"I didn't say that I invented it," remarked Jim, blandly.
"How long did this job take?" I inquired.
"A few hundred thousands of years, I suppose," said Jim.
"How do you know?" grunted Tom, "you are just giving Jo a filler."
"Well, putting it another way,", said Jim, "it took about as long as it would for you to acquire a knowledge of spelling."
This was Tom's weak point, but all further controversy was cut off by our nearer approach to this temple. There was a broad arch of one hundred feet in the smooth, red sandstone through which we entered. Before this arch and almost in the entrance was a screen of cottonwood trees.
We stood within, silent, wondering at the majesty of the interior. It was like being under the dome of some great cathedral, though this had the added grace of being natural.
The temple was five hundred feet in width, and two hundred in height, with an opening far above in the roof, through which the blue sky was faintly visible.
It was not dark, for the light came from the entrance and dusky slants of sunshine came through the opening above. Our eyes were soon accustomed to the twilight of the place.
"Isn't it grand?" said Jim. "I never imagined such a place as this."