A Wounded Name

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21345

Title

A Wounded Name

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in the arid, lawless frontier of late 19th-century Arizona, this Western tale follows Lieutenant Gerald Blake and Engineer Loring as they navigate a web of deceit involving stolen diamonds, a corrupt bandit ring, and a mysterious young woman. Blending cynical military humor with romantic tension, the story explores themes of innocence versus corruption, redemption, and the harsh realities of life on the American frontier.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the desolate Arizona Territory, Charles King's *A Wounded Name* follows Lieutenant Gerald Blake, a cynical infantry officer, and Engineer Loring, a classmate recently returned from West Point. Their journey begins at the ranch of Sancho, a rowdy rancher who clashes with Blake over stolen binoculars. The narrative tension escalates when Loring is accused of stealing valuables from a stagecoach robbery, a crime actually committed by the notorious John Nevins. Loring faces a military court-martial based on hearsay and weak testimony, while the prosecution struggles to present credible evidence. The turning point arrives with the testimony of Pancha, a young woman of mixed heritage and Loring's companion. Coerced into silence by her stepmother to protect her family, Pancha ultimately chooses to speak the truth. She reveals that Nevins and Sancho's gang planned to rob the stage and kill the passengers, and that she was forced to hide her knowledge. Additional witnesses, including a locksmith and a hotel porter, corroborate her story, proving that Nevins used stolen keys to access Loring's trunk. During the trial proceedings, Nevins manages to escape but is later recaptured, wounded, and brought to justice. The court finds Loring innocent, clearing his name and restoring his honor. The story concludes with Loring and Pancha reuniting, their bond strengthened by the ordeal. Loring reflects on how Pancha healed his "wounded name," a metaphor for the damage done to his reputation and spirit by false accusations. Having found redemption and love amidst the dangers of the West, Loring returns to service, ready to face the future with a restored sense of self. The novel explores themes of justice, loyalty, and the resilience of the human spirit against the backdrop of the harsh American frontier.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/21345.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg21345.epub

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Categories

• Fiction
• Military Fiction