BRER RABBIT: TALES of a TRICKSTER: Artist:Elwes

Showing posts with label Artist:Elwes. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Artist:Elwes. Show all posts

Monday, December 10, 2018

C001. Brer Rabbit and the Calamus Root

1. Uncle Remus Initiates the Little Boy. Text Source: Uncle Remus, His Songs and His Sayings by Joel Chandler Harris. Online at Project Gutenberg. I have removed the frame material and standardized the spelling; click here for the original spelling plus all notes to the story.

BRER RABBIT and the CALAMUS ROOT

By and by, one day, after Brer Fox been doing all that he could for to catch Brer Rabbit, and Brer Rabbit been doing all he could for to keep him from it, Brer Fox say to hisself that he'd put up a game on Brer Rabbit, and he ain't more than got the words out of his mouth till when Brer Rabbit came a loping up the big road, looking just as plump, and as fat, and as sassy as a Morgan horse in a barley-patch.

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"Hol' on there, Brer Rabbit," says Brer Fox, says he.

"I ain't got time, Brer Fox," says Brer Rabbit, says he, sort of mending his licks.

"I wan' to have some confab with you, Brer Rabbit," says Brer Fox, says he.

"All right, Brer Fox, but you better holler from where you stan'. I'm monst'ous full of fleas this mornin'," says Brer Rabbit, says he.

"I seed Brer Bear yesterday," says Brer Fox, says he, "an' he sort of rake me over the coals 'cause you an' me ain't make friends an' live neighborly, an' I tol' him that I'd see you."

Then Brer Rabbit scratch one ear with his off hind foot sort of dubiously, and then he ups and says, says he, "All a settin', Brer Fox. S'posin' you drop roun' tomorrow an' take dinner with me. We ain't got no great doin's at our house, but I 'spect the ol' woman an' de chilluns can sort of scramble roun' an' get up somethin' for to stay yo' stomach."

"I'm 'greeable, Brer Rabbit," says Brer Fox, says he.

"Then I'll depen' on you," says Brer Rabbit, says he.

Next day, Mr. Rabbit and Miss Rabbit got up soon, before day, and raided on a garden, and got some cabbages, and some roasting ears, and some sparrow-grass, and they fix up a smashing dinner.

By and by one of the little Rabbits, playing out in the back yard, come running in hollering, "Oh, ma! Oh, ma! I seed Mr. Fox a comin'!"

And then Brer Rabbit he took the chilluns by their ears and make 'em set down, and then him and Miss Rabbit sort of dally round waiting for Brer Fox. And they keep on waiting for Brer Fox. And they keep on waiting, but no Brer Fox ain't come.

After awhile Brer Rabbit goes to the door, easy like, and peep out, and there, sticking from behind the corner, was the tip-end of Brer Fox tail.

Then Brer Rabbit shut the door and sat down, and put his paws behind his ears and begin for to sing,

The place wher'bouts you spill the grease,
Right there you're boun' to slide,
An' where you fin' a bunch of hair,
You'll surely fin' the hide.

Next day, Brer Fox sent word by Mr. Mink, and excuse hisself 'cause he was too sick for to come, and he ask Brer Rabbit for to come and take dinner with him, and Brer Rabbit say he was agreeable.

By and by, when the shadows was at their shortest, Brer Rabbit he sort of brush up and saunter down to Brer Fox's house, and when he got there, he hear somebody groaning, and he look in the door and there he see Brer Fox setting up in a rocking-chair all wrap up with flannel, and he look mighty weak.

Brer Rabbit look all round, he did, but he ain't see no dinner. The dish-pan was setting on the table, and close by was a carving knife.

"Look like you goin' to have chicken for dinner, Brer Fox," says Brer Rabbit, says he.

"Yes, Brer Rabbit, they are nice, an' fresh, an' tender," says Brer Fox, says he.

Then Brer Rabbit sort of pull his mustache, and say, "You ain't got no calamus root, is you, Brer Fox? I done got so now that I can't eat no chicken 'ceptin' she's seasoned up with calamus root."

And with that Brer Rabbit leaped out of the door and dodge among the bushes, and sat there watching for Brer Fox; and he ain't watch long, neither, 'cause Brer Fox flung off the flannel and crept out of the house and got where he could close in on Brer Rabbit, and by and by Brer Rabbit holler out, "Oh, Brer Fox! I'll jus' put yo' calamus root out here on this here stump. Better come get it while it's fresh," and with that Brer Rabbit gallop off home.

And Brer Fox ain't never catch him yet, and what's more, he ain't going to.

C002. Brer Rabbit and the Tar-Baby

2. The Wonderful Tar-baby Story. Text Source: Uncle Remus, His Songs and His Sayings by Joel Chandler Harris. Online at Project Gutenberg. I have removed the frame material and standardized the spelling; click here for the original spelling plus all notes to the story.

This story follows Uncle Remus Initiates the Little Boy as you'll see from the reference to the calamus root at the beginning and at the end of the story.

BRER RABBIT and the TAR-BABY

One day after Brer Rabbit fool him with that calamus root, Brer Fox went to work and got him some tar, and mix it with some turpentine, and fix up a contraption what he call a Tar-Baby, and he took this here Tar-Baby and he sat her in the big road, and then he lay off in the bushes for to see what the news was going to be.

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And he didn't have to wait long, neither, 'cause by and by here come Brer Rabbit pacing down the road — lippity-clippity, clippity-lippity — just as sassy as a jaybird. Brer Fox, he lay low.

Brer Rabbit come prancing along till he spy the Tar-Baby, and then he fetch up on his behind legs like he was astonished.

The Tar Baby, she sat there, she did, and Brer Fox, he lay low.

"Mornin'!" says Brer Rabbit, says he — "Nice weather this mornin'," says he.

Tar-Baby ain't saying' nothing, and Brer Fox he lay low.

"How does yo' sym'toms seem to segashuate?" says Brer Rabbit, says he.

Brer Fox, he wink his eye slow, and lay low, and the Tar-Baby, she ain't saying nothing.

"How you come on, then? Is you deaf?" says Brer Rabbit, says he. "'Cause if you is, I can holler louder," says he.

Tar-Baby stay still, and Brer Fox, he lay low.

"You is stuck up, that's what you is," says Brer Rabbit, says he, "an' I'm goin' to cure you, that's what I'm a goin' to do," says he.

Brer Fox, he sort of chuckle in his stomach, he did, but Tar-Baby ain't saying nothing.

"I'm goin' to learn you how to talk to 'spectable folks if it's the las' act," says Brer Rabbit, says he. "If you don't take off that hat an' tell me howdy, I'm goin' to bus' you wide open," says he.

Tar-Baby stay still, and Brer Fox, he lay low.

Brer Rabbit keep on asking him, and the Tar-Baby, she keep on saying nothing, till presently Brer Rabbit draw back with his fist, he did, and blip he took her side of the head. Right there's where he broke his molasses jug. His fist stuck, and he can't pull loose. The tar hold him. But Tar-Baby, she stay still, and Brer Fox, he lay low.

"If you don't let me loose, I'll knock you again," says Brer Rabbit, says he, and with that he fetch her a wipe with the other hand, and that stuck. Tar-Baby, she ain't saying nothing, and Brer Fox, he lay low.

"Turn me loose, 'fore I kick the nat'ral stuffin' out of you," says Brer Rabbit, says he, but the Tar-Baby, she ain't saying nothing. She just hold on, and then Brer Rabbit lose the use of his feet in the same way. Brer Fox, he lay low.

Den Brer Rabbit squall out that if the Tar-Baby don't turn him loose he butt her cranksided. And then he butted, and his head got stuck. Then Brer Fox, he sauntered forth, looking just as innocent as one of mammy's mocking-birds.

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"Howdy, Brer Rabbit," says Brer Fox, says he. "You look sort of stuck up this mornin'," says he, and then he rolled on the ground, an' laughed and laughed till he couldn't laugh no more.

"I 'spect you'll take dinner with me this time, Brer Rabbit. I done laid in some calamus root, an' I ain't goin' to take no 'scuse," says Brer Fox, says he.

C003. Brer Possum, Brer Coon, and Brer Dog

3. Why Mr. Possum Loves Peace. Text Source: Uncle Remus, His Songs and His Sayings by Joel Chandler Harris. Online at Project Gutenberg. I have removed the frame material and standardized the spelling; click here for the original spelling plus all notes to the story.

BRER POSSUM, BRER COON, and BRER DOG

One night, Brer Possum call by for Brer Coon, according to agreement, and after gobbling up a dish of fried greens and smoking a cigar, they rambled forth for to see how the balance of the settlement was getting along. Brer Coon, he was one of these here natural pacers, and he racked along same as master's bay pony, and Brer Possum he went in a hand gallup; and they got over heap of ground, man. Brer Possum, he got his belly full of persimmons, and Brer Coon, he scoop up a abundance of frogs and tadpoles. They amble along, they did, just as sociable as a basket of kittens, till by and by they hear Mr. Dog talking to hisself way off in the woods.

"S'posin' he runs up on us, Brer Possum, what you goin' to do?" says Brer Coon, says he.

Brer Possum sort of laugh 'round the corners of his mouth. "Oh, if he come, Brer Coon, I'm goin' to stan' by you,' says Brer Possum. "What you goin' to do?" says he.

"Who? Me?" says Brer Coon. "If he run up onto me, I lay I give him one twist," says he.

Mr. Dog, he come and he come a zooming. And he ain't wait for to say howdy, neither. He just sail into the two of 'em. The very first pass he make, Brer Possum fetch a grin from ear to ear, and keel over like he was dead.

Then Mr. Dog, he sail into Brer Coon, and right there's where he drop his money purse, 'cause Brer Coon was cut out for that kind of business, and he fairly wipe up the face of the earth with him.

You better believe that when Mr. Dog got a chance to make hisself scarce, he took it, and what there was left of him went skaddling through the woods like it was shot out of a musket.

And Brer Coon, he sort of lick his clothes into shape and rack off, and Brer Possum, he lay there like he was dead, till by and by he raise up sort of careful like, and when he find the coast clear he scramble up and scamper off like something was after him.

Next time Brer Possum met Brer Coon, Brer Coon refuse to respond to his howdy, and this make Brer Possum feel mighty bad, seeing as how they used to make so many excursions together.

"What make you hol' yo' head so high, Brer Coon?" says Brer Possum, says he.

"I ain't runnin' with cowards these days," says Brer Coon. "When I wants you I'll sen' for you," says he.

Then Brer Possum get mighty mad.

"Who's any coward?" says he.

"You is," says Brer Coon, "that's who. I ain't 'sociatin' with them what lays down on the groun' an' plays dead when there's a free fight goin' on," says he.

Then Brer Possum grin and laugh fit to kill hisself. "Lor', Brer Coon, you don't 'spect I done that 'cause I was 'feared, does you?" says he. "Why I weren't no mo' 'feared than you is this minute. What there for to be scared of?" says he. "I know'd you'd get away with Mr. Dog if I didn't, an' I jus' lay there watchin' you shake him, waitin' for to put in when the time come," says he.

Brer Coon turn up his nose. "That's a mighty likely tale," says he, "when Mr. Dog ain't mo' than touch you 'fo' you keel over, an' lay there stiff," says he.

"That's jus' what I was goin' to tell you 'bout," says Brer Possum, says he. "I weren't no mo' scared than you is right now, an' I was fixin' for to give Mr. Dog a sample of my jaw," says he, "but I'm the most ticklish chap what you ever laid eyes on, an' no sooner did Mr. Dog put his nose down here 'mong my ribs than I got to laughin', an' I laughed till I ain't had no use of my limbs," says he, "an' it's a mercy unto Mr. Dog that I was ticklish, 'cause a little mo' an' I'd et him up," says he. "I don't min' fightin', Brer Coon, no mo' than you does," says he, "but I declare to gracious if I can stan' ticklin'. Get me in a row where there ain't no ticklin' 'lowed, an' I'm your man," says he.

And down to this day, Brer Possum's bound to surrender when you touch him in the short ribs, and he'll laugh if he knows he's going to be smashed for it.

C004. Brer Rabbit and the Brier Patch

4. How Mr. Rabbit Was Too Sharp for Mr. Fox. Text Source: Uncle Remus, His Songs and His Sayings by Joel Chandler Harris. Online at Project Gutenberg. I have removed the frame material and standardized the spelling; click here for the original spelling plus all notes to the story.

BRER RABBIT and the BRIER-PATCH

When Brer Fox find Brer Rabbit mixed up with the Tar-Baby, he feel mighty good, and he roll on the ground and laugh.

By and by he up and say, says he, "Well, I 'spect I got you this time, Brer Rabbit," says he; "maybe I ain't, but I 'spect I is. You been runnin' roun' here sassin' after me a mighty long time, but I 'spect you done come to the en' of the row. You been cuttin' up yo' capers and bouncin' 'roun' in this neighborhood till you come to b'lieve yo'se'f the boss of the whole gang. An' then you off always somewheres where you got no business," says Brer Fox, says he. "Who ask you for to come and strike up a 'quaintance with this here Tar-Baby? An' who stuck you up there where you is? Nobody in the roun' worl'. You jus' took and jam yo'se'f on that Tar-Baby without waitin' for any invite," says Brer Fox, says he, "an' there you is, and there you'll stay till I fixes up a brush-pile an' fires her up, 'cause I'm goin' to barbecue you this day, sure," says Brer Fox, says he.

Then Brer Rabbit talk mighty humble. "I don't care what
you do with me, Brer Fox," says he, "so you don't fling me in that brier-patch. Roas' me, Brer Fox," says he, "but don't fling me in that brier-patch," says he.

"It's so much trouble for to kindle a fire," says Brer Fox, says he, "that I 'spect I'll have to hang you," says he.

"Hang me just as high as you please, Brer Fox," says Brer Rabbit, says he, "but do for the Lord's sake don't fling me in that brier-patch," says he.

"I ain't got no string," says Brer Fox, says he, "an' now I 'spect I'll have drown you," says he.

"Drown me just as deep as you please, Brer Fox," says Brer Rabbit, says he, "but do don't fling me in that brier-patch," says he.

"There ain't no water nigh," says Brer Fox, says he, "an' now I 'spect I'll have to skin you," says he.

"Skin me, Brer Fox," says Brer Rabbit, says he, "snatch out my eyeballs, tear out my ears by the roots, and cut off my legs," says he, "but do please, Brer Fox, don't fling me in that brier-patch," says he.

Course Brer Fox want to hurt Brer Rabbit bad as he can, so he catch him by the behind legs and slung him right in the middle of the brier-patch.

There was a considerable flutter where Brer Rabbit struck the bushes, and Brer Fox sort of hang 'round for to see what was going to happen.

By and by he hear somebody call him, and way up the hill he see Brer Rabbit sitting crosslegged on a chinkapin log combing the pitch out of his hair with a chip. Then Brer Fox know that he been swap off mighty bad.

Brer Rabbit was pleased for to fling back some of his sass, and he holler out, "Bred and born in a brier-patch, Brer Fox—bred and born in a brier-patch!"

And with that he skip out just as lively as a cricket in the embers.

C005. The Elephant and the Crawfishes

5. The Story of the Deluge, and How It Came About. Text Source: Uncle Remus, His Songs and His Sayings by Joel Chandler Harris. Online at Project Gutenberg. I have removed the frame material and standardized the spelling; click here for the original spelling plus all notes to the story.

THE ELEPHANT and THE CRAWFISHES

One time, way back yonder, before you was borned—way back yonder before any of us was borned, the animals and the critters sort of electioneer round among theyselves, till at last they agreed for to have a assembly. In them days, critters had lots more sense than they got now; let alone that, they had sense same like folks. It was touch and go with 'em, too, man, and when they make up their minds what had to be done, it weren't more than mentioned before it was done.

Well, they elected that they have to hold a assembly for to sort of straighten out matters and hear the complaints, and when the day come they was on hand.

The Lion, he was there, 'cause he was the king, and he have to be there. The Rhinossy-hoss, he was there, and the Elephant, he was there, and the Camels, and the Cows, and plumb down to the Crawfishes, they was there. They was all there. And when the Lion shook his mane, and took his seat in the big chair, then the session begun for to commence.

I can't scarcely call to mind exactly what they did do, but they spoke speeches, and hollered, and cussed, and flung their language 'round just like when master was going to run for the legislature and got left. Howsomever, they arranged their affairs, and explained their business.

By and by, while they was disputing along with one another, the Elephant trampled on one of the Crawfishes. Course when that critter put his foot down, whatsomever's under there was bound for to be squshed, and there weren't enough of that Crawfish left for to tell that he'd been there.

This make the other Crawfishes mighty mad, and they sort of swarmed together and drawed up a kind of preamble with some wherefores in it, and read her out in the assembly. But, bless gracious! Such a racket was a going on that nobody ain't hear it, excepting maybe the Mud Turtle and the Spring Lizard, and their influence was powerful lacking.

By and by, whiles the Unicorn was disputing with the Lion, and while the Hyena was a laughing to hisself, the Elephant squshed another one of the Crawfishes, and a little more and he'd have ruined the Mud Turtle. Then the Crawfishes, what there was left of 'em, swarmed together and drawed up another preamble with some more wherefores; but they might as well have sung Old Dan Tucker to a hurricane.

The other critters was too busy with their fussing for to respond unto the Crawfishes. So there they was, the Crawfishes, and they didn't know what minute was going to be the next; and they kept on getting madder and madder and scareder and scareder, till by and by they begun to wink to the Mud Turtle and the Spring Lizard, and then they bored little holes in the ground and went down out of sight.

The Crawfishes, they bored into the ground and kept on boring till they unloosed the fountains of the earth; and the waters squirt out, and riz higher and higher till the hills was covered, and the critters was all drownded; and all 'cause they let on among theyselves that they was bigger than the Crawfishes.

C006. Brer Rabbit Rides Brer Fox

6. Mr. Rabbit Grossly Deceives Mr. Fox. Text Source: Uncle Remus, His Songs and His Sayings by Joel Chandler Harris. Online at Project Gutenberg. I have removed the frame material and standardized the spelling; click here for the original spelling plus all notes to the story.

BRER RABBIT RIDES BRER FOX

Seem like that the tale about how he got mixed up with the Tar-Baby got 'round amongst the neighbors. Leastways, Miss Meadows and the gals got wind of it, and the next time Brer Rabbit paid 'em a visit Miss Meadows tackled him about it, and the gals set up a monstrous gigglement. Brer Rabbit, he sat up just as cool as a cucumber, he did, and let 'em run on.

Brer Rabbit, he sat there, he did, sort of lamb like, and then by and by he cross his legs, he did, and wink his eye slow, and up and say, says he, "Ladies, Brer Fox was my daddy's ridin'-horse for thirty year; maybe mo', but thirty year that I knows of," says he; and then he paid 'em his respects, and tip his beaver, and march off, he did, just as stiff and as stuck up as a fire-stick.

Next day, Brer Fox come a calling, and when he begun for to laugh about Brer Rabbit, Miss Meadows and the gals, they ups and tells him about what Brer Rabbit Say.

Then Brer Fox grit his tooths sure enough, he did, and he look mighty dumpy, but when he riz for to go he up and say, says he, "Ladies, I ain't 'sputin' what you say, but I'll make Brer Rabbit chew up his words an' spit 'em out right here where you can see 'em," says he, and with that off Brer Fox put.

And when he got in the big road, he shook the dew off of his tail, and made a straight shoot for Brer Rabbit's house. When he got there, Brer Rabbit was expecting on him, and the door was shut fast. Brer Fox knock. Nobody ain't answer. Brer Fox knock. Nobody answer. Then he knock again—blam! blam!

Then Brer Rabbit holler out mighty weak, "Is that you, Brer Fox? I want you to run an' fetch the doctor. That bite of parsley what I et this mornin' is gettin' 'way with me. Do, please, Brer Fox, run quick," says Brer Rabbit, says he.

"I come after you, Brer Rabbit," says Brer Fox, says he. "There's going to be a party up at Miss Meadows's," says he. "All the gals'll be there, an' I promise' that I'd fetch you.The gals, they 'lowed that it wouldn't be no party 'ceptin' I fetch you," says Brer Fox, says he.

Then Brer Rabbit say he was too sick, and Brer Fox say he wasn't, and there they had it up and down, disputing and contending.

Brer Rabbit say he can't walk. Brer Fox say he tote him.

Brer Rabbit say how? Brer Fox say in his arms.

Brer Rabbit say he drop him. Brer Fox allow he won't.

By and by Brer Rabbit say he go if Brer Fox tote him on his back. Brer Fox say he would.

Brer Rabbit say he can't ride without a saddle. Brer Fox say he get the saddle.

Brer Rabbit say he can't sit in saddle unless he have bridle for to hold by. Brer Fox say he get the bridle.

Brer Rabbit say he can't ride without blind bridle, 'cause Brer Fox be shying at stumps along the road, and fling him off. Brer Fox say he get blind bridle.

Then Brer Rabbit say he go. Then Brer Fox say he ride Brer Rabbit almost up to Miss Meadows's, and then he could get down and walk the balance of the way.

Brer Rabbit agreed, and then Brer Fox leapt out after the saddle and the bridle.

Course Brer Rabbit know the game that Brer Fox was fixing for to play, and he determined for to outdo him, and by the time he comb his hair and twist his mustache, and sort of rig up, here come Brer Fox, saddle and bridle on, and looking as pretty as a circus pony.

He trot up to the door and stand there pawing the ground and chomping the bit same like sure enough horse, and Brer Rabbit he mount, he did, and they amble off.

Brer Fox can't see behind with the blind bridle on, but by and by he feel Brer Rabbit raise one of his foots.

"What you doin' now, Brer Rabbit?" says he.

"Short'nin' the lef' stir'p, Brer Fox," says he.

By and by Brer Rabbit raise up the other foot.

"What you doin' now, Brer Rabbit?" says he.

"Pullin' down my pants, Brer Fox," says he.

All the time, bless gracious, Brer Rabbit were putting on his spurrers, and when they got close to Miss Meadows's, where Brer Rabbit was to get off, and Brer Fox made a motion for to stand still, Brer Rabbit slap the spurrers into Brer Fox flanks, and you better believe he got over ground.

When they got to the house, Miss Meadows and all the gals was setting on the piazza, and instead of stopping at the gate, Brer Rabbit rid on by, he did, and then come galloping down the road and up to the horse-rack, which he hitch Brer Fox at, and then he saunter into the house, he did, and shake hands with the gals, and sat there, smoking his cigar same as a town man.

By and by he draw in a long puff, and then let it out in a cloud, and square hisself back and holler out, he did, "Ladies, ain't I done tell you Brer Fox was the ridin'-horse for our family? He sort of losin' his gait now, but I 'spect I can fetch him all right in a month or so," says he.

And then Brer Rabbit sort of grin, he did, and the gals giggle, and Miss Meadows, she praise up the pony, and there was Brer Fox hitch fast to the rack, and couldn't help hisself.

C007. Brer Rabbit Rides Brer Fox Again

7. Mr. Fox Is Again Victimized. Text Source: Uncle Remus, His Songs and His Sayings by Joel Chandler Harris. Online at Project Gutenberg. I have removed the frame material. I have removed the frame material and standardized the spelling; click here for the original spelling plus all notes to the story.

BRER RABBIT RIDES BRER FOX AGAIN

Well, Brer Rabbit rid Brer Fox up, he did, and tied him to the rack, and then sat out in the piazza with the gals a-smoking on his cigar with more proudness than what you most ever see.

They talk, and they sing, and they play on the piano, the gals did, till by and by it come time for Brer Rabbit for to be going, and he tell 'em all good-by, and strut out to the horse-rack same's if he was the king of the patter-rollers, and then he mount Brer Fox and ride off.

Brer Fox ain't saying nothing at all. He just rack off, he did, and keep his mouth shut, and Brer Rabbit knowed there was business cooking up for him, and he feel monstrous skittish. Brer Fox amble on till he get in the long lane, out of sight of Miss Meadows's house, and then he turn loose, he did.

He rip and he rear, and he cuss, and he swear; he snort and he cavort. He was trying for to fling Brer Rabbit off of his back, bless your soul! But he just might as well of wrestle with his own shadow.

Every time he hump hisself Brer Rabbit slap the spurrers in him, and there they had it, up and down.

Brer Fox fairly tore up the ground he did, and he jump so high and he jump so quick that he mighty nigh snatch his own tail off.

They kept on going on this way till by and by Brer Fox lay down and roll over, he did, and this sort of unsettle Brer Rabbit, but by the time Brer Fox got back on his footses again, Brer Rabbit was going through the underbrush more samer than a race-horse.

Brer Fox he lit out after him, he did, and he push Brer Rabbit so close that it was about all he could do for to get in a hollow tree. Hole too little for Brer Fox for to get in, and he had to lay down and rest and gather his mind together.

While he was laying there, Mr. Buzzard come flopping along, and seeing Brer Fox stretch out on the ground, he lit and view the premises. Then Mr. Buzzard sort of shake his wing, and put his head on one side, and say to hisself like, says he, "Brer Fox dead, an' I so sorry," says he.

"No I ain't dead, neither," says Brer Fox, says he. "I got ole man Rabbit pent up in here," says he, "an' I'm a goin' to get him this time if it take till Christmas," says he.

Then, after some more palaver, Brer Fox make a bargain that Mr. Buzzard was to watch the hole, and keep Brer Rabbit there whiles Brer Fox went after his axe. Then Brer Fox, he lope off, he did, and Mr. Buzzard, he took up his stand at the hole.

By and by, when all get still, Brer Rabbit sort of scramble down close to the hole, he did, and holler out, "Brer Fox! Oh! Brer Fox!"

Brer Fox done gone, and nobody say nothing. Then Brer Rabbit squall out like he was mad; says he, "You needn't talk 'less you want to," says he; "I knows you are there, and I ain't carin'," says he. "I just want to tell you that I wish mighty bad Brer Tukkey Buzzard was here," says he.

Then Mr. Buzzard try to talk like Brer Fox, "What you want with Mr. Buzzard?" says he.

"Oh, nothing in particular, 'cept there's the fattest gray squirrel in here that ever I see," says he, "an' if Brer Turkey Buzzard was 'round he'd be mighty glad for to get 'im," says he.

"How Mr. Buzzard goin' to get 'im?" says the Buzzard, says he.

"Well, there's a little hole 'round on the other side of the tree," says Brer Rabbit, says he, "an' if Brer Turkey Buzzard was here so he could take up his stand there," says he, "I'd drive that squirrel out," says he.

"Drive him out, then," says Mr. Buzzard, says he, "an' I'll see that Brer Turkey Buzzard gets 'im," says he.

Then Brer Rabbit kick up a racket, like he were driving something out, and Mr. Buzzard he rush 'round for to catch the squirrel, and Brer Rabbit, he dash out, he did, and he just fly for home.

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