American journalist and adventurer, Henry M. Stanley recounts his mission in 1871, (on behalf of the New York Herald), to find the world famous explorer David Livingstone, who was presumably lost or even killed in East Africa. In his diary Stanley writes with stoicism, and without magnifying the epic hardships of the journey, (he was deserted by his bearers, plagued by disease and warring tribes). After travelling 700 miles in 236 days, he found the ailing Scottish missionary on the island of Ujiji on November 10, uttering his famous greeting: "Doctor Livingstone, I presume " Together they explored the northern end of Lake Tangayika. Livingstone had journeyed extensively in central and southern Africa from 1840 and fought to destroy the slave trade. Livingstone died in 1873 on the Shores of Lake Bagweulu. His body was shipped back to England and buried in Westminster Abbey. On hearing of his hero's death, Stanley continued Livingstone's research of the region. Stanley's exploration of the region eventually led to the founding of the Congo Free State.