Moses Hendricks, Mandeville.
Anansi and Tumble-bug took a job once. After they got their pay Anansi
said to Tumble-bug, “We mus’ buy something so as to have a good feed.”
They bought a bunch of plantain and a keg of butter.
They commence to eat. Anansi dip, Tumble-bug dip. Anansi said, “No, my
Tumble-bug, when I go ‘pluck-um’, you mus’ go ’tip’!” However,
Tumble-bug dip all the same. Anansi got vex an’ box him. Tumble-bug
fawn dead. Anansi get frightened, said, “Hi! Tumble-bug, the least bit
of fun I make with you, you dead?” Tumble-bug never shake. Anansi run,
leave the butter an’ the plantain an’ everything, take to the woods for
it. Tumble-bug wake up an’ eat up the plantain an’ the butter. After
that he fly away after Anansi now.
When he got in the woods near where Anansi was, he hid himself against
a tree give a sound like a man cutting. Anansi sing out, “Who are you?”
Tumble-bug said, “Gentleman servant cutting bread-nut fo’ gentleman
horse.” Say, “Hear any news?”—“Yes.”—“What you hear?”—“Anansi kill
Tumble-bug,—life for life!” Anansi start running an’ Tumble-bug after
him. He run out to a place call ‘Dead man country’, get among the dry
trash, and that’s where he live ever since.