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LAST BATTLE—CONCLUSION
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who were in peril there, and brought the Chinese to treat for peace. "I don't know how long we are to remain here," wrote Gilbert. "But as long as we do stay you can rest assured we'll see to it that Old Glory is properly respected." He added that his own personal affairs were going along swimmingly, and that he was tremendously glad to hear that Walter had been rescued.

It was not long after this that a letter came from Job Dowling, who had read in the newspapers of the rescue of Walter and the capture of José Lupez. The old man was overjoyed to think his nephew safe and equally joyful that the most of the bank money had been recovered. "When I read the news I thought I was dreaming," so his communication ran. "I bought four papers to get the news straight. It seems most too good to be true. The bank folks say they can now get together and pay all depositors in full, so you boys are sure of close on to twenty thousand dollars, besides the thousand Ben gets for capturing Braxton Bogg. All the town is talking about your doings, and you'll get a right royal sendoff when you return—and I'm a-going to be at the head of the procession, too, and give you such a welcome as you never dreamed on. You are a