taking no notice, “and so to the ruins of Dale-the old town in the
valley there, under the shadow of the Mountain. But we none of us
liked the idea of the Front Gate. The river runs right out of it
through the great cliff at the South of the Mountain, and out of it
comes the dragon too-far too often, unless he has changed.”
     “That would be no good,” said the wizard, “not without a mighty
Warrior, even a Hero. I tried to find one; but warriors are busy
fighting one another in distant lands, and in this neighbourhood
heroes are scarce, or simply lot to be found. Swords in these parts
are mostly blunt, and axes are used for trees, and shields as cradles
or dish-covers; and dragons are comfortably far-off (and therefore
legendary). That is why I settled on burglary-especially when I
remembered the existence of a Side-door. And here is our little Bilbo
Baggins, the burglar, the chosen and selected burglar. So now let’s
get on and make some plans.”
     “Very well then,” said Thorin, “supposing the burglar-expert gives us
some ideas or suggestions.” He
     “First I should like to know a bit more about things,” said he,
feeling all confused and a bit shaky inside, but so far still
lookishly determined to go on with things. “I mean about the gold and