learned that the
loser was the son of a United States senator.

On and on rolled the excursion train, and after the excitement attending
the loss of the suit-case was over, the boys and girls settled down to
enjoy themselves. Dave and the other lads loaned Roger such things as he
needed, until he could get at his trunk in the baggage-car.

The next morning found the train in St. Paul, and there the tourists
spent a day, riding around the city and visiting Minneapolis, which is
but a short distance away. By nightfall they were on board once more and
bound for Livingston, a small place, where a branch-line runs a distance
of about fifty miles southward to Gardiner, the northern entrance to
Yellowstone Park. At Livingston, Dave and his chums were to separate
from the others and keep on westward to Butte, where they hoped to fall
in with Abe Blower, the old miner and prospector.

"Oh, Dave, it won't be long now before we separate!" said Jessie with a
sigh. It was the second day of the trip after leaving St. Paul, and the
two were by themselves on the observation end of the train.

"Well, I don't think it will be for long," he said, as cheerfully as
possible. "We'll soon join you in the Park."

"I--I wouldn't mind it so much if it was not for that Link Merwell--and
that old Haskers!" continued the girl. "Oh, Dave, you must be careful!"
and she caught him by the arm.

"I'm going to keep my eyes open for them," Dave answered, and, as nobody
was looking, he caught her hand and gave it a tight squeeze. "Will you
miss me, Jessie, while I am gone?" he continued, in a low tone.

"Terribly!" she whispered.

"I'll miss you, too. But it sha'n't be for long that I'll be away--I
promise you that."

"Oh, you must find the mine if you can, Dave. I rather think the Morrs
are depending on it. Laura said Roger looked very much worried when he
got that letter in St. Paul."

"Yes, matters are not going well with the senator's affairs--I know
that, Jessie. If he gets out of politics he'll have to do something
else. Finding this lost gold mine would be a big lift for the whole
family."

Then Laura came out, in company with Roger, and soon the others
followed. It was a perfect day, as clear as could be, and off in the
distance could be seen the mountains.

"Going to shoot any bears out there in the Park?" asked Shadow, of
Dunston Porter, with a grin.

"Hardly, Shadow, since outsiders are not allowed to carry firearms,"
replied Da