Red Shadows
By ROBERT E HOWARD
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Weird Tales August 1928.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
1. The Coming of Solomon
The moonlight shimmered hazily, making silvery mists of illusion amongthe shadowy trees. A faint breeze whispered down the valley, bearinga shadow that was not of the moon-mist. A faint scent of smoke wasapparent.
The man whose long, swinging strides, unhurried yet unswerving, hadcarried him for many a mile since sunrise, stopped suddenly. A movementin the trees had caught his attention, and he moved silently toward theshadows, a hand resting lightly on the hilt of his long, slim rapier.
Warily he advanced, his eyes striving to pierce the darkness thatbrooded under the trees. This was a wild and menacing country; deathmight be lurking under those trees. Then his hand fell away from thehilt and he leaned forward. Death indeed was there, but not in suchshape as might cause him fear.
"The fires of Hades!" he murmured. "A girl! What has harmed you, child?Be not afraid of me."
The girl looked up at him, her face like a dim white rose in the dark.
"You—who are—you?" her words came in gasps.
"Naught but a wanderer, a landless man, but a friend to all in need."The gentle voice sounded somehow incongruous, coming from the man.
The girl sought to prop herself up on her elbow, and instantly heknelt and raised her to a sitting position, her head resting againsthis shoulder. His hand touched her breast and came away red and wet.
"Tell me." His voice was soft, soothing, as one speaks to a babe.
"Le Loup," she gasped, her voice swiftly growing weaker. "He andhis men—descended upon our village—a mile up the valley. Theyrobbed—slew—burned——"
"That, then, was the smoke I scented," muttered the man. "Go on, child."
"I ran. He, the Wolf, pursued me—and—caught me——" The words diedaway in a shuddering silence.
"I understand, child. Then——?"
"Then—he—he—stabbed me—with his dagger—oh, blessedsaints!—mercy——"
Suddenly the slim form went limp. The man eased her to the earth, andtouched her brow lightly.
"Dead!" he muttered.
Slowly he rose, mechanically wiping his hands upon his cloak. A darkscowl had settled on his somber brow. Yet he made no wild, recklessvow, swore no oath by saints or devils.
"Men shall die for this," he said coldly.
2. The Lair of the Wolf
"You are a fool!" The words came in a cold snarl that curdled thehearer's blood.
He who had just been named a fool lowered his eyes sullenly withoutanswer.
"You and all the others I lead!" The speaker leaned forward, his fistpounding emphasis on the rude table between them. He was a tall,rangy-built man, supple as a leopard and with a lean, cruel, predatoryface. His eyes danced and glittered with a kind of reckless mockery.
The fellow spoken to replied sullenly, "This Solomon Kane is a demonfrom hell, I tell you."
"Faugh! Dolt! He is a man—who will die from a pistol ball or a swordthrust."
"So thought Jean, Juan and La Costa," answered the other grimly. "Whereare they? Ask the mountain wolves that tore the flesh from their deadbones. Where does this Kane hide? We have searched the mountains andthe valleys for leagues, and we have found no trac