Texian Stomping Grounds Page: 20
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TEXIAN STOMPING GROUNDS
had left their high-water mark on it, affording a clear view,
up to goat-on-hind-legs-height, under the cedars.
One evening about dusk two earnest and harassed Negroes
drove a wagon under Cedar Knoll. In the wagon was their boss,
who had been celebrating for many hours. With him were two
merry friends, singing war songs. They were not so far gone
as their host; in fact, they considered themselves as sitting up
with the corpse. The darkies had had a difficult time. Now, as
they looked up at the knoll and saw some of the white goats
standing on hind legs reaching to lift the high-water mark, they
took them--instantly-for tombstones.
At the moment they were urging the horses along toward
the camp ground.
"Ah didn't know they wus a graveyard in them cedars!" one
exclaimed.
"There ain't no graves in them cedars!" a tight white from
the rear quickly declared. "I been all through 'em."
"Look at them tombstones," the sober Negro insisted.
The man leaned and took a long, hard look. And while he
looked, a dog wandered near, attracted by the unusual scent,
and startled'the goats. "See," the man proudly declared, "them
ain't tombstones. For if they are, they are galloping tombstones.
You are crazy."
The words, "galloping tombstones!" were like exploding a
bomb in the front end of the wagon bed. The darkies took one
look, satisfied themselves that what they saw was what they saw.
Their services there were no longer needed. That was their
instant decision. They put all their troubles behind them by
simply stepping out ahead. On high, they raced the length of
the startled horses, the road being bordered with briars, and with
top hamestrings for footing, sprang into the open road. They
craved to put distance behind them.
This sudden slithering of Negroes along their backs and the
accompanying "Good God Almightyl" in a fervent tone, fright-
ened the horses. They took out after the Negroes at a mad,
plunging run.
At the first cry of, "They are running awayl" the two visitors
fell out over the tail gate. The napping owner merely com-20
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Texian Stomping Grounds (Book)
Collection containing sketches of post-war life in East Texas, including descriptions of early recreations and games, stories about Southern food and cooking, religious anecdotes, Negro folk tales, a first-hand account of a Negro folk play about the life of Christ, and other miscellaneous folklore. The index begins on page 159.
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Dobie, J. Frank (James Frank), 1888-1964. Texian Stomping Grounds, book, 1941; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc67663/m1/28/?rotate=270: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Press.