Ship-Trap Island Part 2

"No. You are wrong, sir. The Cape buffalo is not the most dangerous big game. Here in my preserve on this island I hunt more dangerous game.1

Rainsford seemed surprised. "Is there big game on this island?"2

"The biggest," I said with a nod.3

"Really?"4

"Oh, it isn't here naturally, of course. I have to stock the island."5

"What have you imported, general?" Rainsford asked, his food no longer holding his attention. "Tigers?"6

"No. Hunting tigers ceased to interest me some years ago. I excused their possibilities, you see. No thrill left in tigers, no real danger. I live for danger, Mr. Rainsford."7

I took out my gold cigarette case. Inside were my favorite cigarettes that smelled like incense. I offered one to my guest who politely took one.8

"We will have capital hunting you and I. I shall be most glad to have your society."9

"But what kind of game--"10

"I'll tell you. 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."11

I studied Rainsford's face, gauging his reaction. So far I saw interest in his eyes.12

"May I pour you another glass of port, Mr. Rainsford?"13

"Thank you, general."14

I filled both glasses.15

"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. He was a very rich man with a quarter of a million acres in the Crimea, 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 my marksmanship. I killed my first bear in the Caucasus 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 in every land. It would be impossible for me to tell you how many animals I have killed."16

I took a pause to draw from my cigarette. The incense wafted to my nose. The scent calmed me. I look at my guest. His interest shown clearly on his face. 17

"After the debacle in Russia I left the country, for it was imprudent for an officer of the Czar to stay there. Many noble Russians lost everything. I, luckily, had invested heavily in American securities, so I shall never have to open a tea room in Monte Carlo or drive a taxi in Paris. Naturally, I continued to hunt-- grizzlies in your Rockies, crocodiles in the Ganges, rhinoceroses in East Africa. It was in Africa that the Cape buffalo hit me and laid me up for six months. As soon as I recovered I started up the for the Amazon to hunt jaguars, for I heard they were unusually cunning. They weren't."18

I sighed remembering the disappointment.19

"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 business men often go to pieces when they give up the business that has been their life."20

"Yes, that's so." Rainsford agreed.21

"I had no wish to go to pieces. I must do something. Now, mine is an analytical mind, Mr. Rainsford. Doubtless that is why I enjoy the problems of the chase."22

"No doubt, General Zaroff."23

"So 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."24

"What was that?"25

"Simply this: hunting had ceased to be what you call 'a sporting proposition.' It had become too easy. I always got my quarry. Always. There is no greater bore than perfection."26

By now I had finished my cigarette and lit a fresh one.27

"No animal had a chance with me any more. 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. When I thought of this it was a tragic moment for me, I can tell you."28

Rainsford leaned across the table, absorbing ever word I said. His borsch was left, abandoned by his side. Pity. He'll need the energy.29

"It came to me as an inspiration what I must do."30

"And that was?" I smiled at Rainsford.31

"I had to invent a new animal to hunt."32

"A new animal? You're joking."33

"Not at all. I never joke about hunting. 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, hill, swamps--"34

"But the animal, General Zaroff?" Rainsford interrupted. Americans. They have no manners at all.35

"Oh, it supplies me with the most exciting 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."36

Rainsford seemed bewildered, unable to figure out what animal I meant. What did I have to do? Draw him a picture?37

"I wanted the ideal animal to hunt. 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.'"38

"But no animal can reason."39

"My dear fellow, there is one who can."40

"But you can't mean--" gasped Rainsford finally putting two and two together.41

"And why not?"42

"I can't believe you are serious, General Zaroff. This is a grisly joke."43

"Why should I not be serious? I am speaking of hunting."44

"Hunting? Good God, General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder!"