The Scalp Hunter by Robert E. Howard

Name: The Scalp Hunter
Author: Robert E. Howard

The story follows the adventures of a young man named Steve Costigan, a sailor who has been discharged from the Navy and is now looking for a new life in the American West. He soon finds himself in the middle of a feud between two powerful families, the Costigans and the O'Briens. Steve is determined to protect his family's honor and prove himself a man, so he sets out to hunt down the O'Briens' leader, the notorious scalp hunter, Red Jim O'Brien. Along the way, he meets a variety of colorful characters, including a mysterious Indian girl, a grizzled old prospector, and a ruthless outlaw. As Steve's quest for revenge takes him further into the wilds of the West, he discovers that the O'Briens are not the only ones with a score to settle. He soon finds himself in a fight for his life against a variety of enemies, including a gang of outlaws, a band of Apache warriors, and the mysterious scalp hunter himself. The Scalp Hunter is a thrilling adventure story that captures the spirit of the American West and the courage of those who dared to tame it.

By Robert E. Howard · First published 1928 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction · 6,732 words

First lines

The reason I am giving the full facts of this here affair is to refute a lot of rumors which is circulating about me. I am sick and tired of these lies about me terrorizing the town of Grizzly Claw and ruining their wagon-yard just for spite and trying to murder all their leading citizens. They is more'n one side to anything. These folks which is going around telling about me knocking the mayor of Grizzly Claw down a flight of steps with a kitchen stove ain't yet added that the mayor was trying to blast me with a sawed-off shotgun. As for saying that all I done was with malice afore-thought--if I was a hot- headed man like some I know, I could easy lose my temper over this here slander, but being shy and retiring by nature, I keeps my dignity and merely remarks that these gossipers is blamed liars, and I will kick the ears off of them if I catch them.

What this Textopian page supports

The Scalp Hunter is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert E. Howard, dated 1928 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Robert E. Howard
Date: 1928 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Horror
Length: 6,732 words
Structure: 1 section, 202 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Genres

Fantasy — The Scalp Hunter is a fantasy novel by Robert E. Howard, set in a mythical world of swords and sorcery.
Adventure — The novel follows the adventures of the protagonist, Conan, as he battles monsters and villains in his quest for glory.
Historical Fiction — The Scalp Hunter is set in a fictionalized version of the Hyborian Age, a period of history inspired by the works of Robert E. Howard.
Horror — The novel contains elements of horror, as Conan battles monsters and villains in a world filled with dark magic and supernatural forces.