Notes

Here is another story founded on Ali Baba, which differs considerably from the previous one of "Blackbird and Woss-woss." The chief peculiarity of this version is that the entrapping through forgetfulness of the password is altogether lost.

Hard time. This refers to the months of June and July when provisions are scarce. The old yams are done and the new ones are not in yet. Subsistence has to be eked out with a few sweet potatoes and the mangoes, which are abundant in these months, and go on till the October rains bring back a season of plenty.

so he go, as he goes.

piecen, a nice word. They use it also in speaking of the patching of old clothes.

lash him whip, crack his whip as a signal.

strongy yeye, covetousness. To give the pronunciation a y has to be tacked on to strong.

him one, he alone.

The exact application of the song is doubtful. The end is pretty clear, meaning:—all the good things are not for you alone, Tacoma. It will be observed in this and some other stories that Jack Mantora, etc., is omitted. That is because they have no tragic termination.