Mt. Rushmore was the Mecca of this future world.
"Exactly!"
"But—but how—?"
"Listen," suggested Steve. "I think we can learn much from the Mother's words."
For the Mother had closed her eyes. In a recitative monotone she was intoning a message to the dazed priestess at her feet.
"Thus say the holy records: 'And in those days were Men the Masters of humankind, and Men were truly in the image of the gods. And mighty were the works of men; over highways of creet and steel they raced swift chariots which took their sustenance from vapored liquid; they spoke to each other from afar over wires that hummed and goblets that glowed; in those days none wanted for food, they spent their days in laughter, their nights in gaming and magic.
"'But it came to pass that some Men, zealous to rule all others, made war upon their brothers. Great and terrible were the weapons of their destruction: great catapults, which hurled fire and flame and exploding death; snarling hand-bows which shot steel arrowheads; with gases they wreaked woe, and with waters that burn the flesh.