Set in 1550, it narrates the life of Alonso, a young Galician who has to flee from his village because he has accidentally killed Count Raña's youngest son. To save himself, he leaves for Seville to embark for the New World. He carries a letter of recommendation for Juan de Sanabria, the Adelantado of the Río de la Plata, who is preparing an expedition to Asunción.