"Whoa, there; steady, you." At length the mule stopped of his own accord, and seemed to come to his senses again.

McTeague came up and took the bridle rein, speaking to him and rubbing his nose.
"There, there, what's the matter with you ?" The mule was docile again.
McTeague washed his mouth and set forward once more.
The day was magnificent.

From horizon to horizon was one vast span of blue, whitening as it dipped earthward.

Miles upon miles to the east and southeast the desert unrolled itself, white, naked, inhospitable, palpitating and shimmering under the sun, unbroken by so much as a rock or cactus stump.

In the distance it assumed all manner of faint colors, pink, purple, and pale orange.