After dancing, I think the next favourite pastime of the negroes, particularly among the younger ones, is to collect together upon a fine moonlight night, and talk “Nancy stories,” (which, as before remarked, generally consist of tales of _diablerie_,) and the far-famed “Scheherazade” of the “Arabian Nights” could scarcely invent more marvellous ones. Some tell of a wondrous bird, (equalling in magnitude Sinbad’s roc,[31]) which in other days appeared, and completely covered Antigua for some time, obliging the good people to “light candle all de day, so dat dey neber no when night come self;” others tell of men turning into monkeys, (no uncommon thing now-a-days;) some of demons, and their deeds; and others, again, of golden houses, and streets of silver, flying dragons, and talking birds. These “Nancy stories” are generally given in a species of recitativo; but the conclusion to them all is the same—“I was dere, an see it well done, and I get a glass of wine for me pains!” The relater of these tales is held in great repute, and to obtain instruction in the art, many a little negro will give their dinners, and go hungry to-bed. The negroes are indefatigable talkers, at all times, and in all seasons. Whether in joy or grief, they ever find full employment for that little member, the tongue. If none of their acquaintance are near at hand to enter into conversation with, they talk to themselves, maintaining different characters, and answering their own questions. I have often thought two persons were conversing, but upon inquiry, have found it to be only one. One peculiarity of expression among the negroes is, that if you have to find fault with them, and you express your dislike of what they have been doing in the mildest terms, they immediately say you have been _cursing_ them. When speaking, their tongues are very vociferous, and prove extremely disagreeable to a stranger. Upon my first arrival in this island, I was one day seated in a back apartment, and wandering with Milton through the blissful shades of Paradise, when I was aroused by hearing one of our domestics speaking in a most clamorous manner. I bore it patiently for some time, until finding it appeared to have no _terminus_, I exclaimed—“My good Sarah, I should feel particularly obliged if you would not speak _quite_ so loud.” How was I surprised, a few moments after, to hear the same servant calling, in a still louder tone, to one of her companions—“Sissy, (_Ang._, sister,) war for you ’peak so loud? Me ’bleive you no hear how missis _curse_ me just now for doing dat ’ting!”