re, to be sure! Many and many's the
times I see my old grand-daddy kick and cuff Cousin Wildcat. If you want
some fun, Br'er Fox, now's the time."

Br'er Fox he up and axed how he's going to have any fun.

Br'er Rabbit he say: "Easy enough. Just go and tackle old Cousin
Wildcat, and lam him round."

Br'er Fox he sorter scratch his ear, and say: "Eh, eh, Br'er Rabbit, I'm
'fraid. His track too much like Mr. Dog."

Br'er Rabbit he sat flat down in the road, and holler, and laugh. "Shoo,
Br'er Fox!" says he, "who'd ha' thought you so skeery? Just come and
look at these here tracks. Is there any sign of claw anywheres?"

Br'er Fox was obliged to agree that there weren't no sign of claw. Br'er
Rabbit say: "Well, then, if he ain't got no claw, how's he going to hurt
you, Br'er Fox?"

Br'er Fox took another good look at the track, and then he and Br'er
Rabbit put out to follow it up.

They kept on and on, till by-and-by they ran up with the creature. Br'er
Rabbit he holler out mighty biggity: "Hallo, there! what you doing?"

The creature look round, but he ain't saying nothing. Br'er Rabbit say:
"Oh, you needn't look so sulky! We'll make you talk before we've done
with you! Come, now, what you doing there?"

The creature rub hisself against a tree just as you see these here house
cats rub against a chair, but he ain't saying nothing. Br'er Rabbit
holler: "What you come bothering us for when we ain't been bothering
you? You thinks I don't know who you is, but I does. I'll let you know I
got a better man here than what my grand-daddy been, and I'll be bound
he'll make you talk."

The creature leaned harder against the tree, and sort of ruffled up his
bristles, but he ain't saying nothing. Br'er Rabbit he say: "Go up,
Br'er Fox, and if he refuse to speak, slap him down. That's the way my
grand-daddy did. If he dares to run, I'll just whirl in and catch him."

Br'er Fox he look sort of dubious, but he start toward the creature. Old
Cousin Wildcat walk all round the tree rubbing hisself, but he ain't
saying nothing. Br'er Fox he went up a little nigher. Cousin Wildcat
stop rubbing on the tree, and sat upon his behind legs with his front
paws in the air, and balances hisself by leaning against the tree, but
he ain't saying nothing.

Br'er Rabbit he squall out: "Oh, you needn't put up your hands, and try
and beg off. That's the way you fooled my old grand-daddy; but you can't
fool me. All your sitting up and begging ain