valley. They flung their pale torches to the ground, and stood gazing
out with dazzled eyes. They were come 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 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