There had not been rain for several days; so the dust must have been blown there since the rain had fallen, for it was still dry.
The place was a tiny gorge, with but one entrance, which was hidden behind a barren spur of rock--just a sort of long fissure, jagged and curving, in the rock, like a fault in the stratification.

I could just struggle through it with considerable effort, holding my breath here and there, so as to reduce my depth of chest.

Within it was tree-clad, and full of possibilities of concealment.
As I came away I marked well its direction and approaches, noting any guiding mark which might aid in finding it by day or night.

I explored every foot of ground around it--in front, on each side, and above.

But from nowhere could I see an indication of its existence.