the journal of literature and the arts at saint david ’ s school
An Unexpected Rescue Original Ending to Richard Connell ’ s “ Most Dangerous Game ”
He scrambled excitedly up a tree and looked back . His pursuers had stopped . But the hope that was in Rainsford ’ s brain as he climbed died , for he saw in the shallow valley that General Zaroff was still on his feet . Yet Ivan was not . The knife , driven by the recoil of the springing tree , had not wholly failed .
Ivan ’ s dead body lay flat among the vegetation on the ground , the pack of hounds sniffing and examining the corpse hungrily . Rainsford noticed the pack was distracted and seized the opportunity to jump down from the tree . He crashed through the foliage away from the pack , and Rainsford heard General Zaroff ’ s furious voice behind him , scolding the hounds . Rainsford ran for his life as fast as he could through the dense jungle . Tumbling and dodging through the twisted vines and trees , Rainsford heard the howls of the hounds on the hunt once again , following his trail . Branches tore savagely deep into Rainsford ’ s flesh , leaving warm blood trickling down the sides of his face and arms . Rainsford had no knowledge of where he was going , but he had to elude the hounds or he ’ d end up like Ivan — lying in a puddle of blood on the ground .
Rainsford dashed past a large tree and came to a clearing . He stopped momentarily to catch his breath , panting while leaning against the side of the tree . Suddenly , a voice to his right whispered , “ Keep running to your left . Follow the river once you find it , and when you get to the waterfall , jump .”
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