How does Tony Hillerman use imagery in Dance Hall of the Dead?

Example of Imagery:

"'He was so lonely. I think it must be bad to be a Navajo if being lonely bothers you.' "The thought had never occurred to Leaphorn. He considered it, looking across the broken expanse of grass, brush, and erosion which faded away to empty blue distance across the pond. 'Yeah,' he said. 'Like a mole that hates the dark."'