Four Senses On The First Page

Poul Anderson, Vault Of The Ages, Chapter 1.

We expect and find at least three senses in a Poul Anderson descriptive passage. As Carl rides across green farm lands, light from the low sun slants through the forest and shadows lengthen. Then:

"He saw the buildings ahead as an outlined darkness against the trees beyond, heard noises of cattle and sheep and a barking dog drift through the quiet, and felt his pony break into a trot as it smelled hay and shelter. A wandering sunset breeze ruffled Carl's long hair." (p. 13)

Since Carl sees the light and darkness, hears several animals and feels both his pony and the breeze while the pony smells hay, we are treated to four senses with the anticipation of food at the end of the journey. We do not yet know who Carl is or whether he lives in the past, present or future although travel by horse suggests the past.