The Hyena

Introduction

“The Hyena” is a horror story by Robert E. Howard, first published in Weird Tales in March 1928. Written and accepted as early as 1924, Howard received $25 for the story, which then took four years to see publication. The narrative revolves around mysterious events and a sinister fetish-man in East Africa, blending elements of supernatural horror and cultural tension.

The story is a tale of cultural clash, fear, and supernatural horror, showcasing Howard’s ability to weave suspense and mystery into the exotic setting of East Africa.

From the letters

In a letter (#017) to Tevis Clyde Smith dated January 7 1925 he writes:

P.S. I sold two more stories to Weird Tales one for $25 and the other for $30. However, they sent back what I consider my masterpiece thus far, with sarcastic remarks. Write when you get time.

The first of these are ‘The Hyena’ and the latter is ‘The Lost Race‘.

From a letter (#175) to Wilfred Blanch Talman, circa September 1931 we learn:

Don’t be discouraged if your stories lie in the editorial offices for a while. I sold Mr. Wright “The Hyena” in 1924 and it was four years before it was published.

In a long letter (#252d) to H.P. Lovecraft he mentions the story again:

Thanks very much for the kind things you said about “Wolfshead” and other early attempts. I was eighteen when I wrote “Spear and Fang”, “The Lost Race”, “The Hyena”; nineteen when I wrote “In the Forest of Villefere” and “Wolfshead.” And after that it was two solid years before I sold another line of fiction. I don’t like to think about those two years. I wrote my first story5 when I was fifteen, and sent it — to Adventure, I believe. Three years later I managed to break into Weird Tales.

Summary

The story begins with the narrator, a Virginian newly arrived on the East Coast of Africa, expressing his distrust and eventual hatred for Senecoza, a fetish-man of mysterious origins. Senecoza is described as a towering, muscular figure with features more Berber than Bantu, exuding an air of both deference and mocking superiority. His rare visits to the ranch are marked by nervous behavior among the local Masai, who fear and respect him.

The narrator, staying at a trading-post ranch owned by his distant relative Ludtvik Strolvaus, is wary of Senecoza. Ludtvik, however, regards the fetish-man as harmless and beneficial to trade with the natives. The ranch is situated in a stockade overlooking vast grazing lands, home to Ludtvik’s prized cattle. While Ludtvik is preoccupied with ranch work, the narrator spends his time exploring the veldt, often failing to bag game due to his poor marksmanship and sympathy for the animals.

Despite his wariness, the narrator cannot glean much information about Senecoza from the natives, who are terrified and secretive about the fetish-man. An ominous incident involving a minor chief, torn apart by hyenas shortly after a falling out with Senecoza, heightens the narrator’s suspicions. The natives’ fear of Senecoza grows, especially when the narrator sees a hyena behaving unusually boldly during the day and remarks to his gun-bearer that it resembles Senecoza, causing the boy to flee in terror.

The tension escalates with the arrival of Ellen Farel, Ludtvik’s cousin from New York, seeking respite from society life. Ellen’s enthusiasm and charm captivate the narrator, who becomes devoted to her. Ellen’s curiosity about the natives leads to an encounter with Senecoza, who gazes at her with an expression that enrages the narrator, driving him to nearly shoot the fetish-man.

Ellen, undeterred by the narrator’s warnings, insists on visiting Senecoza’s kraal. The next day, during a walk outside the stockade, the narrator and Ellen are attacked by a hyena. The narrator fends off the beast with his knife, but the encounter leaves Ellen shaken and she agrees to avoid Senecoza’s village.

However, during a ride on the veldt, Ellen and the narrator are ambushed by Senecoza and his warriors. Ellen’s horse bolts, and the narrator is captured and taken to a remote hut. There, a warrior reveals Senecoza’s plot to incite a native uprising against the white settlers. Left alone with a guard, the narrator manages to kill him and escape.

Meanwhile, Ellen is captured by Senecoza but manages to escape, only to be pursued again. The narrator reaches a nearby ranch to warn them of the impending raid, leading a counterattack that repels Senecoza’s forces. The narrator then rides to rescue Ellen, confronting and battling Senecoza in a fierce knife fight. Senecoza flees, and the narrator is joined by Ellen and a rescue party.

The chase leads them back to the hut, where they find hyena tracks and evidence of Senecoza’s presence. The story culminates with the discovery of Senecoza’s body inside the hut, shot through the chest, with no hyena in sight. The eerie connection between the fetish-man and the hyena remains unexplained, leaving a lingering sense of dread.

Characters

  • Narrator (Steve): A young Virginian staying at the ranch, who becomes distrustful and eventually hateful of Senecoza. He is protective of Ellen and determined to uncover the truth about Senecoza.
  • Senecoza: The mysterious and imposing fetish-man, feared and respected by the natives. He is linked to sinister events and is eventually revealed to be the mastermind behind a plot against the white settlers.
  • Ludtvik Strolvaus: The narrator’s distant relative, owner of the trading-post ranch. He is pragmatic and dismisses concerns about Senecoza, focusing on his cattle and trade.
  • Ellen Farel: Ludtvik’s cousin from New York, visiting the ranch. She is enthusiastic and curious, forming a close bond with the narrator. Her encounter with Senecoza sets off a chain of dangerous events.
  • Unnamed Native Gun-bearer: The narrator’s servant, who hints at the supernatural connection between Senecoza and the hyena, and is eventually killed by the narrator.

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Audio book by Horrorbabble

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