Jim sings “Buffalo Gals,” while coming up, and on entering Punch hits him a whack of the nose backhanded, and almost breaks it.
Jim. What for you do that? Me nigger! me like de white man. Him did break my nose.
Punch. Humbly beg your pardon, I did not go to help it.
(For as it had been done, you know, it wasn’t likely he could help it after he’d done it—he couldn’t take it away from him again, could he?)
Jim. Me beg you de pardon. (For ye see, sir, he thinks he’s offended Punch.) Nebber mind, Punch, come and sit down, and we’ll hab a song.
Jim Crow prepares to sing.
Punch. Bravo, Jimmy! sing away, my boy—give us a stunner while you’re at it.
Jim sings.
“I’m a roarer on the fiddle,
Down in the ole Virginny;