University of Virginia Library

Big-knife[7]


Joe Bigknife he's liv'd ova' on a Spring Riva' [8]
He's had ferry at th' Ol' Jim Charley Ford. [9]
Joe, he's tallest one of them Injun Police,
An' if he's sed it somethin' he's mean it eva' word,
Tho' he don' talk it all a time eitha'.

His house it's a jus' 'bout half a mile 'way
From ferry an' the ford, it's by th' hill.
If riva's up, he's at th' house, could seen it comin' team[10];
Comin' otha' way, they holla', an jus' wait until
Joe, he's come took 'em ova' on th' ferry.

It's summa' time, evenin', it's a fella' comin' south,
He's coming down a riva', stop, an' give a shout.
Joe, he's answa' from th' house, but he's kin' a slow,
Man, he's got big hurry, try th' ford, an' ju' pull out, [11]
When Joe, he's comin' down to th' riva'.

Joe sed it: Whiteman, you too hurry. Don' I sed it
I come all a time if you holla'? I mean it what I say.
An' he's pull it out his gun, then sed it 'notha' 'gen: [12]
Now turn it 'roun' you wagon, you go back 'gen otha' way,
It's kin' a deep, but 'spec' you make it anyhow.

"I come ova in a boat, prit' soon, an' brought you back."
'At's what he's it, Joe, an' fella' sed: "How much?"
Joe sed it: Keep it you' money, white man; nex' time
Don' hollered, you don' want a me come cause
Kin' a way, I don't like it that kin'.

Dam' fool, sometimes drowned you wagon, eva'thing,
Tryin' cross a riva, when it's wata' it's too deep.
Now betta' pull it out, you got so hurry.
Betta' drive it on quick, cause mebbe I can't keep
From sayin' somethin' 'fo' you go