ighbors--good friends all, I am sorry." Mr. Granger cast a
glance about him which was like a benediction in spite of his doleful
words. "We have come to our promised land too soon; we cannot go up
the river and inspect our glorious properties for another week. The
river is closed by government orders. The colossal improvements by
which the Paradise Gardens Colony is transforming the wilderness into a
veritable paradise for us all have interfered slightly with our program.

"Only a few miles up the river the Colony is constructing an enormous
bridge to carry the rail which is pushing swiftly on its way toward the
Colony and which, as we all know, will increase the value of our
properties by such leaps and bounds that each and all of us shall reap
a harvest of wealth. We who are in on the ground floor will sell at
our own price when the rush comes; where we invested hundreds we will
sell for thousands. The construction of this great bridge entails
enormous engineering feats and for the present the river is blocked.
Entirely blocked. Blocked so that not even a Seminole Indian could
pole his picturesque dugout from here to the magnificently fertile
lands of the Colony.

"We had no way of knowing this would happen. Nevertheless, the Colony
will transfer its members free of charge back to Flora City; and one
week from to-day we will resume our trip up the beautiful Chokohatchee
to the Paradise Colony. Let us not grieve too much, good friends, over
the slight delay. 'What doth it profit a man if he gain the world and
lose his soul.' A week at beautiful, tropical Flora City! A week in
which to feast our souls on the enchantment of Southern Florida!
Friends, I think we may congratulate ourselves; and we start back in
fifteen minutes."

"The grub's so damn bad at that Flora Hotel," snapped a weazened old
man. "I'm poisoned yet by some of that beef I et. Tougher'n hell it
was."

"_Mister_ Perkins, _sir_! I must ask you to refrain from the use of
profanity. The spirit of the Colony, of its members----"

"Well, I should say so!" said Mrs. Perkins. "Swearin' and rarin' round
after all Mr. Granger's done for us! I declare I'm 'shamed to take you
along, Tom Perkins."

"Have you no soul or eyes for the higher things, Mr. Perkins?" inquired
a large, black-clad lady reprovingly. "With all this beauty about us,
and the inspirin' scenery, I should think----"

"Well, that's all right, Mrs. Caine, what you think," i