Summary

Francis Macomber and his wife Margaret are on safari in Africa. Robert Wilson, a professional hunter, accompanies them, along with several local hired servants. The story begins at lunchtime where the three have gathered in the dining tent, drinking vodka gimlets. Shortly before, a group of servants had carried Macomber to his tent in a display of triumph followed by a brief, wordless exchange with his wife. In the dining tent, Wilson congratulates Macomber on his lion, eliciting a slight glare from Mrs. Macomber, a beautiful woman of distinguished social position. Wilson smiles at her in response with his red face and cold blue eyes. Francis Macomber is described as 35, relatively handsome, and tall. Despite the fact that he considers himself physically fit, good at court games and a successful fisherman, he has just shown himself to actually be a coward...