The lake that retreats

The book says light from the sky reflects across the plain, making the ground look like a sheet of water.

The World of Wonders attributes the effect to intensely heated sand and air layers of different densities; their boundary can act like a reflector.

In the book’s account, travellers move toward the apparent lake, but the lake-like view retreats as they advance.

The World of Wonders says the lake-like view fades at sunset. Its wonder lies in a distant scene that seems to promise water, then vanishes from reach.