I struggled through the night, I don't know how; and then on the third day made another start.

This third day was abominable.

The atmosphere was beastly hot; the sky was a dull yellow, and the birds seemed to have all disappeared.

As I went on it grew worse, but I found it was not because the fires were in front of me.

On the contrary, they were behind me, and were driving on so that they were gradually approaching nearer.