“But a journalist in my position must needs suffer. Like a gladiator in the arena, he must be prepared for the combat. Any flinching, any cowardice, and he is lost. The gladiator meets the sword that is sharpened for his bosom--the flying journalist or roving correspondent meets the command that may send him to his doom. To the battle or the banquet it is ever the same--‘Get ready and go.’
“At 3 P. M. I was on my way, and being obliged to stop at Bayonne a few hours, did not arrive at Paris until the following night. I went straight to the Grand Hotel, and knocked at the door of Mr. Bennett’s room.
“‘Ah, yes; sit down. I have important business on hand for you.’”
After throwing over his shoulders his robe-de-chambre, Mr. Bennett proceeded to ask Stanley, “Where do you think Livingstone is?”
“I really do not know, sir,” answered Stanley.
“Do you think he is alive?” continued Bennett.
“He may be, and he may not be,” replied Stanley.
“Well, I think he is alive, and that he can be found, and I am going to send you to find him,” was Bennett’s rejoinder.
“What!” said Stanley. “Do you really think I can find Dr. Livingstone? Do you mean me to go to Central Africa?”
“Yes; I mean that you shall go and find him, wherever you may hear that he is, and to get what news you can of him, and perhaps”--delivering himself thoughtfully and deliberately--“the old man may be in want. Take enough with you to help him, should he require it. Of course you will act according to your own plans, and do what you think best--BUT FIND LIVINGSTONE!”
“Have you considered seriously the great expense you are likely to incur on account of this little journey?” suggested Stanley, wondering at the cool order of sending one to Central Africa to search for a man whom he, in common with almost all other men, believed to be dead.
[Illustration: RECEPTION OF THE OFFICERS OF THE EXPEDITION AT THE SULTAN’S PALACE, ZANZIBAR.]
“Burton and Speke’s journey to Central Africa cost between £3,000 and £5,000, and I fear it cannot be done under £2,500,” replied Mr. Stanley.
“Well, I will tell you what you will do. Draw a thousand pounds now, and when you have gone through that, draw another thousand; and when that is spent, draw another thousand; and when you have finished that, draw another thousand, and so on; but FIND LIVINGSTONE!”