Venters seemed to see the expanse before him as a vast, sheeted, purple plain sliding under him.

Black Star moved in it as a blur.

The rider, Jerry Card, appeared a mere dot bobbing dimly.

Wrangle thundered on--on--on! Venters felt the increase in quivering, straining shock after every leap.

Flecks of foam flew into Venters's eyes, burning him, making him see all the sage as red.