This scene begins dramatically with Coyote's baptism. Though he still inherently believes in his native traditions and religion, he loves Alt too much and feels that he must marry her. Coyote is not baptized alone; there were many baptisms a year because the Spaniards were constantly recruiting and tricking the natives into converting to Catholicism.

"With flattery and presents they attract the savage Indians and persuade them to adhere to life in society and to receive instruction for a knowledge of the Catholic faith, the cultivation of land, and the arts necessary for making the instruments most needed for farming." (Chan and Olin, Major Problems in California History, "Captain Alejandro Malaspina Praises the Beneficial Impact of Spanish Missions, 1792, pg 63). The Spanish men felt that it was their duty to convert the native. This mindset allowed them to believe that they were truly helping the native, and even that the natives wanted to be converted. "Now they all want to be Christians because they know that there is a God who created the heavens and the earth and all things, that there is a Hell, and Glory and they have souls etc." (Chan and Olin 59-60)."

Additionally, many indians were forced to join the mission.

"The impact of the European grazing animals was enormous, wrecking the ecosystems that the Gabrielinos depended upon. By the end of the 18th century, Uto-Aztecans had very little choice than to join the nearest mission. Their ecological economies had been spoiled. It was not, however, an easy choice." (Ethington, Ghost Metropolis. Regime IV)