Before he was aware of it the scene changed.
He could not understand in what way at first.
The sand was there, the moon was shining, although not so brightly, but he could not see the pyramids.
The shadows thrown across the desert convinced him that they had entered a broad, inclined road, and were descending below the level of the sandy desert.
Of this he was speedily assured, for now the moon’s rays were no longer seen, and in the darkness the sure-footed donkeys walked forward.
Instead of a level plain of drifting sand, the road was over and between great rocks.
Massive pieces of granite, several tons in weight, had to be passed, and it was evident that the donkeys had frequently traversed the uncertain road.
“Where are we going?” whispered Mr. Gordon.
His voice sounded like a shout, although he had spoken under his breath.
The stillness of the place was awful.