replied Diddie, as the children drew near the old man, and watched him
cut the long willow branches.

"Uncle Bob," asked Dumps, "what was that you was singin' 'bout the jay
bird?"

"Lor', honey, hit wuz jes 'boutn 'im dyin' wid de hookin'-coff; but yer
better lef' dem jay birds erlone; yer needn' be er wantin' ter hyear
boutn 'em."

"Why, Uncle Bob?"

"Caze, honey, dem jay birds dey cyars news ter de deb'l, dey do; an' yer
better not fool 'long 'em."

"Do they tell him everything?" asked Diddie, in some solicitude.

"Dat dey do! Dey tells 'im e'bything dey see you do wat ain't right; dey
cyars hit right erlong ter de deb'l."

"Uncle Bob," said Dumps, thoughtfully, "s'posin' they wuz some little
girls l-o-n-g _time_ ergo what stole ernuther little girl outn the
winder, an' then run'd erway, an' waded in er ditch, what they Mammy
never would let 'em; efn er jay bird would see 'em, would he tell the
deb'l nuthin' erbout it?"

"Lor', honey, dat 'ud be jes nuts fur 'im; he'd light right out wid it;
an' he wouldn't was'e no time, nuther, he'd be so fyeard he'd furgit
part'n it."