WEBVTT 1 00:00:03.919 --> 00:00:15.279 A worried about the price of butter and eggs, fed 2 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:18.239 up with a housing shortage, want to get away from 3 00:00:18.239 --> 00:00:18.559 it all. 4 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:27.920 CBS offers you Escape. 5 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:34.399 You are alone and unarmed in the green hell of 6 00:00:34.439 --> 00:00:37.920 a Caribbean jungle. You're being trailed by a pack of 7 00:00:37.960 --> 00:00:41.799 fiercely hungry dogs and a mad hunter armed for the killed. 8 00:00:42.560 --> 00:00:45.960 A mad hunter who believes that you, a human being, 9 00:00:46.520 --> 00:00:47.880 are the most Dangerous Game. 10 00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:52.840 The Columbia Broadcasting System and That's Affiliated stations present Escape, 11 00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:56.880 produced by William N. Robson and directed tonight by Richard Sandville. 12 00:00:57.799 --> 00:01:01.000 Escape carefully planned to free you from the four walls 13 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:06.560 of today. Free you for a half hour of high adventure. 14 00:01:10.319 --> 00:01:14.079 Tonight, I escaped to an island in the Caribbean and 15 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:18.159 the weird sportsmanship of a madman. As Richard Klo tells 16 00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:21.799 it in his Unforgettable story The Most Dangerous Game. 17 00:01:32.799 --> 00:01:35.319 My name is Rainsford. You may have heard of me. 18 00:01:36.200 --> 00:01:38.680 I make my living hunting big game for many of 19 00:01:38.680 --> 00:01:42.560 the major museums of the world, guiding parties of sportsmen 20 00:01:42.599 --> 00:01:45.560 on safari in Africa, Tibetan, South America. 21 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:46.760 Perhaps you've had. 22 00:01:46.680 --> 00:01:49.640 Occasion to run across some of my books but even 23 00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:53.079 if you have, there's one incident you won't find described 24 00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:56.439 in them. The full story of my most terrible hunt. 25 00:02:02.319 --> 00:02:04.719 It all began on board a private yacht and route 26 00:02:04.719 --> 00:02:08.400 to Rio Whitney. My host and I were smoking our 27 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:13.360 pipes on deck, lounging back in steamer chairs, enjoying the 28 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:16.280 sensuous drowsiness of the warm night. 29 00:02:18.240 --> 00:02:22.639 Good dinner, Eh, excellent fit. I ate too much though. 30 00:02:22.879 --> 00:02:24.719 Care for some gin? Rummy? 31 00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:28.280 Oh no, I don't care to move all right er. 32 00:02:29.199 --> 00:02:32.280 There's a rather large island off there the right somewhere. 33 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:34.400 It's uh something of a mystery. 34 00:02:34.479 --> 00:02:37.719 Really, I didn't know what island? Is it? 35 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:42.000 The old charts call it ship trap island. Suggestive name, 36 00:02:42.080 --> 00:02:45.520 isn't it? Sailors have a curious dread of the place, 37 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:46.919 some superstition. 38 00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:48.639 Mmm. I can't see it. 39 00:02:49.080 --> 00:02:51.680 Well, you have good eyes, but even you can't see 40 00:02:51.719 --> 00:02:54.680 four miles or so through a moonless Caribbean night. 41 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:58.039 No, not even four yards. It is dark, isn't it. 42 00:02:58.039 --> 00:03:01.240 It'll be lighting up and reo. But by the way, 43 00:03:01.879 --> 00:03:04.439 I hope the guns have come from parties. We should 44 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:08.120 have some good jaguar hunting up the Amazon Great sport 45 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:11.280 hunting that's in the world. Yeah, for the hunter, not 46 00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:15.719 for the jaguar. Why not, They've no understanding even so, 47 00:03:15.879 --> 00:03:21.000 I rather think they understand one thing. Fear, the fear 48 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:22.680 of pain, the fear of death. 49 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:27.639 Huh or Rod Whitney, Who cares how the jaggar feel? 50 00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:29.400 Perhaps the jaguar does. 51 00:03:30.520 --> 00:03:33.800 Oh, you're a big game hunter, not a philosopher. Look, 52 00:03:33.919 --> 00:03:36.479 the world is made up of two classes, the hunter 53 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:39.639 and the hundred. We're lucky enough to be the hunters. 54 00:03:41.280 --> 00:03:42.759 Do you think we've passed that island. 55 00:03:42.520 --> 00:03:45.280 Yet and can't tell them the dark? I hope? So? 56 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:45.919 Why? 57 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:50.800 Oh, the place has a reputation, a bad one cannibals. Uh, 58 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:54.520 hardly even cannibals wouldn't live in such an isolated spot. 59 00:03:55.520 --> 00:03:59.960 But it's gotten into sailor's legends somehow. Did you notice 60 00:04:00.759 --> 00:04:02.400 the crew seemed jumpy today? 61 00:04:02.919 --> 00:04:05.199 Yes, they were a bit strange, now that you mentioned them. 62 00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:09.560 Yes, it's a sort of dread, a kind of mental chill. 63 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:13.000 I'll be hanged if I haven't felt it myself. 64 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:14.919 Ah, pure imagination. 65 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:18.360 But one superstitious sailor can infect a whole ship's company 66 00:04:18.399 --> 00:04:18.920 with this fear. 67 00:04:19.480 --> 00:04:23.360 Maybe sometimes sailors have an extra sense which tells them 68 00:04:23.399 --> 00:04:24.199 when they're in danger. 69 00:04:26.399 --> 00:04:28.759 Enough of that, I think I'll turn in. 70 00:04:29.120 --> 00:04:31.000 I'm not sleepy. I'll just have another pipe. 71 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:33.600 Oh, good night, then see you in the morning. 72 00:04:33.920 --> 00:04:35.439 Yes, good night with me. 73 00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:46.480 It was very dark, so dark I could have slept 74 00:04:46.519 --> 00:04:50.680 without closing my eyes. The night would have been my eyelids. 75 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:54.920 I puffed at my pipe, got drowsy. Then I was 76 00:04:54.920 --> 00:04:57.839 wide awake. A gun out there in the water, A gun. 77 00:04:59.439 --> 00:05:01.560 I sprang to the rail, strained my eyes in the 78 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:03.839 direction of those shots, but I couldn't see a thing. 79 00:05:04.399 --> 00:05:06.279 I leaped up on the rail to get better elevation, 80 00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:08.920 and my pipe striking A rope was knocked out of 81 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:11.680 my mouth. I lunged for it, and tight fingers closed 82 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:13.920 around my heart as I realized I'd reached too far 83 00:05:13.959 --> 00:05:14.959 and lost my balance. 84 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:21.720 Ah. 85 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:25.160 The blood warm waters of the Caribbean closed over my head. 86 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:28.920 When I came to the surface, the wash from the 87 00:05:28.920 --> 00:05:31.680 speeding yacht slapped salt water into my mouth, making me 88 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:32.839 gag and strangling me. 89 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:36.079 I coughed and spat it out and found my voice. 90 00:05:35.920 --> 00:05:38.800 Help help hal. 91 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:44.639 The lights from the boat moved steadily away. They quickly 92 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:49.040 became faint fireflies and then they were blotted out by 93 00:05:49.079 --> 00:05:49.399 the night. 94 00:05:51.560 --> 00:05:52.319 I struggled out of. 95 00:05:52.360 --> 00:05:54.439 My clothes and turned to the direction from which I'd 96 00:05:54.439 --> 00:06:00.399 heard those shots. I began swimming, slowly, conserving my strength. 97 00:06:01.319 --> 00:06:06.160 For an endless time, I fought the sea. Then I 98 00:06:06.199 --> 00:06:09.319 began to count my strokes. Thought I could possibly do 99 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:14.240 another hundred before someone was shooting game, almost at my 100 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:17.360 very elbow. It seemed gave me fresh vitality. I swam 101 00:06:17.399 --> 00:06:20.800 towards the sand. Then I was in the breakers. In 102 00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:23.360 another moment, I was dragging myself from the swirling waters, 103 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:26.560 pulling myself hand over hand on to the narrow beach, gasping, 104 00:06:26.720 --> 00:06:29.560 panting for breadth. I saw that the dense jungle came 105 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:30.920 down to the edge of the cliff, and I was 106 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:35.360 on land, unblessed land, safe on the soft, warm sand. 107 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:50.920 I awoke late in the afternoon, a sharp hunger picking 108 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:54.480 at me. As I slowly came to my feet, I saw, 109 00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:57.120 not far from where I'd been lying, signs of a 110 00:06:57.199 --> 00:07:00.120 terrible struggle in the underbrush that sloped so sharply to 111 00:07:00.160 --> 00:07:04.199 the beach, some wounded thing. Evidently a large animal had 112 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:07.879 thrashed about there in its death fight, almost at my 113 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:10.720 feet was a small glittering object, an empty cartridge from 114 00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:12.120 a twenty two. 115 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:15.600 That was hard. The hunter had had his nerve to 116 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:18.959 tackle a large brutelet so small a gun. I examined 117 00:07:18.959 --> 00:07:21.720 the ground closely and found what I'd hoped for, the 118 00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:25.160 print of hunting boots. They pointed up toward a recess 119 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:28.279 in the cliff, and I hurried quickly after them, for 120 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:36.279 night was beginning to settle on the island. It was 121 00:07:36.319 --> 00:07:39.639 already dark when I came upon it. First I thought 122 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:42.680 it was a village. There were so many lights, But 123 00:07:42.759 --> 00:07:43.399 as I came. 124 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:46.040 Closer, I saw that all the lights were in one building, 125 00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:50.120 a chateau on a high bluff. In a few moments, 126 00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:53.240 my bare feet were patting up stone steps, and I 127 00:07:53.240 --> 00:08:04.439 stood in front of the massive oaken door. Good evening. 128 00:08:06.279 --> 00:08:08.920 Please don't be alarmed. There's no need for that gun. 129 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:14.120 I'm no Robbert. It sounds silly, but I fell off 130 00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:17.959 a yacht. My name is Sanger Rainsford, of New York City. 131 00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:22.839 He was certainly not alarmed by me. This giant, who 132 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:26.079 stood facing me, the revolver in his hand continued to 133 00:08:26.120 --> 00:08:29.199 point steadily at my chest, and the man behind it 134 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:33.200 was solidly built and black bearded to the waist and silent. 135 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:36.159 He waved me in with the gun and closed the 136 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:41.000 door behind me. I was in a huge hall, but 137 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:43.759 there was no time to look around. Another man was 138 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:47.320 coming down the broad marble stairs, an erect slender man 139 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:52.279 in evening clothes. I stepped toward him. I've just been 140 00:08:52.320 --> 00:08:54.679 explaining to this chap that I've had an accident. My 141 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:56.000 name is Sanger Rainsford. 142 00:08:56.200 --> 00:08:59.360 It's a great pleasure and honor to welcome mister Rainsford 143 00:08:59.399 --> 00:09:01.360 to celebrate hunter to my home. 144 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:03.399 Well, thank you. 145 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:06.279 I've read your book. I'm hunting snow leopards in Tibet. 146 00:09:06.919 --> 00:09:07.960 I'm General Zarov. 147 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:10.840 Believe me, General. I'm very happy to see. 148 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:13.799 Althright, Evan, you can put down that gun. This gentleman 149 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:18.480 is a guest. Ivan is an incredibly strong fellow, but 150 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:22.120 he has the misfortune to be a mute, a simple thing, 151 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:23.679 but a bit of a savage. 152 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:25.279 I'm even happy to see him. 153 00:09:25.759 --> 00:09:25.960 Come. 154 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:29.120 We should not be chatting here. You want clothes, food, dressed, 155 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:32.440 you shall have them. This is a most RESTful spot. 156 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:34.919 I can't tell you how grateful I have. 157 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:38.320 Is my pleasure. Follow Ivan, if you please mister Rainsford, 158 00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:40.759 I was about to have my dinner, but it can wait. 159 00:09:41.039 --> 00:09:42.639 I think my clothes will fit you. 160 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:52.120 I followed the man into a huge beam ceiling bedroom 161 00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:55.720 with a canopy bed large enough for six men. Ivan 162 00:09:55.919 --> 00:09:59.000 silently laid out an evening suit. As I put it on, 163 00:09:59.159 --> 00:10:04.080 I noticed that came from a London tailor. Hmmm, and 164 00:10:04.200 --> 00:10:10.080 Whitney called this place too isolated, even for cannibals. I 165 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:13.279 went downstairs and sat down opposite Zarav in a dining 166 00:10:13.320 --> 00:10:17.480 room that suggested a baronial hall of feudal times. The 167 00:10:17.559 --> 00:10:18.480 food was excellent. 168 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:22.600 Perhaps you were surprised that I recognized your name, but 169 00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:25.919 I read all books on hunting published in English, French 170 00:10:25.960 --> 00:10:29.240 and Russian. I have but one passion in life, and 171 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:30.080 that is the hunt. 172 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:32.840 Why I noticed you have some wonderful heads here, But 173 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:35.120 I cape buffalo over there is the largest I've ever seen. 174 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:38.000 Oh that fellow, Yes, he charged me, threw me against 175 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:41.279 the tree, fractured my skull, but I got the brute. 176 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:44.080 I've always thought the Cape buffalo the most dangerous of 177 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:44.720 all big game. 178 00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:47.759 No, the Cape buffalo is not the most dangerous. No, 179 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:52.759 here in my preserve, on this island, I hunted more dangerous. 180 00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:56.480 Game is a big game on this island, the biggest really, 181 00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:59.600 Oh it is not here. Naturally, I had to stock 182 00:10:59.679 --> 00:11:00.919 the well. 183 00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:03.159 What have you imported? General? Tigers? 184 00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:07.399 No hunting tigers seas to interest me when I exhausted 185 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:10.559 their possibilities. There is no trail left in tigers, no 186 00:11:11.080 --> 00:11:17.440 real danger. I live for a danger cigarette. Mister, answer please, 187 00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:20.720 we will have some capital hunting you and I. 188 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:22.039 But what gain? 189 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:24.039 I'll tell you you will be amused. 190 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:24.399 I know. 191 00:11:25.440 --> 00:11:27.879 I think I may say in all modesty that I 192 00:11:27.960 --> 00:11:32.799 have done a rare thing. I have invented a new sensation. 193 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:38.600 May I put you another glass of port? I have 194 00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:41.480 been a hunter all my life, but after many years 195 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:45.000 of enjoyment I founded the hunt no longer fascinated me. 196 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:48.919 It had ceased to be what you call a sporting proposition. 197 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:53.240 I always got my quarry always, and there is no 198 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:57.240 greater bore than perfection than you were a very good hunter, General. 199 00:11:57.320 --> 00:11:57.679 No. 200 00:11:57.679 --> 00:12:01.039 No, I had merely discovered that the animal has nothing 201 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:04.639 but his legs and his instincts. Instinct is no match 202 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:08.399 for reason. When I realized this, it was a tragic 203 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:12.000 moment for me. As I told you, I loved to hunt, 204 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:16.200 and then it came to me as an inspiration what 205 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:19.519 I must do, and that was I had to invent 206 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:21.720 a new animal. 207 00:12:21.320 --> 00:12:23.320 To hunt, a new animal. 208 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:26.960 Why your joke, I assure you, I am not sir, 209 00:12:27.080 --> 00:12:31.120 a new animal, And so I found one. I bought 210 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:34.360 this island, built this house, and here I do my hunting. 211 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:37.840 The island is perfect for my purpose. There are jungles 212 00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:40.639 with a maze of trails in them, hills, swarms, and 213 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:44.679 the animal generals are It supplies me with the most 214 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:48.360 intense excitement of all. I never grow bored now, for 215 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:51.639 I have a quarry with which I can match my wits, 216 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:56.799 an ideal quarry with courage, cunning, and above all reason. 217 00:12:57.440 --> 00:13:01.799 But no animal can reason, my dear fellow, there is 218 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:07.799 one that can. I can't believe you're serious. That is 219 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:08.919 some grisly jo. 220 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:11.039 Of course I'm serious. I'm speaking of hunting. 221 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:12.360 You're speaking of murder. 222 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:15.039 Surely your experience isn't the noise and we can don't 223 00:13:15.080 --> 00:13:18.600 cold blooded murder. I'll wager you forget your notions when 224 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.559 you go hunting with me. 225 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:21.039 Are you a genuine you? 226 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:23.320 Thrilling stuff for you, mister Rains, Thank. 227 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:24.519 You I'm a hunter, not a murderer. 228 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:28.120 Oh dear me that unfortunate word again. But I hand 229 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:31.440 this scum of the earth sailors from tramp ships, lascars, 230 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:35.279 mong What do you get them? This island is called 231 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:38.240 ship trap. There is a row of lights out there 232 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:41.679 on the reef, which indicate a channel where there is none, 233 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:45.480 only rocks. I control the lights from my tower. 234 00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:47.519 You wreck the ships, and then you shoot down the men. 235 00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:50.879 But I treat my visitors with every consideration. They got 236 00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:54.600 plenty of good food and exercise. They get into splendid 237 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:59.080 physical condition. You shall see for yourself tomorrow. Would you 238 00:13:59.120 --> 00:13:59.840 like some more port? 239 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:01.440 What shall I see? Tomorrow? 240 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:04.279 We'll visit my training school. It's in the cellar. I 241 00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:07.639 have about a dozen there now, sailors in theory, a lot, 242 00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:10.320 I regret to say, more accustomed to the deck than 243 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:11.720 the jungle evan. 244 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:13.080 We'll have a coffee, now. 245 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:18.559 Thick Turkish coffee strains for very good. No, is your 246 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:19.879 appetite quite gone? 247 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:22.200 No coffee, thank you? Just one. 248 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:26.519 T is a game, you see. I suggest to one 249 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:29.399 of them that we go hunting. I give him three 250 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:32.559 hours start. I am to follow, armed only with pistol 251 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:36.840 of smallest caliber and range. My quarry eludes me for 252 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:40.879 three whole days. He wins the game. If I find him. 253 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:42.440 He loses. 254 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:46.159 And if he refuses to be hunted, oh. 255 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:48.360 I give him the option. If he won't hunt, I 256 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:51.279 turned him over to Ivan here. Evan once served as 257 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:54.399 official executioner to the Great White Czar, and he has 258 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:58.200 his own ideas of sport. Invariably they choose the hunt 259 00:14:58.480 --> 00:15:01.840 and if they win. To date, I have not lost. 260 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:05.639 I don't wish you to think me a bragger. Once 261 00:15:05.720 --> 00:15:09.000 did almost win. Eventually I had to use the dogs. 262 00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:10.039 Dog. 263 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:13.080 Just step over here to the window moment. I want 264 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:17.480 you to see my courtyard. Go ahead, mister Rainefold, open 265 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:22.799 the window. Please that I have a dozen as you 266 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:26.720 can say, they are let out at seven every night. 267 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:29.279 If anyone should try to get into my house or 268 00:15:29.320 --> 00:15:33.240 out of it, it would be regrettable. And now I 269 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:35.440 want to show you my new collection of heads. Will 270 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:36.919 you come with me to the library. 271 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:40.080 I hope you'll excuse me tonight, I'm really not feeling 272 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:40.360 it all. 273 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:43.960 Well, Oh, I am sorry. You need a good RESTful 274 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:46.919 night's sleep. Tomorrow you'll feel like a new man, and 275 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:50.080 then we'll hunt I wonder at the promising prospect, but. 276 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:51.559 I was already hurrying from the room and up the 277 00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:53.600 marble stairway, him calling after me. 278 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:56.080 So you can't go with me to night? I expect 279 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:59.080 rather fair sport, a big, strong daty from west coast 280 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:03.960 of Africa. 281 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:08.840 The bed was good. I was tired, but I didn't sleep. 282 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:13.279 I didn't toss her turn, I didn't move. I just 283 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:16.519 lay rigidly in one spot, my eyes on the ceiling, 284 00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:21.639 my arms tight against my side, my breathing slow and heavy, 285 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:29.279 my mind empty, waiting, waiting. The inky black was just 286 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:32.480 beginning to dissolve, A thin line of gray was just 287 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:34.759 beginning to seep insidiously. 288 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:41.200 Into my room. When Zarov found his quarry, then I 289 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:46.679 suppose I slept. When I awoke, the sun's shadows were 290 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:50.480 already slanting through my room. Must have been well afternoon. 291 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:54.480 I came down to find General Tzara pouring himself a 292 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:56.720 glass of brandy by the sideboy. 293 00:16:56.559 --> 00:17:00.399 Mister Rainsford, feeling better, I trust, Yes, I wish I 294 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:03.519 could say the same. No, I'm not well. Hunting was 295 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:06.000 no good last night. He made a straight trail, offered 296 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:07.119 no problems at all. 297 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:09.960 General, I want to leave the island at once. 298 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:16.559 Mister Rainsford. Tonight we will hunt you. 299 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:19.279 And I no general, I've told you I will not hunt. 300 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:22.960 I beg you to reconsider. My idea of sport is 301 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:25.759 much more diverting than evan h. 302 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:31.160 You mean that, yeah, you and I. 303 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:36.839 It's really an inspiration, a foeman worthy of my steel. 304 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:41.000 At last you'll find this game worth playing. Rainsford, your 305 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:44.640 brain against mine, your woodcraft against mine, Your strength and 306 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:50.279 stammina against mine. Outdoor chase and the steak is not 307 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:51.200 without value. 308 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:52.079 Eh. 309 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:55.000 And if I win, If I do not find you 310 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:57.799 by midnight of the third day, then I am defeated. 311 00:17:58.119 --> 00:18:00.599 My sloop will place you on the mainland near it Town. 312 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:04.839 Oh you can trust me. I give you my word 313 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:08.240 as a gentleman and as a sportsman. Of course, you 314 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:10.519 in turn must agree to say nothing of your visit here. 315 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:12.039 I'll agree to say nothing of the kind. 316 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:16.519 Well that okay, Why discuss it now? Three days from 317 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:18.400 now we can chat about it over a bottle of 318 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:24.680 Clicko unless and I listen, Raine. Fact even they'll supply 319 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:27.519 you with hunting clothes, food, and if I suggest you 320 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:28.240 wear moccasins. 321 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:29.200 They live a poor trail. 322 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:31.440 I suggest to you avoid the big swamp in the 323 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:33.759 southeast corner of the island. There's a quick sum there, 324 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:37.799 and now you want to start now that I shall 325 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:41.119 not follow until dusk. Hunting at night is so much 326 00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:44.279 more exciting than by day, don't you think, mister Rainsford, 327 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:51.119 Good hunting. 328 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:55.440 I kept telling myself through tight teeth, and I had 329 00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:58.720 to keep my head, keep my head. My first idea 330 00:18:58.720 --> 00:19:00.880 had been to put distance between my self and Tzarev, 331 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:03.319 and so I plunged into the jungle in a blind panic. 332 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:08.920 Before long I shook it off and stopped straight. Flight 333 00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:11.720 was futile. It would only bring me out to the sea. 334 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:14.359 Then I hit upon the idea of giving him a 335 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:17.720 trail to follow. I would begin our dangerous game by 336 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:20.920 playing the fox. For more than two hours, I went 337 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:24.440 through the trackless wilderness, executing a series of intricate loops, 338 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:27.160 doubling again and again on my trail. Night found me 339 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:30.119 leg weary, with hands and face lashed by the branches. 340 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:34.240 I needed rest badly, and having played the fox, I 341 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:36.279 decided now to play the cat. 342 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:39.680 I climbed into the crutch of a huge tree. 343 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:53.640 An apprehensive night crawled slowly by like a wounded snake. 344 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:57.759 Then at dawning, a startled bird suddenly screamed, and I 345 00:19:57.839 --> 00:20:01.440 flattened against the bow. Through a screen of leaves as 346 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:05.799 thick as tapestry, I saw the General came slowly, his 347 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:09.640 eyes fixed on the ground almost beneath my tree. He 348 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:11.960 paused and went down on one knee, studying the ground. 349 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:15.119 I would have gone from leaping the way a panther does, 350 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:20.400 except for the small automatic in his right hand. After 351 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:23.079 a seemingly endless time, he came back to his feet. 352 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:27.079 His eyes left the ground and traveled inch by inch 353 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:31.039 up the tree like froze. Every muscle tensed for a spring. 354 00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:34.359 But the hunter's eyes stopped just before they reached the 355 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:39.240 limb on which I lay. A slow smile spread over 356 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:40.359 his brown face. 357 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:44.720 Oh, range folk, where can you have gone? 358 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:45.960 Wherever are you? 359 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.920 You? Clever down? 360 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:50.720 I simply must go home and lie down a bit 361 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.680 to think this home. 362 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:57.640 The pander bear burst hotly from my lungs as he 363 00:20:57.640 --> 00:21:01.880 turned back and disappeared. So the General was playing with me, 364 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:06.359 was saving me for another day's sport. Zarah was the 365 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:09.440 cat and I was the mouse. In that moment, I 366 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:14.000 knew the real meaning of terror. I slipped from the 367 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:16.640 tree and set off into the woods. I'd only gone 368 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:18.720 a few hundred yards when I found a huge dead 369 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:20.839 tree leaning against a smaller living one. 370 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:23.559 I pulled my knife from its sheath and set to work. 371 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:32.200 When the job was finished, I threw myself down behind 372 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.440 a log a hundred feet away. 373 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:37.039 How long I waited I don't know. It seemed like days. 374 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:40.759 It's probably only a few hours. Then he was coming again, 375 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:45.599 with the sureness of a bloodhart. Nothing. Nothing escaped those 376 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:47.039 searching black eyes. 377 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:50.319 No crushed blade of grass, no bent twig, no mark, 378 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:53.440 however faint in the moss. He was so intent on 379 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:55.920 his stocking. It was upon the thing before he saw it, 380 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:58.799 his foot touching the protruding branch that was the trigger. 381 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:04.240 The dead tree delicately adjusted to rest, and the cut 382 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:07.480 living one crashed heavily to the earth. And I waited 383 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:09.480 yet another moment, not daring to look up and see 384 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.799 if it really had done its work. 385 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:16.039 Rainsford, if you're within the sound of my boys, let 386 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:19.160 me congratulate you. There aren't many men who know how 387 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:22.920 to make a melee man catcher. Hey, I'm a lucky man, rate, 388 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:25.680 but my reflectors are still good. Did you see me 389 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:29.960 spring back even while it was falling? Rainford? Can you 390 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:34.279 hear me? You are proving interesting. I'm going back now 391 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:37.039 to have my woundress. Don't be alarmed. It's only a 392 00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:37.799 slight one. 393 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:40.759 I shall be back. I shall be back. 394 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:53.799 It was dark, and I've been going for hours. The 395 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:55.400 vegetation became rancor. 396 00:22:56.039 --> 00:23:00.400 Insects were biting me savagely, and when mud began suckingciously 397 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:02.519 at my feet like giant leeches, I knew where I 398 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:08.279 was thought to enter, the death swamp with its quicksand however, 399 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:11.279 the softness of the earth gave me an idea. I 400 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:13.480 stepped back about a dozen paces out of the quicksand 401 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:18.240