On the west of it lay another stretch of sand.

They followed the verdure till they reached the base of the rocky hills, which were barren of any vegetation; huge jumbles of granite the color of porphyry.

During the night they made about ten miles, and at dawn were smothered by one of those raging sand-storms, prevalent in this latitude.

They had to abandon the trap cage and seek shelter in a near-by cave.

Here they remained huddled together till the storm died away.
"It has blown itself out," commented the chief.