and walled with lower spurs of the Mountain. Two of these here thrust
forward west from the main mass in long steep-sided ridges that fell
ever downwards towards the plain. On this western side there were
fewer signs of the dragon’s marauding feet, and there was some grass
for their ponies. From this western camp, shadowed all day by cliff
and wall until the sun began to sink towards the forest, day by day
they toiled in parties searching for paths up the mountain-side. If
the map was true, somewhere high above the cliff at the valley’s head
must stand the secret door. Day by day they came back to their camp
without success.
     But at last unexpectedly they found what they were seeking. Fili and
Kili and the hobbit went back one day down the valley and scrambled
among the tumbled rocks at its southern corner. About midday, creeping
behind a great stone that stood alone like a pillar, Bilbo came on
what looked like rough steps going upwards. Following these excitedly
he and the dwarves found traces of a narrow track, often lost, often
rediscovered, that wandered on to the top of the southern ridge and
brought them at last to a still narrower ledge, which turned north
across the face of the Mountain. Looking down they saw that they were
at the top of the cliff at the valley’s head and were gazing down on