Black Vulmea’s Vengeance

Introduction

The story ‘Black Vulmea’s Vengeance’ first appeared in the magazine Golden Fleece in 1938.

Terence Vulmea, aka Black Vulmea, who was born a 17th-century Irish peasant, and carried his vendetta with the English oppressors of his country to the waters of the Caribbean. He is one of Robert E. Howard’s lesser known characters; more of his exploits were later added by David C. Smith.  Robert E. Howard only wrote two tales about Vulmea. 

The story

“Black Vulmea’s Vengeance” unfolds with the pirate Black Terence Vulmea stumbling out of his ship’s cabin onto the deck of the Cockatoo, the aftermath of a raucous celebration rendering his crew unconscious. In a twist of fate, his ship is approached and overtaken by the Redoubtable, an English frigate commanded by Captain John Wentyard. Despite a valiant but solitary defense, Vulmea is knocked unconscious and captured.

Vulmea, now a prisoner, faces Wentyard, revealing a deep-seated hatred rooted in a childhood trauma where Wentyard, as a young officer, participated in the hanging of Irish villagers, including a young Vulmea. The pirate swears vengeance, a vow that becomes the driving force of the narrative.

Convinced by Vulmea’s fabricated tale of a hidden treasure, Wentyard leads an expedition to ancient ruins on a quest for wealth. The expedition is ambushed by indigenous warriors, and Vulmea escapes, leaving Wentyard and his crew to a grim fate. However, in a surprising turn of events, Vulmea, wrestling with his conscience, provides Wentyard with sustenance from afar, ensuring his survival.

An uneasy alliance forms between the two enemies when they are forced to confront not only the indigenous warriors but also an escaped group of African slaves, the Cimarroons, and a monstrous serpent dwelling within the ruins. Their adventure takes a dramatic turn as they battle the serpent and the Cimarroons, discovering part of the treasure Vulmea fabricated to lure Wentyard.

The story climaxes with Vulmea and Wentyard finding an escape route from the ruins. Despite their shared trials, Vulmea refuses Wentyard’s gratitude, influenced by a newfound respect for the Englishman’s familial responsibilities but unable to fully forgive or trust him. Vulmea departs alone, leaving behind a complex web of vengeance, survival, and moral dilemmas.

The narrative is rich with themes of revenge, redemption, and the blurred lines between heroism and villainy, all set against the backdrop of high seas adventure and the untamed wilds of the New World.

Characters

  • Black Terence Vulmea, a.k.a. Black Vulmea: A pirate captain, marked by his physical prowess and complex morality.
  • Captain John Wentyard: Commander of the Redoubtable, whose past cruelty haunts him.
  • Cimarroons: Escaped African slaves who play a crucial role in the story’s climax.
  • Indigenous Warriors: The initial antagonists who ambush Vulmea and Wentyard.
  • Giant Anaconda: A monstrous serpent residing in the ruins, symbolizing the unpredictable danger of the jungle.
  • Crew of the Cockatoo – Vulmea’s loyal but ultimately doomed crew who fall victim to their own debauchery and the subsequent attack by Wentyard’s forces.
  • Crew of the Redoubtable – Wentyard’s disciplined but greedy crew, who follow their captain into the jungle in search of non-existent treasure, facing dire consequences.

Published in: