The soldiers were pleased by the Pharaoh's sending his own carriage for their commander, and the lad's vanity was flattered to see his uncle drive away in such state.

But he was not permitted the pleasure of watching him long; dense clouds of dust soon hid the vehicles.
The scorching desert wind which, during the Spring months, so often blows through the valley of the Nile, had risen, and though the bright blue sky which had been visible by night and day was still cloudless, it was veiled by a whitish mist.
The sun, a motionless ball, glared down on the heads of men like a blind man's eye.

The burning heat it diffused seemed to have consumed its rays, which to-day were invisible.

The eye protected by the mist could gaze at it undazzled, yet its scorching power was undiminished.

The light breeze, which usually fanned the brow in the morning, touched it now like the hot breath of a ravening beast of prey.