Chapter 8: Prisoner of the Sand Summary and Analysis

In the eighth chapter, Antoine tells the story of his trip from Paris to Saigon. Before he left, he and the meteorologist look at the weather over the Middle East which he would be crossing, and spot something Antoine thinks is a sandstorm. He and his mechanic, Prevot, begin their journey with Antoine feeling strong and ready for a beautiful and uneventful flight. Flying through thick clouds, however, and unable to get above or below them, the two eventually crash land, unaware of their proximity to the ground, in the middle of a desert.

Not knowing whether they have crossed the Nile or not and with no reason to hope that any rescue party will be coming for them, the two make a plan to set out on day-hikes to see whether they...