This is the first novel by Mayne Reed, created in 1849 and substantially revised by him in 1850. It tells of the adventures of the brave and noble Captain Galler during the war between the USA and Mexico in 1846–1848. The abundance of military sketches—from daily life to battles—many critical, and sometimes romantic, situations that the main hero finds himself in, and a detailed description of the nature of those places—all of this clearly demonstrates how the author was searching for his own style, which would later bring him well-deserved fame (at least here).