Властелин колец: Братство кольца
A Conspiracy Unmasked
Thefourhobbitssteppedofftheferry.Merrywastyingitup,andPippinwasalreadyleadingtheponyupthepath,whenSam(whohadbeenlookingback,asiftotakefareweloftheShire)saidinahoarsewhisper:
"Lookback,Mr.Frodo!Doyouseeanything?"
Onthefarstage,underthedistantlamps,theycouldjustmakeoutafigure:itlookedlikeadarkblackbundleleftbehind.Butastheylookeditseemedtomoveandswaythiswayandthat,asifsearchingtheground.Itthencrawled,orwentcrouching,backintothegloombeyondthelamps.
"WhatintheShireisthat?"exclaimedMerry.
"Somethingthatisfolowingus,"saidFrodo."Butdon’taskanymorenow!Let’sgetawayatonce!"Theyhurriedupthepathtothetopofthebank,butwhentheylookedbackthefarshorewasshroudedinmist,andnothingcouldbeseen.
"Thankgoodnessyoudon’tkeepanyboatsonthewest-bank!"saidFrodo."Canhorsescrosstheriver?"
"TheycangotwentymilesnorthtoBrandywineBridge-ortheymightswim,"answeredMerry."ThoughIneverheardofanyhorseswimmingtheBrandywine.Butwhathavehorsestodowithit?"I’lltellyoulater.Let’sgetindoorsandthenwecantalk."
"Allright!YouandPippinknowyourway;soI’lljustrideonandtellFattyBolgerthatyouarecoming.We’llseeaboutsupperandthings."
"WehadoursupperearlywithFarmerMaggot,"saidFrodo;’butwecoulddowithanother."
