Хоббит

           "TheKingbeneaththeMountain!"theyshouted."HiswealthisliketheSun,hissilverlikeafountain,hisriversgoldenrun!TheriverisrunninggoldfromtheMountain!"theycried,andeverywherewindowswereopeningandfeetwerehurrying.

           Therewasoncemoreatremendousexcitementandenthusiasm.Butthegrim-voicedfellowranhotfoottotheMaster."ThedragoniscomingorIamafool!"hecried."Cutthebridges!Toarms!Toarms!"

           Thenwarningtrumpetsweresuddenlysounded,andechoedalongtherockyshores.Thecheeringstoppedandthejoywasturnedtodread.Soitwasthatthedragondidnotfindthemquiteunprepared.Beforelong,sogreatwashisspeed,theycouldseehimasasparkoffirerushingtowardsthemandgrowingeverhugerandmorebright,andnotthemostfoolishdoubtedthattheprophecieshadgoneratherwrong.Stilltheyhadalittletime.Everyvesselinthetownwasfilledwithwater,everywarriorwasarmed,everyarrowanddartwasready,andthebridgetothelandwasthrowndownanddestroyed,beforetheroarofSmaug’sterribleapproachgrewloud,andthelakerippledredasfirebeneaththeawfulbeatingofhiswings.

           Amidshrieksandwailingandtheshoutsofmenhecameoverthem,swept

           towardsthebridgesandwasfoiled!Thebridgewasgone,andhisenemieswereonanislandindeepwater-toodeepanddarkandcoolforhisliking.Ifheplungedintoit,avapourandasteamwouldariseenoughtocoverallthelandwithamistfordays;butthelakewasmightierthanhe,itwouldquenchhimbeforehecouldpassthrough.