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e loss of the boat which made it impossible for them to go back and look for the hart； when they became aware of the dim blowing of horns in the wood and the sound as of dogs baying far off。 Then they all fell silent； and as they sat it seemed they could hear the noise of a great hunt going by to the north of the path； though they saw no sign of it。 There they sat for a long while and did not dare to make a move。 Bombur slept on with a smile on his fat face； as if he no longer cared for all the troubles that vexed them。
Suddenly on the path ahead appeared some white deer； a hind and fawns as snowy white as the hart had been dark。 They glimmered in the shadows。 Before Thorin could cry out three of the dwarves had leaped to their feet and loosed off arrows from their bows。 None seemed to find their mark。 The deer turned and vanished in the trees as silently as they had e； and in vain the dwarves shot their arrows after them。
〃Stop！ stop！〃 shouted Thorin； but it was too late； the excited dwarves had wasted their last arrows； and now the bows that Beorn had given them were useless。
They were a gloomy party that night； and the gloom gathered still deeper on them in the following days。 They had crossed the enchanted stream； but beyond it the path seemed to straggle on just as before； and in the forest they could see no change。 Yet if they had known more about it and considered the meaning of the hunt and the white deer that had appeared upon their path； they would have known that they were at last drawing towards the eastern edge； and would soon have e； if they could have kept up their courage and their hope； to thinner trees and places where the sunlight came again。 But they did not know this； and they were burdened with the heavy body of Bombur； which they had to carry along with them as best they could； taking the wearisome task in turns of four each while the others shared their packs。 If these had not bee all too light in the last few days； they would never have managed it； but a slumbering and smiling Bombur was a poor exchange for packs filled with food however heavy。 In a few days a time came when there was practically nothing left to eat or to drink。 Nothing wholesome could they see growing in the woods； only funguses and herbs with pale leaves and unpleasant smell。
About four days from the enchanted stream they came to a part where most of the trees were beeches。 They were at first inclined to be cheered by the change； for here there was no undergrowth and the shadow was not so deep。 There was a greenish light about them； and in places they could see some distance to either side of the path。 Yet the light only showed them endless lines of straight grey trunks like the pillars of some huge twilight hall。 There was a breath of air and a noise of wind； but it had a sad sound。 A few leaves came rustling down to remind them that outside autumn was ing on。 Their feet ruffled among the dead leaves of countless other autumns that drifted over the banks of the path from the deep red carpets of the forest。 Still Bombur slept and they grew very weary。 At times they heard disquieting laughter。 Sometimes there was singing in the distance too。 The laughter was the laughter of fair voices not of goblins； and the singing was beautiful； but it sounded eerie and strange； and they were not forted； rather they hurried on from those parts with what strength they had left。 Two days later they found their path going downwards and before long they were in a valley filled almost entirely with a mighty growth of oaks。 〃Is there no end to this accursed forest？〃 said Thorin。 〃Somebody must climb a tree and see if he can get his head above the roof and have a look round。 The only way is to choose the tallest tree that overhangs the path。〃
Of course 〃somebody〃 meant Bilbo。 They chose him because to be of any use the climber must get his head above the topmost leaves； and so he must be light enough for the highest and slenderest branches to bear him。 Poor Mr。 Baggins had never had much practice in climbing trees； but they hoisted him up into the lowest branches of an enormous oak that grew right out into the path； and up he had to go as best he could。 He pushed his way through the tangled twigs with many a slap in the eye； he was greened and grimed from the old bark of the greater boughs； more than once he slipped and caught himself just in time； and at last； after a dreadful struggle in a difficult place where there seemed to be no convenient branches at all； he got near the top。 All the time he was wondering whether there were spiders in the tree； and how he was going to get down again （except by falling）。
In the end he poked his head above the roof of leaves； and then he found spiders all right。 But they were only small ones of ordinary size； and they were after the butterflies。 Bilbo's eyes were nearly blinded by the light。 He could hear the dwarves shouting up at him from far below； but he could not answer； only hold on and blink。 The sun was shining brilliantly； and it was a long while before he could bear it。 When he could； he saw all round him a sea of dark green； ruffled here and there by the breeze； and there were everywhere hundreds of butterflies。 I expect they were a kind of 'purple emperor；' a butterfly that loves the tops of oak…woods； but these were not purple at all； they were a dark dark velvety black without any markings to be seen。 He looked at the 'black emperors' for a long time； and enjoyed the feel of the breeze in his hair and on his face； but at length the cries of the dwarves； who were now simply stamping with impatience down below； reminded him of his real business。 It was no good。 Gaze as much as he might； he could see no end to the trees and the leaves in any direction。 His heart； that had been lightened by the sight of the sun and the feel of the wind； sank back into his toes： there was no food to go back to down below。
Actually； as I have told you； they were not far off the edge of the forest； and if Bilbo had had the sense to see it； the tree that he had climbed； though it was tall in itself； was standing near the bottom of a wide valley； so that from its top the trees seemed to swell up all round like the edges of a great bowl； and he could not expect to see how far the forest lasted。 Still he did not see this； and he climbed down full of despair。 He got to the bottom again at last scratched； hot； and miserable； and he could not see anything in the gloom below when he got there。 His report soon made the others as miserable as he was。
〃The forest goes on for ever and ever and ever in all directions！ Whatever shall we do？ And what is the use of sending a hobbit！〃 they cried； as if it was his fault。 They did not care tuppence about the butterflies； and were only made more angry when he told them of the beautiful breeze； which they were too heavy to climb up and feel。
That night they ate their very last scraps and crumbs of food； and next morning when they woke the first thing they noticed was that they were still gnawingly hungry； and the next thing was that it was raining and that here and there the drip of it was dropping heavily on the forest floor。 That only reminded them that they we