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It was General Zaroff. He made his way along with his eyes fixed in utmost concentration on the ground. He paused, almost beneath the tree, dropped to his knees and studied the ground. Rainsford's impulse was to hurl himself down like a panther, but he saw that the general's right hand held something metallic—a small automatic pistol.
这个人就是扎洛夫将军。他两眼死死地盯着地面，一步一步走过来。快到树下时他停了下来，跪下来仔细察看着地面。雷恩斯福德顿时有一股冲动，想像豹子那样一跃而下，但他看到了将军右手握着的某种金属物件——一把微型自动手枪。
The hunter shook his head several times, as if puzzled. Then he straightened up and took out a cigarette. Rainsford held his breath. The general's eyes were now traveling inch by inch up the tree. Rainsford froze there, every muscle tensed for a spring. But the sharp eyes of the hunter stopped before they reached the limb where Rainsford lay; a smile spread over his face. Very deliberately he blew a smoke ring into the air, and then turned and walked carelessly away.
这位猎手摇了几下头，好像一副困惑的样子。接着他站了起来，拿出一支烟。雷恩斯福德屏住呼吸。将军的目光沿着树干一点一点向上移，雷恩斯福德一动不动地僵在那儿，肌肉紧绷着，准备一跃而下。但是，猎手那锐利的目光在尚未移到雷恩斯福德藏身的树杈时却停住了，他的脸上泛起一丝微笑。他从容地向空中吐了一个烟圈，随即转身漫不经心地走开了。
The pent-up air burst hotly from Rainsford's lungs. His first thought made him feel sick and numb. The general could follow an extremely difficult trail through the woods at night; he must have uncanny powers; only by the merest chance had the Cossack failed to see his quarry.
雷恩斯福德憋在胸中的一口热气吐了出来。他的第一个想法让他感到难受，浑身发麻。将军居然在夜晚也能顺着一条极其难寻的足迹穿越树林；他肯定有着某种超人的本领。只因极为偶然的情况，这个哥萨克人才没有发现他的猎物。
Rainsford's second thought was even more terrible. It sent a shudder of cold horror through his whole being. Why had the general smiled? Why had he turned back?
雷恩斯福德的第二个想法更是令人感到恐怖，这个想法让他不寒而栗。将军为什么会微笑？他为什么转身离开？
The truth was clear. The general was playing with him! He was saving him for another day's sport! The Cossack was the cat; he was the mouse. It was then that Rainsford knew the full meaning of horror.
事实明摆着，将军在捉弄他！将军留下他是为了能多玩一天！那个哥萨克人是只猫，而他却是只老鼠。直到这个时候，雷恩斯福德才真正体会到恐怖的滋味。
