Derelicts of the hills

In Short

Set in the rugged terrain of Piperock, Montana, this story follows the lives of two longtime prospectors, Ike Harper and Magpie Simpkins. Their quiet, isolated existence is upended when Magpie falls head-over-heels for a waitress named Minnie, leading to a series of misadventures involving a local swindler and a surprise encounter on the trail. Through sharp, authentic dialogue and a humorous exploration of the "soul hunger" that drives men to seek companionship, the narrative serves as a vivid portrait of frontier life and the enduring bond of male friendship.

The Story

The story begins with the narrator, Frederick Norwood, hiking into the hills near Piperock to find a prospector named Tellurium Woods. Instead, he encounters Ike Harper, a seasoned, pragmatic sourdough who is currently managing his camp while his partner, Magpie Simpkins, is off on a trip to town. Ike provides a colorful introduction to his partner, describing Magpie as a man prone to "trancing"—claiming to communicate with spirits—and suffering from periodic bouts of gullibility that have led him into various failed hobbies, from hypnotism to psychology.

Ike explains that Magpie recently returned from Piperock in high spirits, nursing a case of "soul hunger" and declaring that he is finished with their lonely, driftless life in the hills. It soon emerges that Magpie has fallen for a new waitress in town named Minnie Summers. Magpie is entirely infatuated, having spent his hard-earned money on a diamond ring and even giving Minnie his savings for her "trousseau." He is utterly convinced of her affection, planning a wedding and dreaming of a cozy life in a bungalow. Ike, while skeptical and weary of his partner’s romantic delusions, agrees to serve as the best man.

As the wedding day approaches, the duo packs their gear and heads toward Piperock. On the trail, they are intercepted by a small, bowlegged man named Gus Summers, who is brandishing a shotgun and hunting for Tellurium Woods. Gus is in a fury, intent on exacting violent revenge because Woods has run off with his wife. When Gus mentions his wife’s name is Minnie and begins recounting their history, the realization hits Magpie like a physical blow. He recognizes the woman he intended to marry as the very same person who had already abandoned her husband for the untrustworthy Woods.

The tension breaks as Magpie hands the shotgun back to Gus and abruptly turns his pack-jacks around, abandoning the wedding plans and the town of Piperock entirely. The shock of the realization effectively cures Magpie of his romantic fever. By the time they return to the safety and familiarity of their mountain camp, the two partners are once again focused on the basics of survival. Magpie’s infatuation is replaced by a quiet, resigned acceptance of their status as "derelicts of the hills." He returns to his normal, eccentric self, proving that while they may have been briefly seduced by the promise of domestic life, they belong to the hills and to each other.

How It Unfolds

The accidental meeting The narrator arrives at the high-altitude camp expecting to find a target for a business inquiry, only to be met by a pragmatic, plain-speaking prospector named Ike. Through their conversation, the stage is set regarding the unique, codependent relationship between the two partners.

The onset of soul hunger Ike reveals that Magpie has been acting strangely, abandoning his usual work to chase romantic fantasies in town. The shift in Magpie’s behavior, moving from scientific dabbling to desperate romanticism, signals the disruption of their stable, isolated world.

The wedding preparations Magpie’s descent into domestic obsession is marked by his lavish spending and his attempts to convince Ike that they should both seek wives. This section highlights the widening gap between the two men as Magpie becomes increasingly detached from their shared reality.

The confrontation on the trail The narrative arc hits its peak when the partners encounter Gus Summers. The sudden, violent intrusion of reality shatters Magpie’s dream, forcing a swift and decisive end to his romantic journey.

A return to the hills The story closes with the partners retreating from the town and its complications. Magpie is "normal once more," and the two men resume their quiet, bean-eating existence, fully reconciled to their life as outsiders.

The People

Ike Harper is the grounded, skeptical voice of the pair. He prides himself on his practical knowledge and his ability to endure the hardships of prospecting. Though he is often exasperated by Magpie’s antics, his loyalty is unwavering; he acts as both a protector and a foil to his partner’s flights of fancy.

Magpie Simpkins is the dreamer, a "scientific loco" who constantly searches for meaning outside of the prospector’s life. He is driven by a deep, aching loneliness—his "soul hunger"—which makes him vulnerable to the machinations of others. His journey from wide-eyed optimism to disillusioned reality is the emotional core of the book.

Tellurium Woods acts as the antagonist, though he remains largely a background figure. He is the catalyst for the story's conflict, representing the manipulative, "civilized" forces that exploit the vulnerabilities of men like Magpie.

Minnie Summers is the object of Magpie’s affection, though she is revealed to be a far more complex and calculating figure than the romanticized image Magpie held. Her presence serves to highlight the vast divide between the idealized life Magpie craves and the messy, often disappointing reality of the world below the hills.

In Its Own Voice

“I reckon that’s right, pardner, but I gotta go back right away. Yuh see I’m goin’ to marry her, and I plumb forgot to ask her--sorta forgot it, I reckon.”

Magpie explains his sudden, frantic need to return to town, revealing how completely he has lost his grip on reality in his pursuit of a wife.

“We may be deerylicks uh th’ hills, me and you, but--say, did yuh notice her husband was wearin’ bailin’ wire instead uh pants buttons?”

After the shock of the encounter on the trail, Magpie finds a moment of dark humor to share with Ike, signaling the end of his delusion and the return of their old dynamic.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the tension between the freedom of the frontier and the crushing weight of loneliness. The book asks whether a man can truly be content in isolation or if "soul hunger" is an inevitable, if dangerous, part of the human condition. It explores the precarious nature of male friendship, presenting it as a sanctuary against the outside world’s deceits. Ultimately, the story is an argument for self-reliance; it suggests that while the dream of a domestic life is powerful, the reality often leads to disillusionment. It forces the characters—and the reader—to confront the uncomfortable truth that some people are simply not built for the conventional structures of society, finding their only true stability in the "derelict" life they have chosen for themselves.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate the rugged, unfiltered voice of the American West will find much to admire here. The narrative captures a specific period through its heavy use of regional dialect and the colloquial, "sourdough" humor that defined the era. Reading this feels like sitting by a campfire with someone who has seen the world and isn't afraid to tell you exactly how foolish people—including himself—can be when they are blinded by their own desires.

However, readers should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes embedded in the prose. The dialogue is thick with the slang of the early 20th century, which may require a moment of adjustment, and the gender dynamics reflect the limited, often stereotypical views of the time. The humor is dry and sometimes biting, focusing on the absurdity of its characters rather than their nobility. If you enjoy stories that focus on character studies rather than grand, sweeping plots, and if you have a tolerance for the occasionally rough-around-the-edges tone of 1916 adventure literature, this will resonate. It stays with you because it captures the quiet, sad, and fundamentally human realization that sometimes, the best thing to do is turn your pack-jacks around and head back to the only home you have ever known.