In the midst of his task a sudden ruddy brightness fell around him.

Lin Slone paused in his work to look up.
The sun had risen over the eastern wall.
"Ah!" he said, and drew a deep breath.
The cold, steely, darkling sweep of desert had been transformed.

It was now a world of red earth and gold rocks and purple sage, with everywhere the endless straggling green cedars.

A breeze whipped in, making the fire roar softly.

The sun felt warm on his cheek.