"That's one of the questions no one can answer, any more than one can tell why so many costly engines and steam-shovels and dredges were left to rust and grow useless by exposure."
"I remember we saw some of them near the railway. A good many were more than half-buried in the sand, too," said Vasco.
Thus the boys whiled away the afternoon, and at night, with Mr. Andrews, turned into their berths in the "sleeper."
In the morning, after an early breakfast, the boys started to explore the town. They found that most of the buildings were mere wooden shanties.
"This city makes me think of some of the beach resorts in my country," said Harlan. "The houses are just such flimsy affairs."
There were no cellars, and the houses were set up on stakes. The streets hardly deserved the name, and were littered with all kinds of dirt and filth.
Even Vasco, who could not be accused of being particular, said that he much preferred to live in his own city of Panama.
After dinner, during the hottest part of the day, the boys indulged in a siesta, and later took a walk to Coconut Point, where the French had built a number of fine houses, and cleared and drained the land to make healthful surroundings for the officers of the canal company.
One specially elegant house was built for the sole use of De Lesseps—and he occupied it less than one hour. The whole situation and surroundings were ideal and a splendid reminder of the extravagance of the French canal company.
At night, when the boys returned to their car, Mr. Andrews told them that he had completed his business in Colon, and that they would start on the return trip in the morning.