Murderer’s Grog (earliest known draft)

“Murderer’s Grog” is an early draft of a story that immerses readers in the chaotic and often brutal world of the British Raj, particularly in the unruly border regions between India and Afghanistan. The story unfolds in Peshawur (modern-day Peshawar), a bustling hub of trade and intrigue, where diverse characters navigate a world filled with danger, treachery, and personal vendettas. The narrative focuses on Wild Bill Clanton, an American caught in a perilous web of his own making, as he struggles to secure his fortune in an unforgiving land. 

This is one of Howard’s spicy stories was later published under the name Sam Walser. Featuring Wild Bill Clanton. The final story was received by Kline on April 27, 1936. Circa May 1936 it was sold to Trojan by Binder for $27.00.

See also “Murderer’s Grog” – the finished story.

The story is a tale of passion, betrayal, and the quest for power in a land where loyalty is as fleeting as the desert sands. The narrative is rich with the atmosphere of Peshawur, the tension of forbidden desires, and the relentless pursuit of ambition at any cost. This draft encapsulates Howard’s ability to blend action, intrigue, and a deep sense of place into a compelling narrative, set against the backdrop of a vibrant and dangerous Peshawur.

OUTLAW WORKING. 

On June 3, 1936 Howard wrote to his friend E. Hoffmann Price (letter #353):

Dear Ed:

Sorry to hear Pawang Ali has been banished. I can’t imagine why. It was a fine series. However I’m sure you’ll find another character to take his place. I haven’t time to write much. My mother is very low and I fear cannot survive. I have little heart to speak of writing or anything else, but I will say that I have made several sales recently: the first two of the Pike Bearfield series to Argosy, another Spicy adventure, a Breck Elkins yarn to Action (now a monthly and has expressed a desire for a monthly Elkins) and another of the same type to Popular’s Star Western. All these sales were made within the past ten days.

Pawang Ali was the hero of a series of detective stories by Price that ran in Clues Detective from 1933 to 1936. The Pike Bearfield stories Howard refers to is “A Gent from the Pecos,” published 3 October 1936, and “Gents on the Lynch,” published October 17, 1936. Murderer’s Grog is the spicy adventure and The Elkins stories are “Sharp’s Gun Serenade,” published in January 1937 and “The Curly Wolf of Sawtooth,” published in September 1936.

The story begins with Wild Bill Clanton, an American adventurer, ascending the stairs to the residence of Olga Valisky in the city of Peshawur. Clanton, already in a foul mood due to looming financial ruin and the threat of imprisonment, hopes to find solace and pleasure with Olga. Olga is a mysterious figure, known for her beauty and for being the only white woman who lives among the native population in the city, shunning the expatriate British community.

Clanton forcefully enters Olga’s quarters, brushing aside her reluctant maid. He finds Olga lounging on a couch, her attire and demeanor a mix of indifference and seductive allure. Clanton, driven by lust and anger, makes advances toward Olga, who initially resists but does not entirely rebuff him. However, as Clanton becomes more aggressive, Olga’s demeanor shifts from indifferent to resistant, revealing her true feelings of disdain.

The tension between them escalates as Olga reveals that her initial interest in Clanton has been replaced by a newfound desire for another man. This revelation enrages Clanton, who attempts to force himself on Olga. In the ensuing struggle, Olga’s servants intervene, beating Clanton and throwing him out of the house.

Humiliated and enraged, Clanton’s anger turns from Olga to his failed business dealings. He is desperate for news from Baber Ali Khan, a tribal chief whose protection Clanton needs to smuggle a cache of Russian rifles into the Independent Territory—a region beyond British control. However, when he encounters Ahmed Shah, an agent of Baber Ali Khan, Clanton learns that the chief has decided not to assist him, fearing the repercussions from the British.

Frustrated and with no other options, Clanton seeks solace in a local dive, where he drinks bhang (a potent mixture of cannabis and other ingredients) given to him by a local rival. The drink clouds Clanton’s judgment, making him reckless and unpredictable. Instead of attacking the British deputy commissioner as his enemies hope, Clanton heads back to Olga’s house, intent on revenge.

Clanton stealthily reenters Olga’s house, knocking out her guards and finding her with Ahmed Shah. After overpowering Ahmed, Clanton takes a pass that grants safe passage into the Independent Territory from him. In a final act of violence, he rapes Olga before fleeing the city, leaving chaos in his wake.

• Wild Bill Clanton: The protagonist, a man driven by desire and ambition, caught in a web of legal and financial troubles.
• Olga Valisky: A mysterious woman living in Peshawur, who embodies both the allure and danger that Clanton is drawn to. She initially invites Clanton’s advances but ultimately rejects him for another man, leading to a violent confrontation.
• Punjabi Maid: Olga’s servant, who witnesses Clanton’s aggressive entry and later, his humiliating exit.
• Ahmed Shah: An agent for Baber Ali Khan, pivotal in the twist that sees Clanton’s plans unravel. He represents the local power structures that Clanton attempts to navigate for his own gain.
• Shinwari Manservant: One of Olga’s servants who physically confronts Clanton during his aggressive pursuit of Olga, symbolizing the physical and cultural barriers Clanton faces.
• Baber Ali Khan: Though not directly appearing in the story, his decision not to support Clanton’s venture is crucial to the plot’s development. He symbolizes the powerful local figures whose favor Clanton seeks to secure his ambitions.
• British Commandant and Authorities: They represent the colonial power structure that Clanton is desperately trying to evade, contributing to his sense of urgency and desperation.
• Dive-keeper and Gun Maker: Minor characters who contribute to the story’s climax by drugging Clanton, showing the depths of local intrigue and the dangers Clanton faces in his reckless pursuits.

• SPICY ADVENTURES, Ultimate Edition, REH Foundation Press, August 2024