Bretwalda, Part 11

 

cover art by Rudolph Belarski

Read/Watch 'em In Order #148

Philip Ketchum's penultimate Bretwalda story appeared in the November 4, 1939 issue of Argosy. The action moves to the Colonies in 1759, when the British are besieging Quebec, trying to take it away from the French. 

Brothers John and Andrew Wilton are serving with General Wolfe, with both being trusted officers. But John has betrayed that trust--at least according to a court martial. Evidence points to him has having sold military information to the French. A supposedly surprise attack on Quebec was driven back because of this.

Andrew knows his brother is innocent, but can do nothing when John is lined up in front of a firing squad and shot. But if Andrew can't save his brother's life, perhaps he can save his reputation and unmask the real spy in the bargain.

At first, the mystical axe Bretwalda doesn't seem to figure in the story at all, as Andrew sneaks into French-held territory in search of information. But he's soon spotted and wounded while trying to escape. A woman who knew his brother hides him while he recovers.

The axe is reintroduced into the tale at this point. The circumstances that get it into Andrew's hands come across as a little contrived, though if you assume that Bretwalda actually is mystical and follows a specific destiny, then perhaps its acceptable.

In either case, it's at worst a minor glitch in another excellent story. When Andrew learns that Wolfe is planning another surprise attack, he has to move fast to find the traitor. This leads to him having to confront the traitor and four French officers in an uneven fight. So the axe--something he saw as an old-fashioned weapon that at best has sentimental value--suddenly comes in very handy. 

But to prevent the British army from being betrayed, Andrew might not just have to kill five men in a hand-to-hand fight. He might also have to use the axe on a woman he's come to love.

"Course of Empire" is yet another excellent tale in the Bretwalda saga. Andrew's emotional journey--starting with the unjust execution of his brother and leading to the high-impact ending--is perfectly realized. And the action scenes, especially Andrew's hand-to-hand fight against five opponents and afterwards the full-scale battle on the Plains of Abraham--are excellent. 

Click HERE to read the story online.