Interlopers (novel)

Interlopers is a short story written by Saki (H.H. Munro), published in 1919. It tells the story of Ulrich von Gradwitz and Georg Znaejm, two men locked in a bitter, long-standing feud over a strip of forest land. Their families have been enemies for generations, each claiming ownership of the disputed territory.

The story unfolds on a stormy winter night in the Carpathian mountains. Both Ulrich and Georg are patrolling the forest, each intending to kill the other. They encounter each other and are about to engage in a deadly confrontation when a tree branch falls upon them, pinning them both beneath its weight.

Initially, their animosity remains strong, and they hurl insults and threats at each other, hoping for rescue by their respective hunting parties. However, as the hours pass and the men remain trapped, exposed to the harsh weather, a slow shift occurs. Facing the prospect of death and realizing their shared predicament, they begin to reconsider their hatred. They eventually offer each other forgiveness and a truce, recognizing the futility of their feud.

Ulrich and Georg decide to end the feud and become friends, believing this reconciliation will shock and delight their communities. However, just as they spot figures approaching through the forest, hoping it's their men, they realize the figures are wolves. The story ends with the grim implication that the wolves will devour them, making the "interlopers" in the situation not each other, but the wild animals. The ending is ambiguous, leaving the reader to infer the tragic fate of the two men and the ultimate futility of their delayed reconciliation. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of long-held grudges and the unpredictable power of nature.