240 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
extending its dimensions, apparently filling the whole 
region of the atmosphere ; and at length the hue which 
had been hitherto tolerably uniform, began to change, 
and the whole mass dimly scintillated in different 
parts, like a subdued light through coloured figured 
gauze, indistinctly radiating through the interstices of 
the pattern. The air was calm, but, as the marvel 
drew near, the boughs of the trees around us began to 
be violently agitated, and in a few moments the wind 
blew in one continued gust, which was shortly fol- 
lowed by a tremendous squall, tearing large branches 
from the trees, and scattering the leaves around us in 
every direction. The mystery was now solved. The 
moving mass which had so strangely perplexed us, 
proved to be a vast body of floating sand, that had 
been raised by the wind until it nearly filled the air, 
and was carried before it almost with the impetus of a 
torrent. The air was so thickened with it, that, for at 
least a half minute while it was passing over us, we 
could scarcely either breathe or see. The sun shining 
in full splendour behind it, darted against the moving 
obstacle his glowing rays, which were only partially 
obstructed by the shifting particles as they were 
driven onward by the wind. The sunbeams were 
broken into numberless fantastic coruscations, as the 
glittering crystals with which the air was charged 
reflected them in their rapid and tumultuous course ; 
thus producing those shifting tints which had at first 
so much perplexed us. By the time the sand-storm 
reached us, the wind had become so violent that we 
could scarcely stand against it; and, when it had 
passed over us, which it very speedily did, we found 
