Chapter 6 begins with Kino and his family making an exodus from his known world to enter a new, strange world where they do not know their way. They are leaving the safety and the assurance of one life because of Kino's fierce desire to start a new life. The pearl, if it can be sold, will allow Coyotito to go to school and to be a part of this new world, but first Kino must make his way through a strange and alien world.
As they begin their journey, "some ancient thing stirred in Kino. . . . " They avoid the center of town because they are afraid that they might be noticed — ironically, only two days ago they led a long procession down to the center of the town when they sought the doctor's help. Now they are sneaking out of the town and heading toward Loreto, where "the miraculous Virgin has her station." This irony becomes apparent later when nothing will be helpful to Kino and Juana.
At first, Kino is happy for the wind; it will cover up their tracks, but in a short time the wind dies down, and he knows there will be footprints left behind them. Still, as he is escaping, the "music of the pearl was triumphant in Kino's head." Each time they change their direction, Kino returns with a brush and sweeps their footsteps away.
Since they are far from the Gulf now, the sun is hot, and Kino lectures Juana on the kinds of poisonous plants to be avoided. Juana wonders if they will be followed; Kino knows that they will be followed because the pearl must be extremely valuable or else so many people would not have tried such desperate measures to take the pearl away from him.
