For this reason it was, that upon that side, the bank was paddled all over with tracks of animals that had been to drink.

Hendrik the hunter had observed among them the footprints of many kinds he knew nothing about.
It was for the lower end of the lake the kobaoba was making--no doubt with him an old and favourite drinking-place.
There was a point where the water was easier of access than elsewhere--a little to one side of where the wash or waste-stream of the lake ran out.

It was a sort of cove with bright sandy beach, and approachable from the plain by a miniature gorge, hollowed out, no doubt, by the long usage of those animals who came to drink at the vley.

By entering this cove, the tallest animals might get deep water and good bottom, so that they could drink without much straining or stooping.

The kobaoba came on in a direct line for the lake; and as he drew near, they could see him heading for the gorge that led into the little cove.