Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 124

"Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion," by George Gleason, is set during the Mexican-American War, specifically at the Siege of Monterey in September 1846. The narrative follows Lieutenant Fuller and Major Pefferton, two American officers encamped outside the fortified city. Pefferton, who previously lived in Monterey, reveals to Fuller that he has fallen in love with Donna Francisca, daughter of a wealthy Spanish gentleman, Don Estevan de Salmanca. After a chance encounter at a fandango where she left him her portrait and a sprig of cedar, Pefferton obtained permission from General Taylor to infiltrate the city disguised as a Mexican. His stated mission involves gathering intelligence, but his true objective emerges: he intends to attempt rescuing Francisca and her family from the impending siege, fearing they may be killed in the battle.