They ascended the hill that overlooked a desert of sparkling crystal sands, like diamonds. In the middle of it were children and men wearing breathing masks and loose, ragged black clothes, holding in their hands what looked like a vacuum cleaner that was sucking something from the sand. On their backs were bags that stored what they were sucking from the sand. Around them were Franks soldiers, watching them and hitting those who slacked off from work. Noor's eyes widened at the beauty of this vast desert, and he was amazed by what these people were doing.
"Who are these people?" he asked. "And what are they doing?"
