[Goes down into the cellar.
SECOND SCENE
BISKRA. GUIMARD enters looking very pale; he stumbles, his mind is confused, and he speaks in a low voice.
GUIMARD. The Simoom is here!—What do you think has become of my men?
BISKRA. I led them west to east.
GUIMARD. West—to east!—Let me see!—That's straight east—and west!—Oh, put me on a chair and give me some water!
BISKRA. [Leads GUIMARD to one of the sand piles and makes him lie down on the floor with his feet on the sand] Are you comfortable now?
GUIMARD. [Staring at her] I feel all twisted up. Put something under my head.
BISKRA. [Piling the sand higher under his feet] There's a pillow for your head.