CHAPTER XVli. 
TAVETA. 
INDING ourselves in such a delightful spot, and 
A among a most interesting people, I made no 
hurry to leave Taveta. After our late experiences a 
little rest was desirable; I was anxious to see and 
hear as much as I could; it was important that I 
should create a favourable impression upon the minds 
of the natives in regard to myself ; and to do these 
things required that I should stay in the place some 
days at least. I remained there a whole week, and be- 
fore proceeding with the narrative it may be as well to 
give a condensed account of the place and people. 
Taveta is a strip of very fine forest stretching along 
the course of the Lumi stream, not quite a day's 
march to the north of the lake Jipe. It is not of large 
extent, being not more than four hours' march through- 
out its entire length, and only aboiit one-half of this 
in breadth. It is extremely fertile, as its splendid 
forest trees, luxuriant plantains, heavy crops of Indian 
corn, and thriving gardens of pulse proclaim. This 
fertility is due to the presence of the ever-flowing 
waters of the Lumi, which poured through the country 
