NIGHTS WITH UNCLE REMUS 
“B’er Rabbit, ’e is stan’ pas’ da’ fier, un ’e do say: — 
“‘Ki! B’er ’Gater! Wey you fer l’arn-a dis talk ’bout dem 
trouble?’ -a 
“B’er ’Gater, ’e lash ’e tail, ’e fair teer da’ ye’t, 1 un ’e do 
holler: — 
“‘Oh, ma Lord! Trouble! Trouble, trouble, trouble! 9 
“‘Shekky um by de han’, B’er ’Gater. Ahx um howdy!’ 
“‘Ow, ma Lord! Trouble, trouble, trouble /’ 
“‘Lahff wit’ dem trouble, B’er ’Gater, lahff wit’ dem! Ahx 
dem is dey he’lt’ bin well! You bin-a cry fer dey ’quaintun’, 2 
B’er ’Gater; now you mus’ beer wit’ dem trouble!’ 
“B’er ’Gater come so mad, ’e mek dash troo da’ broom-grass; 
’e fair teer um down. ’E bin scatter da’ fier wide ’part, un ’e do 
run un dife in da’ crik fer squinch da’ fier ’pon ’e bahk. ’E bahk 
swivel, ’e tail swivel wit’ da’ fier, un fum dat dey is bin stan’ so. 
Bump, bump ’pon ’e tail; bump, bump ’pon ’e bahk, wey da’ 
fier bu’n.” 
“Hit’s des lak Brer Jack tell you, honey,” said Uncle Remus, 
as Daddy Jack closed his eyes and relapsed into silence. “I done 
seed um wid my own eyes. En deyer mighty kuse creeturs, mon. 
Dey back is all ruffed up en down ter dis day en time, en mo’n 
dat, you ain’t gwineter ketch Brer Rabbit rackin’ ’roun’ whar de 
Yallergaters is. En de Yallergaters deyse’f, w’en dey years any 
crackin’ en rattlin’ gwine on in de bushes, dey des makes a break 
fer de creek en splunges in.” 
“Enty!” exclaimed Daddy Jack, with momentary enthusiasm. 
“ ’E do tu’n go da’ bahnk, un dife ’neat’ da’ crik. ’E bin so worn 
wit’ da’ fier, ’e mek de crik go si-z-z-z!” 
Here Daddy Jack looked around and smiled. His glance fell on 
’Tildy, and he seemed suddenly to remember that he had failed 
to be as polite as circumstances demanded. 
“ Come-a set nex’ em, lilly gal. I gwan tell you one tale.” 
1 Tear the earth. 2 Acquaintance. 
122 
