Chapter II: Preface

Fifty years have hardly elapsed since Dr. Livingstone first entered the dark and benighted regions of South Africa as a missionary. Till then the country had been little less than a sealed book to the outside world, and the student of geography only knew its face as a blank and unknown void. History also stood silent, giving little information or evidence of what these hidden recesses in the Dark Continent might contain. What knowledge the world did have was limited to the coasts, and that only obtained through the prominence given it by the atrocious slave trade--at that time the leading feature of its commerce. But what a mighty change has been wrought since then! To-day, thanks to the missionary spirit, labors and exploits of Livingstone, who first planted the germs of Civilization and Christianity within her borders, as well as to the patient and persevering spirit of the bold and intrepid Stanley, upon whose shoulders so fitly fell the mantle of the dead Livingstone, we are in possession of a more comprehensive map of Africa. History, too, is no longer silent. Her pages now teem with marvellous accounts of the wonderful regions developed by these and other daring explorers--with the still more remarkable tales of the immeasurable wealth lying dormant and quietly awaiting the developing arms of Commerce. Geography and Science have also received a mighty impetus through the discoveries made by these fearless adventurers into the wilds of the Dark Continent; and to-day we are enabled to record the fact that a satisfactory solution to the great problems, which for ages have so much mystified the world, has been arrived at. The return of Stanley and his followers, with the fruits of their experiences and the light which they are able to throw upon the subject, will give to the literature of the world an addition of almost incalculable value. The expedition will take historic rank with the famous “retreat of the ten thousand” under Xenophon. As the tale unfolds, of the arduous toils and dangers encountered in the vast African wilderness, wonder at its success increases.

Though much has been done since Livingstone’s time to fill up the blanks of Central Africa’s physical geography, no expedition has ever returned with a richer harvest of discoveries than Stanley’s last. The almost impenetrable forest of the Aruwimi, probably the largest of African forests--extending over four hundred miles of latitude and longitude--with a dense jungle in all stages of decay, resounding with the murmurs of monkeys and chimpanzees, strange noises of birds and animals, and the crashes of troops of elephants rushing through the dark and tangled copse, is an obstacle that, once surmounted, gives us the hydrography of the greatest lake-system of the globe, adds to the giant mountains of geography the stately and snow-clad Ruwenzori, whose rocky peak towers eighteen or nineteen thousand feet above sea-level, and to the lakes the Albert Edward Nyanza, whence issues the mysterious stream which fertilizes Egypt and makes the valley of the Nile the most marvellous seat of human culture, art and science.

In STANLEY’S STORY the reader has presented a most thrilling narrative of the terrible experiences encountered, as well as a graphic account of these wonderful discoveries and the amazing achievements accomplished by Mr. Stanley during his career in Africa. The subject--one of unparalleled interest--is presented in the characteristic style of the writer, from thoroughly reliable information, data, and the official reports of Mr. Stanley himself. It favorably commends itself to every lover of geographical science, as well as to the admirer of the marvellous in life and nature. It has been prepared in a popular form, and at a price much lower than books of like character and value, and very much lower than others which claim to give the story of Stanley in Africa, but are simply compilations from the writings of the different explorers who have in times past essayed to traverse its vast interior, and failed. Stanley, however, has not failed. Fate has decreed otherwise. His story has been told. It is the only authentic story, as recorded in these pages, and the reader will find it not only interesting but highly entertaining and thoroughly instructive throughout.

THE PUBLISHERS.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.

A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF AFRICA -- ITS ANCIENT CIVILIZATION -- LITTLE
INFORMATION EXTANT IN RELATION TO LARGE PORTIONS OF THE CONTINENT
-- THE GREAT FIELD OF SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATION AND MISSIONARY LABOR
-- ACCOUNT OF A NUMBER OF EXPLORING EXPEDITIONS, INCLUDING THOSE
OF MUNGO PARK, DENHAM AND CLAPPERTON, AND OTHERS -- THEIR
PRACTICAL RESULTS -- DESIRE OF FURTHER INFORMATION INCREASED --
RECENT EXPLORATIONS, NOTABLY THOSE OF DR. LIVINGSTONE AND MR.
STANLEY, REPRESENTING THE NEW YORK “HERALD” NEWSPAPER 17

CHAPTER II.

GEOLOGY OF AFRICA--ANTIQUITY OF MAN.

THE GENERAL GEOLOGICAL FORMATION OF THE CONTINENT -- THE WANT OF
COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION -- SINGULAR FACTS AS TO THE DESERT OF
SAHARA -- THE QUESTION OF THE ANTIQUITY OF MAN -- IS AFRICA THE
BIRTHPLACE OF THE HUMAN RACE? -- OPINIONS OF SCIENTISTS TENDING
TO ANSWER IN THE AFFIRMATIVE -- DARWINISM 28

CHAPTER III.

THE RESULTS OF THE EXPLORATIONS IN AFRICA.

THE RESULT IN BEHALF OF SCIENCE, RELIGION AND HUMANITY OF THE
EXPLORATIONS AND MISSIONARY LABORS OF DR. LIVINGSTONE AND OTHERS
IN AFRICA -- REVIEW OF RECENT DISCOVERIES IN RESPECT TO THE
PEOPLE AND THE PHYSICAL NATURE OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT -- THE
DIAMOND FIELDS OF SOUTH AFRICA -- BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE
CONTINENT -- ITS CAPABILITIES AND ITS WANTS -- CHRISTIANITY AND
MODERN JOURNALISM DISSIPATING OLD BARBARISMS, AND LEADING THE WAY
TO TRIUMPHS OF CIVILIZATION 47

CHAPTER IV.

LIVINGSTONE’S SECOND (AND LAST) EXPEDITION TO AFRICA.

AGAIN LEAVES ENGLAND, MARCH, 1858 -- RESIGNING HIS POSITION AS
MISSIONARY FOR THE LONDON SOCIETY, HE IS APPOINTED BY THE BRITISH
GOVERNMENT CONSUL AT KILIMANE -- AFTER A BRIEF EXPLORATION ALONG
THE ZAMBESI, HE AGAIN VISITS ENGLAND -- SAILS ON HIS FINAL
EXPEDITION, AUGUST 14, 1865, AND PROCEEDS BY WAY OF BOMBAY TO
ZANZIBAR -- REPORT OF HIS MURDER ON THE SHORES OF NYASSA 70

CHAPTER V.

THE “HERALD” EXPEDITION OF SEARCH.

THE GREAT DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN JOURNALISM -- THE TELEGRAPH --
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, HORACE GREELEY, HENRY J. RAYMOND -- THE
MAGNITUDE OF AMERICAN JOURNALISTIC ENTERPRISE -- THE “HERALD”
SPECIAL SEARCH EXPEDITION FOR DR. LIVINGSTONE -- STANLEY A
CORRESPONDENT -- THE EXPEDITION ON ITS WAY TOWARD LIVINGSTONE 82

CHAPTER VI.

HENRY MORLAND STANLEY.

HIS NATIVITY -- EARLY LIFE -- COMES TO AMERICA -- HIS ADOPTION BY
A NEW ORLEANS MERCHANT -- HIS CAREER DURING THE CIVIL WAR --
BECOMES A CORRESPONDENT OF THE NEW YORK “HERALD” -- SAILS FOR THE
ISLAND OF CRETE TO ENLIST IN THE CAUSE OF THE CRETANS, THEN AT
WAR -- BUT CHANGES HIS MIND ON ARRIVING THERE -- INSTEAD
UNDERTAKES A JOURNEY THROUGH ASIA MINOR, THE PROVINCES OF RUSSIAN
ASIA, ETC. -- ATTACKED AND PLUNDERED BY TURKISH BRIGANDS --
RELIEVED BY HON. E. JOY MORRIS, THE AMERICAN MINISTER -- GOES TO
EGYPT -- TO ABYSSINIA -- REMARKABLE SUCCESS THERE -- HIS SUDDEN
CALL TO PARIS FROM MADRID BY MR. BENNETT, OF THE “HERALD” --
ACCOUNT OF THE INTERVIEW -- MR. STANLEY GOES TO FIND LIVINGSTONE
IN COMMAND OF THE “HERALD” LIVINGSTONE EXPEDITION 95

CHAPTER VII.

MR. STANLEY IN AFRICA.

THE SEARCH FOR DR. LIVINGSTONE ENERGETICALLY BEGUN -- PROGRESS
DELAYED BY WARS -- THE SUCCESSFUL JOURNEY FROM UNYANYEMBE TO
UJIJI IN 1871 -- THE “HERALD” CABLE TELEGRAM ANNOUNCING THE
SAFETY OF LIVINGSTONE -- THE BATTLES AND INCIDENTS OF THIS
NEWSPAPER CAMPAIGN -- RECEIPT OF THE GREAT NEWS -- THE HONOR
BESTOWED ON AMERICAN JOURNALISM 107

CHAPTER VIII.

THE MEETING OF LIVINGSTONE AND STANLEY.

THE “LAND OF THE MOON” -- DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY AND THE
PEOPLE -- HORRID SAVAGE RITES -- JOURNEY FROM UNYANYEMBE TO UJIJI
-- A WONDERFUL COUNTRY -- A MIGHTY RIVER SPANNED BY A BRIDGE OF
GRASS -- OUTWITTING THE SPOILERS -- STANLEY’S ENTRY INTO UJIJI,
AND MEETING WITH LIVINGSTONE -- THE GREAT TRIUMPH OF AN AMERICAN
NEWSPAPER 123

CHAPTER IX.

LIVINGSTONE AND STANLEY IN AFRICA.

THE GREAT EXPLORER AS A COMPANION -- HIS MISSIONARY LABORS -- THE
STORY OF HIS LATEST EXPLORATIONS -- THE PROBABLE SOURCES OF THE
NILE -- GREAT LAKES AND RIVERS -- THE COUNTRY AND PEOPLE OF
CENTRAL AFRICA -- A RACE OF AFRICAN AMAZONS -- THE SLAVE TRADE --
A HORRID MASSACRE -- THE DISCOVERER PLUNDERED 159

CHAPTER X.

LIVINGSTONE AND STANLEY IN AFRICA.

[CONTINUED.]

AN EXPLORATION OF TANGANYIKA LAKE -- RESULT -- CHRISTMAS AT UJIJI
-- LIVINGSTONE PROCEEDS WITH STANLEY TO UNYANYEMBE -- ACCOUNT OF
THE JOURNEY -- ALLEGED NEGLECT OF LIVINGSTONE BY THE BRITISH
CONSULATE AT ZANZIBAR -- DEPARTURE OF THE EXPLORER FOR THE
INTERIOR, AND OF MR. STANLEY FOR EUROPE 191

CHAPTER XI.

INTELLIGENCE OF THE SUCCESS OF THE “HERALD” ENTERPRISE.

MR. STANLEY’S DESPATCHES TO THE “HERALD” -- THEY CREATE A
PROFOUND SENSATION -- THE QUESTION OF THE AUTHENTICITY OF HIS
REPORTS -- CONCLUSIVE PROOF THEREOF -- TESTIMONY OF THE ENGLISH
PRESS, JOHN LIVINGSTONE, EARL GRANVILLE, AND THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND
HERSELF -- MR. STANLEY’S RECEPTION IN EUROPE -- AT PARIS --
IN LONDON -- THE BRIGHTON BANQUET -- HONORS FROM THE QUEEN 199

CHAPTER XII.

DR. LIVINGSTONE STILL IN AFRICA.

THE GREAT EXPLORER STILL IN SEARCH OF THE SOURCES OF THE NILE --
HIS LETTERS TO THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT ON HIS EXPLORATIONS --
CORRESPONDENCE WITH LORD STANLEY, LORD CLARENDON, EARL GRANVILLE,
DR. KIRK AND JAMES GORDON BENNETT, JR. -- HIS OWN DESCRIPTION OF
CENTRAL AFRICA AND THE SUPPOSED SOURCES OF THE NILE -- THE
COUNTRY AND PEOPLE -- A NATION OF CANNIBALS -- BEAUTIFUL WOMEN --
GORILLAS -- THE EXPLORER’S PLANS FOR THE FUTURE 211

CHAPTER XIII.

THE SLAVE TRADE OF EAST AFRICA.

DR. LIVINGSTONE’S LETTER UPON THE SUBJECT TO MR. BENNETT --
COMPARES THE SLAVE TRADE WITH PIRACY ON THE HIGH SEAS -- NATIVES
OF INTERIOR AFRICA AVERAGE SPECIMENS OF HUMANITY -- SLAVE TRADE
CRUELTIES -- DEATHS FROM BROKEN HEARTS -- THE NEED OF CHRISTIAN
CIVILIZATION -- BRITISH CULPABILITY 238

CHAPTER XIV.

THE ANIMAL KINGDOM OF AFRICA.

SOME ACCOUNTS OF THE BEASTS, BIRDS, REPTILES AND INSECTS OF
AFRICA -- LIVINGSTONE’S OPINION OF THE LION -- ELEPHANTS,
HIPPOPOTAMI, RHINOCEROSES, ETC. -- WILD ANIMALS SUBJECT TO
DISEASE -- REMARKABLE HUNTING EXPLORATIONS -- CUMMING SLAYS MORE
THAN ONE HUNDRED ELEPHANTS -- DU CHAILLU AND THE GORILLA --
THRILLING INCIDENTS -- VAST PLAINS COVERED WITH GAME -- FORESTS
FILLED WITH BIRDS -- IMMENSE SERPENTS --THE PYTHON OF SOUTH
AFRICA -- ANTS AND OTHER INSECTS 248

CHAPTER XV.

THE LAST JOURNEY AND THE DEATH OF DR. LIVINGSTONE.

DR. LIVINGSTONE ANXIOUSLY AWAITS THE RECRUITS AND SUPPLIES SENT
BY MR. STANLEY -- ON THEIR ARRIVAL SETS OUT SOUTHWESTWARD ON HIS
LAST JOURNEY -- REACHES KISERI, WHERE CHRONIC DYSENTERY SEIZES
HIM -- HE REFUSES TO YIELD; BUT PUSHES ON, TILL INCREASING
DEBILITY COMPELS HIM TO STOP AND RETRACE HIS STEPS -- HE SINKS
RAPIDLY, AND ON MAY 4TH BREATHES HIS LAST -- HIS ATTENDANTS TAKE
NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO INSURE THE RETURN OF THE CORPSE TO
ENGLAND -- LETTER FROM MR. HOLMWOOD, ATTACHÉ OF THE BRITISH
CONSULATE AT ZANZIBAR 281

CHAPTER XVI.

THE CORPSE BORNE TO ENGLAND, AND LAID IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

THE BODY OF DR. LIVINGSTONE BORNE TO UNYANYEMBE BY HIS
ATTENDANTS, AND THENCE TO ZANZIBAR -- THE BRITISH CONSUL-GENERAL
SENDS IT, WITH THE DOCTOR’S PAPERS, BOOKS, ETC., TO ENGLAND --
ARRIVAL AT SOUTHAMPTON AND AT LONDON -- THE PEOPLE VIE IN
TRIBUTES OF RESPECT -- THE FUNERAL -- THE GRAVE IN WESTMINSTER
ABBEY 289

CHAPTER XVII.

FURTHER DETAILS OF THE DEATH OF LIVINGSTONE.

THE LAST NIGHT -- EXPIRES IN THE ACT OF PRAYING -- COUNCIL OF THE
MEN -- NOBLE CONDUCT OF CHITAMBO -- THE PREPARATION OF THE CORPSE
-- HONOR SHOWN TO DR. LIVINGSTONE -- INTERMENT OF THE HEART AT
CHITAMBO’S -- HOMEWARD MARCH FROM ILALA -- ILLNESS OF ALL THE MEN
-- DEATHS -- THE LUAPULU -- REACH TANGANYIKA -- LEAVE THE LAKE --
CROSS THE LAMBALAMFIPA RANGE -- IMMENSE HERDS OF GAME -- NEWS OF
EAST COAST SEARCH EXPEDITION -- CONFIRMATION OF NEWS --
AVANT-COURIERS SENT FORWARD TO UNYANYEMBE -- CHUMA MEETS LIEUT.
CAMERON -- SAD DEATH OF DR. DILLON -- THE BODY EFFECTUALLY
CONCEALED -- ARRIVAL ON THE COAST 298

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE ANGLO-AMERICAN EXPEDITION.

HENRY M. STANLEY’S NEW MISSION -- THE UNFINISHED TASK OF
LIVINGSTONE -- THE COMMISSION OF MR. STANLEY BY THE “DAILY
TELEGRAPH,” OF LONDON, AND THE NEW YORK “HERALD,” TO COMMAND THE
NEW EXPEDITION TO CENTRAL AFRICA -- MR. STANLEY’S ARRIVAL AT
ZANZIBAR -- FITTING OUT HIS EXPEDITION AND ENLISTING MANY OF HIS
OLD CAPTAINS AND CHIEFS -- SETS SAIL FOR THE WEST COAST OF THE
ZANZIBAR SEA AND TOWARDS THE DARK CONTINENT -- ARRIVAL AT
BAGAMOYO -- COMPLETES HIS FORCES AND TAKES UP HIS LINE OF MARCH
INLAND -- INCIDENTS ATTENDING HIS MARCH TO MPWAPWA 351