Stanley Finds Livingstone by Lawrence Wilson- Summary

Stanley Finds Livingstone

Lawrence Wilson

David Livingstone is a Scottish medical missionary and explorer. He was interested more in exploring places. For an assignment he traveled to Africa to explore places in 1865. After some time no one knew the where about of Livingstone. New York Herald newspaper assigned Stanley to find Livingstone in Africa. The title of the prose piece tells the situation of the incident. This particular chapter is an extract from the book with same title.

In 1869, October James Gordon Bennett, a son of the owner of the New York Herald, met Stanley in Paris. He was there on a mission to collect information regarding civil war in Spain. Mr. Bennett assigned the task of finding Livingstone to Stanley. For nearly four years there was no communication from Livingstone and no white had reported of seeing him in Africa. Thus no one knew whether he was alive or dead. Mr. Bennett thought that the writing of the search for Livingstone would increase the circulation of his news paper. So he assigned the task to Stanley. He was ready to spent thousands of pounds for the assigned work.

Stanley was born in North Wales, U.K as an illegitimate son. He was seen as an unwanted child and suffered under his sadist employer. Later he escaped from there by sailing to New Orleans. He met an affectionate person named Henry Morton Stanley whose name he had adapted later. He considered himself as an American Citizen and fought for America in civil wars and later worked for New York Herald. As he wanted to prove himself with great achievement he immediately accepted the task to find Livingstone in Africa.

In January 1871 Stanley started his voyage. He decided to reach Ujiji, on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, which was 750 miles from the coast. It was from this place people received information about Livingstone finally. Mr. Bennett did not send money to Stanley as he promised. Yet through his persuasion he borrows money from the American consul. He decided his budget and bought supplies for two years. His luggage contained weapons, bullets, clothing, tent, medicines, utensils for cooking, food and native money. This luggage was around seventy pound.

Stanley employed 200 Zanzibaris as porters. Two white men were appointed to supervise them. They stared their sail from the mainland in the month of March. On the way, he hired some more porters. They joined with their family and cattle and started the journey cheerfully. Though various routes existed to reach Ujiji, out of ignorance Stanley selected a tougher route. The hot climate affected the sailor and due to the insects people suffered with fevers. Stanley started to face many problems. The native porters after getting money for the assigned work escaped from the place and some other stole the things that they were carrying. The next eight months were the tough period for Stanley as he kept the supporters either by force or by affection.

 

They reached a regular route used by the Arab traders. They travelled from one village to another and got food and necessary things from there. Later Stanley too suffered with high fever. Later he joined with the Arab traders for safety. When an African Chief Mirabo blocked his voyage his troop along with the Arabs’ fought with him.

Stanley by deciding to avoid battle, travelled through unknown countries. The sailors suffered with various diseases and when they tried to escape, Stanley chained them and put them under his control. When it was sixty miles for Ujiji, he received information from people that a white man was living there. Stanley was excited to receive such information by considering him as Livingstone. To reach Ujiji they had to cross Waha territory but the head of the Waha tribe was demanding huge amount to cross the area. He had to cross five such villages to reach Ujiji and each place demanded huge amount to cross the border. So he decided to take another route which was obviously a longer one. When they reached the destination, Stanley became nervous regarding Livingstone’s reaction. He dressed himself in a pleasant manner to meet Livingstone.

Ujiji people gathered to welcome Stanley. Livingstone’s servant welcomed him and directed him to the house. Stanley was uncertain about the reception of Livingstone. As Stanley suffered with inferiority complex about his birth and child hood life in U.K, he had doubts about Livingstone’s reaction. But his braveness and talent to cross many troubles in the voyage gave him confidence. Livingstone, a kind person invited him with love. Soon Stanley understood the greatness of Livingstone and started admiring him. This Voyage brought great fame for Stanley.