"The Interlopers" is a story that begins with enmity, transitions toward reconciliation, and transitions again with its ending, in which both characters are left helpless against forces entirely outside of their control.
Saki's story begins with an image of Ulrich von Gradwitz hunting in the forest—not for animal game, but rather for a human opponent. From this first paragraph, Saki then proceeds to detail the backstory of the two families and the boundary dispute that is the source of the hostility between Ulrich and his adversary, Georg Znaeym.
The story changes abruptly, however, after the two come face to face. (Keep in mind, the sheer depth of their mutual hatred for one another.) Saki writes, "each had a rifle in his hand, each had hate in his heart and murder uppermost in his mind." However, the scene takes an abrupt when one of the trees collapses down on them, leaving both men trapped and vulnerable.
As the two men are trapped, gradually their attitude shifts. Initially, each man swears to kill the other, should his men find them first. But being trapped in this helpless situation cools that hostility. Ulrich is the first to reach out an olive branch—offering Georg some of his wine—and then, after Georg refuses the offer, he declares that he has changed his mind on his earlier vow: should his men find them first, he would have them both be rescued. He asks that they end their hostility and become friends, and Georg accepts this offer. Out of their shared plight, the two enemies are reconciled and become friends.
That being said, however, even if they are resolved to become friendly with one another, they remain trapped and helpless. This brings about the ending—where both men are shouting for help in order to be rescued, only to watch as wolves approach.
The feud between the families of the von Gradwitzes and Znaeyms began with a lawsuit in the days of the grandfathers of Ulrich and Georg, but the animosity and ill will between the two young men is exacerbated by Ulrich von Gradwitz's strong hatred for Georg Znaeym. It is only an act of Nature that brings them together.
Because of this ill will, Ulrich goes into the forest where there is "a disturbing element," and he comes face-to-face with his enemy. A force of nature brings a huge beech tree's limbs down upon them, leaving the two men pinioned beneath it. At first, they curse each other and boast that each one's men will arrive before the other's and revenge will be served. As they wait to be rescued and their discomfort increases, Ulrich reconsiders his feelings. The wine in his flask is warming, so he offers it in a gesture of friendship to the other man, Georg Znaeym: "Let us drink, even if tonight one of us dies." At first, Georg rejects this offer from an enemy." As they lie in pain, though, the two men reconsider what is important in life. Ulrich says to Georg,
I've come to think we've been rather fools; there are better things in life than getting the better of a boundary dispute. Neighbor, if you will help me to bury the old quarrel, I—I will ask you to be my friend.
After some thought, Georg speaks in reconciliation,
What peace there would be among the forester folk if we ended our feud tonight. . . Ulrich von Gradwitz, I will be your friend.
Then, in a gesture of true friendship, each man offers to have his men help the other if they arrive first.
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