8o 
EAST AFRICA AND ITS BIG GAME. 
with, and the impenetrable maze of jungle-growth 
forms a natural rampart which can only be traversed 
by means of four narrow winding tracks known as the 
Lanjora, Useri, Kahe, and Pangani paths. These, 
when there is any fear of attack from outside, are 
effectually blocked by cutting down a few trees and 
letting the timber fall across them, while the main 
gateways are also built up with logs. 
Here, secure in their stronghold fastness, the 
Wa-taveta live a peaceable and uneventful, though 
somewhat idle, life; the men do no work, as what 
little there is to be done, such as scratching the soil— 
all that is needed before it receives the seed—reaping 
the harvest, tending the cattle, and cutting w T ood, is 
performed by the women and children. They are on 
friendly terms with most of the neighbouring tribes, 
and those who are hostile have learnt by bitter experi¬ 
ence the dangers of any attempted molestation. Even 
the warlike Masai have ceased from their attacks 
after several fruitless efforts to invade this stronghold, 
for the Wa-taveta, though essentially unwarlike and 
unaggressive, know how to defend themselves when 
assailed. 
Apart from the impenetrability of their forest, another 
great reason which renders them so secure is, that even 
in the event of being taken by surprise and an entry 
effected by a hostile force before the paths could be 
blocked up, there is no regular village to be found 
inside, and therefore nothing very tangible to be 
attacked. The inhabitants live in beehive huts made 
