Evidently what had happened was this: The sable antelope had come down to drink at the pool where the lion--no doubt the same which we had heard--was lying in wait.

While the antelope drank, the lion had sprung upon him, only to be received upon the sharp curved horns and transfixed.

Once before I saw a similar thing happen.
Then the lion, unable to free himself, had torn and bitten at the back and neck of the bull, which, maddened with fear and pain, had rushed on until it dropped dead.
As soon as we had examined the beasts sufficiently we called the Kafirs, and between us managed to drag their carcases up to the scherm.
After that we went in and lay down, to wake no more till dawn.
With the first light we were up and making ready for the fray.

We took with us the three eight-bore rifles, a good supply of ammunition, and our large water-bottles, filled with weak cold tea, which I have always found the best stuff to shoot on.

After swallowing a little breakfast we started, Umbopa, Khiva, and Ventvoegel accompanying us.