TAITA TO KILIMA-NJAR 0. 
they checked the impetuous onslaught of the brigands, 
and were able, moreover, to kill many of the bewildered 
Masai with their guns before these people could creep 
round or destroy the barrier. As the Masai never throw 
their spears, but always use them and most of their 
other arms in hand-to-hand conflict, they are naturally 
at a disadvantage when opposed to an enemy who has 
entrenched himself behind a slight fortification and can 
use his firearms to advantage. 
Passing in through a second and easier doorway, 
we found ourselves in full view of banana plantations, 
standing out in glistening green against a background 
of stately forest. Here and there small groups of bee¬ 
hive huts stood in a clearing, surrounded by tall wooden 
fences. We had fired a salute of guns when approach¬ 
ing Taveita, to announce to its inhabitants, with many 
a sonorous boom re-echoing through the forest alleys, 
that strangers were arriving with peaceable and friendly 
intentions, and a wish to trade. As I was in the act 
of crossing a narrow rivulet, by means of the slippery 
stem of a banana that has been thrown across it, I 
caught sight of the first natives, who were on their 
way to inspect our caravan, and when I looked up, and 
they saw my white face and strange costume, a glad 
shout of surprise went up from their wide mouths, 
and they pushed forward to seize and shake me by the 
hand. 
Such an unusual and demonstrative welcome gave 
me a pleasant impression of Taveita to commence with, 
and this, I am glad to say, was strengthened as time 
went on. Its inhabitants were, however, not only 
remarkable for their bonhomie and kindly disposition, 
but presented other notable characteristics which were 
not long in impressing themselves on my observation. 
