The eastern sky was red as coals in a forge, lighting up the flats along the river. Dew had wet the million needles of the chaparral, and when the rim of the sun edged over the horizon the chaparral seemed to be spotted with diamonds. A bush in the little backyard was filled with the little rainbows as the sun touched the dew.
The scene described portrays a breathtaking dawn at the riverbank, where the eastern sky glows a deep red, reminiscent of coals in a forge. This vivid imagery emphasizes the beauty of the morning as the sun begins to rise. The dew clinging to the chaparral gives the landscape a magical quality, making it appear as if the plants are adorned with glistening diamonds.
As the sun finally breaks over the horizon, the light refracts off the dew, creating a multitude of tiny rainbows among the bushes in the backyard. This moment captures not only the stunning visual transformation of the environment but also evokes a sense of tranquility and wonder at the start of a new day in Lonesome Dove, highlighting McMurtry's ability to paint rich imagery with his words.