One of Doyle's childhood stories:


“It was an exceptionally dark night and we had crossed the creek 3 or 4 miles from our house. We had a flash light which we used to find our way and locate the eyes of game in the trees. After a short time we saw the eyes of some animal located high in the top of a large tree. We believed it to be something whose hide we could sell. After one shot we knew from the odor that it was a civet cat. The hide was not particularly valuable, but would be worth something. The first shot apparently hit the animal but it hung in a fork of the tree. We tried a few more times to knock it out of the tree, but was unable to do so. Then, as we stood under the tree discussing the situation, we heard the most blood curdling scram I had ever heard. We had heard the older men talk about the black panthers that used to roam up and down the this creek. There was no doubt in our minds about this being just that, and that were infringing on his domain. We were also of one accord as to what our course of action would be. In fact, I don’t remember any discussion. I was jut trying to stay up with, who (on this night) were the fastest sprinters in Burnet County. Now I know that most people believe only one man every walked on water. They just don’t know about four young boys, who on a dark winter night crossed the North Gabriel without getting their feet wet.“