Three wars fought and lost, thousands dead, and still the Timucuan and Apalachee Indians of La Florida suffer under the cruel domination of 17th century Spanish tyrants. Fifty Catholic missions stretch to the north from San Augustin, and westward to the rich fields of Apalachee corn. A dark shadow falls across the land as musket-bearing Yamassee and Chisca and renegade cimarrones, at the behest of their English masters, terrorize the missions and villages, murdering Indians and priests, burning churches and taking women and children to feed the slave market at Charles Town. The Indians face a terrible choice: To defend their oppressors with their blood, or to submit to the destruction of their villages and risk the slavery and death that presses in on all sides. The year is 1704. Great European powers contest each other for dominance, with the Indians of La Florida standing in the line of fire. The destiny of the North American continent hangs in the balance, awaiting their decision.