Rainsford does seem to show a more sympathetic view of the hunted following his discussions with General Zaroff and his ordeal as the human prey of the Cossack. Rainsford and Zaroff seem like kindred spirits when they first meet, but it soon becomes apparent that wild animals have come to bore the general. Rainsford is horrified when he finally understands Zaroff's little game, and the idea of killing human prey is simply a form of murder to him. During his flight from Zaroff while being pursued himself, Rainsford has time to reflect upon how the hunted animal must feel.
Rainsford did not want to believe what his reason told him was true, but the truth was as evident as the sun that had by now pushed through the morning mists. The general was playing with him! The general was saving him for another day's sport! The Cossack was the cat; he was the mouse. Then it was that Rainsford knew the full meaning of terror.
With the feel of terror came intense fear.
At daybreak Rainsford, lying near the swamp, was awakened by a sound that made him know that he had new things to learn about fear. It was a distant sound, faint and wavering, but he knew it. It was the baying of a pack of hounds.
Rainsford's escape from the cliff was partly through his cunning skills and partly through luck. He must have realized this as he headed back to deal with Zaroff. His experience had not soured him from hunting altogether, since he apparently reverted to Zaroff's own game of murder at the end when he disposes of the Cossack and settles down for a good night's sleep in a comfortable bed.
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