ve's uncle. "Only the United States soldiers are armed in the
Park."

"Somebody told me the bears were tame enough to eat out of your hand,"
said Phil.

"Maybe they are, but I shouldn't advise anybody to feed them that way,"
answered Mr. Porter. "A bear isn't naturally a sociable creature."

It had been decided that Dunston Porter should go into the Park with the
ladies and the girls, letting the boys shift for themselves in the
search for Abe Blower and the lost Landslide Mine. An hour before the
time for parting came Dunston Porter called Dave, Roger, and Phil to
him, in a car that was practically vacated at the time.

"Now, I want to caution all of you to be careful," said the old hunter
and traveler. "This isn't the East, remember. It's the West, and in some
places it is as wild and woolly as can be. But I don't think you'll have
any trouble if you mind your own business and keep your eyes open. Don't
rely too much on strangers, and I think it will be wise for all of you
to keep together as much as possible. Don't show any more cash than you
have to. And remember, you can always reach us in the Park, by telegraph
or long-distance telephone."

"We'll try to take care of ourselves," said Dave; and then his uncle
continued to give the youths advice, on one subject or another, until it
was time to get ready to leave the train.

"Livingston!" was the cry presently, and the excursion train rolled into
the long depot. It was to stop there for fifteen minutes and then
proceed to Gardiner.

"There is Belle!" cried Laura.

"I see her!" put in Phil, and was the first to reach the platform and
shake the girl from Star Ranch by the hand. Belle Endicott looked the
picture of health, and was glad to greet them all.

"Sorry we can't visit awhile," said Roger.

"We'll do that after we come back," added Phil.

"Well, good-by everybody!" cried Dave, shaking hands with many, an
example followed by those who were to go with him.

"Wish I was going on that hunt for the mine with you," said Ben, who had
to remain with his folks.

"So do I," added Shadow, who was to stay with Ben.

"Never mind, we'll rely on you to look after the girls," answered Dave.

"Oh, we can do that," said Ben, with a grin.

"Say, that puts me in mind of a story," cried Shadow. "No reflection on
the girls here," he added, hastily. "Once on a time a young minister
paid a visit to some relatives in the country. He got a letter stating
they'd be gla