C078. Brer Fox and the Wildcat

44. How Brother Fox Was Too Smart. Text Source: Nights with Uncle Remus 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.

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BRER FOX AND THE WILDCAT

One day when Brer Fox went calling on Miss Meadows and Miss Motts and the other gals, who should he find sitting up dar but old Brer Rabbit? Yes sir! There he was, just as sociable as you please. He was going on with the gals, and when Brer Fox dropped in they look like they was mighty tickled about something or other Brer Rabbit been saying.

Brer Fox, he look sort of dubious, he did, just like folks does when they walks up in a crowd where the others all a-giggling. He took and caught the dry grins directly. But they all howdied, and Miss Meadows, she up and say, "You'll just have to excuse us, Brer Fox, on the 'count of this here gigglement. To be sure, it monstrous dispolite for we-all for to be goin' on that a-way; but I mighty glad you come, an' I says to the gals: 'Fore the Lord, gals! There come Brer Fox, an' here we is a-gigglin' an' a-goin' on scandalous; yet it done come to mighty funny pass, if you can't run on an' laugh 'fore home folks. That just exactly what I say, an' I leave it to old Brer Rabbit an' the gals here if it ain't."

The gals, they took and join in, they did, and they make old Brer Fox feel right splimmy-splammy, and they all sat there and run on about they neighbors just like folks does these days. They sat there, they did, till after while Brer Rabbit look out towards sundown, and allow, "Now, then, folks an' friends, I pleased to say goodbye. Cloud comin' up out yonder, an' most 'fore we know it the rain'll be a-pourin' an' the grass'll be a-growin'."

Brer Fox, he see the cloud coming up, and he up and allow he expect he better be getting along hisself, 'cause he ain't want to get he Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes wet. Miss Meadows and Miss Motts, and the gals, they want 'em to stay, but both of them there critters was mighty feared of getting their foots wet, and after while they put out.

While they was going down the big road, jawing at one another, Brer Fox, he took and stop right quick, and allow, "Run here, Brer Rabbit! Run here! If my eye ain't deceive me here the signs where Mr. Dog been along, an' more than that they are right fresh."

Brer Rabbit, he sidle up and look. Then he allow, "That there track ain't never fit Mr. Dog foot in the round world. What make it more bindin'," says he, "I done gone and been acquainted with the man what make that track, too long ago to talk about," says he.

"Brer Rabbit, please, sir, tell me he name."

Brer Rabbit, he laugh like he making light of something or other.

"If I ain't make no mistakes, Brer Fox, the poor critter what make that track is Cousin Wildcat; no more an' no less."

"How big is he, Brer Rabbit?"

"He just about yo' heft, Brer Fox." Then Brer Rabbit make like he talking with hisself. "Tut, tut, tut! It mighty funny that I should run up on Cousin Wildcat in this part of the world. To be sure, to be sure! Many and many's the time I see my old Grandaddy kick an' cuff Cousin Wildcat, till I get sorry about 'im. If you want any fun, Brer Fox, right now the time to get it."

Brer Fox up and ask, he did, how he gonna have any fun. 

Brer Rabbit, he allow, "Easy 'nough; just go an' tackle old Cousin Wildcat, an' lam 'im 'round."

Brer Fox, he sort of scratch he ear, and allow, "Eh-eh, Brer Rabbit, I afeared. He track too much like Mr. Dog."

Brer Rabbit just sat right flat down in the road, and holler and laugh. He allow, says he, "Shoo, Brer Fox! Who'd've thunk you was so scary? Just come look at this here track right close. Is there any sign of claw anywheres?"

Brer Fox pleased to agree that there weren't no sign of no claw. 

Brer Rabbit say, "Well, then, if he ain't got no claw, how he going to hurt you, Brer Fox?"

"What goin' on with he tooths, Brer Rabbit?"

"Shoo, Brer Fox! Critters what barks the trees ain't gonna bite."

Brer Fox took and took another good look at the tracks, and then him and Brer Rabbit put out for to follow 'em up. They went up the road, and down the lane, and 'cross the turnip patch, and down a drain and up a big gully. Brer Rabbit, he done the tracking, and every time he find one, he up and holler, "Here another track, and no claw there! Here another track, and no claw there!"

They kept on and kept on, till by and by they run up with the critter. Brer Rabbit, he holler out mighty biggity, "Heyo there! What you doin'?"

The critter look 'round, but he ain't saying nothing. Brer Rabbit allow, "Oh, you needn't to look so sullen! We'll make you talk 'fore we are done 'long with you! Come, now! What you doin' out there?"

The critter rub hisself against a tree just like you see these here house cats rub against a chair, but he ain't saying nothing. 

Brer Rabbit holler, "What you come pesterin' 'long with us for, when we ain't been a-pesterin' you? You got the conceit that I don't know who you is, but I does. You are the same old Cousin Wildcat what my granddaddy used to kick an' cuff when you refuse to respond. I let you know I got a better man here than what my granddaddy ever is been, an' I bound you he'll make you talk. That what I bound you."

The critter lean more harder against the tree, and sort of ruffle up he bristle, but he ain't saying nothing. 

Brer Rabbit, he allow, "Go up there, Brer Fox, an' if he refuse to respond, slap 'im down! That the way my granddaddy done. You go up there, Brer Fox, an' if he dares to try to run, I'll just whirl in an' catch 'im."

Brer Fox, he sort of dubious, but he start towards the critter. Old Cousin Wildcat walk all 'round the tree, rubbing hisself, but he ain't saying nothing. 

Brer Rabbit, he holler, "Just walk right up an' slap 'im down, Brer Fox—the audacious villain! Just hit 'im a souvenir, and if he dares to run, I bound you I'll catch 'im."

Brer Fox, he went up little nigher. Cousin Wildcat stop rubbing on the tree, and sat up on he behind legs with he front paws in the air, and he balance hisself by leaning against the tree, but he ain't saying nothing. 

Brer Rabbit, he squall out, he did, "Oh, you needn't to put up yo' hands an' try to beg off. That the way you fool my old granddaddy; but you can't fool we-all. All yo' sittin' up an' beggin' ain't goin' to help you. If you are so humble as all dat, what make you come pesterin' 'long of we-all? Hit 'im a clip, Brer Fox! If he run, I'll catch 'im!"

(image source)

Brer Fox see the critter look so mighty humble, sitting up there like he begging off, and he sort of take heart. He sidle up towards 'im, he did, and just as he was making ready for to slap 'im old Cousin Wildcat drawed back and fetch Brer Fox a wipe 'cross the stomach. That there Cousin Wildcat critter fetch Brer Fox a wipe 'cross the stomach, and you might've heard 'im squall from here to Harmony Grove. Little more and the critter would've tore Brer Fox in two. 

Whence the critter made a pass at 'im, Brer Rabbit knew what going to happen, yet all the same he took and holler, "Hit 'im again, Brer Fox! Hit 'im again! I'm a-backin' you, Brer Fox! If he dares to run, I'll in about cripple 'im—that I will. Hit 'im again!"

All this time whiles Brer Rabbit going on this a-way, Brer Fox, he was a-squatting down, holding he stomach with both hands and just a-moaning, "I'm ruined, Brer Rabbit! I'm ruined! Run fetch the doctor! I'm teetotally ruined!"

About that time, Cousin Wildcat, he took and took a walk. Brer Rabbit, he make like he astonished that Brer Fox is hurted. He took and examine the place, he did, and he up and allow, "It look like to me, Brer Fox, that that audacious villain took and struck you with a reapin'-hook."

With that Brer Rabbit lit out for home, and when he get out of sight, he took and shook he hands just like cat does when she get water on 'er foots, and he took and laugh and laugh till it make 'im sick for to laugh.

C078. Baer (p. 92). How Brother Fox Was Too Smart

This is Chase078.

Types
Motifs
J1759 Wildcat mistaken for clawlessanimal
Notes

from Baer: "In a Creek Indian tale Rabbit, seeing Wildcat's tracks and believing he has no claws, challenges him to play scratch. Wildcat rips the hide from Rabbit's body" -- in Swanton ... and see also Creature with No Claws, Chase112, for more exact parallel with Wolf, not Rabbit, challenging Wildcat.

even better: "Dorson's John and the Tigercat attests to the longevity of the tale in Afro-American oral tradition" -- and it's one of his public domain texts: link.

Conclusion: "This seems to be a North American Indian tale borrowed by the American Negroes."

C078. Brer Fox and the Wildcat (original spelling)

44. How Brother Fox Was Too Smart. Text Source: Nights with Uncle Remus by Joel Chandler Harris. Online at Project Gutenberg. You can click here for the standardized spelling plus all notes to the story.

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BRER FOX AND THE WILDCAT

"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 aint 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 [261]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 aint no water-moccasin, not ez I knows un. Brer Jack bin yer mighty long time, en dey aint 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 aint 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 [262]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 aint 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 aint 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 aint 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 [263]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 aint.'

"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'.'"

[264]"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 aint 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 aint '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 aint 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 aint 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 [265]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 aint 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[*Gnaws the bark from the trees.] de trees aint 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,[*Drain or ditch.] en up a big gully. [266]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 aint 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 aint sayin' nothin'. Brer Rabbit holler:

"'W'at you come pesterin' 'long wid us fer, w'en we aint 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 aint 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.'

[267]"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 aint 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 aint 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' aint 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 [268]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."