Fort Melangani to Dedza 



strong wind was fresh, however, and we were 

 glad of the shelter of our tent. Mr. Webb returned 

 soon after our arrival, and as it was still cold at 

 night, most kindly offered us a room in his house, 

 which we accepted with pleasure. 



Sir Alfred Sharpe had told A to be sure 



and go to the top of Dedza mountain for good 

 bushbuck. He was anxious to go, but as the side 

 of the mountain looked as easy to climb as the side 

 of a house, he did not quite see his way to it. Mr. 

 Webb soon settled that difficulty by explaining to 

 us the uses of the "calico machilla," as it is called; 

 a strip of calico about a yard broad and a dozen or 

 more yards in length loosely tied round the waist. 



A started off soon after lunch with plenty of 



warm wraps, as the wind was reported to be keen 

 at the top. At the foot of the mountain the calico 

 was put round his body, the ends twisted up like a 

 rope ; eight stalwart machilla men took hold of it 

 and walked him steadily up the hill a matter of 

 some two thousand feet. 



A told me that under these circumstances 



walking uphill was much the same as walking on 

 the flat. 



At the top there was a beautiful view, and 

 although the wind was bitter to windward of the 

 saddleback which ran along the summit, to leeward 

 the air was perfect. After walking a short distance 



further A was fortunate enough to sight a fine 



buck, which he shot; the beast carried a good head, 

 and in his long winter coat looked almost black. 

 Coming down the steep hill in the dusk was rather 



57 



