It was of course a mere accident that they did so, and owing to the nature of the ground; but such was the case, and Von Bloom had observed it on several occasions.

They were accustomed to enter by the gorge, already described; and, after drinking, wade along the shallow edge for some yards, and then pass out by another break in the bank.
The knowledge of this fact was of the utmost importance, and all saw that at once.

A pit-fall dug upon the path by which the animals entered the lake, would no doubt operate as Hendrik said--one might be caught, and all the rest frightened off.

But a similar trap placed upon the trail that led outward, would bring about a very different result.

Once the quaggas had finished drinking, and just at the moment they were heading out of the water, the hunters could show themselves upon the opposite side, set the troop in quick motion, and _gallop them into the trap_.