Introduction
In the synopsis for “Alleys of Peril,” Howard outlines a story of revenge, honor, and a fight for justice on the streets of Hong Kong. Sailor Steve O’Brien, of the ship Water Snake, faces off against Red McCoy of the Whale in a boxing match refereed by Mr. Jack Ridley, mate of the Castleton. The match turns controversial when O’Brien is accused of a foul by Ridley after dropping McCoy with a legitimate punch. Feeling wronged by the unfair decision and insulted by Ridley, O’Brien sets out on a mission through Hong Kong to find and confront Ridley.
During his quest, O’Brien encounters a woman known as the White Tigress, who manipulates him into seeking vengeance against Ridley, falsely claiming a personal vendetta. The White Tigress sends O’Brien with a cockney accomplice with a plan to kill Ridley and steal a valuable jewel entrusted to him by an old mandarin for his daughter. O’Brien, refusing to be part of murder, knocks out the cockney and continues his search for Ridley to settle scores in a fair fight.
O’Brien’s search leads to a confrontation with a Castleton crew member and later an ambush arranged by the White Tigress, who reveals her plan to whip O’Brien for his failure to comply. O’Brien, undeterred, fights off the Tigress’s Chinese henchmen in a display of raw power and determination. The Tigress then admits that Ridley has been captured by her gang to extract information about the hidden jewel.
O’Brien forces the White Tigress to lead him to Ridley’s location, where he single-handedly defeats the gang holding Ridley captive. After freeing Ridley, O’Brien seeks a direct confrontation, but Ridley apologizes for the earlier foul decision, acknowledging O’Brien’s honor and strength. The story concludes with O’Brien’s resolve to fight McCoy again, seeking a fair rematch to settle their score.
See also “Alleys of Peril” and “Untitled synopsis (Alleys of Peril)”
The synopsis showcases Howard’s knack for crafting stories with intense physical conflict, moral dilemmas, and the eternal quest for honor among the rough and tumble world of sailors and fighters.
Characters
- Sailor Steve O’Brien: The protagonist, a sailor from the Water Snake, skilled fighter seeking justice.
- Red McCoy: O’Brien’s opponent from the Whale, involved in the controversial boxing match.
- Mr. Jack Ridley: Mate of the Castleton, the referee who wrongly accuses O’Brien of a foul.
- The White Tigress: A manipulative woman with criminal connections in Hong Kong, who tries to use O’Brien for her own ends.
- Cockney accomplice: An associate of the White Tigress, tasked with leading O’Brien to Ridley for a planned murder.
- Various henchmen: Including the Castleton crew member O’Brien confronts, and the gang holding Ridley captive.
Published in:
- THE COLLECTED BOXING FICTION OF ROBERT E. HOWARD: FISTS OF IRON ROUND 2, REH Foundation Press, February 2014