ettin' 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 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."

FOOTNOTES:

[57] Gnaws the bark from the trees.

[58] Drain or ditch.

XLV

BRER WOLF GETS IN A WARM PLACE

The little boy thought that the story of how the wildcat scratched
Brother Fox was one of the best stories he had ever heard, and he did
n't hesitate to say so. His hearty endorsement increased Uncle Remus's
good-humor; and the old man, with a broad grin upon his features and
something of enthusiasm in his tone, continued to narrate the adventures
of Brother Rabbit.

"After Brer Fox git hurted so bad," said Uncle Remus, putting an edge
upon his axe with a whetstone held in his hand, "hit wuz a mighty long
time 'fo' he could ramble 'roun' en worry ole Brer Rabbit. Der time
Cousin Wildcat fetch'd 'im dat wipe 'cross de stomach, he tuck'n lay de
blame on Brer Rabbit, en w'en he git well, he des tuck'n juggle wid de
yuther creeturs, en dey all 'gree dat dem en Brer Rabbit can't drink out
er de same branc