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.