midday
A careful photographing in mind of the formation of the bold outlines of rimrock assured him he would be able to return to his retreat even in the dark . Bunches of scattered sage covered the center of the canyon , and among these Venters threaded his way with the step of an Indian . At intervals he put his hand on the dog and stopped to listen . There was a drowsy hum of insects , but no other sound disturbed the warm midday stillness . Venters saw ahead a turn , more abrupt than any yet . Warily he rounded this corner , once again to halt bewildered . The canyon opened fan-shaped into a great oval of green and gray growths .