HUNT the HUNTER
BY KRIS NEVILLE
Illustrated by ELIZABETH MacINTYRE
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Galaxy Science Fiction June 1951.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Of course using live bait is the best
way to lure dangerous alien animals ...
unless it turns out that you are the bait!
"We're somewhat to the south, I think," Ri said, bending over the crudefield map. "That ridge," he pointed, "on our left, is right here." Hedrew a finger down the map. "It was over here," he moved the finger,"over the ridge, north of here, that we sighted them."
Extrone asked, "Is there a pass?"
Ri looked up, studying the terrain. He moved his shoulders. "I don'tknow, but maybe they range this far. Maybe they're on this side of theridge, too."
Delicately, Extrone raised a hand to his beard. "I'd hate to lose a daycrossing the ridge," he said.
"Yes, sir," Ri said. Suddenly he threw back his head. "Listen!"
"Eh?" Extrone said.
"Hear it? That cough? I think that's one, from over there. Right upahead of us."
Extrone raised his eyebrows.
This time, the coughing roar was more distant, but distinct.
"It is!" Ri said. "It's a farn beast, all right!"
Extrone smiled, almost pointed teeth showing through the beard. "I'mglad we won't have to cross the ridge."
Ri wiped his forehead on the back of his sleeve. "Yes, sir."
"We'll pitch camp right here, then," Extrone said. "We'll go after ittomorrow." He looked at the sky. "Have the bearers hurry."
"Yes, sir."
Ri moved away, his pulse gradually slowing. "You, there!" he called."Pitch camp, here!"
He crossed to Mia, who, along with him, had been pressed into Extrone'sparty as guides. Once more, Ri addressed the bearers, "Be quick, now!"And to Mia, "God almighty, he was getting mad." He ran a hand under hiscollar. "It's a good thing that farn beast sounded off when it did. I'dhate to think of making him climb that ridge."
Mia glanced nervously over his shoulder. "It's that damned pilot'sfault for setting us down on this side. I told him it was the otherside. I told him so."
Ri shrugged hopelessly.
Mia said, "I don't think he even saw a blast area over here. I think hewanted to get us in trouble."
"There shouldn't be one. There shouldn't be a blast area on this sideof the ridge, too."
"That's what I mean. The pilot don't like businessmen. He had it in forus."
Ri cleared his throat nervously. "Maybe you're right."
"It's the Hunting Club he don't like."
"I wish to God I'd never heard of a farn beast," Ri said. "At least,then, I wouldn't be one of his guides. Why didn't he hire somebodyelse?"
Mia looked at his companion. He spat. "What hurts most, he pays us forit. I could buy half this planet, and he makes me his guide—at lessthan I pay my secretary."
"Well, anyway, we won't have to cross that ridge."
"Hey, you!" Extrone called.
The two of them turned immediately.
"You two scout ahead," Extrone said. "See if you can pick up sometracks."
"Yes, sir," Ri said, and instantly the two of them readjusted theirshoulder straps and started off.
Shortly they were inside of the scrub forest, safe from sight. "Let'swait here," Mia said.
"No, we better go on. He may have sent a spy in."
They pushed on, being careful to blaze the trees, because they were not