Leroy Yerxa

“ Larson spoke again before Robinson could answer.
"Of course we all go at things a little differently," he admitted. "However, I got an idea that the phantom wouldn't attack a man who didn't carry a gun. Earl left his in the car when he went into the swamp."
Robinson nodded.
"I went into the swamp," he admitted. "I had an idea the phantom might be sort of a ghostly protector of the herd. We have quite a slaughter of deer up here every fall. It must be hard on them if they have any feeling at all. What's so damn much different between men killing deer, or a deer killing a man? ”

“ Starr said grimly. "For lack of a better name, the phantom buck."
Robinson turned away, looking toward the car.
"You're crazy," he said. "Let's say we're both crazy. Our imaginations are running riot. I think the rest of the party ought to know about the automobile accident. We can't do any good here. We'll go on to Rosewood if we can get the buggy out of the ditch. We can call the sheriff from there. This is the sheriff's job, not ours."
The three people who had ridden in the rear seat were in the ditch, pushing snow away from the wheels. ”

“ The car was moving forward about twenty miles per hour. Three people slept in the rear seat. They were packed under pieces of equipment. There were half a dozen guns stacked across their feet.
The snow came down thickly, endlessly. It drifted across the road. Almost eight inches had fallen since sundown. Tomorrow, there won't be any traffic moving, Robinson thought, not without a plow to break the trail. The valley will be a lost world.
"Shangrila," he said softly.
"Huh?" Roy Starr was almost asleep once more. ”

“ He was muttering threats against his brother, Glenn.
"Never let a guy sleep," he groaned. "Always the first guy up and the only man on earth who can't let other people stay in bed when they want to."
Glenn Starr and Marjorie were already at the breakfast table. The others drifted in and sat down. A girl and a husky, sleepy-eyed man came down from upstairs. Roy Starr greeted the girl by chasing her around the stove and left her alone only after she picked up the poker and threatened to use it on him.
Robinson introduced the fifth member of the hunting party at the breakfast table. ”

“ She stared out at the snowy world.
"Bill saw the phantom buck once."
"I know," Robinson said. He wished she wouldn't talk about it. She was getting herself all excited. "Probably Bill had been drinking some of that snake bite medicine."
Mrs. Boody shook her head.
"Bill don't touch a drop." Her face was very red, maybe from the stove. "Bill said the buck was the biggest deer he'd ever seen. He went right by Bill, and disappeared, right in broad daylight. Bill looked for tracks after he was gone, and there weren't any." ”

“ You know Norm and Mrs. Boody now. The tall, fair damsel holding the coffee pot is Norma, Mrs. Boody's best assistant housekeeper and daughter. The sleepy eyed creature at her side is her husband, Floyd."
Larson himself was heavy set, and a slightly ponderous man who wore light rimmed glasses and a rather awed look on his face.
"I guess I've let myself in for some rugged country and some heavy eating," he said. "Anyhow, I always did like a fifth cup of coffee and the supply looks adequate." ”

“ Boody, a grey headed, smiling woman who looked as though she might be anyone's mother, came in with two steaming cups.
"You better drink before you freeze," she said. "That darned stove takes so long to heat up." ”

“ Glenn took her rifle.
"Follow me," he said abruptly. "You're all done in. I'll take the shortest route."
The girl took half a dozen faltering steps and sank down into the snow. When he reached her side, she was out cold. He rubbed her wrists and cheeks until her eyes, full of tears, opened slowly.
"You're gonna be all right," he said, and picked her up in his arms.
Slowly, for he knew it was going to be a rough trail, he headed across the valley toward home.
Earl Robinson moved more slowly now. He and Larson had swung down from the north and crossed the three sets of tracks. ”

“ PHANTOM OF THE FOREST By LEE FRANCIS
[Transcriber Note: This etext was produced from Amazing Stories November 1948. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Every year men slaughter deer by the thousands; it seems only fitting that the tables be turned once in a while....
The automobile reached the crest of the hill, skidded and started toward the ditch. Earl Robinson twisted the wheel savagely, got the feel of the ice hidden under the snow, and deftly straightened the car. Roy Starr awakened at his side and sat up. ”

“ That was Sheriff Walt Beardsly calling. He ain't blaming you boys. Says your tracks went right around the body. Says a bear must have mauled the guy. They found his gun in the ditch."
Earl Robinson said:
"Yea, that's what happened all right. Bill's okay, isn't he?"
Boody nodded.
"Spent the night at the sheriff's house. Couldn't drive in. He's coming in a couple of hours."
Mrs. Boody went out for some more coffee. Larson, managing a smile, said:
"Guess we can go hunting without worrying about anything—except bear."
Norma tickled her husband between well padded ribs. ”