现代大学英语（第三版）精读3 课件 B3U8

ContentsUnit8Lead-inWarm-upquestions:1.Doyouthinkhuntingforgameorhuntingforsport(suchasfox-huntinginBritain,orbuffalo-huntingintheUnitedStates)canbejustified?Ifyouconsideritcrueltoanimals,howaboutcock-fightingandcricket-fighting?2.Haveyoueverheardofwitch-hunting?Whyisitthatthereseemtobepeopleinreallifewhoactuallytakedelightinhurtingotherpeople?Whatdoyouthinkarethepossiblereasons?Lead-inMorequestionsaboutthetext:1.WhyisRainsfordsoanxioustoleavedespiteGeneralZaroff’sseeminghospitality?WhatistheGeneral’simmediateresponse?Whydoesheseemsoterriblyhurt?2.WhatdoestheGeneralmeanwhenhesaysthat“Tonight,wewillhunt.”?DoesRainsfordhaveanychoice?Whatwillhappenifherefusestoplaythisgame?3.WhydoestheGeneralofferRainsfordsomuchadviceaswellasfood,knifeandmoccasins(shoes),andallowhimsomanyhours’headstart?Hasiteveroccurredtohimthathemaybeoutwittedandlosethegame?Whatdoesthisrevealabouthischaracter?4.WhatdoesRainsforddotoescapetheGeneral?DoyoufindanythingthatshowsRainsford’sexpertiseasahunterofworldrenown?Lead-inMorequestionsaboutthetext:5.DoestheGeneralhaveanyseriousdifficultyfollowingthetrail?HowdoesRainsfordmakehisnarrowescape?SodoesRainsfordwinthefirstround?6.WhatdoesRainsforddointhesecondround?Doesitwork?DoeshisMalayman-catcherfinditsmark?DoestheGeneralbecomefuriouswhenheisinjured?7.WhatisthenextthingRainsfordtriestodo,thistimeintheDeathSwamp?DoeshetricktheGeneralthistime?Ishiseffortacompletefailure?8.WhathappensatdawnthenextdaythatshowsthattheGeneralintendstoendthegame?WhatcanRainsforddo?Whydoeshejumpfarintothesea?Whatishisplan?Whathappensintheend?Whowinstheduel?TextTheMostDangerousGame(I)RichardConnell1.Abouttheauthor2.Background

3.Structure4.GotothetextText1.AbouttheauthorRichardConnell(1893—1949)wasanAmericanauthorandjournalist.Hewrotemorethan300shortstories,novels,andscreenplays.Butinterestinglyenough,althoughmanyofhisstorieswerewellreceivedandsomewereturnedintomovies,hisfamerestedononestory:“TheMostDangerousGame,”whichwaspublishedin1924andmadeintoHollywoodmoviesinmanyversions.2.Background

ThisstoryisoftenusedbyteachersintheUnitedStatestoillustratetheimportantfeaturesofgoodfiction:adramaticplot,vividcharacterizationandbeautifuldescription.IntheWest,manypeople—mostlymales,aregreatlyattractedtohunting.Theykillanimalsandbirdsforsport.Indeedformanypeople,humansocietyisnothingbutahuntingground,ruledbythelawofthejungle,andpeoplearedividedintothestrongandtheweak,thefitandtheunfit,thehuntersandthehunted,whoareallengagedinthefiercestruggleforsurvival.TextTherichandthepowerful,likeGeneralZaroff(andRainsford,too,untilthestorybegins),havealwaysregardedthemselvesasbornhunters.Tothem,tohunttheweakdown,exploitthem,overpowerthem,capturethemandenslavethem,orevenkillthem,ismerelyaninterestinggame.Butjustasthestoryshows,huntinghumanbeingsisthemostdangerousgamebecauseinthisgame,thehuntercansuddenlyturnintothehunted,andthevictimizercansuddenlybecomethevictim.Thistextistheconcludingpartoftheoriginalstorywhereitcomestotheclimax.RainsfordisafamousAmericanbig-gamehunter.Tohimtheworldismadeupoftwoclasses:thehunterandthehunted,andheisgladthatheisthehunter.Asahunterheneverconsidershowthehuntedfeel—thefearofpainandofdeath.TextOnedarknight,whileonboardashipcruisingintheCaribbean,probablynearthenotoriousBermudaTriangle,Rainsford’shatisblownoffbyagustofwind,andintryingtocatchit,hereachesouttoofarandfallsoverboard.Thereisnothinghecoulddobutswiminthedirectionofaspotinthedistancewhichhehasnoticedamomentbefore.Luckilyforhim,justwhenheisexhausted,hisfeettouchthebottomandhefindshimselfonasmallislandwherehemeetstheonlyinhabitants,GeneralZaroffandhisservant.ThegenerallivesinaFrenchchateau,andtreatsRainsfordasadistinguishedguest.Atdinner,hetellsRainsfordhisstory.ZaroffisaCossackgeneralinCzaristRussia.AftertheRussianrevolutionin1917hefledthecountryandtraveledfromcountrytocountryashewasazealoushunterandlikedtohunteverykindofbiggame.TextHowever,huntinghadgraduallybecometooeasyforhimandhebegantofeelterriblybored,borednotjustwithhunting,butwithlifealtogether,becausehehadnootherinterest.Forsometimeheevenconsideredcommittingsuicide.Butthenonedayanideasuddenlycametohim.Hedecidedtohuntthemostdangerousgameintheworld:man.Asmencouldreason,thehuntingofthemwassuretoincreasehisexcitementandpleasure.ToGeneralZaroff,lifeisforthestrong,tobelivedbythestrong.Theweakoftheworldareputhereonlytogivepleasuretothestrong.Heboughttheislandandcapturedsailorsfromwreckedshipstoserveasgame.Heeventrainedhiscaptivessothattheywouldbecomeexperiencedinlivinginthejungleandcouldgivehimagreaterchallengewhenhehuntedthem.Noneofthosepoorsailorshadsurvivedthegame.TextNowRainsfordisonhisisland,anothercaptive.Zaroff“invites”Rainsfordtojoinhishuntinggame.Thoughagreathunterhimself,Rainsfordisnowinadifferentpositionbecauseinthisgame,itishewhohastodoeverythingpossibletosavehisownlife.ThistextgivesadetaileddescriptionofthebattleofwitsbetweenZaroffandRainsford.Text3.Structure

I.Theintroduction(paras.1–14)Rainsfordwascompelledtoplayalife-and-deathgame/huntinggamewithGeneralZaroff.II.Thebody(paras.15–38)Round1(paras.15–24)

Rainsfordenteredthetracklesswilderness,doubledonhistrailagainandagain,andclimbedupatreeandhidbehindleaves,believingthatonlythedevilcouldfollowthatcomplicatedtrailthroughthejungleafterdark.Butwhenmorningcame,thegeneralsmokedandsmiledunderthetree,andreturnedhome.Rainsfordrealizedthatthegeneralwasonlysavinghimforanotherday’ssport.TextRound2(paras.25–32)

Rainsfordfoundadeadtreerestingprecariouslyonasmallerlivingone.HemadeaMalayman-catcherandhidbehindafallenlog.Struckbythedeadtree,thegeneralwenthometohavehiswounddressedbutpromisedtobebacksoon.Rainsfordwentonwithhisflight.AttheDeathSwamp,hedugaBurmesetigerpit,whichkilledoneofthegeneral’sbestdogs.Thegeneral,inhisusualcondescendingmanner,praisedRainsfordandwentbackhome.Round3(paras.33–38)

AtdawnthenextdayRainsfordheardthebayingofhoundsandsawIvanaheadofthegeneral,holdingthewholepackinleash.HerecalledanativetrickhehadlearnedinUganda,whichkilledIvan,butnotthegeneral.Rainsfordmanagedtoreachacoveandjumpedfaroutintotheseabeforethehoundswereonhim.TextIII.Theconclusion(paras.39–46)Thegeneralhadenjoyedanexcitinggameandwasdeliciouslytired.Surprisingly,hefoundRainsfordhidinginhisroom.Themanhadswumthere.ThegeneraladmittedthatRainsfordhadwonthegame.ButRainsfordsaidthathewasstillabeastatbay.Hechallengedthegeneraltoaduel.ThestoryendedwithRainsfordsleepinginthecomfortablebed.TextTheMostDangerousGame(I)RichardConnell1

“General,”saidRainsfordfirmly,“Iwishtoleavethisislandatonce.”2

Thegeneral,aCossack,raisedhiseyebrows.Heseemedhurt.“But,mydearfellow,”the

generalprotested,“you’veonlyjustcome.You’vehadnohunting—”3

“Iwishtogotoday,”saidRainsford.Hesawthedeadblackeyesofthegeneralonhim,studyinghim.GeneralZaroff’sfacesuddenlybrightened.HefilledRainsford’sglass.4

“Tonight,”saidthegeneral,“wewillhunt—youandI.”5

“No,General,”saidRainsford.“Iwillnothunt.”Text6

Thegeneralshruggedhisshoulders.“Asyouwish,myfriend.Thechoicerestsentirely

withyou.ButmayIventuretosuggestthatyou’llfindmyideaofsportmoreinterestingthanIvan’s?”7

Henoddedtowardthecornertowherethegiantstood,histhickarmscrossedonhis

hogsheadofachest.8

“Youdon’tmean—”criedRainsford.9

“Mydearfellow,”saidthegeneral,“haveInottoldyou

IalwaysmeanwhatIsayabouthunting?”Text10

Thegeneralraisedhisglass,butRainsfordsatstaringathim.11

“You’llfindthegameworthplaying,”thegeneralsaidenthusiastically.“Yourbrainagainstmine.Yourwoodcraftagainstmine.Yourstrengthandstaminaagainstmine.Outdoorchess!

Andthestakeisnotwithoutvalue,eh?”12“AndifIwin—”beganRainsfordhuskily.Text13

“I’llcheerfullyacknowledgemydefeatifIdonotfindyoubymidnightofthethirdday,”said

thegeneral.“Myboatwillplaceyouonthemainlandnearatown.”Hesippedhiswine,and

thenwithabusinesslikeair,hewenton,“Ivanwillsupplyyouwithhuntingclothes,food,a

knife.Isuggestyouwearmoccasins;theyleaveapoorertrail.Isuggesttoothatyouavoidthe

bigswampinthesoutheastcorneroftheisland.WecallitDeathSwamp.There’squicksand

there.Onefoolishfellowtriedit.ThedeplorablepartofitwasthatLazarusfollowedhim.Hewasthefinesthoundinmypack.Well,Imustbegyoutoexcusemenow.Ialwaystakealittlenapafterlunch.You’llhardlyhavetimeforthat,I’mafraid.You’llwanttostart,nodoubt.Ishallnotfollowuntildusk.Huntingatnightissomuchmoreexcitingthanbyday,don’tyou

think?Aurevoir,Mr.Rainsford.”Text14

GeneralZaroff,withadeepcourtlybow,strolledfromtheroom.Fromanotherdoor

cameIvan.Underonearmhecarriedkhakihuntingclothes,abagoffood,aleathercovercontainingalong-bladedhuntingknife.15

Rainsfordhadfoughthiswaythroughthebushfortwohours.“Imustkeepmynerve.Imustkeepmynerve,”hesaidthroughtightteeth.16

Hehadnotbeenentirelyclear-headedwhenthechateaugatessnappedshutbehindhim.HiswholeideaatfirstwastoputdistancebetweenhimselfandGeneralZaroff.Hehadplungedalong,spurredonbyasharpfeelingofpanic.Butnowhehadgotagriponhimself,hadstopped,andwastakingstockofhimselfandthesituation.17

Hesawthatstraightflightwasfutile;inevitablyitwouldbringhimfacetofacewiththesea.

Hewasinapicturewithaframeofwater,andhisoperations,clearly,musttakeplacewithinthatframe.Text18

“I’llgivehimatrailtofollow,”mutteredRainsford,andhestruckofffromtherudepathshehadbeenfollowingintothetracklesswilderness.Heexecutedaseriesofintricateloops;hedoubledonhistrailagainandagain,recallingalltheloreofthefoxhunt,andallthedodgesofthefox.Nightfoundhimleg-weary,withhandsandfacelashedbythebranches,onathicklywoodedridge.Heknewitwouldbeinsanetoblunderonthroughthedark,evenifhehadthestrength.“Ihaveplayedthefox,”hethought,“nowImustplaythecat.”Abigtreewithathicktrunkandoutspreadbrancheswasnearby,and,takingcaretoleavenottheslightestmark,heclimbedupintothecrotch,andstretchingoutononeofthebroadlimbs,afterafashion,rested.Restbroughthimnewconfidenceandalmostafeelingofsecurity.EvensozealousahunterasGeneralZaroffcouldnottracehimthere,hetoldhimself;onlythedevilhimselfcouldfollowthatcomplicatedtrailthroughthejungleafterdark.But,perhaps,thegeneralwasadevil—Text19

Thenightcrawledslowlylikeawoundedsnake,andsleepdidnotvisitRainsfordalthoughthe

silenceofadeadworldwasonthejungle.Towardmorningwhenadingygraywasvarnishingthesky,thecryofsomestartledbirdfocusedRainsford’sattentioninthatdirection.Somethingwascomingthroughthebush,slowly,carefully,bythesamewindingwayRainsfordhadcome.Heflattenedhimselfdownonthelimb,andthroughascreenofleaves,sawitwasaman.20

ItwasGeneralZaroff.Hemadehiswayalongwithhiseyesfixedinutmostconcentrationon

theground.Hepaused,almostbeneaththetree,droppedtohiskneesandstudiedtheground.Rainsford’simpulsewastohurlhimselfdownlikeapanther,buthesawthatthegeneral’srighthandheldsomethingmetallic—asmallautomaticpistol.Text21

Thehuntershookhisheadseveraltimes,asifpuzzled.Thenhestraightenedupandtookoutacigarette,whosesmokefloateduptoRainsford’snostrils.Rainsfordheldhisbreath.Thegeneral’seyeswerenowtravelinginchbyinchupthetree.Rainsfordfrozethere,everymuscletensedforaspring.ButthesharpeyesofthehunterstoppedbeforetheyreachedthelimbwhereRainsfordlay;asmilespreadoverhisface.Verydeliberatelyheblewasmokeringintotheair,andthenturnedandwalkedcarelesslyaway.22

Thepent-upairbursthotlyfromRainsford’slungs.Hisfirstthoughtmadehimfeelsickandnumb.Thegeneralcouldfollowanextremelydifficulttrailthroughthewoodsatnight;hemusthaveuncannypowers;onlybythemerestchancehadtheCossackfailedtoseehisquarry.Text23

Rainsford’ssecondthoughtwasevenmoreterrible.Itsentashudderofcoldhorrorthroughhiswholebeing.Whyhadthegeneralsmiled?Whyhadheturnedback?24

Thetruthwasclear.Thegeneralwasplayingwithhim!Hewassavinghimforanotherday’ssport!TheCossackwasthecat;hewasthemouse.ItwasthenthatRainsfordknewthefullmeaningofhorror.Text25

“Iwillnotlosemynerve.Iwillnot.”26Hesliddownfromthetreeandstruckoffagainintothewoods.Heforcedhimselftothink.Threehundredyardsawayhestoppedwhereahugedeadtreeleanedprecariouslyonasmaller,livingone.Throwingoffhissackoffood,hebegantowork.Thejobwassoon

finished,andhethrewhimselfdownbehindafallenlogahundredfeetaway.Hedidnothavetowaitlong.Thecatwascomingagaintoplaywiththemouse.Text27

Followingthetrailwiththesurenessofabloodhoundcamethegeneral.Nothingescapedthosesearchingeyes,nocrushedbladeofgrass,nobenttwig,nomarkinthemoss.SointentwastheCossackonhisstalkingthathewasuponthethingRainsfordhadmadebeforehe

sawit.Hisfoottouchedtheprotrudingboughthatwasthetrigger.Hesensedthedangerandleapedbackwiththeagilityofanape.Buthewasnotquitequickenough;thedeadtree,delicatelyadjustedtorestonthecutlivingone,crasheddownandstruckhimontheshoulder;butforhisalertness,hemusthavebeensmashedbeneathit.Hestaggered,buthedidnotfall;nordidhedrophisrevolver.Hestoodthere,rubbinghisshoulder,andRainsfordheardthegeneral’smockinglaughringthroughthejungle.Text28

“Rainsford,”calledthegeneral,“ifyouarewithinsoundofmyvoice,asIsupposeyouare,

letmecongratulateyou.NotmanymenknowhowtomakeaMalayman-catcher.Youareprovinginteresting,Mr.Rainsford.I’mgoingnowtohavemywounddressed.ButIshallbeback.Ishallbeback.”29

Whenthegeneral,nursinghisbruisedshoulder,hadgone,Rainsfordtookuphisflightagain.Itwasflightnow,adesperate,hopelessflightthatcarriedhimonforsomehours.Duskcame,thendarkness,andstillhepressedon.Thegroundgrewsofter;thevegetationdenser;andinsectsbithimsavagely.Then,ashesteppedforward,hisfootsankintotheooze.Hetried

towrenchitback,butthemucksuckedviciouslyathisfootasifitwereagiantleech.Withaviolenteffort,hetorehisfootloose.Heknewwherehewasnow.DeathSwampanditsquicksand.Text30

Hishandsweretightclosedasifhisnerveweresomethingtangiblethatsomeoneinthedarknesswastryingtotearfromhisgrip.Thesoftnessoftheearthgavehimanidea.Hesteppedbackfromthequicksandadozenfeetorso,andhebegantodig.HehaddughimselfininFrancewhenasecond’sdelaymeantdeath.Thathadbeenaplacidpastimecomparedtohisdiggingnow.Thepitgrewdeeper.Whenitwasabovehisshoulders,heclimbedoutandfromhardsaplingscutstakesandsharpenedthemtoafinepoint.Theseheplantedinthebottomofthepitwiththepointsstickingup.Thenhecoveredthemouthofthepitwithweedsandbranches.Text31Hecrouchedbehindalightning-charredtree.Heknewhispursuerwascoming;heheardthepaddingsoundoffeetonthesoftearth,andthenightbreezebroughthimtheperfumeofthegeneral’scigarette.Itseemedthatthegeneralwascomingwithunusualswiftness.Rainsfordlivedayearinaminute.Thenhefeltanimpulsetocryoutwithjoy,forheheardthesharpscreamofpainasthecoverofthepitgavewayandthepointedstakesfoundtheirmark.Heleapedupfromhisconcealment,buthecoweredback.Threefeetfromthepitamanwasstanding,withanelectrictorchinhishand.Text32“You’vedonewell,Rainsford,”thevoiceofthegeneralcalled.“YourBurmesetigerpithasclaimedoneofmybestdogs.Againyouscore.Ithink,Mr.Rainsford,I’llseewhatyoucandoagainstmywholepack.I’mgoinghomeforarestnow.Thankyouforamostamusingevening.”33

AtdaybreakRainsfordwasawakenedbyasoundthatmadehimknowthathehadnewthingstolearnaboutfear.Itwasadistantsound,butheknewit.Itwasthebayingofapackofhounds.Text34Rainsfordknewhecoulddooneoftwothings.Hecouldstaywherehewasandwait.Thatwassuicide.Hecouldflee.Thatwaspostponingtheinevitable.Foramomenthestoodthere,thinking.Anideathatheldawildchancecametohimand,tighteninghisbelt,heheadedawayfromtheswamp.35Thebayingofthehoundsdrewnearerandnearer.OnaridgeRainsfordclimbedatree.Aboutaquarterofamileaway,hecouldseethebushmoving.Straininghiseyes,hesawthelean

figureofthegeneral;justaheadofhimhemadeoutanotherfigure;itwasthegiantIvan;Rainsfordknewthathemustbeholdingthepackinleash.Text36

Theywouldbeonhimanyminutenow.Hismindworkedfrantically.HethoughtofanativetrickhehadlearnedinUganda.Hesliddownthetree.Hecaughtholdofaspringyyoungsaplingandtoithefastenedhishuntingknife,withthebladepointingdownthetrail;withabitofwildgrapevinehetiedbackthesapling.Thenheranforhislife.Thehoundsraisedtheirvoicesastheyhitthefreshscent.Rainsfordknewnowhowananimalatbayfeels.37Thebayingofthehoundsstoppedabruptly,andRainsford’sheartstoppedtoo.Theymusthavereachedtheknife.Heshinnedexcitedlyupatreeandlookedback.Hispursuershadstopped.Butthehopethatwasinhisbraindied,forhesawintheshallowvalleythatGeneralZaroffwasstillonhisfeet.ButIvanwasnot.Theknife,drivenbytherecoilofthespringingtreehadnotwhollyfailed.Text38

Rainsfordhadhardlytumbledtothegroundwhenthepacktookupthecryagain.“Nerve,nerve,nerve!”hepanted,ashedashedalong.Abluegapshowedbetweenthetreesdeadahead.Evernearerdrewthehounds.Rainsfordforcedhimselfontowardthegap.Hereachedit.Itwastheshoreofthesea.Acrossacovehecouldseethegloomygraystoneofthechateau.Twentyfeetbelowhimthesearumbledandhissed.Rainsfordhesitated.Heheardthehounds.Thenheleapedfaroutintothesea…Text39

Whenthegeneralandhispackreachedtheplacebythesea,theCossackstopped.Forsomeminuteshestoodregardingtheblue-greenexpanseofwater.Heshruggedhisshoulders.Thenhesatdown,tookadrinkofbrandyfromasilverflask,litaperfumedcigarette,andhummedabitfromMadameButterfly.GeneralZaroffhadanexceedinglygooddinnerthatevening.Twoslightannoyanceskepthimfromperfectenjoyment.OnewasthethoughtthatitwouldbedifficulttoreplaceIvan;theotherwasthathisquarryhadescaped.Inhislibrary,hereadforawhiletosoothehimself.Attenhewentuptohisbedroom.Hewasdeliciouslytired.Therewasalittlemoonlight,so,beforeturningonhislight,hewenttothewindowandlookeddownatthecourtyard.Hecouldseethegreathounds,andhecalled“Betterluckanothertime!”tothem.Thenheswitchedonthelight.Text40

Aman,whohadbeenhidinginthecurtainsofthebed,wasstandingthere.41“Rainsford!”screamedthegeneral.“HowinGod’snamedidyougetthere?”42“Swam,”saidRainsford.“Ifounditquickerthanwalkingthroughthejungle.”43Thegeneralsuckedinhisbreathandsmiled.“Icongratulateyou,”hesaid.“Youhavewonthegame.”44Rainsforddidnotsmile.“Iamstillabeastatbay,”hesaid,inalowhoarsevoice.“Getready,GeneralZaroff.”45

Thegeneralmadeoneofthedeepestbows.“Isee,”hesaid.“Splendid!Oneofusistofurnisharepastforthehounds.Theotherwillsleepinthisveryexcellentbed.Onguard,Rainsford…”46

Hehadneversleptinabetterbed,Rainsforddecided.(2,453words)Text最危险的猎物（I）理查德·康奈尔1

“将军，”雷恩斯福德坚定地说，“我希望立即离开这个岛屿。”2

将军是哥萨克人，他抬起双眉，看上去一副受伤的样子。“但是，我亲爱的朋友，”将军拒绝道，“你才刚来，还没有狩猎——”3

“我希望今天就走，”雷恩斯福德说。他发现将军那双漆黑的眼睛正在打量自己。扎洛夫将军忽然面露喜色，他把雷恩斯福德的酒杯斟满。4

“今晚，”将军说，“我们去打猎——就你和我两人。”5

“不，将军，”雷恩斯福德说，“我决不去。”Text6

将军耸了耸肩，“悉听尊便，我的朋友。这完全由你来决定。不过我可否冒昧提醒一句，我的游戏理念要比伊万的有趣些？”7

将军向那巨人站立的方位点了点头，那巨人宽厚的双臂交叉着搭在酒桶般的胸前。8

“你的意思该不是——”雷恩斯福德叫了起来。9

“亲爱的朋友，我不是告诉过你，关于打猎，我向来都是认真的？”Text10

将军举起酒杯，可雷恩斯福德仍然坐在那儿，紧盯着他。11

“你会觉得这游戏值得玩玩，”将军兴致勃勃地说。“这是你我智力的较量，丛林技能和知识的较量，体力和耐力的较量。简直就是一盘丛林中的棋局！这赌注还是值得下的，是吧？”12

“如果我赢了——”雷恩斯福德声音粗哑地说。Text13

“如果到了第三天的午夜，我还没有找到你，我会高高兴兴地承认自己失败。”将军说。“我的船会把你送到一个小镇附近的陆地上。”他抿了口酒，有条不紊地继续说，“伊万会给你提供猎装、食品和一把刀。我建议你穿软皮平底鞋，这种鞋留下的痕迹少。我也建议你避开位于小岛东南角上的那个大沼泽，我们叫它死亡沼泽，那里有流沙。有个傻瓜曾经想从那儿逃跑。可惜的是拉扎勒斯跟了过去。它可是我那群狼狗中最棒的一只。嗯，请原谅，我午饭后都要小睡一会儿。恐怕你没有时间睡午觉了。你肯定想出发了吧。我要到黄昏才去找你。夜间打猎比白天刺激得多，不是吗？再见，雷恩斯福德先生。”Text14

扎洛夫将军深鞠一躬后，信步迈出了餐厅。伊万从另一个门进来了。他一只胳膊下夹着卡其布狩猎衣服、一袋食物、一个装在皮鞘内的长刃猎刀。15

雷恩斯福德在灌木丛中披荆斩棘地奔跑了两小时。“我要冷静！我要冷静！”他咬紧牙关说。16

扎洛夫别墅的大门在他身后“啪”的一声关上时，雷恩斯福德的头脑并不十分清醒。起初他全部的想法就是逃离扎洛夫将军。巨大的惊恐驱使他一直奔跑。现在他控制住了自己的情绪，停了下来，估量自己的情况和处境。17

他认识到单纯逃跑无济于事，早晚他会跑到海边。他身处一个四周都是水的环境，很明显，他的一切行动必须在此范围内展开。Text18

“我要给他留下一些寻找的踪迹，”他嘟囔着，离开了他一直沿着奔跑的荆棘丛生的小道，踏进了无路的荒野。他绕来绕去，在留下足迹的地方反复兜圈子，用上了猎狐的所有经验以及狐狸逃遁的种种办法。天黑的时候，他的腿酸了，手和脸都被树枝划得伤痕累累，他已来到了林木茂密的山脊。他知道即使他还有力气，但在黑暗中贸然继续跑下去也是大忌。“我已经当了回狐狸，”他想，“现在该当一回猫了。”近旁有一棵大树，树干粗壮，枝繁叶茂，他爬上了一个树杈，小心翼翼，不留一丝痕迹，在一根粗大树枝上伸开四肢，躺了下来，凑合着休息了一小会儿。休息后他又有了信心，甚至有了安全的感觉。即使扎洛夫这样的猎手也不可能跟踪到此处，他这样安慰自己。只有魔鬼才能在黑暗中辨别森林中那些复杂的足迹。不过说不定将军就是个魔鬼——Text19

黑夜像条受了伤的蛇，缓缓爬行。尽管丛林里万籁寂静，像个没有生命的世界，他却没有一丝的睡意。黎明时分，漆黑的天空逐渐变得灰蒙蒙的，受到惊吓的鸟儿的叫声引起雷恩斯福德对那个方向的注意。似乎有什么东西穿过灌木林，沿着他走过的那条弯曲的路线，缓缓地、谨慎地向他所在的方位逼近。他将身躯贴紧树枝，透过浓密的树叶看清了，那是个人影。20

是扎洛夫将军。他慢慢走过来，两眼全神贯注地盯着地面。快到他藏身的树下时，将军停了下来，跪在地上仔细察看地面。雷恩斯福德此刻本能地想要像只豹子一样纵身跳下去，但他发现将军的右手拿着个金属物件——一把微型自动手枪。Text21

猎人摇了好几次头，好似迷惑不解。然后他又站了起来，拿出来一支香烟，烟雾飘进雷恩斯福德的鼻子里。雷恩斯福德屏住呼吸。此时将军的目光一寸一寸地从下往上搜索着那棵树。雷恩斯福德纹丝不动，每一块肌肉都绷得紧紧的，准备随时跳下去。然而那双敏锐的眼睛，在尚未到达雷恩斯福德藏身之处时却停止了搜索。他满脸微笑，嘴里慢慢地吐出一圈烟雾，随即转过身，漫不经心地走了。22

雷恩斯福德憋闷在胸中的气终于吁了出来。他的第一个想法让他感到一阵恶心和麻木。将军居然能在夜间的丛林中发现难以辨认的踪迹，跟踪到此处，他必然有超人的本领，只因极为偶然的情况，那哥萨克人才未能找到自己的猎物。Text23

雷恩斯福德的第二个想法更加可怕，使他全身颤栗。将军为何笑？他为什么离去？24

真相很明显。将军在逗他取乐呢！他要多留他一天取乐！这个哥萨克人是只猫；而他自己是只老鼠。直到此时雷恩斯福德才真正懂得了恐惧的滋味。Text25

“我不能失去理智！我不能！”26

他从树上滑了下来，重新进入树林。他逼迫自己思考。在三百码外，有一棵硕大的枯树，倚在一株比它小的活树树干上。他停了下来。他把食品袋扔在一旁，开始干活，活很快干完，他在一百英尺外的一棵已经倒在地上的树干后面趴了下来。没过多久。猫又来捉弄鼠了。Text27

将军顺着踪迹像猎犬一样准确地跟来了。什么都逃不过他那搜寻的目光——踩踏的一根草、弯下来的树枝、苔藓上的痕迹。那哥萨克人全神贯注地追踪着，一不留神碰到了雷恩斯福德为他设置的机关。他的脚碰到了伸在外面的树枝，那可是启动装置。他意识到危险，像猴子一样敏捷地纵身后跃，但为时已晚。那棵摇摇欲坠地倚在已经几乎砍断的小树上的枯树，一下子就压下来，砸在他肩膀上。要不是他的警惕性高，他肯定会被砸死。他踉跄了几步，但没有倒下，也没有丢掉他手中的枪。他站在那里，用手揉着肩膀，雷恩斯福德听到将军讥讽的笑声响彻丛林。Text28

“雷恩斯福德，”将军喊道，“你要是听得见我说话，我猜你就在附近，我要祝贺你。没几个人会设置马来捕人器。跟你打猎太有意思了，雷恩斯福德先生，我现在要回去包扎伤口。但我一定会回来。一定会回来。”29

将军一边护着他受伤的肩膀，一边走开后，雷恩斯福德又开始逃跑了。他在绝望、无望中跑了几小时，从黄昏到黑夜，一直没有止步。大地越来越松软，植被越来越密集，蚊虫疯狂地叮咬他。突然，在跨步向前时，他的一只脚陷进了泥潭。他想使劲把脚拔出来，烂泥却像一只巨大的蚂蟥，把脚紧紧地吸住不放。待他竭尽全身力气，终于将脚拔出来时，他明白了自己现在的处境——死亡沼泽及其流沙！Text30

他紧紧握住双拳，仿佛他持有的勇气是什么有形的东西，黑暗中有人正试图从他手里夺走勇气。松软的土地给了他灵感。他从流沙后退了十几英尺，然后开始挖泥。他曾在法国挖过防弹坑。那时，片刻的延误等于死亡。可是，与此时的挖掘相比，那只不过是一种平静的消遣罢了。坑越来越深，挖到高于肩膀的深度时，他爬了出来，找了些坚硬的小树，砍成小段，将一头削尖。他把这些木桩都插入坑底，尖部向上。接下来他用杂草和树枝盖住坑口。Text31

他蹲在一棵被闪电烧焦的树后面等待。他知道追捕他的人来了；他听到踏在松软土地上轻轻的脚步声，闻到了夜间微风吹来的将军的香烟味。将军来得很快。雷恩斯福德好像度日如年。他终于听到一声痛苦的尖叫，坑口上的掩盖物坍塌了，削尖了的木桩刺中了目标，此刻他极想高声欢呼。他从藏身处一跃而起，但立即又缩了回去。坑边三英尺之外，站着一个拿着手电筒的人。Text32

“雷恩斯福德，你干得不错，”将军叫道，“你的缅甸猎虎坑，使我最好的一只猎狗丧命了。你又得手了。雷恩斯福德先生，我倒要看看你还能对我的一群猎犬做什么。我现在要回家休息了。谢谢你让我度过极为有趣的一夜。”33

拂晓时分，雷恩斯福德被一种声音惊醒，这声音让他意识到，他即将感受一种从未体验过的恐惧。声音从远处传来，但他熟知这声音，这是一群猎犬的狂吠。Text34

雷恩斯福德清楚他只有两个选择。他可以待在原地等待，这等于是自杀。他还可以逃跑，但这只是推迟不可避免的结局。他站在原地，思索了一会儿，想到一个孤注一掷的办法，立即勒紧了腰带，从沼泽地撤离。35

猎犬的狂吠声越来越近。他爬上了山脊上的一棵树。他能看见约四分之一英里外，灌木丛在闪动。他使劲看，看到了将军健瘦的身影；就在将军前面他看见了另一个身影，是巨人伊万；雷恩斯福德明白，这巨人手里肯定握着控制猎犬的链条。Text36

猎犬很快就会向他扑来。他的大脑疯狂地思索起来。他想到了在乌干达学会的一个当地人用的办法。他从树上滑了下来，抓住一棵富有弹性的小树，将猎刀绑在小树上，锋刃冲着来人的方向，再用一段野葡萄藤将小树反捆起来。然后就逃命去了。猎犬又嗅到了他的气味，叫得更响了。雷恩斯福德体会到了当困兽的感觉。37

猎犬的叫声戛然停止，雷恩斯福德的心也跟着停止跳动。他们一定是碰到了那把刀。他飞快地爬上了一棵树，回头张望。追赶他的人停下来了。他的希望落空了，因为他看到扎洛夫将军安然无恙地站在不深的峡谷中。可是伊万倒下了，小树弹回的猎刀没有完全失败。Text38

雷恩斯福德从树上跳下还未站稳，猎犬又狂吠起来。“镇静！镇静！镇静！”他一面撒腿狂奔，一面喘着粗气说。前面树木间出现一条蓝色的缝隙。猎犬越来越近。雷恩斯福德拼命向那蓝色地带跑去。他到了，那是海岸，他能看到小海湾对面那栋别墅的阴暗、灰色石墙。在他身下二十英尺处，海水发出轰隆声、嘶嘶声。雷恩斯福德犹豫了片刻，在听到猎犬的声音后，他纵身跳入大海…