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g and snapping even at the other wolves in his anger and fright。
The dwarves and Bilbo shouted and cheered。 The rage of the wolves was terrible to see； and the motion they made filled all the forest。 Wolves are afraid of fire at all times； but this was a most horrible and uncanny fire。 If a spark got in their coats it stuck and burned into them； and unless they rolled over quick they were soon all in flames。 Very soon all about the glade wolves were rolling over and over to put out the sparks on their backs； while those that were burning were running about howling and setting others alight； till their own friends chased them away and they fled off down the slopes crying and yammering and looking for water。
〃What's all this uproar in the forest tonight？〃 said the Lord of the Eagles。 He was sitting； black in the moonlight； on the top of a lonely pinnacle of rock at the eastern edge of the mountains。 〃I hear wolves' voices！ Are the goblins at mischief in the woods？〃
He swept up into the air； and immediately two of his guards from the rocks at either hand leaped up to follow him。 They circled up in the sky and looked down upon the ring of the Wargs； a tiny spot far far below。 But eagles have keen eyes and can see small things at a great distance。 The lord of the eagles of the Misty Mountains had eyes that could look at the sun unblinking； and could see a rabbit moving on the ground a mile below even in the moonlight。 So though he could not see the people in the trees； he could make out the motion among the wolves and see the tiny flashes of fire； and hear the howling and yelping e up faint from far beneath him。 Also he could see the glint of the moon on goblin spears and helmets； as long lines of the wicked folk crept down the hillsides from their gate and wound into the wood。 Eagles are not kindly birds。 Some are cowardly and cruel。 But the ancient race of the northern mountains were the greatest of all birds； they were proud and strong and noble…hearted。 They did not love goblins； or fear them。 When they took any notice of them at all （which was seldom； for they did not eat such creatures ）； they swooped on them and drove them shrieking back to their caves； and stopped whatever wickedness they were doing。 The goblins hated the eagles and feared them； but could not reach their lofty seats； or drive them from the mountains。
Tonight the Lord of the Eagles was filled with curiosity to know what was afoot； so he summoned many other eagles to him； and they flew away from the mountains； and slowly circling ever round and round they came down； down； down towards the ring of the wolves and the meeting…place of the goblins。 A very good thing too！ Dreadful things had been going on down there。 The wolves that had caught fire and fled into the forest had set it alight in several places。 It was high summer； and on this eastern side of the mountains there had been little rain for some time。 Yellowing bracken； fallen branches； deep…piled pine…needles； and here and there dead trees； were soon in flames。 All round the clearing of the Wargs fire was leaping。 But the wolf…guards did not leave the trees。 Maddened and angry they were leaping and howling round the trunks； and cursing the dwarves in their horrible language； with their tongues hanging out； and their eyes shining as red and fierce as the flames。 Then suddenly goblins came running up yelling。 They thought a battle with the woodmen was going on； but they goon learned what had really happened。 Some of them actually sat down and laughed。 Others waved their spears and clashed the shafts against their shields。 Goblins are not afraid of fire； and they soon had a plan which seemed to them most amusing。 Some got all the wolves together in a pack。 Some stacked fern and brushwood round the tree…trunks。 Others rushed round and stamped and beat； and beat and stamped； until nearly all the flames were put out…but they did not put out the fire nearest to the trees where the dwarves were。 That fire they fed with leaves and dead branches and bracken。 Soon they had a ring of smoke and flame all round the dwarves； a ring which they kept from spreading outwards； but it closed slowly in； till the running fire was licking the fuel piled under the trees。 Smoke was in Bilbo's eyes； he could feel the heat of the flames； and through the reek he could see the goblins dancing round and round in a circle like people round a midsummer bonfire。 Outside the ring of dancing warriors with spears and axes stood the wolves at a respectful distance； watching and waiting。
He could hear the goblins beginning a horrible song：
〃Fifteen birds in five firtrees； their feathers were fanned in a fiery breeze！
But； funny little birds； they had no wings！
O what shall we do with the funny little things？
Roast 'em alive； or stew them in a pot；fry them； boil them and eat them hot？〃
Then they stopped and shouted out： 〃Fly away little birds！ Fly away if you can！ e down little birds； or you will get roasted in your nests！ Sing； sing little birds！ Why don't you sing？〃
〃Go away！ little boys！〃 shouted Gandalf in answer。 〃It isn't bird…nesting time。 Also naughty little boys that play with fire get punished。〃 He said it to make them angry； and to show them he was not frightened of them…though of course he was； wizard though he was。 But they took no notice； and they went on singing。
〃Burn； burn tree and fern！
Shrivel and scorch！ A fizzling torch
To light the night for our delight；
Ya hey！
Bake and toast 'em； fry and roast 'em
till beards blaze； and eyes glaze；
till hair smells and skins crack；
fat melts； and bones black
in cinders lie
beneath the sky！
So dwarves shall die；
and light the night for our delight；
Ya hey！
Ya…harri…heyl
Ya hoy！〃
And with that Ya hoy！ the flames were under Gandalf's tree。 In a moment it spread to the others。 The bark caught fire； the lower branches cracked。 Then Gandalf climbed to the top of his tree。 The sudden splendour flashed from his wand like lightning； as he got ready to spring down from on high right among the spears of the goblins。 That would have been the end of him； though he would probably have killed many of them as he came hurtling down like a thunderbolt。 But he never leaped。
Just at that moment the Lord of the Eagles swept down from above； seized him in his talons； and was gone。
There was a howl of anger and surprise from the goblins。 Loud cried the Lord of the Eagles； to whom Gandalf had now spoken。 Back swept the great birds that were with him； and down they came like huge black shadows。 The wolves yammered and gnashed their teeth； the goblins yelled and stamped with rage； and flung their heavy spears in the air in vain。 Over them swooped the eagles； the dark rush of their beating wings smote them to the floor or drove them far away； their talons tore at goblin faces。 Other birds flew to the tree…tops and seized the dwarves； who were scrambling up now as far as ever they dared to go。
Poor little Bilbo was very nearly left behind again！ He just managed to catch hold of Dori's legs； as Dori was borne off last of all； and they went together above the tumult and the burning； Bilbo swinging in the air with his