Scene V: Flood of Unhappiness
Coyote is particularly upset because he recently was whipped and abused after he was caught performing the dance of his native american origins. Because Coyote is a neophyte, and no longer a gentile, he is barred from performing this dance. The missionaries view this dance as a threat to the stability of their religious beliefs.
The scene continues to show Coyote alone in a wooded area, hunting small game. He has snuck away from work for the afternoon, in hopes of settling his temper and reflecting on his mistreatment. While in the woods, he runs into 4 other members of the Luiseno tribe. These four men tell him that they are running away from he mission, and are seeking protection from a nearby tribe that has not been infiltrated by the Europeans. Coyote is curious to see why they have run away, and thus he asks them about their past.
"Tiburico Obmusa: 'He explained that after his wife and daughter died, because he was crying, on five separate occasions Father Danti ordered him whipped. For these reasons he fled.'
Homobono Sumipocse: 'his motive for having fled was that his brother had died on the other shore and when he cried for him they whipped him in the mission.'
Liborato Yree: 'He fled because of the deaths of his mother, two brothers, and three nephews'
And Macario Uncatt: 'He testified that, because of the deaths of his wife and one child, he fled, no other motive than that'" (Hackel, [Testimony go runaway Indians, Aug. 12, 1797, San Francisco Presidio, AGN, CA, LXV expediente], pg 123)
This scene ends as Coyote and Alt discuss if they should run away from the mission or instead rebel against their cruel oppressors. They have heard stories about a successful, yet violent, revolt in a San Diego Mission "The father has been killed, the Mission burned, its many and valuable furnishings destroyed" (Chan and Olin, Father Junipero Serra, 61).