“Then we have got to wait?” asked Giant reproachfully.

“And when we are dying by inches to know,” added Whopper.

“Yes, you’ve got to wait.  So the sooner we get out on the river the better—–­if you are dying, as you say,” responded the doctor’s son.

While talking the four chums had been watching the departure of the Ham Spink crowd from another dock.  Soon the boat that carried the dudish bully and his cronies disappeared around a bend of the river.

In a very few minutes Shep and his chums had their rowboat out.  They were used to rowing together, and each took his accustomed place at the oars.  Shep gave the word, and like clockwork four blades dropped into the water and the rowboat shot away from the dock.

“Where shall we go?” asked Giant.

“Let us row over to Lackney’s orchard,” answered Snap.  “Dandy apples there—–­and Mr. Lackney told me we could help ourselves.”

“Suits me!” cried Whopper.  “I’d rather eat apples than go to a fire.  Us three can eat while Shep does the spouting.”

“Humph! perhaps I’d do a little eating myself,” came from the doctor’s son.

It was an ideal day in midsummer, and all of the lads were in the best of spirits.  As they rowed along they discussed the encounter with the Spink faction.

“I wish they’d leave us alone,” was Shep’s comment.  “I am getting so I fairly hate the sight of Ham and Carl Dudder.”

“So do I,” added Whopper.  “But they don’t intend to leave us alone, and that is all there is to it.”

“I am sorry they are going up into the Windy Mountains,” said Shep. 
“It will-----” And then he stopped short.

“Say, Shep, if you keep on like that we’ll pitch you overboard,” cried Whopper.  “If you’ve got anything to tell, tell it, or else keep still.”

“Wait till we get to Lackney’s orchard,” was all the doctor’s son would reply.

They soon came to a bend in the river and, crossing here, drew up to a spot where some trees and bushes overhung the water.  All leaped ashore and Snap tied the craft fast to a stake.  Then the chums strolled up to some near-by apple trees, selected some fruit that suited them, and threw themselves on the ground to enjoy their feast.

“Now we are ready to listen to your imperial majesty’s secret,” observed Giant as he munched a juicy apple.

“Yes, let us in on it, by all means,” added Snap.

“And don’t say it’s about lessons for the coming fall,” put in Whopper with a mock-serious look.

“Lessons!” burst out Giant.  “Perish the thought!”

“Well, to start with,” began the doctor’s son.  “How would you like to go camping again?”

“Fine!”

“Great!”

“Couldn’t be better!”

“Just as I thought,” continued Shep.  “And just what I told my father.  He wants us to go out, you know,” and Shep’s eyes began to twinkle.