The Gathering of the Clouds

           NowwewillreturntoBilboandthedwarves.Allnightoneofthemhadwatched,butwhenmorningcametheyhadnotheardorseenanysignofdanger.Butevermorethicklythebirdsweregathering.TheircompaniescameflyingfromtheSouth;andthecrowsthatstilllivedabouttheMountainwerewheelingandcryingunceasinglyabove.

           "Somethingstrangeishappening,"saidThorin."Thetimehasgonefortheautumnwanderings;andthesearebirdsthatdwellalwaysintheland;therearestarlingsandflocksoffinches;andfarofftherearemanycarrionbirdsasifabattlewereafoot!"

           SuddenlyBilbopointed:"Thereisthatoldthrushagain!"hecried."Heseemstohaveescaped,whenSmaugsmashedthemountain-side,butIdon’tsupposethesnailshave!"

           Sureenoughtheoldthrushwasthere,andasBilbopointed,heflewtowardsthemandperchedonastonenearby.Thenheflutteredhiswingsandsang;thenhecockedhisheadononeside,asiftolisten;andagainhesang,andagainhelistened.

           "Ibelieveheistryingtotellussomething,"saidBalin;"butIcannotfollowthespeechofsuchbirds,itisveryquickanddifficult.CanyoumakeitoutBaggins?"

           "Notverywell,"saidBilbo(asamatteroffact,hecouldmakenothingofitatall);"buttheoldfellowseems.veryexcited."

           "Ionlywishhewasaraven!"saidBalin.

           "Ithoughtyoudidnotlikethem!Youseemedveryshyofthem,whenwecamethiswaybefore."

           "Thosewerecrows!Andnastysuspicious-lookingcreaturesatthat,andrudeaswell.Youmusthaveheardtheuglynamestheywerecallingafterus.