A Thousand Miles in a Machilla 



Lakes settlement, in which the Company's offices, 

 stores, and the residences of their staff are situated — 

 a very convenient arrangement. *'Mandala" was 

 the first native word that struck me on landing at 

 Chinde; I inquired its meaning, and was informed 

 that it meant spectacles, and was the nickname 

 given by the natives to one of the first traders of 

 the Company, who always wore glasses. From the 

 individual, the nickname spread to the Company, so 

 that it is now known as the Mandala Company 

 throughout Nyasaland and North-East Rhodesia. 



The following day being Sunday we were un- 

 able to do any business, but we had the pleasure 

 of lunching with the Resident and dining with 

 the Manager of the African Lakes Company, the 

 Honourable A. Kidney, member of the Legislative 

 Council of Nyasaland, who gave us much valuable 

 information as regards the country. 



Early Monday morning we went to the Com- 

 pany's store to complete the preparations for our 

 shooting expedition. 



In coming to a decision about our future plans 

 we had to take into consideration that the rainy 

 season in Nyasaland commences early in Novem- 

 ber, and that with its advent we should be obliged 

 to leave the country, as travelling becomes difficult 

 and the climate unhealthy. 



Two routes were open to us: to go back the 

 way we had come, or make a round through North- 

 East Rhodesia and return to the coast by the railway 

 from Broken Hill. As travellers a march through 

 North- East Rhodesia offered us great attractions, so 



