As a final resort he let the lids remain open only enough for him to see his comrade who was but three feet away.

Meanwhile, he felt the sand going down his collar, and entering every opening of his clothing, scratching and stinging his skin.

The wind all the time was roaring in his ears, and now and then the horses neighed in alarm.

But they kept onward.

Ned knew that they were passing dips and swells, but he knew nothing else.
The storm blew itself out in about three hours.