按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
impses of treasure which they had caught as they went along had rekindled all the fire of their dwarvish hearts； and when the heart of a dwarf； even the most respectable； is wakened by gold and by jewels； he grows suddenly bold； and he may bee fierce。
The dwarves indeed no longer needed any urging。 All were now eager to explore the hall while they had the chance； and willing to believe that； for the present； Smaug was away from home。 Each now gripped a lighted torch； and as they gazed； first on one side and then on another； they forgot fear and even caution。 They spoke aloud； and cried out to one another； as they lifted old treasures from the mound or from the wall and held them in the light caressing and fingering them。 Fili and Kili were almost in merry mood； and finding still hanging there many golden harps strung with silver they took them and struck them； and being magical （and also untouched by the dragon； who had small interests in music） they were still in tune。 The dark hall was filled with a melody that had long been silent。 But most of the dwarves were more practical； they gathered gems and stuffed their pockets； and let what they could not carry far back through their fingers with a sigh。 Thorin was not least among these； but always he searched from side to side for something which he could not find。 It was the Arkenstone but he spoke of it yet to no one。
Now the dwarves took down mail and weapons from the walls； and armed themselves。 Royal indeed did Thorin look； clad in a coat of gold…plated rings； with a silver hafted axe in a belt crusted with scarlet stones。 〃Mr。 Baggins！〃 he cried。 〃Here is the first payment of your reward！ Cast off your old coat and put on this！〃
With that he put on Bilbo a small coat of mail； wrought for some young elf…prince long ago。 It was of silver…steel which the elves call mithril； and with it went a belt of pearls and crystals。 A light helm of figured leather； strengthened beneath with hoops of steel； and studded about the bring with white gems； was set upon the hobbit's head。
〃I feel magnificent；〃 he thought； 〃but I expect I look rather absurd。 How they would laugh on the Hill at home Still I wish there was a looking…glass handy！〃
All the same Mr。 Baggins kept his head more clear of the bewitchment of the hoard than the dwarves did。 Long before the dwarves were tired of examining the treasures he became wary of it and sat down on the floor； and he began to wonder nervously what the end of it all would be 〃I would give a good many of these precious goblets； thought； 〃for a drink of something cheering out of one Beorn's wooden bowls！〃 〃Thorin！〃 he cried aloud。 〃What next？ We are armed； but what good has any armour ever been before against Smaug the Dreadful？ This treasure is not yet won back。 We are not looking for gold yet； but for a way of escape； and we have tempted luck too long！〃
'〃You speak the truth！〃 answered Thorin； recovering his wits。 〃Let us go！ I will guide you。 Not in a thousand years should I forget the ways of this palace。〃 Then he hailed the others； and they gathered together； and holding their torches above their heads they passed through the gaping doors； not without many a backward glance of longing。
Their glittering mail they had covered again with their old cloaks and their bright helms with their tattered hoods； and one by one they walked behind Thorin； a line of little lights in the darkness that halted often； listening in fear once more for any rumour of the dragon's ing。 Though all the old adornments were long mouldered or destroyed； and though all was befouled and blasted with the ings and goings of the monster； Thorin knew every passage and every turn。 They climbed long stairs； and turned and went down wide echoing ways； and turned again and climbed yet more stairs； and yet more' stairs again。
These were smooth； cut out of the living rock broad and lair； and up； up； the dwarves went； and they met no sign of any living thing； only furtive shadows that fled from the approach of their torches fluttering in the draughts。 The steps were not made； all the same； for hobbit…legs； and Bilbo was just feeling that he could go on no longer； when suddenly the roof sprang high and far beyond the reach of their torch…light。 A white glimmer could be seen ing through some opening far above； and the air smelt sweeter。 Before them light came dimly through great doors； that hung twisted on their hinges and half burnt。
〃This is the great chamber of Thror；〃 said Thorin； 〃the hall of feasting and of council。 Not far off now is the Front Gate。〃
They passed through the ruined chamber。 Tables were rotting there； chairs and benches were lying there overturned； charred and decaying。 Skulls and bones were upon the floor among flagons and bowls and broken drinking…horns and dust。 As they came through yet more doors at the further end； a sound of water fell upon their ears； and the grey light grew suddenly more full。 〃There is the birth of the Running River；〃 said Thorin。 〃From here it hastens to the Gate。 Let us follow it！〃
Out of a dark opening in a wall of rock there issued a boiling water； and it flowed swirling in a narrow channel； carved and made straight and deep by the cunning of ancient hands。 Beside it ran a stone…paved road； wide enough for many men abreast。 Swiftly along this they ran； and round a wide…sweeping turn…and behold！ before them stood the broad light of day。 In front there rose a tall arch； still showing the fragments of old carven work within； worn and splintered and blackened though it was。 A misty sun sent its pale light between the arms of the Mountain； and beams of gold fell on the pavement at the threshold。
A whirl of bats frightened from slumber by their smoking torches flurried over them； as they sprang forward their feet slithered on stones rubbed smooth and slimed by the passing of the dragon。 Now before them the water fell noisily outward and foamed down towards the valley。 They flung their pale torches to the ground； and stood gazing out with dazzled eyes。 They were e to the Front Gate； and were looking out upon Dale。
〃Well！〃 said Bilbo； 〃I never expected to be looking out of this door。 And I never expected to be so pleased to see the sun again； and to feel the wind on my face。 But； ow！ this wind is cold！〃
It was。 A bitter easterly breeze blew with a threat of oning winter。 It swirled over and round the arms of the Mountain into the valley； and sighed among the rocks。 After their long time in the stewing depths of the dragon…haunted caverns； they shivered in the sun。 Suddenly Bilbo realized that he was not only tired but also very hungry indeed。 〃It seems to be late morning；〃 he said； 〃and so I suppose it is more or less breakfast…time … if there is any breakfast to have。 But I don't feel that Smaug's front doorstep is the safest place for a meal。 Do let's go somewhere where we can sit quiet for a bit！〃 〃Quite right！〃 said Balin。 〃And I think I know which way we should go： we ought to make for the old look…out post at the Southwest corner of the Mountain。〃
〃How far is that？〃 asked the hobbit。
〃Five hours march； I should think。 It will be rough going。 The road from the Gate along the left edge of the stream