But although the boys searched closely they could discover nothing to tell them who had been the builders of this little city in the swamp.
By the time they had completed their search of the larger building, it was nearly noon and they sat down in the shade in the great arched doorway and ate the lunch they had brought with them.
CHAPTER XXIV.
MORE SURPRISES.
"What do you make of it, Charley?" Walter inquired, as he munched away at his fish and yams.
"The roads, walls, and these buildings were undoubtedly built by the Spaniards," said his chum, decidedly. "I have seen lots of their work in St. Augustine, and the West Indian islands, and there is no mistaking its character. They are the greatest road-builders since the Romans."
"But history contains no mention of such a place as this," Walter objected.
"Yet here it is, history or no history," Charley replied. "Perhaps all the voyages of gentlemen adventurers following Columbus were not known to the historians of the time. Perhaps this place may have been built by a detachment of De Soto's expedition. We must bear in mind that Florida was long the favorite land amongst the Spaniards. From the small number of buildings, I should say that this place was very likely built by a comparatively small party, using, no doubt, the Indians for slaves."
"And the slaves at last destroyed their masters," Walter suggested.