It was November, 1871. For weary months two heroes had been struggling in opposite directions in the African wilds——Livingstone eastward from Nyangwe on the Lualaba, to find succor at Ujiji on Tanganyika Lake, Stanley westward from Zanzibar to carry that succor and greetings, should the great explorer be still alive. Providence had a hand in the meeting. Livingstone reached Ujiji just before Stanley. On November 2, Stanley, while pushing his way up the slopes which surrounded Tanganyika met a caravan. He asked the news, and was thrilled to find that a white man had just reached Ujiji, from the Manyuema. “A white man?” “Yes, a white man.” “How is he dressed?” “Like you.” “Young, or old?” “Old; white hair, and sick.” “Was he ever there before?” [Illustration: STANLEY’S FIRST SIGHT OF TANGANYIKA.] “Yes; a long time ago.” “Hurrah!” shouted Stanley, “it is Livingstone. March quickly my men. He may go away again!” They pressed up the slopes and in a few days were in sight of Tanganyika. The looked for hour was at hand. “Unfurl your flags and load your guns!” he cried to his companions. “We will, master, we will!” “One, two, three——fire!” [Illustration: MEETING OF LIVINGSTONE AND STANLEY.] A volley from fifty guns echoed along the hills. Ujiji was awakened. A caravan was coming, and the streets were thronged to greet it. The American flag was at first a mystery, but the crowd pressed round the new comers. Stanley pushed his way eagerly, all eyes about him. “Good morning, sir!” “Who are you?” he startlingly inquired. “Susi; Dr. Livingstone’s servant.” “Is Livingstone here?” “Sure, sir; sure. I have just left him.” “Run, Susi; and tell the Doctor I am coming.” Susi obeyed. Every minute the crowd was getting denser. At length Susi came breaking through to ask the stranger’s name. The doctor could not understand it all, and had sent to find out, but at the same time in obedience to his curiosity, had come upon the street. Stanley saw him and hastened to where he was. “Dr. Livingstone, I presume.” “Yes,” said he with a cordial smile, lifting his hat. They grasped each other’s hands. “Thank God!” said Stanley, “I have been permitted to see you!” “Thankful I am that I am here to welcome you,” was the doctor’s reply. They turned toward the house, and remained long together, telling each other of their adventures; hearing and receiving news. At length Stanley delivered his batch of letters from home to the doctor, and he retired to read them. Then came a long and happy rest for both the explorers. Livingstone improved in health and spirits daily. His old enthusiasm was restored and he would be on his travels again. But he was entirely out of cloth and trinkets, was reduced to a retinue of five men, and had no money to hire more. One day Stanley said, “have you seen the north of Tanganyika yet?”