ot away?" asked Roger.

"I don't know whether the bear got away or I got away. I dropped that
frying-pan, and I legged it for the cabin for all I was worth. In the
meantime the bear disappeared among the trees just back of the cabin. I
got my uncle's rifle and went out to look for him, but it was no use."

"O dear, a bear!" murmured Jessie. "Suppose he comes down here?" and she
gave a slight shiver.

"Why, that would be fun!" declared Belle. "I'd like to see that bear,
and get a shot at him, too," went on the girl from Star Ranch.

"If that bear is anywhere in this vicinity we might organize a hunt for
him," suggested Luke, who, on the day previous, had gone out with Ben
and Shadow and brought down a partridge.

"That's the talk!" cried Roger. "Come on, let us go on a hunt! It will
give us something to do."

The matter was discussed for a quarter of an hour, and during that time
Roger and Ben managed to take Phil to one side and tell him about the
news from Crumville. The shipowner's son was, of course, much
astonished.

"I believe it's a fake!" he declared, flatly. "Dave is Dave Porter, and
no mistake! We cleared that matter up directly after our return from the
South Seas."

"Just what I said, Phil," responded Roger. "At the same time, I suppose
the Porters have got to listen to Ward Porton's claim."

"Bah! it's a conspiracy I tell you--a conspiracy gotten up by this
fellow, Porton, and by Link Merwell! You can't tell me any different!"
and Phil's face showed his earnestness.

It was decided that all of the boys should go out directly after lunch,
in a hunt for the bear. The number of shotguns and rifles on hand was
enough to go around, so that each of them would be armed. They also
provided themselves with some provisions, not knowing how late it would
be before they got back.

"Oh, Dave, do be careful!" pleaded Jessie, when the boys were ready to
depart. "Don't let that bear eat you up!"

"Don't worry," he answered. "I'll take care of myself." And then he
added with something of a sigh: "I hope you have good news for me when I
get back."

"I hope so too, Dave. But just remember what I said," she went on,
looking him straight in the eyes. "I'll think just as much of you even
if they prove that you are not Dave Porter."

Phil was with the crowd, and all headed up the brook, and then along the
trail leading to the cabin which had been occupied by Lester Lawrence.
Arriving there, a hunt was made throug