The Pit of the Serpent

Introduction

“The Pit of the Serpent,” also known as “Manila Manslaughter,” is a high-octane tale of rivalry, honor, and fisticuffs featuring Steve Costigan, the brawny protagonist and heavyweight champion of the merchant ship Sea Girl. Upon arriving in Manila from the Sea Girl, Costigan immediately senses potential trouble with the crew of the Dauntless, a rival ship. Despite his intention to avoid conflict, Costigan finds himself quickly embroiled in a whirlwind of events that lead him to a brutal and unconventional boxing match.

The story was published in Fight Stories Volume 2, number 2, July 1929. See also “Manila Manslaughter” from Fight Stories Volume 5, number 5.

Through grit, wit, and a touch of humor, “The Pit of the Serpent” paints a vivid picture of the life and trials of sailors off duty, where honor is defended with fists, and the bonds of shipmate rivalry are as complicated as they are deep-seated.

From the letters

From a letter (#109) to Tevis Clyde Smith, circa June 1929 we learn:

My story “The Pit of the Serpent” came out in Fight Stories this month. Get a copy and read it. It will give you a good idea about how to write sport stories. The style and form are not much, but the mechanics are perfect. Writing is a lot like architecture. The whole structure has to suit — each piece has to be in place. A master of the game, like Kipling, for instance, or Jack London, always places the pieces right. A dub like me stumbles on to the right combination once in every five hundred stories he writes. But as I say, the architecture of this story is more nearly perfection than any other I ever wrote, regardless of the general merits of the story.

Summary

The story kicks off with Costigan trying to enjoy his shore leave, first heading to a bar and then finding himself in a dance hall where he meets the enchanting Raquel La Costa. Their interaction is interrupted by Bat Slade, the champion boxer of the Dauntless, who also shows an interest in Raquel. The confrontation escalates into a challenge for a fight, which a shady promoter eagerly orchestrates to take place in the notorious “pit of the serpent” – a remnant of a mad Spaniard’s estate where deadly snake fights were once held.

Unlike traditional boxing matches, this fight is to be bare-knuckled, fought in a pit with concrete walls and floors, adding a brutal and primal element to the contest. Both fighters are stripped of the usual ringcraft, relying on sheer strength, endurance, and will to overcome their opponent.

Throughout the vicious and grueling fight, Costigan battles not only Slade’s cunning and skill but also the treacherous conditions of the pit, the biased officiating, and his own physical limitations. Despite the odds, Costigan’s resilience, raw power, and sheer determination see him through, leading to a hard-fought victory over Slade, albeit with both men significantly worse for wear.

In the aftermath, both Costigan and Slade, battered and bruised, confront Raquel, only to find her with another man, revealing her true fickle nature and leaving the sailors to reconcile their differences, however briefly.

Characters

  • Steve Costigan: The protagonist, heavyweight champion of the merchant ship Sea Girl, known for his formidable strength and straightforward approach to problem-solving, typically with his fists.
  • Bat Slade: The main antagonist, champion boxer of the Dauntless, Costigan’s rival in both love and boxing.
  • Raquel La Costa: The object of Costigan and Slade’s affections, a beautiful but ultimately unfaithful woman who ignites the feud between the two men.
  • The Oily Bird (Promoter): The fight promoter who orchestrates the bare-knuckle match in the pit of the serpent, showcasing a preference for Slade and demonstrating bias throughout the fight.
  • The Dip: A pickpocket who acts as Costigan’s handler during the fight, providing insight into the nature of the pit and the fight club.
  • Don Jose y Balsa Santa Maria Gonzales: Raquel’s true love interest, a Spanish naval officer who becomes an unwitting victim of Costigan and Slade’s final act of camaraderie.
  • Juan: The timekeeper for the fight, who plays a role in the controversial ending of the match.
  • Ships Mentioned:
    • Sea Girl: The merchantman ship Costigan is aboard, representing his crew and ship in the fight.
    • Dauntless: The rival ship, home to Bat Slade and the crew that opposes Costigan and the Sea Girl.

Alternate title:

MANILA MANSLAUGHTER. 

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