[47] Point-blank.

[48] In another version of this story current among the negroes the
sweet-gum tree takes the place of the sycamore.

[Illustration: Brother Rabbit gets Provisions]

XXXIX

BRER RABBIT GETS THE PROVISIONS

The next time the little boy called on Uncle Remus a bright fire was
blazing on the hearth. He could see the light shining under the door
before he went into the cabin, and he knew by that sign that the old man
had company. In fact, Daddy Jack had returned and was dozing in his
accustomed corner, Aunt Tempy was sitting bolt upright, nursing her
contempt, and Uncle Remus was making a curious-looking box. None of the
negroes paid any attention to the little boy when he entered, but
somehow he felt that they were waiting for him. After a while Uncle
Remus finished his curious-looking box and laid it upon the floor. Then
he lifted his spectacles from his nose to the top of his head, and
remarked:--

"Now, den, folks, dar she is, en hit's bin so long sence I uv made one
un um dat she make me sweat. Yasser! She did dat. Howsumev', hit ain't
make no diffunce wid me. Promise is a promise, dough you make it in de
dark er de moon. Long time ago, I tuck'n promise one er my passin'
'quaintance dat some er deze lonesome days de ole nigger 'd whirl in en
make 'im a rabbit-trap ef he'd des be so good ez to quit he devilment,
en l'arn he behavishness."

"Is that my rabbit-trap, Uncle Remus?" exclaimed the child. He would
have picked it up for the purpose of examining it, but Uncle Remus waved
him off with a dignified gesture.

"Don't you dast ter tetch dat ar trap, honey, 'kaze ef you does, dat
spiles all. I'll des hatter go ter wuk en make it bran-new, en de Lord
knows I ain't got no time fer ter do dat."

"Well, Uncle Remus, you've had your hands on it."

"Tooby sho' I is--tooby sho' I is! En w'at's mo' dan dat, I bin had my
han's in tar-water."

"I year talk er dat," remarked Aunt Tempy, with an approving nod.

"Yasser! in de nat'al tar-water," continued Uncle Remus. "You put yo'
han' in a pa'tridge nes', en he'll quit dem premises dough he done got
'lev'm dozen aigs in dar. Same wid Rabbit. Dey ain't got sense lak de
ole-time Rabbit, but I let you know dey ain't gwine in no trap whar dey
smell folks' han's--dat dey ain't. Dat w'at make I say w'at I does.
Don't put yo' han' on it; don't tetch it; don't look at it skacely."

The little boy subsided, but he continued to cast longing looks a