Untitled synopsis (The Road to Bear Creek)

Introduction

“The Road to Bear Creek” is a Robert E. Howard synopsis written for one of his Breckinridge Elkins stories, a series blending Western adventure with broad comedy. This particular synopsis shows Howard’s trademark fast-paced narrative structure, with mistaken identity, gunfights, and over-the-top action, all set in the rough-and-tumble frontier landscape of the Bear Creek stories. The story revolves around Breck’s journey to find a missing uncle, only to uncover a case of mistaken identity involving a notorious outlaw.

See also THE ROAD TO BEAR CREEK.

Summary

Breckinridge Elkins is sent by his father, who is laid up with rheumatism, to intercept his eccentric uncle Esau Grimes, rumored to be passing through War Paint. Upon reaching the town, Breck mistakenly identifies a small man with red whiskers as his uncle. A violent encounter follows, leading Breck to forcibly abduct the man and flee into the hills. Along the way, they cross paths with the outlaw Grizzly Hopkins, who proposes torturing the captive for his supposed hidden wealth. Breck fights off Hopkins and resumes his journey, unaware he has the wrong man. After several chaotic chases and brawls—including a mistaken raid on a group of innocent horsemen—Breck’s father reveals the truth: the man is not Uncle Esau, but the infamous train robber Badger Chisom, who had stashed a fortune beneath his shirt. The real Esau Grimes appears at the end to confirm the misidentification.

Characters

  • Breckinridge Elkins – The story’s narrator and protagonist, a towering mountain man sent to find his uncle Esau Grimes.
  • Esau Grimes – Breck’s eccentric uncle from Arizona, believed to be passing through War Paint; not encountered until the end of the synopsis.
  • Pap Elkins – Breck’s father, temporarily incapacitated by rheumatism; he sends Breck to find Uncle Esau.
  • Badger Chisom – A notorious train robber with red whiskers, mistaken by Breck for Esau Grimes; carries a hidden fortune under his shirt.
  • Grizzly Hopkins – An outlaw who proposes torturing “Uncle Esau” (actually Chisom) for his hidden wealth; wounded by Breck.

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