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Source: Myths and Tales of the
Southeastern Indians, By John R. Swanton, 1929
Rabbit went to a pond of water where Tie-snake lived and said: "I want
to tell you that Alligator might hurt you."
When Tie-snake came out to him he said: "Alligator said to me, 'If I come
down to his place I will tear him up.'"
Said Tie-snake: "Let him show me."
Then Rabbit went to the pond where Alligator lived and said: "Mr.
Tie-snake says he is going to tear you up."
"Let him show me," said Alligator.
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Then Rabbit arranged to have the two animals pull against each other
to see which was the stronger; so he got a long vine and had Tie-snake
take hold of one end and Alligator of the other.
They pulled against each other for a long time, but neither was able to
get any advantage, so they finally concluded to call it off and become
friends, and stay in the water together, which they have done ever since.
By and by Alligator discovered that Rabbit had deceived him.
One time after this Rabbit came to Alligator and said: "Mr. Alligator, you
say you have never seen Trouble."
"No."
"Well, you go over to that sage grass and lie down in it and you will see
Trouble."
So Alligator went over there and lay down, and Rabbit Went away after
telling him at what time in the day Trouble would come. Then Rabbit went
off and set fire to the grass until he had Alligator entirely surrounded
by it.
By and by the fire came to Alligator, who ran back and forth but was badly
burned.
On account of this trick he put hounds on the trail of Rabbit, who finally
took refuge in a hollow tree in which Alligator shut him up tight. Then he
went away to get an ax, leaving Owl on guard.
After Alligator had gone Rabbit said: "What are you doing_"
"I am on guard."
"Oh, I thought you and I were friends. Do you use tobacco_"
"Yes, but I have none."
Then Rabbit offered Owl some tobacco, but, when Owl came to get it, Rabbit
squirted tobacco juice into his eyes and ran away, and Alligator never did
get him.
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