# II: The Flying Horned One explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Manly Wade Wellman.

## What happens

Cole Wickett, a starving and weary former Confederate soldier, recalls a night in 1876 near Welcome Rock on the Missouri-Arkansas border. He witnesses a monstrous flying creature with bat-wings and horns, then intervenes in a flogging where two masked men are beating a captive. After a struggle, he rescues the victim, Peter Dole, and is aided by the Reverend Mr. Jaeger, formerly a Union sergeant. Despite Jaeger's baptism, Peter dies from his injuries. Jaeger provides Wickett with food and promises explanations about the local mysteries.

## Themes in this chapter

### Supernatural Evil and Occultism

The Flying Horned One, a monstrous bat-winged creature with horns, and the masked men's use of unknown incantations suggest occult forces at work.

### Evil and Moral Corruption

The brutal flogging of Peter Dole by masked men and the presence of a demonic creature highlight the moral decay and violence in the community.

### Sacrifice and Redemption

Peter Dole's desperate plea for baptism before death and Jaeger's act of baptizing him suggest a search for redemption amidst suffering.

## Character check-ins

### Cole Wickett

Narrator and protagonist, a gaunt and hungry former Confederate soldier and tramp, who intervenes to rescue Peter Dole from a flogging.

### Peter Dole

Victim of a brutal flogging by masked men; he begs for baptism from Jaeger but dies from his injuries.

### Reverend Mr. Jaeger

Former Union Sergeant Jaeger, now a preacher, who aids Wickett and baptizes the dying Peter Dole.

## Key lines

> I remembered that adventure, strangest moment of all my war-boyhood on a late night in the fall of 1876.

Cole Wickett recalls the most bizarre event from his youth during the war, which occurred on a late autumn night in 1876.

_Sets the scene for the chapter's supernatural encounter._

> Something winged slowly across it. What I say seems unreal to you, as the sight then seemed unreal to me.

A winged creature flew across the moon, appearing as unreal to the narrator as it would to the reader.

_Introduces the Flying Horned One, a key supernatural element._

> I threw my stone, and it struck the knife-holder’s black horned brow with a sound like an axe on wood.

Wickett threw a rock that hit one of the masked attackers on the forehead, making a sound like an axe hitting wood.

_Highlights Wickett's decisive action in the fight._

> He was mumbling words in an unknown tongue: 'Mirathe saepy Satonich yetmye—but it won’t work !'

One of the masked men muttered an incantation in a strange language, but it failed to have any effect.

_Suggests the use of occult rituals by the attackers._

> God grant that the baptism Peter asked for will bring him peace in the grave.

Jaeger hopes that the baptism Peter requested will grant him peace after death.

_Reflects the theme of redemption and the power of ritual._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/ii-the-flying-horned-one
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters