After crossing a vast river in the land of the Mississippians, De Soto wearies of his search for gold and asks the Indians to point the way to the sea. When De Soto dies of a fever, the ragged survivors with some dissension decide to continue the fruitless search for gold.  After another year under harsh conditions, they agree to seek an outlet to the sea.  They embark on the Great River in makeshift brigantines but are soon entrapped by the Arkansas natives led by their chief Quigualtam.   Natives in canoes attack day and night,  the Spaniards outnumbered and with few weapons left to defend themselves.   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.

Support the show