The Most Dangerous Game 15

“Watch! Out there!” exclaimed the general, pointing into the night.Rainsford’s eyes saw only blackness, and then, as the general pressed abutton, far out to sea Rainsford saw the flash of lights. The general chuckled. “They indicate a channel,” he said, “where there’snone; giant rocks with razor edges crouch like a sea monster withwide-open jaws. They can crush a ship as easily as I crush this nut.” Hedropped a walnut on the hardwood floor and brought his heel grindingdown on it. “Oh, yes,” he said, casually, as if in answer to a question,”I have electricity. We try to be civilized here.” “Civilized? And you shoot down men?” A trace of anger was in the general’s black eyes, but it was there forbut a second; and he said, in his most pleasant manner, “Dear me, what arighteous young man you are! I assure you I do not do the thing yousuggest. That would be barbarous. I treat these visitors with everyconsideration. They get plenty of good food and exercise. They get intosplendid physical condition. You shall see for yourself tomorrow.”