"It isn’t going on, because it’s all over. General Scott marched straight to the City of Mexico. He fought a half dozen terrible battles, but he won every one of them, and then took the City of Mexico itself. A treaty of peace was signed February 2 last. You are riding now on American soil. New Mexico, Arizona, California, and vast regions to the north of us have been ceded to the United States." "Hurrah!" they cried together, Billy joining in with as much enthusiasm as the others. "What about Santa Fé?" asked Bill Breakstone. "It’s occupied by an American garrison, and there is complete peace everywhere. The only danger is from wandering Indians." "We know how to fight them," said Bill Breakstone. "Boys, we ride for Santa Fé." The soldier continued northward, and they turned the heads of their horses toward the New Mexico capital, reaching, in good time and without loss, the queer little old Spanish and Indian town from which the flags of Spain and then of Mexico had disappeared forever. They intended to remain only two or three days in order to obtain more horses and fresh supplies. Then they would slip quietly out of the town, because they wished their errand to be known to nobody. On the second day Bill Breakstone and Phil were walking together, when a man in sober civilian dress suddenly seized a hand of each in a firm grasp, and exclaimed in joy: "Why, boys, when did you come here?" "The Captain!" exclaimed Bill Breakstone. "How things do come around!" It was Middleton, his very self, thinner and browner, but with the same fine open countenance and alert look. Bill and his comrade explained rapidly about the rescue of John Bedford, the recovery of little Billy Arenberg, and their passage through the mountains. "And now," said Breakstone, "you tell us, Captain, how you happen to be up here in Santa Fé in civilian dress." Middleton smiled a little sadly as he replied: "The war is over. We won many brilliant victories. We were never beaten once. And I’m glad it’s over, but there is nothing left for the majority of the younger officers. I should probably remain a captain all the rest of my life at some obscure frontier station, and so I’ve resigned from the army." A light leaped up in Bill Breakstone’s eyes, but he asked very quietly: "And what are you meaning to do now, Captain?" "I don’t know, but I’ve been hearing talk about gold in California, and perhaps I’ll go there to hunt it." "Of course you will!" exclaimed Bill Breakstone, letting himself go. "You’re going to start to-morrow, and you’re going with us. I know right where that gold is, and I’m going to lead you and the rest of the boys to it. You remember that every one of us had a quest that drew us into the West. The secret of the gold is mine. We need you and we share alike. As I’ve told the others, there’s enough for all."