CHAPTER VIII. 
Taveta camp—The effect of shooting a giraffe during the march—Taveta 
forest—The Wa-taveta—Discharge of the Mission men—House-build¬ 
ing, drinking, and dancing—A death—Departure of B-and Mr. 
Jackson—Game-pits—A disgusting ceremony. 
Taveta is a little over 230 miles from the coast by 
the road, and about 170 miles as the crow flies from 
Mombasa,' and our present camp, the elevation of 
which was 2400 feet, presented a very neat appearance. 
The ground belonged to Martin, who, during his trip 
through Masai-land with Mr. Thomson, had occasion 
to stop here some weeks and bought the plot, which 
was then covered with its virgin forest growth. After 
clearing this away he built a house for himself and his 
stores, and huts for the men, these latter forming three 
sides of a large square, the fourth side being bounded 
by a sparkling little river well stocked with fish. A 
thorn hedge with a strong gateway surrounded the 
clearing, the centre of which was adorned by a high 
flagstaff flying the union-jack when the camp was 
occupied. On the outside a variety of majestic trees 
of great height, their massive branches clothed with 
thick foliage, partially protected the camp from the 
fierce heat of the mid-day sun. 
B-- told me he shot a fine giraffe on the march 
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