The Most Dangerous Game

The Most Dangerous Game

by Richard Connell

Get ready to take part in a shocking hunt. “The Most Dangerous Game”
is a short story full of suspense and surprises that will keep you on the
edge of your seat.

LITERARY FOCUS: FORESHADOWING

The plot of a story is a series of related events. These events take place as
one or more characters take steps to resolve a conflict, or problem of some
kind. Some events are hinted at through the use of foreshadowing.
• Each event in this story will make you curious about what will happen

next. That curiosity is called suspense.
• As you read, look for examples of foreshadowing that hint at what might

happen later in the plot.

READING SKILLS: MAKING PREDICTIONS Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

Before you read “The Most Dangerous Game,” take a few minutes to make
predictions using a “plot impression.” Plot impressions work like this: You
are given some details from the story. Then you weave the details together
to create an impression of the plot as you predict it might be. Here are the
details for your plot impression of “The Most Dangerous Game.” What do
you predict “the most dangerous game” is?

Key Details

Rainsford, a big-game hunter General Zaroff, another hunter
man overboard fierce dogs
Ship-Trap Island a trap

Plot Impression

Literary Skills
Understand

foreshadowing.

Reading
Skills
Make

predictions.

Vocabulary
Skills

Use prefixes to
understand

word meanings.

4 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

PREVIEW SELECTION VOCABULARY

Preview the following words from the story before you begin reading:

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. receding (ri≈s≤d√i«) v. used as adj.: becoming unruffled (un·ruf√¥ld) adj.: calm; not disturbed.
more distant.
Zaroff appeared unruffled, even when Rainsford
He could see the ship going away from him, called him a murderer.
receding in the distance.
invariably (in·ver√≤·¥·bl≤) adv.: always;
disarming (dis·ärm√i«) adj.: removing or without changing.
lessening suspicions or fears.
Zaroff said that his captives invariably
“Don’t be alarmed,” said Rainsford, with choose the hunt.
a smile he hoped was disarming.
diverting (d¥·v∞rt√i«) adj.: entertaining.
prolonged (pr£·lô«d√) v. used as adj.: extended.
The deadly hunt was a diverting game
Zaroff ’s whole life was one prolonged hunt. to Zaroff.

imprudent (im·prºd√¥nt) adj.: unwise. impulse (im√puls≈) n.: sudden desire to do
something.
After the revolution in Russia, Zaroff left the
country, for it was imprudent for an officer Rainsford had to control his impulse to run.
of the czar to stay there.
protruding (pr£·trºd√i«) v. used as adj.:
surmounted (s¥r·m¡nt√id) v.: overcame. sticking out.

The general smiled the quiet smile of one The protruding cliffs blocked Rainsford’s
who has faced an obstacle and surmounted sight of the ocean.
it with success.

PREFIXES: IMPORTANT BEGINNINGS Prefix Meaning Example
pre- before preview,
Prefixes are word parts added to the “view before”
beginnings of words. Although prefixes inter- between interaction,
consist of just a few letters, they are “action between”
powerful and can greatly change the un- not unpopular,
meaning of a word. To the right are “not popular”
prefixes you’ll come across often in your mis- badly; mismatch, “bad match”
reading. Recognizing these prefixes will re- wrong
help you figure out the meanings of replay, “play again”
many words that might be new to you. again

The Most Dangerous Game 5

Richard Connell

Corel. Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

Underline the name of the “Off there to the right—somewhere—is a large island,” said
island in line 4. What do you Whitney. “It’s rather a mystery—”
predict will happen in the
story, based on this name? “What island is it?” Rainsford asked.
“The old charts call it Ship-Trap Island,” Whitney replied.
“A suggestive name, isn’t it? Sailors have a curious dread of the
place. I don’t know why. Some superstition—”
“Can’t see it,” remarked Rainsford, trying to peer through
the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick
warm blackness in upon the yacht.
10 “You’ve good eyes,” said Whitney, with a laugh, “and I’ve
seen you pick off a moose moving in the brown fall bush at four
hundred yards, but even you can’t see four miles or so through a
moonless Caribbean night.”

“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell. Copyright 1924 by Richard Connell; copyright renewed ©
1952 by Louise Fox Connell. Reprinted by permission of Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Inc.

6 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. “Nor four yards,” admitted Rainsford. “Ugh! It’s like moist Circle the words in lines 7-15
black velvet.” that describe the setting.
What mood, or feeling, do
“It will be light in Rio,” promised Whitney. “We should these words create in you?
make it in a few days. I hope the jaguar guns have come from
Purdey’s.1 We should have some good hunting up the Amazon. Underline the sentences in
Great sport, hunting.” lines 20-27 that tell how
20 “The best sport in the world,” agreed Rainsford. Rainsford feels about hunting
animals. Circle the sentences
“For the hunter,” amended Whitney. “Not for the jaguar.” that tell how Whitney feels
“Don’t talk rot, Whitney,” said Rainsford. “You’re a big-game about hunting animals.
hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?”
“Perhaps the jaguar does,” observed Whitney.
“Bah! They’ve no understanding.”
“Even so, I rather think they understand one thing—fear.
The fear of pain and the fear of death.”
“Nonsense,” laughed Rainsford. “This hot weather is mak-
ing you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two
30 classes—the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are the
hunters. Do you think we’ve passed that island yet?”
“I can’t tell in the dark. I hope so.”
“Why?” asked Rainsford.
“The place has a reputation—a bad one.”
“Cannibals?” suggested Rainsford.
“Hardly. Even cannibals wouldn’t live in such a
Godforsaken place. But it’s gotten into sailor lore, somehow.
Didn’t you notice that the crew’s nerves seemed a bit jumpy
today?”
40 “They were a bit strange, now you mention it. Even
Captain Nielsen—”
“Yes, even that tough-minded old Swede, who’d go up to
the devil himself and ask him for a light. Those fishy blue eyes
held a look I never saw there before. All I could get out of him
was: ‘This place has an evil name among seafaring men, sir.’
Then he said to me, very gravely: ‘Don’t you feel anything?’—
as if the air about us was actually poisonous. Now, you mustn’t

1. Purdey’s (p∞r√d≤z): British manufacturer of hunting equipment.

The Most Dangerous Game 7

Underline details in lines laugh when I tell you this—I did feel something like a sudden
42-60 that describe the chill.
setting and its effect on 50 “There was no breeze. The sea was as flat as a plate-glass
Whitney. What mood do window. We were drawing near the island then. What I felt
these details help create? was a—a mental chill, a sort of sudden dread.”

“Pure imagination,” said Rainsford. “One superstitious
sailor can taint the whole ship’s company with his fear.”

“Maybe. But sometimes I think sailors have an extra sense
that tells them when they are in danger. Sometimes I think evil
is a tangible thing—with wavelengths, just as sound and light
have. An evil place can, so to speak, broadcast vibrations of evil.
Anyhow, I’m glad we’re getting out of this zone. Well, I think
60 I’ll turn in now, Rainsford.”

“I’m not sleepy,” said Rainsford. “I’m going to smoke
another pipe on the afterdeck.”

“Good night, then, Rainsford. See you at breakfast.”
“Right. Good night, Whitney.”

Pause at line 76. What do There was no sound in the night as Rainsford sat there Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
you predict will happen? but the muffled throb of the engine that drove the yacht swiftly
through the darkness, and the swish and ripple of the wash
of the propeller.

Rainsford, reclining in a steamer chair, indolently2 puffed
70 on his favorite brier.3 The sensuous drowsiness of the night was

on him. “It’s so dark,” he thought, “that I could sleep without
closing my eyes; the night would be my eyelids—”

An abrupt sound startled him. Off to the right he heard it,
and his ears, expert in such matters, could not be mistaken.
Again he heard the sound, and again. Somewhere, off in the
blackness, someone had fired a gun three times.

Rainsford sprang up and moved quickly to the rail,
mystified. He strained his eyes in the direction from which the
reports had come, but it was like trying to see through a blanket.

2. indolently (in√d¥·l¥nt·l≤) adv.: lazily.
3. brier (br¢√¥r) n.: tobacco pipe made from the root of a

brier bush or tree.

8 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. 80 He leapt upon the rail and balanced himself there, to get greater Pause at line 85. What has
elevation; his pipe, striking a rope, was knocked from his mouth. happened to Rainsford?
He lunged for it; a short, hoarse cry came from his lips as What do you predict will
he realized he had reached too far and had lost his balance. happen next?
The cry was pinched off short as the blood-warm waters of
the Caribbean Sea closed over his head. receding (ri≈s≤d√i«) v. used as
He struggled up to the surface and tried to cry out, but adj.: becoming more distant.
the wash from the speeding yacht slapped him in the face and
the salt water in his open mouth made him gag and strangle. What connection do you see
Desperately he struck out with strong strokes after the receding between the story’s title and
lines 103-109?
90 lights of the yacht, but he stopped before he had swum fifty feet.
A certain coolheadedness had come to him; it was not the first
time he had been in a tight place. There was a chance that his
cries could be heard by someone aboard the yacht, but that
chance was slender and grew more slender as the yacht raced on.
He wrestled himself out of his clothes and shouted with all his
power. The lights of the yacht became faint and ever-vanishing
fireflies; then they were blotted out entirely by the night.
Rainsford remembered the shots. They had come from the
right, and doggedly he swam in that direction, swimming with

100 slow, deliberate strokes, conserving his strength. For a seemingly
endless time he fought the sea. He began to count his strokes;
he could do possibly a hundred more and then—
Rainsford heard a sound. It came out of the darkness, a
high screaming sound, the sound of an animal in an extremity
of anguish and terror.
He did not recognize the animal that made the sound; he did
not try to; with fresh vitality he swam toward the sound. He heard
it again; then it was cut short by another noise, crisp, staccato.
“Pistol shot,” muttered Rainsford, swimming on.

110 Ten minutes of determined effort brought another sound to
his ears—the most welcome he had ever heard—the muttering
and growling of the sea breaking on a rocky shore. He was almost
on the rocks before he saw them; on a night less calm he would
have been shattered against them. With his remaining strength he

The Most Dangerous Game 9

Pause at line 124. Where is dragged himself from the swirling waters. Jagged crags appeared
Rainsford now? to jut into the opaqueness.4

He forced himself upward, hand over hand. Gasping,
his hands raw, he reached a flat place at the top. Dense jungle
came down to the very edge of the cliffs. What perils that tangle
120 of trees and underbrush might hold for him did not concern
Rainsford just then. All he knew was that he was safe from his
enemy, the sea, and that utter weariness was on him. He flung
himself down at the jungle edge and tumbled headlong into
the deepest sleep of his life.

When he opened his eyes, he knew from the position of the
sun that it was late in the afternoon. Sleep had given him new
vigor; a sharp hunger was picking at him. He looked about him,
almost cheerfully.

“Where there are pistol shots, there are men. Where there
130 are men, there is food,” he thought. But what kind of men, he

wondered, in so forbidding a place? An unbroken front of
snarled and ragged jungle fringed the shore.

4. opaqueness (£·p†k√nis) n.: here, darkness. Something opaque does
not let light pass through.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

© Kevin Schafer/Getty Images.

10 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. He saw no sign of a trail through the closely knit web Lines 137-141 create sus-
of weeds and trees; it was easier to go along the shore, and pense by leaving questions in
Rainsford floundered along by the water. Not far from where our minds. What questions
he had landed, he stopped. would you like answered?

Some wounded thing, by the evidence a large animal, had Personification is a kind of
thrashed about in the underbrush; the jungle weeds were crushed figurative language in which
down and the moss was lacerated; one patch of weeds was a nonhuman thing or some-
140 stained crimson. A small, glittering object not far away caught thing inanimate (not alive)
Rainsford’s eye and he picked it up. It was an empty cartridge. is talked about as if it were
human or alive. Underline
“A twenty-two,” he remarked. “That’s odd. It must have the detail in lines 161-162
been a fairly large animal too. The hunter had his nerve with that gives the sea a human
him to tackle it with a light gun. It’s clear that the brute put quality. What kind of “per-
up a fight. I suppose the first three shots I heard was when the son” is this sea?
hunter flushed his quarry5 and wounded it. The last shot was
when he trailed it here and finished it.”

He examined the ground closely and found what he had
hoped to find—the print of hunting boots. They pointed along
150 the cliff in the direction he had been going. Eagerly he hurried
along, now slipping on a rotten log or a loose stone, but making
headway; night was beginning to settle down on the island.

Bleak darkness was blacking out the sea and jungle when
Rainsford sighted the lights. He came upon them as he turned
a crook in the coastline, and his first thought was that he had
come upon a village, for there were many lights. But as he forged
along, he saw to his great astonishment that all the lights were in
one enormous building—a lofty structure with pointed towers
plunging upward into the gloom. His eyes made out the shad-
160 owy outlines of a palatial château;6 it was set on a high bluff,
and on three sides of it cliffs dived down to where the sea licked
greedy lips in the shadows.

“Mirage,” thought Rainsford. But it was no mirage, he
found, when he opened the tall spiked iron gate. The stone steps

5. flushed his quarry: drove the animal he was hunting out of
its hiding place.

6. château (◊a·t£√) n.: large country house.

The Most Dangerous Game 11

Here’s a conflict in lines were real enough; the massive door with a leering gargoyle for a Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
176-178. Is it external or knocker was real enough; yet about it all hung an air of unreality.
internal? Explain.
He lifted the knocker, and it creaked up stiffly, as if it had
disarming (dis•ärm≈i«) adj.: never before been used. He let it fall, and it startled him with its
removing or lessening suspi- booming loudness.
cions or fears. 170 He thought he heard steps within; the door remained
Dis- is a prefix meaning closed. Again Rainsford lifted the heavy knocker and let it fall.
“take away; deprive of.” The door opened then, opened as suddenly as if it were on a
Literally, disarm means “take spring, and Rainsford stood blinking in the river of glaring gold
away weapons or arms.” light that poured out. The first thing Rainsford’s eyes discerned
What does discomfort mean? was the largest man Rainsford had ever seen—a gigantic crea-
ture, solidly made and black-bearded to the waist. In his hand
the man held a long-barreled revolver, and he was pointing it
straight at Rainsford’s heart.

Out of the snarl of beard two small eyes regarded
180 Rainsford.

“Don’t be alarmed,” said Rainsford, with a smile which
he hoped was disarming. “I’m no robber. I fell off a yacht. My
name is Sanger Rainsford of New York City.”

The menacing look in the eyes did not change. The revolver
pointed as rigidly as if the giant were a statue. He gave no sign
that he understood Rainsford’s words or that he had even heard
them. He was dressed in uniform, a black uniform trimmed
with gray astrakhan.7

“I’m Sanger Rainsford of New York,” Rainsford began
190 again. “I fell off a yacht. I am hungry.”

The man’s only answer was to raise with his thumb the
hammer of his revolver. Then Rainsford saw the man’s free hand
go to his forehead in a military salute, and he saw him click his
heels together and stand at attention. Another man was coming
down the broad marble steps, an erect, slender man in evening
clothes. He advanced to Rainsford and held out his hand.

In a cultivated voice marked by a slight accent that gave
it added precision and deliberateness, he said: “It is a very great

7. astrakhan (as√tr¥·k¥n) n.: curly fur of very young lambs.

12 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. pleasure and honor to welcome Mr. Sanger Rainsford, the cele- Notes
200 brated hunter, to my home.”
Circle the word in line 216
Automatically Rainsford shook the man’s hand. that Zaroff uses to describe
“I’ve read your book about hunting snow leopards in Tibet, Cossacks. Now, read on
you see,” explained the man. “I am General Zaroff.” through line 219. What do
Rainsford’s first impression was that the man was singularly Zaroff’s remarks suggest
handsome; his second was that there was an original, almost about how he himself will
bizarre quality about the general’s face. He was a tall man past behave later in the story?
middle age, for his hair was a vivid white; but his thick eyebrows
and pointed military moustache were as black as the night from
which Rainsford had come. His eyes, too, were black and very
210 bright. He had high cheekbones, a sharp-cut nose, a spare, dark
face, the face of a man used to giving orders, the face of an aris-
tocrat. Turning to the giant in uniform, the general made a sign.
The giant put away his pistol, saluted, withdrew.
“Ivan is an incredibly strong fellow,” remarked the general,
“but he has the misfortune to be deaf and dumb. A simple
fellow, but, I’m afraid, like all his race, a bit of a savage.”
“Is he Russian?”
“He is a Cossack,”8 said the general, and his smile showed
red lips and pointed teeth. “So am I.”
220 “Come,” he said, “we shouldn’t be chatting here. We can
talk later. Now you want clothes, food, rest. You shall have them.
This is a most restful spot.”
Ivan had reappeared, and the general spoke to him with
lips that moved but gave forth no sound.
“Follow Ivan, if you please, Mr. Rainsford,” said the general.
“I was about to have my dinner when you came. I’ll wait for
you. You’ll find that my clothes will fit you, I think.”
It was to a huge, beam-ceilinged bedroom with a canopied
bed big enough for six men that Rainsford followed the silent
230 giant. Ivan laid out an evening suit, and Rainsford, as he put it

8. Cossack (käs√ak≈): member of a group from Ukraine, many of whom
served as horsemen to the Russian czars and were famed for their
fierceness in battle.

The Most Dangerous Game 13

Read the boxed passage on, noticed that it came from a London tailor who ordinarily
aloud two times. Try to cut and sewed for none below the rank of duke.
improve the speed and
smoothness of your delivery The dining room to which Ivan conducted him was in
on your second read. many ways remarkable. There was a medieval magnificence
about it; it suggested a baronial hall of feudal times, with its
When you appraise some- oaken panels, its high ceiling, its vast refectory table where
thing, you estimate its value. two-score men could sit down to eat. About the hall were the
Why might the general be mounted heads of many animals—lions, tigers, elephants,
appraising Rainsford (line moose, bears; larger or more perfect specimens Rainsford had
255)? 240 never seen. At the great table the general was sitting, alone.

“You’ll have a cocktail, Mr. Rainsford,” he suggested. The Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
cocktail was surpassingly good; and, Rainsford noted, the table
appointments were of the finest—the linen, the crystal, the
silver, the china.

They were eating borscht, the rich red soup with sour
cream so dear to Russian palates. Half apologetically General
Zaroff said: “We do our best to preserve the amenities9 of civi-
lization here. Please forgive any lapses. We are well off the beaten
track, you know. Do you think the champagne has suffered from
250 its long ocean trip?”

“Not in the least,” declared Rainsford. He was finding the
general a most thoughtful and affable host, a true cosmopolite.10
But there was one small trait of the general’s that made
Rainsford uncomfortable. Whenever he looked up from his plate
he found the general studying him, appraising him narrowly.

“Perhaps,” said General Zaroff, “you were surprised that
I recognized your name. You see, I read all books on hunting
published in English, French, and Russian. I have but one
passion in my life, Mr. Rainsford, and it is the hunt.”
260 “You have some wonderful heads here,” said Rainsford
as he ate a particularly well-cooked filet mignon. “That Cape
buffalo is the largest I ever saw.”

“Oh, that fellow. Yes, he was a monster.”

9. amenities (¥·men√¥·t≤z) n.: comforts and conveniences.
10. cosmopolite (käz·mäp√¥·l¢t≈) n.: knowledgeable citizen of the world.

14 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Notes

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. Cape buffalo. Pause at line 273. What do
you predict the most danger-
Corel. ous game will be?

“Did he charge you?”
“Hurled me against a tree,” said the general. “Fractured my
skull. But I got the brute.”
“I’ve always thought,” said Rainsford, “that the Cape buffalo
is the most dangerous of all big game.”
For a moment the general did not reply; he was smiling
270 his curious red-lipped smile. Then he said slowly: “No. You are
wrong, sir. The Cape buffalo is not the most dangerous big
game.” He sipped his wine. “Here in my preserve on this island,”
he said in the same slow tone, “I hunt more dangerous game.”
Rainsford expressed his surprise. “Is there big game on
this island?”
The general nodded. “The biggest.”
“Really?”

The Most Dangerous Game 15

Notes “Oh, it isn’t here naturally, of course. I have to stock Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
the island.”
Notice the sequence of 280 “What have you imported, general?” Rainsford asked.
events as Zaroff tells about “Tigers?”
his past. Underline the words
in lines 301-302 that tell The general smiled. “No,” he said. “Hunting tigers ceased
when he received his first to interest me some years ago. I exhausted their possibilities,
gun. Underline the words in you see. No thrill left in tigers, no real danger. I live for danger,
lines 305-306 that tell when Mr. Rainsford.”
he shot his first bear.
Underline the words in line The general took from his pocket a gold cigarette case and
313 that tell when he left offered his guest a long black cigarette with a silver tip; it was
Russia. perfumed and gave off a smell like incense.

“We will have some capital hunting, you and I,” said the
290 general. “I shall be most glad to have your society.”

“But what game—” began Rainsford.
“I’ll tell you,” said the general. “You will be amused, I know.
I think I may say, in all modesty, that I have done a rare thing. I
have invented a new sensation. May I pour you another glass of
port, Mr. Rainsford?”
“Thank you, general.”
The general filled both glasses and said: “God makes some
men poets. Some He makes kings, some beggars. Me He made
a hunter. My hand was made for the trigger, my father said.
300 He was a very rich man, with a quarter of a million acres in the
Crimea,11 and he was an ardent sportsman. When I was only five
years old, he gave me a little gun, specially made in Moscow for
me, to shoot sparrows with. When I shot some of his prize
turkeys with it, he did not punish me; he complimented me on
my marksmanship. I killed my first bear in the Caucasus12 when
I was ten. My whole life has been one prolonged hunt. I went
into the army—it was expected of noblemen’s sons—and for
a time commanded a division of Cossack cavalry, but my real
interest was always the hunt. I have hunted every kind of game

prolonged (pr£•lo«d√) v. 11. Crimea (kr¢·m≤√¥): peninsula in Ukraine jutting into the Black Sea.
used as adj.: extended. 12. Caucasus (kô√k¥·s¥s): mountainous region between southeastern

Europe and western Asia.

16 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. 310 in every land. It would be impossible for me to tell you how imprudent (im•prºd≈¥nt)
many animals I have killed.” adj.: unwise.
The general puffed at his cigarette. Im- is a prefix meaning
“After the debacle13 in Russia I left the country, for it was “not.” Imprudent means
imprudent for an officer of the czar to stay there. Many noble “not prudent.” What does
Russians lost everything. I, luckily, had invested heavily in immature mean?
American securities, so I shall never have to open a tearoom
in Monte Carlo14 or drive a taxi in Paris. Naturally, I continued An idiom is an expression
to hunt—grizzlies in your Rockies, crocodiles in the Ganges,15 that means something differ-
rhinoceroses in East Africa. It was in Africa that the Cape buffalo ent from the literal defini-
tions of its parts. Circle the
320 hit me and laid me up for six months. As soon as I recovered idiom in line 328. What does
I started for the Amazon to hunt jaguars, for I had heard they it mean?
were unusually cunning. They weren’t.” The Cossack sighed.
“They were no match at all for a hunter with his wits about him
and a high-powered rifle. I was bitterly disappointed. I was lying
in my tent with a splitting headache one night when a terrible
thought pushed its way into my mind. Hunting was beginning
to bore me! And hunting, remember, had been my life. I have
heard that in America businessmen often go to pieces when they
give up the business that has been their life.”

330 “Yes, that’s so,” said Rainsford.
The general smiled. “I had no wish to go to pieces,” he

said. “I must do something. Now, mine is an analytical mind,
Mr. Rainsford. Doubtless that is why I enjoy the problems of
the chase.”

“No doubt, General Zaroff.”
“So,” continued the general, “I asked myself why the hunt
no longer fascinated me. You are much younger than I am,
Mr. Rainsford, and have not hunted as much, but you perhaps
can guess the answer.”
340 “What was it?”

13. debacle (di·bä√k¥l) n.: overwhelming defeat. Zaroff is referring to the 17
Russian Revolution of 1917, in which the czar and his government
were overthrown.

14. Monte Carlo (mänt√¥ kär≈l£): gambling resort in Monaco, a country
on the Mediterranean Sea.

15. Ganges (gan√j≤z): river in northern India and Bangladesh.

The Most Dangerous Game

Notes “Simply this: Hunting had ceased to be what you call a
sporting proposition. It had become too easy. I always got my
surmounted (s¥r•m¡nt√id) v.: quarry. Always. There is no greater bore than perfection.”
overcame.
Pause at line 357. What The general lit a fresh cigarette.
could this “new animal” be? “No animal had a chance with me anymore. That is no
boast; it is a mathematical certainty. The animal had nothing
but his legs and his instinct. Instinct is no match for reason. Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
When I thought of this, it was a tragic moment for me, I can
tell you.”
350 Rainsford leaned across the table, absorbed in what his host
was saying.
“It came to me as an inspiration what I must do,” the
general went on.
“And that was?”
The general smiled the quiet smile of one who has faced an
obstacle and surmounted it with success. “I had to invent a new
animal to hunt,” he said.
“A new animal? You’re joking.”
“Not at all,” said the general. “I never joke about hunting.
360 I needed a new animal. I found one. So I bought this island,
built this house, and here I do my hunting. The island is perfect
for my purposes—there are jungles with a maze of trails in
them, hills, swamps—”
“But the animal, General Zaroff?”
“Oh,” said the general, “it supplies me with the most excit-
ing hunting in the world. No other hunting compares with it for
an instant. Every day I hunt, and I never grow bored now, for
I have a quarry with which I can match my wits.”
Rainsford’s bewilderment showed in his face.
370 “I wanted the ideal animal to hunt,” explained the general.
“So I said: ‘What are the attributes of an ideal quarry?’ And the
answer was, of course: ‘It must have courage, cunning, and,
above all, it must be able to reason.’ ”
“But no animal can reason,” objected Rainsford.
“My dear fellow,” said the general, “there is one that can.”

18 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. “But you can’t mean—” gasped Rainsford. Pause at line 382, and con-
“And why not?” firm your prediction. What is
“I can’t believe you are serious, General Zaroff. This is a the game that Zaroff hunts?
grisly joke.”
380 “Why should I not be serious? I am speaking of hunting.” unruffled (un•ruf√¥ld) adj.:
“Hunting? Good God, General Zaroff, what you speak of calm; not disturbed.
is murder.” Un- is a prefix meaning
The general laughed with entire good nature. He regarded “not.” What word in line 400
Rainsford quizzically. “I refuse to believe that so modern and also uses this prefix? Use
civilized a young man as you seem to be harbors romantic un- to give these words
ideas about the value of human life. Surely your experiences the opposite meaning: kind,
in the war—” necessary, able.
“Did not make me condone16 coldblooded murder,”
finished Rainsford stiffly.
390 Laughter shook the general. “How extraordinarily droll
you are!” he said. “One does not expect nowadays to find a
young man of the educated class, even in America, with such a
naive, and, if I may say so, mid-Victorian point of view. It’s like
finding a snuffbox in a limousine. Ah, well, doubtless you had
Puritan ancestors. So many Americans appear to have had. I’ll
wager you’ll forget your notions when you go hunting with me.
You’ve a genuine new thrill in store for you, Mr. Rainsford.”
“Thank you, I’m a hunter, not a murderer.”
“Dear me,” said the general, quite unruffled, “again that
400 unpleasant word. But I think I can show you that your scruples17
are quite ill-founded.”
“Yes?”
“Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and if need
be, taken by the strong. The weak of the world were put here to
give the strong pleasure. I am strong. Why should I not use my
gift? If I wish to hunt, why should I not? I hunt the scum of the
earth—sailors from tramp ships—lascars,18 blacks, Chinese,

16. condone (k¥n·d£n√) v.: overlook an offense; excuse.
17. scruples (skrº√p¥lz) n.: feelings of doubt or guilt about a suggested

action.
18. lascars (las√k¥rz) n.: East Indian sailors employed on European ships.

The Most Dangerous Game 19

Pause at line 410. It’s clear whites, mongrels—a thoroughbred horse or hound is worth
that Rainsford and Zaroff dis- more than a score of them.”
agree about the “sport” of 410 “But they are men,” said Rainsford hotly.
hunting men. How do you
think they will solve their “Precisely,” said the general. “That is why I use them.
conflict? It gives me pleasure. They can reason, after a fashion. So they
are dangerous.”

“But where do you get them?”
The general’s left eyelid fluttered down in a wink. “This
island is called Ship-Trap,” he answered. “Sometimes an angry
god of the high seas sends them to me. Sometimes, when
Providence is not so kind, I help Providence a bit. Come to
the window with me.”
420 Rainsford went to the window and looked out toward
the sea.
“Watch! Out there!” exclaimed the general, pointing into
the night. Rainsford’s eyes saw only blackness, and then, as the

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

Corel.

20 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. general pressed a button, far out to sea Rainsford saw the flash How does Zaroff find men to
of lights. hunt (lines 422-432)?

The general chuckled. “They indicate a channel,” he said, The word game in line 450
“where there’s none; giant rocks with razor edges crouch like a means “competition for
sea monster with wide-open jaws. They can crush a ship as easi- amusement.” What associa-
ly as I crush this nut.” He dropped a walnut on the hardwood tions come to mind when
430 floor and brought his heel grinding down on it. “Oh, yes,” he you hear the word game?
said, casually, as if in answer to a question, “I have electricity. What impression do you
We try to be civilized here.” form of Zaroff when he
uses this word to describe
“Civilized? And you shoot down men?” hunting men?
A trace of anger was in the general’s black eyes, but it was
there for but a second, and he said, in his most pleasant manner:
“Dear me, what a righteous young man you are! I assure you
I do not do the thing you suggest. That would be barbarous.
I treat these visitors with every consideration. They get plenty
of good food and exercise. They get into splendid physical con-
440 dition. You shall see for yourself tomorrow.”
“What do you mean?”
“We’ll visit my training school,” smiled the general. “It’s in
the cellar. I have about a dozen pupils down there now. They’re
from the Spanish bark San Lucar that had the bad luck to go on
the rocks out there. A very inferior lot, I regret to say. Poor
specimens and more accustomed to the deck than to the jungle.”
He raised his hand, and Ivan, who served as waiter, brought
thick Turkish coffee. Rainsford, with an effort, held his tongue
in check.
450 “It’s a game, you see,” pursued the general blandly. “I suggest
to one of them that we go hunting. I give him a supply of food
and an excellent hunting knife. I give him three hours’ start. I am
to follow, armed only with a pistol of the smallest caliber and
range. If my quarry eludes me for three whole days, he wins the
game. If I find him”—the general smiled—“he loses.”
“Suppose he refuses to be hunted?”
“Oh,” said the general, “I give him his option, of course.
He need not play that game if he doesn’t wish to. If he does not

The Most Dangerous Game 21

invariably (in•ver≈≤•¥•bl≤) wish to hunt, I turn him over to Ivan. Ivan once had the honor
adv.: always; without 460 of serving as official knouter19 to the Great White Czar, and he
changing.
has his own ideas of sport. Invariably, Mr. Rainsford, invariably
Re-read lines 482-490. What they choose the hunt.”
do you predict Rainsford will
do next? “And if they win?”
The smile on the general’s face widened. “To date I have not
lost,” he said. Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
Then he added, hastily: “I don’t wish you to think me a
braggart, Mr. Rainsford. Many of them afford only the most
elementary sort of problem. Occasionally I strike a tartar.20 One
almost did win. I eventually had to use the dogs.”
470 “The dogs?”
“This way, please. I’ll show you.”
The general steered Rainsford to a window. The lights from
the windows sent a flickering illumination that made grotesque
patterns on the courtyard below, and Rainsford could see mov-
ing about there a dozen or so huge black shapes; as they turned
toward him, their eyes glittered greenly.
“A rather good lot, I think,” observed the general. “They
are let out at seven every night. If anyone should try to get
into my house—or out of it—something extremely regrettable
480 would occur to him.” He hummed a snatch of song from the
Folies-Bergère.21
“And now,” said the general, “I want to show you my new
collection of heads. Will you come with me to the library?”
“I hope,” said Rainsford, “that you will excuse me tonight,
General Zaroff. I’m really not feeling at all well.”
“Ah, indeed?” the general inquired solicitously.22 “Well, I sup-
pose that’s only natural, after your long swim. You need a good,
restful night’s sleep. Tomorrow you’ll feel like a new man, I’ll
wager. Then we’ll hunt, eh? I’ve one rather promising prospect—”

19. knouter (n¡t√¥r) n.: person who beats criminals with a knout, a kind
of leather whip.

20. strike a tartar: get more than one bargained for. A tartar is a violent,
unmanageable person.

21. Folies-Bergère (fô√l≤ ber·¤er≈): famous nightclub in Paris.
22. solicitously (s¥·lis√¥·t¥s·l≤) adv.: in a concerned manner.

22 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

490 Rainsford was hurrying from the room. Describe the mood created by
“Sorry you can’t go with me tonight,” called the general. this setting (lines 498-510).

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. “I expect rather fair sport—a big, strong black. He looks
resourceful— Well, good night, Mr. Rainsford; I hope you have
a good night’s rest.”

The bed was good and the pajamas of the softest silk, and
he was tired in every fiber of his being, but nevertheless
Rainsford could not quiet his brain with the opiate23 of sleep.
He lay, eyes wide open. Once he thought he heard stealthy steps
in the corridor outside his room. He sought to throw open the
500 door; it would not open. He went to the window and looked
out. His room was high up in one of the towers. The lights of
the château were out now, and it was dark and silent, but there
was a fragment of sallow moon, and by its wan light he could
see, dimly, the courtyard; there, weaving in and out in the pat-
tern of shadow, were black, noiseless forms; the hounds heard
him at the window and looked up, expectantly, with their green
eyes. Rainsford went back to the bed and lay down. By many
methods he tried to put himself to sleep. He had achieved a
doze when, just as morning began to come, he heard, far off in
510 the jungle, the faint report of a pistol.

General Zaroff did not appear until luncheon. He was
dressed faultlessly in the tweeds of a country squire. He was
solicitous about the state of Rainsford’s health.

“As for me,” sighed the general, “I do not feel so well. I am
worried, Mr. Rainsford. Last night I detected traces of my old
complaint.”

To Rainsford’s questioning glance the general said: “Ennui.
Boredom.”

Then, taking a second helping of crêpes suzette,24 the
520 general explained: “The hunting was not good last night. The

23. opiate (£√p≤·it) n.: anything that tends to soothe or calm someone. What context clue tells you
An opiate may also be a medicine containing opium or a related the meaning of ennui
drug used to relieve pain. (än√w≤≈) in line 517?
Underline it.
24. crêpes suzette (kr†p sº·zet√) n.: thin pancakes folded in a hot
orange-flavored sauce and served in flaming brandy. The Most Dangerous Game 23

Notes fellow lost his head. He made a straight trail that offered no Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
problems at all. That’s the trouble with these sailors; they have
diverting (d¥•v∞rt≈i«) v. used dull brains to begin with, and they do not know how to get
as adj.: entertaining. about in the woods. They do excessively stupid and obvious
In lines 540-549, the central things. It’s most annoying. Will you have another glass of
conflict is established. Who Chablis, Mr. Rainsford?”
will be the general’s next
victim? “General,” said Rainsford firmly, “I wish to leave this island
at once.”

The general raised his thickets of eyebrows; he seemed
530 hurt. “But, my dear fellow,” the general protested, “you’ve only

just come. You’ve had no hunting—”
“I wish to go today,” said Rainsford. He saw the dead black

eyes of the general on him, studying him. General Zaroff ’s face
suddenly brightened.

He filled Rainsford’s glass with venerable Chablis from a
dusty bottle.

“Tonight,” said the general, “we will hunt—you and I.”
Rainsford shook his head. “No, general,” he said. “I will
not hunt.”
540 The general shrugged his shoulders and delicately ate a
hothouse grape. “As you wish, my friend,” he said. “The choice
rests entirely with you. But may I not venture to suggest that
you will find my idea of sport more diverting than Ivan’s?”
He nodded toward the corner where the giant stood, scowl-
ing, his thick arms crossed on his hogshead of chest.
“You don’t mean—” cried Rainsford.
“My dear fellow,” said the general, “have I not told you
I always mean what I say about hunting? This is really an inspi-
ration. I drink to a foeman worthy of my steel—at last.”
550 The general raised his glass, but Rainsford sat staring
at him.
“You’ll find this game worth playing,” the general said
enthusiastically. “Your brain against mine. Your woodcraft
against mine. Your strength and stamina against mine. Outdoor
chess! And the stake is not without value, eh?”

24 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. “And if I win—” began Rainsford huskily. Pause at line 559. What does
“I’ll cheerfully acknowledge myself defeated if I do not Rainsford have to do to win
find you by midnight of the third day,” said General Zaroff. the game?
“My sloop will place you on the mainland near a town.”
560 The general read what Rainsford was thinking. A sloop (line 559) is a kind of
“Oh, you can trust me,” said the Cossack. “I will give you ship. Circle the context clues
my word as a gentleman and a sportsman. Of course you, in that help you figure out the
turn, must agree to say nothing of your visit here.” word’s meaning.
“I’ll agree to nothing of the kind,” said Rainsford.
“Oh,” said the general, “in that case— But why discuss that Underline the name of
now? Three days hence we can discuss it over a bottle of Veuve the place in line 573 that
Clicquot,25 unless—” Zaroff tells Rainsford to
The general sipped his wine. avoid. What might the
Then a businesslike air animated him. “Ivan,” he said to suggestive name of this
570 Rainsford, “will supply you with hunting clothes, food, a knife. place foreshadow?
I suggest you wear moccasins; they leave a poorer trail. I suggest
too that you avoid the big swamp in the southeast corner of Au revoir (line 581) is French
the island. We call it Death Swamp. There’s quicksand there. for “until we meet again.”
One foolish fellow tried it. The deplorable26 part of it was Read on, and underline the
that Lazarus followed him. You can imagine my feelings, context clues that help you
Mr. Rainsford. I loved Lazarus; he was the finest hound in my figure out the meaning of
pack. Well, I must beg you to excuse me now. I always take a the phrase.
siesta after lunch. You’ll hardly have time for a nap, I fear.
You’ll want to start, no doubt. I shall not follow till dusk.
580 Hunting at night is so much more exciting than by day, don’t
you think? Au revoir27, Mr. Rainsford, au revoir.”
General Zaroff, with a deep, courtly bow, strolled from
the room.
From another door came Ivan. Under one arm he carried
khaki hunting clothes, a haversack of food, a leather sheath
containing a long-bladed hunting knife; his right hand rested on
a cocked revolver thrust in the crimson sash about his waist. . . .

25. Veuve Clicquot (vöv kl≤·k»√): brand of fine champagne.
26. deplorable (d≤·plôr√¥·b¥l) adj.: regrettable; very bad.
27. au revoir (£’r¥·vwär√): French for “goodbye.”

The Most Dangerous Game 25

Notes

At line 588 the plot flashes Rainsford had fought his way through the bush for two hours. Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
forward. When do the events “I must keep my nerve. I must keep my nerve,” he said through
beginning in line 588 occur? 590 tight teeth.

He had not been entirely clearheaded when the château
gates snapped shut behind him. His whole idea at first was to
put distance between himself and General Zaroff, and, to this
end, he had plunged along, spurred on by the sharp rowels28
of something very like panic. Now he had got a grip on himself,
had stopped, and was taking stock of himself and the situation.

He saw that straight flight was futile; inevitably it would
bring him face to face with the sea. He was in a picture with
a frame of water, and his operations, clearly, must take place
600 within that frame.

28. rowels (r¡√¥lz) n.: small wheels with spurs that horseback riders
wear on their heels.

26 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. Re-read lines 601-613. How
does Rainsford avoid being
captured and killed?

Corel.

“I’ll give him a trail to follow,” muttered Rainsford, and he
struck off from the rude paths he had been following into the
trackless wilderness. He executed a series of intricate loops;
he doubled on his trail again and again, recalling all the lore of
the fox hunt and all the dodges of the fox. Night found him leg-
weary, with hands and face lashed by the branches, on a thickly
wooded ridge. He knew it would be insane to blunder on
through the dark, even if he had the strength. His need for rest
was imperative and he thought: “I have played the fox; now
610 I must play the cat of the fable.” A big tree with a thick trunk
and outspread branches was nearby, and taking care to leave not
the slightest mark, he climbed up into the crotch and stretching
out on one of the broad limbs, after a fashion, rested. Rest
brought him new confidence and almost a feeling of security.
Even so zealous a hunter as General Zaroff could not trace him
there, he told himself; only the devil himself could follow that

The Most Dangerous Game 27

Pause at line 628. Who is complicated trail through the jungle after dark. But, perhaps, Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
coming through the bush? the general was a devil—

impulse (im√puls≈) n.: sudden An apprehensive night crawled slowly by like a wounded
desire to do something. 620 snake, and sleep did not visit Rainsford, although the silence of
Underline the details in lines
637-647 that add to the a dead world was on the jungle. Toward morning, when a dingy
suspense of the plot. Why gray was varnishing the sky, the cry of some startled bird
does Zaroff smile? focused Rainsford’s attention in that direction. Something was
coming through the bush, coming slowly, carefully, coming by
the same winding way Rainsford had come. He flattened himself
down on the limb, and through a screen of leaves almost as
thick as tapestry, he watched. The thing that was approaching
was a man.

It was General Zaroff. He made his way along with his eyes
630 fixed in utmost concentration on the ground before him. He

paused, almost beneath the tree, dropped to his knees and
studied the ground. Rainsford’s impulse was to hurl himself
down like a panther, but he saw the general’s right hand held
something metallic—a small automatic pistol.

The hunter shook his head several times, as if he were puz-
zled. Then he straightened up and took from his case one of his
black cigarettes; its pungent incenselike smoke floated up to
Rainsford’s nostrils.

Rainsford held his breath. The general’s eyes had left the
640 ground and were traveling inch by inch up the tree. Rainsford

froze there, every muscle tensed for a spring. But the sharp eyes
of the hunter stopped before they reached the limb where
Rainsford lay; a smile spread over his brown face. Very deliber-
ately he blew a smoke ring into the air; then he turned his back
on the tree and walked carelessly away, back along the trail he
had come. The swish of the underbrush against his hunting
boots grew fainter and fainter.

Then pent-up air burst hotly from Rainsford’s lungs. His
first thought made him feel sick and numb. The general could

28 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. 650 follow a trail through the woods at night; he could follow an Pause at line 661. The first
extremely difficult trail; he must have uncanny powers; only by stage of the hunt is over.
the merest chance had the Cossack failed to see his quarry. Who has won? What does
Rainsford’s second thought was even more terrible. It sent Rainsford now know that he
a shudder of cold horror through his whole being. Why had the didn’t know at the beginning
general smiled? Why had he turned back? of the story?
Rainsford did not want to believe what his reason told him
was true, but the truth was as evident as the sun that had by protruding (pr£•trºd≈i«) v.
now pushed through the morning mists. The general was play- used as adj.: sticking out.
ing with him! The general was saving him for another day’s

660 sport! The Cossack was the cat; he was the mouse. Then it was
that Rainsford knew the full meaning of terror.
“I will not lose my nerve. I will not.”
He slid down from the tree and struck off again into the
woods. His face was set and he forced the machinery of his
mind to function. Three hundred yards from his hiding place
he stopped where a huge dead tree leaned precariously29 on a
smaller living one. Throwing off his sack of food, Rainsford took
his knife from its sheath and began to work with all his energy.
The job was finished at last, and he threw himself down

670 behind a fallen log a hundred feet away. He did not have to wait
long. The cat was coming again to play with the mouse.
Following the trail with the sureness of a bloodhound came
General Zaroff. Nothing escaped those searching black eyes, no
crushed blade of grass, no bent twig, no mark, no matter how
faint, in the moss. So intent was the Cossack on his stalking that
he was upon the thing Rainsford had made before he saw it.
His foot touched the protruding bough that was the trigger.
Even as he touched it, the general sensed his danger and leapt
back with the agility of an ape. But he was not quite quick

680 enough; the dead tree, delicately adjusted to rest on the cut liv-
ing one, crashed down and struck 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 not fall; nor did he

29. precariously (pri·ker√≤·¥s·l≤) adv.: unsteadily; in an unstable manner.

The Most Dangerous Game 29

Pause at line 692. Who wins drop his revolver. He stood there, rubbing his injured shoulder, Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
the second stage of this and Rainsford, with fear again gripping his heart, heard the gen-
conflict? eral’s mocking laugh ring through the jungle.

Pause at line 707. What do “Rainsford,” called the general, “if you are within the sound
you predict Rainsford’s of my voice, as I suppose you are, let me congratulate you. Not
“idea” will be? many men know how to make a Malay man-catcher. Luckily for
690 me, I too have hunted in Malacca.30 You are proving interesting,
Mr. Rainsford. I am going now to have my wound dressed; it’s
only a slight one. But I shall be back. I shall be back.”

When the general, nursing his bruised shoulder, had gone,
Rainsford took up his flight again. It was flight now, a desperate,
hopeless flight, that carried him on for some hours. Dusk came,
then darkness, and still he pressed on. The ground grew softer
under his moccasins; the vegetation grew ranker, denser; insects
bit him savagely. Then, as he stepped forward, his foot sank into
the ooze. He tried to wrench it back, but the muck sucked
700 viciously at his foot as if it were a giant leech. With a violent
effort, he tore loose. He knew where he was now. Death Swamp
and its quicksand.

His hands were tight closed as if his nerve were something
tangible that someone in the darkness was trying to tear from
his grip. The softness of the earth had given him an idea. He
stepped back from the quicksand a dozen feet or so, and, like
some huge prehistoric beaver, he began to dig.

Rainsford had dug himself in in France,31 when a second’s
delay meant death. That had been a placid pastime compared
710 to his digging now. The pit grew deeper; when it was above his
shoulders, he climbed out and from some hard saplings cut
stakes and sharpened them to a fine point. These stakes he
planted in the bottom of the pit with the points sticking up.
With flying fingers he wove a rough carpet of weeds and
branches and with it he covered the mouth of the pit. Then,

The adjective placid (plas≈id) 30. Malacca (m¥·lak√¥): state in what is now the nation of Malaysia in
in line 709 means “calm.” southeastern Asia.

31. dug himself in in France: dug a hole for shelter from gunfire during
World War I (1914-1918).

30 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. wet with sweat and aching with tiredness, he crouched behind Pause at line 730. Who is in
the stump of a lightning-charred tree. the trap? Has Rainsford won?

He knew his pursuer was coming; he heard the padding Pause at line 735. Who wins
sound of feet on the soft earth, and the night breeze brought the third stage of this
720 him the perfume of the general’s cigarette. It seemed to conflict? According to
Rainsford that the general was coming with unusual swiftness; Zaroff, what will happen
he was not feeling his way along, foot by foot. Rainsford, the next day?
crouching there, could not see the general, nor could he see the
pit. He lived a year in a minute. Then he felt an impulse to cry
aloud with joy, for he heard the sharp crackle of the breaking
branches as the cover of the pit gave way; he heard the sharp
scream of pain as the pointed stakes found their mark. He leapt
up from his place of concealment. Then he cowered back. Three
feet from the pit a man was standing, with an electric torch in
730 his hand.

“You’ve done well, Rainsford,” the voice of the general
called. “Your Burmese tiger pit has claimed one of my best dogs.
Again you score. I think, Mr. Rainsford, I’ll see what you can do
against my whole pack. I’m going home for a rest now. Thank
you for a most amusing evening.”

At daybreak Rainsford, lying near the swamp, was awakened by
the sound that made him know that he had new things to learn
about fear. It was a distant sound, faint and wavering, but he
knew it. It was the baying of a pack of hounds.
740 Rainsford knew he could do one of two things. He could
stay where he was and wait. That was suicide. He could flee.
That was postponing the inevitable. For a moment he stood
there, thinking. An idea that held a wild chance came to him,
and, tightening his belt, he headed away from the swamp.

The baying of the hounds drew nearer, then still nearer,
nearer, ever nearer. On a ridge Rainsford climbed a tree. Down
a watercourse, not a quarter of a mile away, he could see the
bush moving. Straining his eyes, he saw the lean figure of
General Zaroff; just ahead of him Rainsford made out another
750 figure whose wide shoulders surged through the tall jungle

The Most Dangerous Game 31

Pause at line 761, and recall weeds. It was the giant Ivan, and he seemed pulled forward by
Rainsford’s earlier ideas some unseen force. Rainsford knew that Ivan must be holding
about hunting (lines 19-31). the pack in leash.
Why is Rainsford’s situation
ironic, or surprising? They would be on him any minute now. His mind worked
frantically. He thought of a native trick he had learned in
Uganda. He slid down the tree. He caught hold of a springy
young sapling and to it he fastened his hunting knife, with the
blade pointing down the trail; with a bit of wild grapevine he
tied back the sapling. Then he ran for his life. The hounds raised
760 their voices as they hit the fresh scent. Rainsford knew now how
an animal at bay feels.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

© John Lund/Getty Images.

32 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. He had to stop to get his breath. The baying of the hounds Pause at line 769. What does
stopped abruptly, and Rainsford’s heart stopped too. They must Rainsford hope to see when
have reached the knife. he climbs up the tree? What
does he actually see?
He shinnied excitedly up a tree and looked back. His pur-
suers had stopped. But the hope that was in Rainsford’s brain Pause at line 776. Trapped
when he climbed died, for he saw in the shallow valley that between his deadly pursuer
General Zaroff was still on his feet. But Ivan was not. The knife, and the sea, Rainsford jumps.
driven by the recoil of the springing tree, had not wholly failed. Is the game over? What
770 “Nerve, nerve, nerve!” he panted, as he dashed along. do you predict will happen
A blue gap showed between the trees dead ahead. Ever nearer next?
drew the hounds. Rainsford forced himself on toward that gap.
He reached it. It was the shore of the sea. Across a cove he could
see the gloomy gray stone of the château. Twenty feet below
him the sea rumbled and hissed. Rainsford hesitated. He heard
the hounds. Then he leapt far out into the sea. . . .

When the general and his pack reached the place by the sea,
the Cossack stopped. For some minutes he stood regarding the
blue-green expanse of water. He shrugged his shoulders. Then
780 he sat down, took a drink of brandy from a silver flask, lit a per-
fumed cigarette, and hummed a bit from Madama Butterfly.32

General Zaroff had an exceedingly good dinner in his great
paneled dining hall that evening. With it he had a bottle of
Pol Roger and half a bottle of Chambertin. Two slight annoy-
ances kept him from perfect enjoyment. One was the thought
that it would be difficult to replace Ivan; the other was that his
quarry had escaped him; of course the American hadn’t played
the game—so thought the general as he tasted his after-dinner
liqueur. In his library he read, to soothe himself, from the works
790 of Marcus Aurelius.33 At ten he went up to his bedroom. He
was deliciously tired, he said to himself as he locked himself in.
There was a little moonlight, so before turning on his light,
he went to the window and looked down at the courtyard.

32. Madama Butterfly: famous Italian opera by Giacomo Puccini
(1858-1924).

33. Marcus Aurelius (mär√k¥s ô·r≤√l≤·¥s): emperor of Rome from
A.D. 161 to 180, who wrote about the philosophy of Stoicism, which
held that people should make themselves indifferent to both pain
and pleasure.

The Most Dangerous Game 33

Underline the passage on He could see the great hounds, and he called: “Better luck
this page that reveals the another time,” to them. Then he switched on the light.
climax of this conflict.
A man, who had been hiding in the curtains of the bed,
How is the conflict finally was standing there.
resolved?
“Rainsford!” screamed the general. “How in God’s name
did you get here?”
800 “Swam,” said Rainsford. “I found it quicker than walking
through the jungle.”

The general sucked in his breath and smiled. “I congratu-
late you,” he said. “You have won the game.”

Rainsford did not smile. “I am still a beast at bay,” he said,
in a low, hoarse voice. “Get ready, General Zaroff.”

The general made one of his deepest bows. “I see,” he
said. “Splendid! One of us is to furnish a repast34 for the
hounds. The other will sleep in this very excellent bed. On
guard, Rainsford. . . .”

810 He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.

34. repast (ri·past√) n: meal.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

© George D. Lepp/CORBIS.

34 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. The Most Dangerous Game

Plot Diagram Review the plot structure of “The Most Dangerous Game.”
Then, fill in the plot diagram below with key story events.

Climax:
6.
5.

4. Resolution:

3.

Main events
(Complications)
2.

1.

Basic situation:
Setting:

The Most Dangerous Game 35

Skills Review

The Most Dangerous Game

Sharpen your test-taking skills. Complete the sample test item below. Then, check
your answer, and read the explanation that appears in the right-hand column.

Sample Test Item Explanation of the Correct Answer

Which of the following elements of The correct answer is C.
setting does Rainsford not have to
struggle against? Rainsford struggles against the ocean,
A The ocean encounters quicksand in the Death
B Quicksand Swamp, and must fight through the
C Freezing cold jungle. There is no freezing cold;
D The jungle Rainsford is in the tropics.

DIRECTIONS: Circle the letter of each correct response.

1. Which of the following passages 3. Which of the following events Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
from the story foreshadows danger? happens first?
A “You’ve good eyes,” Whitney said. A Rainsford kills Ivan.
B “It will be light in Rio,” promised B Rainsford kills one of Zaroff’s dogs.
Whitney. C Rainsford wounds Zaroff.
C “What island is it?” Rainsford D Rainsford dives into the sea.
asked.
D “The old charts call it Ship-Trap 4. Which of the following events
Island,” Whitney replied. happens last?
F Rainsford and Zaroff fight in
2. What is the setting for most of the the bedroom.
action in this story? G Rainsford builds a Burmese
F A yacht tiger pit.
G A castle H Rainsford builds a Malay man-
H A jungle catcher.
J The sea J Rainsford falls overboard.

Literary Skills
Analyze plot
structure and

foreshadowing.

36 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Skills Review

The Most Dangerous Game

Prefixes: Important Beginnings

DIRECTIONS: Match the prefixes with their meanings. Write the letter of the
correct meaning on each line.

1. pre- a. not Vocabulary
Skills
2. inter- b. between Identify prefixes
and their
3. un- c. before meanings.
Use words in
context.

4. re- d. badly; wrong

5. mis- e. again

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. Vocabulary in Context

DIRECTIONS: Complete the paragraph below by writing a word from
the word box in each numbered blank. Not all words from the box will be
used.

Word Box The rock climber was guided by a sudden desire, an

receding (1) to climb Forbidden Cliff. Although the
disarming
prolonged rocky path was covered in slippery moss, he remained
imprudent
surmounted (2) and calm. He almost lost his footing, however,
unruffled
invariably when a (3) rock nearly tripped him. Just when he
diverting
impulse reached the top, a park ranger caught him and scolded him, saying the climb
protruding
was not only unwise but (4) . Not charmed or

swayed by the climber’s (5) smile, the park ranger

gave him a ticket.

The Most Dangerous Game 37

Collection 1The Most Dangerous Game PREVIEW SELECTION VOCABULARY
Preview the following words from the story before you begin reading:
Student pages 4–5by Richard Connell

4 The Holt Reader: Teacher’s ManualGet ready to take part in a shocking hunt. “The Most Dangerous Game” receding (ri≈s≤d√i«) v. used as adj.: becoming unruffled (un·ruf√¥ld) adj.: calm; not disturbed.
is a short story full of suspense and surprises that will keep you on the more distant.
edge of your seat. Zaroff appeared unruffled, even when Rainsford
He could see the ship going away from him, called him a murderer.
LITERARY FOCUS: FORESHADOWING receding in the distance.
The plot of a story is a series of related events. These events take place as invariably (in·ver√≤·¥·bl≤) adv.: always;
one or more characters take steps to resolve a conflict, or problem of some disarming (dis·ärm√i«) adj.: removing or without changing.
kind. Some events are hinted at through the use of foreshadowing. lessening suspicions or fears.
• Each event in this story will make you curious about what will happen Zaroff said that his captives invariably
next. That curiosity is called suspense. “Don’t be alarmed,” said Rainsford, with choose the hunt.
• As you read, look for examples of foreshadowing that hint at what might a smile he hoped was disarming.
happen later in the plot. diverting (d¥·v∞rt√i«) adj.: entertaining.
prolonged (pr£·lô«d√) v. used as adj.: extended.
READING SKILLS: MAKING PREDICTIONS Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. The deadly hunt was a diverting game
Before you read “The Most Dangerous Game,” take a few minutes to make Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. Zaroff ’s whole life was one prolonged hunt. to Zaroff.
predictions using a “plot impression.” Plot impressions work like this: You
are given some details from the story. Then you weave the details together imprudent (im·prºd√¥nt) adj.: unwise. impulse (im√puls≈) n.: sudden desire to do
to create an impression of the plot as you predict it might be. Here are the something.
details for your plot impression of “The Most Dangerous Game.” What do After the revolution in Russia, Zaroff left the
you predict “the most dangerous game” is? country, for it was imprudent for an officer Rainsford had to control his impulse to run.
of the czar to stay there.
protruding (pr£·trºd√i«) v. used as adj.:
surmounted (s¥r·m¡nt√id) v.: overcame. sticking out.

The general smiled the quiet smile of one The protruding cliffs blocked Rainsford’s
who has faced an obstacle and surmounted sight of the ocean.
it with success.
Key Details

Rainsford, a big-game hunter General Zaroff, another hunter PREFIXES: IMPORTANT BEGINNINGS Prefix Meaning Example
man overboard fierce dogs Prefixes are word parts added to the pre- before preview,
Ship-Trap Island a trap beginnings of words. Although prefixes “view before”
consist of just a few letters, they are interaction,
Literary Skills Plot Impression powerful and can greatly change the inter- between “action between”
Understand meaning of a word. To the right are unpopular,
The actual plot: Rainsford, a big-game hunter, falls over- prefixes you’ll come across often in your un- not “not popular”
foreshadowing. board and swims to Ship-Trap Island. There he finds another reading. Recognizing these prefixes will mismatch, “bad match”
hunter, named Zaroff. When Zaroff shows Rainsford the help you figure out the meanings of mis- badly;
Reading fierce dogs guarding his chateau, Rainsford realizes he is a many words that might be new to you. re- wrong replay, “play again”
Skills captive. Zaroff hunts the most dangerous game—man.
Make Zaroff offers Rainsford a sporting proposition. Zaroff will again
hunt Rainsford. If Rainsford gets away, he will be free.
predictions. Rainsford turns the tables and sets a trap for Zaroff. In the
end, Rainsford wins “the most dangerous game.”
Vocabulary
Skills Collection 1: Plot and Setting The Most Dangerous Game 5

Use prefixes to
understand

word meanings.

4 Part 1

Richard Connell “Nor four yards,” admitted Rainsford. “Ugh! It’s like moist Circle the words in lines 7-15
black velvet.” that describe the setting.
Corel. Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. What mood, or feeling, do
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. “It will be light in Rio,” promised Whitney. “We should these words create in you?
“Off there to the right—somewhere—is a large island,” said make it in a few days. I hope the jaguar guns have come from Suggested response:
Whitney. “It’s rather a mystery—” Purdey’s.1 We should have some good hunting up the Amazon. The setting creates a
Great sport, hunting.” mysterious mood.
“What island is it?” Rainsford asked. 20 “The best sport in the world,” agreed Rainsford.
“The old charts call it Ship-Trap Island,” Whitney replied. Underline the sentences in
“A suggestive name, isn’t it? Sailors have a curious dread of the “For the hunter,” amended Whitney. “Not for the jaguar.” lines 20-27 that tell how
place. I don’t know why. Some superstition—” “Don’t talk rot, Whitney,” said Rainsford. “You’re a big-game Rainsford feels about hunting
“Can’t see it,” remarked Rainsford, trying to peer through hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?” animals. Circle the sentences
the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick “Perhaps the jaguar does,” observed Whitney. that tell how Whitney feels
warm blackness in upon the yacht. “Bah! They’ve no understanding.” about hunting animals.
10 “You’ve good eyes,” said Whitney, with a laugh, “and I’ve “Even so, I rather think they understand one thing—fear.
Underline the name of the seen you pick off a moose moving in the brown fall bush at four The fear of pain and the fear of death.”
island in line 4. What do you hundred yards, but even you can’t see four miles or so through a “Nonsense,” laughed Rainsford. “This hot weather is mak-
predict will happen in the moonless Caribbean night.” ing you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two
story, based on this name? 30 classes—the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are the
“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell. Copyright 1924 by Richard Connell; copyright renewed © hunters. Do you think we’ve passed that island yet?”
Students might 1952 by Louise Fox Connell. Reprinted by permission of Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Inc. “I can’t tell in the dark. I hope so.”
“Why?” asked Rainsford.
predict that Rainsford “The place has a reputation—a bad one.”
“Cannibals?” suggested Rainsford.
and Whitney will “Hardly. Even cannibals wouldn’t live in such a
Godforsaken place. But it’s gotten into sailor lore, somehow.
be shipwrecked on Didn’t you notice that the crew’s nerves seemed a bit jumpy
today?”
Ship-Trap Island. 40 “They were a bit strange, now you mention it. Even
Captain Nielsen—”
“Yes, even that tough-minded old Swede, who’d go up to
the devil himself and ask him for a light. Those fishy blue eyes
held a look I never saw there before. All I could get out of him
was: ‘This place has an evil name among seafaring men, sir.’
Then he said to me, very gravely: ‘Don’t you feel anything?’—
as if the air about us was actually poisonous. Now, you mustn’t
Collection 1

Student pages 6–7

Student Pages with Answers 5
1. Purdey’s (p∞r√d≤z): British manufacturer of hunting equipment.

6 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting The Most Dangerous Game 7

Collection 1Underline details in lineslaugh when I tell you this—I did feel something like a sudden80 He leapt upon the rail and balanced himself there, to get greaterPause at line 85. What has
42-60 that describe the chill. elevation; his pipe, striking a rope, was knocked from his mouth. happened to Rainsford?
Student pages 8–9setting and its effect on50 “There was no breeze. The sea was as flat as a plate-glassHe lunged for it; a short, hoarse cry came from his lips asWhat do you predict will
Whitney. What mood do window. We were drawing near the island then. What I felt he realized he had reached too far and had lost his balance. happen next?
6 The Holt Reader: Teacher’s Manualthese details help create?was a—a mental chill, a sort of sudden dread.” The cry was pinched off short as the blood-warm waters of
the Caribbean Sea closed over his head. Suggested response:
Suggested response: “Pure imagination,” said Rainsford. “One superstitious He struggled up to the surface and tried to cry out, but He has fallen over-
sailor can taint the whole ship’s company with his fear.” the wash from the speeding yacht slapped him in the face and board. Most likely
The details create a the salt water in his open mouth made him gag and strangle. he will swim to the
“Maybe. But sometimes I think sailors have an extra sense Desperately he struck out with strong strokes after the receding island.
chilling mood of that tells them when they are in danger. Sometimes I think evil
is a tangible thing—with wavelengths, just as sound and light 90 lights of the yacht, but he stopped before he had swum fifty feet. receding (ri≈s≤d√i«) v. used as
danger and evil. have. An evil place can, so to speak, broadcast vibrations of evil. A certain coolheadedness had come to him; it was not the first adj.: becoming more distant.
Anyhow, I’m glad we’re getting out of this zone. Well, I think time he had been in a tight place. There was a chance that his
60 I’ll turn in now, Rainsford.” cries could be heard by someone aboard the yacht, but that What connection do you see
chance was slender and grew more slender as the yacht raced on. between the story’s title and
“I’m not sleepy,” said Rainsford. “I’m going to smoke He wrestled himself out of his clothes and shouted with all his lines 103-109?
another pipe on the afterdeck.” power. The lights of the yacht became faint and ever-vanishing
fireflies; then they were blotted out entirely by the night. Possible response:
“Good night, then, Rainsford. See you at breakfast.” Rainsford remembered the shots. They had come from the The cry Rainsford
“Right. Good night, Whitney.” right, and doggedly he swam in that direction, swimming with hears may be from
the “game” referred
Pause at line 76. What do There was no sound in the night as Rainsford sat there Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. 100 slow, deliberate strokes, conserving his strength. For a seemingly to in the title.
you predict will happen? but the muffled throb of the engine that drove the yacht swiftly Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. endless time he fought the sea. He began to count his strokes;
through the darkness, and the swish and ripple of the wash he could do possibly a hundred more and then—
Students may predict of the propeller. Rainsford heard a sound. It came out of the darkness, a
high screaming sound, the sound of an animal in an extremity
Rainsford will get shot Rainsford, reclining in a steamer chair, indolently2 puffed of anguish and terror.
70 on his favorite brier.3 The sensuous drowsiness of the night was He did not recognize the animal that made the sound; he did
or find himself in not try to; with fresh vitality he swam toward the sound. He heard
on him. “It’s so dark,” he thought, “that I could sleep without it again; then it was cut short by another noise, crisp, staccato.
danger. closing my eyes; the night would be my eyelids—” “Pistol shot,” muttered Rainsford, swimming on.

An abrupt sound startled him. Off to the right he heard it, 110 Ten minutes of determined effort brought another sound to
and his ears, expert in such matters, could not be mistaken. his ears—the most welcome he had ever heard—the muttering
Again he heard the sound, and again. Somewhere, off in the and growling of the sea breaking on a rocky shore. He was almost
blackness, someone had fired a gun three times. on the rocks before he saw them; on a night less calm he would
have been shattered against them. With his remaining strength he
Rainsford sprang up and moved quickly to the rail,
mystified. He strained his eyes in the direction from which the
reports had come, but it was like trying to see through a blanket.

2. indolently (in√d¥·l¥nt·l≤) adv.: lazily.
3. brier (br¢√¥r) n.: tobacco pipe made from the root of a

brier bush or tree.

8 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting The Most Dangerous Game 9

Pause at line 124. Where is dragged himself from the swirling waters. Jagged crags appeared He saw no sign of a trail through the closely knit web Lines 137-141 create sus-
Rainsford now? to jut into the opaqueness.4 of weeds and trees; it was easier to go along the shore, and pense by leaving questions in
Rainsford floundered along by the water. Not far from where our minds. What questions
He is on a junglelike He forced himself upward, hand over hand. Gasping, he had landed, he stopped. would you like answered?
his hands raw, he reached a flat place at the top. Dense jungle Suggested response:
island. came down to the very edge of the cliffs. What perils that tangle Some wounded thing, by the evidence a large animal, had Who is the hunter?
120 of trees and underbrush might hold for him did not concern thrashed about in the underbrush; the jungle weeds were crushed What was killed?
Rainsford just then. All he knew was that he was safe from his down and the moss was lacerated; one patch of weeds was
enemy, the sea, and that utter weariness was on him. He flung 140 stained crimson. A small, glittering object not far away caught Personification is a kind of
himself down at the jungle edge and tumbled headlong into Rainsford’s eye and he picked it up. It was an empty cartridge. figurative language in which
the deepest sleep of his life. a nonhuman thing or some-
“A twenty-two,” he remarked. “That’s odd. It must have thing inanimate (not alive)
When he opened his eyes, he knew from the position of the been a fairly large animal too. The hunter had his nerve with is talked about as if it were
sun that it was late in the afternoon. Sleep had given him new him to tackle it with a light gun. It’s clear that the brute put human or alive. Underline
vigor; a sharp hunger was picking at him. He looked about him, up a fight. I suppose the first three shots I heard was when the the detail in lines 161-162
almost cheerfully. hunter flushed his quarry5 and wounded it. The last shot was that gives the sea a human
when he trailed it here and finished it.” quality. What kind of “per-
“Where there are pistol shots, there are men. Where there son” is this sea?
130 are men, there is food,” he thought. But what kind of men, he He examined the ground closely and found what he had
hoped to find—the print of hunting boots. They pointed along Possible response: a
wondered, in so forbidding a place? An unbroken front of 150 the cliff in the direction he had been going. Eagerly he hurried hungry, greedy animal
snarled and ragged jungle fringed the shore. along, now slipping on a rotten log or a loose stone, but making
headway; night was beginning to settle down on the island.
4. opaqueness (£·p†k√nis) n.: here, darkness. Something opaque does
not let light pass through. Bleak darkness was blacking out the sea and jungle when
Rainsford sighted the lights. He came upon them as he turned
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. a crook in the coastline, and his first thought was that he had
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. come upon a village, for there were many lights. But as he forged
along, he saw to his great astonishment that all the lights were in
one enormous building—a lofty structure with pointed towers
plunging upward into the gloom. His eyes made out the shad-
160 owy outlines of a palatial château;6 it was set on a high bluff,
and on three sides of it cliffs dived down to where the sea licked
greedy lips in the shadows.

“Mirage,” thought Rainsford. But it was no mirage, he
found, when he opened the tall spiked iron gate. The stone steps
Collection 1

Student pages 10–11

Student Pages with Answers 7
© Kevin Schafer/Getty Images. 5. flushed his quarry: drove the animal he was hunting out of
its hiding place.

6. château (◊a·t£√) n.: large country house.

10 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting The Most Dangerous Game 11

Here’s a conflict in lines Collection 1were real enough; the massive door with a leering gargoyle for aCopyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.pleasure and honor to welcome Mr. Sanger Rainsford, the cele-Notes
176-178. Is it external or knocker was real enough; yet about it all hung an air of unreality. Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. 200 brated hunter, to my home.”
internal? Explain. Student pages 12–13 Circle the word in line 216
He lifted the knocker, and it creaked up stiffly, as if it had Automatically Rainsford shook the man’s hand. that Zaroff uses to describe
This is an external8 The Holt Reader: Teacher’s Manualnever before been used. He let it fall, and it startled him with its “I’ve read your book about hunting snow leopards in Tibet, Cossacks. Now, read on
conflict—man versus booming loudness. you see,” explained the man. “I am General Zaroff.” through line 219. What do
man. 170 He thought he heard steps within; the door remained Rainsford’s first impression was that the man was singularly Zaroff’s remarks suggest
closed. Again Rainsford lifted the heavy knocker and let it fall. handsome; his second was that there was an original, almost about how he himself will
disarming (dis•ärm≈i«) adj.: The door opened then, opened as suddenly as if it were on a bizarre quality about the general’s face. He was a tall man past behave later in the story?
removing or lessening suspi- spring, and Rainsford stood blinking in the river of glaring gold middle age, for his hair was a vivid white; but his thick eyebrows
cions or fears. light that poured out. The first thing Rainsford’s eyes discerned and pointed military moustache were as black as the night from Zaroff will probably
Dis- is a prefix meaning was the largest man Rainsford had ever seen—a gigantic crea- which Rainsford had come. His eyes, too, were black and very behave like a ruthless
“take away; deprive of.” ture, solidly made and black-bearded to the waist. In his hand 210 bright. He had high cheekbones, a sharp-cut nose, a spare, dark savage.
Literally, disarm means “take the man held a long-barreled revolver, and he was pointing it face, the face of a man used to giving orders, the face of an aris-
away weapons or arms.” straight at Rainsford’s heart. tocrat. Turning to the giant in uniform, the general made a sign.
What does discomfort mean? The giant put away his pistol, saluted, withdrew.
Out of the snarl of beard two small eyes regarded “Ivan is an incredibly strong fellow,” remarked the general,
“deprive of comfort” 180 Rainsford. “but he has the misfortune to be deaf and dumb. A simple
fellow, but, I’m afraid, like all his race, a bit of a savage.”
“Don’t be alarmed,” said Rainsford, with a smile which “Is he Russian?”
he hoped was disarming. “I’m no robber. I fell off a yacht. My “He is a Cossack,”8 said the general, and his smile showed
name is Sanger Rainsford of New York City.” red lips and pointed teeth. “So am I.”
220 “Come,” he said, “we shouldn’t be chatting here. We can
The menacing look in the eyes did not change. The revolver talk later. Now you want clothes, food, rest. You shall have them.
pointed as rigidly as if the giant were a statue. He gave no sign This is a most restful spot.”
that he understood Rainsford’s words or that he had even heard Ivan had reappeared, and the general spoke to him with
them. He was dressed in uniform, a black uniform trimmed lips that moved but gave forth no sound.
with gray astrakhan.7 “Follow Ivan, if you please, Mr. Rainsford,” said the general.
“I was about to have my dinner when you came. I’ll wait for
“I’m Sanger Rainsford of New York,” Rainsford began you. You’ll find that my clothes will fit you, I think.”
190 again. “I fell off a yacht. I am hungry.” It was to a huge, beam-ceilinged bedroom with a canopied
bed big enough for six men that Rainsford followed the silent
The man’s only answer was to raise with his thumb the 230 giant. Ivan laid out an evening suit, and Rainsford, as he put it
hammer of his revolver. Then Rainsford saw the man’s free hand
go to his forehead in a military salute, and he saw him click his
heels together and stand at attention. Another man was coming
down the broad marble steps, an erect, slender man in evening
clothes. He advanced to Rainsford and held out his hand.

In a cultivated voice marked by a slight accent that gave
it added precision and deliberateness, he said: “It is a very great

7. astrakhan (as√tr¥·k¥n) n.: curly fur of very young lambs. 8. Cossack (käs√ak≈): member of a group from Ukraine, many of whom
served as horsemen to the Russian czars and were famed for their
fierceness in battle.

12 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting The Most Dangerous Game 13

on, noticed that it came from a London tailor who ordinarily Notes
cut and sewed for none below the rank of duke.
Read the boxed passage
aloud two times. Try to The dining room to which Ivan conducted him was in
improve the speed and many ways remarkable. There was a medieval magnificence
smoothness of your delivery about it; it suggested a baronial hall of feudal times, with its
on your second read. oaken panels, its high ceiling, its vast refectory table where
two-score men could sit down to eat. About the hall were the
When you appraise some- mounted heads of many animals—lions, tigers, elephants,
thing, you estimate its value. moose, bears; larger or more perfect specimens Rainsford had
Why might the general be 240 never seen. At the great table the general was sitting, alone.
appraising Rainsford (line
255)? “You’ll have a cocktail, Mr. Rainsford,” he suggested. The
cocktail was surpassingly good; and, Rainsford noted, the table
Sample response: The appointments were of the finest—the linen, the crystal, the
silver, the china.
general may be sizing
They were eating borscht, the rich red soup with sour
up Rainsford because cream so dear to Russian palates. Half apologetically General
Zaroff said: “We do our best to preserve the amenities9 of civi-
he is a famous hunter. lization here. Please forgive any lapses. We are well off the beaten
track, you know. Do you think the champagne has suffered from
250 its long ocean trip?” Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. Cape buffalo. Pause at line 273. What do
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. you predict the most danger-
“Not in the least,” declared Rainsford. He was finding the Corel. ous game will be?
general a most thoughtful and affable host, a true cosmopolite.10
But there was one small trait of the general’s that made “Did he charge you?” Students may predict
Rainsford uncomfortable. Whenever he looked up from his plate “Hurled me against a tree,” said the general. “Fractured my
he found the general studying him, appraising him narrowly. skull. But I got the brute.” that Zaroff is talking
“I’ve always thought,” said Rainsford, “that the Cape buffalo
“Perhaps,” said General Zaroff, “you were surprised that is the most dangerous of all big game.” about hunting human
I recognized your name. You see, I read all books on hunting For a moment the general did not reply; he was smiling
published in English, French, and Russian. I have but one 270 his curious red-lipped smile. Then he said slowly: “No. You are beings.
passion in my life, Mr. Rainsford, and it is the hunt.” wrong, sir. The Cape buffalo is not the most dangerous big
260 “You have some wonderful heads here,” said Rainsford game.” He sipped his wine. “Here in my preserve on this island,”
as he ate a particularly well-cooked filet mignon. “That Cape he said in the same slow tone, “I hunt more dangerous game.”
buffalo is the largest I ever saw.” Rainsford expressed his surprise. “Is there big game on
this island?”
“Oh, that fellow. Yes, he was a monster.” The general nodded. “The biggest.”
“Really?”
Collection 1

Student pages 14–15

Student Pages with Answers 9
9. amenities (¥·men√¥·t≤z) n.: comforts and conveniences.
10. cosmopolite (käz·mäp√¥·l¢t≈) n.: knowledgeable citizen of the world.

14 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting The Most Dangerous Game 15

Notes Collection 1“Oh, it isn’t here naturally, of course. I have to stockCopyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.310 in every land. It would be impossible for me to tell you howimprudent (im•prºd≈¥nt)
the island.” Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. many animals I have killed.” adj.: unwise.
Notice the sequence of Student pages 16–17280 “What have you imported, general?” Rainsford asked.The general puffed at his cigarette.Im- is a prefix meaning
events as Zaroff tells about “Tigers?” “After the debacle13 in Russia I left the country, for it was “not.” Imprudent means
his past. Underline the words10 The Holt Reader: Teacher’s Manual imprudent for an officer of the czar to stay there. Many noble “not prudent.” What does
in lines 301-302 that tell The general smiled. “No,” he said. “Hunting tigers ceased Russians lost everything. I, luckily, had invested heavily in immature mean?
when he received his first to interest me some years ago. I exhausted their possibilities, American securities, so I shall never have to open a tearoom
gun. Underline the words in you see. No thrill left in tigers, no real danger. I live for danger, in Monte Carlo14 or drive a taxi in Paris. Naturally, I continued “not mature”
lines 305-306 that tell when Mr. Rainsford.” to hunt—grizzlies in your Rockies, crocodiles in the Ganges,15
he shot his first bear. rhinoceroses in East Africa. It was in Africa that the Cape buffalo An idiom is an expression
Underline the words in line The general took from his pocket a gold cigarette case and that means something differ-
313 that tell when he left offered his guest a long black cigarette with a silver tip; it was 320 hit me and laid me up for six months. As soon as I recovered ent from the literal defini-
Russia. perfumed and gave off a smell like incense. I started for the Amazon to hunt jaguars, for I had heard they tions of its parts. Circle the
were unusually cunning. They weren’t.” The Cossack sighed. idiom in line 328. What does
“We will have some capital hunting, you and I,” said the “They were no match at all for a hunter with his wits about him it mean?
290 general. “I shall be most glad to have your society.” and a high-powered rifle. I was bitterly disappointed. I was lying
in my tent with a splitting headache one night when a terrible Sample response:
“But what game—” began Rainsford. thought pushed its way into my mind. Hunting was beginning “become very
“I’ll tell you,” said the general. “You will be amused, I know. to bore me! And hunting, remember, had been my life. I have depressed”
I think I may say, in all modesty, that I have done a rare thing. I heard that in America businessmen often go to pieces when they
have invented a new sensation. May I pour you another glass of give up the business that has been their life.”
port, Mr. Rainsford?”
“Thank you, general.” 330 “Yes, that’s so,” said Rainsford.
The general filled both glasses and said: “God makes some The general smiled. “I had no wish to go to pieces,” he
men poets. Some He makes kings, some beggars. Me He made
a hunter. My hand was made for the trigger, my father said. said. “I must do something. Now, mine is an analytical mind,
300 He was a very rich man, with a quarter of a million acres in the Mr. Rainsford. Doubtless that is why I enjoy the problems of
Crimea,11 and he was an ardent sportsman. When I was only five the chase.”
years old, he gave me a little gun, specially made in Moscow for
me, to shoot sparrows with. When I shot some of his prize “No doubt, General Zaroff.”
turkeys with it, he did not punish me; he complimented me on “So,” continued the general, “I asked myself why the hunt
my marksmanship. I killed my first bear in the Caucasus12 when no longer fascinated me. You are much younger than I am,
I was ten. My whole life has been one prolonged hunt. I went Mr. Rainsford, and have not hunted as much, but you perhaps
into the army—it was expected of noblemen’s sons—and for can guess the answer.”
a time commanded a division of Cossack cavalry, but my real 340 “What was it?”
interest was always the hunt. I have hunted every kind of game

prolonged (pr£•lo«d√) v. 11. Crimea (kr¢·m≤√¥): peninsula in Ukraine jutting into the Black Sea. 13. debacle (di·bä√k¥l) n.: overwhelming defeat. Zaroff is referring to the
used as adj.: extended. 12. Caucasus (kô√k¥·s¥s): mountainous region between southeastern Russian Revolution of 1917, in which the czar and his government
were overthrown.
Europe and western Asia.
14. Monte Carlo (mänt√¥ kär≈l£): gambling resort in Monaco, a country
16 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting on the Mediterranean Sea. 17

15. Ganges (gan√j≤z): river in northern India and Bangladesh.

The Most Dangerous Game

Notes “Simply this: Hunting had ceased to be what you call a “But you can’t mean—” gasped Rainsford. Pause at line 382, and con-
sporting proposition. It had become too easy. I always got my “And why not?” firm your prediction. What is
surmounted (s¥r•m¡nt√id) v.: quarry. Always. There is no greater bore than perfection.” “I can’t believe you are serious, General Zaroff. This is a the game that Zaroff hunts?
overcame. grisly joke.”
Pause at line 357. What The general lit a fresh cigarette. 380 “Why should I not be serious? I am speaking of hunting.” human beings
could this “new animal” be? “No animal had a chance with me anymore. That is no “Hunting? Good God, General Zaroff, what you speak of
boast; it is a mathematical certainty. The animal had nothing is murder.” unruffled (un•ruf√¥ld) adj.:
a human being but his legs and his instinct. Instinct is no match for reason. The general laughed with entire good nature. He regarded calm; not disturbed.
When I thought of this, it was a tragic moment for me, I can Rainsford quizzically. “I refuse to believe that so modern and Un- is a prefix meaning
tell you.” Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. civilized a young man as you seem to be harbors romantic “not.” What word in line 400
350 Rainsford leaned across the table, absorbed in what his host Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. ideas about the value of human life. Surely your experiences also uses this prefix? Use
was saying. in the war—” un- to give these words
“It came to me as an inspiration what I must do,” the “Did not make me condone16 coldblooded murder,” the opposite meaning: kind,
general went on. finished Rainsford stiffly. necessary, able.
“And that was?” 390 Laughter shook the general. “How extraordinarily droll
The general smiled the quiet smile of one who has faced an you are!” he said. “One does not expect nowadays to find a unpleasant; unkind,
obstacle and surmounted it with success. “I had to invent a new young man of the educated class, even in America, with such a unnecessary, unable
animal to hunt,” he said. naive, and, if I may say so, mid-Victorian point of view. It’s like
“A new animal? You’re joking.” finding a snuffbox in a limousine. Ah, well, doubtless you had
“Not at all,” said the general. “I never joke about hunting. Puritan ancestors. So many Americans appear to have had. I’ll
360 I needed a new animal. I found one. So I bought this island, wager you’ll forget your notions when you go hunting with me.
built this house, and here I do my hunting. The island is perfect You’ve a genuine new thrill in store for you, Mr. Rainsford.”
for my purposes—there are jungles with a maze of trails in “Thank you, I’m a hunter, not a murderer.”
them, hills, swamps—” “Dear me,” said the general, quite unruffled, “again that
“But the animal, General Zaroff?” 400 unpleasant word. But I think I can show you that your scruples17
“Oh,” said the general, “it supplies me with the most excit- are quite ill-founded.”
ing hunting in the world. No other hunting compares with it for “Yes?”
an instant. Every day I hunt, and I never grow bored now, for “Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and if need
I have a quarry with which I can match my wits.” be, taken by the strong. The weak of the world were put here to
Rainsford’s bewilderment showed in his face. give the strong pleasure. I am strong. Why should I not use my
370 “I wanted the ideal animal to hunt,” explained the general. gift? If I wish to hunt, why should I not? I hunt the scum of the
“So I said: ‘What are the attributes of an ideal quarry?’ And the earth—sailors from tramp ships—lascars,18 blacks, Chinese,
answer was, of course: ‘It must have courage, cunning, and,
above all, it must be able to reason.’ ”
“But no animal can reason,” objected Rainsford.
“My dear fellow,” said the general, “there is one that can.”
Collection 1

Student pages 18–19

Student Pages with Answers 11
18 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting 16. condone (k¥n·d£n√) v.: overlook an offense; excuse. 19
17. scruples (skrº√p¥lz) n.: feelings of doubt or guilt about a suggested

action.
18. lascars (las√k¥rz) n.: East Indian sailors employed on European ships.

The Most Dangerous Game

Pause at line 410. It’s clear Collection 1whites, mongrels—a thoroughbred horse or hound is worthgeneral pressed a button, far out to sea Rainsford saw the flashHow does Zaroff find men to
that Rainsford and Zaroff dis- more than a score of them.” of lights. hunt (lines 422-432)?
agree about the “sport” of Student pages 20–21410 “But they are men,” said Rainsford hotly.
hunting men. How do you The general chuckled. “They indicate a channel,” he said, Zaroff uses false
think they will solve their12 The Holt Reader: Teacher’s Manual“Precisely,” said the general. “That is why I use them. “where there’s none; giant rocks with razor edges crouch like a signals to shipwreck
conflict? It gives me pleasure. They can reason, after a fashion. So they sea monster with wide-open jaws. They can crush a ship as easi- his “game.”
are dangerous.” ly as I crush this nut.” He dropped a walnut on the hardwood
They will probably 430 floor and brought his heel grinding down on it. “Oh, yes,” he The word game in line 450
“But where do you get them?” said, casually, as if in answer to a question, “I have electricity. means “competition for
fight each other or The general’s left eyelid fluttered down in a wink. “This We try to be civilized here.” amusement.” What associa-
island is called Ship-Trap,” he answered. “Sometimes an angry tions come to mind when
have to outwit each god of the high seas sends them to me. Sometimes, when “Civilized? And you shoot down men?” you hear the word game?
Providence is not so kind, I help Providence a bit. Come to A trace of anger was in the general’s black eyes, but it was What impression do you
other. the window with me.” there for but a second, and he said, in his most pleasant manner: form of Zaroff when he
420 Rainsford went to the window and looked out toward “Dear me, what a righteous young man you are! I assure you uses this word to describe
the sea. I do not do the thing you suggest. That would be barbarous. hunting men?
“Watch! Out there!” exclaimed the general, pointing into I treat these visitors with every consideration. They get plenty
the night. Rainsford’s eyes saw only blackness, and then, as the of good food and exercise. They get into splendid physical con- Suggested response:
440 dition. You shall see for yourself tomorrow.” Game brings to mind
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. “What do you mean?” play and lighthearted
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. “We’ll visit my training school,” smiled the general. “It’s in fun. Zaroff’s use of this
the cellar. I have about a dozen pupils down there now. They’re word to describe hunt-
from the Spanish bark San Lucar that had the bad luck to go on ing men suggests that
the rocks out there. A very inferior lot, I regret to say. Poor he is coldblooded and
specimens and more accustomed to the deck than to the jungle.” heartless.
He raised his hand, and Ivan, who served as waiter, brought
thick Turkish coffee. Rainsford, with an effort, held his tongue
in check.
450 “It’s a game, you see,” pursued the general blandly. “I suggest
to one of them that we go hunting. I give him a supply of food
and an excellent hunting knife. I give him three hours’ start. I am
to follow, armed only with a pistol of the smallest caliber and
range. If my quarry eludes me for three whole days, he wins the
game. If I find him”—the general smiled—“he loses.”
“Suppose he refuses to be hunted?”
“Oh,” said the general, “I give him his option, of course.
He need not play that game if he doesn’t wish to. If he does not

Corel.

20 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting The Most Dangerous Game 21

invariably (in•ver≈≤•¥•bl≤) wish to hunt, I turn him over to Ivan. Ivan once had the honor 490 Rainsford was hurrying from the room. Describe the mood created by
adv.: always; without 460 of serving as official knouter19 to the Great White Czar, and he “Sorry you can’t go with me tonight,” called the general. this setting (lines 498-510).
changing.
has his own ideas of sport. Invariably, Mr. Rainsford, invariably “I expect rather fair sport—a big, strong black. He looks Students should
Re-read lines 482-490. What they choose the hunt.” resourceful— Well, good night, Mr. Rainsford; I hope you have understand that
do you predict Rainsford will a good night’s rest.” Rainsford is cut off
do next? “And if they win?” from the world and
Students may say that The smile on the general’s face widened. “To date I have not The bed was good and the pajamas of the softest silk, and will have to fight
Rainsford will try to lost,” he said. he was tired in every fiber of his being, but nevertheless Zaroff. The mention
escape during the Then he added, hastily: “I don’t wish you to think me a Rainsford could not quiet his brain with the opiate23 of sleep. of stealthy steps, the
night or that he will braggart, Mr. Rainsford. Many of them afford only the most He lay, eyes wide open. Once he thought he heard stealthy steps jungle sounds, the
not hunt with Zaroff elementary sort of problem. Occasionally I strike a tartar.20 One in the corridor outside his room. He sought to throw open the guard hounds, and
in the morning. almost did win. I eventually had to use the dogs.” 500 door; it would not open. He went to the window and looked the pistol shot create
470 “The dogs?” out. His room was high up in one of the towers. The lights of a mood of tension
“This way, please. I’ll show you.” the château were out now, and it was dark and silent, but there and fear.
The general steered Rainsford to a window. The lights from was a fragment of sallow moon, and by its wan light he could
the windows sent a flickering illumination that made grotesque Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. see, dimly, the courtyard; there, weaving in and out in the pat-
patterns on the courtyard below, and Rainsford could see mov- Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. tern of shadow, were black, noiseless forms; the hounds heard
ing about there a dozen or so huge black shapes; as they turned him at the window and looked up, expectantly, with their green
toward him, their eyes glittered greenly. eyes. Rainsford went back to the bed and lay down. By many
“A rather good lot, I think,” observed the general. “They methods he tried to put himself to sleep. He had achieved a
are let out at seven every night. If anyone should try to get doze when, just as morning began to come, he heard, far off in
into my house—or out of it—something extremely regrettable 510 the jungle, the faint report of a pistol.
480 would occur to him.” He hummed a snatch of song from the
Folies-Bergère.21 General Zaroff did not appear until luncheon. He was
“And now,” said the general, “I want to show you my new dressed faultlessly in the tweeds of a country squire. He was
collection of heads. Will you come with me to the library?” solicitous about the state of Rainsford’s health.
“I hope,” said Rainsford, “that you will excuse me tonight,
General Zaroff. I’m really not feeling at all well.” “As for me,” sighed the general, “I do not feel so well. I am
“Ah, indeed?” the general inquired solicitously.22 “Well, I sup- worried, Mr. Rainsford. Last night I detected traces of my old
pose that’s only natural, after your long swim. You need a good, complaint.”
restful night’s sleep. Tomorrow you’ll feel like a new man, I’ll
wager. Then we’ll hunt, eh? I’ve one rather promising prospect—” To Rainsford’s questioning glance the general said: “Ennui.
Boredom.”

Then, taking a second helping of crêpes suzette,24 the
520 general explained: “The hunting was not good last night. The
Collection 1
What context clue tells you
Student pages 22–23 the meaning of ennui
(än√w≤≈) in line 517?
Student Pages with Answers 13 Underline it.
19. knouter (n¡t√¥r) n.: person who beats criminals with a knout, a kind 23. opiate (£√p≤·it) n.: anything that tends to soothe or calm someone.
of leather whip. An opiate may also be a medicine containing opium or a related The Most Dangerous Game 23
drug used to relieve pain.
20. strike a tartar: get more than one bargained for. A tartar is a violent,
unmanageable person. 24. crêpes suzette (kr†p sº·zet√) n.: thin pancakes folded in a hot
orange-flavored sauce and served in flaming brandy.
21. Folies-Bergère (fô√l≤ ber·¤er≈): famous nightclub in Paris.
22. solicitously (s¥·lis√¥·t¥s·l≤) adv.: in a concerned manner.

22 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Notes Collection 1fellow lost his head. He made a straight trail that offered noCopyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.“And if I win—” began Rainsford huskily.Pause at line 559. What does
problems at all. That’s the trouble with these sailors; they have Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. “I’ll cheerfully acknowledge myself defeated if I do not Rainsford have to do to win
diverting (d¥•v∞rt≈i«) v. used Student pages 24–25dull brains to begin with, and they do not know how to getfind you by midnight of the third day,” said General Zaroff.the game?
as adj.: entertaining. about in the woods. They do excessively stupid and obvious “My sloop will place you on the mainland near a town.”
In lines 540-549, the central14 The Holt Reader: Teacher’s Manualthings. It’s most annoying. Will you have another glass of 560 The general read what Rainsford was thinking. He must successfully
conflict is established. Who Chablis, Mr. Rainsford?” “Oh, you can trust me,” said the Cossack. “I will give you hide from Zaroff for
will be the general’s next my word as a gentleman and a sportsman. Of course you, in three days.
victim? “General,” said Rainsford firmly, “I wish to leave this island turn, must agree to say nothing of your visit here.”
at once.” “I’ll agree to nothing of the kind,” said Rainsford. A sloop (line 559) is a kind of
Zaroff’s next victim “Oh,” said the general, “in that case— But why discuss that ship. Circle the context clues
will be Rainsford. The general raised his thickets of eyebrows; he seemed now? Three days hence we can discuss it over a bottle of Veuve that help you figure out the
530 hurt. “But, my dear fellow,” the general protested, “you’ve only Clicquot,25 unless—” word’s meaning.
The general sipped his wine.
just come. You’ve had no hunting—” Then a businesslike air animated him. “Ivan,” he said to Underline the name of
“I wish to go today,” said Rainsford. He saw the dead black 570 Rainsford, “will supply you with hunting clothes, food, a knife. the place in line 573 that
I suggest you wear moccasins; they leave a poorer trail. I suggest Zaroff tells Rainsford to
eyes of the general on him, studying him. General Zaroff ’s face too that you avoid the big swamp in the southeast corner of avoid. What might the
suddenly brightened. the island. We call it Death Swamp. There’s quicksand there. suggestive name of this
One foolish fellow tried it. The deplorable26 part of it was place foreshadow?
He filled Rainsford’s glass with venerable Chablis from a that Lazarus followed him. You can imagine my feelings,
dusty bottle. Mr. Rainsford. I loved Lazarus; he was the finest hound in my Suggested response:
pack. Well, I must beg you to excuse me now. I always take a Either Zaroff or
“Tonight,” said the general, “we will hunt—you and I.” siesta after lunch. You’ll hardly have time for a nap, I fear. Rainsford is going to
Rainsford shook his head. “No, general,” he said. “I will You’ll want to start, no doubt. I shall not follow till dusk. die in Death Swamp.
not hunt.” 580 Hunting at night is so much more exciting than by day, don’t
540 The general shrugged his shoulders and delicately ate a you think? Au revoir27, Mr. Rainsford, au revoir.” Au revoir (line 581) is French
hothouse grape. “As you wish, my friend,” he said. “The choice General Zaroff, with a deep, courtly bow, strolled from for “until we meet again.”
rests entirely with you. But may I not venture to suggest that the room. Read on, and underline the
you will find my idea of sport more diverting than Ivan’s?” From another door came Ivan. Under one arm he carried context clues that help you
He nodded toward the corner where the giant stood, scowl- khaki hunting clothes, a haversack of food, a leather sheath figure out the meaning of
ing, his thick arms crossed on his hogshead of chest. containing a long-bladed hunting knife; his right hand rested on the phrase.
“You don’t mean—” cried Rainsford. a cocked revolver thrust in the crimson sash about his waist. . . .
“My dear fellow,” said the general, “have I not told you
I always mean what I say about hunting? This is really an inspi- 25. Veuve Clicquot (vöv kl≤·k»√): brand of fine champagne.
ration. I drink to a foeman worthy of my steel—at last.” 26. deplorable (d≤·plôr√¥·b¥l) adj.: regrettable; very bad.
550 The general raised his glass, but Rainsford sat staring 27. au revoir (£’r¥·vwär√): French for “goodbye.”
at him.
“You’ll find this game worth playing,” the general said
enthusiastically. “Your brain against mine. Your woodcraft
against mine. Your strength and stamina against mine. Outdoor
chess! And the stake is not without value, eh?”

24 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting The Most Dangerous Game 25

Notes

Re-read lines 601-613. How
does Rainsford avoid being
captured and killed?
He acts like a hunted

fox, creating false

trails in an effort to

avoid being killed by

hunters.

At line 588 the plot flashes Rainsford had fought his way through the bush for two hours. Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. Corel.
forward. When do the events “I must keep my nerve. I must keep my nerve,” he said through Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
beginning in line 588 occur? 590 tight teeth. “I’ll give him a trail to follow,” muttered Rainsford, and he
struck off from the rude paths he had been following into the
later the same day He had not been entirely clearheaded when the château trackless wilderness. He executed a series of intricate loops;
gates snapped shut behind him. His whole idea at first was to he doubled on his trail again and again, recalling all the lore of
put distance between himself and General Zaroff, and, to this the fox hunt and all the dodges of the fox. Night found him leg-
end, he had plunged along, spurred on by the sharp rowels28 weary, with hands and face lashed by the branches, on a thickly
of something very like panic. Now he had got a grip on himself, wooded ridge. He knew it would be insane to blunder on
had stopped, and was taking stock of himself and the situation. through the dark, even if he had the strength. His need for rest
was imperative and he thought: “I have played the fox; now
He saw that straight flight was futile; inevitably it would 610 I must play the cat of the fable.” A big tree with a thick trunk
bring him face to face with the sea. He was in a picture with and outspread branches was nearby, and taking care to leave not
a frame of water, and his operations, clearly, must take place the slightest mark, he climbed up into the crotch and stretching
600 within that frame. out on one of the broad limbs, after a fashion, rested. Rest
brought him new confidence and almost a feeling of security.
Even so zealous a hunter as General Zaroff could not trace him
there, he told himself; only the devil himself could follow that

The Most Dangerous Game 27
Collection 1

Student pages 26–27

Student Pages with Answers 15
28. rowels (r¡√¥lz) n.: small wheels with spurs that horseback riders
wear on their heels.

26 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting

Pause at line 628. Who is Collection 1complicated trail through the jungle after dark. But, perhaps,Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.650 follow a trail through the woods at night; he could follow anPause at line 661. The first
coming through the bush? the general was a devil— Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. extremely difficult trail; he must have uncanny powers; only by stage of the hunt is over.
Student pages 28–29 the merest chance had the Cossack failed to see his quarry. Who has won? What does
Zaroff An apprehensive night crawled slowly by like a wounded Rainsford’s second thought was even more terrible. It sent Rainsford now know that he
16 The Holt Reader: Teacher’s Manual620 snake, and sleep did not visit Rainsford, although the silence of a shudder of cold horror through his whole being. Why had the didn’t know at the beginning
impulse (im√puls≈) n.: sudden general smiled? Why had he turned back? of the story?
desire to do something. a dead world was on the jungle. Toward morning, when a dingy Rainsford did not want to believe what his reason told him
gray was varnishing the sky, the cry of some startled bird was true, but the truth was as evident as the sun that had by Zaroff has won, since
Underline the details in lines focused Rainsford’s attention in that direction. Something was now pushed through the morning mists. The general was play- he chose to let
637-647 that add to the coming through the bush, coming slowly, carefully, coming by ing with him! The general was saving him for another day’s Rainsford escape.
suspense of the plot. Why the same winding way Rainsford had come. He flattened himself Rainsford now knows
does Zaroff smile? down on the limb, and through a screen of leaves almost as 660 sport! The Cossack was the cat; he was the mouse. Then it was the fear of the hunted.
thick as tapestry, he watched. The thing that was approaching that Rainsford knew the full meaning of terror.
Zaroff smiles because was a man. “I will not lose my nerve. I will not.” protruding (pr£•trºd≈i«) v.
he knows Rainsford He slid down from the tree and struck off again into the used as adj.: sticking out.
is there. It was General Zaroff. He made his way along with his eyes woods. His face was set and he forced the machinery of his
630 fixed in utmost concentration on the ground before him. He mind to function. Three hundred yards from his hiding place
he stopped where a huge dead tree leaned precariously29 on a
paused, almost beneath the tree, dropped to his knees and smaller living one. Throwing off his sack of food, Rainsford took
studied the ground. Rainsford’s impulse was to hurl himself his knife from its sheath and began to work with all his energy.
down like a panther, but he saw the general’s right hand held The job was finished at last, and he threw himself down
something metallic—a small automatic pistol.
670 behind a fallen log a hundred feet away. He did not have to wait
The hunter shook his head several times, as if he were puz- long. The cat was coming again to play with the mouse.
zled. Then he straightened up and took from his case one of his Following the trail with the sureness of a bloodhound came
black cigarettes; its pungent incenselike smoke floated up to General Zaroff. Nothing escaped those searching black eyes, no
Rainsford’s nostrils. crushed blade of grass, no bent twig, no mark, no matter how
faint, in the moss. So intent was the Cossack on his stalking that
Rainsford held his breath. The general’s eyes had left the he was upon the thing Rainsford had made before he saw it.
640 ground and were traveling inch by inch up the tree. Rainsford His foot touched the protruding bough that was the trigger.
Even as he touched it, the general sensed his danger and leapt
froze there, every muscle tensed for a spring. But the sharp eyes back with the agility of an ape. But he was not quite quick
of the hunter stopped before they reached the limb where
Rainsford lay; a smile spread over his brown face. Very deliber- 680 enough; the dead tree, delicately adjusted to rest on the cut liv-
ately he blew a smoke ring into the air; then he turned his back ing one, crashed down and struck the general a glancing blow
on the tree and walked carelessly away, back along the trail he on the shoulder as it fell; but for his alertness, he must have been
had come. The swish of the underbrush against his hunting smashed beneath it. He staggered, but he did not fall; nor did he
boots grew fainter and fainter.
29. precariously (pri·ker√≤·¥s·l≤) adv.: unsteadily; in an unstable manner.
Then pent-up air burst hotly from Rainsford’s lungs. His
first thought made him feel sick and numb. The general could

28 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting The Most Dangerous Game 29

Pause at line 692. Who wins drop his revolver. He stood there, rubbing his injured shoulder, Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. wet with sweat and aching with tiredness, he crouched behind Pause at line 730. Who is in
the second stage of this and Rainsford, with fear again gripping his heart, heard the gen- Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. the stump of a lightning-charred tree. the trap? Has Rainsford won?
conflict? eral’s mocking laugh ring through the jungle.
He knew his pursuer was coming; he heard the padding Some students will
Suggested response: “Rainsford,” called the general, “if you are within the sound sound of feet on the soft earth, and the night breeze brought predict Zaroff is in the
Rainsford wins of my voice, as I suppose you are, let me congratulate you. Not 720 him the perfume of the general’s cigarette. It seemed to trap and Rainsford has
because he injures many men know how to make a Malay man-catcher. Luckily for Rainsford that the general was coming with unusual swiftness; won. Others will pre-
Zaroff, causing him 690 me, I too have hunted in Malacca.30 You are proving interesting, he was not feeling his way along, foot by foot. Rainsford, dict Rainsford will not
to retreat. Or Zaroff Mr. Rainsford. I am going now to have my wound dressed; it’s crouching there, could not see the general, nor could he see the win so easily.
wins because he only a slight one. But I shall be back. I shall be back.” pit. He lived a year in a minute. Then he felt an impulse to cry
escapes the trap. aloud with joy, for he heard the sharp crackle of the breaking Pause at line 735. Who wins
When the general, nursing his bruised shoulder, had gone, branches as the cover of the pit gave way; he heard the sharp the third stage of this
Pause at line 707. What do Rainsford took up his flight again. It was flight now, a desperate, scream of pain as the pointed stakes found their mark. He leapt conflict? According to
you predict Rainsford’s hopeless flight, that carried him on for some hours. Dusk came, up from his place of concealment. Then he cowered back. Three Zaroff, what will happen
“idea” will be? then darkness, and still he pressed on. The ground grew softer feet from the pit a man was standing, with an electric torch in the next day?
under his moccasins; the vegetation grew ranker, denser; insects 730 his hand.
Most students will bit him savagely. Then, as he stepped forward, his foot sank into Rainsford wins. Zaroff
predict that Rainsford the ooze. He tried to wrench it back, but the muck sucked “You’ve done well, Rainsford,” the voice of the general is going to return with
is going to set a trap 700 viciously at his foot as if it were a giant leech. With a violent called. “Your Burmese tiger pit has claimed one of my best dogs. all of his hunting dogs.
for Zaroff. effort, he tore loose. He knew where he was now. Death Swamp Again you score. I think, Mr. Rainsford, I’ll see what you can do
and its quicksand. against my whole pack. I’m going home for a rest now. Thank
you for a most amusing evening.”
His hands were tight closed as if his nerve were something
tangible that someone in the darkness was trying to tear from At daybreak Rainsford, lying near the swamp, was awakened by
his grip. The softness of the earth had given him an idea. He the sound that made him know that he had new things to learn
stepped back from the quicksand a dozen feet or so, and, like about fear. It was a distant sound, faint and wavering, but he
some huge prehistoric beaver, he began to dig. knew it. It was the baying of a pack of hounds.
740 Rainsford knew he could do one of two things. He could
Rainsford had dug himself in in France,31 when a second’s stay where he was and wait. That was suicide. He could flee.
delay meant death. That had been a placid pastime compared That was postponing the inevitable. For a moment he stood
710 to his digging now. The pit grew deeper; when it was above his there, thinking. An idea that held a wild chance came to him,
shoulders, he climbed out and from some hard saplings cut and, tightening his belt, he headed away from the swamp.
stakes and sharpened them to a fine point. These stakes he
planted in the bottom of the pit with the points sticking up. The baying of the hounds drew nearer, then still nearer,
With flying fingers he wove a rough carpet of weeds and nearer, ever nearer. On a ridge Rainsford climbed a tree. Down
branches and with it he covered the mouth of the pit. Then, a watercourse, not a quarter of a mile away, he could see the
bush moving. Straining his eyes, he saw the lean figure of
General Zaroff; just ahead of him Rainsford made out another
750 figure whose wide shoulders surged through the tall jungle
Collection 1The adjective placid (plas≈id)
in line 709 means “calm.”
Student pages 30–31

Student Pages with Answers 17
30. Malacca (m¥·lak√¥): state in what is now the nation of Malaysia in
southeastern Asia.

31. dug himself in in France: dug a hole for shelter from gunfire during
World War I (1914-1918).

30 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting The Most Dangerous Game 31

Pause at line 761, and recall Collection 1weeds. It was the giant Ivan, and he seemed pulled forward byHe had to stop to get his breath. The baying of the houndsPause at line 769. What does
Rainsford’s earlier ideas some unseen force. Rainsford knew that Ivan must be holding stopped abruptly, and Rainsford’s heart stopped too. They must Rainsford hope to see when
about hunting (lines 19-31). Student pages 32–33the pack in leash.have reached the knife. he climbs up the tree? What
Why is Rainsford’s situation does he actually see?
ironic, or surprising?18 The Holt Reader: Teacher’s ManualThey would be on him any minute now. His mind worked He shinnied excitedly up a tree and looked back. His pur-
frantically. He thought of a native trick he had learned in suers had stopped. But the hope that was in Rainsford’s brain He expects Zaroff will
Rainsford finds himself Uganda. He slid down the tree. He caught hold of a springy when he climbed died, for he saw in the shallow valley that have been knifed by
young sapling and to it he fastened his hunting knife, with the General Zaroff was still on his feet. But Ivan was not. The knife, the trap. Instead, Ivan
in the position of the blade pointing down the trail; with a bit of wild grapevine he driven by the recoil of the springing tree, had not wholly failed. has been knifed, and
tied back the sapling. Then he ran for his life. The hounds raised 770 “Nerve, nerve, nerve!” he panted, as he dashed along. Zaroff is still standing.
animals he hunts; the 760 their voices as they hit the fresh scent. Rainsford knew now how A blue gap showed between the trees dead ahead. Ever nearer
an animal at bay feels. drew the hounds. Rainsford forced himself on toward that gap. Pause at line 776. Trapped
hunter is now the He reached it. It was the shore of the sea. Across a cove he could between his deadly pursuer
see the gloomy gray stone of the château. Twenty feet below and the sea, Rainsford jumps.
hunted. him the sea rumbled and hissed. Rainsford hesitated. He heard Is the game over? What
the hounds. Then he leapt far out into the sea. . . . do you predict will happen
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. next?
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. When the general and his pack reached the place by the sea,
the Cossack stopped. For some minutes he stood regarding the Answers will vary.
blue-green expanse of water. He shrugged his shoulders. Then Most students will
780 he sat down, took a drink of brandy from a silver flask, lit a per- guess that the game
fumed cigarette, and hummed a bit from Madama Butterfly.32 is not yet over.

General Zaroff had an exceedingly good dinner in his great
paneled dining hall that evening. With it he had a bottle of
Pol Roger and half a bottle of Chambertin. Two slight annoy-
ances kept him from perfect enjoyment. One was the thought
that it would be difficult to replace Ivan; the other was that his
quarry had escaped him; of course the American hadn’t played
the game—so thought the general as he tasted his after-dinner
liqueur. In his library he read, to soothe himself, from the works
790 of Marcus Aurelius.33 At ten he went up to his bedroom. He
was deliciously tired, he said to himself as he locked himself in.
There was a little moonlight, so before turning on his light,
he went to the window and looked down at the courtyard.

© John Lund/Getty Images. 32. Madama Butterfly: famous Italian opera by Giacomo Puccini
(1858-1924).

33. Marcus Aurelius (mär√k¥s ô·r≤√l≤·¥s): emperor of Rome from
A.D. 161 to 180, who wrote about the philosophy of Stoicism, which
held that people should make themselves indifferent to both pain
and pleasure.

32 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting The Most Dangerous Game 33

Underline the passage on He could see the great hounds, and he called: “Better luck The Most Dangerous Game
this page that reveals the another time,” to them. Then he switched on the light.
climax of this conflict. Plot Diagram Review the plot structure of “The Most Dangerous Game.”
A man, who had been hiding in the curtains of the bed, Then, fill in the plot diagram below with key story events.
How is the conflict finally was standing there.
resolved? Sample answers appear below.
“Rainsford!” screamed the general. “How in God’s name Climax:
Rainsford wins. did you get here?” Rainsford confronts Zaroff in his bedroom.
800 “Swam,” said Rainsford. “I found it quicker than walking 6. Zaroff goes home, believing he has
through the jungle.” won the game.
5. Rainsford dives into the sea.
The general sucked in his breath and smiled. “I congratu-
late you,” he said. “You have won the game.” 4. Rainsford builds a Ugandan Resolution:
knife trap, which kills Ivan. Rainsford sleeps in Zaroff’s bed.
Rainsford did not smile. “I am still a beast at bay,” he said, We can infer that he has some-
in a low, hoarse voice. “Get ready, General Zaroff.” 3. Rainsford builds a Burmese how killed Zaroff.
tiger pit, in which one
The general made one of his deepest bows. “I see,” he
said. “Splendid! One of us is to furnish a repast34 for the of Zaroff’s dogs is
hounds. The other will sleep in this very excellent bed. On killed.
guard, Rainsford. . . .” 2. Rainsford builds a
Malay man-catcher,
810 He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.

34. repast (ri·past√) n: meal.

Main events
(Complications)

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. which wounds
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
Zaroff.

1. Rainsford hides
up in a tree.

Zaroff lets
Collection 1
him escape.
Student pages 34–35

Student Pages with Answers 19
Basic situation: The celebrated hunter Sanger Rainsford falls overboard and swims to
Ship-Trap Island. He is taken in by General Zaroff, another hunter, who owns the
island. Zaroff hunts men for sport. The next day he tells Rainsford he will hunt him.
Setting: Ship-Trap Island, where an evil hunter hunts men for pleasure

© George D. Lepp/CORBIS.

34 Part 1 Collection 1: Plot and Setting The Most Dangerous Game 35