immense plain, extending on every side of us like an ocean. Not a tree,
nor a shrub, nor a blade of grass was to be seen, but all appeared an
extreme fine sand, mixed with gold-dust and little sparkling pearls.

The gold-dust and pearls appeared to us of little value, because we
could have no expectation of returning to England for a considerable
time. We observed, at a great distance, something like a smoke arising
just over the verge of the horizon, and looking with our telescopes we
perceived it to be a whirlwind tearing up the sand and tossing it about
in the heavens with frightful impetuosity. I immediately ordered my
company to erect a mound around us of a great size, which we did with
astonishing labour and perseverance, and then roofed it over with
certain planks and timber, which we had with us for the purpose. Our
labour was scarcely finished when the sand came rolling in like the
waves of the sea; 'twas a storm and river of sand united. It continued
to advance in the same direction, without intermission, for three days,
and completely covered over the mound we had erected, and buried us all
within. The intense heat of the place was intolerable; but guessing,
by the cessation of the noise, that the storm was passed, we set about
digging a passage to the light of day again, which we effected in a
very short time, and ascending, perceived that the whole had been so
completely covered with the sand, that there appeared no hills, but one
continued plain, with inequalities or ridges on it like the waves of the
sea. We soon extricated our vehicle and retinue from the burning sands,
but not without great danger, as the heat was very violent, and began to
proceed on our voyage. Storms of sand of a similar nature several times
attacked us, but by using the same precautions we preserved ourselves
repeatedly from destruction. Having travelled more than nine thousand
miles over this inhospitable plain, exposed to the perpendicular rays of
a burning sun, without ever meeting a rivulet, or a shower from heaven