The Secret of Macarger's Gulch
A man traveling through a mountainous region encounters a mysterious and eerie atmosphere, which seems to be connected to an old legend about a gulch where people have gone missing. He becomes increasingly unsettled and eventually disappears himself, leaving behind only his horse. The story raises questions about the nature of reality and the power of suggestion.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1891 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Adventure · 3,243 words
First lines
Northwestwardly from Indian Hill, about nine miles as the crow flies, is Macarger's Gulch. It is not much of a gulch -- a mere depression between two wooded ridges of inconsiderable height. From its mouth up to its head -- for gulches, like rivers, have an anatomy of their own -- the distance does not exceed two miles, and the width at bottom is at only one place more than a dozen yards; for most of the distance on either side of the little brook which drains it in winter, and goes dry in the early spring, there is no level ground at all; the steep slopes of the hills, covered with an almost impenetrable growth of manzanita and chamisal, are parted by nothing but the width of the water course. No one but an occasional enterprising hunter of the vicinity ever goes into Macarger's Gulch, and five miles away it is unknown, even by name. Within that distance in any direction are far more conspicuous topographical features without names, and one might try in vain to ascertain by local inquiry the origin of the name of this one.
What this Textopian page supports
The Secret of Macarger's Gulch is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1891 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Adventure, Psychological Fiction, Historical Fiction
- Length: 3,243 words
- Structure: 1 section, 37 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Secret of Macarger's Gulch by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Secret of Macarger's Gulch?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Watcher By The Dead by Ambrose Bierce
- The Music Of Erich Zann by H. P. Lovecraft
- My Aunt Margarets Adventure by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
- The Haunted Valley by Ambrose Bierce
- Squire Tobys Will by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
- One Summer Night by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The story features elements of horror, supernatural occurrences, and a sense of dread, typical of Gothic literature.
- Mystery — The narrative revolves around an unsolved crime and the investigation of a mysterious death, creating a suspenseful atmosphere.
- Adventure — The protagonist's journey into the remote and wild setting of Macarger's Gulch embodies themes of exploration and survival.
- Psychological Fiction — The internal conflict and psychological tension experienced by the protagonist reflect deep emotional and mental struggles.
Tags
Supernatural Fiction · Mystery · Short Story · Horror · Psychological Thriller · Gothic Fiction · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Dark Fantasy · Paranormal Activity · Unreliable Narrator · Atmospheric Setting