Robert E. Howard

Name: Beyond the Black River — Chapter V
Author: Robert E. Howard

Beyond the Black River — Chapter V (1935)

Summary

“Beyond the Black River — Chapter V”, published in 1935, is a work by Robert E. Howard. It explores elements such as Balthus, Conan and ax.

Quotes from Beyond the Black River — Chapter V (Robert E. Howard)

Robert E. Howard, Beyond the Black River — Chapter V (1935)

“ The men who remember Jhebbal Sag and the beasts who remember are brothers and speak the same tongue.”
Balthus did not reply; he had strained at a Pictish stake and seen the nighted jungle give up its fanged horrors at a shaman's call.
“Civilized men laugh,” said Conan. “But not one can tell me how Zogar Sag can call pythons and tigers and leopards out of the wilderness and make them do his bidding. They would say it is a lie, if they dared. That's the way with civilized men. When they can't explain something by their half-baked science, they refuse to believe it.” ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Robert E. Howard, Beyond the Black River — Chapter V (1935)

“ Balthus set himself to watch the forest below them. Momentarily he expected to see fierce painted faces thrust through the leaves. But as the hours passed no stealthy footfall disturbed the brooding quiet. Balthus believed the Picts had missed their trail and given up the chase. Conan grew restless.
“We should have sighted parties scouring the woods for us. If they've quit the chase, it's because they're after bigger game. They may be gathering to cross the river and storm the fort.” ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Robert E. Howard, Beyond the Black River — Chapter V (1935)

“ Then the deeper fires were masked and Conan was silently leading the way deeper into the forest.
“We've no more to fear from the beasts,” he said after a while, “but we've left a sign for men to read. They won't follow our trail very easily, and until they find that symbol they won't know for sure we've turned south. Even then it won't be easy to smell us out without the beasts to aid them. But the woods south of the trail will be full of warriors looking for us. If we keep moving after daylight, we'll be sure to run into some of them. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Robert E. Howard, Beyond the Black River — Chapter V (1935)

“ The remaining warriors rushed in, one from either side. Balthus hurled his ax with an accuracy that reduced the attackers to one, and Conan, abandoning his efforts to free his sword, wheeled and met the remaining Pict with his bare hands. The stocky warrior, a head shorter than his tall enemy, leaped in, striking with his ax, at the same time stabbing murderously with his knife. The knife broke on the Cimmerian's mail, and the ax checked in midair as Conan's fingers locked like iron on the descending arm. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Robert E. Howard, Beyond the Black River — Chapter V (1935)

“ Hell, the woods along the river are swarming with Picts! That's why they got us. Zogar's brewing war-magic; no mere raid this time. He's done something no Pict has done in my memory — united as many as fifteen or sixteen clans. His magic did it; they'll follow a wizard farther than they will a war-chief. You saw the mob in the village; and there were hundreds hiding along the river bank that you didn't see. More coming, from the farther villages. He'll have at least three thousand fighting-men. I lay in the bushes and heard their talk as they went past. They mean to attack the fort ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Robert E. Howard, Beyond the Black River — Chapter V (1935)

“ Balthus felt more secure as they followed it. Not even a Pict could trail them over naked rock.
“How did you get away?” he asked presently.
Conan tapped his mail-shirt and helmet.
“If more borderers would wear harness there'd be fewer skulls hanging on the altar-huts. But most men make noise if they wear armor. They were waiting on each side of the path, without moving. And when a Pict stands motionless, the very beasts of the forest pass him without seeing him. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Robert E. Howard, Beyond the Black River — Chapter V (1935)

“ I've been a mercenary captain, a corsair, a kozak, a penniless vagabond, a general — hell, I've been everything except a king of a civilized country, and I may be that, before I die.” The fancy pleased him, and he grinned hardly. Then he shrugged his shoulders and stretched his mighty figure on the rocks. “This is as good a life as any. ”

Robert E. Howard

Summary

Quotes from Beyond the Black River — Chapter V (Robert E. Howard)

Common terms

Similar works

Get perspective with Kwize: daily news enlightened by great literature