During an attack on the Matelija Indian village, Wana, a beautiful Indian girl, is captured. Don Pablo, a Mexican gentleman, rescues Wana and places her in the care of the old Padre at San Louis Rey Mission. Two months later Wana again meets her rescuer. Romero, a half-breed, is rejected by Rubia, Don Pablo's sweetheart. Out of revenge Romero urges the Indians to rise and exterminate the mission settlement. Romero plans to kill Don Pablo during the dagger dance at the annual harvest festival. Wana, disguised as a boy, accepts Romero's challenge to the dagger dance and save Don Pablo's life. After the tragedy Wana reveals her identity to the Padre and tells him it was love and gratitude for her rescuer that induced the deed. The Indians, seeking the life of the boy who killed Romero, are stopped at the door of the church by the old Padre, who tells them, "The crime was committed before the church portals, it is for the church to punish." This story is founded upon an early legend of San Louis Rey Mission told by the Indians of Paula. The exterior shows the mission as it stands today. While the interior is an exact replica even to the reproduction of the crude Indian designs and paintings on the wall. The scenes about the old Spanish house were taken at Gunga Ranchero, an old Spanish home four miles from the Mission. This old house is one of the historical landmarks of southern California and has been in the hands of the original family from the time it was built until the present day.