Simeon Falconer, Santa Cruz Mountains.
The Lion and the Tiger were very good friends. Tiger says, “No one beat
us in strength!” Lion said, “No, my friend, somebody that’s stronger
than we. Tiger said no, no, he cannot believe that. Lion said there was
a little something called “Man” that was stronger. So Tiger says he
will have to find that something called “Man.”
And he go hunting the Man and he buck up Mr. Ram-goat and he ask him if
him name “Man”. Goat says yes. And he asked him if the two things he
had up here (horns) called “gun”. And he asked him if that long scar he
have on belly, called “ram-rod.” And he asked him if that bag he had,
called “shot-bag.” And Goat said yes. And Tiger walk up and lick him
flat on the ground. Goat holla “Wi-i! wi-i-i!” And Tiger went back to
Lion and say he find something called “Man” and single lick he lick
him, fa’ dead. Lion say, “No, me friend! dat no ‘Man’, for Man have two
feet an’ dat you tell me have four legs.” Tiger say will have to go
back again find Man, for he bound to have that something called “Man”.
And he went out again seeking after “Man”, and a Hunter was out. And he
saw the Hunter and he said, “Now this yeah mus’ Man!” And so him gwine
up to de man, de Hunter aiming for him with the gun, and ask if him
name “Man”. And the Hunter drive at him with the gun. And he run back
to Lion and could only say, “I find ‘Man’ an’ him single answer him
answer me, blood fly all t’ru me body!” and him dead. Lion says, “I
tell you; you no believe me; but you believe me now!”