Dog Attack! T e landscape rolls on before me. T e sun, sand, and wind pull the moisture out of me. My skin feels dry, and I’m oſt en thirsty. I see animals as I walk. I know they may lead me to water if I follow them. One day, I follow a small path made by


goats to a stream. I see yurts—round, woolen tents lined up along the stream. As I walk, the villagers notice me. Dogs approach me as I fill my water containers. Suddenly, a huge dog lunges at me. I swing


my cart forward to block it. It sinks its fangs down onto part of the cart. I am terrifi ed. T e villagers just watch. More dogs come. I call for help, but no one reacts. T en, a shiny, black horse thunders toward


me. Dust flies everywhere. T e man on the horse is noble looking. He doesn’t speak, but he gallops his horse back and forth to scatter the angry dogs. T e danger has passed! Our eyes meet. He


nods at me then rides off . I am stunned. He saved my life without a word.


Gobi Desert—One, Two, Three! Aſt er many days, I reach the Gobi Desert. It takes me three attempts to cross this vast landscape. First, I have to stop because of an infected tooth. I’m rushed to a hospital to be treated. T e second time, I am stopped by blizzards and extreme cold. On my third attempt, I make it. T e rocky sand seems to stretch forever. I


could be walking on the moon. At first, the only thing that seems to move is the sand, whipped up by the wind. But as I walk, a world of wildlife unfolds before me. I see tiny, transparent scorpions skitter along the sand. Snakes slither. Lizards, rabbits, and gazelle make their way across this landscape. I am aware that I am among rare creatures


like the Gobi bear and the snow leopard. I never see them, but I know they are there. I do see camels. A herd of camels greets me outside my tent one morning. I am amazed.


14 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER


Imagine my surprise one morning to leave my tent and see an audience of camels!


I am especially amazed one night when


something wakes me out of a deep sleep. It’s pitch black. My ears strain to listen. I hear nothing. But then there is howling right outside my tent. Wolves! I count five diff erent wolves


howling. T ey are so close. If I wasn’t in my tent, I think I could reach out and touch them. I choose to stay put, just in case! I smile


in the darkness. I feel lucky to be here at this moment. I am a part of this wilderness.


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