Breed of Battle
Introduction
"Breed of Battle" is a tale of loyalty, honor, and the fierce bonds between a man and his dog, set against the backdrop of the rough-and-tumble world of early 20th-century Singapore's waterfront. Sailor Steve Costigan, a seaman known for his pugilistic prowess and straightforward honesty, and his loyal white bulldog Mike are at the heart of this adventure, which spirals out from a casual evening into a wild chase of honor and redemption.
It was originally named 'The Fightin'est Pair' and was accepted by Fiction House on May 17th, 1931. It was then published in the November 1931 issue of Action Stories under this title. Howard earned $80.00 for the story.In the spring 1942 issue, it was again published, but this time under the title "Samson had a soft spot" and the name Mark Adam as the author. The story is now in the public domain.
Summary spoilers
The story kicks off with Porkey Straus informing Steve about Joe Ritchie, a fellow sailor who has docked in Singapore with his formidable brindle bull terrier, Terror, the pit champion of the Asiatics. A suggestion is made for Mike to fight Terror, which Steve vehemently declines, condemning dog fighting for money as cruel. An offer to buy Mike for a substantial sum is then made by Philip D’Arcy, a well-known adventurer and gentleman, which Steve refuses, further establishing the deep bond between him and Mike.
The plot thickens when Steve receives a deceitful letter, supposedly from an admirer, leading him into an ambush that results in Mike's kidnapping. In his fury, Steve mistakenly accuses D'Arcy of the theft, only to later learn that the real culprits are Johnnie Blinn, a barkeeper, and Grieson (also known as "Limey"), who have stolen Mike to fight against Terror in a secret dog-fighting arena owned by Fritz Steinmann.
The climax of the story unfolds in a chaotic blend of action and humor as Steve, upon discovering Mike’s location, embarks on a frenzied rescue mission. He crashes through Steinmann's arena, knocking out anyone in his path, to save Mike from the brutal fight. In a dramatic showdown within the pit, Steve interrupts the fight, rescuing both Mike and Terror from further harm. Through Grieson's confession, Steve learns of Blinn's involvement in the scheme.
In an unexpected turn of events, D'Arcy arrives at the scene, not to fight Steve, but to reconcile, having been moved by Steve's unyielding loyalty to Mike. The two men make peace, and D'Arcy offers his assistance in tending to Mike's wounds.
The story concludes with Steve and D'Arcy addressing the aftermath of a humorous misunderstanding, wherein Steve's poorly worded poster offering a reward for Mike's return led to a comical influx of locals attempting to sell their dogs to him.
Textual states
Shown in a practical developmental order where possible: synopsis/outline, numbered drafts, submission states, then published or posthumous states. This display order does not itself assert exact chronology or textual authority.
Publication appearances
Action Stories November 1931Fiction House, Inc.November 1931↗
Fight Stories - Spring 1942Fight Stories, Inc. (Fiction House)Spring 1942↗
Steve Costigan et le signe du serpentNeODecember 1986↗
Robert E. Howard's Fight Magazine #2Necronomicon PressSeptember 1990↗
Железный кулак (Zheleznyj kulak) (Iron Fist) P ublication information courtesy of the Russian website Laboratory of Fantasy .Северо-Запад (Severo-Zapad) (North-West)1998↗
The Complete Action StoriesHermanthis PressNovember 2001↗
The Complete Action StoriesWildside PressNovember 2003 (Hardcover) | January 2005 (Trade paperback)↗The Adventures of Sailor Steve Costigan: Breed of BattleViolet Crown Radio PlayersFebruary 2005↗
Boxing StoriesUniversity of Nebraska Press - Bison BooksApril 2005↗
Crimson Shadows: The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 1Ballantine Books - Del ReyAugust 2007↗
Children of the Night, and Breed of BattleDodo PressFebruary 2008↗
Crimson Shadows: The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 1Subterranean PressNovember 2009↗
The Collected Boxing Stories of Robert E. HowardHalcyon Press, Ltd.December 2009↗
The Robert E. Howard Omnibus: 99 Collected StoriesHalcyon Press, Ltd.May 2010↗
Shanghaied Mitts: More Tales of Sea-Faring Boxing Champ Steve CostiganNuelow GamesNovember 2011↗
Fists of Iron Round 2REH Foundation PressFebruary 2014↗
Отлитые из железа. Боксёрские рассказы (Otlitye iz zheleza. Bokserskie rasskazy) (Cast from Iron. Boxing Stories) Cover and p ublication information courtesy of the Russian website Laboratory of Fantasy .1С-Паблишинг (1C-Publishing )November 2016↗
Robert E. Howard's Sailor Steve CostiganPulp-Lit Press & Audible AudioJuly 2019↗
Стальной к улак (Stal-noi kulak) (Iron Fist) Cover and p ublication information courtesy of the Russian website Laboratory of Fantasy .Подсолнухи (Sunflowers)2020↗
Steve Costigan. Marinai, donne & guai (Steve Costigan. Sailors, Women & Trouble)Providence PressSeptember 2022↗
Steve Costigan. Marinai, donne & guai (Steve Costigan. Sailors, Women & Trouble)Providence PressSeptember 2022↗
Fists of Iron Round Two - UEREH Foundation PressApril 2026↗