brer Wolf, he wanter put right out den en dar, en Brer Rabbit say dat
des de kinder man w'at he bin huntin' fer. Dey took deyse'f off en 't
wa'n't long 'fo' dey came ter de tree w'at Brer Rabbit say he done pick
out. W'en dey git dar, Brer Wolf, he so greedy fer ter git a tas'e er de
honey dat he beg en beg Brer Rabbit fer ter let 'im git in de holler.
Brer Rabbit, he hol' back, but Brer Wolf beg so hard dat Brer Rabbit
'gree ter let 'im git in de holler.
"Brer Wolf, he got in, he did, en Brer Rabbit stuff de hole full er dry
leaves en trash, en den he got 'im a chunk er fier en totch 'er off. She
smoked en smoked, en den she bust out in a blaze. Brer Rabbit, he pile
up rocks, en brush, en sticks, so Brer Wolf can't git out. Terreckly
Brer Wolf holler:--
"'Gittin' mighty hot, Brer Rabbit! I ain't see no honey yit.'
"Brer Rabbit he pile on mo' trash, en holler back:--
"'Don't be in no hurry, Brer Wolf; you'll see it en tas'e it too.'
"Fier burn en burn, wood pop like pistol. Brer Wolf, he holler:
"'Gittin' hotter en hotter, Brer Rabbit. No honey come yit.'
"'Hol' still, Brer Wolf, hit'll come.'
"'Gimme a'r, Brer Rabbit; I'm a-chokin'.'
"'Fresh a'r make honey sour. Des hol' still, Brer Wolf!'
"'_Ow!_ she gittin' hotter en hotter, Brer Rabbit!'
"'Des hol' right still, Brer Wolf; mos' time fer de honey!'
"'_Ow! ow!_ I'm a-burnin', Brer Rabbit!'
"'Wait fer de honey, Brer Wolf.'
"'I can't stan' it, Brer Rabbit.'
"'Stan' it like I did, Brer Wolf.'
"Brer Rabbit he pile on de trash en de leaves. He say:--
"'I'll gin you honey, Brer Wolf; de same kinder honey you wanted ter
gimme.'
"En it seem like ter me," said Aunt Tempy, pleased at the interest the
little boy had shown, "dat it done Brer Wolf des right."
LII
BRER RABBIT OUTDOES MR. MAN
The little boy had heard Uncle Remus lamenting that his candle was
getting rather short, and he made it his business to go around the house
and gather all the pieces he could find. He carried these to the old
man, who received them with the liveliest satisfaction.
"Now dish yer sorter look lak sump'n', honey. W'en ole Brer Jack come
back, en Sis Tempy git in de habits er hangin' 'roun', we'll des light
some er dese yer, en folks'll come by en see de shine, en dey'll go off
en 'low dat hit's de night des 'fo' camp-meetin' at ole Remus house.
"I got little piece dar in my chist w'at you brung me long time ergo, en
I 'low ter myse'f dat ef shove ever git ter be push,[66] I'd des draw 'er
out en light 'er up."
"Mamma says Daddy Jack is coming back Sunday," said the little boy.
"Dat w'at I year talk," replied the old man.
"What did he go off for, Uncle Remus?"
"Bless yo' soul, honey! Brer Jack bleedz ter go en see yo' Unk Jeems. He
b'leeve de worl' go wrong ef he ain't do dat. Dat ole nigger b'leeve he
white mon. He come up yer fum down de country whar de Lord done fersook
um too long 'go ter talk 'bout,--he come up yer en he put on mo' a'rs
dan w'at I dast ter do. Not dat I'm keerin', 'kaze goodness knows I
ain't, yit I notices dat w'en I has ter go some'rs, dey's allers a great
ter-do 'bout w'at is I'm a-gwine fer, en how long is I'm a-gwine ter
stay; en ef I ain't back at de ve'y minit, dars Mars John a-growlin', en
Miss Sally a-vowin' dat she gwine ter put me on de block."[67]
Perhaps Uncle Remus's jealousy was more substantial than he was willing
to admit; but he was talking merely to see what the little boy would
say. The child, however, failed to appreciate the situation, seeing
which the old man quickly changed the subject.
"Times is mighty diffunt fum w'at dey use ter wuz, 'kaze de time has
bin dat ef ole Brer Rabbit had er run'd up wid Brer Jack w'iles he
comin' fum yo' Unk Jeems place, he'd outdone 'im des ez sho' ez de worl'
stan's. Deze days de Rabbits has ter keep out de way er folks, but in
dem days folks had ter keep out der way er ole Brer Rabbit. Ain't I
never tell you 'bout how Brer Rabbit whirl in en outdo Mr. Man?"
"About the meat tied to the string, Uncle Remus?"
"_Shoo!_ Dat ain't a drap in de bucket, honey. Dish yer wuz de time w'en
ole Brer Rabbit wuz gwine 'long de big road, en he meet Mr. Man drivin'
'long wid a waggin chock full er money."
"Where did he get so much money, Uncle Remus?"
"Bruisin' 'round en peddlin' 'bout. Mr. Man got w'at lots er folks ain't
got,--good luck, long head, quick eye, en slick fingers. But no marter
'bout dat, he got de money; en w'en you sorter grow up so you kin knock
'roun', 't won't be long 'fo' some un'll take en take you off 'roun' de
cornder en tell you dat 't ain't make no diffunce whar de money come fum
so de man got it. Dey won't tell you dat in de meeting-house, but dey'll
come mighty nigh it.
"But dat ain't needer yer ner dar. Mr. Man, he come a-drivin' 'long de
big road, en he got a waggin full er money. Brer Rabbit, he come
a-lippity-clippitin' 'long de big road, en he ain't got no waggin full
er money. Ole Brer Rabbit, he up'n tuck a notion dat dey's sump'n' wrong
some'rs, 'kaze ef dey wa'n't, he 'ud have des ez much waggin en money ez
Mr. Man. He study, en study, en he can't make out how dat is. Bimeby he
up'n holler out:--
"'Mr. Man, please, sir, lemme ride.'
"Mr. Man, he tuck'n stop he waggin, en 'low:--
"'Heyo, Brer Rabbit! how come dis? You comin' one way en I gwine nudder;
how come you wanter ride?'
"Brer Rabbit, he up'n scratch hisse'f on de back er de neck wid he
behime foot, en holler out:--
"'Mr. Man, yo' sho'ly can't be 'quainted 'long wid me. I'm one er dem
ar ole-time kinder folks w'at ain't a-keerin' w'ich way deyer gwine long
ez deyer ridin'.'"
The little boy laughed a sympathetic laugh, showing that he heartily
endorsed this feature of Brother Rabbit's programme.
"Atter so long a time," Uncle Remus went on, "Mr. Man 'gree ter let Brer
Rabbit ride a little piece. He try ter git Brer Rabbit fer ter ride upon
de seat wid 'im so dey kin git ter 'sputin' 'n'er, but Brer Rabbit say
he fear'd he fall off, en he des tuck'n sot right flat down in de bottom
er de waggin, en make lak he fear'd ter move.
"Bimeby, w'iles dey goin' down hill, en Mr. Man hatter keep he eye on de
hosses, Brer Rabbit he tuck'n fling out a great big hunk er de money.
Dez ez de money hit de groun' Brer Rabbit holler out:--
"'_Ow_!'
"Mr. Man look 'roun' en ax w'at de marter. Brer Rabbit 'low:--
"'Nothin' 't all, Mr. Man, 'ceppin' you 'bout ter jolt my jaw-bone
a-loose.'
"Dey go on little furder, en Brer Rabbit fling out 'n'er hunk er de
money. Wen she hit de groun', Brer Rabbit holler:--
"'_Blam_!'
"Mr. Man look 'roun' en ax w'at de marter. Brer Rabbit 'low:--
"'Nothin' 't all, Mr. Man, 'ceppin' I seed a jaybird flyin' 'long, en I
make lak I had a gun.'
"Hit keep on dis a-way twel fus' news you know Mr. Man ain't got a sign
er money in dat waggin. Seem lak Mr. Man ain't notice dis twel he git a
mighty fur ways fum de place whar Brer Rabbit drap out de las' hunk;
but, gentermens! w'en he do fine it out, you better b'leeve he sot up a
howl.
"'Whar my money? Whar my nice money? Whar my waggin full er purty
money? O you long-year'd rascal! Whar my money? Oh, gimme my money!'
"Brer Rabbit sot dar en lissen at 'im lak he 'stonish'd. Den he up'n
'low:--
"'Look out, Mr. Man! folks'll come 'long en year you gwine on dat a-way,
en dey'll go off en say you done gone ravin' 'stracted.'
"Yit Mr. Man keep on holler'n en beggin' Brer Rabbit fer ter gin 'im de
money, en bimeby Brer Rabbit, he git sorter skeer'd en he up'n 'low:--
"'Sun gittin' low, Mr. Man, en I better be gittin' 'way fum yer. De
sooner I goes de better, 'kaze ef you keep on lak you gwine, 't won't be
long 'fo' you'll be excusin' me er takin' dat ar money. I'm 'blige' fer
de ride, Mr. Man, en I wish you mighty well.'
"Brer Rabbit got de money," continued Uncle Remus, gazing placidly into
the fire, "en hit's mighty kuse ter me dat he ain't git de waggin en
hosses. Dat 't is!"
FOOTNOTES:
[66] A plantation saying. It means if hard times get harder. A briefer
form is "w'en shove 'come push"--when the worst comes to the worst.
[67] That is to say, put him on the block, and sell him.
LIII
BRER RABBIT TAKES A WALK
"Eve'y time I run over in my min' 'bout the pranks er Brer Rabbit,"
Uncle Remus continued, without giving the little boy time to ask any
more embarrassing questions about Mr. Man and his wagon full of money,
"hit make me laugh mo' en mo'. He mos' allers come out on top, yit dey
wuz times w'en he hatter be mighty spry."
"When was that, Uncle Remus?" inquired the little boy.
"I min' me er one time w'en de t'er creeturs all git de laugh on 'im,"
responded the old man, "en dey make 'im feel sorter 'shame'. Hit seem
lak dat dey 'uz some kinder bodderment 'mungs' de creeturs en wud went
out dat dey all got ter meet terge'er some'rs en ontangle de
tanglements.
"W'en de time come, dey wuz all un um dar, en dey hilt der confab right
'long. All un um got sump'n' ter say, en dey talk dar, dey did, des lak
dey 'uz paid fer talkin'. Dey all had der plans, en dey jabbered des lak
folks does w'en dey call deyse'f terge'er. Hit come 'bout dat Mr. Dog
git a seat right close by Brer Rabbit, en w'en he open he mouf fer ter
say sump'n', he toofs look so long en so strong, en dey shine so w'ite,
dat it feel mighty kuse.
"Mr. Dog, he'd say sump'n', Brer Rabbit, he'd jump en dodge. Mr. Dog,
he'd laugh, Brer Rabbit, he'd dodge en jump. Hit keep on dis a-way, twel
eve'y time Brer Rabbit'd dodge en jump, de t'er creeturs dey'd slap der
han's terge'er en break out in a laugh. Mr. Dog, he tuck'n tuck a notion
dat dey 'uz laughin' at him, en dis make 'im so mad dat he 'gun ter
growl en snap right smartually, en it come ter dat pass dat w'en Brer
Rabbit'd see Mr. Dog make a motion fer ter say a speech, he'd des drap
down en git und' de cheer.
"Co'se dis make um laugh wuss en wuss, en de mo' dey laugh de madder it
make Mr. Dog, twel bimeby he git so mad he fa'rly howl, en Brer Rabbit
he sot dar, he did, en shuck lak he got er ager.
"Atter w'ile Brer Rabbit git sorter on t'er side, en he make a speech en
say dey oughter be a law fer ter make all de creeturs w'at got tushes
ketch en eat der vittles wid der claws. All un um 'gree ter dis 'cep'
hit's Mr. Dog, Brer Wolf, en Brer Fox.
"In dem days," continued Uncle Remus, "ef all de creeturs ain't 'gree,
dey put it off twel de nex' meetin' en talk it over some mo', en dat's
de way dey done wid Brer Rabbit projick. Dey put it off twel de nex'
time.
"Brer Rabbit got a kinder sneakin' notion dat de creeturs ain't gwine do
lak he want um ter do, en he 'low ter Brer Wolf dat he 'speck de bes'
way fer ter do is ter git all de creeturs ter 'gree fer ter have Mr. Dog
mouf sew'd up, 'kaze he toofs look so venomous; en Brer Wolf say dey ull
all go in fer dat.
"Sho' 'nuff, w'en de day done come, Brer Rabbit he git up en say dat de
bes' way ter do is have Mr. Dog mouf sew'd up so he toofs won't look so
venomous. Dey all 'gree, en den Mr. Lion, settin' up in de arm-cheer, he
ax who gwine do de sewin'.
"Den dey all up'n 'low dat de man w'at want de sewin' done, he de man
fer ter do it, 'kaze den he ull know it done bin done right. Brer
Rabbit, he sorter study, en den he 'low:--
"'I ain't got no needle.'
"Brer B'ar, he sorter feel in de flap er he coat collar, en he 'low:--
"'Yer, Brer Rabbit; yer a great big one!'
"Brer Rabbit, he sorter study 'g'in, en den he 'low:--
"'I ain't got no th'ead.'
"Brer B'ar, he tuck'n pull a rav'lin' fum de bottom er he wescut, en he
'low:--
"'Yer, Brer Rabbit; yer a great long one!'
"Ef it had er bin anybody in de roun' worl' he'd er 'gun ter feel sorter
ticklish," Uncle Remus went on. "But ole Brer Rabbit, he des tuck'n lay
he finger 'cross he nose, en 'low:--
"'Des hol' um dar fer me, Brer B'ar, en I'll be much 'blige ter you.
_Hit's des 'bout my time er day fer ter take a walk!_'"
Uncle Remus laughed as heartily as the child, and added:--
"Some folks say de creeturs had de grins on Brer Rabbit 'bout dat time;
but I tell you right pine-blank dey ain't grin much w'en dey year Brer
Rabbit say dat."
LIV
OLD GRINNY-GRANNY WOLF
At last Daddy Jack returned, and the fact that the little boy had missed
him and inquired about him, seemed to give the old African particular
pleasure. It was probably a new experience to Daddy Jack, and it vaguely
stirred some dim instinct in his bosom that impelled him to greet the
child with more genuine heartiness than he had ever displayed in all his
life. He drew the little boy up to him, patted him gently on the cheek,
and exclaimed:--
"Ki! I bin want fer see you bery bahd. I bin-a tell you' nunk Jeem' how
fine noung màn you is. 'E ahx wey you no come fer shum. Fine b'y--fine
b'y!"
"Well, ef dat's de way youer gwine on, Brer Jack, you'll spile dat chap
sho'. A whole sack er salt won't save 'im."
"I dunno 'bout dat, Brer Remus," said Aunt Tempy, who had come in.
"Don't seem like he bad like some yuther childun w'at I seen. Bless you,
I know childun w'at'd keep dish yer whole place tarryfied--dat dey
would!"
"Well, sir," said Uncle Remus, shaking his head and groaning, "you all
ain't wid dat young un dar much ez I is. Some days w'en dey ain't nobody
lookin', en dey ain't nobody nowhar fer ter take keer un me, dat ar
little chap dar 'll come down yer en chunk me wid rocks, en 'buze me en
holler at me scan'lous."
The little boy looked so shocked that Uncle Remus broke into a laugh
that shook the cobwebs in the corners; then, suddenly relapsing into
seriousness, he drew himself up with dignity and remarked:--
"Good er bad, you can't git 'long wid 'im less'n you sets in ter tellin'
tales, en, Brer Jack, I hope you got some 'long wid you."
Daddy Jack rubbed his hands together, and said:--
"Me bin yeddy one tale; 'e mekky me lahff tel I is 'come tire'."
"Fer de Lord sake less have it den!" exclaimed Aunt Tempy, with
unction. Whereupon, the small but appreciative audience disposed itself
comfortably, and Daddy Jack, peering at each one in turn, his eyes
shining between his half-closed lids as brightly as those of some wild
animal, began:--
"One tam B'er Rabbit is bin traffel 'roun' fer see 'e neighbor folks. 'E
bin mahd wit' B'er Wolf fer so long tam; 'e mek no diffran, 'e come pas'
'e house 'e no see nuttin', 'e no yeddy nuttin'. 'E holler:--
"'Hi, B'er Wolf! wey you no fer mek answer wun me ahx you howdy? Wey fer
you is do dis 'fo' me werry face? Wut mekky you do dis?'
"'E wait, 'e lissun; nuttin' no mek answer. B'er Rabbit, 'e holler:--
"'Come-a show you'se'f, B'er Wolf! Come-a show you'se'f. Be 'shame' fer
not show you'se'f wun you' 'quaintun' come bisitin' wey you lif!'
"Nuttin' 't all no mek answer, un B'er Rabbit 'come berry mahd. 'E 'come
so mahd 'e stomp 'e fut un bump 'e head 'pon da fence-side. Bumbye 'e
tek heart, 'e y-opun da do', 'e is look inside da house. Fier bu'n in da
chimbly, pot set 'pon da fier, ole ooman sed by da pot. Fier bu'n, pot,
'e bile, ole ooman, 'e tek 'e nap.
"Da ole ooman, 'e ole Granny Wolf; 'e cripple in 'e leg, 'e bline in 'e
y-eye, 'e mos' deaf in 'e year. 'E deaf, but 'e bin yeddy B'er Rabbit
mek fuss at da do', un 'e is cry out:--
"'Come-a see you' ole Granny, me gran'son--come-a see you' Granny! Da
fier is bin bu'n, da pot is bin b'ile; come-a fix you' Granny some
bittle,[68] me gran'son.'"
Daddy Jack's representation of the speech and action of an old woman was
worth seeing and hearing. The little boy laughed, and Uncle Remus smiled
good-humoredly; but Aunt Tempy looked at the old African with
open-mouthed astonishment. Daddy Jack, however, cared nothing for any
effect he might produce. He told the story for the story's sake, and he
made no pause for the purpose of gauging the appreciation of his
audience.
"B'er Rabbit, 'e is bin mek 'ese'f comfuts by da fier. Bumbye, 'e
holler:--
"'Hi, Granny! I bin cripple mese'f; me y-eye bin-a come bline. You mus'
bile-a me in da water, Granny, so me leg is kin come well, en so me
y-eye kin come see.'
"B'er Rabbit, 'e mighty ha'd fer fool. 'E bin tek 'im one chunk woot, 'e
drap da woot in da pot. 'E bin say:--
"'I is bin feelin' well, me Granny. Me leg, 'e comin' strong, me y-eye
'e fix fer see.'
"Granny Wolf, 'e shek 'e head; 'e cry:--
"'Me one leg cripple, me turrer leg cripple; me one eye bline, me turrer
y-eye bline. Wey you no fer pit me in da pot fer mek me well?'
"B'er Rabbit laff in 'e belly; 'e say:--
"'Hol' you'se'f still, me Granny; I fix you one place in da pot wey you
is kin fetch-a back da strenk in you' leg en da sight in you' eye. Hol'
still, me Granny!'
"B'er Rabbit, 'e is bin tekky da chunk y-out da pot; 'e tekky da chunk,
en 'e is bin pit Granny Wolf in dey place. 'E tetch da water, 'e
holler:--
"'Ow! tekky me way fum dis!'
"B'er Rabbit say 'tiss not da soon 'nuff tam. Granny Wolf, 'e holler:--
"'Ow! tekky me way fum dis! 'E bin too hot!'
"B'er Rabbit, 'e no tekky da Mammy Wolf fum da pot, en bumbye 'e die in
dey. B'er Rabbit 'e tek 'e bone en t'row um 'way; 'e leaf da meat. 'E
tek Granny Wolf frock, 'e tu'n um 'roun', 'e pit um on; 'e tek Granny
Wolf cap, 'e tu'n 'roun', 'e pit um on. 'E sed deer by da fier, 'e hol'
'e'se'f in 'e cheer sem lak Granny Wolf.
"Bumbye B'er Wolf is bin-a come back. 'E walk in 'e house, 'e say:--
"'Me honkry, Grinny-Granny! Me honkry, fer true!'
"'You' dinner ready, Grin'son-Gran'son!'
"B'er Wolf, 'e look in da pot, 'e smell in da pot, 'e stir in da pot. 'E
eat 'e dinner, 'e smack 'e mout'."
The little boy shuddered, and Aunt Tempy exclaimed, "In de name er de
Lord!" The old African paid no attention to either.
"B'er Wolf eat 'e dinner; 'e call 'e chilluns, 'e ahx um is dey no want
nuttin' 't all fer eat. 'E holler back:--
"'We no kin eat we Grinny-Granny!'
"B'er Rabbit, 'e run 'way fum dey-dey; 'e holler back:--
"'B'er Wolf, you is bin eat you' Grinny-Granny.'
"B'er Wolf bin-a git so mad 'e yent mos' kin see. 'E yeddy B'er Rabbit
holler, en 'e try fer ketch um. 'E feer teer up da grass wey 'e run
'long. Bumbye 'e come 'pon B'er Rabbit. 'E is bin push um ha'd. B'er
Rabbit run un-a run tel 'e yent kin run no mo'; 'e hide 'neat' leanin'
tree. B'er Wolf, 'e fine um; B'er Rabbit 'e holler:--
"'Hi! B'er Wolf! mek 'as'e come hol' up da tree, 'fo' 'e is fall
dey-dey; come-a hol' um, B'er Wolf, so I is kin prop um up.'
"B'er Wolf, 'e hol' up da tree fer B'er Rabbit; 'e hol' um till 'e do
come tire'. B'er Rabbit gone!"
Daddy Jack paused. His story was ended. The little boy drew a long
breath and said:--
"I did n't think Brother Rabbit would burn anybody to death in a pot of
boiling water."
"Dat," said Uncle Remus, reassuringly, "wuz endurin' er de dog days. Dey
er mighty wom times, mon, dem ar dog days is."
This was intended to satisfy such scruples as the child might have, and
it was no doubt successful, for the youngster said no more, but watched
Uncle Remus as the latter leisurely proceeded to fill his pipe.
FOOTNOTE:
[68] Victuals.
LV
HOW WATTLE WEASEL WAS CAUGHT
Uncle Remus chipped the tobacco from the end of a plug, rubbed it
between the palms of his hands, placed it in his pipe, dipped the pipe
in the glowing embers, and leaned back in his chair, and seemed to be
completely happy.
"Hit mought not er bin endurin' er de dog days," said the old man,
recurring to Daddy Jack's story, "'kaze dey wuz times dat w'en dey push
ole Brer Rabbit so close he 'uz des bleedz ter git he revengeance out'n
um. Dat mought er bin de marter 'twix' him en ole Grinny-Granny Wolf,
'kaze w'en ole Brer Rabbit git he dander up, he 'uz a monst'us bad man
fer ter fool wid.
"Dey tuck atter 'im," continued Uncle Remus, "en dey 'buzed 'im, en dey
tried ter 'stroy 'im, but dey wuz times w'en de t'er creeturs bleedz ter
call on 'im fer ter he'p 'em out dey trouble. I ain't nev' tell you
'bout little Wattle Weasel, is I?" asked the old man, suddenly turning
to the little boy.
The child laughed. The dogs on the plantation had killed a weasel a few
nights before,--a very cunning-looking little animal,--and some of the
negroes had sent it to the big house as a curiosity. He connected this
fact with Uncle Remus's allusions to the weasel. Before he could make
any reply, however, the old man went on:--
"No, I boun' I ain't, en it come 'cross me right fresh en hot time I
year talk er Brer Wolf eatin' he granny. Dey wuz one time w'en all de
creeturs wuz livin' in de same settlement en usin' out'n de same spring,
en it got so dat dey put all dey butter in de same piggin'. Dey put it
in dar, dey did, en dey put it in de spring-house, en dey'd go off en
'ten' ter dey business. Den w'en dey come back dey'd fine whar some un
been nibblin' at dey butter. Dey tuck'n hide dat butter all 'roun' in de
spring-house; dey sot it on de rafters, en dey bury it in de san'; yit
all de same de butter 'ud come up missin'.
"Bimeby it got so dey dunner w'at ter do; dey zamin' de tracks, en dey
fine out dat de man w'at nibble dey butter is little Wattle Weasel. He
come in de night, he come in de day; dey can't ketch 'im. Las' de
creeturs tuck'n helt er confab, en dey 'gree dat dey hatter set some un
fer ter watch en ketch Wattle Weasel.
"Brer Mink wuz de fus' man 'p'inted, 'kaze he wa'n't mo'n a half a
han'[69] no way you kin fix it. De t'er creeturs dey tuck'n went off ter
dey wuk, en Brer Mink he tuck'n sot up wid de butter. He watch en he
lissen, he lissen en he watch; he ain't see nothin', he ain't year
nothin'. Yit he watch, 'kaze der t'er creeturs done fix up a law dat ef
Wattle Weasel come w'iles somebody watchin' en git off bidout gittin'
kotch, de man w'at watchin' ain't kin eat no mo' butter endurin' er dat
year.
"Brer Mink, he watch en he wait. He set so still dat bimeby he git de
cramps in de legs, en des 'bout dat time little Wattle Weasel pop he
head und' de do'. He see Brer Mink, en he hail 'im:--
"'Heyo, Brer Mink! you look sorter lonesome in dar. Come out yer en less
take a game er hidin'-switch.'
"Brer Mink, he wanter have some fun, he did, en he tuck'n jine Wattle
Weasel in de game. Dey play en dey play twel, bimeby, Brer Mink git so
wo' out dat he ain't kin run, skacely, en des soon ez dey sets down ter
res', Brer Mink, he draps off ter sleep. Little Wattle Weasel, so mighty
big en fine, he goes en nibbles up de butter, en pops out de way he come
in.
[Illustration: "HE SORTER HUNCH BRER POSSUM IN DE SHORT RIBS,
EN AX 'IM HOW HE COME ON"]
"De creeturs, dey come back, dey did, en dey fine de butter nibbled, en
Wattle Weasel gone. Wid dat, dey marks Brer Mink down, en he ain't
kin eat no mo' butter dat year. Den dey fix up 'n'er choosement en
'p'int Brer Possum fer ter watch de butter.
"Brer Possum, he grin en watch, and bimeby, sho' 'nuff, in pop little
Wattle Weasel. He come in, he did, en he sorter hunch Brer Possum in de
short ribs, en ax 'im how he come on. Brer Possum mighty ticklish, en
time Wattle Weasel totch 'im in de short ribs, he 'gun ter laugh. Wattle
Weasel totch 'im ag'in en laugh wusser, en he keep on hunchin' 'im dat
a-way twel bimeby Brer Possum laugh hisse'f plum outer win', en Wattle
Weasel lef 'im dar en nibble up de butter.
"De creeturs, dey tuck'n mark Brer Possum down, en 'p'int Brer Coon.
Brer Coon, he tuck'n start in all so mighty fine; but w'iles he settin'
dar, little Wattle Weasel banter 'im fer a race up de branch. No sooner
say dan yer dey went! Brer Coon, he foller de tu'ns er de branch, en
little Wattle Weasel he take'n take nigh cuts, en 't wa'n't no time 'fo'
he done run Brer Coon plum down. Den dey run down de branch, and 'fo'
Brer Coon kin ketch up wid 'im, dat little Wattle Weasel done got back
ter de noggin er butter, en nibble it up.
"Den de creeturs tuck'n mark Brer Coon down, dey did, en 'p'int Brer Fox
fer ter watch de butter. Wattle Weasel sorter 'fear'd 'er Brer Fox. He
study long time, en den he wait twel night. Den he tuck'n went 'roun' in
de ole fiel' en woke up de Killdees[70] en druv 'roun' todes de
spring-house. Brer Fox year um holler, en it make he mouf water. Bimeby,
he 'low ter hisse'f dat 't ain't no harm ef he go out en slip up on
one."
"Dar now!" said Aunt Tempy.
"Brer Fox tuck'n slip out, en Wattle Weasel he slicked in, en bless yo'
soul! dar goes de butter!"
"Enty!" exclaimed Daddy Jack.
"Brer Fox he git marked down," continued Uncle Remus, "en den de
creeturs tuck'n 'p'int Brer Wolf fer ter be dey watcher. Brer Wolf, he
sot up dar, he did, en sorter nod, but bimeby he year some un talkin'
outside de spring-house. He h'ist up he years en lissen. Look lak some
er de creeturs wuz gwine by, en talkin' 'mungs' deysef'; but all Brer
Wolf kin year is dish yer:--
"'I wonder who put dat ar young sheep down dar by de chinkapin tree, en
I like ter know wharbouts Brer Wolf is.'
"Den it seem lak dey pass on, en ole Brer Wolf, he fergotted w'at he in
dar fer, en he dash down ter de chinkapin tree, fer ter git de young
sheep. But no sheep dar, en w'en he git back, he see signs whar Wattle
Weasel done bin in dar en nibble de butter.
"Den de creeturs tuck'n mark Brer Wolf down, en 'p'int Brer B'ar fer ter
keep he eye 'pun de noggin er butter. Brer B'ar he tuck'n sot up dar, he
did, en lick he paw, en feel good. Bimeby Wattle Weasel come dancin' in.
He 'low:--
"'Heyo, Brer B'ar, how you come on? I 'low'd I yeard you snortin' in
yer, en I des drapt in fer ter see.'
"Brer B'ar tell him howdy, but he sorter keep one eye on 'im. Little
Wattle Weasel 'low:--
"'En you got ticks on yo' back, Brer B'ar?'
"Wid dat Wattle Weasel 'gun ter rub Brer B'ar on de back en scratch 'im
on de sides, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' he 'uz stretch out fast asleep en
sno'in' lak a saw-mill. Co'se Wattle Weasel git de butter. Brer B'ar he
got marked down, and den de creeturs ain't know w'at dey gwine do
skacely.
"Some say sen' fer Brer Rabbit, some say sen' fer Brer Tarrypin; but
las' dey sent fer Brer Rabbit. Brer Rabbit, he tuck a notion dat dey 'uz
fixin' up some kinder trick on 'im, en dey hatter beg mightily, mon,
'fo' he 'ud come en set up 'longside er dey butter.
"But bimeby he 'greed, en he went down ter de spring-house en look
'roun'. Den he tuck'n got 'im a twine string, en hide hisse'f whar he
kin keep he eye on de noggin er butter. He ain't wait long 'fo' yer
come Wattle Weasel. Des ez he 'bout ter nibble at de butter, Brer Rabbit
holler out:--
"'Let dat butter 'lone!'
"Wattle Weasel jump back lak de butter bu'nt 'im. He jump back, he did,
en say:--
"'Sho'ly dat mus' be Brer Rabbit!'
"'De same. I 'low'd you'd know me. Des let dat butter 'lone.'
"'Des lemme git one little bit er tas'e, Brer Rabbit.'
"'Des let dat butter 'lone.'
"Den Wattle Weasel say he want er run a race. Brer Rabbit 'low he tired.
Wattle Weasel 'low he want er play hidin'. Brer Rabbit 'low dat all he
hidin' days is pas' en gone. Wattle Weasel banter'd en banter'd 'im, en
bimeby Brer Rabbit come up wid a banter er he own.
"'I'll take'n tie yo' tail,' sezee, 'en you'll take'n tie mine, en den
we'll see w'ich tail de strongest.' Little Wattle Weasel know how weakly
Brer Rabbit tail is, but he ain't know how strong Brer Rabbit bin wid he
tricks. So dey tuck'n tie der tails wid Brer Rabbit twine string.
"Wattle Weasel wuz ter stan' inside en Brer Rabbit wuz ter stan'
outside, en dey wuz ter pull 'gin' one er n'er wid dey tails. Brer
Rabbit, he tuck'n slip out'n de string, en tie de een' 'roun' a tree
root, en den he went en peep at Wattle Weasel tuggin' en pullin'. Bimeby
Wattle Weasel 'low:--
"'Come en ontie me, Brer Rabbit, 'kaze you done outpull me.'
"Brer Rabbit sot dar, he did, en chaw he cud, en look lak he feel sorry
'bout sump'n'. Bimeby all de creeturs come fer ter see 'bout dey butter,
'kaze dey fear'd Brer Rabbit done make way wid it. Yit w'en dey see
little Wattle Weasel tie by de tail, dey make great 'miration 'bout Brer
Rabbit, en dey 'low he de smartest one er de whole gang."
FOOTNOTES:
[69] That is, could do no more than half the work of a man.
[70] Killdeers--a species of plover.
LVI
BRER RABBIT TIES MR. LION
There was some comment and some questions were asked by the little boy
in regard to Wattle Weasel and the other animals; to all of which Uncle
Remus made characteristic response. Aunt Tempy sat with one elbow on her
knee, her head resting in the palm of her fat hand. She gazed intently
into the fire, and seemed to be lost in thought. Presently she
exclaimed:--
"Well, de Lord he'p my soul!"
"Dat's de promise, Sis Tempy," said Uncle Remus, solemnly.
Aunt Tempy laughed, as she straightened herself in her chair, and
said:--
"I des knowed dey wuz sump'n' 'n'er gwine 'cross my min' w'en I year
talk 'bout dat ar sheep by de chinkapin tree."
"Out wid it, Sis Tempy," said Uncle Remus, by way of encouragement; "out
wid it; free yo' min', en des make yo'se'f welcome."
"No longer'n Sunday 'fo' las', I 'uz 'cross dar at de Spivey place en I
tuck'n year'd a nigger man tellin' de same tale, en I 'low ter myse'f
dat I'd take'n take it en kyar' it home en gin it out w'en I come ter
pass de time wid Brer Remus en all uv um. I 'low ter myse'f I'll take it
en kyar' it dar, en I'll des tell it my own way."
"Well, den," said Uncle Remus, approvingly, "me en dish yer chap, we er
willin' en a-waitin', en ez fer Brer Jack over dar, we kin say de same
fer him, 'kaze I up en year 'im draw mighty long breff des now lak he
fixin' fer ter snort. But you neenter min' dat ole creetur, Sis Tempy.
Des push right ahead."
"Ah-h-h-e-e!" exclaimed Daddy Jack, snapping his bright little eyes at
Uncle Remus with some display of irritation; "you tek-a me fer be sleep
ebry tam I shed-a me y-eye, you is mek fool-a you'se'f. _Warrah yarrah
garrah tarrah!_"[71]
"Brer Remus!" said Aunt Tempy, in an awed whisper, "maybe he's a-cunju'n
un you."
"No-no!" exclaimed Daddy Jack, snappishly, "me no cuncher no'n' 't all.
Wun me cuncher you all you yeddy bone crack. Enty!"
"Well, in de name er de Lord, don't come a-cunju'n wid me, 'kaze I'm des
as peaceable ez de day's long," said Aunt Tempy.
Uncle Remus smiled and closed his eyes with an air of disdain, caught
from his old Mistress, the little boy's grandmother, long since dead.
"Tell yo' tale, Sis Tempy," he said pleasantly, "en leave de talk er
cunju'n ter de little nigger childun. We er done got too ole fer dat
kinder foolishness."
This was for the ear of the little boy. In his heart Uncle Remus was
convinced that Daddy Jack was capable of changing himself into the
blackest of black cats, with swollen tail, arched back, fiery eyes, and
protruding fangs. But the old man's attitude reassured Aunt Tempy, as
well as the child, and forthwith she proceeded with her story:--
"Hit seem like dat one time w'en Brer Rabbit fine hisse'f way off in de
middle er de woods, de win' strike up un 'gun ter blow. Hit blow down on
de groun' en it blow up in de top er de timber, en it blow so hard twel
terreckerly Brer Rabbit tuck a notion dat he better git out fum dar 'fo'
de timber 'gun ter fall.
"Brer Rabbit, he broke en run, en, Man--Sir![72] w'en dat creetur run'd
he run'd, now you year w'at I tell yer! He broke en run, he did, en he
fa'rly flew 'way fum dar. W'iles he gwine 'long full tilt, he run'd
ag'in' ole Mr. Lion. Mr. Lion, he hail 'im:--
"'Heyo, Brer Rabbit! Wat yo' hurry?'
"'Run, Mr. Lion, run! Dey's a harrycane comin' back dar in de timbers.
You better run!'
"Dis make Mr. Lion sorter skeer'd. He 'low:--
"'I mos' too heavy fer ter run fur, Brer Rabbit. W'at I gwine do?'
"'Lay down, Mr. Lion, lay down! Git close ter de groun'!'
"Mr. Lion shake his head. He 'low:--
"'Ef win' lierbul fer ter pick up little man like you is, Brer Rabbit,
w'at it gwine do wid big man like me?'
"'Hug a tree, Mr. Lion, hug a tree!'
"Mr. Lion lash hisse'f wid his tail. He 'low:--
"'Wat I gwine do ef de win' blow all day en a good part er de night,
Brer Rabbit?'
"'Lemme tie you ter de tree, Mr. Lion! lemme tie you ter de tree!'
"Mr. Lion, he tuk'n 'gree ter dis, en Brer Rabbit, he got 'im a hick'ry
split[73] en tie 'im hard en fast ter de tree. Den he tuck'n sot down,
ole Brer Rabbit did, en wash his face en han's des same ez you see de
cats doin'. Terreckerly Mr. Lion git tired er stan'in' dar huggin' de
tree, en he ax Brer Rabbit w'at de reason he ain't keep on runnin', en
Brer Rabbit, he up'n 'low dat he gwine ter stay der en take keer Mr.
Lion.
"Terreckerly Mr. Lion say he ain't year no harrycane. Brer Rabbit say he
ain't needer. Mr. Lion say he ain't year no win' a-blowin'. Brer Rabbit
say he ain't needer. Mr. Lion say he ain't so much ez year a leaf
a-stirrin'. Brer Rabbit say he ain't needer. Mr. Lion sorter study, en
Brer Rabbit sot dar, he did, en wash his face en lick his paws.
"Terreckerly Mr. Lion ax Brer Rabbit fer ter onloose 'im.
Brer Rabbit say he fear'd. Den Mr. Lion git mighty mad, en he 'gun ter
beller wuss'n one er deze yer bull-yearlin's. He beller so long en he
beller so loud twel present'y de t'er creeturs dey 'gun ter come up fer
ter see w'at de matter.
"Des soon ez dey come up, Brer Rabbit, he tuck'n 'gun ter talk biggity
en strut 'roun', en, Man--Sir! w'en dem yuthers see dat Brer Rabbit done
got Mr. Lion tied up, I let you know dey tuck'n walked way 'roun' 'im,
en 't wuz many a long day 'fo' dey tuck'n pestered ole Brer Rabbit."
Here Aunt Tempy paused. The little boy asked what Brother Rabbit tied
Mr. Lion for; but she did n't know; Uncle Remus, however, came to the
rescue.
"One time long 'fo' dat, honey, Brer Rabbit went ter de branch fer ter
git a drink er water, en ole Mr. Lion tuck'n druv 'im off, en fum dat
time out Brer Rabbit bin huntin' a chance fer ter ketch up wid 'im."
"Dat's so," said Aunt Tempy, and then she added:--
"I 'clare I ain't gwine tell you all not na'er n'er tale, dat I ain't.
'Kaze you des set dar en you ain't crack a smile fum de time I begin. Ef
dat'd 'a' bin Brer Remus, now, dey'd 'a' bin mo' gigglin' gwine on dan
you kin shake a stick at. I'm right down mad, dat I is."
"Well, I tell you dis, Sis Tempy," said Uncle Remus, with unusual
emphasis, "ef deze yer tales wuz des fun, fun, fun, en giggle, giggle,
giggle, I let you know I'd a-done drapt um long ago. Yasser, w'en it
come down ter gigglin' you kin des count ole Remus out."
FOOTNOTES:
[71] This is simply "gullah" negro talk intended to be unintelligible,
and therefore impressive. It means "One or the other is as good as
t'other."
[72] An expression used to give emphasis and to attract attention; used
in the sense that Uncle Remus uses "Gentermens!"
[73] Hickory withe.
LVII
MR. LION'S SAD PREDICAMENT
The discussion over Aunt Tempy's fragmentary story having exhausted
itself, Daddy Jack turned up his coat collar until it was as high as the
top of his head, and then tried to button it under his chin. If this
attempt had been successful, the old African would have presented a
diabolical appearance; but the coat refused to be buttoned in that
style. After several attempts, which created no end of amusement for the
little boy, Daddy Jack said:--
"Da Lion, 'e no hab bin sma't lak B'er Rabbit. 'E strong wit' 'e fut, 'e
strong wit' 'e tush, but 'e no strong wit' 'e head. 'E bery foolish,
'cep' 'e is bin hab chance ter jump 'pon dem creetur.
"One tam 'e bin come by B'er Rabbit in da road; 'e ahx um howdy; 'e ahx
um wey 'e gwan. B'er Rabbit say 'e gwan git fum front de Buckra Màn wut
bin comin' 'long da road. B'er Rabbit say:--
"'Hide you'se'f, B'er Lion; da Buckra ketch-a you fer true; 'e is bin
ketch-a you tam he pit 'e y-eye 'pon you; 'e mekky you sick wit' sorry.
Hide fum da Buckra, B'er Lion!'
"Da Lion, 'e shekky 'e head; 'e say:--
"'Ki! Me no skeer da Buckra Màn. I glad fer shum. I ketch um en I kyar
um wey I lif; me hab da Buckra Màn fer me bittle. How come you bein'
skeer da Buckra Màn, B'er Rabbit?'
"B'er Rabbit look all 'bout fer see ef da Buckra bin comin'. 'E say:--
"'Me hab plenty reason, B'er Lion. Da Buckra Màn shoot-a wit' one gun.
'E r'ise um too 'e y-eye, 'e p'int um stret toze you; 'e say _bang!_ one
tam, 'e say _bang!_ two tam: dun you is bin git hu't troo da head en
cripple in da leg.'
"Lion, 'e shek 'e head; 'e say:--
"'Me no skeer da Buckra Màn. I grab-a da gun. I ketch um fer me
brekwus.'
"B'er Rabbit, 'e lahff; 'e say:--
"'Him quare fer true. Me skeer da Buckra, me no skeer you; but you no
skeer da Buckra. How come dis?'
"Da Lion lash 'e tail; 'e say:--
"'Me no skeer da Buckra, but me skeer da Pa'tridge; me berry skeer da
Pa'tridge.'
"B'er Rabbit, 'e lahff tel 'e kin lahff no mo'. 'E say:--
"'How come you skeer da Pa'tridge? 'E fly wun you wink-a you' eye; 'e
run en 'e fly. Hoo! me no skeer 'bout dem Pa'tridge. Me skeer da
Buckra.'
"Da Lion, 'e look all 'bout fer see ef da Pa'tridge bin comin'. 'E
say:--
"'I skeer da Pa'tridge. Wun me bin walk in da bushside, da Pa'tridge 'e
hol' right still 'pon da groun' tel me come dey-dey, en dun 'e fly
up--_fud-d-d-d-d-d-e-e!_ Wun 'e is bin do dat me is git-a skeer berry
bahd.'"
No typographical device could adequately describe Daddy Jack's imitation
of the flushing of a covey of partridges, or quail; but it is needless
to say that it made its impression upon the little boy. The old African
went on:--
"B'er Rabbit, 'e holler un lahff; 'e say:--
"'Me no skeer da Pa'tridge. I bin run dem up ebry day. Da no hu't-a you,
B'er Lion. You hol' you' eye 'pon da Buckra Màn. Da Pa'tridge, 'e no hab
no gun fer shoot-a you wit'; da Buckra, 'e is bin hab one gun two
tam.[74] Let da Pa'tridge fly, B'er Lion; but wun da Buckra Man come you
bes' keep in de shady side. I tell you dis, B'er Lion.'
"Da Lion, 'e stan' um down 'e no skeer da Buckra Màn, en bimeby 'e say
goo'-bye; 'e say 'e gwan look fer da Buckra Màn fer true.
"So long tam, B'er Rabbit is bin yeddy one big fuss in da timber; 'e
yeddy da Lion v'ice. B'er Rabbit foller da fuss tel 'e is bin come 'pon
da Lion wey 'e layin' 'pon da groun'. Da Lion, 'e is moan; 'e is groan;
'e is cry. 'E hab hole in 'e head, one, two, t'ree hole in 'e side; 'e
holler, 'e groan. B'er Rabbit, 'e ahx um howdy. 'E say:--
"'Ki, B'er Lion, wey you hab fine so much trouble?'
"Da Lion, 'e moan, 'e groan, 'e cry; 'e say:--
"'Ow, ma Lord! I hab one hole in me head, one, two, t'ree hole in me
side, me leg bin bruk!'
"B'er Rabbit bin hol' 'e head 'pon one side; 'e look skeer. 'E say:--
"'Ki, B'er Lion! I no know da Pa'tridge is so bahd lak dat. I t'ink 'e
fly 'way un no hu't-a you. Shuh-shuh! wun I see dem Pa'tridge I mus' git
'pon turrer side fer keep me hide whole.'
"Da Lion, 'e groan, 'e moan, 'e cry. B'er Rabbit, 'e say:--
"'Da Pa'tridge, 'e berry bahd; 'e mus' bin borry da Buckra Màn gun.'
"Da Lion, 'e groan, 'e cry:--
"''E no da Pa'tridge no'n 'tall. Da Buckra Màn is bin stan' way off un
shoot-a me wit' 'e gun. Ow, ma Lord!'
"B'er Rabbit, 'e h'ist 'e han'; 'e say:--
"'Wut I bin tell-a you, B'er Lion? Wut I bin tell you 'bout da Buckra
Màn? Da Pa'tridge no hu't-a you lak dis. 'E mek-a da big fuss, but 'e no
hu't-a you lak dis. Da Buckra Màn, 'e no mek no fuss 'cep' 'e p'int 'e
gun at you--_bang!_'"
"And what then?" the little boy asked, as Daddy Jack collapsed in his
seat, seemingly forgetful of all his surroundings.
"No'n 't all," replied the old African, somewhat curtly.
"De p'ints er dat tale, honey," said Uncle Remus, covering the
brusqueness of Daddy Jack with his own amiability, "is des 'bout lak
dis, dat dey ain't no use er dodgin' w'iles dey's a big fuss gwine on,
but you better take'n hide out w'en dey ain't no racket; mo' speshually
w'en you see Miss Sally lookin' behine de lookin'-glass fer dat ar
peach-lim' w'at she tuck'n make me kyar up dar day 'fo' yistiddy; yit
w'en she fine it don't you git too skeer'd, 'kaze I tuck'n make some
weak places in dat ar switch, en Miss Sally won't mo'n strak you wid it
'fo' hit'll all come onjinted."
Parts of this moral the little boy understood thoroughly, for he
laughed, and ran to the big house, and not long afterwards the light
went out in Uncle Remus's cabin; but the two old negroes sat and nodded
by the glowing embers for hours afterwards, dreaming dreams they never
told of.
FOOTNOTE:
[74] One gun two times is a double-barrelled gun.
LVIII
THE ORIGIN OF THE OCEAN
"Uncle Remus," said the little boy, one night shortly after Daddy Jack's
story of the lion's sad predicament, "mamma says there are no lions in
Georgia, nor anywhere in the whole country."
"Tooby sho'ly not, honey; tooby sho'ly not!" exclaimed Uncle Remus. "I
dunner who de name er goodness bin a-puttin' dat kinder idee in yo'
head, en dey better not lemme fine um out, needer, 'kaze I'll take en
put Mars John atter um right raw en rank, dat I will."
"Well, you know Daddy Jack said that Brother Rabbit met the Lion coming
down the road."
"Bless yo' soul, honey! dat's 'way 'cross de water whar ole man Jack
tuck'n come fum, en a mighty long time ergo at dat. Hit's away off yan,
lots furder dan Ferginny yit. We-all er on one side de water, en de
lions en mos' all de yuther servigous creeturs, dey er on t'er side.
Ain't I never tell you how come dat?"
The little boy shook his head.
"Well, _sir_! I dunner w'at I bin doin' all dis time dat I ain't tell
you dat, 'kaze dat's whar de wussest kinder doin's tuck'n happen.
Yasser! de wussest kinder doin's; en I'll des whirl in en gin it out
right now 'fo' ole man Jack come wobblin' in.
"One time way back yander, 'fo' dey wuz any folks a-foolin' 'roun', Mr.
Lion, he tuck'n tuck a notion dat he'd go huntin', en nothin' 'ud do 'im
but Brer Rabbit must go wid 'im. Brer Rabbit, he 'low dat he up fer any
kinder fun on top side er de groun'. Wid dat dey put out, dey did, en
dey hunt en hunt clean 'cross de country.
"Mr. Lion, he'd lam aloose en miss de game, en den Brer Rabbit, he'd lam
aloose en fetch it down. No sooner is he do dis dan Mr. Lion, he'd
squall out:--
"'Hit's mine! hit's mine! I kilt it!'
"Mr. Lion sech a big man dat Brer Rabbit skeer'd ter 'spute 'long wid
'im, but he lay it up in he min' fer to git even wid 'im. Dey went on en
dey went on. Mr. Lion, he'd lam aloose en miss de game, en ole Brer
Rabbit, he'd lam aloose en hit it, en Mr. Lion, he'd take'n whirl in en
claim it.
"Dey hunt all day long, en w'en night come, dey 'uz sech a fur ways fum
home dat dey hatter camp out. Dey went on, dey did, twel dey come ter a
creek, en w'en dey come ter dat, dey tuck'n scrape away de trash en
built um a fire on de bank, en cook dey supper.
"Atter supper dey sot up dar en tole tales, dey did, en Brer Rabbit, he
tuck'n brag 'bout w'at a good hunter Mr. Lion is, en Mr. Lion, he leant
back on he yelbow, en feel mighty biggity. Bimeby, w'en dey eyeleds git
sorter heavy, Brer Rabbit, he up'n 'low:--
"'I'm a monst'us heavy sleeper, Mr. Lion, w'en I gits ter nappin', en I
hope en trus' I ain't gwine 'sturb you dis night, yit I got my doubts.'
"Mr. Lion, he roach he ha'r back outen he eyes, en 'low:--
"'I'm a monst'us heavy sleeper myse'f, Brer Rabbit, en I'll feel mighty
glad ef I don't roust you up in de co'se er de night.'
"Brer Rabbit, he tuck'n change his terbacker fum one side he mouf ter de
yuther, he did, en he up'n 'low:--
"'Mr. Lion, I wish you be so good ez ter show me how you sno' des' fo'
you git soun' asleep.'
"Mr. Lion, he tuck'n draw in he breff sorter hard, en show Brer Rabbit;
den Brer Rabbit 'low:--
"'Mr. Lion, I wish you be so good ez ter show me how you sno' atter yo
done git soun' asleep.'
"Mr. Lion, he tuck'n suck in he breff, en eve'y time he suck in he breff
it soun' des lak a whole passel er mules w'en dey whinney atter fodder.
Brer Rabbit look 'stonish'. He roll he eye en 'low:--
"'I year tell youer mighty big man, Mr. Lion, en you sho'ly is.'
"Mr. Lion, he hol' he head one side en try ter look 'shame', but all de
same he ain't feel 'shame'. Bimeby, he shot he eye en 'gun ter nod, den
he lay down en stretch hisse'f out, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' he 'gun ter
sno' lak he sno' w'en he ain't sleepin' soun'.
"Brer Rabbit, he lay dar. He ain't sayin' nothin'. He lay dar wid one
year h'ist up en one eye open. He lay dar, he did, en bimeby Mr. Lion
'gun ter sno' lak he sno' w'en he done gone fas' ter sleep.
"W'en ole Brer Rabbit year dis, he git up fum dar, en sprinkle hisse'f
wid de cole ashes 'roun' de fier, en den he tuck'n fling er whole passel
der hot embers on Mr. Lion. Mr. Lion, he jump up, he did, en ax who done
dat, en Brer Rabbit, he lay dar en kick at he year wid he behime foot,
en holler '_Ow!_'
"Mr. Lion see de ashes on Brer Rabbit, en he dunner w'at ter t'ink. He
look all 'roun', but he ain't see nothin'. He drap he head en lissen,
but he ain't year nothin'. Den he lay down 'g'in en drap off ter sleep.
Atter w'ile, w'en he 'gun ter sno' lak he done befo', Brer Rabbit, he
jump up en sprinkle some mo' cole ashes on hisse'f, en fling de hot
embers on Mr. Lion. Mr. Lion jump up, he did, en holler:--
"'Dar yo is 'g'in!'
"Brer Rabbit, he kick en squall, en 'low:--
"'You oughter be 'shame' yo'se'f, Mr. Lion, fer ter be tryin' ter bu'n
me up.'
"Mr. Lion hol' up he han's en des vow 't ain't him. Brer Rabbit, he look
sorter jubous, but he ain't say nothin'. Bimeby he holler out:--
"'Phewee! I smells rags a-bu'nin'!'
"Mr. Lion, he sorter flinch, he did, en 'low:--
"''T ain't no rags, Brer Rabbit; hit's my ha'r a-sinjin'.'
"Dey look all 'roun', dey did, but dey ain't see nothin' ner nobody.
Brer Rabbit, he say he gwine do some tall watchin' nex' time, 'kaze he
boun' ter ketch de somebody w'at bin playin' dem kinder pranks on um.
Wid dat, Mr. Lion lay down 'g'in, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' he drap ter
sleep.
"Well, den," continued Uncle Remus, taking a long breath, "de ve'y same
kinder doin's tuck'n happen. De cole ashes fall on Brer Rabbit, en de
hot embers fall on Mr. Lion. But by de time Mr. Lion jump up, Brer
Rabbit, he holler out:--
"'I seed um, Mr. Lion! I seed um! I seed de way dey come fum 'cross de
creek! Dey mos' sho'ly did!'
"Wid dat Mr. Lion, he fetch'd a beller en he jumped 'cross de creek. No
sooner is he do dis," Uncle Remus went on in a tone at once impressive
and confidential, "no sooner is he do dis dan Brer Rabbit cut de string
w'at hol' de banks togedder, en, lo en beholes, dar dey wuz!"
"What was, Uncle Remus?" the little boy asked, more amazed than he had
been in many a day.
"Bless yo' soul, honey, de banks! Co'se w'en Brer Rabbit tuck'n cut de
string, de banks er de creek, de banks, dey fall back, dey did, en Mr.
Lion can't jump back. De banks dey keep on fallin' back, en de creek
keep on gittin' wider en wider, twel bimeby Brer Rabbit en Mr. Lion
ain't in sight er one er n'er, en fum dat day to dis de big waters bin
rollin' 'twix' um."
"But, Uncle Remus, how could the banks of a creek be tied with a
string?"
"I ain't ax um dat, honey, en darfo' yo'll hatter take um ez you git um.
Nex' time de tale-teller come 'roun' I'll up'n ax 'im, en ef you ain't
too fur off, I'll whirl in en sen' you wud, en den you kin go en see fer
yo'se'f. But 't ain't skacely wuth yo' w'ile fer ter blame me, honey,
'bout de creek banks bein' tied wid a string. Who put um dar, I be bless
ef _I_ knows, but I knows who onloose um, dat w'at I knows!"
It is very doubtful if this copious explanation was satisfactory to the
child, but just as Uncle Remus concluded, Daddy Jack came shuffling in,
and shortly afterwards both Aunt Tempy and 'Tildy put in an appearance,
and the mind of the youngster was diverted to other matters.
LIX
BRER RABBIT GETS BRER FOX'S DINNER
After the new-comers had settled themselves in their accustomed places,
and 'Tildy had cast an unusual number of scornful glances at Daddy Jack,
who made quite a pantomime of his courtship, Uncle Remus startled them
all somewhat by breaking into a loud laugh.
"I boun' you," exclaimed Aunt Tempy, grinning with enthusiastic
sympathy, "I boun' you Brer Remus done fine out some mo' er Brer Rabbit
funny doin's; now I boun' you dat."
"You hit it de fus' clip, Sis Tempy, I 'clar' ter gracious ef you
ain't. You nailed it! You nailed it," Uncle Remus went on, laughing as
boisterously as before, "des lak ole Brer Rabbit done."
The little boy was very prompt with what Uncle Remus called his
"inquirements," and the old man, after the usual "hems" and "haws,"
began.
"Hit run'd 'cross my min' des lak a rat 'long a rafter, de way ole Brer
Rabbit tuk'n done Brer Fox. 'Periently, atter Brer Rabbit done went en
put a steeple on top er he house, all de yuther creeturs wanter fix up
dey house. Some put new cellars und' um, some slapped on new
winder-blines, some one thing and some er n'er, but ole Brer Fox, he
tuck a notion dat he'd put some new shingles on de roof.
"Brer Rabbit, he tuck'n year tell er dis, en nothin'd do but he mus'
rack 'roun' en see how ole Brer Fox gittin' on. W'en he git whar Brer
Fox house is, he year a mighty lammin' en a blammin' en lo en beholes,
dar 'uz Brer Fox settin' straddle er de comb er de roof nailin' on
shingles des hard ez he kin.
"Brer Rabbit cut he eye 'roun' en he see Brer Fox dinner settin' in de
fence-cornder. Hit 'uz kivered up in a bran new tin pail, en it look so
nice dat Brer Rabbit mouf 'gun ter water time he see it, en he 'low ter
hisse'f dat he bleedz ter eat dat dinner 'fo' he go 'way fum dar.
"Den Brer Rabbit tuck'n hail Brer Fox, en ax 'im how he come on. Brer
Fox 'low he too busy to hol' any confab. Brer Rabbit up en ax 'im w'at
is he doin 'up dar. Brer Fox 'low dat he puttin' roof on he house 'g'in
de rainy season sot in. Den Brer Rabbit up en ax Brer Fox w'at time is
it, en Brer Fox, he 'low dat hit's wukkin time wid him. Brer Rabbit, he
up en ax Brer Fox ef he ain't stan' in needs er some he'p. Brer Fox, he
'low he did, dat ef he does stan' in needs er any he'p, he dunner whar
in de name er goodness he gwine to git it at.
"Wid dat, Brer Rabbit sorter pull he mustarsh, en 'low dat de time wuz
w'en he 'uz a mighty handy man wid a hammer, en he ain't too proud fer
to whirl in en he'p Brer Fox out'n de ruts.
"Brer Fox 'low he be mighty much erblige, en no sooner is he say dat dan
Brer Rabbit snatched off he coat en lipt up de ladder, en sot in dar en
put on mo' shingles in one hour dan Brer Fox kin put on in two.
"Oh, he 'uz a rattler--ole Brer Rabbit wuz," Uncle Remus exclaimed,
noticing a questioning look in the child's face. "He 'uz a rattler, mon,
des ez sho' ez youer settin' dar. Dey wa'n't no kinder wuk dat Brer
Rabbit can't put he han' at, en do it better dan de nex' man.
"He nailed on shingles plum twel he git tired, Brer Rabbit did, en all
de time he nailin', he study how he gwine git dat dinner. He nailed en
he nailed. He 'ud nail one row, en Brer Fox 'ud nail 'n'er row. He
nailed en he nailed. He kotch Brer Fox en pass 'im--kotch 'im en pass
'im, twel bimeby w'iles he nailin' 'long Brer Fox tail git in he way.
"Brer Rabbit 'low ter hisse'f, he did, dat he dunner w'at de name er
goodness make folks have such long tails fer, en he push it out de way.
He ain't no mo'n push it out'n de way, 'fo' yer it come back in de way.
Co'se," continued Uncle Remus, beginning to look serious, "w'en dat's de
case dat a soon man lak Brer Rabbit git pester'd in he min', he bleedz
ter make some kinder accidents some'rs.
"Dey nailed en dey nailed, en, bless yo' soul! 't wa'n't long 'fo' Brer
Fox drap eve'yt'ing en squall out:--
"'Laws 'a' massy, Brer Rabbit! You done nail my tail. He'p me, Brer
Rabbit, he'p me! You done nail my tail!'"
Uncle Remus waved his arms, clasped and unclasped his hands, stamped
first one foot and then the other, and made various other demonstrations
of grief and suffering.
"Brer Rabbit, he shot fus' one eye en den de yuther en rub hisse'f on
de forrerd, en 'low:--
"'Sho'ly I ain't nail yo' tail, Brer Fox; sho'ly not. Look right close,
Brer Fox, be keerful. Fer goodness sake don' fool me, Brer Fox!'
"Brer Fox, _he_ holler, _he_ squall, _he_ kick, _he_ squeal.
"'Laws 'a' massy, Brer Rabbit! You done nailed my tail. Onnail me, Brer
Rabbit, onnail me!'
"Brer Rabbit, he make fer de ladder, en w'en he start down, he look at
Brer Fox lak he right down sorry, en he up'n 'low, he did:--
"'Well, well, well! Des ter t'ink dat I should er lamm'd aloose en nail
Brer Fox tail. I dunner w'en I year tell er anyt'ing dat make me feel so
mighty bad; en ef I had n't er seed it wid my own eyes I would n't er
bleev'd it skacely--dat I would n't!'
"Brer Fox holler, Brer Fox howl, yit 't ain't do no good. Dar he wuz wid
he tail nail hard en fas'. Brer Rabbit, he keep on talkin' w'iles he
gwine down de ladder.
"'Hit make me feel so mighty bad,' sezee, 'dat I dunner w'at ter do.
Time I year tell un it, hit make a empty place come in my stomach,' sez
Brer Rabbit, sezee.
"By dis time Brer Rabbit done git down on de groun', en w'iles Brer Fox
holler'n, he des keep on a-talkin'.
"'Dey's a mighty empty place in my stomach,' sezee, 'en ef I ain't run'd
inter no mistakes dey's a tin-pail full er vittles in dish yer
fence-cornder dat'll des 'bout fit it,' sez ole Brer Rabbit, sezee.
"He open de pail, he did, en he eat de greens, en sop up de 'lasses, en
drink de pot-liquor, en w'en he wipe he mouf 'pun he coat-tail, he up'n
'low:--
"'I dunner w'en I bin so sorry 'bout anything, ez I is 'bout Brer Fox
nice long tail. Sho'ly, sho'ly my head mus' er bin wool-getherin' w'en I
tuck'n nail Brer Fox fine long tail,' sez ole Brer Rabbit, sezee.
[Illustration: "'I DUNNER W'EN I BIN SO SORRY 'BOUT ANYTHING,
EZ I IS 'BOUT BRER FOX NICE LONG TAIL'"]
"Wid dat, he tuck'n skip out, Brer Rabbit did, en 't wa'n't long 'fo'
he 'uz playin' he pranks in some yuther parts er de settlement."
"How did Brother Fox get loose?" the little boy asked.
"Oh, you let Brer Fox 'lone fer dat," responded Uncle Remus. "Nex' ter
Brer Rabbit, ole Brer Fox wuz mos' de shiftiest creetur gwine. I boun'
you he tuck'n tuck keer hisse'f soon ez Brer Rabbit git outer sight en
year'n."
[Illustration: How the Bear nursed the Little Alligator]
LX
HOW THE BEAR NURSED THE LITTLE ALLIGATORS
While the negroes were talking of matters which the little boy took
little or no interest in, he climbed into Uncle Remus's lap, as he had
done a thousand times before. Presently the old man groaned, and said:--
"I be bless ef I know w'at de marter, honey. I dunner whe'er I'm
a-gittin' fibble in de lim's, er whe'er youer outgrowin' me. I lay I'll
hatter sen' out en git you a nuss w'at got mo' strenk in dey lim's dan
w'at I is."
The child protested that he was n't very heavy, and that he would n't
have any nurse, and the old man was about to forget that he had said
anything about nurses, when Daddy Jack, who seemed to be desirous of
appearing good-humored in the presence of 'Tildy, suddenly exclaimed:--
"Me bin yeddy one tale 'bout da tam w'en da lil Bear is bin nuss da
'Gator chilluns. 'E bin mek fine nuss fer true. 'E stan' by dem lilly
'Gator tel dey no mo' fer stan' by."
Seeing that Daddy Jack manifested symptoms of going to sleep, the little
boy asked if he would n't tell the story, and, thus appealed to, the old
African began:--
"One tam dey is bin one ole Bear; 'e big un 'e strong. 'E lif way in da
swamp; 'e hab nes' in da holler tree. 'E hab one, two lilly Bear in da
nes'; 'e bin lub dem chillun berry ha'd. One day, 'e git honkry; 'e tell
'e chillun 'e gwan 'way off fer git-a some bittle fer eat; 'e tell dem
dey mus' be good chillun un stay wey dey lif. 'E say 'e gwan fer fetch
dem one fish fer dey brekwus. Dun 'e gone off.
"Da lil Bear chillun hab bin 'sleep till dey kin sleep no mo'. Da sun,
'e der shine wom, 'e mekky lilly Bear feel wom. Da lil boy Bear, 'e rub
'e y-eye, 'e say 'e gwan off fer hab some fun. Da lil gal Bear, 'e
say:--
"'Wut will we mammy say?'
"Lil boy Bear, 'e der lahff. 'E say:--
"'Me gwan down by da crik side fer ketch some fish 'fo' we mammy come.'
"Lil gal Bear, 'e look skeer; 'e say:--
"'We mammy say somet'ing gwan git-a you. Min' wut 'e tell you.'
"Lil boy Bear, 'e keep on lahff. 'E say:--
"'Shuh-shuh! 'E yent nebber know less you tell um. You no tell um, me
fetch-a you one big fish.'
"Lil boy Bear, 'e gone! 'E gone by da crik side, 'e tek 'e hook, 'e tek
'e line, 'e is go by da crik side fer ketch one fish. Wun 'e come
dey-dey, 'e see somet'ing lay dey in de mud. 'E t'ink it bin one big
log. 'E lahff by 'ese'f; 'e say:--
"''E one fine log fer true. Me 'tan' 'pon da log fer ketch-a da fish fer
me lil titty.'[75]
"Lil boy Bear, 'e der jump down; 'e git 'pon da log; 'e fix fer fish; 'e
fix 'e hook, 'e fix 'e line. Bumbye da log moof. Da lil boy Bear
holler:--
"'Ow ma Lordy!'
"'E look down; 'e skeer mos' dead. Da log bin one big 'Gator. Da 'Gator
'e swim 'way wit' da lil boy Bear 'pon 'e bahck. 'E flut 'e tail, 'e
knock da lil boy Bear spang in 'e two han'. 'E grin _wide_, 'e feel da
lil boy Bear wit' 'e nose; 'e say:--
"'I tekky you wey me lif; me chillun is hab you fer dey brekwus.'
"Da 'Gator, 'e bin swim toze da hole in da bank wey 'e lif. 'E come by
da hole, 'e ca' da lil boy Bear in dey. 'E is call up 'e chillun; 'e
say:--
"'Come see how fine brekwus me bin brung you.'
"Da ole 'Gator, 'e hab seben chillun in 'e bed. Da lil boy Bear git
skeer; 'e holler, 'e cry, 'e beg. 'E say:--
"'_Please_, Missy 'Gator, gib me chance fer show you how fine nuss me
is--_please_, Missy 'Gator. Wun you gone 'way, me min' dem chillun, me
min' um well.'
"Da 'Gator flut 'e tail; 'e say:--
"'I try you dis one day; you min' dem lil one well, me luf you be.'
"Da ole 'Gator gone 'way; 'e luf da lil boy Bear fer min' 'e chillun. 'E
gone git somet'ing fer dey brekwus. Da lil boy Bear, 'e set down
dey-dey; 'e min' dem chillun; 'e wait en 'e wait. Bumbye, 'e is git
honkry. 'E wait en 'e wait. 'E min' dem chillun. 'E wait en 'e wait. 'E
'come so honkry 'e yent mos' kin hol' up 'e head. 'E suck 'e paw. 'E
wait en 'e wait. Da 'Gator no come. 'E wait en 'e wait. Da 'Gator no
come some mo'. 'E say:--
"'Ow! me no gwan starf mese'f wun da planty bittle by side er me!'
"Da lil boy Bear grab one da lil 'Gator by 'e neck; 'e tek um off in da
bush side; 'e der eat um up. 'E no leaf 'e head, 'e no leaf 'e tail; 'e
yent leaf nuttin' 't all. 'E go bahck wey da turrer lil 'Gator bin
huddle up in da bed. 'E rub 'ese'f 'pon da 'tomach; 'e say:--
"'Hoo! me feel-a too good fer tahlk 'bout. I no know wut me gwan fer
tell da ole 'Gator wun 'e is come bahck. Ki! me no keer. Me feel too
good fer t'ink 'bout dem t'ing. Me t'ink 'bout dem wun da 'Gator is bin
come; me t'ink 'bout dem bumbye wun da time come fer t'ink.'
"Da lil boy Bear lay down; 'e quile up in da 'Gator bed; 'e shed 'e
y-eye; 'e sleep ha'd lak bear do wun ef full up. Bumbye, mos' toze
night, da 'Gator come; 'e holler:--
"'Hey! lil boy Bear! How you is kin min' me chillun wun you is gone fer
sleep by um?'
"Da lil boy Bear, 'e set up 'pon 'e ha'nch; 'e say:--
"'Me y-eye gone fer sleep, but me year wide 'wake.'
"Da 'Gator flut 'e tail; 'e say:--
"'Wey me chillun wut me leaf you wit'?'
"Da lil boy Bear 'come skeer; 'e say:--
"'Dey all dey-dey, Missy 'Gator. Wait! lemme count dem, Missy 'Gator.
"'_Yarrah one, yarrah narrah,
Yarrah two 'pon top er tarrah,
Yarrah t'ree pile up tergarrah!_'[76]
"Da 'Gator y-open 'e mout', 'e grin wide; 'e say:--
"'Oona nuss dem well, lil boy Bear; come, fetch-a me one fer wash en git
'e supper.'
"Da lil boy Bear, 'e ca' one, 'e ca' nurrer, 'e ca' turrer, 'e ca' um
all tel 'e ca' six, den 'e come skeer. 'E t'ink da 'Gator gwan fine um
out fer true. 'E stop, 'e yent know wut fer do. Da 'Gator holler:--
"'Fetch-a me turrer!'
"Da lil boy Bear, 'e grab da fus' one, 'e wullup um in da mud, 'e ca' um
bahck. Da 'Gator bin wash un feed um fresh; 'e yent know da diffran.
"Bumbye, nex' day mornin', da 'Gator gone 'way. Da lil boy Bear stay fer
nuss dem lil 'Gator. 'E come honkry; 'e wait, but 'e come mo' honkry. 'E
grab nurrer lil 'Gator, 'e eat um fer 'e dinner. Mos' toze night, da
'Gator come. It sem t'ing:--
"'Wey me chillun wut me leaf you fer nuss?'
"'Dey all dey-dey, Missy 'Gator. Me count um out:--
"'_Yarrah one, yarrah narrah,
Yarrah two 'pon top er tarrah,
Yarrah t'ree pile up tergarrah!_'
"'E ca' um one by one fer wash en git dey supper. 'E ca' two bahck two
tam. Ebry day 'e do dis way tel 'e come at de las'. 'E eat dis one, en
'e gone luf da place wey da 'Gator lif. 'E gone down da crik side tel 'e
is come by da foot-log, en 'e is run 'cross _queek_. 'E git in da bush,
'e fair fly tel 'e is come by da place wey 'e lil titty bin lif. 'E come
dey-dey, en 'e yent go 'way no mo'."
FOOTNOTES:
[75] Sissy.
[76] Here is one, here's another; here are two on top of t'other; here
are three piled up together.
LXI
WHY MR. DOG RUNS BRER RABBIT
The little boy was not particularly pleased at the summary manner in
which the young Alligators were disposed of; but he was very much amused
at the somewhat novel method employed by the Bear to deceive the old
Alligator. The negroes, however, enjoyed Daddy Jack's story immensely,
and even 'Tildy condescended to give it her approval; but she qualified
this by saying, as soon as she had ceased laughing:--
"I 'clar' ter goodness you all got mighty little ter do fer ter be
settin' down yer night atter night lis'nin' at dat nigger man."
Daddy Jack nodded, smiled, and rubbed his withered hands together
apparently in a perfect ecstasy of good-humor, and finally said:--
"Oona come set-a by me, lil gal. 'E berry nice tale wut me tell-a you.
Come sit-a by me, lil gal;'e berry nice tale. Ef you no want me fer
tell-a you one tale, dun you is kin tell-a me one tale."
"Humph!" exclaimed 'Tildy, contemptuously, "you'll set over dar in dat
cornder en dribble many's de long day 'fo' I tell you any tale."
"Look yer, gal!" said Uncle Remus, pretending to ignore the queer
courtship that seemed to be progressing between Daddy Jack and 'Tildy,
"you gittin' too ole fer ter be sawin' de a'r wid yo 'head en squealin'
lak a filly. Ef you gwine ter set wid folks, you better do lak folks
does. Sis Tempy dar ain't gwine on dat a-way, en she ain't think 'erse'f
too big fer ter set up dar en jine in wid us en tell a tale, needer."
This was the first time that Uncle Remus had ever condescended to accord
'Tildy a place at his hearth on an equality with the rest of his
company, and she seemed to be immensely tickled. A broad grin spread
over her comely face as she exclaimed:--
"_Oh!_ I 'clar' ter goodness, Unk Remus, I thought dat ole nigger man
wuz des a-projickin' 'long wid me. Ef it come down ter settin' up yer
'long wid you all en tellin' a tale, I ain't 'nyin' but w'at I got one
dat you all ain't never year tell un, 'kaze dat ar Slim Jim w'at Mars
Ellick Akin got out'n de speckerlater waggin,[77] he up'n tell it dar at
Riah's des 'fo' de patter-rollers tuck'n slipt up on um."
"Dar now!" remarked Aunt Tempy. 'Tildy laughed boisterously.
"W'at de patter-rollers do wid dat ar Slim Jim?" Uncle Remus inquired.
"Done nothin'!" exclaimed 'Tildy, with an air of humorous scorn. "Time
dey got in dar Slim Jim 'uz up de chimbly, en Riah 'uz noddin' in one
cornder en me in de udder. Nobody never is ter know how dat ar long-leg
nigger slick'd up dat chimbly--dat dey ain't. He put one foot on de
pot-rack,[78] en whar he put de t'er foot _I_ can't tell you."
"What was the story?" asked the little boy.
"I boun' fer you, honey!" exclaimed Uncle Remus.
"Well, den," said 'Tildy, settling herself comfortably, and bridling a
little as Daddy Jack manifested a desire to give her his undivided
attention,--"well, den, dey wuz one time w'en ole Brer Rabbit 'uz bleedz
ter go ter town atter sump'n' 'n'er fer his famerly, en he mos' 'shame'
ter go 'kaze his shoes done wo' tetotally out. Yit he bleedz ter go, en
he put des ez good face on it ez he kin, en he take down he walkin'-cane
en sot out des ez big ez de next un.
"Well, den, ole Brer Rabbit go on down de big road twel he come ter de
place whar some folks bin camp out de night befo', en he sot down by de
fier, he did, fer ter wom his foots, 'kaze dem mawnin's 'uz sorter cole,
like deze yer mawnin's. He sot dar en look at his toes, en he feel
mighty sorry fer hisse'f.
"Well, den, he sot dar, he did, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' he year sump'n'
'n'er trottin' down de road, en he tuck'n look up en yer come Mr. Dog
a-smellin' en a-snuffin' 'roun' fer ter see ef de folks lef' any scraps
by der camp-fier. Mr. Dog 'uz all dress up in his Sunday-go-ter-meetin'
cloze, en mo'n dat, he had on a pa'r er bran new shoes.
"Well, den, w'en Brer Rabbit see dem ar shoes he feel mighty bad, but he
ain't let on. He bow ter Mr. Dog mighty perlite, en Mr. Dog bow back, he
did, en dey pass de time er day, 'kaze dey 'uz ole 'quaintance. Brer
Rabbit, he say:--
"'Mr. Dog, whar you gwine all fix up like dis?'
"'I gwine ter town, Brer Rabbit; whar you gwine?'
"'I thought I go ter town myse'f fer ter git me new pa'r shoes, 'kaze my
ole uns done wo' out en dey hu'ts my foots so bad I can't w'ar um. Dem
mighty nice shoes w'at you got on, Mr. Dog; whar you git um?'
"'Down in town, Brer Rabbit, down in town.'
"'Dey fits you mighty slick, Mr. Dog, en I wish you be so good ez ter
lemme try one un um on.'
"Brer Rabbit talk so mighty sweet dat Mr. Dog sot right flat on de
groun' en tuck off one er de behime shoes, en loant it ter Brer Rabbit.
Brer Rabbit, he lope off down de road en den he come back. He tell Mr.
Dog dat de shoe fit mighty nice, but wid des one un um on, hit make 'im
trot crank-sided.
"Well, den, Mr. Dog, he pull off de yuther behime shoe, en Brer Rabbit
trot off en try it. He come back, he did, en he say:--
"'Dey mighty nice, Mr. Dog, but dey sorter r'ars me up behime, en I
dunner 'zackly how dey feels.'
"Dis make Mr. Dog feel like he wanter be perlite, en he take off de
befo' shoes, en Brer Rabbit put um on en stomp his foots, en 'low:--
"'Now dat sorter feel like shoes;' en he rack off down de road, en w'en
he git whar he oughter tu'n 'roun', he des lay back he years en keep on
gwine; en 't wa'n't long 'fo' he git outer sight.
"Mr. Dog, he holler, en tell 'im fer ter come back, but Brer Rabbit keep
on gwine; Mr. Dog, he holler, Mr. Rabbit, he keep on gwine. En down ter
dis day," continued 'Tildy, smacking her lips, and showing her white
teeth, "Mr. Dog bin a-runnin' Brer Rabbit, en ef you'll des go out in de
woods wid any Dog on dis place, des time he smell de Rabbit track he'll
holler en tell 'im fer ter come back."
"Dat's de Lord's trufe!" said Aunt Tempy.
FOOTNOTES:
[77] Speculator's wagon.
[78] A bar of iron across the fireplace, with hooks to hold the pots and
kettles. The original form of the crane.
LXII
BRER WOLF AND THE HORNED CATTLE
Daddy Jack appeared to enjoy 'Tildy's story as thoroughly as the little
boy.
"'E one fine tale. 'E mekky me lahff tell tear is come in me y-eye," the
old African said. And somehow or other 'Tildy seemed to forget her
pretended animosity to Daddy Jack, and smiled on him as pleasantly as
she did on the others. Uncle Remus himself beamed upon each and every
one, especially upon Aunt Tempy; and the little boy thought he had never
seen everybody in such good-humor.
"Sis Tempy," said Uncle Remus, "I 'speck it's yo' time fer ter put in."
"I des bin rackin' my min'," said Aunt Tempy, thoughtfully. "I see you
fixin' dat ar hawn, en terreckerly hit make me think 'bout a tale w'at I
ain't year none en you tell yit."
Uncle Remus was polishing a long cow's-horn, for the purpose of making a
hunting-horn for his master.
"Hit come 'bout one time dat all de creeturs w'at got hawns tuck a
notion dat dey got ter meet terge'er en have a confab fer ter see how
dey gwine take ker deyse'f, 'kaze dem t'er creeturs w'at got tush en
claw, dey uz des a-snatchin' um fum 'roun' eve'y cornder."
"Tooby sho'!" said Uncle Remus, approvingly.
"Dey sont out wud, de hawn creeturs did, en dey tuck'n meet terge'er
'way off in de woods. Man--Sir!--dey wuz a big gang un um, en de muster
dey had out dar 't wa'n't b'ar tellin' skacely. Mr. Bull, he 'uz dar, en
Mr. Steer, en Miss Cow"--
"And Mr. Benjamin Ram, with his fiddle," suggested the little boy.
--"Yes, 'n Mr. Billy Goat, en Mr. Unicorn"--
"En ole man Rinossyhoss," said Uncle Remus.
--"Yes, 'n lots mo' w'at I ain't know de names un. Man--Sir!--dey had a
mighty muster out dar. Ole Brer Wolf, he tuck'n year 'bout de muster, en
he sech a smarty dat nothin' ain't gwine do but he mus' go en see w'at
dey doin'.
"He study 'bout it long time, en den he went out in de timber en cut 'im
two crooked sticks, en tie um on his head, en start off ter whar de hawn
creeturs meet at. W'en he git dar Mr. Bull ax 'im who is he, w'at he
want, whar he come frum, en whar he gwine. Brer Wolf, he 'low:--
"'Ba-a-a! I'm name little Sook Calf!'"
"Eh-eh! Look out, now!" exclaimed 'Tildy, enthusiastically.
"Mr. Bull look at Brer Wolf mighty hard over his specks, but atter a
w'ile he go off some'rs else, en Brer Wolf take his place in de muster.
"Well, den, bimeby, terreckerly, dey got ter talkin' en tellin' der
'sperence des like de w'ite folks does at class-meetin'. W'iles dey 'uz
gwine on dis a-way, a great big hoss-fly come sailin' 'roun', en Brer
Wolf tuck'n fergit hisse'f, en snap at 'im.
"All dis time Brer Rabbit bin hidin' out in de bushes watchin' Brer
Wolf, en w'en he see dis he tuck'n break out in a laugh. Brer Bull, he
tuck'n holler out, he did:--
"'Who dat laughin' en showin' der manners?'
"Nobody ain't make no answer, en terreckerly Brer Rabbit holler out:--
"'_O kittle-cattle, kittle-cattle, whar yo' eyes?
Who ever see a Sook Calf snappin' at flies?_'
"De hawn creeturs dey all look 'roun' en wonder w'at dat mean, but
bimeby dey go on wid dey confab. 'T wa'n't long 'fo' a flea tuck'n bite
Brer Wolf 'way up on de back er de neck, en 'fo' he know what he doin',
he tuck'n squat right down en scratch hisse'f wid his behime foot."
"Enty!" exclaimed Daddy Jack.
"Dar you is!" said 'Tildy.
"Brer Rabbit, he tuck'n broke out in 'n'er big laugh en 'sturb um all,
en den he holler out:--
"'_Scritchum-scratchum, lawsy, my laws!
Look at dat Sook Calf scratchin' wid claws!_'
"Brer Wolf git mighty skeer'd, but none er de hawn creeturs ain't take
no notice un 'im, en 't wa'n't long 'fo' Brer Rabbit holler out ag'in:--
"'_Rinktum-tinktum, ride 'im on a rail!
Dat Sook Calf got a long bushy tail!_'
"De hawn creeturs, dey go on wid der confab, but Brer Wolf git skeerder
en skeerder, 'kaze he notice dat Mr. Bull got his eye on 'im. Brer
Rabbit, he ain't gin 'im no rest. He holler out:--
"'_One en one never kin make six,
Sticks ain't hawns, en hawns ain't sticks!_'
"Wid dat Brer Wolf make ez ef he gwine 'way fum dar, en he wa'n't none
too soon, needer, 'kaze ole Mr. Bull splunge at 'im, en little mo' en
he'd er nat'ally to' 'im in two."
"Did Brother Wolf get away?" the little boy asked.
"Yas, Lord!" said Aunt Tempy, with unction; "he des scooted 'way fum
dar, en he got so mad wid Brer Rabbit, dat he tuck'n play dead, en wud
went 'roun' dat dey want all de creeturs fer ter go set up wid 'im. Brer
Rabbit, he went down dar fer ter look at 'im, en time he see 'im, he
ex:--
"'Is he grin yit?'
"All de creeturs dey up'n say he ain't grin, not ez dey knows un. Den
Brer Rabbit, he 'low, he did:--
"'Well, den, gentermuns all, ef he ain't grin, den he ain't dead good.
In all my 'speunce folks ain't git dead good tel dey grins.'[79]
"W'en Brer Wolf year Brer Rabbit talk dat a-way, he tuck'n grin fum year
ter year, en Brer Rabbit, he picked up his hat en walkin'-cane en put
out fer home, en w'en he got 'way off in de woods he sot down en laugh
fit ter kill hisse'f."
Uncle Remus had paid Aunt Tempy the extraordinary tribute of pausing in
his work to listen to her story, and when she had concluded it, he
looked at her in undisguised admiration, and exclaimed:--
"I be bless, Sis Tempy, ef you ain't wuss'n w'at I is, en I'm bad
'nuff', de Lord knows I is!"
FOOTNOTE:
[79] See _Uncle Remus: His Songs and his Sayings_, p. 60.
LXIII
BRER FOX AND THE WHITE MUSCADINES
Aunty Tempy did not attempt to conceal the pleasure which Uncle Remus's
praise gave her. She laughed somewhat shyly, and said:--
"Bless you, Brer Remus! I des bin a-settin' yer l'arnin'. 'Sides dat,
Chris'mus ain't fur off en I 'speck we er all a-feelin' a sight mo'
humorsome dan common."
"Dat's so, Sis Tempy. I 'uz comin' thoo de lot des 'fo' supper, en I
seed de pigs runnin' en playin' in de win', en I 'low ter myse'f, sez I,
'Sholy dey's a-gwine ter be a harrycane,' en den all at once hit come in
my min' dat Chris'mus mighty close at han', en den on ter dat yer come
de chickens a-crowin' des now en 't ain't nine er'clock. I dunner how de
creeturs know Chris'mus comin', but dat des de way it stan's."
The little boy thought it was time enough to think about Christmas when
the night came for hanging up his stockings, and he asked Uncle Remus if
it was n't his turn to tell a story. The old man laid down the piece of
glass with which he had been scraping the cow's horn, and hunted around
among his tools for a piece of sandpaper before he replied. But his
reply was sufficient. He said:--
"One time w'iles Brer Rabbit wuz gwine thoo de woods he tuck'n strak up
wid ole Brer Fox, en Brer Fox 'low, he did, dat he mighty hongry. Brer
Rabbit 'low dat he ain't feelin' dat a-way hisse'f, 'kaze he des bin en
had er bait er w'ite muscadimes, en den he tuck'n smack he mouf en lick
he chops right front er Brer Fox. Brer Fox, he ax, sezee:--
"'Brer Rabbit, whar de name er goodness is deze yer w'ite muscadimes, en
how come I'm ain't never run 'crosst um?' sezee.
"'I dunner w'at de reason you ain't never come up wid um,' sez Brer
Rabbit, sezee; 'some folks sees straight, some sees crooked, some sees
one thing, some sees 'n'er. I done seed dem ar w'ite muscadimes, en let
'lone dat, I done wipe um up. I done e't all dey wuz on one tree, but I
lay dey's lots mo' un um 'roun' in dem neighborhoods,' sezee.
"Ole Brer Fox mouf 'gun to water, en he git mighty restless.
"'Come on, Brer Rabbit; come on! Come show me whar dem ar w'ite
muscadimes grows at,' sezee.
"Brer Rabbit, he sorter hang back. Brer Fox, he 'low:--
"'Come on, Brer Rabbit, come on!'
"Brer Rabbit, he hang back, en bimeby he 'low:--
"'Uh-uh, Brer Fox! You wanter git me out dar in de timber by myse'f en
do sump'n' ter me. You wanter git me out dar en skeer me.'
"Ole Brer Fox, he hol' up he han's, he do, en he 'low:--
"'I des 'clar' 'fo' gracious, Brer Rabbit, I ain't gwine do no sech uv a
thing. I dunner w'at kinder 'pinion you got 'bout me fer ter have sech
idee in yo' head. Come on, Brer Rabbit, en less we go git dem ar w'ite
muscadimes. Come on, Brer Rabbit.'
"'Uh-uh, Brer Fox! I done year talk er you playin' so many prank wid
folks dat I fear'd fer ter go 'way off dar wid you.'
"Dey went on dat a-way," continued Uncle Remus, endeavoring to look at
the little boy through the crooked cow's horn, "twel bimeby Brer Fox
promise he ain't gwine ter bodder 'long er Brer Rabbit, en den dey
tuck'n put out. En whar you 'speck dat ar muscheevous Brer Rabbit tuck'n
kyar' Brer Fox?"
Uncle Remus paused and gazed around upon his audience with uplifted
eyebrows, as if to warn them to be properly astonished. Nobody made any
reply, but all looked expectant, and Uncle Remus went on:--
"He ain't kyar 'im nowhars in de roun' worl' but ter one er deze yer
great big scaly-bark trees. De tree wuz des loaded down wid
scaly-barks, but dey wa'n't ripe, en de green hulls shined in de sun des
lak dey ben whitewash'. Brer Fox look 'stonish'. Atter w'ile he up'n
'low:--
"'Is dem ar de w'ite muscadimes? Mighty funny I ain't fine it out 'fo'
dis.'
"Ole Brer Rabbit, he scratch hisse'f en 'low:--
"'Dems um. Dey may n't be ripe ez dem w'at I had fer my brekkus, but
dems de w'ite muscadimes sho' ez youer bawn. Dey er red bullaces[80] en
dey er black bullaces, but deze yer, dey er de w'ite bullaces.'
"Brer Fox, sezee, 'How I gwine git um?'
"Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'You'll des hatter do lak I done.'
"Brer Fox, sezee, 'How wuz dat?'
"Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'You'll hatter clam fer 'm.'
"Brer Fox, sezee, 'How I gwine clam?'
"Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'Grab wid yo' han's, clam wid yo' legs, en I'll
push behime!'"
"Man--Sir!--he's a-talkin' now!" exclaimed Aunt Tempy, enthusiastically.
"Brer Fox, he clum, en Brer Rabbit, he push, twel, sho' 'nuff, Brer Fox
got whar he kin grab de lowmos' lim's, en dar he wuz! He crope on up, he
did, twel he come ter whar he kin retch de green scaly-bark, en den he
tuck'n pull one en bite it, en, gentermens! hit uz dat rough en dat
bitter twel little mo' en he'd 'a' drapt spang out'n de tree.
"He holler '_Ow!_' en spit it out'n he mouf des same ez ef 't wuz rank
pizen, en he make sech a face dat you would n't b'leeve it skacely
less'n you seed it. Brer Rabbit, he hatter cough fer ter keep fum
laughin', but he make out ter holler, sezee:--
"'Come down, Brer Fox! Dey ain't ripe. Come down en less go some'rs
else.'
"Brer Fox start down, en he git 'long mighty well twel he come ter de
lowmos' lim's, en den w'en he git dar he can't come down no furder,
'kaze he ain't got no claw fer cling by, en not much leg fer clamp.
"Brer Rabbit keep on hollerin', 'Come down!' en Brer Fox keep on
studyin' how he gwine ter come down. Brer Rabbit, he 'low, sezee:--
"'Come on, Brer Fox! I tuck'n push you up, en ef I 'uz dar whar you is,
I'd take'n push you down.'
"Brer Fox sat dar on de lowmos' lim's en look lak he skeer'd. Bimeby
Brer Rabbit tuck he stan' 'way off fum de tree, en he holler, sezee:--
"'Ef you'll take'n jump out dis way, Brer Fox, I'll ketch you.'
"Brer Fox look up, he look down, he look all 'roun'. Brer Rabbit come
little closer, en 'low, sezee:--
"'Hop right down yer, Brer Fox, en I'll ketch you.'
"Hit keep on dis a-way, twel, bimeby, Brer Fox tuck a notion to jump, en
des ez he jump Brer Rabbit hop out de way en holler, sezee:--
"'_Ow!_ Scuze me, Brer Fox! I stuck a brier in my foot! Scuze me, Brer
Fox! I stuck a brier in my foot!'
"En dat ole Brer Fox," continued Uncle Remus, dropping his voice a
little, "dat ole Brer Fox, gentermens! you oughter bin dar! He hit de
groun' like a sack er taters, en it des nat'ally knock de breff out'n
'im. W'en he git up en count hisse'f fer ter see ef he all dar, he ain't
kin walk skacely, en he sat dar en lick de so' places a mighty long time
'fo' he feel lak he kin make he way todes home."
When the little boy wanted to know what became of Brother Rabbit Uncle
Remus said:--
"Shoo! don't you pester 'bout Brer Rabbit. He kick up he heels en put
out fum dar." Then he added: "Dem ar chick'ns crowin' 'g'in, honey. Done
gone by nine er'clock. Scoot out fum dis. Miss Sally'll be a-rakin' me
over de coals."
FOOTNOTE:
[80] Another name for muscadines.
LXIV
MR. HAWK AND BRER BUZZARD
One night the little boy ran into Uncle Remus's cabin singing:--
"_T-u Turkey, t-u Ti,
T-u Turkey Buzzard's eye!_"
Uncle Remus, Daddy Jack, Aunt Tempy, and 'Tildy were all sitting around
the fire, for the Christmas weather was beginning to make itself rather
severely felt. As they made room for the child, Daddy Jack flung his
head back, and took up the song, beating time with his foot:--
"'_T-u Tukry, t-u Ti,
T-u Tukry-Buzzud y-eye!
T-u Tukry, t-u Ting,
T-u Tukry-Buzzud wing!_"
"Deyer mighty kuse creeturs," said 'Tildy, who was sitting rather nearer
to Daddy Jack than had been her custom,--a fact to which Aunt Tempy had
already called the attention of Uncle Remus by a motion of her head,
causing the old man to smile a smile as broad as it was wise. "Deyer
mighty kuse, an' I'm fear'd un um," 'Tildy went on. "Dey looks so
lonesome hit makes me have de creeps fer ter look at um."
"Dey no hu't-a you," said Daddy Jack, soothingly. "You flut you' han'
toze um dey fly 'way fum dey-dey."
"I dunno 'bout dat," said 'Tildy. "Deyer bal'-headed, en dat w'at make
me 'spize um."
Daddy Jack rubbed the bald place on his head with such a comical air
that even 'Tildy laughed. The old African retained his good-humor.
"You watch dem Buzzud," he said after awhile, addressing himself
particularly to the little boy. "'E fly high, 'e fly low, 'e fly 'way
'roun'. Rain come, 'e flup 'e wings, 'e light 'pon dead pine. Rain
fall, 'e hug 'ese'f wit' 'e wing, 'e scrooge 'e neck up. Rain come, win'
blow, da Buzzud bin-a look ragged. Da Buzzud bin-a wink 'e y-eye, 'e
say:--
"'Wun da win' fer stop blow en da rain fer stop drip, me go mek me one
house. Me mek um tight fer keep da rain out; me pit top on strong fer
keep da win' out.'
"Dun da rain dry up en da win' stop. Da Buzzud, 'e stan' 'pon top da
dead pine. Wun da sun bin-a shine, 'e no mek um no house no'n 't all. 'E
stay 'pon da dead pine; 'e 'tretch 'e wing wide open; 'e bin dry hisse'f
in da sun. 'E hab mek no house sence 'e bin born. 'E one fool bud."
"En yit," said Uncle Remus, with a grave, judicial air, "I year tell er
one time w'en ole Brer Buzzard wa'n't so mighty fur outer de way wid he
notions."
"Me yent yeddy tahlk 'bout dis," Daddy Jack explained.
"I 'speck not," responded Uncle Remus. "Hit seem lak dat dey wuz one
time w'en Mr. Hawk come sailin' 'roun' huntin' fer sump'n' 'n'er t' eat,
en he see Brer Buzzard settin' on a dead lim', lookin' mighty lazy en
lonesome.
"Mr. Hawk, sezee, 'How you come on, Brer Buzzard?'
"Brer Buzzard, sezee, 'I'm mighty po'ly, Brer Hawk; po'ly en hongry.'
"Mr. Hawk, sezee, 'W'at you waitin' yer fer ef you hongry, Brer
Buzzard?'
"Brer Buzzard, sezee, 'I'm a-waitin' on de Lord.'
"Mr. Hawk, sezee, 'Better run en git yo' brekkus, Brer Buzzard, en den
come back en wait.'
"Brer Buzzard, sezee, 'No, Brer Hawk, I'll go bidout my brekkus druther
den be biggity 'bout it.'
"Mr. Hawk, he 'low, sezee, 'Well, den, Brer Buzzard, you got yo' way en
I got mine. You see dem ar chick'ns, down dar in Mr. Man hoss-lot? I'm
a-gwine down dar en git one un um, en den I'll come back yer en wait
'long wid you.'
"Wid dat, Mr. Hawk tuck'n sail off, en Brer Buzzard drop he wings down
on de lim' en look mighty lonesome. He sot dar en look mighty lonesome,
he did, but he keep one eye on Mr. Hawk.
"Mr. Hawk, he sail 'roun' en 'roun', en he look mighty purty. He sail
'roun' en 'roun' 'bove de hoss-lot--'roun' en 'roun'--en bimeby he dart
down at chick'ns. He shot up he wings en dart down, he did, des same ef
he 'uz fired out'n a gun."
"Watch out, pullets!" exclaimed 'Tildy, in a tone of warning.
"He dart down, he did," continued Uncle Remus, rubbing his hand
thoughtfully across the top of his head, "but stidder he hittin' de
chick'ns, he tuck'n hit 'pon de sharp een' un a fence-rail. He hit dar,
he did, en dar he stuck."
"Ah-yi-ee!" exclaimed Daddy Jack.
"Dar he stuck. Brer Buzzard sot en watch 'im. Mr. Hawk ain't move. Brer
Buzzard sot en watch 'im some mo'. Mr. Hawk ain't move. He done stone
dead. De mo' Brer Buzzard watch 'im de mo' hongrier he git, en bimeby he
gedder up he wings, en sorter clean out he year wid he claw, en 'low,
sezee:--
"'I know'd de Lord 'uz gwineter pervide.'"
"Trufe too!" exclaimed Aunt Tempy. "'T ain't bin in my min' dat Buzzard
got sense lak dat!"
"Dar's whar you missed it, Sis Tempy," said Uncle Remus gravely. "Brer
Buzzard, he tuck'n drap down fum de dead lim', en he lit on Mr. Hawk, en
had 'im fer brekkus. Hit's a mighty 'roun' about way fer ter git
chick'n-pie, yit hit's lots better dan no way."
"I 'speck Hawk do tas'e like chicken," remarked 'Tildy.
"Dey mos' sho'ly does," said Uncle Remus, with emphasis.
LXV
MR. HAWK AND BRER RABBIT
"I year tell er one time," said 'Tildy, "w'en ole Mr. Hawk tuck'n kotch
Brer Rabbit, but 't ain't no tale like dem you all bin tellin'."
"Tell it, anyhow, 'Tildy," said the little boy.
"Well, 't ain't no tale, I tell you dat now. One time Brer Rabbit wuz
gwine 'long thoo de bushes singin' ter hisse'f, en he see a shadder pass
befo' 'im. He look up, en dar 'uz Mr. Hawk sailin' 'roun' en 'roun'.
Time he see 'im, Brer Rabbit 'gun ter kick up en sassy 'im.
"Mr. Hawk ain't pay no 'tention ter dis. He des sail all 'roun' en
'roun'. Eve'y time he sail 'roun', he git little closer, but Brer Rabbit
ain't notice dis. He too busy wid his devilment. He shuck his fis' at
Mr. Hawk, en chunk'd at 'im wid sticks;[81] en atter w'ile he tuck'n make
out he got a gun, en he tuck aim at Mr. Hawk, en 'low'd, 'Pow!' en den
he holler en laugh.
"All dis time Mr. Hawk keep on sailin' 'roun' en 'roun' en gittin'
nigher en nigher, en bimeby down he drapt right slambang on Brer Rabbit,
en dar he had 'im. Brer Rabbit fix fer ter say his pra'rs, but 'fo' he
do dat, he talk to Mr. Hawk, en he talk mighty fergivin'. He 'low he
did:--
"'I 'uz des playin', Mr. Hawk; I 'uz dez a-playin'. You oughtn' ter fly
up en git mad wid a little bit er man like me.'
"Mr. Hawk ruffle up de fedders on his neck en say:--
"'I ain't flyin' up, I'm a-flyin' down, en w'en I fly up, I'm a-gwine
ter fly 'way wid you. You bin a-playin' de imp 'roun' in dis settlement
long 'nuff, en now ef you got any will ter make, you better make it
quick, 'kaze you ain't got much time.'
"Brer Rabbit cry. He say:--
"'I mighty sorry, Mr. Hawk, dat I is. I got some gol' buried right over
dar in fence cornder, en I wish in my soul my po' little childuns know
whar 't wuz, 'kaze den dey could git long widout me fer a mont' er two.'
"Mr. Hawk 'low, 'Whar'bouts is all dis gol'?'
"Brer Rabbit low, 'Right over dar in de fence-cornder.'
"Mr. Hawk say show it ter 'im. Brer Rabbit say he don't keer ef he do,
en he say:--
"'I'd 'a' done show'd it ter you long 'fo' dis, but you hol' me so
tight, I can't wink my eye skacely, much less walk ter whar de gol' is.'
"Mr. Hawk say he fear'd he gwineter try ter git 'way. Brer Rabbit say
dey ain't no danger er dat, 'kaze he one er deze yer kinder mens w'en
dey er kotch once deyer kotch fer good.
"Mr. Hawk sorter let Brer Rabbit loose, en dey went todes de
fence-cornder. Brer Rabbit, he went 'long so good dat dis sorter ease
Mr. Hawk min' 'bout he gittin' 'way. Dey got ter de place en Brer Rabbit
look all 'roun', en den he frown up like he got some mighty bad
disap'intment, en he say:--
"'You may b'lieve me er not, Mr. Hawk, but we er on de wrong side er de
fence. I hid dat gol' some'rs right in dat cornder dar. You fly over en
I'll go thoo.'
"Tooby sho' dis look fa'r, en Brer Rabbit, he crope thoo' de fence, en
Mr. Hawk flew'd 'cross. Time he lit on t'er side, Mr. Hawk year Brer
Rabbit laugh."
The little boy asked what Brother Rabbit laughed for, as 'Tildy paused
to adjust a flaming red ribbon-bow pinned in her hair.
"'Kaze dey wuz a brier-patch on t'er side de fence," said 'Tildy, "en
Brer Rabbit wuz in dar."
"I boun' you!" Aunt Tempy exclaimed. "He 'uz in dar, en dar he stayed
tel Mr. Hawk got tired er hangin' 'roun' dar."
"Ah, Lord, chile!" said Uncle Remus, with the candor of an expert, "some
er dat tale you got right, en some you got wrong."
"Oh, I know'd 't wa'n't no tale like you all bin tellin'," replied
'Tildy, modestly.
"Tooby sho' 't is," continued Uncle Remus, by way of encouragement; "but
w'iles we gwine 'long we better straighten out all de kinks dat'll b'ar
straightenin'."
"Goodness knows I ain't fittin' ter tell no tale," persisted 'Tildy.
"Don't run yo'se'f down, gal," said Uncle Remus, encouragingly; "ef
dey's to be any runnin' down let yuther folks do it; en, bless yo' soul,
dey'll do 'nuff un it bidout waitin' fer yo' lettin'.
"Now, den, old man Hawk,--w'ich dey call 'im Billy Blue-tail in my day
en time,--ole man Hawk, he tuck'n kotch Brer Rabbit des lak you done
said. He kotch 'im en he hilt 'im in a mighty tight grip, let 'lone dat
he hilt 'im so tight dat it make Brer Rabbit breff come short lak he des
come off'n a long jurney.
"He holler en he beg, but dat ain't do no good; he squall en he cry, but
dat ain't do no good; he kick en he groan, but dat ain't do no good. Den
Brer Rabbit lay still en study 'bout w'at de name er goodness he gwine
do. Bimeby he up'n 'low:--
"'I dunner w'at you want wid me, Mr. Hawk, w'en I ain't a mouf full fer
you, skacely!'
"Mr. Hawk, sezee, 'I'll make way wid you, en den I'll go ketch me a
couple er Jaybirds.'
"Dis make Brer Rabbit shake wid de allovers, 'kaze ef dey's any kinder
creetur w'at he nat'ally 'spize on de topside er de yeth, hit's a
Jaybird.
"Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'Do, pray, Mr. Hawk, go ketch dem Jaybirds fus',
'kaze I can't stan' um bein' on top er me. I'll stay right yer, plum
twel you come back,' sezee.
"Mr. Hawk, sezee, 'Oh-oh, Brer Rabbit, you done bin fool too many folks.
You ain't fool me,' sezee.
"Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'Ef you can't do dat, Mr. Hawk, den de bes' way
fer you ter do is ter wait en lemme git tame, 'kaze I'm dat wil' now dat
I don't tas'e good.'
"Mr. Hawk, sezee, 'Oh-oh!'
"Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'Well, den, ef dat won't do, you better wait en
lemme grow big so I'll be a full meal er vittles.'
"Mr. Hawk, sezee, 'Now youer talkin' sense!'
"Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'En I'll rush 'roun' 'mungs' de bushes, en drive
out Pa'tridges fer you, en we'll have mo' fun dan w'at you kin shake a
stick at.'
"Mr. Hawk sorter study 'bout dis, en Brer Rabbit, he beg en he 'splain,
en de long en de short un it wuz," said Uncle Remus, embracing his knee
with his hands, "dat Brer Rabbit tuck'n git loose, en he ain't git no
bigger, en needer is he druv no Pa'tridges fer Mr. Hawk."
"De Lord he'p my soul!" exclaimed 'Tildy, and this was the only comment
made upon this extraordinary story.
FOOTNOTE:
[81] That is to say, threw sticks at Mr. Hawk.
LXVI
THE WISE BIRD AND THE FOOLISH BIRD
All this talk about Hawks and Buzzards evidently reminded Daddy Jack of
another story. He began to shake his head and mumble to himself; and,
finally, when he looked around and found that he had attracted the
attention of the little company, he rubbed his chin and grinned until
his yellow teeth shone in the firelight like those of some wild animal,
while his small eyes glistened under their heavy lids with a suggestion
of cunning not unmixed with ferocity.
"Talk it out, Brer Jack," said Uncle Remus; "talk it out. All nex' week
we'll be a-fixin' up 'bout Chris'mus. Mars Jeems, he's a-comin' up, en
Miss Sally'll have lots er yuther comp'ny. 'Tildy yer, she'll be busy,
en dish yer little chap, he won't have no time fer ter be settin' up
wid de ole niggers, en Sis Tempy, she'll have 'er han's full, en ole
Remus, he'll be a-pirootin' 'roun' huntin' fer dat w'at he kin pick up.
Time's a-passin', Brer Jack, en we all er passin' wid it. Des whirl in
en gin us de upshot er w'at you got in yo' min'."
"Enty!" exclaimed Daddy Jack, by way of approval. "One time dey bin two
bud. One bin sma't bud; da turrer, 'e bin fool bud. Dey bin lif in da
sem countree; da bin use in da sem swamp. Da sma't bud, 'e is bin come
'pon da fool bud; 'e bin tahlk. 'E bin say:--
"'Ki! you long in da leg, you deep in da craw. You bin 'tan' well; you
bin las' long tam.'
"Fool bud, 'e look proud, 'e toss 'e head; 'e say:--
"'Me no mekky no brag.'
"Sma't bud, 'e say:--
"'Less we try see fer how long tam we is kin go 'dout bittle un drink.'
"Fool bud, 'e 'tretch 'e neck, 'e toss 'e head; 'e say:--
"'All-a right; me beat-a you all day ebry day. Me beat-a you all da
tam.'
"Sma't bud, 'e say:--
"'Ef you bin 'gree wit' dis, less we tek we place. You git 'pon da
crik-side en tekky one ho'n, I git 'pon da tree y-up dey, en tekky
nurrer ho'n. Less we 'tan' dey-dey tel we see how long tam we is kin do
'dout bittle en drink. Wun I blow 'pon me ho'n dun you blow 'pon you'
ho'n fer answer me; me blow, you blow, dun we bote blow.'
"Fool bud walk 'bout big; 'e say:--
"'Me will do um!'
"Nex' day mornin' come. Da sma't bud bin tekky one ho'n un fly 'pon da
tree. De fool bud bin tekky one nurrer ho'n en set by da crik-side. Dey
bin sta't in fer starf deyse'f. Da fool bud, 'e stay by da crik-side wey
dey bin no'n 't all fer eat; 'e no kin fin' no bittle dey-dey. Sma't
bud git in da tree da y-ant en da bug swa'm in da bark plenty. 'E pick
dem ant, 'e y-eat dem ant; 'e pick dem bug, 'e y-eat dem bug. 'E pick
tel 'e craw come full; he feel berry good.
"Fool bud, 'e down by da crik-side. 'E set down, 'e come tire'; 'e 'tan'
up, 'e come tire'; 'e walk 'bout, 'e come tire'. 'E 'tan' 'pon one leg,
he 'tan' 'pon turrer; 'e pit 'e head need 'e wing; still he come tire'.
Sma't bud shed 'e y-eye; 'e feel berry good. Wun 'e come hongry, 'e pick
ant, 'e pick bug, tel 'e hab plenty, toze dinner-time 'e pick up 'e
ho'n, 'e toot um strong--
"'_Tay-tay, tenando wanzando waneanzo!_'
"Fool bud craw bin empty, but 'e hab win'. 'E tekky da ho'n, 'e blow
berry well; he mek um say:--
"'_Tay-tay tenando wanzando olando!_'
"Sma't bud pick ant plenty; 'e git full up. 'E wait tel mos' toze
sundown; 'e blow 'pon da ho'n--
"'_Tay-tay tenando wanzando waneanzo!_'
"Fool bud mek answer, but 'e come weak; 'e yent hab eat nuttin' 't all.
Soon nex' day mornin' sma't bud tek 'e ho'n en toot um. 'E done bin eat,
'e done bin drink dew on da leaf. Fool bud, 'e toot um ho'n, 'e toot um
slow.
"Dinner-time, sma't bud bin tek 'e ho'n en blow; 'e yent bin honkry no'n
't all; 'e hab good feelin'. Fool bud toot um ho'n; 'e toot um slow.
Night tam come, 'e no toot um no mo'. Sma't bud come down, 'e fin' um
done gone dead.
"Watch dem 'ceitful folks; 'e bin do you bad."[82]
FOOTNOTE:
[82] Mrs. H. S. Barclay, of Darien, who sends this story, says it was
told by a native African woman, of good intelligence, who claimed to be
a princess. She had an eagle tattoed on her bosom--a sign of royalty.
LXVII
OLD BRER TERRAPIN GETS SOME FISH
"Dat tale," said Uncle Remus, "puts me in min' er de time w'en ole Brer
Tarrypin had a tussel wid Brer Mink. Hit seem lak," he went on, in
response to inquiries from the little boy, "dat dey bofe live 'roun' de
water so much en so long dat dey git kinder stuck up long wid it.
Leasways dat 'uz de trouble wid Brer Mink. He jump in de water en swim
en dive twel he 'gun ter b'leeve dey wa'n't nobody kin hol' der han'
long wid 'im.
"One day Brer Mink 'uz gwine long down de creek wid a nice string er
fish swingin' on he walkin'-cane, w'en who should he meet up wid but ole
Brer Tarrypin. De creeturs 'uz all hail feller wid ole Brer Tarrypin, en
no sooner is he seed Brer Mink dan he bow 'im howdy. Ole Brer Tarrypin
talk 'way down in he th'oat lak he got bad col'. He 'low:--
"'Heyo, Brer Mink! Whar you git all dem nice string er fish?'
"Brer Mink 'uz mighty up-en-spoken in dem days. He 'low, he did:--
"'Down dar in de creek, Brer Tarrypin.'
"Brer Tarrypin look 'stonish'. He say, sezee:--
"'Well, well, well! In de creek! Who'd er b'leev'd it?'
"Brer Mink, sezee: 'Whar I gwine ketch um, Brer Tarrypin, ef I ain't
ketch um in de creek?'
"Ole Brer Tarrypin, sezee: 'Dat's so, Brer Mink; but a highlan' man lak
you gwine in de creek atter fish! Hit looks turrible, Brer Mink--dat
w'at it do; hit des looks turrible!'
"Brer Mink, sezee: 'Looks er no looks, dar whar I got um.'
"Brer Tarrypin sorter sway he head fum side ter side, en 'low:--
"'Ef dat de case, Brer Mink, den sho'ly you mus' be one er dem ar kinder
creeturs w'at usen ter de water.'
"'Dat's me,' sez Brer Mink, sezee.
"'Well, den,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee, 'I'm a highlan' man myse'f, en
it's bin a mighty long time sence I got my foots wet, but I don't min'
goin' in washin' 'long wid you. Ef youer de man you sez you is, you kin
outdo me,' sezee.
"Brer Mink, sezee: 'How we gwine do, Brer Tarrypin?'
"Ole Brer Tarrypin, sezee: 'We 'ull go down dar ter de creek, en de man
w'at kin stay und' de water de longest, let dat man walk off wid dat
string er fish.'
"Brer Mink, sezee: 'I'm de ve'y man you bin lookin' fer.'
"Brer Mink say he don't wanter put it off a minnit. Go he would, en go
he did. Dey went down ter creek en make der 'rangerments. Brer Mink lay
he fish down on der bank, en 'im en ole Brer Tarrypin wade in. Brer
Tarrypin he make great 'miration 'bout how col' he water is. He flinch,
he did, en 'low:--
"'Ow, Brer Mink! Dish yer water feel mighty col' and 't ain't no mo'n up
ter my wais'. Goodness knows how she gwine feel w'en she git up und' my
chin.'
"Dey wade in, dey did, en Brer Tarrypin say, sezee:--
"'Now, den, Brer Mink, we'll make a dive, en de man w'at stay und' de
water de longest dat man gits de fish.'
"Brer Mink 'low dat's de way he look at it, en den Brer Tarrypin gun de
wud, en und' dey went. Co'se," said Uncle Remus, after a little pause,
"Brer Tarrypin kin stay down in de water longer'n Brer Mink, en Brer
Mink mought er know'd it. Dey stay en dey stay, twel bimeby Brer Mink
bleedz ter come up, en he tuck'n kotch he breff, he did, lak he mighty
glad fer ter git back ag'in. Den atter w'ile Brer Tarrypin stuck he nose
out er de water, en den Brer Mink say Brer Tarrypin kin beat 'im. Brer
Tarrypin 'low:--
"'No, Brer Mink; hit's de bes' two out er th'ee. Ef I beats you dis time
den de fish, deyer mine; ef I gits beated, den we kin take 'n'er trial.'
"Wid dat, down dey went, but Brer Tarrypin ain't mo'n dove 'fo' up he
come, en w'iles Brer Mink 'uz down dar honin' fer fresh a'r, he tuck'n
gobble up de las' one er de fish, ole Brer Tarrypin did. He gobble up de
fish, en he 'uz fixin' fer ter pick he toof, but by dis time Brer Mink
bleedz ter come up, en ole Brer Tarrypin, he tuck'n slid down in de
water. He slid so slick," said Uncle Remus, with a chuckle, "dat he
ain't lef' a bubble. He ain't stay down long, n'er, 'fo' he come up en
he make lak he teetotally out er win'.
"Ole Brer Tarrypin come up, he did, en look 'roun', en 'fo' Brer Mink
kin say a wud, he holler out:--
"'Youer nice man, Brer Mink! Youer mighty nice man!'
"'Wat I done now, Brer Tarrypin?'
"'Don't ax me. Look up dar whar you bin eatin' dem fish en den ax
yo'se'f. Youer mighty nice man!'
"Brer Mink look 'roun' en, sho' 'nuff, de fish done gone. Ole Brer
Tarrypin keep on talkin':--
"'You tuck'n come up fust, en w'iles I bin down dar in de water,
nat'ally achin' fer lack er win', yer you settin' up chawin' on de fish
w'ich dey oughter bin mine!'
"Brer Mink stan' 'im down dat he ain't eat dem fish; he 'ny it ter de
las', but ole Brer Tarrypin make out he don't b'leeve 'im. He say,
sezee:--
"'You'll keep gwine on dis a-way, twel atter w'ile you'll be wuss'n Brer
Rabbit. Don't tell me you ain't git dem fish, Brer Mink, 'kaze you know
you is.'
"Hit sorter make Brer Mink feel proud 'kaze ole Brer Tarrypin mix 'im up
wid Brer Rabbit, 'kaze Brer Rabbit wuz a mighty man in dem days, en he
sorter laugh, Brer Mink did, lak he know mo' dan he gwine tell. Ole Brer
Tarrypin keep on grumblin'.
"'I ain't gwine ter git mad long wid you, Brer Mink, 'kaze hit's a
mighty keen trick, but you oughter be 'shame' yo'se'f fer ter be playin'
tricks on a ole man lak me--dat you ought!'
"Wid dat ole Brer Tarrypin went shufflin' off, en atter he git outer
sight he draw'd back in he house en shot de do' en laugh en laugh twel
dey wa'n't no fun in laughin'."
LXVIII
BRER FOX MAKES A NARROW ESCAPE
The next time the little boy had an opportunity to visit Uncle Remus the
old man was alone, but he appeared to be in good spirits. He was
cobbling away upon what the youngster recognized as 'Tildy's Sunday
shoes, and singing snatches of a song something like this:--
"_O Mr. Rabbit! yo' eye mighty big--
Yes, my Lord! dey er made fer ter see;
O Mr. Rabbit! yo' tail mighty short--
Yes, my Lord! hit des fits me!_"
The child waited to hear more, but the song was the same thing over and
over again--always about Brother Rabbit's big eyes and his short tail.
After a while Uncle Remus acknowledged the presence of his little
partner by remarking:--
"Well, sir, we er all yer. Brer Jack and Sis Tempy en dat ar 'Tildy
nigger may be a-pacin' 'roun' lookin' in de fence-cornders fer
Chris'mus, but me en you en ole Brer Rabbit, we er all yer, en ef we
ain't right on de spot, we er mighty close erroun'. Yasser, we is dat;
mo' speshually ole Brer Rabbit, wid he big eye and he short tail. Don't
tell me 'bout Brer Rabbit!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, with a great apparent
enthusiasm, "'kaze dey ain't no use er talkin' 'bout dat creetur."
The little boy was very anxious to know why.
"Well, I tell you," said the old man. "One time dey wuz a monst'us dry
season in de settlement whar all de creeturs live at, en drinkin'-water
got mighty skace. De creeks got low, en de branches went dry, en all de
springs make der disappearance 'cep'n one great big un whar all de
creeturs drunk at. Dey'd all meet dar, dey would, en de bigges' 'ud
drink fus', en by de time de big uns all done swaje der thuss[83] dey
wa'n't a drap lef' fer de little uns skacely.
"Co'se Brer Rabbit 'uz on de happy side. Ef anybody gwine git water Brer
Rabbit de man. De creeturs 'ud see he track 'roun' de spring, but dey
ain't nev' ketch 'im. Hit got so atter w'ile dat de big creeturs 'ud
crowd Brer Fox out, en den 't wa'n't long 'fo' he hunt up Brer Rabbit en
ax 'im w'at he gwine do.
"Brer Rabbit, he sorter study, en den he up 'n tell Brer Fox fer ter go
home en rub some 'lasses all on hisse'f en den go out en waller in de
leafs. Brer Fox ax w'at he mus' do den, en Brer Rabbit say he mus' go
down by de spring, en w'en de creeturs come ter de spring fer ter git
dey water, he mus' jump out at um, en den atter dat he mus' waller lak
he one er dem ar kinder varment w'at got bugs on um.
"Brer Fox, he put out fer home, he did, en w'en he git dar he run ter de
cubbud[84] en des gawm hisse'f wid 'lasses, en den he went out in de
bushes, he did, en waller in de leafs en trash twel he look mos' bad ez
Brer Rabbit look w'en he play Wull-er-de-Wust on de creeturs.
"W'en Brer Fox git hisse'f all fix up, he went down ter de spring en
hide hisse'f. Bimeby all de creeturs come atter der water, en w'iles dey
'uz a-scuffin' en a-hunchin', en a-pushin' en a-scrougin', Brer Fox he
jump out'n de bushes, en sorter switch hisse'f 'roun', en, bless yo'
soul, he look lak de Ole Boy.
"Brer Wolf tuck'n see 'im fus', en he jump spang over Brer B'ar head.
Brer B'ar, he lip back, en ax who dat, en des time he do dis de t'er
creeturs dey tuck'n make a break, dey did, lak punkins rollin' down
hill, en mos' 'fo' youk'n wink yo' eye-ball, Brer Fox had de range er de
spring all by hisse'f.
"Yit 't wa'n't fur long, 'kaze 'fo' de creeturs mov'd fur, dey tuck'n
tu'n 'roun', dey did, en crope back fer ter see w'at dat ar skeery
lookin' varment doin'. W'en dey git back in seein' distuns dar 'uz Brer
Fox walkin' up en down switchin' hisse'f.
"De creeturs dunner w'at ter make un 'im. Dey watch, en Brer Fox march;
dey watch, en he march. Hit keep on dis a-way twel bimeby Brer Fox 'gun
ter waller in de water, en right dar," continued Uncle Remus, leaning
back to laugh, "right dar 'uz whar Brer Rabbit had 'im. Time he 'gun ter
waller in de water de 'lasses 'gun ter melt, en 't wa'n't no time
skacely 'fo' de 'lasses en de leafs done all wash off, en dar 'uz ole
Brer Fox des ez natchul ez life.
"De fus' Brer Fox know 'bout de leafs comin' off, he year Brer B'ar
holler on top er de hill:--
"'You head 'im off down dar, Brer Wolf, en I'll head 'im off 'roun'
yer!'
"Brer Fox look 'roun' en he see all de leafs done come off, en wid dat
he make a break, en he wa'n't none too soon, n'er, 'kaze little mo' en
de creeturs 'ud 'a' kotch 'im."
Without giving the little boy time to ask any questions, Uncle Remus
added another verse to his Rabbit song, and harped on it for several
minutes:--
"_O Mr. Rabbit! yo' year mighty long--
Yes, my Lord! dey made fer ter las';
O Mr. Rabbit! yo' toof mighty sharp--
Yes, my Lord! dey cuts down grass!_"
FOOTNOTES:
[83] Assuaged their thirst.
[84] Cupboard.
LXIX
BRER FOX'S FISH-TRAP
The little boy wanted Uncle Remus to sing some more; but before the old
man could either consent or refuse, the notes of a horn were heard in
the distance. Uncle Remus lifted his hand to command silence, and bent
his head in an attitude of attention.
"Des listen at dat!" he exclaimed, with some show of indignation. "Dat
ain't nothin' in de roun' worl' but ole man Plato wid dat tin hawn er
his'n, en I boun' you he's a-drivin' de six mule waggin, en de waggin
full er niggers fum de River place, en let 'lone dat, I boun' you deyer
niggers strung out behime de waggin fer mo'n a mile, en deyer all er
comin' yer fer ter eat us all out'n house en home, des 'kaze dey year
folks say Chris'mus mos' yer. Hit's mighty kuse unter me dat ole man
Plato ain't done toot dat hawn full er holes long 'fo' dis.
"Yit I ain't blamin' um," Uncle Remus went on, with a sigh, after a
little pause. "Dem ar niggers bin livin' 'way off dar on de River place
whar dey ain't no w'ite folks twel dey er done in about run'd wil'. I
ain't a-blamin' um, dat I ain't."
Plato's horn--a long tin bugle--was by no means unmusical. Its range was
limited, but in Plato's hands its few notes were both powerful and
sweet. Presently the wagon arrived, and for a few minutes all was
confusion, the negroes on the Home place running to greet the
new-comers, who were mostly their relatives. A stranger hearing the
shouts and outcries of these people would have been at a loss to account
for the commotion.
Even Uncle Remus went to his cabin door, and, with the little boy by his
side, looked out upon the scene,--a tumult lit up by torches of resinous
pine. The old man and the child were recognized, and for a few moments
the air was filled with cries of:--
"Howdy, Unk Remus! Howdy, little Marster!"
After a while Uncle Remus closed his door, laid away his tools, and
drew his chair in front of the wide hearth. The child went and stood
beside him, leaning his head against the old negro's shoulder, and the
two--old age and youth, one living in the Past and the other looking
forward only to the Future--gazed into the bed of glowing embers
illuminated by a thin, flickering flame. Probably they saw nothing
there, each being busy with his own simple thoughts; but their shadows,
enlarged out of all proportion, and looking over their shoulders from
the wall behind them, must have seen something, for, clinging together,
they kept up a most incessant pantomime; and Plato's horn, which sounded
again to call the negroes to supper after their journey, though it
aroused Uncle Remus and the child from the contemplation of the fire,
had no perceptible effect upon the Shadows.
"Dar go de vittles!" said Uncle Remus, straightening himself. "Dey tells
me dat dem ar niggers on de River place got appetite same ez a mule. Let
'lone de vittles w'at dey gits from Mars John, dey eats oodles en oodles
er fish. Ole man Plato say dat de nigger on de River place w'at ain't
got a fish-baskit in de river er some intruss[85] in a fish-trap ain't no
'count w'atsomever."
Here Uncle Remus suddenly slapped himself upon the leg, and laughed
uproariously; and when the little boy asked him what the matter was, he
cried out:--
"Well, sir! Ef I ain't de fergittenest ole nigger twix' dis en
Phillimerdelphy! Yer 't is mos' Chris'mus en I ain't tell you 'bout how
Brer Rabbit do Brer Fox w'ence dey bofe un um live on de river. I dunner
w'at de name er sense gittin' de marter 'long wid me."
Of course the little boy wanted to know all about it, and Uncle Remus
proceeded:--
"One time Brer Fox en Brer Rabbit live de on river. Atter dey bin livin'
dar so long a time, Brer Fox 'low dat he got a mighty hankerin' atter
sump'n' 'sides fresh meat, en he say he b'leeve he make 'im a fish-trap.
Brer Rabbit say he wish Brer Fox mighty well, but he ain't honin' atter
fish hisse'f, en ef he is he ain't got no time fer ter make no
fish-trap.
"No marter fer dat, Brer Fox, he tuck'n got 'im out some timber, he did,
en he wuk nights fer ter make dat trap. Den w'en he git it done, he
tuck'n hunt 'im a good place fer ter set it, en de way he sweat over dat
ar trap wuz a sin--dat 't wuz.
"Yit atter so long a time, he got 'er sot, en den he tuck'n wash he face
en han's en go home. All de time he 'uz fixin' un it up, Brer Rabbit 'uz
settin' on de bank watchin' 'im. He sot dar, he did, en play in de
water, en cut switches fer ter w'ip at de snake-doctors,[86] en all dat
time Brer Fox, he pull en haul en tote rocks fer ter hol' dat trap
endurin' a freshet.
"Brer Fox went home en res' hisse'f, en bimeby he go down fer ter see ef
dey any fish in he trap. He sorter fear'd er snakes, but he feel 'roun'
en he feel 'roun', yit he ain't feel no fish. Den he go off.
"Bimeby, 'long todes de las' er de week, he go down en feel 'roun'
'g'in, yit he ain't feel no fish. Hit keep on dis a-way twel Brer Fox
git sorter fag out. He go en he feel, but dey ain't no fish dar. Atter
w'ile, one day, he see de signs whar somebody bin robbin' he trap, en he
'low ter hisse'f dat he'll des in 'bout watch en fine out who de
somebody is.
"Den he tuck'n got in he boat en paddle und' de bushes on de bank en
watch he fish-trap. He watch all de mornin'; nobody ain't come. He watch
all endurin' er atter dinner; nobody ain't come. 'Long todes night, w'en
he des 'bout makin' ready fer ter paddle off home, he year fuss on t'er
side de river, en lo en beholes, yer come Brer Rabbit polin' a boat
right todes Brer Fox fish-trap.
"Look lak he dunner how to use a paddle, en he des had 'im a long pole,
en he'd stan' up in de behime part er he boat, en put de een' er de pole
'gin' de bottom, en shove 'er right ahead.
"Brer Fox git mighty mad w'en he see dis, but he watch en wait. He 'low
ter hisse'f, he did, dat he kin paddle a boat pearter dan anybody kin
pole um, en he say he sho'ly gwine ketch Brer Rabbit dis time.
"Brer Rabbit pole up ter de fish-trap, en feel 'roun' en pull out a
great big mud-cat; den he retch in en pull out 'n'er big mud-cat; den he
pull out a big blue cat, en it keep on dis a-way twel he git de finest
mess er fish you mos' ever laid yo' eyes on.
"Des 'bout dat time, Brer Fox paddle out fum und' de bushes, en make
todes Brer Rabbit, en he holler out:--
"'Ah-yi! Youer de man w'at bin robbin' my fish-trap dis long time! I got
you dis time! Oh, you nee'nter try ter run! I got you dis time sho'!'
"No sooner said dan no sooner done. Brer Rabbit fling he fish in he boat
en grab up de pole en push off, en he had mo' fun gittin' 'way fum dar
dan he y-ever had befo' in all he born days put terge'er."
"Why did n't Brother Fox catch him, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy.
"_Shoo!_ Honey, you sho'ly done lose yo' min' 'bout Brer Rabbit."
"Well, I don't see how he could get away."
[Illustration: "HE GIT DE FINEST MESS ER FISH YOU MOS' EVER
LAID YO' EYES ON"]
"Ef you'd er bin dar you'd er seed it, dat you would. Brer Fox, he wuz
dar, en he seed it, en Brer Rabbit, he seed it, en e'en down ter ole
Brer Bull-frog, a-settin' on de bank, he seed it. Now, den," continued
Uncle Remus, spreading out the palm of his left hand like a map and
pointing at it with the forefinger of his right, "w'en Brer Rabbit pole
he boat, he bleedz ter set in de behime een', en w'en Brer Fox paddle he
boat, _he_ bleedz ter set in de behime een'. Dat bein' de state er de
condition, how Brer Fox gwine ketch 'im? I ain't 'sputin' but w'at he
kin paddle pearter dan Brer Rabbit, but de long en de shorts un it
is, de pearter Brer Fox paddle de pearter Brer Rabbit go."
The little boy looked puzzled. "Well, I don't see how," he exclaimed.
"Well, sir!" continued Uncle Remus, "w'en de nose er Brer Fox boat git
close ter Brer Rabbit boat all Brer Rabbit got ter do in de roun' worl'
is ter take he pole en put it 'gin' Brer Fox boat en push hisse'f out de
way. De harder he push Brer Fox boat back, de pearter he push he own
boat forrerd. Hit look mighty easy ter ole Brer Bull-frog settin' on de
bank, en all Brer Fox kin do is ter shake he fist en grit he toof,
w'iles Brer Rabbit sail off wid de fish."
FOOTNOTES:
[85] Interest.
[86] Dragon-flies.
LXX
BRER RABBIT RESCUES BRER TERRAPIN
The arrival of the negroes from the River place added greatly to the
enthusiasm with which the Christmas holidays were anticipated on the
Home place, and the air was filled with laughter day and night. Uncle
Remus appeared to be very busy, though there was really nothing to be
done except to walk around and scold at everybody and everything, in a
good-humored way, and this the old man could do to perfection.
The night before Christmas eve, however, the little boy saw a light in
Uncle Remus's cabin, and he interpreted it as in some sort a signal of
invitation. He found the old man sitting by the fire and talking to
himself:--
"Ef Mars John and Miss Sally 'specks me fer ter keep all deze yer
niggers straight deyer gwine ter be diserp'inted,--dat dey is. Ef dey
wuz 'lev'm Remuses 't would n't make no diffunce, let 'long one po' ole
cripple creetur lak me. Dey ain't done no damage yit, but I boun' you by
termorrer night dey'll tu'n loose en tu'n de whole place upside down, en
t'ar it up by de roots, en den atter hit's all done gone en done,
yer'll come Miss Sally a-layin' it all at ole Remus do'. Nigger ain't
got much chance in deze yer low-groun's, mo' speshually w'en dey gits
ole en cripple lak I is."
"What are they going to do to-morrow night, Uncle Remus?" the little boy
inquired.
"Now w'at make you ax dat, honey?" exclaimed the old man, in a grieved
tone. "You knows mighty well how dey done las' year en de year 'fo' dat.
Dey tuck'n cut up 'roun' yer wuss'n ef dey 'uz wil' creeturs, en
termorrer night dey'll be a-hollin' en whoopin' en singin' en dancin'
'fo' it git dark good. I wish w'en you go up ter de big house you be so
good ez ter tell Miss Sally dat ef she want any peace er min' she better
git off'n de place en stay off twel atter deze yer niggers git dey fill
er Chris'mus. Goodness knows, she can't 'speck a ole cripple nigger lak
me fer ter ketch holt en keep all deze yer niggers straight."
Uncle Remus would have kept up his vague complaints, but right in the
midst of them Daddy Jack stuck his head in at the door, and said:--
"Oona bin fix da' 'Tildy gal shoe. Me come fer git dem shoe; me come fer
pay you fer fix dem shoe."
Uncle Remus looked at the grinning old African in astonishment. Then
suddenly the truth dawned upon him and he broke into a loud laugh.
Finally he said:--
"Come in, Brer Jack! Come right 'long in. I'm sorter po'ly myse'f, yit
I'll make out ter make you welcome. Dey wuz a quarter dollar gwine inter
my britches-pocket on de 'count er dem ar shoes, but ef youer gwine ter
pay fer um 't won't be but a sev'mpunce."
Somehow or other Daddy Jack failed to relish Uncle Remus's tone and
manner, and he replied, with some display of irritation:
"Shuh-shuh! Me no come in no'n 't all. Me no pay you se'mpunce. Me come
fer pay you fer dem shoe; me come fer tek um 'way fum dey-dey."
"I dunno 'bout dat, Brer Jack, I dunno 'bout dat. De las' time I year
you en 'Tildy gwine on, she wuz 'pun de p'ints er knockin' yo' brains
out. Now den, s'pozen I whirls in en gins you de shoes, en den 'Tildy
come 'long en ax me 'bout um, w'at I gwine say ter 'Tildy?"
"Me pay you fer dem shoe," said Daddy Jack, seeing the necessity of
argument, "un me tek um wey da lil 'Tildy gal bin stay. She tell me fer
come git-a dem shoe."
"Well, den, yer dey is," said Uncle Remus, sighing deeply as he handed
Daddy Jack the shoes. "Yer dey is, en youer mo' dan welcome, dat you is.
But spite er dat, dis yer quarter you flingin' 'way on um would er done
you a sight mo' good dan w'at dem shoes is."
This philosophy was altogether lost upon Daddy Jack, who took the shoes
and shuffled out with a grunt of satisfaction. He had scarcely got out
of hearing before 'Tildy pushed the door open and came in. She hesitated
a moment, and then, seeing that Uncle Remus paid no attention to her,
she sat down and picked at her fingers with an air quite in contrast to
her usual "uppishness," as Uncle Remus called it.
"Unk Remus," she said, after awhile, in a subdued tone, "is dat old
Affikin nigger bin yer atter dem ar shoes?"
"Yas, chile," replied Uncle Remus, with a long-drawn sigh, "he done bin
yer en got um en gone. Yas, honey, he done got um en gone; done come en
pay fer 'm, en got um en gone. I sez, sez I, dat I wish you all mighty
well, en he tuck'n tuck de shoes en put. Yas, chile, he done got um en
gone."
Something in Uncle Remus's sympathetic and soothing tone seemed to
exasperate 'Tildy. She dropped her hands in her lap, straightened
herself up and exclaimed:--
"Yas, I'm is gwine ter marry dat ole nigger an' I don't keer who knows
it. Miss Sally say she don't keer, en t'er folks may keer ef dey wanter,
en much good der keerin' 'll do um."
'Tildy evidently expected Uncle Remus to make some characteristic
comment, for she sat and watched him with her lips firmly pressed
together and her eyelids half-closed,--an attitude of defiance
significant enough when seen, but difficult to describe. But the old man
made no response to the challenge. He seemed to be very busy. Presently
'Tildy went on:--
"Somebody bleedz to take keer er dat ole nigger, en I dunner who gwine
ter do it ef I don't. Somebody bleedz ter look atter 'im. Good win' come
'long hit 'ud in about blow 'im 'way ef dey wa'n't somebody close 'roun'
fer ter take keer un 'im. Let 'lone dat, I ain't gwineter have dat ole
nigger man f'ever 'n 'ternally trottin' atter me. I tell you de Lord's
trufe, Unk Remus," continued 'Tildy, growing confidential, "I ain't had
no peace er min' sence dat ole nigger man come on dis place. He des bin
a-pacin' at my heels de whole blessed time, en I bleedz ter marry 'im
fer git rid un 'im."
"Well," said Uncle Remus, "hit don't s'prize me. You marry en den youer
des lak Brer Fox wid he bag. You know w'at you put in it, but you dunner
w'at you got in it."
'Tildy flounced out without waiting for an explanation, but the mention
of Brother Fox attracted the attention of the little boy, and he wanted
to know what was in the bag, how it came to be there, and all about it.
"Now, den," said Uncle Remus, "hit's a tale, en a mighty long tale at
dat, but I'll des hatter cut it short, 'kaze termorrer night you'll
wanter be a-settin' up lis'nen at de kyar'n's on er dem ar niggers,
w'ich I b'leeve in my soul dey done los' all de sense dey ever bin
bornded wid.
"One time Brer Fox wuz gwine on down de big road, en he look ahead en he
see ole Brer Tarrypin makin' he way on todes home. Brer Fox 'low dis a
mighty good time fer ter nab ole Brer Tarrypin, en no sooner is he thunk
it dan he put out back home, w'ich 't wa'n't but a little ways, en he
git 'im a bag. He come back, he did, en he run up behime ole Brer
Tarrypin en flip 'im in de bag en sling de bag 'cross he back en go
gallin'-up back home.
"Brer Tarrypin, he holler, but 't ain't do no good, he rip en he r'ar,
but 't ain't do no good. Brer Fox des keep on a-gwine, en 't wa'n't long
'fo' he had ole Brer Tarrypin slung up in de cornder in de bag, en de
bag tied un hard en fas'.
"But w'iles all dis gwine on," exclaimed Uncle Remus, employing the tone
and manner of some country preacher he had heard, "whar wuz ole Brer
Rabbit? Yasser--dats it, whar wuz he? En mo'n dat, w'at you 'speck he
'uz doin' en whar you reckon he wer' gwine? Dat's de way ter talk it;
whar'bouts wuz he?"
The old man brought his right hand down upon his knee with a thump that
jarred the tin-plate and cups on the mantel-shelf, and then looked
around with a severe frown to see what the chairs and the work-bench,
and the walls and the rafters, had to say in response to his remarkable
argument. He sat thus in a waiting attitude a moment, and then, finding
that no response came from anything or anybody, his brow gradually
cleared, and a smile of mingled pride and satisfaction spread over his
face, as he continued in a more natural tone:--
"Youk'n b'leeve me er not b'leeve des ez youer min' ter, but dat ar
long-year creetur--dat ar hoppity-skippity--dat ar
up-en-down-en-sailin'-'roun' Brer Rabbit, w'ich you bin year me call he
name 'fo' dis, he wa'n't so mighty fur off w'iles Brer Fox gwine 'long
wid dat ar bag slung 'cross he back. Let 'lone dat, Brer Rabbit 'uz
settin' right dar in de bushes by de side er de road, en w'ence he see
Brer Fox go trottin' by, he ax hisse'f w'at is it dat creetur got in dat
ar bag.
"He ax hisse'f, he did, but he dunno. He wunder en he wunder, yit de mo'
he wunder de mo' he dunno. Brer Fox, he go trottin' by, en Brer Rabbit,
he sot in de bushes en wunder. Bimeby he 'low ter hisse'f, he did, dat
Brer Fox ain't got no business fer ter be trottin' 'long down de road,
totin' doin's w'ich yuther folks dunner w'at dey is, en he 'low dat dey
won't be no great harm done ef he take atter Brer Fox en fine out w'at
he got in dat ar bag.
"Wid dat, Brer Rabbit, he put out. He ain't got no bag fer ter tote, en
he pick up he foots mighty peart. Mo'n dat, he tuck'n tuck a nigh-cut,
en by de time Brer Fox git home, Brer Rabbit done had time fer ter go
'roun' by de watermillion-patch en do some er he devilment, en den atter
dat he tuck'n sot down in de bushes whar he kin see Brer Fox w'en he
come home.
"Bimeby yer come Brer Fox wid de bag slung 'cross he back. He onlatch de
do', he did, en he go in en sling Brer Tarrypin down in de cornder, en
set down front er de h'ath fer ter res' hisse'f."
Here Uncle Remus paused to laugh in anticipation of what was to follow.
"Brer Fox ain't mo'n lit he pipe," the old man continued, after a
tantalizing pause, "'fo' Brer Rabbit stick he head in de do' en
holler:--
"Brer Fox! O Brer Fox! You better take yo' walkin'-cane en run down yan.
Comin' 'long des now I year a mighty fuss, en I look 'roun' en dar wuz a
whole passel er folks in yo' watermillion-patch des a-tromplin' 'roun'
en a-t'arin' down. I holler'd at um, but dey ain't pay no 'tention ter
little man lak I is. Make 'a'se, Brer Fox! make 'a'se! Git yo' cane en
run down dar. I'd go wid you myse'f, but my ole 'oman ailin' en I bleedz
ter be makin' my way todes home. You better make 'a'se, Brer Fox, ef you
wanter git de good er yo' watermillions. Run, Brer Fox! run!'
"Wid dat Brer Rabbit dart back in de bushes, en Brer Fox drap he pipe en
grab he walkin'-cane en put out fer he watermillion-patch, w'ich 't wer'
down on de branch; en no sooner is he gone dan ole Brer Rabbit come out
de bushes en make he way in de house.
"He go so easy dat he ain't make no fuss; he look 'roun' en dar wuz de
bag in de cornder. He kotch holt er de bag en sorter feel un it, en time
he do dis, he year sump'n' holler:--
"'Ow! Go 'way! Lem me 'lone! Tu'n me loose! Ow!'
"Brer Rabbit jump back 'stonish'd. Den 'fo' you kin wink yo' eye-ball,
Brer Rabbit slap hisse'f on de leg en break out in a laugh. Den he up'n
'low:--
"'Ef I ain't make no mistakes, dat ar kinder fuss kin come fum nobody in
de roun' worl' but ole Brer Tarrypin.'
"Brer Tarrypin, he holler, sezee: 'Ain't dat Brer Rabbit?'
"'De same,' sezee.
"'Den whirl in en tu'n me out. Meal dus' in my th'oat, grit in my eye,
en I ain't kin git my breff, skacely. Tu'n me out, Brer Rabbit.'
"Brer Tarrypin talk lak somebody down in a well. Brer Rabbit, he holler
back:--
"'Youer lots smarter dan w'at I is, Brer Tarrypin--lots smarter. Youer
smarter en pearter. Peart ez I come yer, you is ahead er me. I know how
you git in de bag, but I dunner how de name er goodness you tie yo'se'f
up in dar, dat I don't.'
"Brer Tarrypin try ter splain, but Brer Rabbit keep on laughin', en he
laugh twel he git he fill er laughin'; en den he tuck'n ontie de bag en
take Brer Tarrypin out en tote 'im 'way off in de woods. Den, w'en he
done dis, Brer Rabbit tuck'n run off en git a great big hornet-nes' w'at
he see w'en he comin' long--"
"A hornet's nest, Uncle Remus?" exclaimed the little boy, in amazement.
"Tooby sho', honey. 'T ain't bin a mont' sence I brung you a great big
hornet-nes', en yer you is axin' dat. Brer Rabbit tuck'n slap he han'
'cross de little hole whar de hornets goes in at, en dar he had um. Den
he tuck'n tuck it ter Brer Fox house, en put it in de bag whar Brer
Tarrypin bin.
"He put de hornet-nes' in dar," continued Uncle Remus, lowering his
voice, and becoming very grave, "en den he tie up de bag des lak he
fine it. Yit 'fo' he put de bag back in de cornder, w'at do dat creetur
do? I ain't settin' yer," said the old man, seizing his chair with both
hands, as if by that means to emphasize the illustration, "I ain't
settin' yer ef dat ar creetur ain't grab dat bag en slam it down 'g'in
de flo', en hit it 'g'in de side er de house twel he git dem ar hornets
all stirred up, en den he put de bag back in de cornder, en go out in de
bushes ter whar Brer Tarrypin waitin', en den bofe un um sot out dar en
wait fer ter see w'at de upshot gwine ter be.
"Bimeby, yer come Brer Fox back fum he watermillion-patch en he look lak
he mighty mad. He strak he cane down 'pun de groun', en do lak he gwine
take he revengeance out'n po' ole Brer Tarrypin. He went in de do', Brer
Fox did, en shot it atter 'im. Brer Rabbit en Brer Tarrypin lissen', but
dey ain't year nothin'.
"But bimeby, fus' news you know, dey year de mos' owdashus racket, tooby
sho'. Seem lak, fum whar Brer Rabbit en Brer Tarrypin settin' dat dey
'uz a whole passel er cows runnin' 'roun' in Brer Fox house. Dey year de
cheers a-fallin', en de table turnin' over, en de crock'ry breakin', en
den de do' flew'd open, en out come Brer Fox, a-squallin' lak de Ole Boy
wuz atter 'im. En sech a sight ez dem t'er creeturs seed den en dar
ain't never bin seed befo' ner sence.
"Dem ar hornets des swarmed on top er Brer Fox. 'Lev'm dozen un um 'ud
hit at one time, en look lak dat ar creetur bleedz ter fine out fer
hisse'f w'at pain en suffin' is. Dey bit 'im en dey stung 'im, en fur ez
Brer Rabbit en Brer Tarrypin kin year 'im, dem hornets 'uz des a-nailin'
'im. Gentermens! dey gun 'im binjer!
"Brer Rabbit en Brer Tarrypin, dey sot dar, dey did, en dey laugh en
laugh, twel bimeby, Brer Rabbit roll over en grab he stomach, en
holler:--
"'Don't, Brer Tarrypin! don't! One giggle mo' en you'll hatter tote me.'
"En dat ain't all," said Uncle Remus, raising his voice. "I know a
little chap w'ich ef he set up yer 'sputin' 'longer me en de t'er
creeturs, he won't have much fun termorrer night."
The hint was sufficient, and the little boy ran out laughing.
LXXI
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
The day and the night before Christmas were full of pleasure for the
little boy. There was pleasure in the big house, and pleasure in the
humble cabins in the quarters. The peculiar manner in which the negroes
celebrated the beginning of the holidays was familiar to the child's
experience, but strange to his appreciation, and he enjoyed everything
he saw and heard with the ready delight of his years,--a delight, which,
in this instance, had been trained and sharpened, if the expression may
be used, in the small world over which Uncle Remus presided.
The little boy had a special invitation to be present at the marriage of
Daddy Jack and 'Tildy, and he went, accompanied by Uncle Remus and Aunt
Tempy. It seemed to be a very curious affair, but its incongruities made
small impression upon the mind of the child.
'Tildy wore a white dress and had a wreath of artificial flowers in her
hair. Daddy Jack wore a high hat, which he persisted in keeping on his
head during the ceremony, and a coat the tails of which nearly dragged
the floor. His bright little eyes glistened triumphantly, and he grinned
and bowed to everybody again and again. After it was all over, the
guests partook of cake baked by Aunt Tempy, and persimmon beer brewed by
Uncle Remus.
It seemed, however, that 'Tildy was not perfectly happy; for, in
response to a question asked by Aunt Tempy, she said:--
"Yes'm, I'm gwine down de country 'long wid my ole man, an' I lay ef
eve'ything don't go right, I'm gwineter pick up en come right back."
"No-no!" exclaimed Daddy Jack, "'e no come bahck no'n 't all. 'E bin
stay dey-dey wit' 'e nice ole-a màn."
"You put yo' pennunce in dat!" said 'Tildy, scornfully. "Dey ain't
nobody kin hol' me w'en I takes a notion, 'cep'n hit's Miss Sally; en,
goodness knows, Miss Sally ain't gwine ter be down dar."
"Who Miss Sally gwine put in de house?" Aunt Tempy asked.
"Humph!" exclaimed 'Tildy, scornfully, "Miss Sally say she gwine take
dat ar Darkess[87] nigger en put 'er in my place. En a mighty nice mess
Darkess gwine ter make un it! Much she know 'bout waitin' on w'ite
folks! Many's en many's de time Miss Sally'll set down in 'er
rockin'-cheer en wish fer 'Tildy--many's de time."
This was 'Tildy's grievance,--the idea that some one could be found to
fill her place; and it is a grievance with which people of greater
importance than the humble negro house-girl are more or less familiar.
But the preparations for the holidays went on in spite of 'Tildy's
grievance. A large platform, used for sunning wheat and seed cotton, was
arranged by the negroes for their dance, and several wagon-loads of
resinous pine--known as lightwood--were placed around about it in little
heaps, so that the occasion might lack no element of brilliancy.
At nightfall the heaps of lightwood were set on fire, and the little
boy, who was waiting impatiently for Uncle Remus to come for him, could
hear the negroes singing, dancing, and laughing. He was just ready to
cry when he heard the voice of his venerable partner.
"Is dey a'er passenger anywhar's 'roun' yer fer Thumptown? De stage done
ready en de hosses a-prancin'. Ef dey's a'er passenger 'roun' yer, I lay
he des better be makin' ready fer ter go."
The old man walked up to the back piazza as he spoke, held out his
strong arms, and the little boy jumped into them with an exclamation of
delight. The child's mother gave Uncle Remus a shawl to wrap around the
child, and this shawl was the cause of considerable trouble, for the
youngster persisted in wrapping it around the old man's head, and so
blinding him that there was danger of his falling. Finally, he put the
little boy down, took off his hat, raised his right hand, and said:--
"Now, den, I bin a-beggin' un you fer ter quit yo' 'haveishness des long
ez I'm a-gwinter, en I ain't gwine beg you no mo', 'kaze I'm des
teetotally wo' out wid beggin', en de mo' I begs de wuss you gits. Now
I'm done! You des go yo' ways en I'll go mine, en my way lays right
spang back ter de big house whar Miss Sally is. Dat's whar I'm a-gwine!"
Uncle Remus started to the house with an exaggerated vigor of movement
comical to behold; but, however comical it may have been, it had its
effect. The little boy ran after him, caught him by the hand, and made
him stop.
"Now, Uncle Remus, _please_ don't go back. I was just playing."
Uncle Remus's anger was all pretence, but he managed to make it very
impressive.
"My playin' days done gone too long ter talk 'bout. When I plays, I
plays wid wuk, dat w'at I plays wid."
"Well," said the child, who had tactics of his own, "if I can't play
with you, I don't know who I am to play with."
This touched Uncle Remus in a very tender spot. He stopped in the path,
took off his spectacles, wiped the glasses on his coat-tail, and said
very emphatically:--
"Now den, honey, des lissen at me. How de name er goodness kin you call
dat playin', w'ich er little mo' en I'd er fell down on top er my head,
en broke my neck en yone too?"
The child promised that he would be very good, and Uncle Remus picked
him up, and the two made their way to where the negroes had congregated.
They were greeted with cries of "Dar's Unk Remus!" "Howdy, Unk Remus!"
"Yer dey is!" "Ole man Remus don't sing; but w'en he do
sing--gentermens! des go 'way!"
All this and much more, so that when Uncle Remus had placed the little
boy upon a corner of the platform, and made him comfortable, he
straightened himself with a laugh and cried out:--
"Howdy, boys! howdy all! I des come up fer ter jine in wid you fer one
'roun' fer de sakes er ole times, ef no mo'."
"I boun' fer Unk Remus!" some one said. "Now des hush en let Unk Remus
'lone!" exclaimed another.
The figure of the old man, as he stood smiling upon the crowd of
negroes, was picturesque in the extreme. He seemed to be taller than all
the rest; and, notwithstanding his venerable appearance, he moved and
spoke with all the vigor of youth. He had always exercised authority
over his fellow-servants. He had been the captain of the corn-pile, the
stoutest at the log-rolling, the swiftest with the hoe, the neatest with
the plough, and the plantation hands still looked upon him as their
leader.
Some negro from the River place had brought a fiddle, and, though it was
a very feeble one, its screeching seemed to annoy Uncle Remus.
"Put up dat ar fiddle!" he exclaimed, waving his hand. "Des put 'er up;
she sets my toof on aidje. Put 'er up en les go back ter ole times. Dey
ain't no room fer no fiddle 'roun' yer, 'kaze w'en you gits me started
dat ar fiddle won't be nowhars."
"Dat's so," said the man with the fiddle, and the irritating instrument
was laid aside.
"Now, den," Uncle Remus went on, "dey's a little chap yer dat you'll all
come ter know mighty well one er deze odd-come-shorts, en dish yer
little chap ain't got so mighty long fer ter set up 'long wid us. Dat
bein' de case we oughter take 'n put de bes' foot fo'mus' fer ter
commence wid."
"You lead, Unk Remus! You des lead en we'll foller."
Thereupon the old man called to the best singers among the negroes and
made them stand near him. Then he raised his right hand to his ear and
stood perfectly still. The little boy thought he was listening for
something, but presently Uncle Remus began to slap himself gently with
his left hand, first upon the leg and then upon the breast. The other
negroes kept time to this by a gentle motion of their feet, and finally,
when the thump--thump--thump of this movement had regulated itself to
suit the old man's fancy, he broke out with what may be called a
Christmas dance song.
His voice was strong, and powerful, and sweet, and its range was as
astonishing as its volume. More than this, the melody to which he tuned
it, and which was caught up by a hundred voices almost as sweet and as
powerful as his own, was charged with a mysterious and pathetic
tenderness.
The fine company of men and women at the big house--men and women who
had made the tour of all the capitals of Europe--listened with swelling
hearts and with tears in their eyes as the song rose and fell upon the
air--at one moment a tempest of melody, at another a heart-breaking
strain breathed softly and sweetly to the gentle winds. The song that
the little boy and the fine company heard was something like
this--ridiculous enough when put in cold type, but powerful and
thrilling when joined to the melody with which the negroes had invested
it:--
_MY HONEY, MY LOVE_
_Hit's a mighty fur ways up de Far'well Lane,
My honey, my love!
You may ax Mister Crow, you may ax Mr. Crane,
My honey, my love!
Dey'll make you a bow, en dey'll tell you de same,
My honey, my love!
Hit's a mighty fur ways fer to go in de night,
My honey, my love!
My honey, my love, my heart's delight--
My honey, my love!_
_Mister Mink, he creep twel he wake up de snipe,
My honey, my love!
Mister Bull-Frog holler,_ Come-a-light my pipe _,
My honey, my love!
En de Pa'tridge ax,_ Ain't yo' peas ripe?
My honey, my love!
Better not walk erlong dar much atter night,
My honey, my love!
My honey, my love, my heart's delight--
My honey, my love!_
_De Bully-Bat fly mighty close ter de groun',
My honey, my love!
Mister Fox, he coax 'er,_ Do come down!
My honey, my love!
Mister Coon, he rack all 'roun' en 'roun',
My honey, my love!
In de darkes' night, oh, de nigger, he's a sight!
My honey, my love!
My honey, my love, my heart's delight--
My honey, my love!_
_Oh, flee, Miss Nancy, flee ter my knee,
My honey, my love!
'Lev'm big fat coons lives in one tree,
My honey, my love!
Oh, ladies all, won't you marry me?
My honey, my love!
Tu'n lef', tu'n right, we 'ull dance all night,
My honey, my love!
My honey, my love, my heart's delight--
My honey, my love!_
_De big Owl holler en cry fer his mate,
My honey, my love!
Oh, don't stay long! Oh, don't stay late!
My honey, my love!
Hit ain't so mighty fur ter de Good-by Gate,
My honey, my love!
Whar we all got ter go w'en we sing out de night,
My honey, my love!
My honey, my love, my heart's delight--
My honey, my love!_
After a while the song was done, and other songs were sung; but it was
not long before Uncle Remus discovered that the little boy was fast
asleep. The old man took the child in his arms and carried him to the
big house, singing softly in his ear all the way; and somehow or other
the song seemed to melt and mingle in the youngster's dreams. He thought
he was floating in the air, while somewhere near all the negroes were
singing, Uncle Remus's voice above all the rest; and then, after he had
found a resting-place upon a soft warm bank of clouds, he thought he
heard the songs renewed. They grew fainter and fainter in his dreams
until at last (it seemed) Uncle Remus leaned over him and sang
GOOD-NIGHT
FOOTNOTE:
[87] Dorcas.
+-------------------------------------------+
|Transcriber's Note: |
| |
|Punctuation and inconsistencies in language|
|and dialect found in the original book have|
|been retained. |
+-------------------------------------------+
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