The passage describes a haunting and surreal experience as the characters ride through a dark, empty night. They hear a bell tolling in the absence of any physical sound, which creates an eerie atmosphere. This moment captures their feeling of being alone on a vast, dark earth, against a backdrop of twinkling stars, conveying a sense of freedom and exploration as they venture forward.

McCarthy presents their ride as both daring and cautious, likening the riders to thieves enjoying the thrill of new possibilities in a beautiful, enchanting place. The imagery evokes a contrast between the cold darkness of their surroundings and the warmth of the stars, reflecting on the vast potential of the worlds around them as they embrace the adventure ahead.