Chapter X: Part I: Annancy Stories (4)

=trash=, the fibre. Trash is any kind of refuse, such as shells of peas, husks of maize, the remains of Cassada after the starch is washed out, withered banana leaves, the outside pulp which encloses the coffee beans, etc., etc.

=ya= sometimes means _here_, sometimes _do you hear?_

=rope=, pronounced ro-up. So gate becomes ge-ut (French _e_), goat, go-ut (Italian _o_), much as in some provincial districts in England.

=a da come=, I am coming.

=carry=, lead.

=as much=, as much as you like.

=a fun me a make=, I was pretending. A man is said to make fun when he is only pretending to work, what schoolboys call "sugaring."

=hasty=, haste, _i.e._ your hurrying away.

=hungry kill me= is a common expression meaning "I am very hungry." Here _hasty_ is substituted for _hungry_. Your hasting away will leave me without food, and hunger will kill me.

XXXVI. LEAH AND TIGER.

There was a man an' his wife got one daughter, only the one picny they got. An' many a people come for her to courten to her, an' she refuse, an' she would stay a world without marry.

An' the father said to the wife:--"Them people usual trouble me with my own daughter; we must do something to get her out of them sight."

An' the both of them agree to make up a very big house in the wood to lef' the daughter there where nobody wouldn' see him.

An' the father said to the wife:--"When the house done you mus' carry him breakfas' every twelve o'clock an' dinner at four."

An mumma say:--"Yes, me dear, I think so better."

An' they take Leah an' walk with her all night an' lodge her into the house before daylight.

An' at the meantime Leah got a very valuable ring on one of her finger, a very pretty young woman too, though me never see him.

Mumma tell him that when him going to bed he must always say him prayers. An' she tell her that, when she re'ch the hillside she sing the song, she must know a him honey a come. An' this the song:--

[Music:

Leah! Leah! tingaling,
You no yerry you honey, tingaling?
Honey de a door, tingaling,
Sugar de a door, tingaling.]

An' this time Tiger was under the house hear all the bargain.

An' Tiger lie down very 'teady. (Some days to come he must get meat fe eat a this bush.)

Then mumma go away, next day come back with him daughter breakfas', an' 'tart the tune from hillside to the spot of place where the house is. An' the door was double double double latch. An' the tune 'tarted.

An' the gal open the door an' mumma come in give her her breakfast, an' make very much of each others, an' eat done an' tell goodbye.

When the mumma gone Tiger creep out of the house with a great rolling of voice, can't 'tan' him heel. He go down to see Brother Blacksmit' if he would do a kind favour for him.

An' Brother Blacksmit' say:--"What sort of favour I can do for you?"

An' Tiger say him see a very nice meat a bush, him want go eat it then, so me want sweet voice fe sing like a him mumma.

Then Brother Blacksmit' put the iron a fire, make him red hot, so tell him open him mout'. Blacksmit' poke ahm down his t'roat, heap of smoke come out a him 'tomach.

When him finish he tell him mus' sing make him hear.

So Tiger sing, an' true him voice sound so good.

Then Blacksmit' say:--"Min' mustn' eat no duckanoo nor guava by the way, else you voice turn rough again."

Tiger gone making his way fe go eat the gal fe meat. He was very hard on his journey going on. As he get halfway he see guava an' duckanoo, an' being him so thirsty he say:--"Make me nyam ahm, nothing goin' to do me voice."

He nyam until he unrestful an' come his voice after was like groun' t'under.

"Well," he say, "never min'; by the time me re'ch up me voice will come good."

So he lay down under the floor waiting for twelve o'clock when the mother usual come.

An' when it nearly come 'pon twelve Tiger creep out under the floor commence to sing:--

[Music: E2]

Leah! Leah! tingaling,
You no yerry you honey, tingaling?
You sugar de a door, tingaling,
You honey de a door, tingaling.

An' Leah say:--"He! He! it is not my mother dat."

An' Tiger shame, gone under the house back, voice too coarse.

Presently his mother is up, sing with a very sweet voice:--

Leah! Leah! tingaling,
You no yerry you honey, tingaling?
Honey de a door, tingaling,
Sugar de a door, tingaling.

An' the door open, an' she go in give her daughter him breakfas'.

An' her daughter hug her up an' kiss her, an' he commence to tell her mother that him hear a great rolling like groun' shaking while ago outside, an' it make her frighten to deat'. She tell her mumma she would like to go home with her back.

The mother refuse from do so, an' lef' an gone home, tell the father what happen with Leah in the bush.

An' puppa say:--"What make you lef' me daughter a bush? Go back for him to-night."

Mamma say:--"No danger wi' me daughter, me wi' carry him dinner four o'clock, lef' him come back."

Next day Tiger 'tart to Blacksmit' fe run iron down him t'roat back. Blacksmit' get vex, tell him he going to lick him down with the iron, for his ears hard.

Tiger said:--"Do Bro'er Blacksmit', me yerry all whe you tell me this time."

An' Blacksmit' put the iron two hour a fire an' shub him down Tiger t'roat. Tiger can't take him ground, iron too hot.

When he done with him he tell him to sing make him hear, an' beg him anything that him see in the way must make him yeye pass it.

An' Tiger say:--"Yes, so me going do."

Him shut him yeye now, take the whole a road for himself, say:--"Me boy never would a nyam nothing more a pass: sweet, sweet meat like a that so a bush me could a lef' ahm so?"

He was very hurry to the house, an' just before twelve o'clock he commence to sing, an' this time his voice sound well.

Leah open the door, t'ought it was her mother, an' Tiger jump right in an' eat the whole of Leah, lef' one finger with the ring.

Him eat done, half shut the door an' go back a him bed under the house.

Leah mumma come fe sing now:--

Leah! Leah! tingaling,
Yo no yerry you honey, tingaling?
You sugar de a door, tingaling,
You honey de a door, tingaling.

An' nobody answer her.

She sing two time more: nobody answer.

An' she shub the door an' go inside to find only one finger of her daughter.

An' him put him hand on him head, bahl, then go home to him husband, tell him husband him daughter dead, something eat every bit.

Him say:--"Me no min tell you fe bring home me daughter: you will have fe find ahm gi' me. Then if you know whe good fe you just bring him go," catch up one big junka 'tick an' lick down the wife.

An' after the wife dead the man take to heart an' dead.

That make you see woman ears hard up to to-day. They want mus' man fe carry them anywhere they told fe go. A him make them something a happen a this world up to to-day day.

_Jack Mantora me no choose none._

NOTES.

=usual=, are wont.

=when she re'ch=, when she (the mother) reaches the hillside and she sings the song, she (the girl) will know that his (her) honey has come.

=tingaling.= Some tellers of this story have it =tindalinda=.

='teady=, steady, with a peculiar vowel like a dull French _eu_.

=him daughter breakfas'=, came back with her daughter's breakfast and began to sing when she reached the hillside overlooking the house, and went on singing till she got to the house.

=An' the tune 'tarted.= The reciter sings it here.

=out of the house=, out from under the house. See note to "Yung-kyum-pyung."

=rolling=, roaring.

=can't 'tan' him heel=, can't stand on his heel. See, further on, =can't take him ground=. Both mean that Tiger cannot stand still.

=a bush=, in the bush.

=ahm=, him, it.

=true him voice=, really his voice sounds very well. Only, =true= means what it says, =truly=, and does not imply the reservation at which it _really_ hints. Tiger's voice did sound very well.

=duckanoo=, a kind of mango.

=going to do=; eating the fruit is not going to do my voice any harm.

=until he unrestful.= He ate too much.

=groun' t'under=, ground thunder. It is often difficult to distinguish between distant thunder and an earthquake.

Tiger growls on a low note, and says the words very fast.

=He! He!= French e as in whe and de.

=groun'shaking=, earthquake.

=from do so=, refuses to do what she asks.

=down him t'roat back=, down his throat again.

Blacksmith was vexed because Tiger had eaten fruit on the previous occasion. His ears had been hard, _i.e._ he had acted against orders.

=make him yeye pass it=, let his eye run over it without desiring to eat it.

=take the whole a road=, staggering along, first to one side and then to the other.

=a pass=, in the path, on the journey.

=put him hand on him head=, an expressive action indicating horror and bewilderment.

=bahl=, bawl, cry out.

=me no min tell=, me no been tell, didn't I tell you?

=you will have fe find ahm gi' me=; when anything is lost, they say:--You will have to find it and give it to me.

=a him, etc.=, it is that (their ears being so hard) that makes this sort of thing happen.

XXXVII. TIMMOLIMMO.

Once there was a Bull live in a pastur'. He make a law that every young Cow born, if it is a Bull, they must kill it. So the Cow them hear what the master said. The Bull name was Timmolimmo.

So one day one of the Cow have baby an' find out that this child was a boy. She take him an' go to a deep bush an' hide her child in a stone-hole, an' feed him till him was growing an' begun to talk.

The place where the mother was taking water when she was at the pastur' was a mile from the hiding hole, an' she has nowhere to take water but there.

So every day she go an' fetch water to her son.

One day when the boy was six months old she carry him to the place where she taking water, an' hide till the master come drink an' gone. Then she give her son water, and after she take him home back.

An' when another six month come she take him back to the place an' show him the father footprint, an' commence to tell the son why him have to hide in the bush is because the father would kill you if he see you.

The boy said to his mother:--"A so all right, when me come big man I going to go an' have a fight with him."

The mumma say:--"No, me son, nobody can't fight him."

So the mother take the boy home back till another six months when the boy catch a year an' a half.

Then they go again an' the boy ask if he no can fight.

The mother say:--"Come, make me measure you foot."

When he go put his foot in his father footprint it was about two inch short.

He go home.

After six month more he come back, he alone, measure his foot in his father one. It want half inch to catch.

Him gone home back for six more month.

So one day him get up, tell his mumma that I am going to fight me puppa.

The mother say "No," but him rist an' go.

When him go to the place he measure his foot. It was one inch wider.

Him say:--"I am going fe the battle."

Him come back, tell his mumma that him going to fight puppa. So him go on till him get where his father can hear him, an' sing out:--

[Music:

Timmolimmo, man dere,
Timmolimmo, man dere,
Come down make we battle, man dere.]

One of the Cow call say:--"Master, Master, I hear some one calling your name."

"No, no, not a man can call my name."

The son give out again:--

"Timmolimmo, man dere,
Timmolimmo, man dere,
Come down, make we battle,
Man dere."

Timmolimmo yerry.

Him make one jump, him jump half mile.

The son make one, him go one mile.

So they meet at a cross-pass.

As the father come him lift the son with his horn, send him half mile in the air.

The son drop on his four leg.

The son lift the puppa, send him three quarter mile.

As him drop, one foot gone.

The puppa stand on the t'ree foot send the son up again in the air.

The son drop on four foot.

The son send him up again, him come down on two.

Him stand on the two, send the son.

Him come down on four.

The son send him up again, an' him come down on one.

The puppa stand on the one foot an' send the son, an' the son come down on four.

An' the son send him up, an' him come down on him side an' broke him neck.

The son go home to his mother an' tell him that he has gain the battle, so they must come go in the pastur' an' him reign.

From that two Bull never 'gree in one pastur'.

_Jack Mantora me no choose none._

NOTES.

=rist=, risks it.

=dere=, pronounced day-er, the French vowel quite abandoned.

=cross-pass=, cross-path.

=foot=, leg.

XXXVIII. CALCUTTA MONKEY AND ANNANCY.

One day Calcutta Monkey work a very large field of corn, an' when the corn commence to ripe Monkey beguns to miss the corn, an' him couldn' find out who was tiefing the corn, an' the robbing continually going on.

Till one day Monkey went to Annancy yard an' suspish upon Annancy. An' Annancy get very short an' ready to fight Calcutta Monkey.

An' Monkey say to Annancy he won't fight him but he will soon know who is tiefing the corn.

An' same time Annancy say to Monkey:--"I bet it is that big-voice Mr. Tiger."

An' Monkey say he won't judge no one again but will find out.

An' him went home back to his yard an' cut his card. An' when he cut the card he sees no man on the card but Mr. Annancy, an' Monkey think it very hard to himself that Annancy wouldn' own it.

An' the next day he went to the ground an' he find the robbing was going on. An' he met Annancy on the road an' he said to Annancy he well know who tiefing the corn.

An' Monkey send a challis to Annancy an' tell him that if him cut the card again an' find him in the card he going to give him a terrible flogging.

An' when Annancy hear about the flogging he get a little frighten, an' him stop off the robbing for about two days. The day to make t'ree Annancy couldn' bear no longer an' he beguns again to tief the corn.

An' Monkey made up a drum an' got a hunting-whip.

An' next day when Monkey go back to the ground an' find the corn tiefing he goes home to his yard, an' take up his drum an' his hunting-whip an' start looking for Annancy.

An' when he going he beguns to knock the drum ribbim-bim-bim, "Annancy no dere," ribbim-bim-bim, "Annancy no dere."

An' that time Annancy went an' climb a cullabunka tree.

Annancy hide himself in the heart, an' as Monkey get to the tree he sound the drum say:--ribbim-bim-bim, "Annancy dere."

An' he put down the drum an' wrap the whip round his neck an' climb the tree an' give Annancy a good flogging, an' Annancy run off the tree an' say that he won't do it again.

Till a few days after Annancy broke in the corn-piece again, begun to tief the corn like witch.

An' Monkey go into the ground an' see the tiefing. An' he went home an' look over his card.

He sees no one again but Mr. Annancy, an' he took up his drum an' his whip to look for Annancy again to flog him.

An' this time Tiger have a very large banana-walk.

Annancy wented there an' look for one very large bunch of banana an' go in the heart of the bunch an' hide himself.

An' as Monkey 'tart playing the drum again he get to the banana-walk. An' as he get to the spot he sound the drum say:--ribbim-bim-bim, "Annancy here."

But this time Monkey an' Tiger can't agree, an' this banana is for Tiger.

Monkey has to leave Annancy an' goes home back.

An' Tacoma says to Monkey, if him want to catch Mr. Annancy he can catch him for him. An' Monkey was very glad.

An' Tacoma made a dance an' send an' invite Mr. Annancy.

An' when Annancy come to the gate Annancy mind tell him that Calcutta Monkey is there, an' he only 'tand to the gate an' wave his hand to the ladies inside, say:--"Good evening, ladies all"; an' he turn right back an' go in the banana heart an' take it for his own dwelling.

An' from that day Annancy live in banana bunch up to now.

_Jack Mantora me no choose any._

NOTES.

=suspish upon=, suspect. They also use =suspish= alone, a delightful word.

=cut his card.= Monkey is clearly an Obeah-man, a dealer in the black art.

=ribbim-bim-bim, etc.=, half sung, with strong even rhythm.

=cullabunka=, a kind of Palm.

=banana-walk=, technical name for a banana plantation.

=is for Tiger=, belongs to Tiger.

XXXIX. OPEN SESAME.

One day there was a very hard time, an' Annancy an' his family was dying for hungry.

An' there was a regiment of soldier find out a silver mine.

An' when they find it out they made a very large house.

An' they move the money an' put it in the house, an' when they are moving it they t'ought that nobody see them.

What that smart fellah Mr. Tacoma does.

He hide himself on a tree, seeing them when they passing with the money.

An' when they reach to the house, the house work with no key, an' they has a certain word to use when they want the door to open. They say "Open Sesame."

An' they go in an' t'row in the money, an' when they coming out of the house they say "Shut Sesame," and the door lock.

An' Tacoma hear what they say.

An' he go home an' harness up his cart with his mule an' drive to the house.

An' when he go him use the same word an' the door open. An' he go in an' load the cart, an' when he load done he drive home.

When he come home he want to measure the money an' he couldn' get no quart pot, an' he sent to his neighbour Mr. Annancy an' borrow his quart pot.

An' continually so he go an' come back, him still borrowing Annancy quart pot.

An' Annancy think it very hard, say:--"Somet'ing Bro'er Tacoma is measuring." An' Annancy want to know what it is.

A second day when Tacoma sent for the quart pot again Annancy 'tudy a plan.

When Tacoma come him give it to him, an' as Tacoma reach his yard don't begin measure yet, Annancy tell one of his picny that they must go a Bro'er Tacoma yard an' tell him that him really want the quart pot, must make haste make haste send it at once.

An' when the picny go he tell him must look an' see what Bro'er Tacoma measuring. An' he couldn' find out.

An' a third day him sent to the shop an' buy penny halfpenny white flour, an' when him gone home he make it to paste an' piecen the quart pot bottom inside, an' said to himself:--"Anyt'ing Bro'er Tacoma measure, whether fe rice or gungo or flour, or either money, one must fasten in the flour."

An' when Tacoma come back he sent for the quart pot.

An' when Tacoma measure done he send it back. An' as he send it a very large two an' sixpence piece fasten in the flour.

An' Annancy say:--"T'ank God I find out what Bro'er Tacoma doing with my quart pot."

An' same time he goes to Tacoma yard an' begins to cry upon Tacoma that Bro'er Tacoma must carry him an' show him where he get the money.

Tacoma didn' agree.

Annancy cry an' cry till him tell him that he must get a cart an' a mule to-morrow evening, an' when him passing he will call to him.

An' Annancy couldn' wait, an' him harness up his cart from morning an' watching out for Brother Tacoma.

An' he watch an' watch till Tacoma come.

When Tacoma was coming he lash him whip, an' as he lash, Annancy lash his own too.

An' they started.

An' when they get to the house Tacoma say "Open Sesame," an' the door open.

An' they run the cart up to the door mout' an' load it, an' they come out an' drive home.

An' by the time Tacoma get home to his yard Annancy t'row out his money an' turn back again.

An' when he go he use the same very word an' the door open.

Annancy load his cart an' when him coming home he meet Tacoma on the road an' through his strongy yeye an' his ungratefulness he want to shoot Tacoma cart a gully an' to kill his mule, that him one may be the master of the bank.

An' Annancy made a sing when he is coming home:--

[Music:

Right t'rough, right t'rough de rocky road,
oh Charley Marley call you,
Mid a rock, mid a rock, mid a rock, me Charley,
Charley Marley call you;
Oh de han'some gal are no fe you one;
Oh Charley Marley call you.]

NOTES.

Here is another story founded on Ali Baba, which differs considerably from the previous one of "Blackbird and Woss-woss." The chief peculiarity of this version is that the entrapping through forgetfulness of the password is altogether lost.

=Hard time.= This refers to the months of June and July when provisions are scarce. The old yams are done and the new ones are not in yet. Subsistence has to be eked out with a few sweet potatoes and the mangoes, which are abundant in these months, and go on till the October rains bring back a season of plenty.

=so he go=, as he goes.

=piecen=, a nice word. They use it also in speaking of the patching of old clothes.

=lash him whip=, crack his whip as a signal.

=strongy yeye=, covetousness. To give the pronunciation a _y_ has to be tacked on to strong.

=him one=, he alone.

The exact application of the song is doubtful. The end is pretty clear, meaning:--all the good things are not for you alone, Tacoma. It will be observed in this and some other stories that Jack Mantora, etc., is omitted. That is because they have no tragic termination.

XL. SEA-MAHMY.

One day, height a hungry time, Blackbird have a feedin' tree in a sea. An' every day Blackbird go an' feed.

Annancy say unto Blackbird:--"Please, Bro'er Blackbird, please carry me over a you feedin' tree."

Blackbird say unto Annancy:--"Bro'er Annancy, you so cravin' you goin' to eat every bit from me."

He say:--"No, Bro'er Blackbird I won' do it."

Brother Blackbird say unto Annancy:--"A you no have no wing, how you a go?"

Well! Blackbird take out two of him tail feather, 'tick upon Annancy. He pick out two of him wing feather, 'tick upon Annancy. He take two feather out of him back again, 'tick upon Annancy; two feather out of him belly feather, 'tick upon Annancy.

Well! Blackbird an' Annancy fly in a the sea upon the feedin' tree.

Every feedin' Blackbird go fe pick, Annancy say that one a fe him.

Blackbird go upon the next limb, Annancy say a fe him.

Blackbird go upon the t'ird limb, Annancy say a fe him.

Till Annancy eat a good tummy-full.

Annancy drop asleep upon the tree.

Well! Blackbird take time, pick out all the feather back, an' Blackbird fly away.

When Annancy wake out of sleep he say:--"Make me fly."

He can't fly.

He broke a branch off a the tree, t'row in the sea. The branch swim.

Annancy say if the branch swim him will swim, an' he jump off a the tree, drop in the sea an' sink.

An' when he go down a sea bottom he meet Sea-mahmy.

He said to Sea-mahmy:--"Mumma, mother tell me me have a cousin down a sea bottom, ya."

Sea-mahmy say:--"I going to see if me and you are cousin."

Sea-mahmy put a pan of sand in the fire for well hot. When him get hot he take it off a the fire, give to Brother Annancy for drink it off.

Brother Annancy say:--"Cousin Sea-mahmy, it don' hot enough. Put it out a de sun fe make it hot more."

After him put it out a the sun then he say:--"Cousin Sea-mahmy, I think it hot now."

An' Sea-mahmy say:--"Well you must drink it off an' make I see if you an' me are cousin."

An' Annancy do drink it off.

Annancy spend t'ree day down a sea bottom.

Well! the next day Sea-mahmy said to him:--"Whe you going to come out."

Him said:--"Cousin Sea-mahmy, sen' one of you son fe carry me out a lan'."

Sea-mahmy give him one of him son, the name of that son call Trapong.

Well! Trapong an' Annancy travel, make middle in a sea.

Sea-mahmy call:--

[Music:

Trapong, Trapong, fetch back 'tranger man, come back.]

An' Trapong say:--"'Top, Brother Annancy, I think I hear my mother calling me back."

Annancy say:--"No, make way! War de 'pon sea!"

An' Trapong sail with Annancy on him back till they reach shore.

When they go to shore he say:--"Bro'er Trapong, take dis bag weigh me, see whe me weigh."

Trapong lift him up, say:--"Yes, Brother Annancy you heavy."

So Annancy come back out of the bag.

He say:--"Bro'er Trapong, you come in make I weigh you see."

Trapong went into the bag.

He tie Trapong, tie tight.

Trapong say:--"Brother Annancy you a tie me too 'trong."

He say:--"Me no a tie you fe see if you heavy?"

Trapong say to Brother Annancy:--"Me heavy?"

Annancy say:--"You heavy oh! You light oh! You heavy enough fe me wife pot." An' for all the bahl Trapong a bahl he gone back to him house an' Annancy eat him.

_Jack Mantora me no choose none._

NOTES.

=height=, in the height of, at the worst of.

=Sea-mahmy=, Mermaid.

=feedin' tree.= It was a duckanoo mango according to some accounts.

Annancy behaves just as he did with Candlefly and the eggs.

The connecting =wells= of this story, which take the place of the =ands= and =sos= of other narrators are said with a little upward turn of the voice.

=Whe you going.= Whe (what) seems to be doing duty for =how= here.

=Trapong=, tarpon, the famous sporting fish of Florida and Santa Catalina, common also in Jamaica.

=make middle in a sea=, get to the middle of the sea.

=No, make way!= Annancy shouts this out.

The outrageous confidence trick which follows necessitates a Jack Mantora.

XLI. CRAB AND HIS CORN-PIECE.

One day Brother Crab work a lovely field of corn.

An' when the corns beguns to ripe Crab begin to lose the corn, an' he couldn' find out who was tiefing it.

An' he get Annancy to be a watchman for tief.

An' this arrangement make between Annancy. Crab tell him that he will come in the night and see if he is watching. An' Annancy wasn' agree at first.

Him stand for a good time an' study: an when he study he tell Crab yes that he can come.

An' when Crab gone he sent an' call his friend Mr. Tacoma an' tell him that Bro'er Crab leave him here to watch over the corn, an' say that he is going to come back in the night to see if he is watching. An' as Crab being 'fraid of Tacoma Annancy tell him that he must set a watch in the road for Crab an' catch him.

That time Ratta was hearing Annancy bargain which he is making with Tacoma. An' he went home an' tell Crab that he mustn' go to the corn-piece in the night for Tacoma going to catch him.

An' so Crab did hear Ratta.

An' him send an' discharge Annancy.

An' Annancy was very sorry, an' same time he goes to Crab an' he ask Crab what he done.

Crab tell him that he mustn' mind, he must leave the work, he is going to get another man to watch.

An' Annancy did leave, an' Crab give the job to Ratta.

An', as that wicked man Mr. Annancy know that Ratta frighten for Puss, he sent an' tell Puss that he must go in Bro'er Crab corn-piece an' keep a good watch for Ratta an' catch him an' eat him.

An' that time Candlefly was hearing Annancy what he is telling Puss to do Ratta, an' he went an' tell Ratta that he must leave the work, an' if he don't leave it he going to lose his life.

At that time Ratta get very 'fraid an' send an' give up his discharge to Crab.

When Ratta gone Crab couldn' get no one to watch the corn again, an' he consider to himself that he knows two friend very love corn an' the meal likewise.

An' the two friend was Mr. Dog an' Mr. Cock.

An' he sent an' call them an' they did come.

When they come he tell them that he have a piece of corn an' he can't get none, tief is eating out the whole.

An' he says to Dog that him know he is a very good watchman, an' same time Cock say to Crab that him watch as any soldier.

An' Crab was very glad, say:--"You is the two man that I want."

An' they says to Crab that they won't charge no money, but when the corn came in Cock is to get his share of dry corn an' Dog get his share of meal.

An' Cock ask Crab to give him a gun.

An' Crab didn' have a gun, an' he give Cock a flute an' give Dog a drum, an' tell them that anyone catch a tief they must play an' let him hear.

An' Cock tell Crab that he can't sleep on the ground, an' he wants to know if there is any tree in the corn-piece, an' Crab say "Yes."

So Cock an' Dog started.

An' when they go Cock fly upon the tree an' Dog pick up the corn trash which they cut already an' make a very soft bed an' get into it, an' Dog lie down until he fall asleep.

An' Cock sing:--

[Music:

Brether Dog oh!
Brether Dog oh!
Brether Dog asleep oh! Brether Dog oh!
Tief come an' gone oh, Brether Dog oh!
Tief come an' gone oh, Brether Dog oh!]

When the tief come Dog didn' know. An' Cock, as he being a brave soldier, he caught the tief. An' when he catch the tief he start a tune in his flute:--

[Music:

You Mister Crab oh!
You Mister Crab oh!
Da me same one catch de tief oh!
Bengaday.]

An' as Dog being love sleep an' don't watch to the end he lose his reward.

An' Cock by him catch the tief takes the corn.

NOTES.

=arrangement between Annancy=; no misprint. =Between= may stand for =with=, or there may be an ellipsis of the words =and Crab=.

=he mustn' mind.= This is likely to convey a wrong idea. Crab was not trying to soothe his feelings, but was speaking angrily. What he said was:--"Never you mind, etc."

XLII. DRY-GRASS AND FIRE.

One day Brother Dry-grass an' Fire get in confusion.

So Fire tell his frien' Annancy (not knowing that Annancy an' Dry-grass was better friend):--"Brother Annancy I going to burn that fellah Dry-grass to-morrow."

Annancy say:--"When you a go you fe call me a yard. I goin' to make one shell. When we nearly get to the place we blow, make the fellah know that man a come."

During this time Annancy make bargain with Water that any time he hear the shell blow him must come down like rain.

So Fire reach up an' as the shell blow he see rain coming down.

So Fire has to go home.

Water tell him say that Annancy tell him that you are going to fight Dry-grass, so I must come an' help to see if we can manage you.

Fire say:--"A so! That fellah Annancy I going at his yard."

So Fire walk at Annancy yard an' tell him:--"Brother Annancy I going to come an' see you next week."

Annancy say:--"Yes, Bro'er Fire, with all pleasure."

Fire tell him that he must put all his clothes a door to make him find out the yard for I don't want to lost the way.

So Fire gone.

Annancy wife said:--"Me husband, send go stop Fire from come a you place."

Annancy say:--"No, me wife, a me best frien' so him have free come."

Just before the time Fire was appoint to come, Annancy go to Brother Tiger, an' as him walk into the house he saw some clothes.

An' he pick up the clothes an' say:--"See, Bro'er Tiger, how you clothes damp, you must have fe put dem a sun."

So Tiger hang out all his clothes on a line before the door mout'.

An' presently Fire was coming like a lion bringing Breeze with him.

When Fire see all the clothes he say to Breeze:--"See that fellah Annancy yard."

So Breeze blow harder an' come with a speed. An' Fire make a jump till he nearly got to the yard.

Tiger hear the speed Fire was coming, call to him:--"Turn back, you red-face fellah, me no want you company."

Fire was coming down more and more.

Tiger bawl fe Fire a stop, but Fire coming for the better.

So Fire get in the yard an' burn all Tiger clothes an' house, an' turn right home back.

Annancy laugh, an' sing:--

[Music:

Me wife say me no fe invite Fire,
Brether Fire bring Breeze oh!
Fire de 'pon lan' Fire,
Fire de 'pon lan' Fire.
He burn up all Tiger yard, ha ha!
Brether Fire an' Breeze oh!
Fire de 'pon lan' Fire,
Fire de 'pon lan' Fire.]

_Jack Mantora me no choose any._

NOTE.

The shell looks like a very small cowhorn and gives a similar sound when blown. It is used as a signal for a variety of purposes. It summons to work and marks the hour of release. When a train of mules is nearing a sharp turn in the road, the head muleman blows a fanfare to give warning of his approach. The shell is in fact to the mule-track what the whistle is to the railroad. Imitation shells are sometimes made of bamboo. It was perhaps one of these that Annancy made.

XLIII. JOHN CROW.

One day there was a lady who have but only one daughter, an' Mr. Tacoma hear about the gal an' he went to court the gal.

An' when Tacoma go the gal wouldn' receive Tacoma.

An' the mother was really vex.

As the mother being a old lady, when Tacoma going Tacoma carry a brass mortar to made it a present to the old lady to beat her fee-fee. An' when the old lady see the brass mortar he really want the mortar.

But Tacoma said to her if him don't get the gal he not going to leave the mortar.

An' the gal 'treat away himself inside the room an' hide.

An' Tacoma feel very sorry an' he return home back.

When he goes home he tell Annancy about the gal, an' Annancy get a concentina he going to carry down make a present to the gal.

An' Annancy say if the gal can only take the concentina from him the gal must be his wife.

An' when Annancy go down Annancy was playing.

The gal wouldn' receive Annancy in.

An' when the mumma hear, the music was so sweet she commence to dance; an' said to the daughter, this is the son-in-law him want, for he can get him own dance any time him ready.

Not for all Mr. Annancy playing the gal wouldn' receive Annancy, until Annancy has to go home back.

When that ugly fellah Mr. John Crow hear it he study between himself an' get a carriage with his pair of horses an' his coachman, an' the carpet in the carriage was a gold carpet.

An' John Crow said between himself when him put on him watch an' chain an' his coat an' shoes, if him don't bring that gal home believe him no Mr. Goldman.

An' John Crow drive away.

An' when him get to a distant to a look-out, the gal was at his window sitting down, an' as him look, him see Mr. Goldman was driving coming.

An' him holloa to him mumma:--"Mumma, mumma, my dear love is coming."

An' as John Crow reach the yard the gal was out an' sling Mr. Goldman out the carriage an' escort him right into the house.

An' after John Crow introduce himself to the gal that his name is Mr. Goldman.

An' when John Crow tell the gal so, the gal have a old-witch brother an' says to his sister that that man is John Crow.

An' the gal get vex an' say:--"Oh no, don't use a word like that; it is my dear Mr. Goldman."

An' when the mumma come the gal introduce him to Mr. Goldman, an' tell him that his dear love just come now.

An' Mr. Goldman fix a time when to come back an' get married, and the mother was agree, an' the gal was very glad too.

An', when they settle that, John Crow drive back to his yard.

An' when he is coming back the next night he brought a old-witch boy with him an' hide him half part of the road near the yard, an' tell him that as he see day clearing, he must call him that he may got home before day clear.

An' he reach the yard an' spend the night in a very joyful dance.

So it getting near day an' the boy sing:--

[Music:

Mister Goldman oh!
Goldman oh!
Day da clean oh!]

An' when the boy sing out the people them inside the house hear.

An' when they hear they say:--"Stop! Stop! Stop! some one is calling Mr. Goldman."

An' the dance so sweet Mr. Goldman he wouldn' stop to listen. He only says:--"Oh don't listen to that foolish boy." An' when him use the word him one in the ring wheeling all the gal them.

An' that time him hear a sing:--

[Music:

Poor mirrybimbim ribbimbybimbim,
Goldman a wheel him gal,
Goldman a wheel dem.]

An' when him wheel all the gal him look outside the door an' see that day catch him; so him cry excuse an' went up'tairs.

An' when he go up he take a piece of meat an' look for a broken sash an' 'queeze himself t'rough.

An' as him go t'rough, the sash 'crape off the whole of him back head, an' from that day every John Crow born with a peel head.

_Jack Mantora me no choose none._

NOTES.

=fee-fee=, food.

='treat away himself=, retreats, retires.

=concentina=, always with this =n=.

=him ready=, she is ready for it, wants it.

=a look-out=, a place visible from the house.

=sling=, hand, with a notion of vigorous action.

=an' says=, who says.

=a word=, often a sentence of several words.

=tell him=, tell her mother.

=sweet=, pleased.

=when him use the word=, as he said this.

=excuse=, to be excused; pronounce the =s= like =z=.

John Crow is the vulture-like scavenger bird of Jamaica, and has a peeled (bald) head.

XLIV. TIGER'S DEATH.

One day Mr. Annancy an' Monkey made a bargain to kill Tiger, an' they didn' know how to make the confusion for Tiger was Monkey godfather.

An' being Monkey have more strength than Annancy, Annancy try to keep close Monkey an' wouldn' leave Monkey company at all by he afraid for Tiger.

Until one day Annancy went to river an' catch some fish, an' send an' call Brother Monkey to come an' help him enjoy the fish.

An' when the breakfast ready, instead of Mr. Monkey come, it was that cravin' man Mr. Tiger who Annancy really hate, an' to every piece of the fish Annancy take up to put in his mouth, Tiger take away every bit an' never cease till him finish the whole.

An' when Mr. Annancy friend who he invite come, there was none of the fish to give him.

An' as Monkey being love fish he began to cuss his godfather Tiger.

An' that time Puss was passing when the confusion occurred.

An' they go on an' go on till Puss laugh. An' as Puss laugh Tiger get worser vex an' begun to cuss Puss, an' Puss said to Monkey:--"Come, make we beat him off to deat'."

An' Monkey wasn' agree to beat his godfather, but Annancy an' Puss force him.

An' Tiger get cross begun to lick, an' the first man him lick was his godson. An' then as him lick him godson Puss catch a fire 'tick, an' Annancy catch up a mortar 'tick, an' they never cease murder Tiger till they kill him.

An' they 'kin Tiger an' just going to share.

An' there comes a singing from the tree:--

[Music:

You long-tail Mister Monkey,
Give me piece of de liver,
a no you one tummy fe full.
A message me bring fe Tiger
say buryin' de a yard;
a whe fe do,
a whe fe do oh!
Tiger dead already.]

An' all the look Monkey an' Annancy look, they never find the person that was singing.

So they salt Tiger.

Then Peafowl come down in the yard say:--"Good evening Mr. Annancy an' Mr. Monkey, I am very hungry. I was on a long journey bring a message to Tiger that him wife dead, but Tiger dead already."

So the whole of them stop an' eat of Tiger.

Peafowl never go back with no answer to report, for Puss an' Monkey an' Annancy give Peafowl gold not to talk that they kill Tiger.

So Peafowl never can be a poor man for he keep the t'ree friend secret.

_Jack Mantora me no choose any._

NOTES.

=confusion=, quarrel, which was to be made the pretext for killing Tiger.

=whe fe do=, what to do? what is to be done? To this question the implied answer is "Nothing." So the phrase means:--"It can't be helped."

XLV. THE OLD LADY AND THE JAR.

A old lady have two son, one name Dory Dunn an' one name Tumpa Toe, an' Tumpa Toe an' Dory Dunn is a hunter-man.

Well, they give them mumma enough things an' say:--"Mumma, I am going a wood, don' interfere with that Jar in my room."

When them gone old lady say:--"I wonder what my son have in that Jar say me no fe touch."

Old lady go an' shub him hand inside in the Jar.

The Jar hold old lady.

Old Lady say:--

[Music:

Tumpa Toe, Lord!
Dory Dunn oh, Lord!]

An' the Jar say:--

[Music:

Mumma longubelo,
tum tullalullalum tum.]

An' the Jar fire him from the room to the hall.

An' when him reach to the hall him say:--

"Tumpa Toe, Lord!
Dory Dunn oh, Lord!"

Jar say:--

"Mumma longubelo
Tum tullalullalum tum."

An' all this time the Jar holding him by the hand an' can't let him go.

An' the Jar t'row him outside a door.

When him get out a door old lady say:--

"Tumpa Toe, Lord!
Dory Dunn oh, Lord!"

Jar say:--

"Mumma longubelo
Tum tullalullalum tum."

Jar hold him 'till.

Jar fire him to seaside now.

An' he got one daughter a seaside.

The daughter say:--

[Music:

Do my Jar,
Do my Jar,
will you save,
will you save my mother life!]

Jar say:--

[Music:

Old lady touch me,
old lady touch me,
you never will see him no more.]

The daughter say:--

[Music:

Do my Jar,
Do my Jar!
I will give you some silver fe save my mother life.]

Jar say:--

[Music:

No, my gal,
No, my gal,
I got silver already;
You never will see him no more.]

The Jar fire him in a sea.

_Jack Mantora me no choose none._

NOTES.

=Tumpa=, stump. A man who has lost his arm is called a tumpa-hand man.

=enough things=, plenty of things to eat.

In these curiously simple tunes, if tunes they can be called, it is most important to mark the time and to pay great attention to the lengths of the notes. To hear them sing, or rather say, "Lord!" is the most laughable thing. The first one begins on a note rather below the =C= of =Toe=, and slides downwards ending with an expiring grunt on a very low note of the voice. The second one is done in the same way, but is, all the way through, a little lower than the first. The point is to let the breath go with the sliding note instead of holding it as in singing.

=longubelo.= The first syllable is pronounced as in English, and the rest of the vowels are Italian, the =e= being rather more narrowed, but never quite reaching to the sound of =bale=.

=tum tullalullalum tum.= Strong accent on the =tull= and clean neatly cut syllables. Italian vowels.

=mumma.= The =u= between Italian =u= and Italian =o=.

=fire him=, throws her. Yet not quite "throws," for the Jar never lets her hand go. =Fire 'tone= is the usual expression for throwing stones. The Jar fires her first from the bedroom to the living-room (hall), next from the hall to the yard, then from the yard to the seaside, and all the time it holds her by the hand.

XLVI. JOHN CROW AND FOWL-HAWK.

One day Fowl-hawk go to John Crow yard an' tell him that him fe come have a walk with me to a country for something promise there to me.

"One day I go out an' in my way I pass a river. As I come to the river I meet Fowl. Him ask me to help him up, an' the baby any time him born I must come for it. Well my dear sir, the baby born; an' when I go, Fowl say him never make a promise with me. Look you, sir, if you see the picny, nice fresh fe we mouth, an' a no the one, but him hab more. So you will get a good bag of fresh, but the country danger home."

John Crow say:--"Me yerry dat place hab bad name, me no want go."

Hawk say:--"You too fool, we a man! we'll get 'way, me son, if them want to catch we. When me go de the first time me go slam in a Fowl yard. Me an' him stay a whole day a quarrel, an' me no dead. Come, me good friend, make we go."

Them start.

Them fly an' fly till them get over the country.

Hawk say:--"Brother John, we get over the place. Look down yonder, look fresh!"

John Crow say:--"Me no go down de."

Hawk say:--"A so! you too fool! Come make we go down little more."

Them go down till them pitch on a tree.

Hawk say:--"Brother, you see them better. I da go sing make them know say me a come."

John Crow say:--"If them yerry you, dem no will kill we!"

"No, all time me go down me an' Fowl a good friend, no mo' the little quarrel we have."

Hawk call out:--"See me ya me da come, me da come to the bargain, me da come, come; twillinky twing ping ya, me da come."

Fowl hear, tell him picny dem fe go hide.

So Dog was a gunner man, an' him an' Fowl a good friend, for Fowl always give him good treatment.

So Fowl go an' tell Dog say:--"Danger! hawk a come fe me daughter, so me a beg you fe come a yard an' shot him fe me when him come."

Dog come, an' him an' Fowl hide.

Hawk said to John Crow:--"Come make we go down."

John Crow say "No."

Hawk say:--"Hungry will burn you back."

John Crow say:--"Me no trust, me wi' wait 'pon God leisure."

Hawk say:--"All time you wait 'pon God fe give you you will never get; no see me a man no wait 'pon no man? Me go look what me know me want, but me if I get anyt'ing I never give you little piece self, you foolish fellow you! I gone."

Hawk start the singing again going down:--"See me ya, me da come, twillinky twing ping ya."

By Hawk get down Dog hit him _bam_.

Hawk dead.

John Crow laugh "Ha ha! let me pull me rusty bosom shirt an' put on me gown an' go down to see what do that fellah."

John Crow go down.

As him get on Fowl-hawk find that him was dead him say:--"Tank God, ha, ha!"

John Crow dig out the two eye and say:--"A this eye the fellah take a see," an' put it in his pocket an' turn on eating.

Dog look, an' say to Fowl:--"You finish with that one, so, sister, any time them come you send an' call me. I can't stop, I am very vex. I send out my son yesterday an' Puss meet him on the road an' beat him an' take 'way the money that I give him to give Brother Monkey. Him tell me son say him have a old grudge fe me an' him can't get to beat me, so him will beat all me picny. So, sister, I ha da go home, will be blue fire when I catch Puss."

When Dog go to Puss yard an' call him, Dog ask Puss for a drink of water an' a piece of fire.

Puss say:--"Go 'way from me gate, I know whe you come about."

Dog say:--"Ah, me man, will be blue fire!"

Puss gate was lock, for Puss have company the day. This company was Rabbit.

Dog say:--"I want to see you."

Puss say:--"Go 'way I tell you, you mout' long like a devil fork."

Dog broke the gate an' go in.

Puss lock up his house, an' stay inside an' cuss Dog till Dog has to go home.

An' Monkey say him will get the money from Puss for them is good friend.

So Dog go home to his yard an' have a hatred for Puss till death.

_Jack Mantora me no choose any._

NOTES.

=help him up=, with his head-load.

=fresh=, fresh meat.

=a no the one, etc.=, he has not only one, he has several.

=danger home=, is very dangerous.

=over the country=, over the place.

=see me ya, etc.=, see me here, I am coming.

=twillingky twing ping ya=, a good imitation of the Hawk's vengeful shriek. Strong accent on the =ya=.

=bam=, French =a=, English =m=, imitating the discharge of the gun.

=what do that fellah=, what has befallen that fellow.

XLVII. FINGER QUASHY.

One day Dog invite four Puss to dinner. They were good friend. One of the Puss name was Tatafelo, one name Finger Quashy, one name Jack-no-me-touch. The last one was Tumpy John because he has no tail.

When them come, all the Puss was in long coat an' burn-pan hat. Dog was in trousies an' shirt.

An' Dog tell them all howdy very friendly, for he didn' know what Finger Quashy doing him.

An' Finger Quashy quite glad fe see how Dog look friendly an' please, an' didn' have no t'ought that him was tiefing fe him pear.

So the whole of them sit down, Dog making a complain to them that, so he get a pear an put it to ripe, by the time he ready for it him don't see none.

An' Finger Quashy was doing it.

An' Finger Quashy jump up tell Dog:--"Mr. Dog, me no tell you all time say you want one watchman? a da' fellow Ratta a tief you pear. Last night me dream say me see you put me fe watchman an' me catch the fellah, so you better put me fe guard you house from that tiefing Mr. Ratta."

Dog was quite agree.

Dog said:--"After dinner I will tell you better."

Quashy said "Yes."

So Dog lef' them gone to get dinner.

By Dog gone, Quashy come out of the house, go into Dog buttery, see two green pear, take them out go hide them.