Some of De Soto's lieutenants urge that a colony be established in the fertile country of Cofitachequi, near the Atlantic Ocean. But finding no gold in Cofitachequi   only copper, mica and pearls, De Soto ignores the advice of his lieutenants and orders an immediate departure. When the princess of Cofitachequi refuses to give them bearers, complaining of pillaging and rape by De Soto's soldiers, the princess is taken hostage by Don Hernando.  Her escape a few days later leaves the expedition exposed to attack. De Soto takes other chiefs hostage to provide insurance as the Spaniards move north, west, then south again.  They arrive in 1540 in the country of chief Tascaluza, whose warlike reputation precedes him.  De Soto deliberately seeks to provoke the chief by  sending him worthless beads as a token of  esteem.  A cast of Hispanic and Native American actors play the roles of the Spaniards and the Cherokees, Choctaws and other American tribes the Spaniards encountered.   With an original music score by Donald Stark, the series was adapted by Robert Clem from the eyewitness account of the Portuguese "Gentleman of Elvas," published in 1557.  Broadcast by NPR in 1994 and 1996 and produced and directed by Robert Clem.

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