Short Story: The Most Dangerous Game

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Rainsford leaned across the table,absorbed in what his host was saying."It came to me as an inspirationwhat I must do," the general went on."And that was?"The general smiled the quiet smileof one who has faced an obstacle andsurmounted it with success. "I had to inventa new animal to hunt," he said."A new animal? You're joking.""Not at all," said the general. "Inever joke about hunting. I needed a newanimal. I found one. So I bought this islandbuilt this house, and here I do my hunting.The island is perfect for my purposes--thereare jungles with a maze of traits in them,hills, swamps--""But the animal, General Zaroff?""Oh," said the general, "it suppliesme with the most exciting hunting in theworld. No other hunting compares with itfor an instant. Every day I hunt, and I nevergrow bored now, for I have a quarry withwhich I can match my wits."Rainsford's bewilderment showed inhis face."I wanted the ideal animal to hunt,"explained the general. "So I said, `What arethe attributes of an ideal quarry?' And theanswer was, of course, `It must havecourage, cunning, and, above all, it must beable to reason."'"But no animal can reason,"objected Rainsford."My dear fellow," said the general,"there is one that can.""But you can't mean--" gaspedRainsford."And why not?""I can't believe you are serious,General Zaroff. This is a joke.""Why should I not be serious? I amspeaking of hunting.""Hunting? General Zaroff, what youspeak of is murder."The general laughed. I'll wager you'llforget your notions when you go huntingwith me. You've a genuine new thrill instore for you, Mr. Rainsford."Thank you, I'm a hunter, not amurderer.""Dear me, "said the general, "againthat unpleasant word."Yes?""Life is for the strong, to be lived by thestrong, and, if needs be, taken by thestrong. The weak of the world were puthere to give the strong pleasure. I amstrong. If I wish to hunt, why should I not?"But they are men," said Rainsfordhotly."Precisely," said the general. "That iswhy I use them. It gives me pleasure. Theycan reason. So they are dangerous.""But where do you get them?"The general's left eyelid fluttereddown in a wink. "This island is called ShipTrap," he answered. "Come to the windowwith me."Rainsford went to the window andlooked out toward the sea."Watch! Out there!" exclaimed thegeneral, pointing into the night. Rainsford'seyes saw only blackness, and then, as thegeneral pressed a button, far out to seaRainsford saw the flash of lights.The general chuckled. "They indicatea channel," he said, "where there's none;giant rocks with razor edges crouch like asea monster with wide-open jaws. They cancrush a ship as easily as I crush this nut." Hedropped a walnut on the hardwood floorand brought his heel grinding down on it."Oh, yes," he said, casually, as if in answerto a question, "I have electricity. We try tobe civilized here."6
"Civilized? And you shoot downmen?"A trace of anger was in the general'sblack eyes, but it was there for but asecond; and he said, in his most pleasantmanner, "Dear me, what a righteous youngman you are! I assure you I do not do thething you suggest. That would bebarbarous. I treat these visitors with everyconsideration. They get plenty of good foodand exercise. They get into splendidphysical condition. You shall see for yourselftomorrow.""What do you mean?""We'll visit my training school,"smiled the general. "It's in the cellar. I haveabout a dozen pupils down there now. " Heraised his hand, and Ivan, who served aswaiter, brought thick Turkish coffee.Rainsford, with an effort, held his tongue incheck."It's a game, you see," pursued thegeneral blandly. "I suggest to one of themthat we go hunting. I give him a supply offood and an excellent hunting knife. I givehim three hours' start. I am to follow,armed only with a pistol of the smallestcaliber and range. If my quarry eludes mefor three whole days, he wins the game. If Ifind him "--the general smiled--" he loses.""Suppose he refuses to be hunted?""Oh," said the general, "I give himhis option, of course. He need not play thatgame if he doesn't wish to. If he does notwish to hunt, I turn him over to Ivan.Invariably, Mr. Rainsford, invariably theychoose the hunt.""And if they win?"The smile on the general's facewidened. "To date I have not lost," he said.Then he added, hastily: "I don't wishyou to think me a braggart, Mr. Rainsford.One almost did win. I eventually had to usethe dogs.""The dogs?""This way, please. I'll show you."The general steered Rainsford to awindow. The lights from the windows sent aflickering illumination that made grotesquepatterns on the courtyard below, andRainsford could see moving about there adozen or so huge black shapes; as theyturned toward him, their eyes glitteredgreenly."A rather good lot, I think," observedthe general. "They are let out at sevenevery night. If anyone should try to get intomy house--or out of it--somethingextremely regrettable would occur to him."And now," said the general, "w ill youcome with me to the library?""I hope," said Rainsford, "that youwill excuse me tonight, General Zaroff. I'mreally not feeling well.""Ah, indeed?" the general inquired."Well, I suppose that's only natural, afteryour long swim. You need a good, restfulnight's sleep. Tomorrow you'll feel like anew man, I'll wager. Then we'll hunt, eh?I've one rather promising prospect--""Sorry you can't go with metonight," called the general. "I expect ratherfair sport--a big, strong fellow. He looksresourceful--Well, good night, Mr.Rainsford; I hope you have a good night'srest."The bed was good, and the pajamasof the softest silk, and he was tired in everyfiber of his being, but neverthelessRainsford could not quiet his brain of sleep.He lay, eyes wide open. Once he thought heheard steps in the corridor outside hisroom. He sought to throw open the door; itwould not open. He went to the windowand looked out. His room was high up in7
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Short Story: The Most Dangerous Game

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