Then snow mingled with the dust and both beat upon them.

Ned felt his horse shivering under him, and he shivered, too, despite his will.

It had turned so dark that he could no longer tell where he was going, and he used the wide brim of his hat to protect himself from the sand.
Soon it was black as night, and the snow was driving in a hurricane.

The wind, unchecked by forest or hill, screamed with a sound almost human.
Ned dismounted and walked in the lee of his horse.

The animal turned his head and nuzzled his master, as if he could give him warmth.
Ned hoped that the storm would blow itself out in an hour or two, but his hope was vain.