Rainsford Trial Journal Log #1

"Mr. Rainsford, you are accused

"I hereby declare my innocence as a hunter and nothing more, I simply fell off track," shouted Rainsford,

"Prove your innocence," replied the judge.


"I was drawn onto that horrendous island by a simple fault that came about during my voyage to Reo,
where I was headed to hunt jaguar, then, due to a negative sequence of events, I was hurled off of my barge."

"What 'sequence of events' do you speak of?" questioned the judge.

"I arose from my quarters around nearly three o'clock, woken by a gunshot and some sort of animal-like squealing," stated Rainsford, "I retreated my quarters to the bow of the boat and leaned near the edge of the boat while smoking my pipe to get a closer look, or possibly a look at all," the judge tilted his head in curiosity, and requested Rainsford to proceed nonchalantly, upon noticing the judge's awkward gesture, Rainsford stopped. The judge requested the defendant proceed, which he did, "My pipe then slipped from my hand, like a cat squirms through a crevasse, reaching for it as it fell towards the ocean, I pulled myself off the boat along with it."

"I see, what happened after this sequence of events?" Questioned the judge.

"I swam to shore to encounter a various series of matted down grass tainted with blood, I followed the trail to a similar castle-type abode, realizing this was one of the few resorts I had left, I took a chance, I was aware that this was not a very intelligent decision, but as I previously stated, it was one of the final chances I had, and I knocked on the door that was lead to the house by a series of stones," stated Rainsford, then continued, "Upon knocking I encountered a beastly man that held a revolver at gunpoint towards me, then moments later his master approached me at the door.

This man, General Zaroff was mannerly and respectful, whose house was engulfed in various animal heads, he too, was a hunter, and a skilled one at that. However, he did not hunt animals anymore, he found that they were no longer a challenge, and created a new game, during this game, he hunted humans. He requested I partake in this gruesome game, and I, of course, refused, but it was no use, Zaroff warned me that it was either play the game, or be tortured by his servant, Ivan. After escaping his hounds and killing his servant Ivan with a trap, I dueled the General in his quarters, and defeated him. Now, as you can tell I did not murder him, I simply prevented the taking of my own life, and to do this, I took someone elses. The killing I did was in self-defense, not sheer murder. Hopefully you will know what's right, and find me guilty. Thank you, I have nothing more to say."

"Thank you Mr. Rainsford, you have been crucial to this major trial; case dismissed!"

After the trial, Rainsford left to the local bar, deciding not to drink, he simply sat and relaxed, hoping he would be found not guilty. He then strayed about like a wild dog, with no where to go. He spotted a familiar figure behind him then stopped. He turned to spot a familiar face that welcomed him to return to his boat. It was Whitney. The next day Rainsford awoke and returned to the court. He was then found not guilty continued his hunting career, but when he did, he felt that horrible feeling when he was the hunted, but it did not hold him back from doing what he loved.

English 9 Vocabulary

Blandly- Adjective- Pleasantly gentle or agreeable

Gaunt- Adjective Extremely thin or bone; starving or tortured

Indolently- Adjective- Having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion
Scruples- Noun- A feeling of doubt or regard
Gossamer- Noun- A small fine substance consisting of cobwebs spun by small spiders
Palpable- Adjective- Able to be touched or felt
Nocturnal- Noun- Particularly active during night
Futile- Adjective- Incapable of producing any useful result
Furtive- Adjective- Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of negative results
Reciprocate- Verb- Respond to a gesture or action by making a corresponding one
Naive- Adjective- Showing a lack of experience wisdom or judgement