Gents on the Lynch

Introduction

“Gents on the Lynch” is a humorous and action-packed story set in the American West. It follows Pike Bearfield, a hot-headed and well-meaning Texan, as he navigates a series of misunderstandings, outrageous situations, and confrontations with outlaws and townsfolk alike. Written in epistolary style as a letter to his brother Wash, the story showcases Pike’s misadventures after he reluctantly ventures to Blue Lizard, Colorado, to try his hand at gold prospecting. The letter is filled with Pike’s colorful expressions and his exaggerated sense of justice, loyalty, and honor, while he gets into increasingly absurd and dangerous predicaments.

Sold to Munsey by Binder for $85.00. Howard earned $76.50. This story is listed on Otto Binder’s list of sales for 1936, but apparently, Howard sold the story to Argosy directly and paid Kline the 10% commission due.

Detailed summary:

The story begins with Pike Bearfield addressing a letter to his brother, Wash, expressing his frustration for being talked into leaving Antioch, Colorado, and abandoning his race for sheriff to go gold prospecting in Blue Lizard. Pike suspects Wash had ulterior motives, especially with elections coming up.

On his way to Blue Lizard, Pike encounters a man treed by a pack of dogs. The man introduces himself as Witherington T. Jones and spins a tale of his partner suffering from delirium tremens. Feeling sympathy, Pike lends him his mule to reach his claim more quickly. Shortly after, Pike learns from a posse that the man he helped is a stagecoach robber. The posse accuses Pike of aiding Jones’ escape, but Pike dismisses their threats and continues to the mining camp.

At Blue Lizard, Pike rents a cabin from Polk Williams and becomes smitten with the town’s beauty, Hannah Sprague. In a botched attempt to impress her by faking an Indian attack, his accomplice Polk is accidentally shot by Hannah. Despite the mishap, Pike manages to charm her and arranges to visit her later.

Pike then meets Blaze Wellington, who is guarding Old Man Sprague’s gold from Mustang Stirling’s outlaw gang. Blaze, worn down by the stress of constant watch, allows Pike to take over the duty. However, shortly after, a posse pursuing Jones catches up with Pike again, accusing him of harboring the fugitive. A chaotic brawl ensues in the saloon, but Pike subdues the attackers and leaves with Blaze to guard the gold.

While in his cabin, Pike is visited by a man claiming to be a friend of Old Man Sprague, named Carius Z. Huddleston, who offers to help guard the gold. The man turns out to be Witherington T. Jones in disguise, trying to steal the gold. A fight breaks out, and more outlaws arrive to assist Jones. During the confusion, Jones escapes with the sack of gold, but Pike chases him down, discovering that the “gold” is actually scrap iron. Jones had tried to deceive everyone.

As Pike returns to town with Jones in tow, the townsfolk finally capture Mustang Stirling’s men, including Jones, who is revealed to be Stirling himself. Pike then learns that Blaze Wellington, taking advantage of the distraction, had already escaped with the real gold—and eloped with Hannah.

Dejected by the loss of both Hannah and the gold, Pike concludes his letter to Wash, lamenting his bad luck and vowing to return to Antioch to give Wash a sound thrashing for tricking him into leaving.

Characters:

  • Pike Bearfield: The protagonist, a tough Texan with a knack for getting into chaotic situations. He is a letter-writer and adventurer, often misunderstood but driven by his strong sense of justice.
  • Witherington T. Jones / Mustang Stirling: Initially introduced as a man in distress, later revealed to be a stagecoach robber and the notorious outlaw Mustang Stirling. He tries to deceive Pike multiple times and ultimately fails.
  • Wash Bearfield: Pike’s brother, who convinces him to leave his sheriff campaign and go prospecting. Though not directly involved in the story’s action, he plays a key role as the recipient of Pike’s letter.
  • Blaze Wellington: A resident of Blue Lizard, supposedly guarding Old Man Sprague’s gold. He tricks Pike into taking over his duties so he can elope with Hannah Sprague and escape with the gold.
  • Hannah Sprague: The daughter of Old Man Sprague and the object of Pike’s affections. She eventually elopes with Blaze Wellington.
  • Polk Williams: An acquaintance of Pike from Trinidad, Colorado. He rents Pike a cabin and gets accidentally shot by Hannah during Pike’s ill-conceived rescue attempt.
  • Old Man Sprague: Hannah’s father, believed by Pike to own the gold that he is supposed to guard. In reality, Blaze Wellington’s gold was the real target.
  • Carius Z. Huddleston: A fake identity adopted by Witherington T. Jones (Mustang Stirling) to deceive Pike into handing over the gold.
  • Shorty, Warts, Black-Beard, Squint-Eye: Members of the posse and townsfolk of Blue Lizard. They pursue Witherington T. Jones and repeatedly mistake Pike for an outlaw.

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