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 aint 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 un tekky one ho'n, I git 'pon da tree y-up dey, un tekky
nurrer ho'n. Less we 'tan' dey-dey tel we see how long tam we is kin do
'dout bittle un 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 un 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 un 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 un 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 un 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 BROTHER 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 aint
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 aint 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 aint 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
aint lef' a bubble. He aint 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!'
"'W'at 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 aint 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 aint 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 aint 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
BROTHER 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
aint 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 aint 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
aint 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
BROTHER 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
aint 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 aint done toot dat hawn full er holes long 'fo' dis.
"Yit I aint 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 aint no w'ite folks twel dey er done in about run'd wil'. I
aint a-blamin' um, dat I aint."
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 aint
got a fish-baskit in de river er some intruss[85] in a fish-trap aint 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 aint de fergittenest ole nigger twix' dis en
Phillimerdelphy! Yer 't is mos' Chris'mus en I aint 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 aint honin' atter
fish hisse'f, en ef he is he aint 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 aint 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 aint feel no fish. Hit keep on dis a-way twel Brer Fox
git sorter fag out. He go en he feel, but dey aint 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 aint come. He watch
all endurin' er atter dinner; nobody aint 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."
"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 aint '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
BROTHER RABBIT RESCUES BROTHER 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 aint 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 aint
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.