Summary of The interlopers

"The Interlopers" by Saki is a short story about a feud between neighboring landowners Ulrich von Gradwitz and Georg Znaeym.

Ulrich and Georg are engaged in a feud that dates all the way back to their grandfathers, who had a nasty dispute over a piece of land between their properties.

One stormy night, both men decide that they will defend their claim to the land with force. Upon meeting, the two become pinned under a tree.

Both men have a sudden change of heart and agree to a complete reconciliation. They call out to their respective parties, but the sound attracts wolves.

Two men, Ulrich von Gradwitz and Georg Znaeym, are both in a forested area on the Carpathian Mountains one night. The men are sworn enemies, embroiled in a generations-old land dispute. On this particular night, each hopes to find the other in order to kill him in defense of their property rights. Both men separate from their hunting party and happen upon one another in the forest. Before either can attack, the branch of a beech tree collapses on the two men and traps them both. The men initially quarrel but soon realize the futility of their vengeance and reconcile. They revel in dreams about the peaceful future and make plans to meet publicly as friends. After coming together, the two join their voices to get the attention of their hunting parties. Ulrich spots a crowd of supposed men approaching, but Georg cannot see due to the blood in his eyes. As the crowd nears, Ulrich realizes that the pack is not of men, but rather wolves.