May 24, 2025 • 53 mins
We dive into Richard Connell's classic thriller "The Most Dangerous Game," a haunting tale of survival where a celebrated hunter becomes prey in a twisted game of cat and mouse.
• Two hunters discuss the thrill of big game hunting while sailing near the mysterious Ship-Trap Island
• Protagonist Sanger Rainsford falls overboard during the night and must swim to the feared island
• Rainsford discovers an elegant château owned by General Zaroff, a fellow hunting enthusiast
• Zaroff reveals his disturbing hobby: hunting humans who become shipwrecked on his island
• When Rainsford refuses to join the hunt, he becomes Zaroff's next prey
• Rainsford employs various hunting techniques and traps in his desperate bid for survival
• After three days of being hunted, Rainsford confronts Zaroff in a final showdown
• The story concludes with the implication that Rainsford defeats Zaroff and claims his bed
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hello, are you tired?
You will be.
Thank you for joining me today.
We're going to read by RichardConnell.
(00:22):
If you enjoy these readings,please like and leave us a
review and subscribe to thispodcast.
(00:43):
You can also contributefinancially to this podcast and
that would be very muchappreciated.
We begin the Most DangerousGame by Richard Connell.
(01:07):
Off, there to the right,somewhere is a large island,
said Whitney.
It's rather a mystery.
What island is it, rainsfordasked?
The old chads call it Ship TrapIsland.
(01:30):
Whitney replied A suggestivename, isn't it?
Sailors have a curious dread ofthat place and I don't know why
.
Some superstition, I can't seeit.
Remarked, remarked ranchford,trying to peer through the dank
tropical night.
That was palpable as it pressedits thick, warm blackness upon
(01:53):
the yacht.
You've got good eyes, saidwhitney with a laugh, and I've
seen you pick off a moose movingin the brown fall brush at four
hundred yards, but even youcan't see four miles or so
through the moonless Caribbeannight.
Nor four yards admittedRainsford.
(02:14):
Oh, it's like moist blackvelvet.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
It will be light enough in Rio, promised Whitney,
we should make it in a few days.
I hope the jaguar guns havecome from Purdy's and we should
have some good hunting up in theAmazon.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Great sport hunting.
The best sport in the world,agreed.
Rainsford For the hunter,amended Whitney, not for the
jaguar.
Don't talk, rot, whitney, saidRainsford.
You're a big game hunter, not aphilosopher who cares how a
jaguar feels.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Perhaps the jaguar does observed Whitney, bah,
they've no understanding.
Even so, I'd rather think theyunderstand one thing Fear.
The fear of pain and the fearof death Nonsense laughed.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
Rainsford.
This hot weather is making yousoft, whitney, be a realist.
The world is made up of twoclasses the hunters and the
huntees.
Luckily, you and I are thehunters.
Do you think we've passed thatisland yet?
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Luckily you and I are the hunters.
Do you think we've passed thatisland yet?
I can't tell in the dark.
I hope so.
Why, asked Rainsford?
The place has a reputation, abad one.
Cannibals suggested Rainsford.
Hardly Even cannibals wouldn'tlive in such a godforsaken place
, but it's gotten into sailorlore somehow.
(03:44):
Don't you notice that thecrew's nerves seem to be a bit
jumpy today?
Speaker 1 (03:50):
They were a bit strange, now that you mention it
, even Captain Nielsen.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Yes, even that tough-minded old Swede who'd go
up to the devil himself and askhim for a light.
Those fishy blue eyes held alook I never saw there before
and all I could get out of himwas this place has an evil name
among seafaring men, sir.
Then he said very gravely don'tyou feel anything as if the air
(04:16):
is about to was actuallypoisonous?
No, you mustn't laugh when Itell you this.
I did feel something like asudden chill.
There was no breeze.
The sea was flat as a plateglass window.
We were drawing near the islandthen.
What I felt was a mental chill,a sort of sudden dread.
(04:39):
Pure imagination said Rainsford,One superstitious sailor can't
contain the whole ship's companywith his fear maybe, but
sometimes I think sailors havean extra sense that tells them
when they are in danger.
Sometimes I think evil is atangible thing with wavelengths,
(05:03):
just as sound and light have.
An evil place can, so to speak,broadcast vibrations of evil.
Anyhow, I'm glad we're gettingout of this zone.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Well, I think I'll turn in now, rainsford, I'm not
sleepy said Rainsford, I'm goingto smoke another pipe up on the
afterdeck.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Good night, then, rainsford.
See you at breakfast.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
Right.
Good night, whitney.
There was no sound the night asRainsford sat there, but the
muffled throb of that enginethat drove the yacht swiftly
through the darkness, and theswish and ripple of the wash of
the propeller.
Rainsford, reclining in asteamer chair, indolently puffed
(05:51):
on his favorite briar.
The sensuous drowsiness of thenight was on him.
It's so dark he thought that Icould sleep without closing my
eyes.
The night would be my eyelids.
An abrupt sound startled himOff to the right.
He heard it and his ears,expert in such matters, could
(06:17):
not be mistaken.
Again he heard the sound andagain, somewhere off in the
blackness, someone had fired agun three times.
Rainford sprang up and movedquickly to the rail.
Mystified, he strained his eyesin the direction from which the
reports had come, but it waslike trying to see through a
(06:38):
blanket.
He leaped upon the rail andbalanced himself there to get
greater elevation.
His pipe, striking a rope, wasknocked from his mouth.
He lunged after it after ashort, hoarse cry came from his
lips as he realized he hadreached too far and lost his
balance.
The cry was pinched off shortas the blood-warm waters of the
Caribbean Sea closed over hishead.
(06:59):
He struggled up to the surfaceand tried to cry out, but the
wash from the speeding yachtslapped him in the face and salt
water in his open mouth madehim gag and strangle desperately
.
He struck out with long strokesafter the receding lines of the
yacht, but he stopped before hehad swum 50 feet.
A certain cool-headedness hadcome to him.
(07:19):
It was not the first time hehad been in a tight place.
There was a chance that hiscries could be heard by someone
aboard the yacht, but thatchance was slender and grew more
slender as the yacht raced on.
He wrestled himself out of hisclothes and shouted with all his
power.
The lights of the yacht becamefaint and ever-vanishing
(07:41):
fireflies.
Then they were blotted outentirely.
By the night.
Rainsford remembered the shots.
They had come from the rightand doggedly he swam in that
direction, swimming with slow,deliberate strokes, conserving
his strength.
For a seemingly endless time hefought the sea.
He began to count his strokes.
(08:03):
He could do possibly a hundredmore.
And then rainsford heard a sound.
It came out of the darkness, ahigh, screaming sound, the sound
of an animal in an extremity ofanguish and terror.
He did not recognize the animalthat made that sound.
He did not try to.
(08:24):
With fresh vitality.
He swam toward the sound.
He heard it again.
Then it was cut short byanother noise crisp, staccato,
pistol shot, muttered rains forswimming on.
Ten minutes of determined effortbrought another sound to his
ears, the most welcome he hadever heard the muttering and
(08:53):
growling of the sea breaking ona rocky shore.
He was almost on the rocksbefore he saw them.
On a nightless calm he wouldhave been shattered against them
.
With his remaining strength, hedragged himself from the
swirling waters.
Jagged cracks appeared to jutup into the opaqueness.
He forced himself upward, handover hand, gasping his hands raw
.
He reached a flat place at thetop Dense jungle, came down to
(09:17):
the very edge of the cliffs.
What perils that tangle of treesand underbrush might hold for
him did not concern Rainsfordjust then.
All he knew was that he wassafe from his enemy, the sea,
and that utter weariness was onhim.
He flung himself down at thejungle edge and stumbled
(09:39):
headlong into the deepest sleepof his life.
When he opened his eyes he knewfrom the position of the sun
that it was late afternoon.
Sleep had given him new vigor.
A sharp hunger was picking athim.
He looked about him almostcheerfully.
Where there are pistol shots.
There are men.
Where there are men, there isfood, he thought.
(10:03):
But what kind of men, hewondered, in such a forbidding
place?
An unbroken front of snarled andragged jungle fringed the shore
.
He saw no sign of a trailthrough the closely knit web of
the weeds and trees.
It was easier to go along theshore and Rainsford floundered
(10:23):
along by the water.
Not far from where he landed hestopped Some wounded thing by
the evidence a large animal hadthrashed about in the underbrush
.
The jungle weeds were crusheddown and moss was lacerated.
One patch of weeds was stainedwith crimson.
A small, glittering object notfar away caught Rainsford's eye
(10:44):
and he picked it up.
It was an empty cartridge, a.22, he remarked.
That's odd.
It must have been a fairlylarge animal too.
The hunter had his nerve withhim to tackle it with a light
gun.
It is clear that the brute putup a fight.
I suppose the first three shotsI heard was when the hunter
flushed his quarry and woundedit.
(11:04):
The last shot was when hetrailed it here and finished it.
He examined the ground closelyand found what he hoped to find
the print of hunting boots.
They pointed along the cliff inthe direction he had been going
Eagerly.
He hurried along, now slippingon a rotten log or a loose stone
(11:25):
, but makingheadway.
Night was beginning to settledown on the island.
Bleak darkness was blacking outthe sea and jungle.
When Rainsford sighted thelights, he came upon them as he
turned a crook in the coastlineand his first thought was that
he had come upon a village, forthere were many lights.
(11:49):
But as he forged along, he sawto his great astonishment that
all the lights were in oneenormous building, a lofty
structure with pointed towersplunging upward into the gloom.
His eyes made out the shadowyoutlines of a palatial chateau.
It was set on a high bluff andon three sides of it cliffs
(12:10):
dived down to where the sealicked greedy lips in the
shadows.
Mirage, thought Rainsford.
But it was no mirage, he foundwhen he opened the tall, spiked
(12:33):
iron gate.
The stone steps were realenough.
The massive door with a leeringgargoyle for a knocker was real
enough.
Yet above it all hung an air ofunreality.
He lifted the knocker and itcreaked up stiffly as if it had
never before been used.
He let it fall and it startledhim With its booming loudness.
(12:54):
He thought as he heard stepswithin.
The door remainedclosed.
Again, rainsford lifted theheavy knocker and let it fall.
The door opened then opened assuddenly as if it were on a
spring, and rainsford stoodblinking in the river of glaring
gold light that poured out.
(13:14):
The first thing rainsford eyesdiscerned was the largest man
rainsford had ever seen agigantic creature, solemnly made
and black, beardbearded to thewaist.
In his hand the man held along-barreled revolver and he
was pointing it straight atRainsford's heart.
Out of the snarl of thebeard.
(13:35):
Two small eyes regardedRainsford.
Don't be alarmed, saidRainsford with a smile which he
hoped was disarming.
I'm no robber.
I fell off a yacht.
My name is Sanger Rainsford of.
With a smile which he hoped wasdisarming.
I'm no robber.
I fell off a yacht.
My name is Sanger Rainsford ofNew York City.
The menacing look in the eyesdid not change.
(13:59):
The revolver pointed as rigidlyas if the giant were a statue.
He gave no sign that heunderstood Rainsford's words or
that he had even heard them.
He was dressed in uniform, ablack uniform trimmed with gray
astrakhan.
I'm Sanger Rainsford of NewYork.
(14:19):
Rainsford began again.
I fell off a yacht.
I'm hungry.
The man's only answer was toraise with his thumb the hammer
of his revolver.
Then Rainsford saw the man'sfree hand go to his forehead in
a military salute.
Then he saw him click his heelstogether and stand at attention
.
Another man was coming down thebroad marble steps, an erect,
(14:42):
slender man in his eveningclothes.
He advanced to Rainsford andheld out his hand.
In a cultivated voice marked bya slight accent that gave it
added precision anddeliberateness, he said it is
very great pleasure and honor towelcome Mr Sanger Rainsford,
(15:05):
the celebrated hunter, to myhome.
Automatically.
Rainsford shook the man's hand.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
I've read your book about hunting snow leopards in
Tibet.
You see explained the man, I amGeneral Zeroff.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Rainsford's first impression was that the man was
singularly handsome.
Rainsford's first impressionwas that the man was singularly
handsome.
His second was that there wasan original, almost bizarre
quality about the general's face.
He was a tall man, past middleage, for his hair was vivid
white as the night from whichRainford had come.
His eyes too were black andvery bright.
He had high cheekbones, asharp-cut nose, a spare, dark
(15:51):
face, the face of a man used togiving orders, the face of an
aristocrat.
Turning to the giant in uniform, the general made a sign.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
The giant put away his pistol, saluted and withdrew
.
Ivan is an incredibly strongfellow, remarked the general,
but he has the misfortune to bedeaf and dumb.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
A simple fellow, but I'm afraid, like all his race, a
bit savage, is he?
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Russian.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
He is a Cossack said the general and his smile showed
red lips and pointed teeth.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
So am I Come.
He said we shouldn't bechatting here, we can talk later
.
Now you want clothes, food,rest.
You shall have them.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
This is a most restful spot ivan had reappeared
and the general spoke to himwith lips that moved, but gave
forth no sound follow ivan, ifyou please.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
Mr said the general.
I was about to have my dinnerwhen you came in.
I'll wait for you.
You'll find that my clotheswill fit you, I think.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
It was to a huge beamed ceiling bedroom with a
canopy, big bed enough for sixmen, that Rainsford followed.
The silent giant.
Ivan had laid out an eveningsuit and Rainsford, as he put it
it on, noticed that it camefrom a London tailor who
ordinarily cut and sewed fornone below the rank of Duke.
(17:26):
The dining room to which Ivanconducted him was in many ways
remarkable.
There was a medievalmagnificence about it.
It suggested a baronial hall offeudal times, with its oaken
panels, its high ceiling, itsvast refectory tables where two
(17:46):
score men could sit down to eatMoose bears.
Larger and more perfectspecimens Ranger Rainsford had
never seen.
At the great table, the generalwas sitting alone.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
You'll have a cocktail, mr Rainsford.
He suggested.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
The cocktail was surprisingly good and Rainsford
noted the table appointmentswere of the finest the linen,
the crystal, the silver, thechina.
They were eating borscht, therich red soup with whipped cream
so dear to Russian palates.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
Half apologetically, the general Zaroff said we do
our best to preserve theamenities of civilization here.
Please forgive any lapses.
We are well off the beatentrack, you know.
Do you think the champagne hassuffered from its long ocean
trip?
Speaker 1 (18:40):
Not in the least, declared Rainsford, he was
finding the general mostthoughtful and affable host, a
true cosmopolite.
But there was one small traitof the general's that made
Rainsford uncomfortable.
Whenever he looked up from hisplate he found the general
studying him, appraising himnarrowly.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Perhaps, said General Zaroff, you were surprised that
I recognized your name.
You see, I read all your bookson hunting published in England,
french and Russian.
I have but one passion in mylife, mr Rainsford, and it is
the hunt.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
You have some wonderful heads here, said
Rainsford as he ate particularlywell-cooked filet mignon, that
Cape Buffalo is the largest Iever saw.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
Oh, that fellow.
Yes, he was a monster, did hecharge you?
Hurled me against a tree, saidthe general, fractured my skull,
but I got the brute.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
I've always thought, said Rainsford, that the Cape
Buffalo is the most dangerous ofall big game.
For a moment the general didnot reply.
He was smiling his curiousred-lipped smile.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
Then he said slowly no, you are wrong, sir.
The Cape Buffalo is not themost dangerous big game.
He sipped his wine.
Here on my preserve is the onthis island, here in my preserve
, on this island.
He said with the same slow toneI hunt more dangerous game.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Rainsford expressed his surprise Is there a big game
on this island?
Speaker 2 (20:21):
the General nodded the biggest.
Really, oh, it isn't here.
Naturally, of course, I have tostock the island.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
What have you imported, General Rainsford
asked Tigers the General smiled.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
No, he said, hunting tigers ceased to interest me
some years ago.
I exhausted their possibilities.
You see, no thrill left intigers, no real danger.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
I live for danger.
Mr Rainsford, the general, tookfrom his pocket a gold
cigarette case and offered hisguest a long black cigarette
with a silver tip.
It was perfumed and gave off asmell like incense with a silver
tip.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
It was perfumed and gave off a smell like incense.
We will have some capitalhunting you and I said the
general.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
I should be most glad to have your society, but what
game Rainsford?
Speaker 2 (21:10):
began, began Rainsford.
I'll tell you said the general.
You will be amused, I know.
I think I may say in allmodesty that I have done a rare
thing.
I have invented a new sensation.
May I pour you another glass ofport.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
Thank you General.
The General filled both glassesand said God makes some men
poets.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
He makes some kings some beggars.
Me he made a hunter.
My hand was made for thetrigger.
My father said he was a veryrich man with a quarter of a
million acres in the Crimea andhe was an ardent sportsman.
When I was only five years oldhe gave me a little gun
specially made in Moscow for meto shoot sparrows with.
(21:54):
When I shot some of his prizedturkeys with it, he did not
punish me, he complimented me onmy marksmanship.
I killed my first bear in theCaucasus when I was ten.
My whole life has been oneprolonged hunt.
I went into the army it wasexpected of noblemen's sons and
(22:15):
for a time commanded a divisionof Cossack cavalry Cavalry of
noblemen's sons and for a timecommanded a division of Cossack
cavalry.
But my real interest was alwaysthe hunt.
I have hunted every kind ofgame in every land.
It would be impossible for meto tell you how many animals
I've killed.
Speaker 1 (22:31):
The general puffed his cigarette.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
After the debacle in Russia, I left the country, for
it was imprudent for an officerof the Tsar to stay there.
Many noble Russians losteverything.
I, luckily, had investedheavily in American securities,
so I shall never have to open atea room in Monte Carlo or drive
a taxi in Paris.
Naturally, I continued to huntgrizzlies in your Rockies,
crocod crocodiles and the Gangesrhinoceroses in East Africa.
(22:58):
It was in Africa that the CapeBuffalo hit me and laid me up
for six months.
As soon as I recovered, Istarted for the Amazon to hunt
jaguars, for I had heard thatthey were unusually cunning.
They weren't, the Cossacksighed.
They were no match at all for ahunter with his wits about him
and a high-powered rifle.
(23:19):
I was bitterly disappointed.
I was lying in my tent with asplitting headache one night
when a terrible thought pushedits way into my mind.
Hunting was beginning to boreme and hunting, remember, had
been my life.
I had heard that in America,businessmen often go to pieces
when they give up the businessthat has been their life.
Speaker 1 (23:40):
Yeah, that's so, said Rainsford.
The general smiled.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
I had no wish to go to pieces.
He said I must do something now.
My mind is an analytical mind,mr Rainsford.
Doubtless that is why I enjoythe problems of the chase?
Speaker 1 (23:56):
No doubt, General Zaroff.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
So continued the chase, no doubt General Zaroff.
So continues the general.
I ask myself why the hunt nolonger fascinated me.
You are much younger than I am,mr Rainsford, and have not
hunted as much, but you perhapscan guess the answer.
What is it?
Simply, this Hunting had ceasedto be what you call a sporting
proposition.
It had become too easy.
I always got my quarry, always.
(24:21):
There's no greater ball thanperfection.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
The General lit a fresh cigarette.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
No animal had a chance with me anymore.
That is no boast, it's amathematical certainty.
The animal had nothing but hislegs and his instinct.
Instinct is no match for reason.
When I thought of this, it wasa tragic moment for me.
I can tell you.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
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 generalsmiled, a quiet smile, who has
faced an obstacle and surmountedit with success.
Speaker 2 (25:02):
I had to invent a new animal to hunt, he said a new
animal.
You're joking not at all, saidthe general.
I never joke about hunting.
I needed a new animal.
I found one, so I brought thisisland, built this house and
here do my hunting.
The island is perfect for mypurposes.
There are jungles with a mazeof traits in them hills, swamps,
(25:24):
but the animal, general Zoroff,oh, said the general, it
supplies me with the mostexciting hunting in the world.
No other hunting compares withit for an instant.
Every day I hunt and I nevergrow bored.
Now for I have quarry withwhich I can match my wits.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
Rainsford's bewilderment showed in his face.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
I wanted the ideal animal to hunt explained the
general so.
I said what are the attributesof an ideal quarry?
And the answer was, of course,it must have courage, cunning
and, above all, it must be ableto reason.
But no animal can reason,objected Rainsford, my dear
(26:09):
fellow said the general, there'sone that can, but you can't
mean gasped Rainsford.
And why not?
Speaker 1 (26:19):
I can't believe you are serious, General Zaroff.
This is a grisly joke.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Why should I not be serious?
I'm speaking of hunting.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
Hunting Great guns.
General Zaroff, what you speakof is murder.
The general laughed with entiregood nature.
He regarded Rainsfordquizzically.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
I refuse to believe that so modern and civilized a
young man as you seem to beharbors romantic ideas about the
value of human life.
Speaker 1 (26:53):
Surely your experiences in the war did not
make me condone cold-bloodedmurder.
Finished Rainsford stifflyLaughter, shook the general.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
How extraordinarily droll you are, he said.
One does not expect nowadays tofind a young man of the
educated class, even in America.
With such a naive and, if I maysay so, mid-Victorian point of
view, it's like finding a snuffbox in a limousine.
Ah well, doubtless you hadPuritan ancestors so many
Americans appear to have had.
(27:27):
Oh wager, you'll forget yournotions when you go hunting with
me.
You've got a genuine new thrillin store for you, mr Ransford.
Speaker 1 (27:38):
Thank you.
I'm a hunter, not a murderer.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Dear me, said the general quite unruffled.
Again that unpleasant word, butI think I can show you that
your scruples are quiteill-founded.
Speaker 1 (27:51):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
Life is for the strong, to be lived by the
strong and, if it needs, betaken by the strong.
The weak of the world were puthere to give the strong pleasure
.
I am strong.
Why I should not use my gift?
If I wish to hunt, why should Inot the hunt?
I hunt the scum of the earth.
(28:13):
Sailors from trapped ships,laskers, blacks, chinese, whites
, Mongrels, a thoroughbred horseor a hound is worth more than a
score of them.
Speaker 1 (28:22):
But they are men, said Rainsford hotly.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
Precisely said the general.
This is why I use them.
It gives me pleasure, they canreason after a fashion, so they
are dangerous.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
Where do you get them ?
The general's left eyelidfluttered down a wink.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
This island is called Ship Trap, he answered.
Sometimes an angry god of thehigh seas sends them to me.
Sometimes, when providence isnot so kind, I help providence a
bit.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Come to the window with me, rainsford went to the
window and looked out towardsthe sea.
Watch out there, exclaimed thegeneral, pointing.
Into the night Rainsford's eyessaw only blackness and then, as
the general pressed a button,far out to sea Rainsford saw the
flash of lights.
The general, chuckled.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
They indicate a channel, he said, when there is
none.
Giant rocks with razor edgescrouch like a sea monster with
wide open jaws.
They can crush a ship as easilyas I crush this nut.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
He dropped a walnut on the hardwood floor and
brought his heel grinding downon it.
Speaker 2 (29:31):
Oh yes he said casually, as if in answer to a
question.
I have electricity.
We try to be civilized here.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
Civilized and you shoot down men.
A trace of anger was in thegeneral's black eyes, but it was
there for but a second, and hesaid in his most pleasant manner
Dear me, what a righteous youngman you are.
Speaker 2 (29:53):
I assure you I do not do the thing you suggest.
That would be barbarousBarbarous.
I treat these visitors withevery consideration.
They get plenty of food andexercise.
They get into splendid physicalcondition.
You can see for yourself.
Tomorrow, what do you mean?
We'll visit my training school,smiled the general.
(30:14):
It's in the cellar.
I have about a dozen pupilsdown there now.
They're from the Spanish bogSan Luca, that had the bad luck
to go on the rocks out there.
A very inferior lot, I regretto say, Poor specimens and more
accustomed to the deck than tothe jungle.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
He raised his hand and Ivan, who served as a waiter
, brought thick Turkish coffeeRainsford with an effort, held
his tongue and check "'It's agame, you see', pursued the
general blandly.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
"'I suggest to one of them that we go hunting.
I give him a supply of food andan excellent hunting knife.
I give him three hours' start'".
I am to follow armed only witha pistol of the smallest caliber
and range.
If my quarry eludes me forthree whole days, he wins the
game, and if I find him thegeneral smiled he loses.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
Suppose he refuses to be hunted.
Speaker 2 (31:08):
Oh, said the general.
I give him his option.
Of course he need not play thegame if he doesn't wish to.
If he does not wish to hunt, Iturn him over to Ivan.
Ivan once had the honor ofserving as official nauta to the
great white czar and he has hisown ideas of sport.
Invariably, Mr Rainsford,invariably, they choose to hunt,
and if they, win a smile on thegeneral's face widened To date.
(31:31):
I have not lost he said.
Then he added hastily "'I don'twish you to think me a braggart,
Mr Rainsford.
"'many of them afford onlytheir most elementary sort of
problem.
"'occasionally I strike atar-tar.
"'one almost did win.
"'eventually I had to use thedogs' "'The dogs'.
"'this way, please, I'll showyou'.
Speaker 1 (31:53):
The general steered Rainsford to a window.
The lights from the window senta flickering illumination that
made grotesque patterns in thecourtyard below and Rainsford
could see moving about there adozen or so huge black shapes.
As they turned towards him,their eyes glittered greenly.
Speaker 2 (32:12):
It's a rather good lot, I think, observed the
general.
They are let out at seven everynight.
If anyone should try to getinto my house or out of it,
something extremely regrettablewould occur to him.
Speaker 1 (32:23):
He hummed a snatch of song from the Follies Berger
and now said the general I wantto show you my new collection of
heads.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
Will you come with me to the library.
Speaker 1 (32:35):
I hope, said Rainsford, that you will excuse
me tonight.
General Zaroff, I'm really notfeeling well.
Speaker 2 (32:41):
Ah, indeed, the general inquired saliciously.
Well, I suppose that it's onlynatural after your long swim you
need a good, restful night'ssleep.
Tomorrow you will feel like anew man.
I'll wager, then we'll hunt.
Eh, I have one rather promisingprospect.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
Rainsford was hurrying from the room.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Sorry you can't go out with me tonight.
Called the general, I expectrather fair sport.
A big, strong black, he looksresourceful.
Well, good night, mr Rainsford.
I hope you have a good night'srest.
Speaker 1 (33:14):
The bed was good and the pajamas of the softest silk,
and he was tired in every fiberof his being.
But nevertheless Rainsfordcould not quiet his brain with
the opiate of sleep.
He lay eyes wide open Once hethought he heard stealthy steps
(33:35):
in the corridor outside his room.
He sought to throw open thedoor.
It would not not open.
He went to the window andlooked out.
His room was high up in one ofthe towers.
The lights of the chateau wereout now and it was dark and
silent.
But there was a fragment ofswallow of sallow moon and by
its one wayne light he could seedimly the courtyard there
(34:01):
weaving out in and out of thepattern of the shadow were black
, noiseless forms.
The hounds heard him out thewindow and looked up expectantly
with their green eyes.
Rainsford went back to the bedand lay down.
By many methods he tried to puthimself to sleep.
He had achieved a doze when,just as morning began to put
himself to sleep.
He had achieved a doze when,just as morning began to come,
he heard far off in the junglethe faint report of a pistol.
(34:22):
General Zaroff did not appearuntil luncheon.
He was dressed faultlessly inthe tweeds of a country squire.
He was salacious about thestate of Rainsford's health.
Speaker 2 (34:37):
As for me, signed the general, I do not feel so well.
I am worried.
Mr Rainsford, last night Idetected traces of my old
complaint.
Speaker 1 (34:46):
To Rainsford's questioning.
Glance, the general said.
Speaker 2 (34:49):
In a white boredom.
Speaker 1 (34:51):
Then taking a second helping of Crepes.
Suzette, the general explained.
Speaker 2 (34:59):
The hunting was not good last night.
The fellow lost his head and hemade a straight trail that
offered no problems at all.
That's the trouble with thesesailors.
They have dull brains to beginwith and they do not know how to
get in the woods, Get about inthe woods.
They do excessively stupid andobvious things.
It's most annoying.
Will you have another glass ofChablis, Mr Rainsford General?
Speaker 1 (35:21):
said Rainsford firmly I wish to leave this island.
At once the general raised histhickets of eyebrows.
He seemed hurt.
Speaker 2 (35:30):
But my dear fellow, the general, protested you've
only just come, you've had nohunting.
Speaker 1 (35:36):
I wish to go today, said Rainsford.
He saw the dead black of thegeneral on him.
Studying him, general Zorro'sface suddenly brightened.
He filled Rainsford's glasswith the venerable Chablis from
a dusty bottle.
Tonight, said the general, wewill hunt you and I.
Rainsford shook his head.
No general, said the general.
(35:58):
We will hunt you and I.
Rainsford shook his head, nogeneral.
He said I will not hunt.
Speaker 2 (36:04):
The general shrugged his shoulders and delicately ate
a hot house grape as you wishmy friend he said the choice
rests entirely with you.
But may I not venture tosuggest that you will find my
ideal sport more diverting thanIvan's.
Speaker 1 (36:16):
He nodded toward the corner to where the giant stood
scowling, his thick arms crossedon his hog's head of a chest
you don't mean, my dear fellow,said the general.
Speaker 2 (36:28):
have I not told you I always mean what I say about
hunting.
This is really an inspiration Idrink to a foeman worthy of my
steel at last.
Speaker 1 (36:37):
The general raised his glass, but Rainsford sat
staring at him.
Speaker 2 (36:43):
You'll find this game worth playing.
The general saidenthusiastically your brain
against mine, your woodcraftagainst mine, your strength and
stamina against mine.
Outdoor chess the stake is notwithout value, eh.
Speaker 1 (36:58):
And, if I win, began Rainsford huskily.
Speaker 2 (37:02):
I'll cheerfully acknowledge defeat.
And if I do not find you bymidnight of the third day, said
General Zoroff, my sloop willplace you on the mainland near
town.
The general read what Rainsfordwas thinking.
Oh, you can trust me, said theCossack.
I will give you my word as agentleman and a sportsman.
Of course, you in turn mustagree to say nothing of your
(37:23):
visit here.
Speaker 1 (37:25):
I agree to nothing of the kind said Rainsford.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
Oh, said the general in that case.
But why discuss that now, threedays hence?
We can discuss it over a bottleof vin of cliquoir, unless the
general sipped his wine, then abusiness-like air animated him,
ivan, he said to Rainsford wouldsupply you with hunting clothes
(37:51):
, food, a knife.
I suggest you wear moccasins.
They leave a poor trail.
I suggest too that you avoidthe big swamp at the southeast
corner of the island.
We call it Death Swamp.
There's quicksand there.
One foolish fellow tried it.
The deplorable part of it wasthat Lazarus followed him.
Can you imagine my feelings, mrRainsford?
I loved Lazarus.
He was one of the finest houndsof my pack.
Well, I must beg you to excuseme now.
(38:12):
I always take a siesta afterlunch.
You hardly have time for a nap.
I fear you want to start.
No doubt I shall not followtill dusk.
Hunting at night is so muchmore exciting than my day, don't
you think?
Au revoir, mr Rainsfoot, aurevoir.
Speaker 1 (38:28):
General Zaroff, with a deep, courtly bow, strolled
from the room.
Another door came.
From another door came Ivan.
Under one arm he carried khakihunting clothes, a haversack of
food, a leather sheathcontaining a long-bladed hunting
knife.
His right hand rested on acrooked revolver thrust in the
(38:51):
crimson sash about his waist.
Rainsford had fought his waythrough the bush for two hours.
I must keep my nerve.
I must keep my nerve, he saidthrough tight teeth.
He had not been entirelyclear-headed when the chateau
gates snapped shut behind him.
His whole idea at first was toput distance between himself and
(39:13):
General Zaroff and to this endhe had plunged along, spurred on
by the sharp rowers ofsomething very like panic.
But now he had got a grip onhimself and stopped and was
taking stock of himself in thesituation.
He saw that straight flight wasfutile.
Inevitably it would bring himface to face with the sea.
(39:34):
He was in a picture with aframe of water.
It would bring him face to facewith the sea.
He was in a picture with aframe of water and his
operations clearly must takeplace within that frame.
I'll give him a trail to follow, muttered Rainsford, and he
struck off from the rude path hehad been following into the
trackless wilderness.
He executed a series ofintricate loops.
He doubled on his trail againand again, recalling all the
(39:55):
lore of the fox hunt and all thedodges of the fox.
Night found him leg-weary, withhands and face lashed by blank
branches, on a thickly woodedridge.
He knew it would be insane toblunder through the dark, even
if he had the strength.
His need for rest wasimperative and he thought I have
(40:20):
played the fox, now I must playthe cat of the fable.
A big tree with a thick trunkand outspread branches was
nearby and taking care to leavenot the slightest mark.
He climbed up into the crotchand, stretching out on one of
the broad limbs after a fashionrested Rest brought him new
confidence and almost a feelingof security.
Even so, zealous a hunter asGeneral Zaroff could not trace
(40:43):
him here, he told himself, onlythe devil himself could follow
that complicated trail to thejungle.
After dark Perhaps the generalwas a devil An apprehensive
knight crawled slowly by like awounded snake and sleep did not
visit Rainsford, although thesilence of the dread world was
on the jungle.
Toward morning, when a dingygray was varnishing the sky, the
(41:06):
cry of some startled birdfocused Rainsford's attention in
that direction.
Something was coming throughthe bush, coming slowly,
carefully, coming by the sameway, same winding way.
Rainsford had come.
He flattened himself down onthe limb and, through a screen
of leaves almost as thick astapestry, he watched.
(41:27):
That which was approaching wasa man.
It was General Zaroff.
He made his way along, with hiseyes fixed in utmost
concentration on the groundbefore him.
He paused almost beneath thetree, dropped to his knees and
studied the ground.
(41:47):
Rainsford's impulse was to hurlhimself down like a panther,
but he saw that the general'sright hand held something
metallic a small automaticpistol.
The hunter shook his headseveral times as if he were
puzzled.
Then he straightened up andtook from his case one of his
black cigarettes.
Its pungent incense.
Smoke floated up to Rainsford'snostrils.
Rainsford held his breath.
(42:10):
The general's eyes had left theground and were traveling inch
by inch up the tree.
Rainsford froze there.
Every muscle tensed for aspring.
But the sharp eyes of thehunter stopped before they
reached the limb where Rainsfordlay.
A smile spread over his brownface.
Very deliberately he blew asmoke ring into the air.
Then he turned his back on thetree and walked carelessly away
(42:34):
Back along the trail.
He had come.
The swish of the underbrushagainst his hunting boots grew
fainter and fainter.
The pent-up air burst hotlyfrom Rainford's lungs.
His first thought made him feelsick and numb.
The general could follow atrail through the woods at night
.
He could follow an extremelydifficult trail.
He must have uncanny powers.
(42:55):
Only by a mere chance had theCossack failed to see his quarry
.
Rainsford's second thought waseven more terrible.
It sent a shudder of coldhorror through his whole being.
Why had the general smiled?
Why had he turned back?
Rainsford did not want tobelieve that what his reason
told him was true, but the truthwas as evident as the sun that
(43:19):
had by now pushed through themorning mists.
The general was playing withhim.
The general was saving him foranother day's sport.
The Cossack was the cat, he wasthe mouse.
Then it was that Rainsford knewthe full meaning of terror.
I will not lose my nerve.
I will not.
(43:39):
He slid down from the tree andstruck off again into the woods.
His face was set and he forcedthe machinery of his mind to
function.
Three hundred yards from hishiding place he stopped where a
huge dead tree leanedprecariously on a smaller living
one.
Throwing off his sack of food.
Rainsford took his knife fromits sheath and began to work
(44:01):
with all his energy.
The job was finished at lastand he threw himself down behind
a fallen log a few hundred feetaway.
He did not have to wait long.
The cat was coming again toplay with the mouse.
Following the trail, with thesureness of a bloodhound, came
General Zaroff.
Nothing escaped those searchingblack eyes no crushed blade of
(44:23):
grass, no bent twig, no mark, nomatter how faint in the moss
had made before he saw it.
His foot touched the protrudingbough.
That was the trigger.
Even as he touched it, thegeneral sensed his danger and
(44:44):
leaped back with the agility ofan ape.
He was not quite quick enough.
The dead tree delicatelyadjusted to rest on the cut
living one crashed down andstruck the general a glancing
blow on the shoulder as it fell,but for his alertness he must
have been smashed beneath it.
He staggered, but he did notfall, nor did he drop his
revolver.
He stood there rubbing hisinjured shoulder and Rainsford,
(45:07):
with fear again gripping hisheart heard the General's
mocking laugh ring through thejungle.
Speaker 2 (45:15):
Rainsford called the General.
If you are within the sound ofmy voice, I suppose you are.
Let me congratulate you.
Not many men know how to make aMalay man catcher.
Luckily for you, me, I too havehunted in Malacca.
You are proving interesting, mrRainsford.
I am now going to have my wounddressed.
It is only a slight one, but Ishall be back.
(45:37):
I shall be back.
Speaker 1 (45:41):
When the general nursing his bruised shoulder had
gone, rainsford took up hisflight again, and his flight now
a desperate, hopeless flightthat carried him on for some
hours.
Dusk came, then darkness still.
He pressed on, the ground grewsofter under his moccasins, the
vegetation grew ranker, denserInsects bit him savagely.
(46:03):
Then, as he stepped forward,his foot sank into the ooze.
He tried to wrench it back, butthe muck sucked viciously at
his foot as if it were a giantleech.
With a violent effort he torehis feet loose.
He knew where he was now, deathSwamp, and it was quicksand.
His hands were tight, closed,as if his nerve were something
(46:25):
tangible that someone in thedarkness was trying to tear from
his grip.
The softness of the earth hadgiven him an idea.
He stepped back from thequicksand a dozen feet or so and
, like some huge prehistoricbeaver, he began to dig.
Rainsford dug himself in Francewhen a second delay meant death.
(46:46):
That had been a placid pastimecompared to his digging now.
The pit grew deeper.
When it was above his shoulders, he climbed out from some hard
saplings-cut stakes andsharpened them to a fine point.
These stakes he planted in thebottom of the pit with the point
sticking up With flying fingershe wove a rough carpet of weeds
(47:07):
and branches and with it hecovered the mouth of the pit.
Then, wet with sweat and achingwith tiredness, he crouched
behind the stump of alightning-charred tree.
He knew his pursuer was coming.
He heard the patting sound offeet on the soft earth.
The night breeze brought himthe perfume of the general's
cigarette.
(47:28):
It seemed to Rainford that thegeneral was coming with unusual
swiftness.
He was not feeling his wayalong foot by foot.
Rainford, crouching there,could not see the general, nor
could he see the pit he lived ayear.
In a minute Then he felt animpulse to cry aloud with joy,
for he heard the sharp crackleof the breaking branches as the
(47:49):
cover of the pit gave way.
He heard the sharp scream ofpain as the pointed stakes found
their mark.
He leaped up from his place ofconcealment.
Then he cowered back.
Three feet from the pit.
A man was standing with anelectric torch in his hand.
You've done well, rainsford thevoice of the general called.
Speaker 2 (48:11):
Your Burmese tiger pit has claimed one of my best
dogs.
Again, you score, I think.
Mr Rainsford, I'll see what youcan do against my whole pack.
I'm going home for a rest now.
Thank you for a most amusingevening.
Speaker 1 (48:25):
At daybreak, lying near the swamp, rainsford was
awakened by a sound that madehim know that he had new things
to learn about fear.
It was a distant sound, faintand wavering, but he knew it was
the baying of a pack of hounds.
Rainsford knew he could do oneof two things.
He could stay where he was andwait.
(48:46):
That was suicide.
He could flee.
That was postponing theinevitable.
For a moment he stood therethinking An idea held.
A wild chance came to him and,tightening his belt, he headed
away from the swamp.
The bangs of the hounds drewnear, then still nearer and
nearer, even nearer.
On a ridge, rainford climbed atree Down a water course.
(49:10):
Not a quarter of a mile away hecould see the bush moving,
straining his eyes.
He saw the lean figure ofGeneral Zaroff just ahead of him
.
Rainsford made out anotherfigure whose wide shoulders
surged through the tall jungle.
It was the giant Ivan.
He seemed pulled forward by anunseen force.
Rainsford knew that Ivan mustbe holding the pack in a leash.
(49:36):
They would be on him any minute.
Now His mind worked frantically.
He thought of a native trick hehad learned in Uganda when he
slid down the tree, caught holdof a springy young sapling and
to it fastened his hunting knifeWith a blade pointing down the
trail.
With a bit of wild grapevine hetied back the sapling.
(49:57):
Then he ran for his life.
The hounds raised their voicesas he hit the fresh scent.
Rainsford knew now how ananimal at bay feels.
He had to stop to get hisbreath.
The bang of the hound stoppedabruptly and rainsford heart
stopped too.
They must have reached theknife.
He shinned excitingly up thetree and looked back.
(50:20):
His pursuers had stopped.
But the hope that was inRainsford's brain when he
climbed died, for he saw in theshallow valley that General
Zaroff was still on his feet,but Ivan was not.
The knife, driven by the recoilof the springing tree, had not
wholly failed.
Rainsford had hardly tumbled tothe ground when the pack took
(50:40):
up the cry again.
Nerve, nerve, nerve, he panted.
As he dashed along, a blue gapshowed between the trees.
Dead ahead, even nearer drewthe hounds.
Rainsford forced himself to ontowards that gap.
He reached it.
Forced himself to on towardsthat gap.
He reached it.
It was the shore of the sea.
Across a cove he could see thegloomy gray stone of the chateau
(51:04):
.
Twenty feet below him the searumbled and hissed.
Rainsford hesitated.
He heard the hounds, then heleaped far out into the sea.
When the general and his packreached the place by the sea,
the cossack stopped for someminutes.
He stood regarding theblue-green expanse of water.
He shrugged his shoulders.
(51:24):
Then he sat down, took a drinkof brandy from a silver flask,
lit a cigarette and hummed a bitfrom madame butterfly.
General zaroff had anexceedingly good dinner in his
great panel dining hall thatevening.
With it he had a bottle of PoleRoger and a half bottle of
Chambertin.
Two slight annoyances kept himfrom perfect enjoyment.
(51:47):
One was the thought that itwould be difficult to replace
Ivan.
The other was that his quarryhad escaped him.
Of course the American hadn'tplayed the game.
So thought the general.
As he tested his after-dinnerliqueur In his library he read
to soothe himself from the worksof Marcus Aurelius.
At ten he went up to hisbedroom.
(52:08):
He was deliciously tired, hesaid to himself as he locked
himself in.
There was a little moonlight,so before turning on his light
he went out to the window andlooked down at the courtyard.
He could see the great houndsand he called.
Speaker 2 (52:25):
Better luck another time to them.
Speaker 1 (52:28):
Then he switched on the light.
A man who had been hiding inthe curtains of the bed was
standing there.
Speaker 2 (52:33):
Rainsford screamed the general.
How in God's?
Name did you get here.
Speaker 1 (52:38):
Swam said Rainsford.
I found it quicker than walkingthrough the jungle.
The general sucked in hisbreath and smiled.
Speaker 2 (52:45):
I congratulate you.
He said You've won the game.
Speaker 1 (52:49):
Rainsford did not smile.
I'm still a beast at bay.
He said in a low, hoarse voiceGet ready, general Zaroff.
The general made one of hisdeepest bows.
Speaker 2 (53:01):
I see he said Splendid One of us is to finish
every past for the hounds.
The other will sleep in thisvery excellent bed On guard
Rainsford.
Speaker 1 (53:13):
He had never slept in a better bed.
Rainsford decided you have beenlistening to a reading of the
Most Dangerous Game by RichardConnell.
Hello, are you tired?
You will be.
Thank you for joining me today.
We're going to read by RichardConnell.
(00:22):
If you enjoy these readings,please like and leave us a
review and subscribe to thispodcast.
(00:43):
You can also contributefinancially to this podcast and
that would be very muchappreciated.
We begin the Most DangerousGame by Richard Connell.
(01:07):
Off, there to the right,somewhere is a large island,
said Whitney.
It's rather a mystery.
What island is it, rainsfordasked?
The old chads call it Ship TrapIsland.
(01:30):
Whitney replied A suggestivename, isn't it?
Sailors have a curious dread ofthat place and I don't know why
.
Some superstition, I can't seeit.
Remarked, remarked ranchford,trying to peer through the dank
tropical night.
That was palpable as it pressedits thick, warm blackness upon
(01:53):
the yacht.
You've got good eyes, saidwhitney with a laugh, and I've
seen you pick off a moose movingin the brown fall brush at four
hundred yards, but even youcan't see four miles or so
through the moonless Caribbeannight.
Nor four yards admittedRainsford.
(02:14):
Oh, it's like moist blackvelvet.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
It will be light enough in Rio, promised Whitney,
we should make it in a few days.
I hope the jaguar guns havecome from Purdy's and we should
have some good hunting up in theAmazon.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Great sport hunting.
The best sport in the world,agreed.
Rainsford For the hunter,amended Whitney, not for the
jaguar.
Don't talk, rot, whitney, saidRainsford.
You're a big game hunter, not aphilosopher who cares how a
jaguar feels.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Perhaps the jaguar does observed Whitney, bah,
they've no understanding.
Even so, I'd rather think theyunderstand one thing Fear.
The fear of pain and the fearof death Nonsense laughed.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
Rainsford.
This hot weather is making yousoft, whitney, be a realist.
The world is made up of twoclasses the hunters and the
huntees.
Luckily, you and I are thehunters.
Do you think we've passed thatisland yet?
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Luckily you and I are the hunters.
Do you think we've passed thatisland yet?
I can't tell in the dark.
I hope so.
Why, asked Rainsford?
The place has a reputation, abad one.
Cannibals suggested Rainsford.
Hardly Even cannibals wouldn'tlive in such a godforsaken place
, but it's gotten into sailorlore somehow.
(03:44):
Don't you notice that thecrew's nerves seem to be a bit
jumpy today?
Speaker 1 (03:50):
They were a bit strange, now that you mention it
, even Captain Nielsen.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Yes, even that tough-minded old Swede who'd go
up to the devil himself and askhim for a light.
Those fishy blue eyes held alook I never saw there before
and all I could get out of himwas this place has an evil name
among seafaring men, sir.
Then he said very gravely don'tyou feel anything as if the air
(04:16):
is about to was actuallypoisonous?
No, you mustn't laugh when Itell you this.
I did feel something like asudden chill.
There was no breeze.
The sea was flat as a plateglass window.
We were drawing near the islandthen.
What I felt was a mental chill,a sort of sudden dread.
(04:39):
Pure imagination said Rainsford,One superstitious sailor can't
contain the whole ship's companywith his fear maybe, but
sometimes I think sailors havean extra sense that tells them
when they are in danger.
Sometimes I think evil is atangible thing with wavelengths,
(05:03):
just as sound and light have.
An evil place can, so to speak,broadcast vibrations of evil.
Anyhow, I'm glad we're gettingout of this zone.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Well, I think I'll turn in now, rainsford, I'm not
sleepy said Rainsford, I'm goingto smoke another pipe up on the
afterdeck.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Good night, then, rainsford.
See you at breakfast.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
Right.
Good night, whitney.
There was no sound the night asRainsford sat there, but the
muffled throb of that enginethat drove the yacht swiftly
through the darkness, and theswish and ripple of the wash of
the propeller.
Rainsford, reclining in asteamer chair, indolently puffed
(05:51):
on his favorite briar.
The sensuous drowsiness of thenight was on him.
It's so dark he thought that Icould sleep without closing my
eyes.
The night would be my eyelids.
An abrupt sound startled himOff to the right.
He heard it and his ears,expert in such matters, could
(06:17):
not be mistaken.
Again he heard the sound andagain, somewhere off in the
blackness, someone had fired agun three times.
Rainford sprang up and movedquickly to the rail.
Mystified, he strained his eyesin the direction from which the
reports had come, but it waslike trying to see through a
(06:38):
blanket.
He leaped upon the rail andbalanced himself there to get
greater elevation.
His pipe, striking a rope, wasknocked from his mouth.
He lunged after it after ashort, hoarse cry came from his
lips as he realized he hadreached too far and lost his
balance.
The cry was pinched off shortas the blood-warm waters of the
Caribbean Sea closed over hishead.
(06:59):
He struggled up to the surfaceand tried to cry out, but the
wash from the speeding yachtslapped him in the face and salt
water in his open mouth madehim gag and strangle desperately
.
He struck out with long strokesafter the receding lines of the
yacht, but he stopped before hehad swum 50 feet.
A certain cool-headedness hadcome to him.
(07:19):
It was not the first time hehad been in a tight place.
There was a chance that hiscries could be heard by someone
aboard the yacht, but thatchance was slender and grew more
slender as the yacht raced on.
He wrestled himself out of hisclothes and shouted with all his
power.
The lights of the yacht becamefaint and ever-vanishing
(07:41):
fireflies.
Then they were blotted outentirely.
By the night.
Rainsford remembered the shots.
They had come from the rightand doggedly he swam in that
direction, swimming with slow,deliberate strokes, conserving
his strength.
For a seemingly endless time hefought the sea.
He began to count his strokes.
(08:03):
He could do possibly a hundredmore.
And then rainsford heard a sound.
It came out of the darkness, ahigh, screaming sound, the sound
of an animal in an extremity ofanguish and terror.
He did not recognize the animalthat made that sound.
He did not try to.
(08:24):
With fresh vitality.
He swam toward the sound.
He heard it again.
Then it was cut short byanother noise crisp, staccato,
pistol shot, muttered rains forswimming on.
Ten minutes of determined effortbrought another sound to his
ears, the most welcome he hadever heard the muttering and
(08:53):
growling of the sea breaking ona rocky shore.
He was almost on the rocksbefore he saw them.
On a nightless calm he wouldhave been shattered against them
.
With his remaining strength, hedragged himself from the
swirling waters.
Jagged cracks appeared to jutup into the opaqueness.
He forced himself upward, handover hand, gasping his hands raw
.
He reached a flat place at thetop Dense jungle, came down to
(09:17):
the very edge of the cliffs.
What perils that tangle of treesand underbrush might hold for
him did not concern Rainsfordjust then.
All he knew was that he wassafe from his enemy, the sea,
and that utter weariness was onhim.
He flung himself down at thejungle edge and stumbled
(09:39):
headlong into the deepest sleepof his life.
When he opened his eyes he knewfrom the position of the sun
that it was late afternoon.
Sleep had given him new vigor.
A sharp hunger was picking athim.
He looked about him almostcheerfully.
Where there are pistol shots.
There are men.
Where there are men, there isfood, he thought.
(10:03):
But what kind of men, hewondered, in such a forbidding
place?
An unbroken front of snarled andragged jungle fringed the shore
.
He saw no sign of a trailthrough the closely knit web of
the weeds and trees.
It was easier to go along theshore and Rainsford floundered
(10:23):
along by the water.
Not far from where he landed hestopped Some wounded thing by
the evidence a large animal hadthrashed about in the underbrush
.
The jungle weeds were crusheddown and moss was lacerated.
One patch of weeds was stainedwith crimson.
A small, glittering object notfar away caught Rainsford's eye
(10:44):
and he picked it up.
It was an empty cartridge, a.22, he remarked.
That's odd.
It must have been a fairlylarge animal too.
The hunter had his nerve withhim to tackle it with a light
gun.
It is clear that the brute putup a fight.
I suppose the first three shotsI heard was when the hunter
flushed his quarry and woundedit.
(11:04):
The last shot was when hetrailed it here and finished it.
He examined the ground closelyand found what he hoped to find
the print of hunting boots.
They pointed along the cliff inthe direction he had been going
Eagerly.
He hurried along, now slippingon a rotten log or a loose stone
(11:25):
, but makingheadway.
Night was beginning to settledown on the island.
Bleak darkness was blacking outthe sea and jungle.
When Rainsford sighted thelights, he came upon them as he
turned a crook in the coastlineand his first thought was that
he had come upon a village, forthere were many lights.
(11:49):
But as he forged along, he sawto his great astonishment that
all the lights were in oneenormous building, a lofty
structure with pointed towersplunging upward into the gloom.
His eyes made out the shadowyoutlines of a palatial chateau.
It was set on a high bluff andon three sides of it cliffs
(12:10):
dived down to where the sealicked greedy lips in the
shadows.
Mirage, thought Rainsford.
But it was no mirage, he foundwhen he opened the tall, spiked
(12:33):
iron gate.
The stone steps were realenough.
The massive door with a leeringgargoyle for a knocker was real
enough.
Yet above it all hung an air ofunreality.
He lifted the knocker and itcreaked up stiffly as if it had
never before been used.
He let it fall and it startledhim With its booming loudness.
(12:54):
He thought as he heard stepswithin.
The door remainedclosed.
Again, rainsford lifted theheavy knocker and let it fall.
The door opened then opened assuddenly as if it were on a
spring, and rainsford stoodblinking in the river of glaring
gold light that poured out.
(13:14):
The first thing rainsford eyesdiscerned was the largest man
rainsford had ever seen agigantic creature, solemnly made
and black, beardbearded to thewaist.
In his hand the man held along-barreled revolver and he
was pointing it straight atRainsford's heart.
Out of the snarl of thebeard.
(13:35):
Two small eyes regardedRainsford.
Don't be alarmed, saidRainsford with a smile which he
hoped was disarming.
I'm no robber.
I fell off a yacht.
My name is Sanger Rainsford of.
With a smile which he hoped wasdisarming.
I'm no robber.
I fell off a yacht.
My name is Sanger Rainsford ofNew York City.
The menacing look in the eyesdid not change.
(13:59):
The revolver pointed as rigidlyas if the giant were a statue.
He gave no sign that heunderstood Rainsford's words or
that he had even heard them.
He was dressed in uniform, ablack uniform trimmed with gray
astrakhan.
I'm Sanger Rainsford of NewYork.
(14:19):
Rainsford began again.
I fell off a yacht.
I'm hungry.
The man's only answer was toraise with his thumb the hammer
of his revolver.
Then Rainsford saw the man'sfree hand go to his forehead in
a military salute.
Then he saw him click his heelstogether and stand at attention
.
Another man was coming down thebroad marble steps, an erect,
(14:42):
slender man in his eveningclothes.
He advanced to Rainsford andheld out his hand.
In a cultivated voice marked bya slight accent that gave it
added precision anddeliberateness, he said it is
very great pleasure and honor towelcome Mr Sanger Rainsford,
(15:05):
the celebrated hunter, to myhome.
Automatically.
Rainsford shook the man's hand.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
I've read your book about hunting snow leopards in
Tibet.
You see explained the man, I amGeneral Zeroff.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Rainsford's first impression was that the man was
singularly handsome.
Rainsford's first impressionwas that the man was singularly
handsome.
His second was that there wasan original, almost bizarre
quality about the general's face.
He was a tall man, past middleage, for his hair was vivid
white as the night from whichRainford had come.
His eyes too were black andvery bright.
He had high cheekbones, asharp-cut nose, a spare, dark
(15:51):
face, the face of a man used togiving orders, the face of an
aristocrat.
Turning to the giant in uniform, the general made a sign.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
The giant put away his pistol, saluted and withdrew
.
Ivan is an incredibly strongfellow, remarked the general,
but he has the misfortune to bedeaf and dumb.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
A simple fellow, but I'm afraid, like all his race, a
bit savage, is he?
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Russian.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
He is a Cossack said the general and his smile showed
red lips and pointed teeth.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
So am I Come.
He said we shouldn't bechatting here, we can talk later
.
Now you want clothes, food,rest.
You shall have them.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
This is a most restful spot ivan had reappeared
and the general spoke to himwith lips that moved, but gave
forth no sound follow ivan, ifyou please.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
Mr said the general.
I was about to have my dinnerwhen you came in.
I'll wait for you.
You'll find that my clotheswill fit you, I think.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
It was to a huge beamed ceiling bedroom with a
canopy, big bed enough for sixmen, that Rainsford followed.
The silent giant.
Ivan had laid out an eveningsuit and Rainsford, as he put it
it on, noticed that it camefrom a London tailor who
ordinarily cut and sewed fornone below the rank of Duke.
(17:26):
The dining room to which Ivanconducted him was in many ways
remarkable.
There was a medievalmagnificence about it.
It suggested a baronial hall offeudal times, with its oaken
panels, its high ceiling, itsvast refectory tables where two
(17:46):
score men could sit down to eatMoose bears.
Larger and more perfectspecimens Ranger Rainsford had
never seen.
At the great table, the generalwas sitting alone.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
You'll have a cocktail, mr Rainsford.
He suggested.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
The cocktail was surprisingly good and Rainsford
noted the table appointmentswere of the finest the linen,
the crystal, the silver, thechina.
They were eating borscht, therich red soup with whipped cream
so dear to Russian palates.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
Half apologetically, the general Zaroff said we do
our best to preserve theamenities of civilization here.
Please forgive any lapses.
We are well off the beatentrack, you know.
Do you think the champagne hassuffered from its long ocean
trip?
Speaker 1 (18:40):
Not in the least, declared Rainsford, he was
finding the general mostthoughtful and affable host, a
true cosmopolite.
But there was one small traitof the general's that made
Rainsford uncomfortable.
Whenever he looked up from hisplate he found the general
studying him, appraising himnarrowly.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Perhaps, said General Zaroff, you were surprised that
I recognized your name.
You see, I read all your bookson hunting published in England,
french and Russian.
I have but one passion in mylife, mr Rainsford, and it is
the hunt.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
You have some wonderful heads here, said
Rainsford as he ate particularlywell-cooked filet mignon, that
Cape Buffalo is the largest Iever saw.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
Oh, that fellow.
Yes, he was a monster, did hecharge you?
Hurled me against a tree, saidthe general, fractured my skull,
but I got the brute.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
I've always thought, said Rainsford, that the Cape
Buffalo is the most dangerous ofall big game.
For a moment the general didnot reply.
He was smiling his curiousred-lipped smile.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
Then he said slowly no, you are wrong, sir.
The Cape Buffalo is not themost dangerous big game.
He sipped his wine.
Here on my preserve is the onthis island, here in my preserve
, on this island.
He said with the same slow toneI hunt more dangerous game.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Rainsford expressed his surprise Is there a big game
on this island?
Speaker 2 (20:21):
the General nodded the biggest.
Really, oh, it isn't here.
Naturally, of course, I have tostock the island.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
What have you imported, General Rainsford
asked Tigers the General smiled.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
No, he said, hunting tigers ceased to interest me
some years ago.
I exhausted their possibilities.
You see, no thrill left intigers, no real danger.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
I live for danger.
Mr Rainsford, the general, tookfrom his pocket a gold
cigarette case and offered hisguest a long black cigarette
with a silver tip.
It was perfumed and gave off asmell like incense with a silver
tip.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
It was perfumed and gave off a smell like incense.
We will have some capitalhunting you and I said the
general.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
I should be most glad to have your society, but what
game Rainsford?
Speaker 2 (21:10):
began, began Rainsford.
I'll tell you said the general.
You will be amused, I know.
I think I may say in allmodesty that I have done a rare
thing.
I have invented a new sensation.
May I pour you another glass ofport.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
Thank you General.
The General filled both glassesand said God makes some men
poets.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
He makes some kings some beggars.
Me he made a hunter.
My hand was made for thetrigger.
My father said he was a veryrich man with a quarter of a
million acres in the Crimea andhe was an ardent sportsman.
When I was only five years oldhe gave me a little gun
specially made in Moscow for meto shoot sparrows with.
(21:54):
When I shot some of his prizedturkeys with it, he did not
punish me, he complimented me onmy marksmanship.
I killed my first bear in theCaucasus when I was ten.
My whole life has been oneprolonged hunt.
I went into the army it wasexpected of noblemen's sons and
(22:15):
for a time commanded a divisionof Cossack cavalry Cavalry of
noblemen's sons and for a timecommanded a division of Cossack
cavalry.
But my real interest was alwaysthe hunt.
I have hunted every kind ofgame in every land.
It would be impossible for meto tell you how many animals
I've killed.
Speaker 1 (22:31):
The general puffed his cigarette.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
After the debacle in Russia, I left the country, for
it was imprudent for an officerof the Tsar to stay there.
Many noble Russians losteverything.
I, luckily, had investedheavily in American securities,
so I shall never have to open atea room in Monte Carlo or drive
a taxi in Paris.
Naturally, I continued to huntgrizzlies in your Rockies,
crocod crocodiles and the Gangesrhinoceroses in East Africa.
(22:58):
It was in Africa that the CapeBuffalo hit me and laid me up
for six months.
As soon as I recovered, Istarted for the Amazon to hunt
jaguars, for I had heard thatthey were unusually cunning.
They weren't, the Cossacksighed.
They were no match at all for ahunter with his wits about him
and a high-powered rifle.
(23:19):
I was bitterly disappointed.
I was lying in my tent with asplitting headache one night
when a terrible thought pushedits way into my mind.
Hunting was beginning to boreme and hunting, remember, had
been my life.
I had heard that in America,businessmen often go to pieces
when they give up the businessthat has been their life.
Speaker 1 (23:40):
Yeah, that's so, said Rainsford.
The general smiled.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
I had no wish to go to pieces.
He said I must do something now.
My mind is an analytical mind,mr Rainsford.
Doubtless that is why I enjoythe problems of the chase?
Speaker 1 (23:56):
No doubt, General Zaroff.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
So continued the chase, no doubt General Zaroff.
So continues the general.
I ask myself why the hunt nolonger fascinated me.
You are much younger than I am,mr Rainsford, and have not
hunted as much, but you perhapscan guess the answer.
What is it?
Simply, this Hunting had ceasedto be what you call a sporting
proposition.
It had become too easy.
I always got my quarry, always.
(24:21):
There's no greater ball thanperfection.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
The General lit a fresh cigarette.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
No animal had a chance with me anymore.
That is no boast, it's amathematical certainty.
The animal had nothing but hislegs and his instinct.
Instinct is no match for reason.
When I thought of this, it wasa tragic moment for me.
I can tell you.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
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 generalsmiled, a quiet smile, who has
faced an obstacle and surmountedit with success.
Speaker 2 (25:02):
I had to invent a new animal to hunt, he said a new
animal.
You're joking not at all, saidthe general.
I never joke about hunting.
I needed a new animal.
I found one, so I brought thisisland, built this house and
here do my hunting.
The island is perfect for mypurposes.
There are jungles with a mazeof traits in them hills, swamps,
(25:24):
but the animal, general Zoroff,oh, said the general, it
supplies me with the mostexciting hunting in the world.
No other hunting compares withit for an instant.
Every day I hunt and I nevergrow bored.
Now for I have quarry withwhich I can match my wits.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
Rainsford's bewilderment showed in his face.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
I wanted the ideal animal to hunt explained the
general so.
I said what are the attributesof an ideal quarry?
And the answer was, of course,it must have courage, cunning
and, above all, it must be ableto reason.
But no animal can reason,objected Rainsford, my dear
(26:09):
fellow said the general, there'sone that can, but you can't
mean gasped Rainsford.
And why not?
Speaker 1 (26:19):
I can't believe you are serious, General Zaroff.
This is a grisly joke.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Why should I not be serious?
I'm speaking of hunting.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
Hunting Great guns.
General Zaroff, what you speakof is murder.
The general laughed with entiregood nature.
He regarded Rainsfordquizzically.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
I refuse to believe that so modern and civilized a
young man as you seem to beharbors romantic ideas about the
value of human life.
Speaker 1 (26:53):
Surely your experiences in the war did not
make me condone cold-bloodedmurder.
Finished Rainsford stifflyLaughter, shook the general.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
How extraordinarily droll you are, he said.
One does not expect nowadays tofind a young man of the
educated class, even in America.
With such a naive and, if I maysay so, mid-Victorian point of
view, it's like finding a snuffbox in a limousine.
Ah well, doubtless you hadPuritan ancestors so many
Americans appear to have had.
(27:27):
Oh wager, you'll forget yournotions when you go hunting with
me.
You've got a genuine new thrillin store for you, mr Ransford.
Speaker 1 (27:38):
Thank you.
I'm a hunter, not a murderer.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Dear me, said the general quite unruffled.
Again that unpleasant word, butI think I can show you that
your scruples are quiteill-founded.
Speaker 1 (27:51):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
Life is for the strong, to be lived by the
strong and, if it needs, betaken by the strong.
The weak of the world were puthere to give the strong pleasure
.
I am strong.
Why I should not use my gift?
If I wish to hunt, why should Inot the hunt?
I hunt the scum of the earth.
(28:13):
Sailors from trapped ships,laskers, blacks, chinese, whites
, Mongrels, a thoroughbred horseor a hound is worth more than a
score of them.
Speaker 1 (28:22):
But they are men, said Rainsford hotly.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
Precisely said the general.
This is why I use them.
It gives me pleasure, they canreason after a fashion, so they
are dangerous.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
Where do you get them ?
The general's left eyelidfluttered down a wink.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
This island is called Ship Trap, he answered.
Sometimes an angry god of thehigh seas sends them to me.
Sometimes, when providence isnot so kind, I help providence a
bit.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Come to the window with me, rainsford went to the
window and looked out towardsthe sea.
Watch out there, exclaimed thegeneral, pointing.
Into the night Rainsford's eyessaw only blackness and then, as
the general pressed a button,far out to sea Rainsford saw the
flash of lights.
The general, chuckled.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
They indicate a channel, he said, when there is
none.
Giant rocks with razor edgescrouch like a sea monster with
wide open jaws.
They can crush a ship as easilyas I crush this nut.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
He dropped a walnut on the hardwood floor and
brought his heel grinding downon it.
Speaker 2 (29:31):
Oh yes he said casually, as if in answer to a
question.
I have electricity.
We try to be civilized here.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
Civilized and you shoot down men.
A trace of anger was in thegeneral's black eyes, but it was
there for but a second, and hesaid in his most pleasant manner
Dear me, what a righteous youngman you are.
Speaker 2 (29:53):
I assure you I do not do the thing you suggest.
That would be barbarousBarbarous.
I treat these visitors withevery consideration.
They get plenty of food andexercise.
They get into splendid physicalcondition.
You can see for yourself.
Tomorrow, what do you mean?
We'll visit my training school,smiled the general.
(30:14):
It's in the cellar.
I have about a dozen pupilsdown there now.
They're from the Spanish bogSan Luca, that had the bad luck
to go on the rocks out there.
A very inferior lot, I regretto say, Poor specimens and more
accustomed to the deck than tothe jungle.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
He raised his hand and Ivan, who served as a waiter
, brought thick Turkish coffeeRainsford with an effort, held
his tongue and check "'It's agame, you see', pursued the
general blandly.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
"'I suggest to one of them that we go hunting.
I give him a supply of food andan excellent hunting knife.
I give him three hours' start'".
I am to follow armed only witha pistol of the smallest caliber
and range.
If my quarry eludes me forthree whole days, he wins the
game, and if I find him thegeneral smiled he loses.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
Suppose he refuses to be hunted.
Speaker 2 (31:08):
Oh, said the general.
I give him his option.
Of course he need not play thegame if he doesn't wish to.
If he does not wish to hunt, Iturn him over to Ivan.
Ivan once had the honor ofserving as official nauta to the
great white czar and he has hisown ideas of sport.
Invariably, Mr Rainsford,invariably, they choose to hunt,
and if they, win a smile on thegeneral's face widened To date.
(31:31):
I have not lost he said.
Then he added hastily "'I don'twish you to think me a braggart,
Mr Rainsford.
"'many of them afford onlytheir most elementary sort of
problem.
"'occasionally I strike atar-tar.
"'one almost did win.
"'eventually I had to use thedogs' "'The dogs'.
"'this way, please, I'll showyou'.
Speaker 1 (31:53):
The general steered Rainsford to a window.
The lights from the window senta flickering illumination that
made grotesque patterns in thecourtyard below and Rainsford
could see moving about there adozen or so huge black shapes.
As they turned towards him,their eyes glittered greenly.
Speaker 2 (32:12):
It's a rather good lot, I think, observed the
general.
They are let out at seven everynight.
If anyone should try to getinto my house or out of it,
something extremely regrettablewould occur to him.
Speaker 1 (32:23):
He hummed a snatch of song from the Follies Berger
and now said the general I wantto show you my new collection of
heads.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
Will you come with me to the library.
Speaker 1 (32:35):
I hope, said Rainsford, that you will excuse
me tonight.
General Zaroff, I'm really notfeeling well.
Speaker 2 (32:41):
Ah, indeed, the general inquired saliciously.
Well, I suppose that it's onlynatural after your long swim you
need a good, restful night'ssleep.
Tomorrow you will feel like anew man.
I'll wager, then we'll hunt.
Eh, I have one rather promisingprospect.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
Rainsford was hurrying from the room.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Sorry you can't go out with me tonight.
Called the general, I expectrather fair sport.
A big, strong black, he looksresourceful.
Well, good night, mr Rainsford.
I hope you have a good night'srest.
Speaker 1 (33:14):
The bed was good and the pajamas of the softest silk,
and he was tired in every fiberof his being.
But nevertheless Rainsfordcould not quiet his brain with
the opiate of sleep.
He lay eyes wide open Once hethought he heard stealthy steps
(33:35):
in the corridor outside his room.
He sought to throw open thedoor.
It would not not open.
He went to the window andlooked out.
His room was high up in one ofthe towers.
The lights of the chateau wereout now and it was dark and
silent.
But there was a fragment ofswallow of sallow moon and by
its one wayne light he could seedimly the courtyard there
(34:01):
weaving out in and out of thepattern of the shadow were black
, noiseless forms.
The hounds heard him out thewindow and looked up expectantly
with their green eyes.
Rainsford went back to the bedand lay down.
By many methods he tried to puthimself to sleep.
He had achieved a doze when,just as morning began to put
himself to sleep.
He had achieved a doze when,just as morning began to come,
he heard far off in the junglethe faint report of a pistol.
(34:22):
General Zaroff did not appearuntil luncheon.
He was dressed faultlessly inthe tweeds of a country squire.
He was salacious about thestate of Rainsford's health.
Speaker 2 (34:37):
As for me, signed the general, I do not feel so well.
I am worried.
Mr Rainsford, last night Idetected traces of my old
complaint.
Speaker 1 (34:46):
To Rainsford's questioning.
Glance, the general said.
Speaker 2 (34:49):
In a white boredom.
Speaker 1 (34:51):
Then taking a second helping of Crepes.
Suzette, the general explained.
Speaker 2 (34:59):
The hunting was not good last night.
The fellow lost his head and hemade a straight trail that
offered no problems at all.
That's the trouble with thesesailors.
They have dull brains to beginwith and they do not know how to
get in the woods, Get about inthe woods.
They do excessively stupid andobvious things.
It's most annoying.
Will you have another glass ofChablis, Mr Rainsford General?
Speaker 1 (35:21):
said Rainsford firmly I wish to leave this island.
At once the general raised histhickets of eyebrows.
He seemed hurt.
Speaker 2 (35:30):
But my dear fellow, the general, protested you've
only just come, you've had nohunting.
Speaker 1 (35:36):
I wish to go today, said Rainsford.
He saw the dead black of thegeneral on him.
Studying him, general Zorro'sface suddenly brightened.
He filled Rainsford's glasswith the venerable Chablis from
a dusty bottle.
Tonight, said the general, wewill hunt you and I.
Rainsford shook his head.
No general, said the general.
(35:58):
We will hunt you and I.
Rainsford shook his head, nogeneral.
He said I will not hunt.
Speaker 2 (36:04):
The general shrugged his shoulders and delicately ate
a hot house grape as you wishmy friend he said the choice
rests entirely with you.
But may I not venture tosuggest that you will find my
ideal sport more diverting thanIvan's.
Speaker 1 (36:16):
He nodded toward the corner to where the giant stood
scowling, his thick arms crossedon his hog's head of a chest
you don't mean, my dear fellow,said the general.
Speaker 2 (36:28):
have I not told you I always mean what I say about
hunting.
This is really an inspiration Idrink to a foeman worthy of my
steel at last.
Speaker 1 (36:37):
The general raised his glass, but Rainsford sat
staring at him.
Speaker 2 (36:43):
You'll find this game worth playing.
The general saidenthusiastically your brain
against mine, your woodcraftagainst mine, your strength and
stamina against mine.
Outdoor chess the stake is notwithout value, eh.
Speaker 1 (36:58):
And, if I win, began Rainsford huskily.
Speaker 2 (37:02):
I'll cheerfully acknowledge defeat.
And if I do not find you bymidnight of the third day, said
General Zoroff, my sloop willplace you on the mainland near
town.
The general read what Rainsfordwas thinking.
Oh, you can trust me, said theCossack.
I will give you my word as agentleman and a sportsman.
Of course, you in turn mustagree to say nothing of your
(37:23):
visit here.
Speaker 1 (37:25):
I agree to nothing of the kind said Rainsford.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
Oh, said the general in that case.
But why discuss that now, threedays hence?
We can discuss it over a bottleof vin of cliquoir, unless the
general sipped his wine, then abusiness-like air animated him,
ivan, he said to Rainsford wouldsupply you with hunting clothes
(37:51):
, food, a knife.
I suggest you wear moccasins.
They leave a poor trail.
I suggest too that you avoidthe big swamp at the southeast
corner of the island.
We call it Death Swamp.
There's quicksand there.
One foolish fellow tried it.
The deplorable part of it wasthat Lazarus followed him.
Can you imagine my feelings, mrRainsford?
I loved Lazarus.
He was one of the finest houndsof my pack.
Well, I must beg you to excuseme now.
(38:12):
I always take a siesta afterlunch.
You hardly have time for a nap.
I fear you want to start.
No doubt I shall not followtill dusk.
Hunting at night is so muchmore exciting than my day, don't
you think?
Au revoir, mr Rainsfoot, aurevoir.
Speaker 1 (38:28):
General Zaroff, with a deep, courtly bow, strolled
from the room.
Another door came.
From another door came Ivan.
Under one arm he carried khakihunting clothes, a haversack of
food, a leather sheathcontaining a long-bladed hunting
knife.
His right hand rested on acrooked revolver thrust in the
(38:51):
crimson sash about his waist.
Rainsford had fought his waythrough the bush for two hours.
I must keep my nerve.
I must keep my nerve, he saidthrough tight teeth.
He had not been entirelyclear-headed when the chateau
gates snapped shut behind him.
His whole idea at first was toput distance between himself and
(39:13):
General Zaroff and to this endhe had plunged along, spurred on
by the sharp rowers ofsomething very like panic.
But now he had got a grip onhimself and stopped and was
taking stock of himself in thesituation.
He saw that straight flight wasfutile.
Inevitably it would bring himface to face with the sea.
(39:34):
He was in a picture with aframe of water.
It would bring him face to facewith the sea.
He was in a picture with aframe of water and his
operations clearly must takeplace within that frame.
I'll give him a trail to follow, muttered Rainsford, and he
struck off from the rude path hehad been following into the
trackless wilderness.
He executed a series ofintricate loops.
He doubled on his trail againand again, recalling all the
(39:55):
lore of the fox hunt and all thedodges of the fox.
Night found him leg-weary, withhands and face lashed by blank
branches, on a thickly woodedridge.
He knew it would be insane toblunder through the dark, even
if he had the strength.
His need for rest wasimperative and he thought I have
(40:20):
played the fox, now I must playthe cat of the fable.
A big tree with a thick trunkand outspread branches was
nearby and taking care to leavenot the slightest mark.
He climbed up into the crotchand, stretching out on one of
the broad limbs after a fashionrested Rest brought him new
confidence and almost a feelingof security.
Even so, zealous a hunter asGeneral Zaroff could not trace
(40:43):
him here, he told himself, onlythe devil himself could follow
that complicated trail to thejungle.
After dark Perhaps the generalwas a devil An apprehensive
knight crawled slowly by like awounded snake and sleep did not
visit Rainsford, although thesilence of the dread world was
on the jungle.
Toward morning, when a dingygray was varnishing the sky, the
(41:06):
cry of some startled birdfocused Rainsford's attention in
that direction.
Something was coming throughthe bush, coming slowly,
carefully, coming by the sameway, same winding way.
Rainsford had come.
He flattened himself down onthe limb and, through a screen
of leaves almost as thick astapestry, he watched.
(41:27):
That which was approaching wasa man.
It was General Zaroff.
He made his way along, with hiseyes fixed in utmost
concentration on the groundbefore him.
He paused almost beneath thetree, dropped to his knees and
studied the ground.
(41:47):
Rainsford's impulse was to hurlhimself down like a panther,
but he saw that the general'sright hand held something
metallic a small automaticpistol.
The hunter shook his headseveral times as if he were
puzzled.
Then he straightened up andtook from his case one of his
black cigarettes.
Its pungent incense.
Smoke floated up to Rainsford'snostrils.
Rainsford held his breath.
(42:10):
The general's eyes had left theground and were traveling inch
by inch up the tree.
Rainsford froze there.
Every muscle tensed for aspring.
But the sharp eyes of thehunter stopped before they
reached the limb where Rainsfordlay.
A smile spread over his brownface.
Very deliberately he blew asmoke ring into the air.
Then he turned his back on thetree and walked carelessly away
(42:34):
Back along the trail.
He had come.
The swish of the underbrushagainst his hunting boots grew
fainter and fainter.
The pent-up air burst hotlyfrom Rainford's lungs.
His first thought made him feelsick and numb.
The general could follow atrail through the woods at night
.
He could follow an extremelydifficult trail.
He must have uncanny powers.
(42:55):
Only by a mere chance had theCossack failed to see his quarry
.
Rainsford's second thought waseven more terrible.
It sent a shudder of coldhorror through his whole being.
Why had the general smiled?
Why had he turned back?
Rainsford did not want tobelieve that what his reason
told him was true, but the truthwas as evident as the sun that
(43:19):
had by now pushed through themorning mists.
The general was playing withhim.
The general was saving him foranother day's sport.
The Cossack was the cat, he wasthe mouse.
Then it was that Rainsford knewthe full meaning of terror.
I will not lose my nerve.
I will not.
(43:39):
He slid down from the tree andstruck off again into the woods.
His face was set and he forcedthe machinery of his mind to
function.
Three hundred yards from hishiding place he stopped where a
huge dead tree leanedprecariously on a smaller living
one.
Throwing off his sack of food.
Rainsford took his knife fromits sheath and began to work
(44:01):
with all his energy.
The job was finished at lastand he threw himself down behind
a fallen log a few hundred feetaway.
He did not have to wait long.
The cat was coming again toplay with the mouse.
Following the trail, with thesureness of a bloodhound, came
General Zaroff.
Nothing escaped those searchingblack eyes no crushed blade of
(44:23):
grass, no bent twig, no mark, nomatter how faint in the moss
had made before he saw it.
His foot touched the protrudingbough.
That was the trigger.
Even as he touched it, thegeneral sensed his danger and
(44:44):
leaped back with the agility ofan ape.
He was not quite quick enough.
The dead tree delicatelyadjusted to rest on the cut
living one crashed down andstruck the general a glancing
blow on the shoulder as it fell,but for his alertness he must
have been smashed beneath it.
He staggered, but he did notfall, nor did he drop his
revolver.
He stood there rubbing hisinjured shoulder and Rainsford,
(45:07):
with fear again gripping hisheart heard the General's
mocking laugh ring through thejungle.
Speaker 2 (45:15):
Rainsford called the General.
If you are within the sound ofmy voice, I suppose you are.
Let me congratulate you.
Not many men know how to make aMalay man catcher.
Luckily for you, me, I too havehunted in Malacca.
You are proving interesting, mrRainsford.
I am now going to have my wounddressed.
It is only a slight one, but Ishall be back.
(45:37):
I shall be back.
Speaker 1 (45:41):
When the general nursing his bruised shoulder had
gone, rainsford took up hisflight again, and his flight now
a desperate, hopeless flightthat carried him on for some
hours.
Dusk came, then darkness still.
He pressed on, the ground grewsofter under his moccasins, the
vegetation grew ranker, denserInsects bit him savagely.
(46:03):
Then, as he stepped forward,his foot sank into the ooze.
He tried to wrench it back, butthe muck sucked viciously at
his foot as if it were a giantleech.
With a violent effort he torehis feet loose.
He knew where he was now, deathSwamp, and it was quicksand.
His hands were tight, closed,as if his nerve were something
(46:25):
tangible that someone in thedarkness was trying to tear from
his grip.
The softness of the earth hadgiven him an idea.
He stepped back from thequicksand a dozen feet or so and
, like some huge prehistoricbeaver, he began to dig.
Rainsford dug himself in Francewhen a second delay meant death.
(46:46):
That had been a placid pastimecompared to his digging now.
The pit grew deeper.
When it was above his shoulders, he climbed out from some hard
saplings-cut stakes andsharpened them to a fine point.
These stakes he planted in thebottom of the pit with the point
sticking up With flying fingershe wove a rough carpet of weeds
(47:07):
and branches and with it hecovered the mouth of the pit.
Then, wet with sweat and achingwith tiredness, he crouched
behind the stump of alightning-charred tree.
He knew his pursuer was coming.
He heard the patting sound offeet on the soft earth.
The night breeze brought himthe perfume of the general's
cigarette.
(47:28):
It seemed to Rainford that thegeneral was coming with unusual
swiftness.
He was not feeling his wayalong foot by foot.
Rainford, crouching there,could not see the general, nor
could he see the pit he lived ayear.
In a minute Then he felt animpulse to cry aloud with joy,
for he heard the sharp crackleof the breaking branches as the
(47:49):
cover of the pit gave way.
He heard the sharp scream ofpain as the pointed stakes found
their mark.
He leaped up from his place ofconcealment.
Then he cowered back.
Three feet from the pit.
A man was standing with anelectric torch in his hand.
You've done well, rainsford thevoice of the general called.
Speaker 2 (48:11):
Your Burmese tiger pit has claimed one of my best
dogs.
Again, you score, I think.
Mr Rainsford, I'll see what youcan do against my whole pack.
I'm going home for a rest now.
Thank you for a most amusingevening.
Speaker 1 (48:25):
At daybreak, lying near the swamp, rainsford was
awakened by a sound that madehim know that he had new things
to learn about fear.
It was a distant sound, faintand wavering, but he knew it was
the baying of a pack of hounds.
Rainsford knew he could do oneof two things.
He could stay where he was andwait.
(48:46):
That was suicide.
He could flee.
That was postponing theinevitable.
For a moment he stood therethinking An idea held.
A wild chance came to him and,tightening his belt, he headed
away from the swamp.
The bangs of the hounds drewnear, then still nearer and
nearer, even nearer.
On a ridge, rainford climbed atree Down a water course.
(49:10):
Not a quarter of a mile away hecould see the bush moving,
straining his eyes.
He saw the lean figure ofGeneral Zaroff just ahead of him
.
Rainsford made out anotherfigure whose wide shoulders
surged through the tall jungle.
It was the giant Ivan.
He seemed pulled forward by anunseen force.
Rainsford knew that Ivan mustbe holding the pack in a leash.
(49:36):
They would be on him any minute.
Now His mind worked frantically.
He thought of a native trick hehad learned in Uganda when he
slid down the tree, caught holdof a springy young sapling and
to it fastened his hunting knifeWith a blade pointing down the
trail.
With a bit of wild grapevine hetied back the sapling.
(49:57):
Then he ran for his life.
The hounds raised their voicesas he hit the fresh scent.
Rainsford knew now how ananimal at bay feels.
He had to stop to get hisbreath.
The bang of the hound stoppedabruptly and rainsford heart
stopped too.
They must have reached theknife.
He shinned excitingly up thetree and looked back.
(50:20):
His pursuers had stopped.
But the hope that was inRainsford's brain when he
climbed died, for he saw in theshallow valley that General
Zaroff was still on his feet,but Ivan was not.
The knife, driven by the recoilof the springing tree, had not
wholly failed.
Rainsford had hardly tumbled tothe ground when the pack took
(50:40):
up the cry again.
Nerve, nerve, nerve, he panted.
As he dashed along, a blue gapshowed between the trees.
Dead ahead, even nearer drewthe hounds.
Rainsford forced himself to ontowards that gap.
He reached it.
Forced himself to on towardsthat gap.
He reached it.
It was the shore of the sea.
Across a cove he could see thegloomy gray stone of the chateau
(51:04):
.
Twenty feet below him the searumbled and hissed.
Rainsford hesitated.
He heard the hounds, then heleaped far out into the sea.
When the general and his packreached the place by the sea,
the cossack stopped for someminutes.
He stood regarding theblue-green expanse of water.
He shrugged his shoulders.
(51:24):
Then he sat down, took a drinkof brandy from a silver flask,
lit a cigarette and hummed a bitfrom madame butterfly.
General zaroff had anexceedingly good dinner in his
great panel dining hall thatevening.
With it he had a bottle of PoleRoger and a half bottle of
Chambertin.
Two slight annoyances kept himfrom perfect enjoyment.
(51:47):
One was the thought that itwould be difficult to replace
Ivan.
The other was that his quarryhad escaped him.
Of course the American hadn'tplayed the game.
So thought the general.
As he tested his after-dinnerliqueur In his library he read
to soothe himself from the worksof Marcus Aurelius.
At ten he went up to hisbedroom.
(52:08):
He was deliciously tired, hesaid to himself as he locked
himself in.
There was a little moonlight,so before turning on his light
he went out to the window andlooked down at the courtyard.
He could see the great houndsand he called.
Speaker 2 (52:25):
Better luck another time to them.
Speaker 1 (52:28):
Then he switched on the light.
A man who had been hiding inthe curtains of the bed was
standing there.
Speaker 2 (52:33):
Rainsford screamed the general.
How in God's?
Name did you get here.
Speaker 1 (52:38):
Swam said Rainsford.
I found it quicker than walkingthrough the jungle.
The general sucked in hisbreath and smiled.
Speaker 2 (52:45):
I congratulate you.
He said You've won the game.
Speaker 1 (52:49):
Rainsford did not smile.
I'm still a beast at bay.
He said in a low, hoarse voiceGet ready, general Zaroff.
The general made one of hisdeepest bows.
Speaker 2 (53:01):
I see he said Splendid One of us is to finish
every past for the hounds.
The other will sleep in thisvery excellent bed On guard
Rainsford.
Speaker 1 (53:13):
He had never slept in a better bed.
Rainsford decided you have beenlistening to a reading of the
Most Dangerous Game by RichardConnell.
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