Very gingerly Whopper wet his face. As the water ran down his
backbone he let out another yell.

"Don't know as I'll go in," he observed. "I thought it would be
much warmer."

"Oh, yes, come in," urged Snap.

In the meantime Shep had come to shore and crawled out, behind
some bushes. Softly he crept up behind Whopper. Then came a
sudden shove, and over went Frank with a loud yell and a splash
that sent the spray in all directions. Before he came up Shep was
out of sight behind a tree.

"Say, wh---who---" spluttered Whopper, as he came up and gazed
around half angrily. Then he caught sight of a shoulder back of
the tree. "Come out of that, and let me give you something to
remember me by!" And he struck out for shore.

But Shep had no intention of being caught, and as Whopper came out
he sprang in. Then Frank came after him, and a race ensued, in
which Snap and Giant joined. The rapid swimming warmed all the
boys, and then they declared the water "just O.K.," as Snap expressed
it. Whopper watched his chance to get even with Shep, and when the
other was not looking, dove down and caught the doctor's son by
the foot. Shep was just shouting to Giant and had his mouth wide
open, and as a consequence swallowed a lot of water. When he and
Whopper came up they indulged in a splashing contest lasting several
minutes.