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[Illustration: H. M. STANLEY
EMIN BEY]
STANLEY’S STORY
Or
Through the Wilds of Africa
A Thrilling Narrative
Of His
Remarkable Adventures, Terrible Experiences,
Wonderful Discoveries and Amazing
Achievements in
The Dark Continent.
Giving Accounts of his Discovery of Dr. Livingstone, the Lost
Explorer; his Great Overland Journey Across the Dark Continent; the
Great Mysteries of the past five thousand years, as solved by him; his
Exploration of the Congo; the Founding of the Congo Free State, and
the Opening of Equatorial Africa to Commerce, Civilization and
Christianity; his Expedition to the Relief of Emin Bey in the Egyptian
Soudan, with its Terrible Experiences of Starvation, Misery and Death;
and a Resume of all his Wonderful Discoveries and their Great Value to
Geographical and Scientific Knowledge, to the present time, and
covering his entire career in
Southern and Central Africa.
From Information, Data, and the Official Reports
of
Henry M. Stanley.
By our Special Foreign Correspondent,
COL. A. G. FEATHER.
Richly and Profusely Embellished with Many Full-Page Plain and
Colored Illustrations.
Philadelphia:
John E. Potter & Company,
1111 and 1113 Market Street.
[Illustration]
Copyright
by John E. Potter & Company,
1890.
All Rights Reserved.
CAUTION.
The Engravings in this book, as well as the printed matter, being
fully protected by copyright, we desire to caution all persons against
copying or reproducing in any form. Any one so offending will be
prosecuted.
[Illustration]
DEDICATION.
TO THE
BRAVE AND FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS
THROUGH WHOSE
FIDELITY AND UNSELFISH DEVOTION TO DUTY, UNFALTERING COURAGE
AND PATIENT SUFFERING UNDER SEVERE TRIALS, HE WAS
ENABLED TO SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISH
HIS GREAT MISSION,
AS ALSO
To those Public Spirited Citizens
WHO THROUGH THEIR GENEROUS LIBERALITY SO ABLY AND
CHEERFULLY SUPPORTED
The Emin Bey Relief Expedition,
THIS VOLUME IS MOST CORDIALLY
DEDICATED.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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
CHAPTER XIX.
STANLEY’S ROUTE TO VICTORIA NYANZA.
SPENDS CHRISTMAS AT ZINGEH -- THE RAINY SEASON SETS IN -- FAMINE
OR SCARCITY OF FOOD -- HALF RATIONS -- EXTORTIONATE CHIEFS LEVY
BLACKMAIL -- ARRIVAL AT JIWENI -- THROUGH JUNGLE TO KITALALO --
THE PLAIN OF SALINA -- “NOT A DROP OF WATER” -- BELLICOSE NATIVES
-- TROUBLE WITH MANY OF HIS FOLLOWERS -- VALUABLE SERVICES
RENDERED HIM BY FRANK AND EDWARD POCOCK AND FREDERICK BARKER --
FREQUENT QUARRELS -- THE TRIALS OF STANLEY -- CAMP AT MTIWI --
TERRIBLE RAIN STORM AND SAD PLIGHT OF STANLEY AND HIS PEOPLE --
MISLED BY HIS GUIDE, IS LOST IN A WILD OF LOW SCRUB AND BRUSH --
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCES -- STARVATION IMPENDING -- SENDS FOR RELIEF
TO SUNA IN URIMI -- THE WELCOME MEAL OF OATMEAL -- A SINGULAR
COOKING UTENSIL -- DEATH OF EDWARD POCOCK -- THE WEARY MARCH FROM
THE WARIMI TO MGONGO TEMBE -- THE BEAUTIFUL USIHA -- REACHES
VICTORIA NYANZA FEBRUARY 27TH, 1875 -- ENTERS KAGEHYI -- RECEIVES
ITS HOSPITALITIES -- THE END OF A JOURNEY OF 720 MILES IN 103
DAYS 360
CHAPTER XX.
EXPLORATION OF VICTORIA NYANZA.
PREPARING THE _LADY ALICE_ FOR SEA -- SELECTS HIS CREW -- THE
START FOR THE CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF LAKE VICTORIA -- AFLOAT ON THE
LAKE -- A NIGHT AT UVUMA -- BARMECIDE FARE -- MESSAGE FROM MTESA
-- CAMP ON SOWEH ISLAND -- AN EXTRAORDINARY MONARCH -- MTESA,
EMPEROR OF UGANDA -- ARRIVAL AT THE IMPERIAL CAPITAL -- GLOWING
DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY -- A GRAND MISSION FIELD -- THE
TREACHERY OF BUMBIREH -- SAVED -- REFUGE ISLAND -- RETURN TO CAMP
AT KAGEHYI 372
CHAPTER XXI.
RETURNS TO UGANDA.
LEAVES KAGEHYI WITH HALF HIS EXPEDITION -- ARRIVAL AT REFUGE
ISLAND -- BRINGS UP THE REST -- ENCAMPED ON REFUGE ISLAND --
INTERVIEWED BY IROBA CANOES -- STANLEY’S FRIENDSHIP SCORNED --
THE KING OF BUMBIREH HELD AS A HOSTAGE -- THE MASSACRE OF KYTAWA
CHIEF AND HIS CREW -- THE PUNISHMENT OF THE MURDERERS -- ITS
SALUTARY EFFECT UPON THEIR NEIGHBORS -- ARRIVAL IN UGANDA -- LIFE
AND MANNERS IN UGANDA -- THE EMPEROR -- THE LAND -- _EN ROUTE_
FOR MUTA NZIGÉ -- THE WHITE PEOPLE OF GAMBARAGARA -- LAKE
WINDERMERE -- RUMANIKA, THE KING OF KARAGWÉ -- HIS COUNTRY -- THE
INGEZI -- THE HOT SPRINGS OF MTAGATA -- UBAGWÉ -- MSENÉ -- ACROSS
THE MALAGARAZI TO UJIJI -- SAD REFLECTIONS 389
CHAPTER XXII.
WESTWARD ALONG THE CONGO TO THE ATLANTIC.
SURVEYS LAKE TANGANYIKA -- SETTLES THE QUESTION OF THE RIVER
LUGUKA -- AN OUTBREAK OF SMALL-POX AND FEVER IN UJIJI -- CAUSES
STANLEY TO DEPART -- PUSHES HIS WAY ALONG THE RIGHT BANK OF THE
LUALALA TO THE NYANGWE -- OVERLAND THROUGH UREGGA -- BROUGHT TO A
STANDSTILL BY AN IMPENETRABLE FOREST -- CROSSES OVER TO THE LEFT
BANK -- NORTHEAST USKUSA -- DENSE JUNGLES -- OPPOSED AND HARASSED
BY HOSTILE SAVAGES -- ASSAILED NIGHT AND DAY -- THE PROGRESS OF
THE EXPEDITION ALMOST HOPELESS -- DESERTED BY FORTY OF HIS
PORTERS -- TAKES TO THE RIVER AS THE ONLY CHANCE TO ESCAPE --
PASS THE CATARACTS BY CUTTING A ROAD THROUGH THIRTEEN MILES OF
DENSE FOREST FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE _LADY ALICE_ AND THE CANOES
-- ALMOST INCESSANTLY FIGHTING THE SAVAGES -- THREATENED WITH
STARVATION -- THREE DAYS WITHOUT FOOD -- MEET WITH A FRIENDLY
TRIBE WITH WHOM THEY BARTER FOR SUPPLIES -- MANY FALLS AND
FURIOUS RAPIDS -- AGAIN ATTACKED BY A MORE WARLIKE TRIBE, ARMED
WITH FIREARMS -- ALMOST STARVED AND WORN-OUT WITH FATIGUE,
REACHES ISANGILA -- LEAVES THE RIVER -- TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS OF
HIS PEOPLE -- RELIEF FROM EMBOMMA -- REACH EMBOMMA -- KABINDA AND
LONDA -- SAIL FOR CAPE OF GOOD HOPE -- THENCE RETURN BY STEAMER
TO ZANZIBAR -- CLOSE OF THE EXPEDITION 404
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE WONDERFUL RESOURCES OF THE CONGO.
THE MESSENGERS OF KING LEOPOLD II., OF BELGIUM -- MEET STANLEY AT
MARSEILLES, FRANCE -- OBJECT OF THE INTERVIEW -- ANOTHER
EXPEDITION TO AFRICA, TO EXPLORE THE CONGO, IN THE INTERESTS OF
COMMERCE -- THE COMITÉ D’ETUDES DU HAUT CONGO -- OBJECT OF THE
EXPEDITION DEFINED -- STANLEY RETURNS TO AFRICA -- ARRIVAL AT THE
MOUTH OF THE CONGO -- COMMERCIAL POSSIBILITIES OF THE CONGO BASIN
-- RAILWAYS NECESSARY -- THE POPULATION -- STATISTICS OF TRADE --
PRODUCTS OF THE IMMENSE FORESTS -- MARVELLOUS BEAUTY OF THE
COUNTRY -- VEGETABLE PRODUCTS -- PALMS -- INDIA-RUBBER PLANTS --
THE ORCHILLA -- REDWOOD POWDER -- VEGETABLE FIBRES -- SKINS OF
ANIMALS -- IVORY -- THE CLIMATE -- IMPORTANCE OF THE EXPEDITION,
BOTH COMMERCIALLY AND POLITICALLY -- RETURN OF STANLEY TO ENGLAND 420
CHAPTER XXIV.
FOUNDING OF THE FREE CONGO STATE.
THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE CONGO SEEKS RECOGNITION FROM
FOREIGN POWERS -- TREATY BETWEEN ENGLAND AND PORTUGAL -- EARL
GRANVILLE -- CLAIMS OF PORTUGAL -- CONCESSION OF ENGLAND -- KING
LEOPOLD OBTAINS THE ASSISTANCE OF THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR AND THE
SYMPATHIES OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC -- PRINCE BISMARCK PROTESTS --
LETTER TO BARON DE COURCEL, FRENCH AMBASSADOR AT BERLIN -- THE
BARON’S REPLY -- FRANCE AND GERMANY IN ACCORD -- CALL FOR A
CONFERENCE OF THE POWERS AT BERLIN -- THE CONFERENCE ASSEMBLES --
PRINCE BISMARCK OPENS THE CONFERENCE WITH AN ADDRESS STATING ITS
OBJECT -- MR. STANLEY A DELEGATE -- ASKED TO GIVE HIS VIEWS --
MR. STANLEY’S SUGGESTIONS -- DELIBERATIONS OF THE CONFERENCE --
RESULTS OF THE CONFERENCE -- PROTOCOL SIGNED BY ALL THE
PLENIPOTENTIARIES -- THE UNITED STATES THE FIRST TO PUBLICLY
RECOGNIZE THE FLAG OF THE FREE CONGO STATE -- HONORS TO MR.
STANLEY IN GERMANY 431
CHAPTER XXV.
EMIN PASHA, GOVERNOR OF THE SOUDANESE PROVINCES.
SKETCH OF HIS EARLY LIFE -- HIS REAL NAME -- A SILESIAN BY BIRTH
-- STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BRESLAU -- BECOMES A PHYSICIAN --
GOES TO TURKEY, AND THENCE TO ANTIVARI AND SCUTARI -- ATTACHED TO
THE COURT OF VALIS ISMAEL PASHA HAGGI -- RETURNS HOME 1873 -- IN
1875 GOES TO EGYPT -- ENTERS THE EGYPTIAN SERVICE AS “DR. EMIN
EFFENDI” -- MEETS WITH GENERAL GORDON -- RECEIVES THE POST OF
COMMANDER OF LADO, TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE EQUATORIAL
PROVINCE -- DEATH OF GENERAL GORDON AND RETREAT OF LORD
WOLSELEY’S ARMY -- BECOMES DEPENDENT UPON HIS OWN RESOURCES AFTER
ALL COMMUNICATION WITH THE EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT IS CUT OFF --
ENCOMPASSED BY HOSTILE TRIBES, IS LOST TO THE REST OF THE WORLD
-- A RESUME OF WHAT HE EFFECTED IN HIS ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLIC
AFFAIRS -- HIS DIARY -- EXTRACTS SENT TO FRIENDS -- INSURRECTION,
AND INVASION OF THE PROVINCE BY THE MAHDI’S FORCES -- HIS
POSITION VERY CRITICAL -- EXCITES THE SYMPATHY OF THE WHOLE WORLD 446
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE EMIN BEY RELIEF EXPEDITION.
PUBLIC OPINION IN ENGLAND -- A RELIEF COMMITTEE ORGANIZED --
SUBSCRIPTION OF FUNDS TO DEFRAY THE EXPENSES OF AN EXPEDITION --
HENRY M. STANLEY CALLED TO ENGLAND BY CABLE -- ACCEPTS COMMAND OF
THE RELIEF EXPEDITION -- STANLEY’S OPINION AS TO THE CHARACTER OF
THE EXPEDITION AND THE BEST ROUTE -- REACHES ZANZIBAR -- MEETS
TIPPU-TIB -- SUPPLIED WITH 600 CARRIERS -- CONSENTS TO ACCOMPANY
STANLEY -- SAILS FOR THE MOUTH OF THE CONGO FEBRUARY 25TH --
REACHES THE ARUWIMI IN JUNE -- LEAVES A REARGUARD AT YAMBUYA --
ADVANCES TOWARDS ALBERT NYANZA ALONG THE VALLEY OF THE ARUWIMI --
STARTLING RUMORS -- STANLEY AND EMIN REPORTED TO BE IN THE HANDS
OF THE ARABS -- A LETTER IN PROOF RECEIVED FROM A MAHDIST OFFICER
IN THE SOUDAN -- NEWS OF DISASTERS ON THE CONGO -- MURDER OF DR.
BARTTELOT -- DEATH OF MR. JAMIESON -- THE GLOOMY NEWS REGARDING
STANLEY’S FATE -- THE OPINION OF THOMSON, THE AFRICAN TRAVELLER
-- NEWS OF STANLEY’S ARRIVAL AT EMIN’S CAPITAL RECEIVED DECEMBER,
1888 -- FIRST NEWS FROM STANLEY HIMSELF APRIL 3, 1889 -- FULL
ACCOUNT OF HIS MARCH, AND THE TERRIBLE EXPERIENCES SUFFERED, FROM
YAMBUYA TO THE ALBERT NYANZA 457
CHAPTER XXVII.
MEETING OF STANLEY AND EMIN PASHA.
EMIN PASHA ARRIVES BY STEAMER, ACCOMPANIED BY CASATI AND MR.
JEPHSON -- MEETING WITH STANLEY -- CAMP TOGETHER FOR TWENTY-SIX
DAYS -- STANLEY RETURNS TO FORT BODO -- LEAVES JEPHSON WITH EMIN
-- RELIEVES CAPT. NELSON AND LIEUT. STAIRS -- TERRIBLE LOSS
SUFFERED BY LIEUT. STAIR’S PARTY -- LEAVES FORT BODO FOR
KILONGA-LONGA’S AND UGARROWWA -- THE LATTER DESERTED -- MEETS THE
REAR COLUMN OF THE EXPEDITION A WEEK LATER AT BUNALYA -- MEETS
BONNY, AND LEARNS OF THE DEATH OF MAJOR BARTTELOT -- TERRIBLE
WRECK OF THE REAR COLUMN -- SEVENTY-ONE OUT OF TWO HUNDRED AND
FIFTY-SEVEN LEFT -- THE RECORD ONE OF DISASTER, DESERTION AND
DEATH -- INTERVIEW WITH EMIN -- EMIN’S CONDITION -- EMIN AND
JEPHSON SURROUNDED BY THE REBELS AND TAKEN PRISONERS -- STANLEY’S
RETURN A SECOND TIME TO ALBERT NYANZA -- LETTER OF STANLEY
GEOGRAPHICALLY DESCRIBING THE FOREST REGION TRAVERSED BY HIM --
SKETCHES THE COURSE OF THE ARUWIMI -- A RETROSPECT OF HIS
THRILLING EXPERIENCES AS FAR AS THE VICTORIA NYANZA, AUGUST 28TH,
1889 481
CHAPTER XXVIII.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISCOVERIES _EN ROUTE_.
FINDS THAT BAKER HAS MADE AN ERROR -- ALTITUDES OF LAKE ALBERT
AND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS -- VACOVIA -- DISCOVERS THE LOFTY
RUEVENZORI -- THE NILE OR THE CONGO? -- THE SEMLIKI RIVER -- THE
PLAINS OF NOONGORA -- THE SALT LAKES OF KATIVE -- NEW PEOPLES,
WAKONYU OF THE GREAT MOUNTAINS -- THE AWAMBA -- WASONYORA --
WANYORA BANDITS -- LAKE ALBERT EDWARD -- THE TRIBES AND SHEPHERD
RACES OF THE EASTERN UPLANDS -- WANYANKORI -- WANYARUWAMBA --
WAZINYA -- A HARVEST OF NEW FACTS -- THE IMPORTANCE OF STANLEY’S
ADDITION TO THE VICTORIA NYANZA 501
CHAPTER XXIX.
FROM THE ALBERT NYANZA TO THE INDIAN OCEAN.
EMIN PASHA’S INDECISION -- MUCH TIME WASTED -- STANLEY GROWS
IMPATIENT -- JEPHSON’S REPORT -- STANLEY DEMANDS POSITIVE ACTION,
AND THREATENS TO MARCH HOMEWARD ON FEBRUARY 13TH -- RECEIVES
EMIN’S REPLY, ACCEPTING THE ESCORT, ON THE DAY HE HAD PROPOSED TO
BEGIN HIS RETURN MARCH -- STANLEY FURNISHES CARRIERS TO HELP HIM
UP WITH HIS LUGGAGE -- STANLEY GREATLY HINDERED BY THE SUSPICIONS
OF THE NATIVES -- CONVALESCENT FROM HIS RECENT SEVERE ILLNESS,
STANLEY LEAVES KAVALLIS WITH HIS UNITED EXPEDITION, FOR THE
INDIAN OCEAN, APRIL 12TH -- LETTER OF LIEUT. W. G. STAIRS --
REACHES URSULALA -- STANLEY’S LETTER TO SIR FRANCIS DE WINSTON --
EXPEDITIONS FITTED OUT AND FORWARDED TO THE INTERIOR TO MEET
STANLEY -- STANLEY REACHES MSUWAH NOVEMBER 29TH -- MEETS THE
“HERALD” COMMISSIONER -- REACHES MBIKI DECEMBER 1ST -- KIGIRO,
DECEMBER 3D -- BAGAMOYO, DECEMBER 4TH -- ENTERS ZANZIBAR,
DECEMBER 5TH -- SAD ACCIDENT BEFALLS EMIN PASHA -- SERIOUSLY, IF
NOT FATALLY, INJURED -- THE END OF A MOST REMARKABLE AND
EXTRAORDINARY EXPEDITION -- THE CLOSING WORDS OF STANLEY’S STORY 508
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
0. A Frontispiece--Stanley and Emin Bey op. title
27. A Camp of Arab Traders „ 68
26. A Dance by Torchlight „ 66
70. Attacked by a Hippopotamus „ 252
47. A Fierce Battle with the Natives „ 132
53. A Floating Alligator „ 150
37. African Musician „ 94
31. An African Sun-Dance „ 76
57. Amazon Warriors „ 172
52. An Unexpected Surprise „ 144
67. An African Gazelle „ 236
49. A Fine Covey of the Noble Game „ 138
93. A Ghastly Monument „ 358
16. An Object of Intense Interest „ 36
117. A South African „ 456
78. A Terror of the Insect Kingdom „ 278
50. African Warblers „ 140
100. A Shore Scene on Lake Windermere „ 398
20. A Street Scene in African Village „ 50
69. A Surprise in the Jungle „ 250
82. Allegorical „ 288
122. Arabi Pasha and the Egyptian Soudanese „ 482
23. A Narrow Escape „ 58
15. Arrival of the Expedition on the Banks of the Zambesi „ 32
17. Arab Slave Traders „ 40
59. An African Belle „ 184
14. Arab Chief of Central Africa „ 28
22. A Stretch of the Nile „ 54
76. African Snake Charmer[xviii] „ 274
21. African Bird-Life „ 52
35. A Remarkable Wasp-Nest found in Africa „ 84
38. An Arab Courier „ 96
34. A Baobab Tree „ 82
29. Attacked by Buffaloes „ 70
61. Ambuscade by Manyuemas „ 188
95. Allegorical „ 370
71. A Jungle Scene in South Africa „ 254
68. A Mightier Roar than that of the Forest King „ 248
114. A Nyambana „ 445
28. African Lioness and her Young „ 68
113. African Alligator „ 430
91. An African Tailor „ 351
121. An African Barber „ 481
102. Allegorical „ 402
62. Bashouay Ant „ 191
55. Broad-Billed Duck of the Nile „ 159
58. Characteristic Head-Dresses „ 178
51. Crossing a Lagoon „ 142
87. Chuma and Susi, the Fast Friends of Livingstone „ 308
19. Discussing the Feast of Game „ 48
12. Dr. David Livingstone „ 22
39. Equipped for War „ 98
Floating Island „ 214
18. Fleet-Footed Elk „ 45
89. Hippopotamus in his Lair „ 338
65. “I’ll Shoot You, if You Drop that Box” „ 212
77. Insect Life in Africa „ 276
80. Insect Nest-Building „ 280
111. In the Clutches of the Game „ 422
83. Livingstone Ending his Last March at Ilala „ 288
84. Jacob Wainwright with Dr. Livingstone’s Remains at Aden „ 290
9. Map of Stanley’s Last Route „ 17
110. Mouth of the Congo „ 420
97. Natives of Uganda „ 380
99. Natives Coralling Wild Game „ 390
119. On the Banks of the Nepoko[xix] „ 470
92. Off for the Heart of Africa „ 356
42. Rapids of the Livingstone River „ 120
40. Reception of the Officers of the Expedition at the
Sultan’s Palace, Zanzibar „ 102
63. Reception of the Chief Ruhingi „ 194
106. Repelling the Attack of the Piratical Bangala „ 412
73. Running down Elands „ 258
74. Sounding the Alarm „ 260
48. Sketch of an African Forest Scene „ 136
36. Stanley, Henry M., as he Appeared on his First
Expedition „ 92
103. Stanley Fighting his Way along the Lualala or Congo „ 406
118. Stanley Quelling a Mutiny „ 460
107. Stanley Returning to the Coast „ 414
104. Stanley’s Followers Seeking Supplies „ 408
116. Supplies for the Caravan „ 452
64. Slave Robbers’ Camp „ 200
123. Terrific Fight for Life „ 490
105. The Battle of the Boats near the Confluence of the
Aruwimi and the Livingstone Rivers „ 410
90. The African Elephant „ 340
33. The African “Tweet-Tweet” „ 80
46. The Attack on Mirambo „ 128
66. The Camp of an Early Explorer „ 228
98. The Demons of Bumbireh „ 384
56. The Discovery of Livingstone „ 160
41. The Egyptian Cerastes „ 107
79. The Terror of the Bird Kingdom „ 280
60. The Massacre of the Manyuema Women „ 186
30. The Reception of Livingstone by an African Chief „ 74
101. The Hot Springs of Mtagata „ 400
112. The African Cactus „ 428
96. The Victoria Nyanza „ 372
75. The King of the Jungle „ 272
81. The Last Mile of Dr. Livingstone’s Travels „ 282
88. The Village in which Livingstone’s Body was Prepared „ 314
109. The Face of a Wangwana „ 418
43. The African Tiger „ 120
115. The Elephant Protecting her Young „ 452
44. The Strong Beast Conquered „ 120
13. The Python „ 26
45. The Rhinoceros Bird „ 123
85. The Last Entries in Dr. Livingstone’s Note-Book op. 298, 301
125. Tippu-Tib „ 510
108. Transporting the Sections of the Boat „ 416
24. View on the Lualala „ 62
25. View on the Zambesi „ 62
11. View of Zanzibar „ 20
54. Warlike Demonstrations „ 156
120. Wild Game on the Aruwimi „ 476
94. Wild Goat of Ugogo „ 359
126. Wilderness Sketch „ 527
72. Wreaking his Vengeance on a Tree „ 256
32. Zulu Warrior „ 78
[Illustration]
[Illustration: MAP OF EQUATORIAL AFRICA.
That vast fertile area hitherto marked
UNKNOWN,
_the Scene of all the late great Exploring Expeditions,
showing_
the extensive achievements of
HENRY M STANLEY & OTHERS.
Stanley’s Route
Cameron’s „
Livingstone’s „ ]
[Illustration]
STANLEY’S STORY·
OR,
THROUGH THE WILDS OF AFRICA.
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 Explorations 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.
A work of standard authority among scholars says that “Africa is the
division of the world which is the most interesting, and about which we
know the least.” Its very name is a mystery; no one can more than
approximately calculate its vast extent; even those who have studied the
problem the most carefully widely disagree among themselves as to the
number of its population, some placing it as low as 60,000,000, others,
much in excess of 100,000,000 souls; its superficial configuration in
many portions is only guessed at; the sources of its mightiest river are
unknown. The heats, deserts, wild beasts, venomous reptiles, and savage
tribes of this great continent have raised the only barrier against the
spirit of discovery and progress, elsewhere irrepressible, of the age,
and no small proportion of Africa is to-day as much a _terra incognita_
as when the father of history wrote. Many of its inhabitants are among
the most barbarous and depraved of all the people of the world, but in
ancient times some of its races were the leaders of all men in
civilization and were unquestionably possessed of mechanical arts and
processes which have long been lost in the lapse of ages. They had vast
cities, great and elaborate works of art, and were the most successful
of agriculturists. Noted for their skill in the management of the
practical affairs of life, they also paid profound attention to the most
abstruse questions of religion; and it was a people of Africa, the
Egyptians, who first announced belief in the resurrection of the body
and the immortality of the soul. Large numbers of mummies, still
existing, ages older than the Christian era, attest the earnestness of
the ancient faith in dogmas which form an essential part of the creed of
nearly every Christian sect. The most magnificent of women in the arts
of coquetry and voluptuous love belonged to this continent of which so
much still sits in darkness. The art of war was here cultivated to the
greatest perfection; and it was before the army of an African general
that the Roman legions went down at Cannæ, and by whom the Empire came
near being completely ruined. Indeed, it may with much show of argument
be claimed that the continent over so much of which ignorance and
superstition and beasts of prey now hold thorough sway, was originally
the cradle of art, and civilization, and human progress.
But if the northern portion of the continent of Africa was in the remote
past the abode of learning and of the useful arts, it is certain that
during recent periods other portions of the continent, separated from
this by a vast expanse of desert waste, have supplied the world with the
most lamentable examples of human misery and the most hideous instances
of crime. Nor did cupidity and rapacity confine themselves in the long
years of African spoliation to ordinary robbers and buccaneers.
Christian nations took part in the horrid work; and we have the
authority of accredited history for the statement that Elizabeth of
England was a smuggler and a slave-trader. Thus Africa presents the
interesting anomaly of having been the home of ancient civilization, and
the prey of the modern rapacity and plunder of all nations. It is
natural, therefore, that in regard to the plundered portions of this
devoted continent, the world at large should know but little. It is also
natural that with the advancement of the cause of scientific knowledge,
humanity, genuine Christianity, and the rage for discovery, this vast
territory should receive the attention of good and studious men and
moral nationalities. Accordingly we find that during a comparatively
recent period Africa has become a great field of scientific explorations
and missionary labor, as well as of colonization.
The first people to give special and continued attention to discoveries
in Africa, were the Portuguese. During the fifteenth century, noted for
the great advance made in geographical discoveries, the kingdom of
Portugal was, perhaps, the greatest maritime power of Christendom. Her
sovereigns greatly encouraged and many of their most illustrious
subjects practically engaged in voyages of discovery. They were
pre-eminently successful both in the eastern and western hemisphere, and
one of the results of their daring enterprise is the remarkable fact
that Portuguese colonies are much more powerful and wealthy to-day than
the parent kingdom.
“The Child is father of the Man.”
The Portuguese sent many exploring expeditions along the coast of
Africa, and in the course of a century they had circumnavigated the
continent and planted colonies all along the shores of the Atlantic and
the Indian oceans. Bartholmew Dias having discovered the Cape of Good
Hope, the reigning sovereign of Portugal determined to prosecute the
explorations still further, with the object of discovering a passage to
India. This discovery was made by the intrepid and illustrious mariner,
Vasco de Gama, November 20, 1497, a little more than five years after
the discovery of America. He pursued his voyage along the eastern coast
of Africa, discovering Natal, Mozambique, a number of islands, and
finding people in a high stage of commercial advancement, with
well-built cities, ports, mosques for the worship of Allah according to
the Mohammedan faith, and carrying on a considerable trade with India
and the Spice Islands. Of this trade, Portugal long retained
supremacy. Other European powers also meantime established colonies at
different places on the African coast, so that in the sixteenth century
a considerable portion of the outer shell, so to say, had been examined
The vast interior, however, long remained unexplored, and much of it
remains an utterly unknown primeval wilderness to this day. The
settlements and colonies of the Portuguese, French, Dutch, and English
were for commercial purposes only, and added very little to the general
stock of information.
[Illustration: VIEW OF ZANZIBAR.]
It was not until a year after the adoption of the Constitution of the
United States that any organized effort in behalf of discoveries in
Africa was made. In the city of London a Society for the Exploration of
Interior Africa was formed in 1788, but it was not until seven years
afterwards, that the celebrated Mungo Park undertook his first
expedition. Thus it was more than three hundred years from the discovery
of the Cape of Good Hope before even a ray of light began to penetrate
the darkness of benighted Africa. Meantime, great empires had been
overthrown and others established in their place and beneficent
governments founded on both continents of the western world.
The life and adventures of Mungo Park form a story of exceeding
interest, between which and the life and adventures of Dr. Livingstone
there are not a few points of remarkable coincidence. Park was a native
of Scotland, and one of many children. He was educated also in the
medical profession. Moreover, while he was making his first tour of
discovery in Africa, having long been absent from home, reports of his
death reached England and were universally credited. His arrival at
Falmouth in December 1797, caused a most agreeable surprise throughout
the kingdom. An account of his travels abounding with thrilling
incidents, including accounts of great suffering from sickness and
cruelty at the hands of Mohammedan Africans on the Niger, was
extensively circulated. Many portions of this narrative were in about
all the American school books during the first half of the nineteenth
century, and the name of Mungo Park became as familiar as household
words in the United States. In 1805, Park undertook another tour of
discovery, which he prosecuted for some time with indomitable courage
and against difficulties before which an ordinary mind would have
succumbed. He navigated the Niger for a long distance, passing Jennee,
Timbuctoo, and Yaoori, but was soon after attacked in a narrow channel,
and, undertaking to escape by swimming, was drowned. His few remaining
white companions perished with him.
The discoveries of this celebrated man were in that part of Africa which
lies between the equator and the 20th degree of north latitude. They
added much to the knowledge of that portion of the country, and keenly
whetted the desire of further information. Several journeys and voyages
up rivers followed, but without notable result till the English
expedition under Denham and Clapperton in 1822. This expedition started
with a caravan of merchants from Tripoli on the Mediterranean, and after
traversing the great desert reached Lake Tsad in interior Africa.
Denham explored the lake and its shores, while Lieut. Clapperton pursued
his journey westward as far as Sakatu, which is not greatly distant from
the Niger. He retraced his steps, and having visited England, began a
second African tour, starting from near Cape Coast Castle on the Gulf of
Guinea. Traveling in a northeastern direction, he struck the Niger at
Boussa, and going by way of Kano, a place of considerable commercial
importance, again arrived at Sakatu, where he shortly afterwards died.
He was the first man who had traversed Africa from the Mediterranean sea
to the Gulf of Guinea. Richard Lander, a servant of Lieut. Clapperton,
afterwards discovered the course of the Niger from Boussa to the gulf,
finding it identical with the river Nun of the seacoast.
[Illustration: DR. DAVID LIVINGSTONE.]
Other tours of discovery into Africa have been made to which it is not
necessary here to refer. The practical result of all these expeditions,
up to about the middle of the nineteenth century, was a rough outline of
information in regard to the coast countries of Africa, the course of
the Niger, the manners and customs of the tribes of Southern Africa, and
a little more definite knowledge concerning Northern and Central Africa,
embracing herein the great desert, Lake Tsad, the river Niger, and the
people between the desert and the Gulf of Guinea. Perhaps the most
comprehensive statement of the effect of this information upon Christian
peoples was that it seemed to conclusively demonstrate an imperative
demand for missionary labors. Even the Mohammedans of the Moorish
Kingdom of Ludamar, set loose a wild boar upon Mungo Park. They were
astonished that the wild beast assailed the Moslems instead of the
Christian, and afterwards shut the two together in a hut, while King and
council debated whether the white man should lose his right arm, his
eyes, or his life. During the debate, the traveler escaped. If the
Mohammedan Africans were found to be thus cruel, it may well be inferred
that those of poorer faith were no less bloodthirsty. And thus, as one
of the results of the expeditions to which we have referred, a renewed
zeal in proselytism and discovery was developed.
Thus, the two most distinguished African travellers, and who have
published the most varied, extensive, and valuable information in regard
to that continent, performed the labors of their first expeditions
cotemporaneously, the one starting from the north of Africa, the other
from the south. We can but refer to the distinguished Dr. Heinreich
Barth, and him who is largely referred to in this volume, Dr. David
Livingstone. The expeditions were not connected the one with the other,
but had this in common that both were begun under the auspices of the
British government and people. A full narrative of Dr. Barth’s travels
and discoveries has been published, from which satisfactory information
in regard to much of northern and central Africa may be obtained. The
narrative is highly interesting and at once of great popular and
scientific value. Hence the world has learned the geography of a wide
expanse of country round about Lake Tsad in all directions; far toward
Abyssinia northeasterly, as far west by north as Timbuctoo, several
hundred miles southeasterly, and as far toward the southwest, along the
River Benue, as the junction of the Faro. Dr. Barth remained in Africa
six years, much of the time without a single white associate, his
companions in the expedition having all died. Dr. Overweg, who was the
first European to navigate Lake Tsad, died in September, 1852. Mr.
Richardson, the official chief of the expedition, had died in March of
the previous year.
But unquestionably the most popular of African explorers is Dr.
Livingstone, an account of whose first expedition--1849-52--has been
read by a great majority of intelligent persons speaking the English
language. Large and numerous editions were speedily demanded, and Africa
again became an almost universal topic of discourse. Indeed,
intelligence of Dr. Livingstone’s return after so many years of toil and
danger, was rapidly spread among the nations, accompanied by brief
reports of his explorations, and these prepared the way for the
reception of the Doctor’s great work by vast numbers of people. Every
one was ready and anxious to carry the war of his reading into Africa.
And afterwards, when Dr. Livingstone returned to Africa, and having
prosecuted his explorations for a considerable period reports came of
his death at the hands of cruel and treacherous natives, interest in
exact knowledge of his fate became intense and appeared only to increase
upon the receipt of reports contradicting the first, and then again of
rumors which appeared to substantiate those which had been first
received. In consequence of the conflicting statements which, on account
of the universal interest in the subject, were published in the public
press throughout the world, the whole Christian church, men of letters
and science became fairly agitated. The sensation was profound, and,
based upon admiration of a man of piety, sublime courage, and the most
touching self-denial in a great cause to which he had devoted all his
bodily and intellectual powers, it was reasonable and philosophical.
It is not surprising, therefore, that the English government should have
fitted out an expedition in search of Livingstone. Accordingly, the
Livingstone Search Expedition, as it is called, was organized early in
the winter of 1871-72, and under command of Lieut. Dawson, embarked on
its destination, on the 9th of February of the last year. The expedition
reached Zanzibar April 19, and the members were most kindly received by
the Sultan, Sayid Bergash, and greatly assisted by his Grand Vizier,
Sayid Suliman. A company of six Nasik youths, originally slaves in a
part of Africa through which the Search Expedition would pass, were
being drilled for the purpose, and were expected to be of great
assistance.
But before intelligence of the Livingstone Search Expedition at Zanzibar
awaiting favorable weather, had arrived, the world was startled by the
news that a private expedition, provided solely by the New York “Herald”
newspaper, and in charge of Mr. Henry M. Stanley, had succeeded, after
surmounting incredible difficulties, in reaching Ujiji, where a meeting
of the most remarkable nature took place between the great explorer and
the representative of the enterprising journal of New York. Unique in
its origin, most remarkable in the accomplishment of its beneficent
purpose, the Herald-Livingstone expedition had received the considerate
approval of mankind, and Mr. Stanley had come to be regarded, and with
justice, as a practical hero of a valuable kind. His accounts of his
travels, his despatches to the “Herald” from time to time, the more
formal narratives furnished by him, composed a story of the deepest
interest and, when properly considered, of the greatest value. This
interest has also been deepened and greatly strengthened by the later
labors of Stanley in the great field made memorable by Livingstone; and
in the results of later explorations we have it fairly demonstrated that
the life-work of the elder explorer did not end with his death, but has
fallen upon the shoulders of one in every respect qualified to carry on
the good work.
To fully appreciate the work done and to thoroughly comprehend its
bearing upon Christian civilization, the reader will find in these pages
a brief resume of the most important incidents in the life history of
Livingstone, with accounts of his several explorations into the African
continent. Hence, these, in connection with those of Stanley respecting
his later researches, will serve to make a volume of extremely
interesting reading upon a subject of universal interest to all
Christian people.
[Illustration]