RADIO ACTION THEATER - CHILD OF THE SUN -- Episode 2

CHILD OF THE SUN -- Episode 2

03/08/20 • 27 min

After landing in Tampa Bay in 1539, Hernando de Soto finds that the natives have gone into hiding in the swamps. He burns their villages, then moves inland and northward, seeking gold. The Spaniards with some difficulty find their way through the swamps but are soon desperately short of food. Having reports of gold in a province called Cale, the Spaniards find the villages of the province abandoned and the reports of gold false. To avoid a breakdown in morale De Soto orders new rumors of gold to be circulated among his soldiers. Taking grain from Indian cornfields, the Spaniards are attacked by Indians and a series of battles ensue. Large numbers of Indians are executed and others put in chains to carry supplies. Following another rumor of gold, De Soto travels up the Atlantic seaboard through a vast wilderness, finally reaching a country called Cofitachequi in what is now South Carolina. The local chieftain, a woman who presides over large territories, receives the Spaniards in peace. 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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CHILD OF THE SUN -- Episode 3

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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CHILD OF THE SUN The Expedition of Hernando de Soto

Hernando de Soto had helped conquer the Incas of Peru and in 1539 was sent by the Spanish crown to subjugate the native tribes of what is now the American Southeast, where he would look for treasures like those found in Central and South America. Eli Wallach is host and a cast of Hispanic and Native American actors play the roles of the Spaniards and the Cherokees, Choctaws and other American tribes who at first welcomed de Soto, then resisted fiercely. 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