Untitled synopsis (Evil Deeds at Red Cougar)

Introduction

This untitled synopsis, later realized as Evil Deeds at Red Cougar, is part of Robert E. Howard’s Breckinridge Elkins Westerns. It blends rugged action, deception, and betrayal with the humor and brawling energy typical of the series. The story centers around a mistaken outlaw hunt, a duplicitous romance, and Breck’s brutal but effective frontier justice.

Summary

Breckinridge Elkins rides into the town of Cougar Tooth, motivated by a personal reason involving a woman named Sue Pritchard. After a skirmish in Badger McVey’s bowling alley with Buck Ridgeway’s gang—suspected outlaws without legal proof—Breck is left with damages he cannot pay. McVey hires him to recover gold stolen by a dangerous outlaw named Old Man Clements. As Breck prepares to go after Clements, Ridgeway’s gang eavesdrops, and one of them attempts to assassinate Breck. Undeterred, Breck heads into the hills but is delayed after Sue Pritchard persuades him to talk and misleads him into taking a dangerous shortcut. Ridgeway uses the information to rob Clements first. Breck, believing they’re trying to show him up, overtakes them, reclaims the gold, and beats the gang again. At the climax, a posse appears, revealing Clements to be an honest miner under official protection. Breck is praised as a hero. The final twist reveals that Sue Pritchard—who first drew Breck to town—is actually Buck Ridgeway’s girl, and she had set him up from the start.

Characters:

  • Breckinridge Elkins – The protagonist; a massive, quick-tempered but well-meaning frontiersman who becomes entangled in a setup involving gold, outlaws, and a duplicitous romance.
  • Sue Pritchard – A young woman who deceives Breck by feigning distress and later misleads him into a trap; ultimately revealed to be Buck Ridgeway’s girlfriend.
  • Buck Ridgeway – Leader of a young gang of outlaw cowpunchers; antagonistic toward Breck and ultimately responsible for robbing Clements.
  • Badger McVey – Owner of the Jackrabbit Saloon and bowling alley; employs Breck to recover stolen gold after his property is wrecked in a fight.
  • Old Man Clements – A miner falsely assumed to be an outlaw; turns out to be honest and under the protection of a special escort.

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