For the most part the surface of the hills was naked-dry and composed of sand and rock.

Our way followed the sand-bottoms between the hills.

And the sand-bottoms were bare, save for spots of scrub, with here and there short tufts of dry and withered grass.

Water there was none, nor sign of water, except for washed gullies that told of ancient and torrential rains.
My father was the only one who had horses to his wagon.

The wagons went in single file, and as the train wound and curved I saw that the other wagons were drawn by oxen.