Livingstone went beyond the Lualaba River in February 1871 and found another river thereto unknown. He named it "Lincoln" in honor of the American president. It was here that he witnessed the massacre mentioned above.

Stanley's Voyage

Livingstone's Zambezi exploration -- during which he reported "discovering" the mighty Victoria Falls - brought him world fame.

Deserting porters reported that he had died. However, native travelers from the area said Dr. Livingstone was alive but ailing. He suffered malaria throughout his career. As he grew older, bouts with the mosquito-borne disease hit him harder and lasted longer. In his last years, his porters had to carry him on a litter.

Livingstone was not heard from for nearly three years. In New York City at this time, five newspapers fought for circulation. The Herald had a foreign correspondent named Henry Morton Stanley who had proved himself resourceful in reporting wars in out-of-the way places.

The Herald publisher, looking for a sensational "scoop," told Stanley to organize an expedition and, "Go find Livingstone."

Stanley had been born in Wales as John Rowlands. His parents died when he was just three. Little Johnny was put in the poorhouse. He was a bright lad who at age 13 was allowed to ship out as cabin boy on a steamer going to New Orleans. Upon arrival, a merchant passenger adopted him and gave him his own name.

Unfortunately, Stanley, Sr., died at the start of the American Civil War. Stanley, Jr., joined the Confederate Army and shortly thereafter was captured. He was released because of illness. Then he joined the Union Navy where he served on an ironclad gun ship. After the war he roamed north Africa and the Mideast as a reporter.

To carry out his Herald assignment, Stanley gathered "192 porters and bales of goods, baths of tin (canned food), huge kettles, cooking pots, tents, etc." Livingstone later wrote in his journal: "This must be a luxurious traveler, and not one at his wits' end like me."

By following Livingstone's blazed trail, Stanley reached him at Uijiji in seven months. The two men formed a deep friendship.

Stanley stayed with Dr. Livingstone for four months. During this time, they made a native-canoe trip to the north end of Lake Tanganyika and determined there was no connection to Lake Victoria.