His foot touched the protruding bough that was the trigger. even as he touched it, the general sensed his danger and leaped back with the agility of an ape. but he was not quite quick enough; the dead tree, delicately adjusted to rest on the cut living one, crashed down and struck the general a glancing blow on the shoulder as it fell; but for his alertness, he must have been smashed beneath it. he staggered, but he did not fall; nor did he drop his revolver. he stood there, rubbing his injured shoulder, and rainsford, with fear again gripping his heart, heard the general's mocking laugh ring through the jungle.