Here rocks and gravel gave place to black cinders out of which grew a scant bleached grass.

This desert verdure was what lent the soft gray shade to the foothill when seen from a distance.

The slope was gentle, so that the ascent did not entail any hardship.

Carley was amazed at the length of the slope, and also to see how high over the desert she was getting.

She felt lifted out of a monotonous level.