The Most Dangerous Game Alternate Ending

An alternate ending to Richard Connell's short story, The Most Dangerous Game

            The cold waves splashed across Rainsford’s face as he struggled to keep his head above the water. He quickly glanced around, noticing he had just barely made it alive. While keeping himself afloat, he looked up to the shore from where he had jumped. There was no sign of the general, Ivan, or the hounds.

            He cautiously navigated his way around the rocks and swam further out into sea. Before he had gotten too far, he spotted a small cave just below the shore wall. Once Rainsford reached the cave, he sat down upon a large, mossy rock at the opening of the cave. He could see from the sunlight outside that the cave was small and full of rocks and little pools of salt water.

            As he sat there on the rock, he shuffled possible plans though his head. He could try to swim further out and find another island; but it would be highly unlikely to find another island before sundown. He could swim back onto shore and hide among the trees once more; but the general’s pack of dogs would easily sniff him out there. Rainsford jumped as he felt a large drop of water splash onto his shoulder. He suddenly had a remarkable idea. He slowly slid off the rock and stepped into one of the small pools scattered around the cave. The afternoon sun reflecting off the sea revealed a flat area near the end of the cave.

            I will stay in this cave for the night, thought Rainsford. I felt his pockets for any amount of food left. He sat down in anguish realizing that everything but his gun and a few bullets had been spared from his desperate escape into the sea. He wondered if General Zaroff would think to look here.

            As night fell, the cave became chilly and Rainsford’s clothes were still damp. He was freezing, but at least he would be safe for the night. He laid down to rest and fell asleep to the lull of the ocean’s music.

            Rainsford awoke to the salty taste of sea water splashing in his mouth. He rolled over spitting out the remaining water and looked out the mouth of the cave. He assumed it was mid-morning seeing as the tide was not quite high.

            The barks of the hounds echoed all around him. Rainsford quickly gathered himself and peeked out of the cave. He heard the dogs again; they seemed to be right above him.

“Ivan,” General Zaroff spoke loudly over the crashing waves, “He his alive, I’m sure such a marvelous hunter wouldn’t let the elements distill him. Rainsford has certainly proved to be such great game.”

Rainsford could hear the general smile through his red lips and sharp teeth. It was silent for a moment; I van was most likely signaling something to the general.

“Oh I do not fear for my success,” the general began again, “For we still have one day left for the hunt and he must be down the cove somewhere. Send down the dogs.”

It was another moment until Rainsford began to react to General Zaroff’s commands. Rainsford rushed out of the cave and swam quickly as close as he could along the shore. Over the rumbling sea, he heard a large splash. He spun around in the water. He felt his heart rate increase rapidly as he spotted three large hounds coming towards him. Rainsford swam and swam until he could hardly feel his arms. The dogs weren’t in his sight, but they were close enough.

            It wasn’t until the late afternoon that Rainsford came upon an area of shore line he could climb onto. He lied down on the sand and caught his breath. He heard more barking and he knew he had to get moving. He jumped up and ran, this time to find a place to hide on the shore. He hectically covered his footprints with a large leaf near by. Then, he ran into the beginning of the jungle so as not to lead a trail, and kept running.

            It wasn’t long until Rainsford found a very large tree. It was the largest tree he had ever seen. Without any hesitation, he hooked himself up onto a branch and climbed to the middle. There was a huge opening inside the tree, but there was no was for prying eyes to spot him here. With his stomach most hungry and his arms wobbly, he sat in the tree and spent the night in the comfort of its trunk.

Rainsford snapped his head up. It was late into the night for now the stars were shining brightly above him. He heard a stick break somewhere below the tree. He cautiously looked down. And much to his surprise, he saw General Zaroff smiling at him. Rainsford began to think the worst when the general spoke.

“Sanger Rainsford of New York,” he smiled widely, “I have hunted many, and I have been successful in all my game. I thought I had the wits and skill to hunt you, but you have been the most dangerous game.”

Rainsford cried out in joy as General Zaroff threw his gun at the trees base and surrendered.