, they caught a glimpse of a white village,
high up on the hills, smothered among green trees. That was Cold
Branch--no boom town, but the slow growth of many years. Cold Branch
lay on the edge of the grape and corn lands. The big country road ran
just back of the heights. Cold Branch had nothing in common with the
frisky ambition of Okochee with its impertinent lake.

"Mac," said J. Pinkney suddenly, "I want you to stop at Cold Branch.
There's a landing there that they made to use sometimes when the river
was up."

"Can't," said the captain, grinning more broadly. "I've got the United
States mails on board. Right to-day this boat's in the government
service. Do you want to have the poor old captain keelhauled by Uncle
Sam? And the great city of Skyland, all disconsolate, waiting for its
mail? I'm ashamed of your extravagance, J. P."

"Mac," almost whispered J. Pinkney, in his danger-line voice, "I looked
into the engine room of the _Dixie Belle_ a while ago. Don't you know
of somebody that needs a new boiler? Cement and black Japan can't hide
flaws from me. And then, those shares of building and loan that you
traded for repairs--they were all yours, of course. I hate to mention
these things, but--"

"Oh, come now, J. P.," said the captain. "You know I was just fooling.
I'll put you off at Cold Branch, if you say so."

"The other passengers get off there, too," said Mr. Bloom.

Further conversation was held, and in ten minutes the _Dixie Belle_
turned her nose toward a little, cranky wooden pier on the left bank,
and the captain, relinquishing the wheel to a roustabout, came to the
passenger deck and made the remarkable announcement: "All out for
Skyland."

The Blaylocks and J. Pinkney Bloom disembarked, and the _Dixie Belle_
proceeded on her way up the lake. Guided by the indefatigable
promoter, they slowly climbed the steep hillside, pausing often to rest
and admire the view. Finally they entered the village of Cold Branch.
Warmly both the Colonel and his wife praised it for its homelike and
peaceful beauty. Mr. Bloom conducted them to a two-story building on a
shady street that bore the legend, "Pine-top Inn." Here he took his
leave, receiving the cordial thanks of the two for his attentions, the
Colonel remarking that he thought they would spend the remainder of the
day in rest, and take a look at his purchase on the morrow.

J. Pinkney Bloom walked down Cold Branch's main street. He did