Uncharted: Teddy Roosevelt's Amazon Expedition | River's End | 4
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This episode of Against the Odds contains graphic imagery that some listeners may find disturbing. Please be advised. Theodore Roosevelt stirs from a distant dream. As he opens his eyes, the canvas walls of his tent slowly come into focus. He feels the humid air of the Amazon warming his skin like a blanket. Foggy memories from the last 24 hours begin to take shape in his mind.

He remembers that he's been fighting malaria and that a deadly fever has been overwhelming him. He reaches down and feels a bandage on his leg. He recalls that an infection from a bad cut has been sapping his strength. But he's awake now, and he's grateful to be alive. Roosevelt turns to see his son Kermit standing by his cot, smiling down at him. The fever must have broken.

That's right, son. I'll be back to my old self soon enough. Kermit smiles. But behind it, Roosevelt can see he's still worried. Kermit kneels next to him. So there's good news. We scouted up ahead. The waters are much calmer. No more whitewater. For a while, anyway. Good. We can be off again this morning. Roosevelt feels a wave of relief wash over him.

The past several days have been brutal for the expedition. At long last, the going will get easier. But Kermit's smile begins to fade. There's something he's not saying. Before Roosevelt can ask, the tent flap opens and Dr. Cagiera enters. Feeling better, I see. A little worse for wear, but ready to get back in the saddle.

Kermit nods.

Kermit shares that Colonel Rondon has decided to move camp this morning. They have found a safer, drier location half a mile down the river, and everyone believes it will be a better place for Roosevelt to recover. Dr. Cagiera steps closer to the cop. Mr. President, we've all decided that given your condition, the men should carry you there. Roosevelt feels red-hot anger well up in him.

The argument rages on. Roosevelt refuses to back down. Finally, Kermit offers a compromise. We could have one of the camaradas follow you with a chair, in case you need a moment to catch your breath.

The former president won't hear of it. Finally, Kermit explodes. If you don't rest, you could die. Roosevelt is silent as he locks eyes with his son. The expedition has brought about changes in Kermit. In the past, he would have deferred to his father's wishes. But now Roosevelt sees a stubborn defiance in Kermit that he recognizes in himself. His son is growing into a leader.

But Roosevelt knows that this stubbornness can be dangerous. Kermit will carry his father himself if he has to. Not only would that endanger the expedition, it would be a danger to Kermit. Roosevelt realizes that for both of their sakes, he has to meet his son halfway. All right, one of the men can follow me with a chair, but only if he's not needed elsewhere. Is that clear? Kermit nods.

He and Dr. Cagieira leave the tent to make the preparations. Alone now, Roosevelt struggles to sit up, a task that leaves him gasping for breath. Seven days ago, when the infection first consumed him, he made a promise to his son that he would fight to stay alive. Roosevelt's will is strong. He only hopes that this illness isn't stronger.

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In 1914, former President Theodore Roosevelt embarked on a journey to explore an uncharted river deep in Brazil's Amazon jungle. Joining the expedition were his son Kermit and renowned Brazilian explorer Candido Rondon, along with 19 other men.

Before long, the men were ravaged by malaria, dysentery, and hunger. Even worse, the journey had claimed two lives. One of the men drowned. The other was murdered by another member of the expedition. And the killer is still on the loose. Now, after nearly a month and a half on the river, Roosevelt and the others are focused on their ultimate goal, a rendezvous point.

where they hope a rescue party and salvation await them. This is episode four, "River's End." Theodore Roosevelt lies back against a crate in the back of the dugout canoe as it glides through the calm water.

He watches the trees pass by on the banks, their heavy branches reaching out over the water to catch the sunshine. Despite the sticky heat of the Amazon, Roosevelt is shivering thanks to his fever. A gloomy silence is hanging over the men,

It's April 6th, 1914. Just three days since one of the most beloved men on their expedition, a camarada named Pichon, was murdered. The killer was another camarada named Julio de Lima. Julio had been caught stealing food, and Pichon reprimanded him for it. Tensions between the men continued to fester until Julio snapped and delivered a gunshot to Pichon's heart.

Julio fled into the jungle. But even though they're now miles downriver from where the killing occurred, the men are worried that Julio lurks nearby, desperate, hungry, and willing to kill again. For Roosevelt, Pichon's killing has only intensified his growing sense of unease.

The journey is feeling endless. Each new bend in the river revealing yet another ocean of thick green foliage. The sameness of it is exhausting. But today, at least the paddling is smooth. Rondon and Kermit have forged ahead to get on with the job of mapping the river.

The former president pauses a moment to take in a pair of brightly colored toucans perched in a branch above him. Roosevelt is tired, but he remembers he's gazing upon land that no American has ever seen before. He reaches for his journal to record his thoughts.

But when the canoe rounds the next bend, Roosevelt is stunned by what he sees. Clinging to a tree limb over the river is Julio de Lima, the killer himself. Please, help me! Someone! Roosevelt is shocked.

He wonders how Julio managed to get this far down the river with no canoe or provisions. As the canoe moves closer to him, Roosevelt can see the fear in Julio's eyes. Mr. President, please stop. I'm begging you. But Roosevelt is unmoved. The memory of Pichon's lifeless body lying face down in the mud is too vivid to forgive him.

As the boat drifts by, Roosevelt keeps his eyes forward. Rondon had argued they should bring Julio back alive so he can stand trial when they return home. But Roosevelt can't even stomach the thought. As the boat passes by, Julio shouts even louder. Please, Mr. President, have mercy! But no one on the canoe says a word.

As Julio's cries fade into the distance, Roosevelt feels justified in letting fate decide Julio's sentence. Kermit Roosevelt stacks another heavy crate behind one of the tents and lets out a sigh. They're almost done setting up yet another camp, but the bugs have been tormenting him.

Kermit mops his brow and swats a fly from his face. He's feeling feverish and dizzy, like many of the others. He's fighting yet another bout of malaria and is eager to rest. As he walks to the river to grab more supplies, his thoughts wander to earlier in the day. He can't get the image of Julio out of his head, clinging to a branch, pathetic and desperate as he cried out for help.

Everyone in the canoes had ignored his cries, continuing down the river until they found this sheltered patch of land to set camp in. They're seven miles down the river from where they saw him, and that distance has given the men some peace of mind. It's hard to imagine Julio is much of a threat now.

Kermit lifts another crate from a canoe and carries it towards the tent. Suddenly, he hears raised voices coming from the center of camp. His father and Rondon are in a heated argument. Kermit sets the crate down and runs to investigate. He finds the men standing toe to toe staring each other down.

Rondon looks adamant. Now that we know Julio is alive, it's our duty to go back for him. He must face justice. Your duty, maybe, not mine. For the first time since his father's been sick, Kermit can see some of Teddy's old fire returning as he laces into Rondon. Look at us, Colonel. We're down to four canoes. We are sick and we are weak.

We cannot afford the luxury of wasting time to look for a man who will be put to death anyway. Kermit can see that Rondon is not backing down. He finds himself respecting the Brazilian, even if he disagrees with him. We can send two men back upriver. We will lose no more than a day. And if they find him, what then? We will have another mouth to feed and we'll have to guard him at all times. I am an officer. I have a sworn duty.

Roosevelt sighs and looks off into the jungle, as if collecting himself. I was an officer myself, so I cannot ask another to shirk his sworn duty. So do what you must. But remember that every day we are still on this infernal river is another day closer to the end of our rations. Kermit is surprised to hear his father relent.

As Rondon starts walking away, he spots Kermit. Ah, Kermit, come with me. Let's find two good men to set off at first light to find Julio. Kermit falls in behind Rondon, even though he agrees with his father. They should not be delaying their journey to search for a murderer. Kermit makes a silent wish that they never see Julio again.

Luis Cojera, one of the expedition's 13 remaining camaradas, steps gingerly along the soft mud of the riverbank. In one hand, he carries his fishing pole. With the other, he pushes aside vines and branches. He's been making his way along the river's edge, looking for the best spot where he can cast a line.

He and the other members of the expedition are ravenously hungry, and it would be a miracle if he could bring a catfish or two back to camp for dinner. It's April 11th. Four days ago, Colonel Rondon sent Louise and another camarada into the wilderness to search for Julio. Louise fired gunshots into the air and burned small fires, thinking that Julio might see the smoke.

It was a long, exhausting day. And still, Julio was nowhere to be found. Colonel Rondon agreed it was time to move on and leave Julio behind once and for all. Louise and the others suspect that Julio may have decided to search for an indigenous village and beg them to take him in.

Or it could be that he's already dead, fallen victim to hunger, disease, or predators. If that's the case, Luis won't lose any sleep over it. Luis finds a spot that looks promising and casts his line into the water.

A few days ago, another camarada caught a monster of a catfish, three and a half feet long. The men were thrilled. The fish was big enough for all 19 men to have at least a few bites. It was a bit shocking though when they gutted the fish and found the half-digested arm of a monkey in its stomach. They were so hungry, they ate the fish anyway.

Louise slowly reels in his line, hoping to lure a fish to follow it. Nothing bites. As he prepares to cast his line again, he notices something unusual. A thick braid of vines climbs up the trunk of a nearby tree. Louise can see that some of those vines have been cut by something very sharp.

Luis puts his fishing gear down to take a closer look. He can tell that an animal didn't chew through the vines. And there's no way that a rough stone axe could have made this cut. It's way too clean. So clean, it could only have been made with a metal blade. Luis feels his pulse quicken, knowing who made the cut. Serringueros!

Serengueros are also known as rubber tappers, frontiersmen who operate in the extreme reaches of the Brazilian wilderness. They seek out rubber trees and harvest their sap to create rubber, which they transport back to civilization and sell for industrial uses. Rondon has instructed all the men to keep an eye out for signs of them. If this tree was cut by a serenguero,

It's likely that they live nearby. The expedition could barter with them for food or other supplies. They still may be far from civilization, but the presence of rubber tappers could be a godsend. Louise forgets about fishing and rushes back to camp to tell everyone. This could be the first good news they've had in weeks.

Roosevelt winces in agony as he sits in the back of the dugout floating down the river. The infection in his leg has spread further, creating a large cyst on his right thigh. The pain is intense, and he can barely prop himself up, but he has to soldier on.

He reaches for the paddle, but Dr. Cagiera tells him no. You have to rest. Four days ago, a camarada named Luis Coyera found signs that seringueros are near.

But Roosevelt knows they're far from being out of the woods. They found other clues that rubber tappers are working in this area, but have yet to make contact with any of them. After 48 days on the river, they've covered about 200 miles.

Their destination is a rendezvous point on the Arapoana River, where Rondon has arranged for a Brazilian Army detachment to wait for them. But Colonel Rondon believes it could be another 200 miles before they reach that destination. Roosevelt wonders if the men can last that long. Everyone in the party is wasting away from weeks of hunger, malaria, and dysentery. Their hair is scraggly. Their clothes are in tatters.

Suddenly, Roosevelt hears a yell from the canoe ahead. He squints down the river and sees something floating towards them. It's a small canoe, and it's not one of theirs. Roosevelt bolts upright. Set and get up. The men of the expedition fall into a frenzy, shouting out to the rubber tapper and waving at him to come closer.

Roosevelt joins right in. "Hello! Over here, friend!" The man in the small boat spies them and stops paddling. Roosevelt is puzzled.

What is he doing? Suddenly, the rubber topper turns his canoe around and paddles away from them as fast as he can. Roosevelt panics. Wait! Come back! It's clear that the man is scared, and Roosevelt realizes why that might be. The men look frightening,

With muddy and torn clothes, emaciated bodies, and wild hair, paddling with whatever energy they can muster, the men give chase. Leading the way is Rondar, who waves his hat with a flag.

Finally, the rubber tapper steers his boat onto the riverbank. He scrambles out of his canoe and prepares to run for it as Rondon shouts to him from the river. There is nothing to fear! We are friends! The man stops and turns, squinting at them through the sunlight bouncing off the river. Moments later, he pushes his canoe back into the water and paddles toward Rondon.

Roosevelt waits as the two men converse in Portuguese. Finally, Rondon calls out to Roosevelt. "His name is Raymundo Marquez. He is a seringuero, and he's offered to help us." Roosevelt is overjoyed. He tries to stand in the unsteady boat to greet Marquez, but he grows dizzy. Roosevelt collapses back into the dugout.

He grimaces in pain as he struggles to catch his breath. Roosevelt knows that without the help of this rubber tapper, he may never make it out of the jungle.

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Head over to Symbiotica.com and use code "Odds" for 20% off and free shipping on your subscription order. Kermit Roosevelt lowers his head in frustration after hearing some unfortunate news. Moments ago, the expedition met Raymundo Marquez, a rubber tapper who lives in the extreme wilderness around this part of the river.

The men had hoped Marquez might have stores of food they could barter for. Marquez is sorry, but he has none that he can spare. Kermit looks around at the 19 men, sitting in the canoes floating nearby on the calm water. All of them look hungry and heartbroken. Marquez paddles his boat closer to them and motions to Colonel Rondon, encouraging him not to despair.

You'll find the house of another Sanangeto and his family not too far down the river. I bet they can help you, but you need to be very careful.

Marquez explains that there aren't many rubber tappers operating this far up the river. The rubber tappers know that there are indigenous people who live here as well, but sightings of them have been brief. The spectacle of a large group of men, dirty and disheveled, with tattered clothes emerging from the wilderness will be a shock to any Serengeto.

Everyone you meet along this river will assume you're hostile, just like I did. Rondon leans forward. What can we do? As you approach them, fire a gun into the air three times. That's a sign that you're a citizen with good intentions. And blow this. Marquez hands Rondon a handmade bamboo horn. Kermit's never seen anything like it. Rondon blows into it.

Kermit chuckles. At least they know we're not sneaking up on them. Marquez smiles. Once they know you mean no harm, they may offer to help. Kermit allows himself to feel a bit of hope. He turns to his father in the canoe next to him. We'll be eating a proper meal soon. But his father doesn't hear him. Roosevelt is engaged in a tense conversation with Dr. Cagieria.

Kermit knows the doctor is worried about the cyst growing on his father's infected leg. The doctor wants to drain it, even if the conditions for such an operation are far from ideal. Judging from his father's expression, he can tell the old man isn't convinced that such extreme measures are necessary. The men begin turning the boats downriver. Rondon rises in his canoe. "Panel forward, men!"

Hours pass as they glide down the river, scanning the banks for signs that a rubber tapper's dwelling is near. Kermit's mind races, imagining what it will be like to savor the flavors of an actual meal. Suddenly, one of the paddlers in his canoe points to the trees ahead. "Over there! Look!" Kermit sees a thin plume of smoke rising from the treetops.

As they round the bend, the men erupt in cheers. A small house sits in a clearing near the riverbank, with two children playing in front of it. The men start yelling towards the shore as a woman emerges from the house. Rondon lets out a loud blast on the horn as one of the camaradas fires three shots into the air. The woman freezes for a moment.

Then she grabs her kids and sprints into the forest. Rondon looks down at his horn. Well, that didn't work. Kermit shakes his head. Calming the fears of the seringueros could be trickier than they expected. Rondon inhales deeply as the delicious smell of fish drifts into his nostrils. Nearby, one of his men cooks at a small fire.

For the first time in months, Rondon is inside a house with solid walls. Even if it's tiny, the home is dry, cozy, and deeply comforting. He's seated at a small table with President Roosevelt and a seringuero named La Rata, who owns the house. It took several hours for La Rata and his family to realize that Rondon and the others posed no threat.

But when it was revealed that their home was being visited by a former U.S. president and the famed explorer Candido Rondon, the rubber tapper and his wife were stunned.

The family is now sharing as much food and comfort as they can spare. Rondon can see that his men are already revitalized by the hospitality. Even better, Rondon has bartered with Larrata for additional supplies, including two large canoes. Rondon has also received welcome news. Larrata has confirmed that the river will eventually empty into the Arapuana, just as Rondon predicted.

The expedition is headed straight for the military detachment that Rondon had arranged to wait for them. Rondon rests his hands on the table and asks what they can expect on the journey ahead. You'll see some homes like ours and eventually some of the small stores where we can get our supplies. The water is mostly calm.

But there are some rough patches ahead. And how long till we reach the Aripuaná? Well, it depends on the conditions in the river, of course. My best guess is 15 days.

Rondon sees Roosevelt's face turn to ash. The president is not well. Ever since he cut his leg badly in the river 19 days ago, Roosevelt's health has been declining. The thought that it could be weeks before he can get to a hospital must be terrifying to him. Rondon admires Roosevelt's strength and determination. He only hopes Roosevelt has enough to sustain him for the long journey ahead.

Roosevelt watches from a chair on the muddy riverbank as Rondon and the camaradas struggle to heave the large crates into the boats. It's April 16th. Last night, the men spent the night in the rubber tapper's home, eating a real dinner for the first time in as long as they can remember. Now, as the sun rises higher over the river, they're loading up the canoes for the day's travel.

Their hosts had confirmed that there was still at least a two-week journey ahead of them before they reach their destination on the Araguana. It'll be even longer than that before they can get to a proper medical facility capable of treating his fever and raging infection. The pain in his leg has become unbearable. The abscess has grown to an alarming size, swollen and red. It looks close to bursting.

Roosevelt knows what must be done. He has to give in to the wishes of Kermit and Dr. Cagiera. Roosevelt sees the doctor walking past and calls him over. I'm ready. Dr. Cagiera looks relieved. He helps Roosevelt to his feet and guides him to a clearing not far from the riverbank. Roosevelt lays down in the dirt and readies himself. Dr. Cagiera opens his heavy wooden medical kit.

and takes his scalpel in hand. Are you ready, Mr. President? Roosevelt leans back and grits his teeth. Please proceed.

Roosevelt looks away and tries not to flinch as the scalpel pierces the taut and inflamed skin on his leg. He sneaks a glance only to see the scalpel moving deeper. Huss streams quickly from the wound, emitting a foul smell. Waves of pain wash over him, but Roosevelt refuses to utter a sound. The doctor reaches for a draining tube.

He inserts it into the incision as he brushes away the swarm of black flies that have been drawn to the smell. Fluid from deep inside the wound drains out onto the ground. Roosevelt can feel the pressure in his leg slowly dissipate. He sighs and closes his eyes. Maybe this has bought him a few more days, and he'll make it home after all.

Kermit and the camaradas paddle hard along a smooth stretch of the river. Kermit is in the lead canoe, and each stroke moves the boat swiftly forward through the calm waters. The expedition is in a race to save his father's life. It's been just over a week since the doctor cut into Roosevelt's infected leg and drained it. The operation probably saved his life, but the infection has continued to grow.

A new abscess has formed. Kermit's father has lost all desire to eat, and he's so weak he can barely move. Rondon and the other officers have agreed to accelerate the pace to get Roosevelt to a hospital as soon as possible. Kermit's also racing home to be reunited with his fiancée, Belle. He longs to reach out to her, to let her know he's still alive and that he loves her.

But then Kermit hears a familiar sound growing in the distance. His heart sinks. No, it can't be. Without even seeing them, he knows. Another stretch of raging whitewater lies ahead. The expedition is in no condition for another long, heavy portage. His father can barely stand, much less walk. And half of the Camaradas are weak from malaria.

A portage will mean a significant delay, and that delay could cost his father his life.

As Kermit floats closer to the rapids, he sees something unexpected. There's a wooden dock jutting over the water, and next to the dock is the largest building Kermit has seen since embarking on the river. Kermit orders the paddlers to steer towards the dock. As Kermit steps out of the canoe, he realizes that this building is a storm.

Kermit steps inside to find wooden shelves stocked with food and equipment to serve the needs of the seringueros. Behind the counter stands a stocky man, cool, fearless, and brawny as a bull. What can I do for you?

Kermit knows they don't have weeks to spare. He steps closer to the counter.

Do you know a guide? As a matter of fact, I do. Me. Kermit learns that the man's name is Jose Caripe. Years ago, he started as a rubber tapper. Now, he's the owner of this store and a successful merchant in the region. And as luck would have it, he's also an accomplished river guide. Kermit walks back to the dock and stares out at the river, steeling himself for what lies ahead.

To save his father, the expedition will have to brave the raging waters of the River of Doubt one more time. This season, Instacart has your back-to-school. As in, they've got your back-to-school lunch favorites, like snack packs and fresh fruit. And they've got your back-to-school supplies, like backpacks, binders, and pencils. And they've got your back when your kid casually tells you they have a huge school project due tomorrow.

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Nearby, he sees President Roosevelt hunched over in the back of one of the canoes that's pulled onto the riverbank. As the men around him prepare to launch, Rondon wonders if they're making a grave mistake. Yesterday, Rondon spent a good part of the morning negotiating with their guide, Jose Carripe, to prepare for the trip ahead.

Caripe claims to know where to steer the canoes safely through the rapids, and in the roughest parts, he knows how to access pathways that have already been cut through the forest for an easy portage. To Rondon's surprise, Caripe insists that this turbulent stretch of the river can be navigated in just over a day. If they can pull that off, they might succeed in keeping President Roosevelt alive.

While the men bought food to build their strength up, Rondon traded the last of their heavy dugouts for a more lightweight canoe. Rondon feels grateful that all of their canoes are modern now. But as the water before him boils with a fury, Rondon is growing less confident that they'll make it through unscathed.

Karipe walks down the riverbank towards him. "Are you ready, Colonel?" "Mr. Karipe, are you sure we can take these?" "These rapids are long and they'll chew you up if you're not careful." "But don't worry, Colonel. I know this river. Just follow me." Karipe pats Rondon on the back and steps into his canoe. Rondon takes a deep breath and follows him.

As the canoes launch, Rondon feels the spray of white water on his face. Looking ahead, he sees a steep bump in the current, indicating jagged rocks hide just under the surface. Karipe appears to be headed straight for one, but to his amazement, Karipe's canoe glides right over him. Rondon and his men follow suit and pass through without issue.

The boats bounce and twist over the top of the roiling water. Another rock juts out of the water in front of them. Karipe calls out behind him. "Hard right!"

Rondon and the other paddlers push hard and ably twist around it. He feels the splashing water soak his clothes. There's a hard thud as the hull hits a rock underneath, but the lightweight boat glances over the top. They bank left and right, and left again, following Karipe's path. As the minutes pass, Rondon can see the canoe is taking on water. He grips his paddle hard.

wondering if the turbulence will ever subside. Until finally, it does. The river is calm. Rondon's men let out a cheer. As Rondon catches his breath, he sees Caripe wave at him from his nearby canoe. Didn't I tell you, Colonel? If you follow me, you'll be fine. You want to know who didn't follow me? Them. Caripe points to the bank of the river, where four grave markers stand neatly in a row.

Clearly not everyone makes it through this stretch of the river. Rondon knows that more perils lie ahead, but with Karipe leading them, he's confident they'll make it. It's been almost two full months since they set off on the river. For the first time, he can feel that the end may truly be in sight.

Theodore Roosevelt stares into the sky as he reclines in the back of a canoe. The sun beats down from above, but he's still struck with chills. He shifts in his seat to alleviate the searing pain emanating from the infection in his right leg. It doesn't make much difference.

Roosevelt has embarked on many extreme endeavors in his life, but he's never felt this exhausted. Earlier today, the expedition passed through the final patch of rough water from the Carupanen Falls.

Jose Carripe was true to his word and led them through the treacherous section of the river in just a day and a half. But the ordeal took a toll on Roosevelt. He turns to his right and sees that the river is beginning to merge with another large waterway. 58 days ago, Roosevelt and 21 other men set off down the unknown waters of the River of Doubt.

At long last, they've arrived at the Aripuana River. The River of Doubt is now behind them. Roosevelt knows that he still may die. The military detachment that Rondon arranged to meet them may have left by now. It could be many days or weeks before they can get to a hospital. But as he turns to watch his son row their canoe forward through the gently swirling water, he also knows that Kermit will live.

Roosevelt feels content. The canoe glides along as Roosevelt drifts in and out of consciousness. Suddenly, he hears shouting from the canoes in the front. Roosevelt props himself up and looks over the bow of the canoe. There in the distance, on the shore of the river, sits a neat, orderly row of tents lined up with military precision.

Men in uniform are rushing to the riverbank, pointing and shouting with excited voices. Now, some of them are raising their rifles and firing into the air. Roosevelt realizes that it's a salute. The men in the canoes ahead erupt in cheers. Roosevelt wishes he could join them, but he only has the energy to smile. As the canoes get closer, Roosevelt sees two banners flying over the camp.

the national flags of Brazil and the United States. Kermit stops rowing for a moment and turns to his father. "What did I tell you, father? We made it." Roosevelt nods quietly. In the face of extreme danger and hardship, Roosevelt and Kermit had saved each other.

Theodore Roosevelt paces quietly backstage in the auditorium at the Royal Geographical Society in London. The hall is packed and Roosevelt can hear the audience buzzing.

Nearly a thousand people have crowded into a space designed to hold just 800. And there are another 500 people outside who couldn't get in. All of them are eager to hear Roosevelt tell the story of his perilous journey down the River of Doubt. It's June 1914, almost two months since the expedition reached the camp on the Arapuana.

It took another four days before the party reached the city of Manaus on the Amazon River, where Roosevelt was finally able to receive the medical care he so urgently needed. His appetite and energy have returned, but the effects of his ordeal have continued to linger. He has yet to regain all of the 55 pounds he lost on his journey, and he's begun to rely on a walking stick. An announcer takes the podium.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce President Theodore Roosevelt. The former president, now famous explorer, steps onto the stage to adoring applause. He looks out over the crowd of eager faces and begins speaking. Ladies and gentlemen, it is a great privilege to be here today. After what I've been through, it's a privilege to be anywhere.

On his journey back to the U.S., Roosevelt learned of a newspaper article that speculated that he had made up the entire journey. Roosevelt was furious. And while many rose to his defense, Roosevelt knew he would have to give his own accounting of the journey. Now he's in London doing exactly that. And the crowd is leaning forward, hanging on every word.

He recounts the trials and tribulations on the river, including developing a taste for monkey meat. The crowd is astonished. "Don't worry. I don't care to ever eat it again." London is a stopover for Roosevelt on his way to Spain, where Kermit is to marry Belle.

As Roosevelt finishes his speech, he reflects on all that happened on the river, the people whose lives were lost, as well as those who made the journey possible. I wish to express my high admiration and regard for Colonel Candido Rondon and his associates who have been my colleagues in this work of exploration. Without Colonel Rondon's leadership, our journey simply would not have been possible.

He closes his address with a final thought, reflecting on his hope that their scientific and geographic discoveries would benefit Brazil and the world at large. As for myself, I will admit that exploration was its own reward. The crowd leaps to its feet. Theodore Roosevelt had earned a place in history yet again.

The achievements of the Roosevelt-Rondon Scientific Expedition forever changed the map of Brazil, which now officially marks the 470-mile-long Rio Roosevelt as a tributary of the Aripuana River.

The unknown indigenous group that the expedition had encountered along their route would later be identified as the Sintalarga people. Historians have surmised that Rondon's several peace offerings had been successful in persuading the Sintalarga warriors to let the expedition pass.

But the expedition's charting of the river was just the beginning. Outside interest in the area continued to grow. In the following decades, the Cinta Larga faced increasing encroachment from outsiders.

In 1960, employees of a rubber company massacred 3,500 villagers, decimating their numbers for decades to come. In the years after the expedition, Theodore Roosevelt tried to resume his once arduous work schedule, writing and giving political speeches, but he never fully recovered his health.

He was plagued by recurring infections in his leg, as well as lingering symptoms from the malaria he contracted in the Amazon. Less than five years after returning from Brazil, Roosevelt died in his sleep from a blood clot at his home in Oyster Bay.

Kermit went on to marry his fiancée Belle, and together they had four children. But the grit and determination Kermit had shown in the Amazon faded in the face of life's challenges. He was left devastated by his father's death in 1919. In the following years, his marriage and finances began to crumble, and he increasingly turned to alcohol. After bouncing around from one military post to the next, Kermit was forced to leave his

In 1943, he died by suicide. He was just 53 years old. Candido Rondon remained in service to the Brazilian government for many more years. He is remembered today as one of Brazil's most lauded explorers.

Throughout his life, he remained steadfastly devoted to preserving peace with Brazil's indigenous groups. In 1925, Albert Einstein personally nominated Rondon for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work. Brazil even named the territory surrounding the Rio Roosevelt after him. It's an area nearly twice the size of England, and to this day, it is called Rondonia in his honor.

Candido Rondon lived to be 92 years old, passing away in Rio de Janeiro in 1958. The Roosevelt Rondon Expedition gathered thousands of previously unknown plant and animal specimens for the American Museum of Natural History, many of which live on in their collection to this day.

On our next episode, I'll be talking to Michael Heckenberger, an archaeologist who's made many journeys down another mysterious river in the Amazon jungle. We'll discuss how this wilderness has changed since the Roosevelt-Rondon expedition, and we'll learn about the ancient civilization Heckenberger discovered near the river's headwaters. This is the final episode in our series, Uncharted, Teddy Roosevelt's Amazon Expedition.

A quick note about our scenes. In most cases, we can't know exactly what was said, but everything is based on historical research. If you'd like to learn more about this event, we highly recommend the books The River of Doubt by Candice Millard and Through the Brazilian Wilderness from the Diaries of Theodore Roosevelt.

I'm your host, Cassie DePeckel. Eric Trueheart wrote this episode. Our editor is Steve Fennessy. Our audio engineer is Sergio Enriquez. Sound design is by Joe Richardson. Produced by Matt Almos, Emily Frost, and Alita Rosansky. Our senior managing producer is Tanja Thigpen. Our managing producer is Matt Gant. Our senior producer is Andy Herman.

Our executive producers are Jenny Lauer Beckman, Stephanie Jens, and Marshall Louis. For Wondery. Welcome to the Offensive Line. You guys, on this podcast, we're going to make some picks, talk some s**t, and hopefully make you some money in the process. I'm your host, Annie Agarne.

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