Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/355

 Folk-Tales from Georgia. 23

Mr. Man he say, " Oh, so old man, here you is. Now I '11 have you for my dinner."

Mr. Man he take a cord from his pocket, and tie Brer Rabbit high on a limb of a sweet gum tree, and he leave Brer Rabbit swinging there twell he come back from the cross-roads, when he aim to fotch Brer Rabbit home and cook him for his dinner.

Brer Rabbit he swing thisaway in the wind and thataway in the wind, and he swing thisaway in the wind and thataway in the wind, and he think he time done come. Poor old Brer Rabbit don't know where he 's at.

Presently here come Brer Wolf loping down the big road. When Brer Wolf see old Brer Rabbit swinging thisaway and thataway in the wind, Brer Wolf he stop short and he say, " God a'mighty, man ! what you doing up there?" Brer Rabbit he say, "This just my cool air swing. I just taking a swing this morning."

But Brer Rabbit he just know Brer Wolf going to make way with him. Brer Rabbit he just turn it over in his mind which way he going to get to. The wind it swing poor Brer Rabbit way out this- away and way out thataway. While Brer Rabbit swinging, he work his brain, too.

Brer Wolf he say, " Brer Rabbit, I got you fast ; now I going eat you up." Brer Rabbit he say, " Brer Wolf, open your mouth and shut your eyes, and I '11 jump plum in your mouth." So Brer Wolf turn his head up and shut his eyes. Brer Rabbit he feel in his pocket and take out some pepper, and Brer Rabbit he throw it plum down Brer Wolf's throat. Brer Wolf he nigh 'bout 'stracted with the misery. He cough and he roll in the dirt, and he get up and he strike out for home, coughing to beat all. And Brer Rabbit he swing thisaway and thataway in the wind.

Presently here come Brer Squirrel. When Brer Squirrel he see the wind swing Brer Rabbit way out thisaway and way out thata- way, Brer Squirrel he that 'stonished, he stop short. Brer Squir- rel he say, " Fore the Lord, Brer Rabbit, what you done done to yourself this yer time ? "

Brer Rabbit he say, " This yer my cool air swing, Brer Squirrel. I taking a fine swing this morning." And the wind it swing Brer Rabbit way out thisaway and way back thataway.

Brer Rabbit he fold his hands, and look mighty restful and happy, like he settin' back fanning hisself on his front porch.

Brer Squirrel he say, " Please sir, Brer Rabbit, let me try your swing one time."

Erer Rabbit he say, "Certainly, Brer Squirrel, you do me proud," and Brer Rabbit he make like he make haste to turn hisself loose.

Presently Brer Rabbit he say, " Come up here, Brer Squirrel, and

�� �