"Come on, Shep." "Where are you going, Whopper?" "For a row on the river. I've been aching for a row for about a year." "That suits me," answered Sheppard Reed, as he hopped down from the fence upon which he had been sitting. "What about the others?" "Snap said he would meet me at the dock," continued Frank Dawson, otherwise known as Whopper. "I don't know where Giant is." "I saw him about an hour ago. He was on an errand for his mother--said he was going to Perry's store." "Then we can look in Perry's. If he isn't there I'll run over to his house for him. It's a grand day for a row." "Yes, we must get him if we can," went on Sheppard Reed thoughtfully. "I've got something to tell the crowd." "To tell the crowd?" repeated Frank Dawson curiously. "What?" "I'll tell you when we are all together, Whopper." "Something about Ham Spink? I met him last night and we almost had a fight. Oh, that dude makes me sick " "No, this isn't about Ham, or any of that crowd. It concerns--- But I'll tell you later," and Sheppard Reed put on an air of great secrecy. "All right. If you don't want to tell I suppose I'll have to wait," said Whopper disappointedly. "But you might tell me what's on your mind." "I want to tell the whole crowd at once," answered his chum. "Then nobody can say somebody else was told first." "I see. Well, you go down to the dock and meet Snap, and I'll hustle around and stir up Giant," went on Frank Dawson.