The Tales of Uncle Remus / Сказки дядюшки Римуса. Книга для чтения на английском языке

Brer Fox blamed Brer Dog for spreading the news through the community, and ever since that day, the Dog and the Fox haven’t gotten along with each other.

“Hold ’im Down, Brer Fox”

Brer Fox couldn’t prove it, but he knew Brer Rabbit had warned Sister Goose he was coming, and he made up his mind to get even[17 - made up his mind to get even – (разг.) решил поквитаться]. Brer Rabbit got word about what Brer Fox was thinking on, so he stayed away from his regular habitats for a while.

On this particular day he was somewhere up around Lost Forty and saw a great big Horse laying dead out in a pasture. Or he thought it was dead until he saw the Horse’s tail switch.

Brer Rabbit went on his way, but who should he see coming toward him but Brer Fox!

“Brer Fox! Brer Fox! Come here! Quick! I got some good news! Come here!”

Brer Fox didn’t care what kind of good news Brer Rabbit had. The good news was that he had found that rabbit! Just as Brer Fox got in grabbing distance, Brer Rabbit said:

“Come on, Brer Fox! I done found how we can have enough fresh meat to last us until the middle of next Septerrary.

”

Brer Fox, being a prudent man, thought he should check this out. “What you talking about, Brer Rabbit?”

“I just found a Horse laying on the ground where we can catch him and tie him up.”

Sounded good to Brer Fox. “Let’s go!”

Brer Rabbit led him over to the pasture, and sho’ nuf, there was the Horse laying on the ground like he was waiting for them.

Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox got to talking about how to tie him up. They argued back and forth for a while[18 - argued back and forth for a while – (разг.) спорили, препирались какое-то время] until finally Brer Rabbit said:

“Listen. I tell you the way we do it. I’ll tie you to his tail and when he tries to get up, you can hold him down. If I was a big strong man like you, I’d do it, and you know, if I was to hold him, he would be held.

But I ain’t got your strength. Of course, if you scared to do it, then I reckon we got to come up with another plan[19 - to come up with another plan – (разг.) придумать что-нибудь другое].”

There was something about the plan that Brer Fox didn’t like, but he couldn’t think of what it was. Not wanting Brer Rabbit to think he wasn’t strong and brave, he said O.K.

Brer Rabbit tied him to the Horse’s tail.