In this excerpt from "Blood Meridian," Cormac McCarthy describes a tense atmosphere as riders navigate a narrow path littered with goat droppings. The oppressive heat from the rock wall distorts their surroundings, and the riders' avoidance of it suggests a desire to escape both the environment and the harsh reality they face. Their silhouettes are sharply defined against the stone, creating a striking visual of their existence, which feels detached from life, unconcerned with the influences of humanity or the divine.

This portrayal emphasizes the autonomy of these figures as they traverse the desolate landscape, almost like spectral beings crossing an indifferent terrain. The language McCarthy employs evokes a sense of bleakness and existential struggle, highlighting the struggle between existence and the harshness of the world around them. The riders appear as embodiments of a primal human experience, grappling with the unforgiving elements of nature as they maintain their resolve amidst overwhelming challenges.