Chapter IV: Part 4

Tiger planting corn, and birds and everyt’ing destroying de corn, so him get Dove to help him fe watch who is destroying de corn. So after dey sit up de whole night fo’ to watch de corn, next day Tiger him go sleep. Bredder Dove go back in de day now and destroy de corn. So de nex’ day, Tiger went in de day and dodge in de ground. Bredder Dove have a gang, an’ Tiger were slap him on de ears and he sing out, “Me ears! me ears! me ears!” An’ from dat day to dis de dove singing, “Me ears!”

51. WHY HOG IS ALWAYS GRUNTING.

Norman Hilton, Harmony Hall.

Brar Hog and Brar Dog live close by river-side, so Brar Dog said to Brar Hog, “Come! we get a bathe!” Brar Hog said yes, so Brar Hog took off his mout’ and Brar Dog an’ Brar Hog jump in the water. Brar Dog said to Brar Hog, “Come! let us see who can dive longer than the other.” So two of them dive underneath the water. Brar Dog come up, jump out of the water, take Brar Hog mout’ and went away with it. When Brar Hog come out of the water, searching for his mout’ and couldn’t fin’ it, an’ said, “Humph! Brar Dog tak a me mout’!” That’s why Brar Hog always grunting.

52. WHY TOAD CROAKS.

Richard Morgan, Santa Cruz Mountains.

One man got a darter. He said, “Got one cotton tree; de man cut dat cotton tree, he marry to me darter.” Every man go cut, soon dey cut de chip fasten back; so dem couldn’t get de girl to marry. Toad said him go fall him. Toad full in pocket a hashes an’ every chop him chop him fling de hashes upon de tree when de chip fly, and ’ey kyan’t fasten. So Toad do an’ do till he fell de cotton tree.

De master hab a long barbecue an’ tell him say, “Now you mus’ go down dere and ’trip yo’self an’ I wi’ pour on de water to let you skin.” All dis time one big pot hot water on de fire boil up, so dem turn over de pot o’ hot water an’ say, “Brar Toad, water come! tak you rubbin’ clot’.” An’ Toad jump in wild pine; up to dis day, ev’ry night you hear him cry out, “Kwoka soaka!”

53. WHY WOODPECKER BORES WOOD.

Samuel Wright, Maroon Town, Cock-pit country.

There was a bird name of Woodpecker promise his mother to bury him into a stone, an’ go all about an’ tell all his frien’ dat him gwine to bury him mother into a stone. An’ de mother was poorly unto death an’ he went to go an’ bore a stone, an’ he turn back an’ said, “Mother, I try the stone but I can’t bore it. I’ll bury you into a wood.” An’ he bore de wood. An’ after de death of his mother, he buried him into a wood. That is the reason the wood-pecker bore the wood.

54. WHY CRAB IS AFRAID AFTER DARK.

Richard Morgan, Santa Cruz Mountains.

Crab go to God to gi’ him head. God tell him he mus’ go back, “Tomorrow come, I will give you head.” After Crab gwine home, he rej’ice into him, he singin’,

“T’ank God, tomorrow God a’mighty gi’ me head!
T’ank God, tomorrow God a’mighty gi’ me head!”

He dance until he muddy de water. Nex’ day he went to God a’mighty fe get head. God tell him say, “Stop! after you don’ get head yet you go an’ muddy water; den if you get head you will do worse. So you mus’ carry your head upon your shoulder all de days of you life.” So when Crab returning home, when him ketch Orange Bay [41] an’ stan’ der call Daniel name, said him wouldn’t trust a shadder after dark, for him don’t know when dey pick him up t’row him into his basket.

55. WHY MICE ARE NO BIGGER.

Richard Morgan, Santa Cruz Mountains.

Deh is a man de name of Robin Mice-rat gwine to his uncle house. Him an’ de uncle stay dere in dark de whole time. When him gwine away, he tell de uncle good-by an’ tak a stick an’ he lick ’e uncle. At dis time he went to our Savior an’ said he want to turn big man, so de Savior tell him say if he wan’ to turn big man he mus’ go an’ kill his oldest uncle. So, as he never died, he went back de nex’ night. So him an’ his uncle talking an’ his uncle said to him, “Dat fellow Robin come here las’ night; when him gwine away, tak a stick an’ lick me in de head. But, me pickney, if a heah (pointing to the temple) him ketch me, de fellow would a got me.” So as de uncle show him de place, as him get up, meet his uncle at de said place, kill him ’tiff dead.

Nex’ day he went to his Savior fe let him turn big man. De Savior said to him, “You little bit of man go kill you’ oldest uncle, den if me let you turn bigger you will do worse!” So from dat day das de reason let you see mice don’t bigger to dis day.

56. RAT’S WEDDING.

Thomas Williams, Harmony Hall, Cock-pit country.

Rat got married, an’ dere was rice and peas provide for de helping of food fe de dinner. It was so richly cook an’ so much dat it get burn. So Rat remember dat de rice burn in de pot, an’ Rat like ’crapin’, an’ while he was goin’ home wid his wife in de way, when he get part way he said to her, “I forget somet’ing very valuable in de wedding house, have to go back fe it!” She said yes, an’ put out de buggy on de water-table [42] an’ run back to de wedding house, never went in where everybody in de house merrying himself, went to de kitchen. So de pot wid de bu’n rice was lean up by de side of de wall. So de force he go to de pot wid trouble de pot, [43] an’ de pot, ’stead of rolling away, tu’n over cover him underneat’. An’ when he fin’ dat he couldn’t come out, he said, “Chut! what about dat? I wouldn’t give a biscuit fe a man who kyan’t lose his night rest!” and he begin to ’crape bu’nt part kur-ur-rup krup krup krup.

His wife calling now, “Mr. Rat! Mr. Rat!”—“Me head fasten in pot o!” Tu’n back ’crape ’crape. So de cook hear de noise and went out in de kitchen, find it was Rat underneat’ de pot an’ call out fe help. An’ come out lift up de pot an’ kill him. Dat’s why so many widows in de world, because dere husband died and left ’em.

57. COCKROACH STORIES.

a. Cock’s Breakfast.

Richard Morgan, Santa Cruz Mountains.

One day Cockroach said to Cock, “Brar Cock, get little breakfas’ so I will come an’ have breakfas’ wid you.” Cock said yes. Cockroach come, Cockroach eat. When he done ’e said, “Brar Cock, when you know time my breakfas’ ready, come.” Cock said, “How mus’ I know?” Cockroach said, “I wi’ gi’ you a sign. When you hear I mak noise, don’ come; but when you hear I stay still in de yard, you mus’ come.” When Cock go, he didn’t fin’ Cockroach. Cock return back to his yard. Secon’ day, Cockroach come an’ say, “O Brar Cock! from I lef’ you heah, pain all over my skin so I go an’ lie down, I couldn’t look a t’ing; but t’-day you can come.” Cock do de same, go to de yard, didn’t fin’ him, return back. When he ketch half way, he hear in Cockroach house,

“Ring a ting ting,
Me know nigger fe nigger!”

Cock tak time, tip on him toe. An’ go long to one gourd, he hear Cockroach in a de gourd. An’ Cock tak him bill, lick him at de gourd. Cockroach run out. Cock pick him up an’ swaller him. So from dat day, not a cockroach walk a fowl yard any more. [44]

b. Feigning Sick. (1)

Eliza Wright, Maroon Town, Cock-pit country.

Cockroach an’ Fowl, de two of dem keep house, an’ de two of dem mak up to plant de groun’. An’ ev’ry day Fowl ready fe go plant de groun’, Cockroach fawn sick in bed. An’ Fowl get up an’ do everyt’ing in de house an’ get Cockroach breakfas’ an’ bile it an’ put it up, an’ he go plant de groun’. An’ when he catch part of de way, Cockroach come out of bed an’ boil him breakfas’, an’ he didn’t eat what Fowl left fe him, he fawn sick. An’ he took up him fiddle an’ sit down an’ play now,

“Brar Fowl, I mak you plan’ a groun’!
Cro-co-ty.
Brar Fowl, I mak you plan’ a groun’!
Cro-co-ty!”

So one day when Fowl go out, he go half way an’ put down de plant an’ dodge him. Cockroach tak him fiddle an’ play again,

“Brar Fowl, I mak you plan’ a groun’!
Cro-co-ty.
Brar Fowl, I mak you plan’ a groun’!
Cro-co-ty.”

An’ Fowl run in an’ pick him up an’ swaller him, an’ from dat day, Cockroach, if he ever so drunk, won’t walk a fowl yard.

b. Feigning Sick. (2)

George Barrett, Maroon Town, Cock-pit country.

One day Anansi an’ Cockroach make a bargain to give a day in groun’ weed grass. Anansi was to go wid Cockroach to weed grass. De day fe him to go he sick, have fever. When Cockroach come, Anansi say he got fever. When Cockroach gone, he began to sing,

“Groun’ too far!
Rikity.
Groun’ too far!
Rikity.”

Cockroach turn back, say, “You want to mak me a fool!” Anansi say, “Oh, no, no! fever!”

c. The Drum.

Mrs. Matilda Hall, Harmony Hall.

Once there is Dog, Monkey, Tiger, Puss and Cockroach. So Christmas coming and hear them playing all about music and them has none. An’ said, “We have to make up to make a drum now, then how will we manage?” So they says, “The only way, we have to cut a little little of our skin to make a drum.” The Roach said, “I have none”, so them drive him out of the company and he got into a banana tree to live; then he turned round to them and said, “I first will play that drum!”—“How will you get it to play?” them ask him, an’ said, “I first will play it!”

Well, them fit up the drum now with the skin, hang it up to get cure. So Christmas eve fall now. Then going to the market to buy up all them things, catch about three quarter of a mile they heard the drum playing, said, “Biddy bwoy! who playing our drum?” So it is Roach took down the drum, put it between his feet and began to play;

“Kelly money better kelly better,
Kelly money better kelly better,
Tira coota na tira ding ding,
Tira coota na tira ding ding!”

is the Roach singing. The Puss come see him and kill him, and Puss eat Roach until this day.

58. HUNTER, GUINEA-HEN AND FISH.

Thomas Williams, Harmony Hall, Cock-pit country.

Hunter always hunting an’ he meet up a spendid piece of land, rich land, and he t’ink to cultivate it an’ he begin same day cut bush. Piece of land is Guinea-hen feeding-ground. Guinea-hen come out at night,—Guinea-hen don’ walk in de day. “Massa is good, know dis is my feedin’ ground an’ begin to clean it so I can get my pullin’ clear! Let me help myself.” Make a little chopping himself too.

Ol’ man coming in de morning. “Hi! t’ankful! I commence work yesterday, do somet’ing good an’ massa help me!” Start to do a little himself ’side what he do first day. T’ird day come, he burn what he cut, an’ Guinea-hen burn dere too. Ol’ man come in morning say, “Hi! t’ankful! massa burn de balance!” Begun to clean up. Guinea-hen come de night, give t’anks an’ clean up de balance of what de ol’ man lef’.

Nex’ day, ol’ man t’ankful, begun to plant peas an’ corn. Guinea-hen come in night, say, “Massa is good! I don’ need to plant any”, begin to eat dat which de ol’ man plant. Ol’ man come in de morning see de damage, say, “Hi! what insec’ do dis?” Plant some more.

Go on so until de peas begin to ripe—about eight weeks. Ol’ man say, “Goin’ to gadder it in to-morrow.” Guinea-hen hear what ol’ men say, went to de sea an’ call de fish wid his trombone an’ tell de fish what he want: “I plant a bit of corn and peas, an’ gettin’ ripe an’ ol’ man coming to-morrow an’ I wan’ to go to-night gadder it in before he come to-morrow.” Fish accept an’ say, “Well, yes, I’ll go, but, Friend Guinea-hen, I kyan’ walk an’ I kyan’ fly, my wing is not strong enough. So, as you have foot an’ wing, you give me one of dem, I’ll go.” Guinea-hen says, “Yes, I’ll lend you my wing but I kyan’ tak me legs off to give you. See de straight road? You can fly an’ drop, an’ I’ll run on quick on my feet.” So Fish fly an’ drop, an’ Guinea-hen run on till came to de groun’. “Here is my own field; gadder an’ eat as much as you like.”

When day commence to light, de time man is to come, Guinea-hen commence to eat an’ look out. Fish say, “What you lookin’ so fo’, Friend Guinea-hen?” Guinea-hen see ol’ man coming, say, “It’s a butterfly I see jumpin’ about. Lend me yo’ wings, I go ketch it fe you.” An’ he sail away quietly out of groun’. Ol’ man come, see damage an’ begin to grumble an’ pick what he can till he get whe’ de Fish is, say, “Lawd! see him whe’ he mak him bed!” an’ when he hawl up a big root an’ see Fish a-flutt’ring an’ a-trembling, he say, “O Fish! is it you do dis damage all dis time?” Fish says, “No, not I! Don’ kill me an’ I sing you some song.” Ol’ man like music, put him in a tub o’ water to sing an’ dance.

Fish says, “Tak me to de neares’ sea-side you has!” Ol’ man tak up de tub, put it on his head goin’ to de sea-side. Fish begin,

“She man yerry me bra, hay!
She man yerry me bra!
Guinea, guinea, quot amba tory.”

Ol’ man dance, Fish sing, until big wave coming an’ Fish aim for it an’ go long wid it. Ol’ man stay dancing, don’ know dat Fish is gone. Look in tub, Fish gone. Run home fe hook an’ line an’ t’row it into de sea to catch Fish. An’ dat is why we always have to catch fish at sea.

59. RABBIT STORIES.

a. The Tar Baby.

Rennie Macfarlane, Mandeville.

When Brer Fox tried to catch Brer Rabbit, he could not catch him. He stick up a tar-pole in his common, an’ when Brer Rabbit come an’ see it, say, “Come out of Brer Fox place or I kick you!” An’ the tar-pole wouldn’t come out. An’ kick him an’ his foot fasten. “Let go foot, else I kick you with the other one!” An’ he won’t let it go, an’ kick it with the other one an’ the other foot fasten. An’ he box him an’ his han’ fasten. An’ say, “Let go me, else I box you!” an’ he box him with the other han’ an’ his han’ fasten. An’ he said, “Let it go, else I buck you!” An’ he buck him an’ head fasten. An’ said, “Let me go, else I bite you!” an’ when he bite him, mouth fasten an’ he couldn’t move or talk.

An’ Brer Fox said, “Think I couldn’t catch you!” An’ Brer Fox said, “Out of burn you an’ drown you an’ hang you an’ dash you over de bramble, which one you rather?” He said, “Do anything you like but don’ dash me over dat bramble!” An’ Brer Fox take him an’ dash him over the bramble, an’ he said, “Oh, what a fool!”

b. Saying Grace.

Rennie Macfarlane, Mandeville.

Brer Fox catch Brer Rabbit again. So he gwine kill him, an’ Brer Rabbit said, “Do, Brer Fox, as you gwine kill me, have prayers.” An’ he said, “Clasp you hands an’ say what I say: ‘O God, bless an’ blind us!’” but Brer Fox thought he say “Bless an’ help us,” an’ he say it. An’ Rabbit run away an’ they never see him.

c. Pretending Dead.

Rennie Macfarlane, Mandeville.

When Brer Fox want to get Brer Rabbit again, he an’ Bear make up to catch him. Brer Bear go to Brer Rabbit yard an’ tell him that Brer Fox dead an’ he mus’ help him bury him, for he an’ Brer Fox friends. When he go to Brer Fox yard, he see Brer Fox lying down. Brer Rabbit put on his bonpon [45] hat an’ coatie an’ spectacle an’ sit up in a rocking-chair an’ say, “I never see it so! What a style! what a funniness! I think that when folks fall down die, they always cock up their foot in the air an’ make ‘pooh!’” An’ Brer Fox cock up his foot in the air an’ say, “Pooh!” an’ Brer Rabbit go away an’ say, “A man like you never dead yet!”

60. THE ANIMAL RACE.

a. Horse and Turtle.

Alfred Williams, Maroon Town, Cock-pit country.

Horse bet Turtle say a get to Kingston before him. Turtle bet him say him will get to Kingston before him, Brar Horse. An’ Turtle tak up one of him pickney an’ drop dem ev’ry mile-post, an’ drop de last one in at Kingston at de wharf-house, tell ’im ’em going for a sack of salt. An’ de night when dem start, as Brar Horse catch to de firs’ mile-post an’ sing out in a harsh note,

I-ya-a ya-o sa, nom-be, ya-o ya ya-o sa-a, nom-be,
a nom-be, sa-ka be-ne sa-bi-na, nom-be, ya ya-o sa, a, nom-be.

Turtle answer quite yonder, soft an’ sweet,

I-ya-a ya-o sa-a, nom-be, ya-o sa ya-o sa-a, nom-be, se
sa-ka be-ne sa-bi-na, nom-be, ya ya-o sa-a, nom-be.

Horse say, “Well! Brar Turtle gone!” Gallop, draw rein an’ ’pur As he get to de nex’ mile-post, hear,

“I-ya-a ya-o sa, nom-be, ya-o ya.”

Gallop an’ gallop till he get to de nex’ mile-post. Turtle sing,

“I-ya-a ya-o sa, nom-be, ya-o ya.”

Trabbel on, ride on, ride on, ride on, catch to de nex’ mile-post, sing out,

“I-ya-a ya-o sa, nom-be, ya-o ya.”

Turtle answer de same song quite at de mile-post,—

“I-ya-a ya-o sa, nom-be, ya-o ya.”

As Horse catch to dat mile-post go in to Kingston, drop down dead!

b. Pigeon and Parrot.

Julia Gentle, Santa Cruz Mountains.

Pigeon an’ Parrot was co’rtin’ one girl an’ she say whichever one firs’ come in de house de mornin’ she would marry dat one. Parrot could not fly very fas’. He went an’ mek bargain wid anodder Parrot. He went before an’ leave de odder one to follow Pigeon behin’. He went near to de girl house an’ sit down in a tree. Pigeon call, saying,

“Come on, me pretty Poll, come on, me pretty Poll,
Stay on de tree so long,
For de sun an’ de moon gwine down,
Stay on de tree so long.”

Parrot answer Pigeon behind,

“Go on, me pretty Pigeon, go on, me pretty Pigeon,
Stay on de tree so long,
Go on, me pretty Pigeon, go on, me pretty Pigeon,
Stay on de tree so long.”

Pigeon sail again. He stop, call again,

“Come on, me pretty Poll, come on, me pretty Poll,
Stay on de tree so long,
Come on, me pretty Poll, come on, me pretty Poll,
Stay on de tree so long.”

Parrot answer,

“Go on, me pretty Pigeon, go on, me pretty Pigeon,
Stay on de tree so long,
Go on, me pretty Pigeon, go on, me pretty Pigeon,
Stay on de tree so long.”

Pigeon sail. When Pigeon nearly catch to de house, call again in de same tune. Parrot answer before now. Pigeon say, “Stop! a lil’ while Parrot was behin’; how Parrot get before?” When Pigeon went to de house, Parrot was in de house. Pigeon has to stay outside an’ Parrot married to de girl.

61. THE FASTING TRIAL (FRAGMENT).

Julia Gentle, Santa Cruz Mountains.

Jumpin’ Dick say he would bear longer hunger than White Belly. So White Belly up a tree where a grape a drop, an’ Jumpin’ Dick pick up on de ground.

White Belly say,

“Coo coo, me lovin’! coo coo, me lovin’!
Everybody goin’ to look for dem dandy.”

Jumpin’ Dick dance an’ sing,

“Every Monday morning,
Zum zick a zum zum!
Every Monday morning,
Zum zick a zum zum!”

62. MAN IS STRONGER.

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!”

OLD STORIES, CHIEFLY OF SORCERY.

63. THE PEA THAT MADE A FORTUNE.

Etheline Samuels, Claremont, St. Ann.

One day an old lady was travelling on the road and she picked up a green pea and she planted it. And after it grew, her goat ate it off. She cried upon the goat and told it that she wanted the peas. The goat said that he didn’t have anything to give her, but she could take one of his horns. She took the horn and went to the river-side to wash it. The river took it away from her. She cried upon the river, and the river said it didn’t have anything to give her but a fish. She went further. She met a man who was very hungry. She gave the man the fish. After the man ate it, she cried upon the man. The man gave her a moreen. She went a little further and saw a cow-boy. She gave him the moreen. After he had worn it out, she cried upon him for it. He said he didn’t have anything to give her but his whip. She went a little further and saw a man driving cows. She gave the whip to the man. After the man had lashed it out, she cried upon him, so he gave her a cow; and from the cow she made her riches.

64. SETTLING THE FATHER’S DEBT.

Simeon Falconer, Santa Cruz Mountains.

A man owe another one five pounds, and the other called in and asked the son who was at home, “Where is your father?”—“Me father gone to break a new fence to mend a rotten one.”—“Where is your mother?”—“Me mother gone to the market to sell sweet to buy sweet.”—“Where is your older brother?”—“Gone to sea to catch what in catching will kill and what him don’ catch will carry home alive.”—“Where is your sister?”—“Me sister in the house weeping over what she was rejoicing about last year.”—“What are you doing?”—“Taking hot bricks out of oven.”—“Now, me good boy, you give me some hard puzzle. If you tell me the meaning I’ll give you five pounds.”—“When I tell you me father gone to break a new fence to mend an old one, mean to say me father owe you five pound and gone to borrow five pound to pay you. When I tell you me mother gone to the market to sell sweet to buy sweet, gone to sell honey to buy sugar. When I said me brother gone to the sea to catch what in catching he kill and what him don’ catch him bring home alive, I mean to say he goes to bed and he will catch the lice from his head and kill them; what he don’ catch he mus’ carry back in the head. When I said me sister was in the house weeping over what she was rejoicing over last year, she was rejoicing last year in getting her baby; she is weeping over it now because it is dying. When I tell you I’m taking hot bricks out of oven, I am pulling chiggers out of me feet.”—“Now all your puzzles are put through, you are worthy of the five pounds.”—“Please settle me father’s debt, then.” So he make a receipt and give his father five pounds.

65. MR. LENAMAN’S CORN-FIELD.

George Parkes, Mandeville.

There was a man named Mr. Lenaman. He went to a place to rent a piece of ground. He didn’t know that it was a burial ground. It was about twenty acres of land. When he went, he chopped with his machete “pom!” He heard a voice say, “Who chop bush deh?” He answered, “Me, Mr. Lenaman.” The v’ice said,

“Big an’ little, get up an’ help Mr. Lenaman chop bush!
No mo’ bush mustn’t lef’ to-day.”

So all de ghosts, big an’ small, get up chop off de bush clean.

Mr. Lenaman was very glad. He went home and told his wife of the luck he had met. When the bush dry up, he went back to burn it an’ starting to burn it he hear de v’ice say, “Who burn bush deh?” He said, “Me, Mr. Lenaman.” The v’ice said,

“Big an’ little, get up an’ help Lenaman bu’n bush!
No mo’ bush mustn’t lef’ to-day.”

An’ all de ghost get up an’ help Mr. Lenaman bu’n off de bush clean.

The nex’ day, himself an’ wife went to plant corn. As they make the firs’ chop say “pom!,” hear de v’ice say, “Who plant corn deh?” He say, “Me, Mr. Lenaman.” De v’ice say,

“Big an’ little, get up help Lenaman plant corn!
No mo’ corn mustn’t lef to-day.”

An’ all de ghost get up an’ help him plant de corn, plant off de whole twenty acres.

When de corn grow up, he went back to mol’ it. As he started, the v’ice says, “Who mol’ corn deh?” He said, “Me, Mr. Lenaman.” The v’ice said,

“Big an’ little, get up help Lenaman mol’ corn!
No mo’ corn mustn’t lef’ to-day.”

An’ all de ghost get up an’ help dem mol’ off de corn dat day.

Now de corn grow up an’ bear an’ dry. Mr. Lenaman send his wife an’ boy one day to go an’ see how dey stay, an’ tol’ ’em not to break any because if dey break one, de ghosts will break it all off an’ den Mr. Lenaman won’t get none. He is going to get a lot of people to go there with him one day to help him break them, so that he can get a plenty. Now the wife an’ boy went to the groun’, but when they go, they forget what Mr. Lenaman tol’ them. In coming away, they broke one each. They hear the v’ice say, “Who broke corn deh?” They said, “Mr. Lenaman wife an’ boy.” The v’ice say,

“Big an’ little get up an’ help Lenaman wife an’ boy break corn!
No mo’ corn mus’ be lef’ to-day.”

An’ dey break off every bit!

The wife an’ boy went home an’ tol’ it to Mr. Lenaman. The three of them went back to the groun’. Mr. Lenaman got vex an’ started to beat the wife an’ boy. The v’ice said, “Who beat wife an’ boy deh?” He said, “Me, Mr. Lenaman.” V’ice said,

“Big an’ little, get up go an’ help Mr. Lenaman beat wife an’ bwoy!
No mo’ wife an’ bwoy mustn’t lef’ to-day.”

So dem beat de wife an’ boy so dat dem kill dem.

So Mr. Lenaman stan’ up now didn’t know what to do, start to scratch his head. The v’ice said, “Who ’cratch head deh?” He said, “Me, Mr. Lenaman,” The v’ice said,

“Big an’ little, get up an’ help Lenaman ’cratch head!
No mo’ head mustn’t lef’ to-day.”

An’ de whole of dem start to ’cratch his head, ’cratch it until he dead.

66. SIMON TOOTOOS.

Thomas White, Maroon Town, Cock-pit country.

Der was once a woman dat have a child. Him name was Simon Tootoos. De mudder him was a church woman, an’ him used to send de boy to church; and after, de mudder come an’ die. An’ when de mudder die, he take de world upon his head. And Simon Tootoos mek colbon [46] and set it on Sunday day, and he go to wood on Sunday to go and search his colbon. And when he go to catch him bird, he catch a snake in de colbon. When he go to raise up de colbon an’ fin’ it was a snake, him leave it. An de snake answer to him,

Come take me up, Come take me up, Simon Tootoos,
lennon boy. Come take me up, oh, lennon boy, Too na too.

It was his dead mudder cause de snake to sing like dat. And when he go to leave—

“Come back you’ colbon, come back you’ colbon.
Simon Tootoos, lennon boy,
Come back you’ colbon, O lennon boy!
Too na too!”

make him come an’ tek him up carry him come back to yard. And him put him down—

“Come ’tretch me out, come ’tretch me out,
Simon Tootoos, lennon boy,
Come ’tretch me out, O lennon boy!
Too na too!”

And stretch him out and cut him neck.—

“Come wash your pot, come wash your pot,
Simon Tootoos, lennon boy,
Come wash your pot, O lennon boy!
Too na too!”

And wash de pot. And cut him up an’ put in de pot, an’ he set it on de fire, mak up him fire under him, and him start boiling. After it start boiling, it boil until it tell him to season in skelion [47]. When it boil, it tells him to come down pot off de fire. So

“Come wash you’ plate, come wash you’ plate,
Simon Tootoos, lennon boy,
Come wash you’ plate, O lennon boy!
Too na too!”

He wash de plate.

“Come clean you’ knife, come clean you’ knife,
Simon Tootoos, lennon boy,
Come clean you’ knife, O lennon boy!
Too na too!”

He clean him knife.

“Come lay you’ table, come lay you’ table,
Simon Tootoos, lennon boy!
Come lay you’ table, O lennon boy!
Too na too!”

He lay him table. An’ say,

“Come pick me out, come pick me out,
Simon Tootoos, lennon boy,
Come pick me out, O lennon boy!
Too na too!”

And pick him out.

“Come lay me on table, come lay me on table,
Simon Tootoos, lennon boy,
Come lay me on table, O lennon boy!
Too na too!”

Put him on table.

“Come draw you’ chair, come draw you’ chair,
Simon Tootoos, lennon boy,
Come draw you’ chair, O lennon boy!
Too na too!”

He draw him chair.

“Come eat me now, come eat me now,
Simon Tootoos, lennon boy!
Come eat me now, O lennon boy!
Too na too!”

He eat him dead mother now.

“Come call you’ grave-digger, come call you’ grave-digger,
Simon Tootoos, lennon boy,
Come call you’ grave-digger, O lennon boy!
Too na too!

“Come call you’ carpenter, come call you’ carpenter,
Simon Tootoos, lennon boy,
Come call you’ carpenter, O lennon boy!
Too na too!”

As him eating done—

“Come say you’ prayer, come say you’ prayer,
Simon Tootoos, lennon boy,
Come say you’ prayer, O lennon boy!
Too na too!

“Come go to you’ bed, come go to you’ bed,
Simon Tootoos, lennon boy,
Come go to you’ bed, O lennon boy!
Too na too!”

After him go to him bed, him mudder come out of him belly; an’ dat was de las’ of Simon Tootoos.

67. THE TREE-WIFE.

Thomas White, Maroon Town.

It was a man didn’t have no wife an’ he was a hunter-man; he hunt in de bush all day. An’ one day he go in de bush, go an’ shoot, an’ when he coming home, him saw a pretty tree name of Jessamy, an’ he say, “O me biddy boy, das a pretty tree!” An’ he says, “If dis tree could tu’n a wife to me, I would like to be marry to him!” An’ so he said, it done de very same as what him said; de tree do tu’n a wife for him. De woman was naked, an’ he lef’ him at de said time an’ went home back, an’ he get some clot’ing for de woman, an’ got him dress up nicely an’ carry him home at house.

An’ deh he an’ de woman was fo’ a long time until one day he were gwine out a bush fe gwine shoot, an’ leave him wife a house. Him go an’ sleep an’ never come home till de nex’ day. An’ after he gone to de wood, it’s anudder man go dere an’ inveigle him wife an’ tek’ him away from him house an’ go to dis man house. An’ when de poor man come home from bush de nex’ day, he couldn’t fin’ him wife. An’ what de wife did, after de wife come out dis man’s house go to de nex’ house, she was frighten how him husban’ gwine fin’ him. An’ de nex’ man house about a two mile off him husban’ house, an’ as she leaving for him house, she spit all de way until she ketch to dis odder man’s house.

An’ de man was into a rage dat him couldn’t fin’ him wife an’ didn’t know what was to ever do. An’ him sing, [48]

Jesta be-yo, eh-e-eh-eh-eh-o—— Jesta be-yo,
A, a wi’ die, oh, wi’a go die, oh, fe trees bear-e, oh,
A, a wi’ die, oh, wi a go die, oh, fe trees bear-e, oh.

When de man sing, de spit dat de woman spit answer him,—

“Jesta be-yo, eh, eh, eh, o!
Jesta be-yo, a wi’ die-o,
Wi’ a go die-o, fe trees bear-e o!”

To every place where de woman spit, de man go dere an’ stan’ an’ call—

“Jesta be-yo, eh, eh, eh, o,”

at each stopping-place of half a mile until two miles are passed. An’ jus’ as de woman hear de voice of de man, stan’ at door-mout’ an’ see dat de man coming. An’ de man go tak him wife an’ catch him right back to home yard.

Jack man dory, choose none!

68. SAMMY THE COMFEREE.

Thomas White, Maroon Town.

It was a woman had one son, an’ it was a boy dat very unruly by him mudder an’ fader. He had not’ing to do but fire bow an’ arrow all day. An’ one day he tek up him bow an’ arrow an’ fire de arrow an’ de arrow drop in a Massa Jesus yard. An’ he went in de yard to go an’ pick up de arrow, an’ Massa Jesus wife was in de yard an’ Massa Jesus was gone out—wasn’t at home. An’ all dem clo’es was out of doors sunning. An’ de wife detain de boy in de yard fo’ de whole day until rain come de day an’ wet up all Massa Jesus clo’es a-do’. Dis boy was Sammy de Comferee, an’ jus’ t’ru Sammy de Comferee mek de clo’es a wet up a-do’. An’ when Massa Jesus come in, him was wet an’ him want some dry clo’es to put on an’ him couldn’t get no dry clo’es to put on. An’ him tu’n to him wife an’ ask him what him was doin’ de whole day at de house an’ mek him clo’es wet up a-do’. Him answer to Massa Jesus dat as he, Sammy de Comferee, was in de house, das why came de clo’es to wet a-do’. Massa Jesus say to him as he was along in de house de whole day if is de reason to mek him clo’es a wet up a-do’, an’ de woman reply to Massa Jesus dat if him been pretty as Sammy de Comferee, him would a do more. An’ Massa Jesus answer to him wife dat him know dat is him made Sammy de Comferee, an’ if Sammy de Comferee is prettier den him, him would see about it.

An’ Massa Jesus put up iron rod, an’ de iron rod hot as a fire, hot until it red. An’ him sen’ for Sammy de Comferee. An’ when Sammy de Comferee come, Massa Jesus says to him what he was doin’ in him yard de whole day. An’ he says dat him fire him bow an’ arrow an’ de arrow drop into de yard, an’ after, he went in de yard to pick up de arrow an’ de wife detain him in de yard an’ him couldn’t get away from de woman until rain tek him in de yard. And Massa Jesus said dat de wife tell him dat Sammy de Comferee is prettier ’an him dat made him. An’ he order Sammy to climb de iron rod. An’ he commence to melt away an’ he sing,

Ah, me Sammy de Con-fa-ri-a-e-ro, Gi-ra
no, ah, in din ro. Ah, e do me da de a, Gi-ro no.
Ah, me Sammy de Con-fa-ri-a-e-ro, Gi-ro no, ah, in din
ro. Ah, e do me ma me-a, Gi-ro no. Ah, me Sammy de
Con-fa-ri-a-e-ro, Gi-ro no, ah, in din ro.

He melt off to him leg. An’ sing again—

“A me Sammy de Con-fa-ri-a!”

He melt off to his middle. He sing again—

“A me Sammy de Con-fa-ri-a!”

an’ him melt off one of him hand. He sing again—

“A me Sammy de Con-fa-ri-a!”

an’ him melt off to him neck. An’ him sing again,

“A me Sammy de Con-fa-ri-a!
Gi-ra no a in din ro!”

an’ him melt off to not’ing. An’ when you look at de iron rod, de whole heap of fat heap up about de iron rod. An’ all de pretty men dat come into de worl’ get some of Sammy de Comferee’s fat, but all de ugly ones don’t get none of it.

Jack man dory, me story done!

69. GRANDY-DO-AN’-DO.

a. Moses Hendricks, Mandeville.

There was an old woman, a witch, but she was very wealthy. She lived quite to herself. Plenty of stock—horses, cows, sheep, mules, each kind kept by itself in a separate pasture. The old lady’s name was Grandy Beard-o, but nobody knew that name. She wanted a person to sup with her. She came across a little girl one day. Then took that girl home. After she prepared her meal, she called the girl and asked her if she knew her name. The girl said, “No, ma’am.” She said to the girl, “Unless you tell me my name, I will not give you anything to eat.”

She started out the girl to go and fetch some water. The girl had to go through all the pastures to get where the water was—mules to themselves, cows to themselves, horses to themselves, sheep to themselves. She went along crying, being hungry. So she got into cow-pasture—that was first pasture. The cow said to her, “What’s the matter with you, me baby?”

The girl said, “The old lady will not give me anything to eat except me can tell her her name!” Cow was afraid to tell her.

From there she went into mule pasture, crying all the same. Mule said, “What’s the matter, me baby?”

The girl said, “The old lady will not give me anything to eat, except me can tell her her name!” Mule wouldn’t tell her.

She got into horse pasture, crying all the way. Horse said, “What’s the matter, me baby?”

“Old lady in there won’t give me anything to eat except me can tell her her name!” Horse wouldn’t tell her.

From there she went into bull pasture, still crying. Bull said, “What’s the matter, me baby?”

“Old lady won’t give me anything to eat except me can tell her her name!”

Bull says, “Cho! when you go home, tell her her name Grandy Beard-o.” Bull was a mighty man; he didn’t care!

The girl was so glad, hastened home so as to get something to eat. Old lady said, “You can tell me my name make me give you something to eat?”

The girl said, “Your name Grandy Beard-o, ma’am.”

Old lady got so indignant! She gave the girl a good feed and after that she started to find who told the girl. Went into cow pasture.

“You cow, you cow, you cow,
Why you tell the girl
Me name Grandy Beard-o?”

Cow said,

“A ring ding ding, mamma, ring ding ding;
A ring ding ding, mamma, ring ding ding;
No me tell.”

She jump into horse pasture now.—

“You also horse tell the girl
Me name Grandy Beard-o?”

Horse said,

“A ring ding ding, mamma, ring ding ding;
A ring ding ding, mamma, ring ding ding;
No me tell him.”

She got into bull pasture now.—

“You bull, you bull, you bull,
Why you tell the girl
Me name Grandy Beard-o?”

Bull said,

“A ring ding ding, mamma, ring ding ding;
A ring ding, ding, mamma, ring ding ding;
Damme, me tell ’m!”

The old lady gripped the bull and tossed him in the air. The bull dropped; nothing happened. The bull tossed her in the air now, and she dropped; one leg broken. She tossed the bull again; the bull came down unhurt. The bull tossed her up again; she came down, another leg was broken.

She tossed the bull; nothing happened. The bull tossed her; she came down, one arm broken. She tossed the bull again; the bull came down unhurt. The bull tossed her again; she came down, the other arm was broken.

She tossed the bull again; the bull came down unhurt. The last toss the bull made, her neck broke. That was the end of her. The girl became mistress of all she possessed, and that is why the land goes from hand to hand in legacy up to to-day.

Jack man dory!

b. Julia Gentle, Malvern, Santa Cruz Mountains.

A very bad woman have only one daughter an’ say, “Go to the river for water an’ when you come back, if you cannot tell my name I will destroy you.” When him goin’ fe water see Crab. An’ Crab axin’ where him go. An’ say, “Grandy sen’ me go a river fe water an’ say when me come back, if me cannot tell him name, her will kill me.” The Crab tell him say, “When you go, tell her dat her name Grandy Do-an-do.”

So when she come back, she forget the name. An’ she say mus’ kill him, so dash away the water an’ send him back. Then when she go back, the Crab say, “Sing it all the way!” Then when the girl go back she sing,

“You name Grandy-do-an-do.
You name Grandy-do-an-do.”

Then the woman mad when she hear it an’ she travel. An’ she meet Cow, an’ say,

“You Cow, a you tell de girl a name Grandy Do-an-do?”

Cow say,

“No, no me tell him so you name Grandy Do-an-do!”

She travel an’ she meet Sheep, an’ say,

“You Sheep, a you tell de girl a name Grandy Do-an-do?”

Sheep say,

“No, no me tell him so you name Grandy Do-an-do!”

Meet Horse, say,

“You Horse, a you tell de girl me name Grandy Do-an-do?”

Horse say,

“No, no me tell him so you name Grandy Do-an-do!”

Meet Duck, say,

“You Duck, a you tell de girl a name Grandy Do-an-do?”

Duck say,

“No, no me tell him so you name Grandy Do-an-do!”

Meet Crab, say,

“You Crab, a you tell de girl a name Grandy Do-an-do?”

Crab say,

“Yes, a me tell him a you name Grandy Do-an-do!”

An’ tak de machete an’ chop after de Crab, an’ Crab sink in de hole an’ stay in de hole till now.

70. JACK AND HARRY.

William Forbes, Dry River, Cock-pit country.

Jack an’ Harry, de two was gwine out for a walk. An’ de mo’ning was cool, an’ catch to an ol’ man dah in watch-house. Harry said, “Ol’ Massa, beg you a little coffee if you have any.” An’ he said, “Yes, me pickney!” an’ him give Jack a cup o’ coffee an’ Harry a cup o’ coffee. An’ de ol’ man didn’t drink fe him coffee yet. Jack say, “Harry, I gwine drink fe de ol’ man coffee.” Harry said, “No, Jack, don’ do it!” An’ Jack tek ’way fe de ol’ man coffee an’ drink it. An’ de ol’ man tek him ’tick after dem, dem run.

An’ when dem run, see a hen wid some chicken. Harry said, “Do, me good hen, cover me wid you wing!” An’ cover dem wid her wing de same as her own chicken. An’ de ol’ man was coming after dem didn’t see dem, tu’n back. An’ Jack say, “I gwine to pop de hen wing.” An’ Harry say no, an’ Jack say mus’ pop it. An’ de hen begin to flutter after dem an’ Jack an’ Harry run an’ de hen was after dem.

An’ see a poor lady ’tan’ up in de way. An’ Harry said, “Do, lady, tek you coat an’ cover we up!” An’ after she cover dem up, Jack had a stick an’ say, “I gwine to choke de ol’ lady.” An’ Harry say, “Don’ do it!” An’ as he choke de ol’ lady, ol’ lady shake dem out an’ run after dem.

An’ when dey run, dey see a kyan-crow [49] in de way an’ Harry said, “Do, me good kyan-crow, tek we up on you wing, carry we away from dis ol’ lady!” An’ de kyan-crow tek up Jack an’ Harry an’ fly up wid dem right up in de sky, an’ de ol’ lady couldn’t catch after dem. An’ Jack say, “I gwine to pop de kyan-crow wing mek him drop.” Harry said, “No, Jack, don’ do it!” An’ as ’em drop, ’em knock ’emself out of senses.

An’ when dey come to demselves, see a land turtle was coming. An’ Harry call to de land turtle, an’ as he shove out his head. Jack cut off de head.

71. PEA-FOWL AS MESSENGER.

a. John Studee.

Matilda Hall, Maroon Town.

The husband and wife married people, and the husband a great gambler, never at home with the wife; until the wife going to have a baby, and the ninth month come now. So they send for the mid-wife; so when the mid-wife come, there is no husband in. She said she want some one to go call the husband, name of him is John Studee. So she call for all the thing they have in the yard. She call for a fowl, a cock, and say, “What will you say to call the husband?” The cock crew,

“Ko ku ru ku-u-u!”
“You won’t do.”

She calls for the dog and says, “What will you say?” Dog says,

“Hoo-oh!”
“No, won’t do.”

Said to Puss what he will say. Puss says,

“Me-oo!”
“Won’t do.”

Then ’he call for the pea-fowl now; ’he provide a quart of corn for the pea-fowl, ask what he will say. Pea-fowl sing,

“You John Studee, you John Studee,
Fe me master, John Studee,
There’s a pretty gal from Silo,
There’s a handsome gal from Silo,
Want the care of a new John bwoy,
’t almost deh.”

“Yes, you’ll do!”

Then when the pea-fowl fly miles off, he didn’t see the master, John Studee. He fly, he fly away now, take up the quart of corn and fly away. Then he pitch upon the house-top, sing,

“You John Studee, you John Studee,
Fe me master, John Studee!
There’s a pretty gal from Silo,
There’s a handsome gal from Silo
Want the care of a new John bwoy,
’t almost deh!”

The people say, “John Studee, was here, but jus’ gone away,—that great gambler!” He fly about a mile off again, go to another great house, go upon the house-top. He sing loud of voice now,

“You John Studee, you John Studee,
Fe me master, John Studee!
There’s a pretty gal from Silo,
There’s a handsome gal from Silo
Want the care of a new John bwoy,
’t almost deh!”

John Studee come now, say, “Who call my name?” See the bird up on the house-top, say, “Well, he want me!” Then he took up the fowl an’ get the buggy in haste; and take off his gold chain off his neck an’ put it on the pea-fowl. Pea-fowl have the golden feather round his neck on account of that gold chain. So when the feather came home, he got a boy chil’ an’ call his name John Studee after him.

b. Contavio.

Oliver D. Witter, Santa Cruz Mountains.

Miss Nancy married Contavio. One day, Contavio went to market, but before he left home he locked up Miss Nancy till he came back. He did not come back that day, and as Miss Nancy was hungry and saw a sheep passing she said, “Do, my dear sheep, call Contavio for me and I will throw a lump of gold on your head.” Bra Sheep goes, “Bep, baah baah baah.” She said, “No, my dear Bra Sheep, that will not do.” Soon after she saw a billy-goat and said the same thing to him. Bra Billy said, “Bep, bep, ba, ba, ba, bep-ba-ba-bep, bah, bah.” She said, “No, my dear Bra Billy, that will not do.” She then saw Bra Peacock coming up an’ she said, “Bra Peacock, if you call Contavio, my husband, for me, I will give you a lump of gold,” and Bra Peacock flew right away until he saw Contavio, and he picked him in his head and picked off all the feathers, and spurred him the whole way home until all Bra Peacock’s spurs dropped off. When he got Contavio home, Miss Nancy flung the lump of gold on Bra Peacock’s head and that’s why the feathers on a peacock’s head look like gold. That’s also the reason why it has no spurs, and a crow has no feathers on its head.

72. THE BARKING PUPPY.

Alfred Williams, Maroon Town, Cock-pit country.

Deh is old lady live at home wid one little puppy, an’ ev’ry night a gentleman come to pay her a visit, but dis little puppy snap an’ bark, have fo’ to tu’n back. An’ de ol’ lady catch de puppy an’ mak up a big fire an’ bu’n de puppy. Nex’ night again de gen’leman come back. Ol’ lady sing,

Heah, heah, Phin-ney man, heah, oh, heah, Phin-ney man, No-bod-y heah,
Phin-ney man, Dick an’ Dan-dy heah, Phin-ney man, No-bod-y heah,
Phin-ney man, Dick an’ Dan-dy heah, Phin-ney man.

De ashes bark as de puppy. De ol’ lady get up, tak up de ashes dash ’em in de river, say, “Dis gen’leman goin’ to pay me visit an’ kyan’ because de ashes bark!”

Nex’ night, de gen’leman come back again, holla out, “Hulloo!” Ol’ lady sing,

“Heah, heah, Phinney man,
Nobody heah, Phinney man,
Dick an’ Dandy heah!”

De puppy ashes bark in de river an’ de gen’leman wouldn’t come. De ol’ lady tak de river water dash in de sea to hinder Dick an’ Dandy from barking. Nex’ night de gen’leman come back fo’ de las time; counsel a sing now. Old lady raise up an’ sing,

“Heah, heah, Phinney man,
Nobody heah, Phinney man,
Dick an’ Dandy heah!”

Meanwhile de gentleman dance. He come in now, draw a chair, say, “So long I couldn’t come on account of Dick an’ Dandy!” an’ say, “I coming to marry you.” Old lady say yes, but don’ know but dog shadow come; sometime shadow come back. Ol’ lady sing,

“Heah, heah, Phinney man,
Nobody heah, Phinney man,
Dick an’ Dandy heah!”