A striking story and picturesque study of the old mission days when the Indians had the sturdy virtues, engendered by the simple life, under the guidance of the good father Serra and his Padres, before the meaner men came to poison and corrupt. Neepah, an Indian mother and her child are marooned in a lone island where she picks up a meager existence on the seashore and where she was accidentally left by an exploring party who had been drawn off by a storm. Her child dies, she grows old before her time and lives in a humble and lonely way. Leah, the beauty of the mission, is so harried and affronted by the brutal soldiers that she inspires a revolt, planning to burn the mission and kill the soldiers. This uprising is quelled, but despite all the pleading and upbraiding of Father Serra, Leah hardens her face and defies him, demanding the death of the guilty soldiers. He dooms her to banishment, but when they land her on the island, the tears and entreaties of the wild old recluse, together with a natal of her lonely years, so mars the pity of the stern Serra, that he takes her and Leah back to the mission. Eventually the soldiers are punished and Leah grows to he as faithful for good as she was once antagonistic.