The Adventures of Lal Singh

This chapbook from 1985 contains three early tales (one of them is a fragment). The Sikh warrior Lal Sing will be familiar to Robert E. Howard fans as one of El Borak's team. Introduction and edited by Robert M. Price.

A defining feature of the El Borak tales involves recurring characters that frequently feature in many of the narratives. In an interesting experiment, Howard even allows some of these typically minor characters to experience their own adventures, irrespective of their usually subsidiary roles in Gordon's stories. Indeed, El Borak himself is not even referenced in these standalone episodes.

The narrative, The Tale of the Rajah's Ring, shines a spotlight on Lal Singh, a formidable Sikh warrior. In his own stories, Lal Singh's playful side is more pronounced than when he's on adventures with El Borak. As such, this tale allows him the chance to convert a simple assignment of transporting a ring into an opportunity for amassing a substantial amount of rupees. Narrated in the first person, the story carries a whimsical, almost comedic tone. Regrettably, a critical segment of the story's middle section has gone missing (more for its importance rather than its length), although in certain editions, the editor has attempted to reconstruct it.

Continuing the narrative thread, The Further Adventures of Lal Singh picks up from where the previous story left off, and importantly hinges on the missing part of its predecessor.

In the final installment, Lal Singh, Oriental Gentleman, the protagonist cleverly manages to loot a band of thieves. However, it should be noted that Lal Singh is driven by monetary gain, not vigilante justice. This story, penned by Howard, was submitted to Adventure magazine for publication in 1921.

editor has attempted to reconstruct it