One was that wild animals drink at night, and that they have regular drinking places.

I thought that the likeliest place for crocodiles was at or around such spots, and, therefore, I resolved to take the water away from a drinking place.

I went up the bank, noting where the narrow bush-paths emerged on the water-side.

I scared away several little buck, and once the violent commotion in the bush showed that I had frightened some bigger animal, perhaps a hartebeest.

Still following the bank I came to a reach where the undergrowth was unbroken and the water looked deeper.
Suddenly--I fear I must use this adverb often, for all the happenings on that night were sudden--I saw a biggish animal break through the reeds on the far side.