Famously adapted by Joel Chandler Harris in book form with Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings, Harris’ 1881 version was not the first to put Br'er Rabbit stories into print. Br'er Rabbit (also Buh Rabbit, Brudder Rabbit, Br. Rabbit, etc.), a colloquialism for Brother Rabbit, is a trickster figure in fables originating among African-American slaves. Br'er Rabbit is unique among the heroes of American folklore. Br'er Rabbit is both an anthropomorphic animal and never so virtuous yet not entirely irredeemable. Today, Br'er Rabbit stories are regarded by many as a staple of American folklore, as well constitute a noteworthy piece of African-American heritage.


The following represents one of the earliest printed versions of the Br'er Rabbit stories. This version was originally published in 1868 in Riverside Magazine.

Accompanying these stories is an original parallel interpretation. This is done to aid in ready comprehension rather than to adapt the stories for a particular audience. However, the intention is not to eliminate the colloquial character of the vernacular. The aim is simply to substitute certain terminology and grammar less familiar to modern readers with speech more easily understood.

Once upon a time Br. Rabbit was bidout any water, and Br. Wolf was round dere taking dinner wid him one day. Br. Wolf say to Br. Rabbit, ”Better let's go and jine, and dig a well.“

Once upon a time, Br. Rabbit was without any water, and Br. Wolf was round there taking dinner with him one day. Br. Wolf say to Br. Rabbit, “Better let's go and join [together], and dig a well.”

Br. Rabbit say, “Oh no, Br. Wolf, I kin drink early in de mornin’ off de grass, and in de day off de cow tracks.” So Br. Wolf went and dig a well for hisself; and after he been done dig dis well, every mornin’ when be go down to fetch water, he meet Br. Rabbit tracks dere;

Br. Rabbit say, “Oh no, Br. Wolf, I can drink early in the mornin’ off the grass, and in the day off the cow tracks.” So Br. Wolf went and dug a well for hisself; and after he been done diggin' this well, every mornin’ when he go down to fetch water, he met with Br. Rabbit’s tracks there.

and after he find Br. Rabbit keep on comet, he put de tar baby down dere, and Br. Rabbit come wid a pail on moonshine night, and as he git about an hundred yard from de well, he meet de tar baby, and he hail de little girl, and de little girl give him no answer, so he leave de pail and keep on goin’ up; and he hail do little girl again, and de little girl give him no answer.

And after he found that Br. Rabbit keep on commin’, he put the tar baby (a human figure made out of tar) down there, and Br. Rabbit come with a pail on a moonshine night, and as he got about a hundred yards from the well, he met the tar baby, and he hail (greeted) the little girl, and the little girl gave him no answer, so he left the pail and kept on goin’ up; and he hail the little girl again, and the little girl give him no answer.

Den he look down in de well, and ebry time he look down in de well, de little girl was lookin’ down too; and he say, “Don’t look down dere, little girl, or I’II slap your face.“ And he looked down in de well again, and de little girl still looked upon him, so he raised his right hand to slap her, and it got stick, and he told de little girl if she did n’t let go his hand, he would slap her wid de odder hand, and he hit her wid de odder hand, and dat stick too.

Then he look down in the well, and every time he look down in the well, the little girl was lookin’ down too; and he say, “Don’t look down there, little girl, or I’II slap your face.“ And he looked down in the well again, and the little girl still looked upon him, so he raised his right hand to slap her, and it got stuck, and he told the little girl if she didn’t let go of his hand, he would slap her with the other hand, and he hit her with the other hand, and that stuck too.

He raise his right foot and say, “Gal, see dis foot; if I hit you wid dis foot, you tink horse kick you.“ And he hit her wid his right foot, and it did stick; and so he up wid de odder foot, and say, “See dis foot; if I hit you wid dis, you tink tunder roll over you.“ And he hit her, and dat foot stick; so he say, “Little gal, I won’t say nottin to you at all; I have knock down many a man wid my forehead, and if I happen to hit you wid it, I split your head wide open.”

He raised his right foot and say, “Gal, see this foot; if I hit you with this foot, you’ll think a horse has kicked you.“ And he hit her with his right foot, and it did stick; and so he got up with the other foot, and say, “See this foot; if I hit you with this, you’ll think thunder rolled over you.“ And he hit her, and that foot stuck; so he says, “Little gal, I won’t say nothin’ to you at all; I have knock down many a man with my forehead, and if I happen to hit you with it, I’ll split your head wide open.”

And he butt her wid his forehead, and dal stick. Day broke, and Br. Wolf come down for water. “ Hey, Br. Rabbit, what you doin’ here? Tought you been tell me you could drink water ’M de mornin’ off de grass, and cow track. Now Br. Rabbit, I goin’ to pay you for all my water you has been takins.“ Br. Wolf had a big fire make to trow Br. Rabbit in to burn him up.

And he butted her with his forehead, and that stuck. Day broke, and Br. Wolf come down for water. “Hey, Br. Rabbit, what you doin’ here? Thought you been tellin’ me you could drink water ‘On the mornin’ off the grass, and cow track.’ Now, Br. Rabbit, I’m goin’ to make you pay for all my water you has been takins” Then Br. Wolf had a big fire made to throw Br. Rabbit in to burn him up.

As dey was passin’ de brier-bush, Br. Wolf daughter say, “Pa, you better trow him in dat brier-bush.“ Br. Rabbit say, “Do, Br. Wolf, trow me in de fire, ’cause if you trow me in de brier-bush, I done.“ Br. Wolf say, “Well, Br. Rabbit, you is a mighty tricky fellow; I want de whole race of you to die away.“ Br. Wolf tink Br. Rabbit didn’t want to go in de brier-bush, so he trow him dere. Br. Rabbit jump about and laugh. “Br. Wolf, you could n’t trow me in a better place, for I was born and raise here.”

As they was passin’ the briar-bush, Br. Wolf’s daughter say, “Pa, you better throw him in that briar-bush.“ Br. Rabbit say, “Do, Br. Wolf, throw me in the fire, ’cause if you throw me in the briar-bush, I’m done.” Br. Wolf say, “Well, Br. Rabbit, you is a mighty tricky fellow; I want the whole race of you to die away.“ Br. Wolf think Br. Rabbit didn’t want to go in the briar-bush, so he throw him in there. Br. Rabbit jump about and laughed. “Br. Wolf, you couldn’t throw me in a better place, for I was born and raised here.”



Once upon a time Br. Rabbit and Br. Wolf was courtin’ for a wed-din’, and Br. Rabbit had a short tail, and Br. Wolf had a long tail. De noung lady say, “ I redder marry to Br. Wolf dan to Br. Rabbit, ’cause Br. Rabbit tail is short.“ Br. Wolf wanted to let Br. Rabbit see dat de noung lady was more in love wid him dan she was wid Br. Rabbit, so he been fink he would give a large party at the noung lady house.

Once upon a time, Br. Rabbit and Br. Wolf was courtin’ for a weddin’, and Br. Rabbit had a short tail, and Br. Wolf had a long tail. The young lady say, “I rather marry to Br. Wolf than to Br. Rabbit, ’cause Br. Rabbit’s tail is short.“ Br. Wolf wanted to let Br. Rabbit see that the young lady was more in love with him than she was with Br. Rabbit, so he been thinkin’ he would give a large party at the young lady’s house.

He went round to Br. Rabbit house, and told Br. Rabbit dat he wanted him to play de fiddle for dem, and de girls said he must be certain to come, for dey couldn’t do bidout him. De ball was to be on Tuesday night. Wednesday, about nine o’clock, Br. Dog passed along by Br. Rabbit door. Br. Dog say to Br. Rabbit, “I is going to fling a hint to you; don’t say I tell you, ’cause I got nottin to do wid it.

He went round to Br. Rabbit’s house, and told Br. Rabbit that he wanted him to play the fiddle for them, and the girls said he must be certain to come, for they couldn’t do without him. The ball was to be on Tuesday night. Wednesday, about nine o’clock, Br. Dog passed along by Br. Rabbit’s door. Br. Dog say to Br. Rabbit, “I is going to fling a hint to you; don’t say I tell you, ’cause I got nothin’ to do with it.

The noung lady say she would have married you, but your tail is too short; for her father say, it is better for her to marry Br. Wolf, ’cause he is so much more of a gentleman dan you.”—“I am bery much oblige, Br. Dog, dat you did stop here and tell me dim ting. I won’t say nottin about it to nobody.“ As Br. Dog leave, Br. Rabbit put on his nice clothes, and went round to de lady house. De lady say, “Br. Rab-bit, you must be certain to come to-morrow night, for we can’t do bidout you, and bring your fiddle.“

The young lady say she would have married you, but your tail is too short; for her father say, it is better for her to marry Br. Wolf, ’cause he is so much more of a gentleman than you.”—“I am very much obliged, Br. Dog, that you did stop here and tell me them things. I won’t say nothin’ about it to nobody.“ As Br. Dog left, Br. Rabbit put on his nice clothes, and went round to the lady’s house. The lady say, “Br. Rabbit, you must be certain to come tomorrow night, for we can’t do without you, and bring your fiddle.“

“Very well, ma’am, I certain to come; but I won’t walk to come; Br. Wolf always did been my great grand daddy ridin’ horse, and he shall be mine.“ About nine o’clock in de mornin’, Br. Wolf come round to Br. Rabbit house; Br. Rabbit was well and hearty. About six o’clock in de afternoon, as soon as Br. Rabbit seen Br. Wolf commn’ down de path, in very great haste, he run quick and jump in his bed and as Br. Wolf come near de house, he hear Br. Rabbit groan, and say, “Lord, Lord, Lord hab mussy !“

“Very well, ma’am, I’m certain to come; but I won’t walk to come; Br. Wolf always has been my great grand daddy’s ridin’ horse, and he shall be mine [to ride].” About nine o’clock in the mornin’, Br. Wolf come round to Br. Rabbit house; Br. Rabbit was well and hearty. About six o’clock in the afternoon, as soon as Br. Rabbit seen Br. Wolf commin’ down the path, in very great haste, he (Br. Rabbit) run quick and jump in his bed and as Br. Wolf come near the house, he hear Br. Rabbit groan, and say, “Lord, Lord, Lord have mercy!“

Br. Wolf knock at de door, and Br. Rabbit mother come, and say Br. Rabbit bery sick. Br. Wolf say, “What mus I do? I is done dis after-noon, for Br. Rabbit is sick, and dono what for do.” Br. Wolf say to Br. Rabbit, “Brodder, if I ride you half way, kin you go?” Br. Rabbit answer, “Oh, no, I is afraid you will trot wid me.“ Br. Wolf say, “I ’clare, Brodder, I will walk wid you ebery step of de way.“ Den Br. Rabbit say, “Lem me git dat little ting call saddy.”

Br. Wolf knock at the door, and Br. Rabbit’s mother come, and say Br. Rabbit is very sick. Br. Wolf say, “What must I do? I am done [for] this afternoon, for Br. Rabbit is sick, and dunno what to do.” Br. Wolf say to Br. Rabbit, “Brother, if I give you a ride half the way, can you go?” Br. Rabbit answer, “Oh, no, I is afraid you will trot with me.“ (move too fast) Br. Wolf say, “I declare, brother, I will walk, with you [on me], every step of the way.“ Then Br. Rabbit say, “Le’me get that little thing called saddy.” (saddle)

Br. Wolf say, “Get um quick, le’me go.” “Le’me get that little thing call briddy.” (bridle) “Get um quick, le’me go.” “Le’me get that little thing call spur.” “Get um quick, le’me go.“ “Le’me get that little thing call whip” “Get um, make haste, le’me go.”

Br. Wolf say, “Git um quick, lem me go.” “Lem me git dat little ting call briddy.” “Git um quick, lem me go.” “Lem me git dat little ting call spur.” “Git um quick, lem me go.” “Lem me git dat little ting call whip” “Git um, mak haste, lem me go.”

Br. Rabbit jump on Br. Wolf, and off dey went. As he come to ’bout half way, Br. Wolf begin to trot a little. Br. Rabbit groan, and say, “I ’clare I must come off, Br. Wolf, you trot too hard; you promise not to do me so.”

Br. Rabbit jump on Br. Wolf, and off they went. As he come to ’bout half way, Br. Wolf begin to trot a little. Br. Rabbit groan, and say, “I declare I must come off, Br. Wolf, you trot too hard; you promise not to do me like that.”

Br. Rabbit was to ride far as de bridge; so when he mos’ got to de bridge, Br. Rabbit say, “Br. Wolf, I begin to feel a little better; jis carry me ’cross de bridge, den I will come off.”

Br. Rabbit was to ride far as the bridge; so when he almost got to the bridge, Br. Rabbit say, “Br. Wolf, I begin to feel a little better; just carry me ’cross the bridge, then I will come off.”

De noung ladies was all out in de piazza, lookins out for Br. Rab-bit and Br. Wolf to come and play de music. When Br. Rabbit come to de gate, he clap whip and spur to Br. Wolf, and Br. Wolf was tearing down de road. Br. Rabbit ride up to de door, and tell de boy to take his father old ridin’ horse and put him in de stable; and he went in de house and took de noung ladies to peep trough de cracks in de stable, and see Br. Wolf. Br. Wolf was so shame, you could n’t tell his head from his body; his head stuck in his lap.

The young ladies was all out in the piazza (veranda), lookins out for Br. Rabbit and Br. Wolf to come and play the music. When Br. Rabbit come to the gate, he clapped whip and spur to Br. Wolf, and Br. Wolf was tearing down the road. Br. Rabbit ride up to the door, and tell the boy to take his father’s old ridin’ horse and put him in the stable; and he went in the house and took the young ladies to peep through the cracks in the stable, and see Br. Wolf. Br. Wolf was so ashamed, you couldn’t tell his head from his body; his head stuck in his lap. (with head hung low)

After dey went in to supper, and was all settin’ at de ball-room table, Br. Rabbit told de boy to take some scraps to Br. Wolf, Br. Wolf say to de boy, “Please crack de door, lem me see how late it is.“ De boy say, “No, Br. Rabbit tell me I must n’t open de door, for you is a tricky fellow, you will jump out.” As de boy crack de door open to put in de scraps, Br. Wolf burst de door open and jumped out.

After they went in to supper, and was all settin’ at the ball-room table, Br. Rabbit told the boy to take some scraps to Br. Wolf, Br. Wolf say to the boy, “Please crack the door, le’me see how late it is.“ The boy say, “No, Br. Rabbit tell me I mustn’t open the door, for you is a tricky fellow, you will jump out.” As the boy cracked the door open to put in the scraps, Br. Wolf burst the door open and jumped out.

Den he went and hired Br. Dog to catch Br. Rabbit for him. He was to gib him so much amount of money. Br. Dog leave his fiddle and ebery ting to de guard house, and tell de guard man to mind dem, and he would call back for dem on Friday. So he went ’long a little snake path, and hide himself in a little alley. Br. Rabbit come along, and ebery little while he jump, and look round to see if anybody was out after him. As he went pass de alley, Br. Dog jumped out after him, and run, and push him so close, ’til Br. Rabbit run up a tree hollow.

Then he went and hired Br. Dog to catch Br. Rabbit for him. He was to give him so much amount of money. Br. Dog left his fiddle and everything at the guard house, and tell the guard man to mind them, and he would call back for them on Friday. So he went ’long a little snake path, and hid himself in a little alley. Br. Rabbit come along, and every little while he jumped, and look round to see if anybody was out after him. As he went pass the alley, Br. Dog jumped out after him, and run, and push him so close, ’til Br. Rabbit run up a tree hollow.

Br. Dog den call Br. Goose to gaard de tree till he go bring some fire to burn Br. Rabbit. Br. Rabbit say, “ Br. Goose, dat de way you do? Dey put you to gaud me, and you tun your back.“ Br. Goose say, “ Quack, quack! I can look right on you den.“ When he say dis, he poke his head up de hollow. Br. Rabbit trow some rotten wood in he eyes. and Br. Goose begin to paw he eyes wid his foot. Br. Rabbit come out and gone! When Br. Dog come back, he mak up a fire and burn de hollow tree down, and could n’t find as much m Br. Rabbit bones.

Br. Dog then call Br. Goose to guard the tree till he go bring some fire to burn Br. Rabbit. Br. Rabbit say, “Br. Goose, that the way you do? They put you to guard me, and you turn your back.” Br. Goose say, “Quack, quack! I can look right on you then.” When he say this, he poke his head up the hollow. Br. Rabbit throw some rotten wood in his eyes, and Br. Goose begin to paw his eyes with his foot. Br. Rabbit come out and gone! (escaped) When Br. Dog come back, he make up a fire and burn the hollow tree down, and couldn’t find so much as Br. Rabbit’s bones.

Br. Dog was so mad, dat he tun round and caught hold on Br. Goose tail, and Br. Goose fly up in de air, and leave his tail in Br. Dog mouth. Br. Dog went back to tell Br. Wolf dat Br. Rabbit got away, he could n’t catch him Br Wolf den made a bargain, and play dat he was dead, so dat he could catch Br. Rabbit. One cold day Br. Wolf was laid out before de fire on a table. Br. Dog send round to Br. Rabbit, to let him know dat Br. Wolf is die.

Br. Dog was so mad, that he turn round and caught hold of Br. Goose’s tail, and Br. Goose fly up in the air, and leave his tail in Br. Dog’s mouth. Br. Dog went back to tell Br. Wolf that Br. Rabbit got away, he couldn’t catch him Br Wolf then made a bargain, and play that he was dead, so that he could catch Br. Rabbit. One cold day, Br. Wolf was laid out before the fire on a table. Br. Dog send round to Br. Rabbit, to let him know that Br. Wolf is dead.

Br. Rabbit come up to de door; it was bery cold, and he say, “Gentlemen, is Br. Wolf dead, in fact? I am sorry to hear he is die.“ Br. Rabbit step up by de fire and warm his hands, and he say, “Gentlemens, we mus hab someting for settin’ up, and bury him to-morrow morning.” As he step from de fire he say, “Look here, gentlemens, someting ain’t right; I mus go and look at Br. Wolf face.” As he raise up de sheet, he say, “Look here, gentlemens; did Br. Wolf grin after he dead?” He had de sheet in his hand, but did n’t put it down.

Br. Rabbit come up to the door; it was very cold, and he say, “Gentlemen, is Br. Wolf dead, in fact? I am sorry to hear he is dead.” Br. Rabbit step up by the fire and warm his hands, and he say, “Gentlemen, we must have someting for settin’ up, and bury him tomorrow morning.” As he step from the fire he say, “Look here, gentlemen, something ain’t right; I must go and look at Br. Wolf’s face.” As he raise up the sheet, he say, “Look here, gentlemen; did Br. Wolf grin after he died?” He had the sheet in his hand, but didn’t put it down.

De gentlemen said, “No, he did n’t grin.“ Br. Rabbit say, “ Well, man can’t dead, less grin.“ As he said dis, Br. Wolf, wid his stupidness, grinned, and Br. Rabbit jumped out de door, and said, “Never see dead man grin yet.“

The gentlemen said, “No, he didn’t grin.” Br. Rabbit say, “Well, men can’t be dead, unless they grin.“ As he said this, Br. Wolf, with his stupidness, grinned, and Br. Rabbit jumped out the door, and said, “Never did see a dead man grin yet.“



Once upon a time Br. Rabbit went to Br. Wolf house to ax him for go hunt coutah eggs wid him. Dey found a great many, but Br. Rabbit eat all of his on de way home. Br. Wolf say he was gwine to take his home to his wife. When Br. Wolf was home, Br. Rab-bit went to him again. “I say, Br. Wolf, did you give your wife any of dem egg? You better not, ’cause dey are pison. I gave some to my wife, and she is bery sick.”

Once upon a time, Br. Rabbit went to Br. Wolf’s house to ask him to go hunt cooter eggs* with him. They found a great many, but Br. Rabbit ate all of his on the way home. Br. Wolf say he was goin’ to take his home to his wife. When Br. Wolf was home, Br. Rabbit went to him again. “I say, Br. Wolf, did you give your wife any of them eggs? You better not, ’cause they are poison. I gave some to my wife, and she is very sick.”

* A cooter is a pond turtle with a yellow-striped head common to the Eastern United States.

Br. Wolf was scare, and say, “Oh, Br. Rabbit, tenk you for tell me; I will trow dem all away.” So he went to fetch dem; and as he trow dem out, Br. Rabbit run, pick um all up quick, and eat every one. Br. Wolf was very vex when he find out Br. Rabbit cunning to git dem all for himself, so he run to try and catch him. Br. Rabbit run up in a tree. Br. Wolf told Br. Coutah to mind Br. Rabbit, while he went home to bring an axe to cut down de tree, to catch Br. Rabbit. When he was gone, Br. Rabbit say, “Oh, Br. Coutah; someting so pretty in dis tree. Look up, you will see it.”

Br. Wolf was scared, and say, “Oh, Br. Rabbit, thank you for tellin’ me; I will throw them all away.” So he went to fetch them; and as he throw them out, Br. Rabbit run, pick um all up quick, and eat every one. Br. Wolf was very vexed (annoyed) when he find out Br. Rabbit’s cunning to get them all for himself, so he run to try and catch him. Br. Rabbit run up in a tree. Br. Wolf told Br. Coutah (cooter, dialect) to mind Br. Rabbit, while he went home to bring an axe to cut down the tree, to catch Br. Rabbit. When he was gone, Br. Rabbit say, “Oh, Br. Coutah; someting so pretty in this tree. Look up, you will see it.”

Br. Coutah raise him eye, and Br. Rabbit trow dirt in um. Br. Coutah run to de riber to wash de dirt out. When Br. Wolf come back, he cut down de tree, but Br. Rabbit done gone. Br. Wolf was dat mad be did n’t know what for do; so he run to look for Br. Coutah, and found him at de riber, washing de dirt of him eye. Br. Wolf been tek an axe and cut off him tail. Dat’s de reason Coutah tail short to die day.

Br. Coutah raised his eyes, and Br. Rabbit throw dirt in um. Br. Coutah run to the river to wash the dirt out. When Br. Wolf come back, he cut down the tree, but Br. Rabbit done gone. Br. Wolf was that mad that he didn’t know what to do; so he run to look for Br. Coutah, and found him at the river, washing the dirt out of his eyes. Br. Wolf then take an axe and cut off his tail. That’s the reason cooter tails are short to this day.





Once upon a time Br. Deer and Br. Coutah was courtin’, and de lady been lub Br. Deer more so dan Br. Coutah. She did been lub Br. Coutah, but she lub Br. Deer de morest. So de noung lady say to Br. Deer and Br. Coutah both, dey mus hab a ten mile race, and de one dat beats, she will marry him.

Once upon a time, Br. Deer and Br. Coutah were courtin’, and the lady been in love with Br. Deer more so than Br. Coutah. She had been in love Br. Coutah, but she loved Br. Deer the most. So the young lady say to Br. Deer and Br. Coutah both, they must have a ten mile race, and the one that beats [the other], she will marry him.

So Br. Coutah say to Br. Deer, “You has got longer legs dan I has, but I will run you. You run ten mile on land, an’ I will run ten on water.”

So Br. Coutah say to Br. Deer, “You has got longer legs than I has, but I will [out] run you. You run ten mile on land, an’ I will run ten on water.”

So Br. Coutah went and git nine of his fambly, and put one at ebery mile-post, and he himself, what was to run wid Br. Deer, was right in front of de noung lady door, in de broom grass.

So Br. Coutah went and got nine of his family, and put one at every mile-post, and he himself, what was to run with Br. Deer, was right in front of the young lady’s door, in the broom grass.

Dat mornin’ at nine o’clock, Br. Deer meet Br. Coutah at de first mile-post, wha day was to start from. So he call, “Well, Br. Coutah, is you ready? go ’long.” As he git to de next mile-post, he say, “Br. Coutah.” Br. Coutah say, “Hullo!” Br. Deer say, “You dere?” Br. Coutah say, “Yes Brudder, I dere too.”

That mornin’ at nine o’clock, Br. Deer met Br. Coutah at the first mile-post, what they was to start from. So he call, “Well, Br. Coutah, is you ready? go ’long.” As he got to the next mile-post, he say, “Br. Coutah.” Br. Coutah say, “Hullo!” Br. Deer say, “You there?” Br. Coutah say, “Yes Brother, I there too.”

Next mile-post he jump, Br. Deer say, “Hullo, Br. Coutah!” Br. Coutah say, “Hullo Br. Deer, you dere too?” Br. Deer say, “Ki! it look like you gwine for tie me. It look like we going to de gal tie.”

Next mile-post he jump, Br. Deer say, “Hullo, Br. Coutah!” Br. Coutah say, “Hullo Br. Deer, you there too?” Br. Deer say, “Kid! it look like you goin’ tie me. It look like we going to the gal [and] tie.”

When he git to de mile-post, he tought he git dere first, ’cause he mek too jump; so he holler, “Br. Coutuh.” Br. Coutah answer, “You dere too?” Br. Deer say, “Go ’long, Brudder, I git dere in due season time.”

When he got to the mile-post, he thought he get there first, ’cause he got to makin’ jumps; so he holler, “Br. Coutuh.” Br. Coutah answer, “You there too?” Br. Deer say, “Go ’long, Brother, I get there in due season time.”

When Br. Deer come to de ten mile, he did n’t been see Br. Coutah ; so he was bery enjoiced, and went up bery slowly in walking, and saw Br. Coutah in de piazza, had de noung lady hooked hands, walking up and down.

When Br. Deer come to the ten mile [mark], he had’t been seein’ Br. Coutah ; so he was much rejoiced, and went up very slowly in walking, and saw Br. Coutah in the piazza (veranda), had the young lady hooked hands, walking up and down.

So he come to de door, and de lady fader say, “I am bery sorry, but you been let Br. Coutah beat you. You got sich a long leg, and you let Br. Coutah beat you.”

So he come to the door, and the lady father say, “I am very sorry, but you been letin’ Br. Coutah beat you. You got such a long leg, and you let Br. Coutah beat you.”

Br. Coutah wheel round and say, “Good-by, Br. Deer; de next noung lady you court, I hope you will be more fortune to marry. My feet is bery short, but I has decieve many a mankind!”

Br. Coutah wheel round and say, “Goodbye, Br. Deer; the next young lady you court, I hope you will be more fortunate to marry. My feet is very short, but I has decieved many a one!”

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