Bill Smalley and the Power of the Human Eye

Introduction

“Bill Smalley and the Power of the Human” is a humorous adventure story featuring the antics of Bill Smalley and his partner Steve Bender as they navigate the Canadian wilderness, hunting, trapping, and occasionally running from the law. Never published in Howard’s lifetime. Howard submitted it to both Adventure and Western Story.

Summary

The story opens with Bill Smalley and Steve Bender hiding out in Canada after pulling off a questionable real-estate deal in the United States. They are deep in the wilderness, south of the Great Slave Lake, far from any trading posts, living a life of hunting and trapping. The only people they occasionally encounter are wandering Cree or Chipewyan Indians.

One day, they find bear tracks near their camp. Bill insists it’s a grizzly bear despite Steve’s skepticism, fueled by a local Cree’s claim that there are no grizzlies in the area. Bill, confident in his superior judgment, gets annoyed with Steve’s doubts and starts planning a way to capture the bear.

Bill devises an elaborate trap in a nearby abandoned cabin. He sets up a system where a bear entering the cabin would trigger a cord that would slam the door shut, trapping the bear inside. Steve is dubious about the plan, especially given the strong human scent in the cabin, but Bill is adamant.

Days pass without success, until one morning, Bill is convinced that there is finally something in the trap. They find the cabin door shut and bear tracks leading up to it, but none leaving. Despite his bravado, Bill is reluctant to enter the cabin and insists Steve should go in first. When Steve checks the cabin, he finds it empty, although the fireplace is shrouded in shadows.

Bill then enters the cabin, and to their horror, a bear that had been hiding in the shadows charges at him. Bill’s foot hits the cord, slamming the door shut and locking him inside with the bear. Steve, outside and terrified, hears the sounds of a struggle. Bill manages to climb onto the rafters to escape the bear. Desperate, he calls for Steve to help.

Steve, in a panic, realizes that he left his gun at the camp. He runs back to the camp, a grueling three-mile sprint through the forest, only to be delayed further by a brief altercation with their dog, Brutus. Exhausted and near collapse, Steve finally reaches the camp, grabs the rifle, some extra cartridges, and a bottle of Bill’s private stock of whiskey for a bit of courage.

Loaded with weapons and whiskey, Steve races back to the cabin. As he nears it, he hears the bear’s roar and Bill’s screams. Upon arrival, Steve finds the bear has fled, having broken through the cabin wall in its fear. Bill, miraculously unhurt, recounts how he used the power of his gaze to intimidate the bear into fleeing, claiming it shrank under his powerful eye.

A few days later, they discover new neighbors camping nearby. Bill, ever the cautious one, insists on spying on them first. They see a half-breed man and a white man with a bear cub. The half-breed recounts how he found the cub, named Woof-woof, who had run away and ended up at the old cabin where Bill was trapped. The bear cub, wanting to play, had frightened Bill, causing him to scream and faint, and ultimately break through the cabin wall.

Realizing the “grizzly” was actually a harmless cub, Steve finds the entire situation hilarious. Bill, humiliated, quickly retreats to their camp. The story ends with Steve reflecting on the absurdity of their adventures and Bill’s overblown ego.

Characters

  • Bill Smalley: A self-proclaimed scholar and gentleman, Bill is known for his egotism, inventive ideas, and often ludicrous schemes. His bravado often gets him into trouble, though his quick thinking occasionally saves the day.
  • Steve Bender: Bill’s long-suffering partner, Steve is more practical and skeptical. He often finds himself caught up in Bill’s wild plans, providing a grounded counterpoint to Bill’s eccentricity.
  • Jacques: A Cree Indian who provides local knowledge, including the misleading information about the presence of grizzlies in the area.
  • Brutus: Steve and Bill’s dog, known for his loyalty and protective nature, although he can sometimes cause trouble.
  • Henri: A half-breed man who, along with another white man, camps near Bill and Steve. Henri owns the bear cub Woof-woof.
  • Unnamed White Man: Henri’s companion, presumably a tenderfoot out on a long hunt, who discusses their plans and the bear cub’s antics.
  • Woof-woof: The small black bear cub that inadvertently terrifies Bill, leading to the climax of the story.

Alternate title

THE POWER OF THE HUMAN EYE. 

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