Deathwatch by Robb White

First published: 1972

Type of work: Adventure tale

Themes: Crime and nature

Time of work: The 1970’s

Recommended Ages: 13-15

Locale: Southwest American desert

Principal Characters:

• Ben, a twenty-two-year-old college student studying geology
• Mr. Madec, a wealthy Californian businessman and big-game hunter

The Story

With its varied yet complementary types of plots, this novel exemplifies the quintessential adventure narrative, containing perspectives of person against person, person against nature, and person against self. A fourth plot type, person against society, further extends the action and enhances this story of unremitting conflict.

To defray college costs, Ben accepts a position as a hunter’s guide and accompanies Madec on a desert expedition for bighorn sheep. Early in their relationship, Ben realizes Madec’s true character as a ruthless and arrogant “wheeler dealer” known never to lose a business deal.

When it occurs to Madec that he might not hit a good specimen in his pursuit, the negotiations begin. Madec proposes that Ben not report the kill of a bighorn if it is less than perfect and offers double salary plus bonus in exchange for compliance. Ben refuses, and in the midst of their discussion, Madec fires at a sighting. In a startling discovery, Ben learns that instead of a sheep, Madec has actually killed a person, later determined to be an old unknown prospector.

Another deal evolves as Madec proposes that they give the victim a decent burial, continue the hunt, and not report the accidental shooting. Ben is even more amazed at this cold and evil mind, but decides that it is only right to follow his first instinct—return to town and report the accident as it occurred.

Madec’s continuous bribes, including tuition payments and a position with an oil company upon graduation, provide greater disclosure of his shrewd and unscrupulous approach to life as he vainly attempts to persuade Ben to support his contrived position. Reaching no agreement with Ben, Madec forces him to strip and leaves him in the desert. As Madec departs, he admonishes Ben that if he survives, their accounts of the circumstances surrounding the death will be very different, and that the townspeople will not believe that a man could treat another man the way that Madec treats Ben. Still stunned by the maliciousness of his employer, Ben faces the reality of his two enemies—the malevolent Madec himself and the uncompromising desert.

Ben collects all of his physical, intellectual, and emotional resources to develop a strategy for survival, and develops and executes a successful plan for Madec’s capture. Ben hopes that all will be eventually resolved as he loads the wounded Madec and the prospector’s body in the Jeep for the trip to town. Even while impaired as a result of the injury sustained during his capture, Madec attempts another deal, offering Ben ten thousand dollars to drop the matter before going to the sheriff. Again, Ben rejects Madec and the trip begins.

At the sheriff’s office, Madec’s foreboding pronouncement becomes more glaringly real to Ben when the circumstantial evidence supported by Madec’s version of what happens leads to Ben’s arrest for suspicion of murder and aggravated assault. When the truth is eventually unearthed, Ben is absolved and Madec is justifiably indicted. In the end, Ben prevails over Madec, nature, himself, and society.

Context

Robb White’s literary niche is the adventure novel, having produced Up Periscope (1956), Torpedo Run (1962), Silent Ship, Silent Sea (1967), and The Frogmen (1973). Within this tradition, he writes about the intrepid deeds of survivors who are decent and modest. They survive because of undaunted courage and undoubting faith that are not corroded by tempting and more attractive alternative enticements. Ben is the epitome of White’s hero. With all of his virtue, he must still prove himself beyond meeting the test of physical endurance in the desert. Confronting the subsequent problem of proving his innocence, he rises to the challenge and succeeds again.

At times, Ben’s spirit is overshadowed by despair, but the hero never succumbs and is renewed by every accomplishment. In fiction, the hero is usually an endearing character, and in this story, Ben is no exception, especially since he finds himself confronted with conflict in four different arenas. The message is clear that fortitude, stamina, character, and integrity can prevail. The vehicle of the message in the characterization of Ben is believable and appealing because it is never quite assured until the end that he will be triumphant. As a result, a highly suspenseful and dramatic tale is woven against the backdrop of the desert, a departure from White’s typical settings of action at sea.

In addition to the creative twist of plot and strong characterization, the adventure is considerably enhanced by graphic depiction of the physical setting. The author’s experience in screenwriting is obvious in the precise and exact imagery of the desert that figures so prominently in the plot.

It is the exploration of Ben’s second challenge—to preserve his character in the light of criminal suspicion—that makes this tale of intrigue distinctive in its own right. Providing insight into human nature, it also provides subtle commentary on the vulnerability of those who are so faithful and honest. The appeal of this exciting and action-filled tale is sustained by its critical examination of the enduring human spirit and triumph over what appears to be insurmountable odds.