按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
'I should say；' answered Strider； 'that they stood for G3； and were a sign that Gandalf was here on October the third： that is three days ago now。 It would also show that he was in a hurry and danger was at hand； so that he had no time or did not dare to write anything longer or plainer。 If that is so； we must be wary。'
'I wish we could feel sure that he made the marks； whatever they may mean；' said Frodo 'It would be a great fort to know that he was on the way； in front of us or behind us。'
'Perhaps；' said Strider。 'For myself； I believe that he was here； and was in danger。 There have been scorching flames here； and now the light that we saw three nights ago in the eastern sky es back to my mind。 I guess that he was attacked on this hilltop； but with what result I cannot tell。 He is here no longer； and we must now look after ourselves and make our own way to Rivendell； as best we can '
'How far is Rivendell？' asked Merry； gazing round wearily。 The world looked wild and wide from Weathertop。
'I don't know if the Road has ever been measured in miles beyond the Forsaken Inn； a day's journey east of Bree；' answered Strider。 'Some say it is so far； and some say otherwise。 It is a strange road； and folk are glad to reach their journey's end； whether the time is long or short。 But I know how long it would take me on my own feet； with fair weather and no ill fortune twelve days from here to the Ford of Bruinen； where the Road crosses the Loudwater that runs out of Rivendell。 We have at least a fortnight's journey before us； for I do not think we shall be able to use the Road。'
'A fortnight！' said Frodo。 'A lot may happen in that time。'
'It may；' said Strider。
They stood for a while silent on the hilltop； near its southward edge。 In that lonely place Frodo for the first time fully realized his homelessness and danger。 He wished bitterly that his fortune had left him in the quiet and beloved Shire。 He stared down at the hateful Road； leading back westward 。 to his home。 Suddenly he was aware that two black specks were moving slowly along it； going westward； and looking again he saw that three others were creeping eastward to meet them。 He gave a cry and clutched Strider's arm。
'Look；' he said； pointing downwards。
At once Strider flung himself on the ground behind the ruined circle； pulling Frodo down beside him。 Merry threw himself alongside。
'What is it？' he whispered。
'I do not know； but I fear the worst；' answered Strider。
Slowly they crawled up to the edge of the ring again； and peered through a cleft between two jagged stones。 The light was no longer bright； for the clear morning had faded； and clouds creeping out of the East had now overtaken the sun； as it began to go down。 They could all see the black specks； but neither Frodo nor Merry could make out their shapes for certain； yet something told them that there； far below； were Black Riders assembling on the Road beyond the foot of the hill。
'Yes；' said Strider； whose keener sight left him in no doubt。 'The enemy is here！'
Hastily they crept away and slipped down the north side of the hill to find their panions。
Sam and Peregrin had not been idle。 They had explored the small dell and the surrounding slopes。 Not far away they found a spring of clear water in the hillside； and near it footprints not more than a day or two old。 In the dell itself they found recent traces of a fire； and other signs of a hasty camp。 There were some fallen rocks on the edge of the dell nearest to the hill。 Behind them Sam came upon a small store of firewood neatly stacked。
'I wonder if old Gandalf has been here；' he said to Pippin。 'Whoever it was put this stuff here meant to e back it seems。'
Strider was greatly interested in these discoveries。 'I wish I had waited and explored the ground down here myself；' he said； hurrying off to the spring to examine the footprints。
'It is just as I feared；' he said； when he came back。 'Sam and Pippin have trampled the soft ground； and the marks are spoilt or confused。 Rangers have been here lately。 It is they who left the firewood behind。 But there are also several newer tracks that were not made by Rangers。 At least one set was made； only a day or two ago； by heavy boots。 At least one。 I cannot now be certain； but I think there were many booted feet。' He paused and stood in anxious thought。
Each of the hobbits saw in his mind a vision of the cloaked and booted Riders。 If the horsemen had already found the dell； the sooner Strider led them somewhere else the better。 Sam viewed the hollow with great dislike； now that he had heard news of their enemies on the Road； only a few miles away。
'Hadn't r。 Strider？' he asked impatiently。 'It is getting late； and I don't like this hole： it makes my heart sink somehow。'
'Yes； we certainly must decide what to do at once；' answered Strider； looking up and considering the time and the weather。 'Well； Sam；' he said at last； 'I do not like this place either； but I cannot think of anywhere better that we could reach before nightfall。 At least we are out of sight for the moment； and if we moved we should be much more likely to be seen by spies。 All we could do would be to go right out of our way back north on this side of the line of hills； where the land is all much the same as it is here。 The Road is watched； but we should have to cross it； if we tried to take cover in the thickets away to the south。 On the north side of the Road beyond the hills the country is bare and flat for miles。'
'Can the Riders see？' asked Merry。 'I mean； they seem usually to have used their noses rather than their eyes； smelling for us； if smelling is the right word； at least in the daylight。 But you made us lie down flat when you saw them down below； and now you talk of being seen； if we move。'
'I was too careless on the hilltop；' answered Strider。 'I was very anxious to find some sign of Gandalf； but it was a mistake for three of us to go up and stand there so long。 For the black horses can see； and the Riders can use men and other creatures as spies； as we found at Bree。 They themselves do not see the world of light as we do； but our shapes cast shadows in their minds； which only the noon sun destroys； and in the dark they perceive many signs and forms that are hidden from us： then they are most to be feared。 And at all times they smell the blood of living things； desiring and hating it。 Senses； too； there are other than sight or smell。 We can feel their presence； it troubled our hearts； as soon as we came here； and before we saw them； they feel ours more keenly。 Also；' he added； and his voice sank to a whisper； 'the Ring draws them。'
'Is there no escape then？' said Frodo； looking round wildly。 'If I move I shall be seen and hunted！ If I stay； I shall draw them to me！'
Strider laid his hand on his shoulder。 'There is still hope；' he said。 'You are not alone。 Let us take this wood that is set ready for the fire as a sign。 There is little shelter or defence here； but fire shall serve for both。 Sauron can put fire to his evil uses； as he can all things； but these Riders do not love it； and fear those who wield it。 Fire is our friend in the wilderness。'
'Maybe；' muttered Sam。 'It is also as good a way of saying 〃here we are〃 as I can think of； bar shouting。'
Down in the lowest and most sheltered corner of the dell they lit a fire； and prepared a meal。 The shades of evening began to fall； and it grew cold。 They were suddenly aware of great hunger； for they had not eaten anything since breakfast； but they dared not make more than a frugal supper。 The lands ahead were empty of all save birds and beasts； unfriendly places deserted by all the races of the world。 Rangers passed at times beyond the hills； but they were few and did not stay。 Other wanderers were rare； and of evil sort： trolls might stray down at times out of the northern valleys of the Misty Mountains。 Only on the Road would travellers be found； most often dwarves； hurrying along on business of their own； and with no help and few words to spare for strangers。
'I don't see how our food can be made to last；' said Frodo。 'We have been careful enough in the last few days； and this supper is no feast； but we have used more than we ought； if we have two weeks still to go； and perhaps more。'
'There is food in the wild；' said Strider； 'berry； root； and herb； and I have some skill as a hunter at need。 You need not be afraid of starving before winter es。 But gathering and catching food is long and weary work； and we need haste。 So tighten your belts； and think with hope of the tables of Elrond's house！'
The cold increased as darkness came on。 Peering out from the edge of the dell they could see nothing but a grey land now vanishing quickly into shadow。 The sky above had cleared again and was slowly filled with twinkling stars。 Frodo and his panions huddled round the fire； wrapped in every garment and blanket they possessed； but Strider was content with a single cloak； and sat a little apart； drawing thoughtfully at his pipe。
As night fell and the light of the fire began to shine out brightly he began to tell them tales to keep their minds from fear。 He knew many histories and legends of long ago； of Elves and Men and the go