Isabella De Ortega rides over to the mission for her music lesson. While she is there, pirates attack the mission and loot its treasures. The monks hide her in the tower, but she is discovered by the ruffian crew and in grave peril until the Americano, leader of the pirate band, rescues her at his own risk. For this service his life is spared when the soldiers, under command of Isabella's father arrive and, capturing some and killing others, drive off the pirates. The Americano has a genius for organization; he restores the mission. After saving Isabella's life a second time, he asks her hand in marriage, but is haughtily refused by her father. The pirates return to avenge their defeat by looting the Hacienda de Ortega on the day of the fiesta. Again it is the Americano who routs them after rescuing Isabella from their clutches, and this time Ortega consents to the marriage of his daughter and the once-despised Yankee, who commands the hidalgo's admiration by his rare proficiency in the arts of peace and war. "The Americano" has become a title of honor.
