42 



THE DESERT 



Barren 

 rock. 



Mountain 

 colors. 



Saw-toothed 

 ridges. 



Barren rock and nothing more ; but what could 

 better epitomize power ! The heave of the 

 enormous ridge, the loom of the domed top, 

 the bulk and body of the whole are colossal. 

 Rising as they do from flat sands they give the 

 impression of things deep-based veritable isl- 

 ands of porphyry bent upward from a yellow 

 sea. They are so weather-stained, so worn, 

 that they are not bright in coloring. Usually 

 they assume a dull garnet-red, or the red of 

 peroxide of iron ; but occasionally at sunset 

 they warm in color and look fire-red through 

 the pink haze. 



The more abrupt ranges that appear younger 

 because of their saw-toothed ridges and broken 

 peaks, are often much finer in coloring. They 

 have needles that are lifted skyward like Mos- 

 lem minarets or cathedral spires ; and at even- 

 ing, if there is a yellow light, they shine like 

 brazen spear-points set against the sky. It is 

 astonishing that dull rock can disclose such 

 marvellous coloring. The coloring is not local 

 in the rock, nor yet again entirely reflected. 

 Desert atmosphere, with which we shall have to 

 reckon hereafter, has much to do with it. 



And whether at sunset, at sunrise, or at mid- 

 night, how like watch-towers these mountains 



