The Hobbit

by J.R.R. Tolkien

Bilbo had all he could do to keep up with the torches, for the elves were making the dwarves go as fast as ever they could, sick and weary as they were.

and did not like the way the Mountain seemed to frown at him and threaten him as it drew ever nearer.

if you want to go on with this silly adventure—it’s yours after all and not mine—you had better slap your arms and rub your legs and try and help me get the others out while there is a chance!”

and there is no knowing what a dwarf will not dare and do for revenge or the recovery of his own.

They knew that they were drawing near to the end of their journey, and that it might be a very horrible end.

“There lies all that is left of Dale,” said Balin. “The mountain’s sides were green with woods and all the sheltered valley rich and pleasant in the days when the bells rang in that town.”

They were at the end of their journey, but as far as ever, it seemed, from the end of their quest. None of them had much spirit left.

(except Bombur, of course: he was asleep).

He did not expect a chorus of volunteers, so he was not disappointed.

said the least Tookish part of him.

It is almost dark so that its vastness can only be dimly guessed, but rising from the near side of the rocky floor there is a great glow. The glow of Smaug!

Dragons may not have much real use for all their wealth, but they know it to an ounce as a rule, especially after long possession; and Smaug was no exception.

His rage passes description—the sort of rage that is only seen when rich folk that have more than they can enjoy suddenly lose something that they have long had but have never before used or wanted.

“What else do you suppose a burglar is to do?” asked Bilbo angrily. “I was not engaged to kill dragons, that is warrior’s work, but to steal treasure.

He had forgotten or had never heard about dragons’ sense of smell. It is also an awkward fact that they can keep half an eye open watching while they sleep, if they are suspicious.

“Truly songs and tales fall utterly short of the reality, O Smaug the Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities,”

In fact he was in grievous danger of coming under the dragon-spell.

He had never bothered to wonder how the treasure was to be removed, certainly never how any part of it that might fall to his share was to be brought back all the way to Bag-End Under-Hill.

“Old fool! Why, there is a large patch in the hollow of his left breast as bare as a snail out of its shell!”

All the while they talked the thrush listened, till at last when the stars began to peep forth, it silently spread its wings and flew away.

They were shut in the Mountain!

He rose in fire and went away south towards the Running River.

“’While there’s life there’s hope!’

the darkness was complete, and they were all invisible, ring or no ring.

They would wait in the tunnel for his report. So they sat near the door and watched.

All the same he had an uncomfortable feeling that the picking and choosing had not really been meant to include this marvellous gem, and that trouble would yet come of it.