dragon up against
     “Fools!” said Bard. “Why waste words and wrath on those unhappy
creatures? Doubtless they perished first in fire, before Smaug came to
us.” Then even as he was speaking, the thought came into his heart of
the fabled treasure of the Mountain lying without guard or owner, and
he fell suddenly silent. He thought of the Master’s words, and of Dale
rebuilt, and filled with golden bells, if he could but find the men.
     At length he spoke again: “This is no time for angry words. Master, or
for considering weighty plans of change. There is work to do. I serve
you still-though after a while I may think again of your words and go
North with any that will follow me.”
     Then he strode off to help in the ordering of the camps and in the
care of the sick and the wounded. But the Master scowled at his back
as he went, and remained sitting on the ground. He thought much but
said little, unless it was to call loudly for men to bring him fire
and food. Now everywhere Bard went he found talk running like fire
among the people concerning the vast treasure that was now unguarded.
Men spoke of the recompense for all their harm that they would soon
get from it, and wealth over and to spare with which to buy rich
things from the South; and it cheered them greatly in their plight.