Said I, wondering at the cool order of sending one to Central Africa to search for a man whom I, in common with almost all other men, believed to be dead, “Have you considered seriously the great expense you are likely, to incur on account of this little journey?”

“What will it cost?” he asked abruptly.

“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.”

“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.”

Surprised but not confused at the order—­for I knew that Mr. Bennett when once he had made up his mind was not easily drawn aside from his purpose—­I yet thought, seeing it was such a gigantic scheme, that he had not quite considered in his own mind the pros and cons of the case; I said, “I have heard that should your father die you would sell the `Herald’ and retire from business.”

“Whoever told you that is wrong, for there is not, money enough in New York city to buy the `New York Herald.’  My father has made it a great paper, but I mean to make it greater.  I mean that it shall be a newspaper in the true sense of the word.  I mean that it shall publish whatever news will be interesting to the world at no matter what cost.”

“After that,” said I, “I have nothing more to say.  Do you mean me to go straight on to Africa to search for Dr. Livingstone?”

“No!  I wish you to go to the inauguration of the Suez Canal first, and then proceed up the Nile.  I hear Baker is about starting for Upper Egypt.  Find out what you can about his expedition, and as you go up describe as well as possible whatever is interesting for tourists; and then write up a guide—­ a practical one—­for Lower Egypt; tell us about whatever is worth seeing and how to see it.

“Then you might as well go to Jerusalem; I hear Captain Warren is making some interesting discoveries there.  Then visit Constantinople, and find out about that trouble between the Khedive and the Sultan.

“Then—­let me see—­you might as well visit the Crimea and those old battle-grounds, Then go across the Caucasus to the Caspian Sea; I hear there is a Russian expedition bound for Khiva.  From thence you may get through Persia to India; you could write an interesting letter from Persepolis.

“Bagdad will be close on your way to India; suppose you go there, and write up something about the Euphrates Valley Railway.  Then, when you have come to India, you can go after Livingstone.  Probably you will hear by that time that Livingstone is on his way to Zanzibar; but if not, go into the interior and find him.  If alive, get what news of his discoveries you can; and if you find he is dead, bring all possible proofs of his being dead.  That is all.  Good-night, and God be with you.”