it.'
     'That is as it should be,' said Aragorn. 'In Minas Tirith they endure
the East Wind, but they do not ask it for tidings. But now Boromir has
taken his road. and we must make haste to choose our own.'
     He surveyed the green lawn, quickly but thoroughly, stooping often to
the earth. 'The Orcs have been on this ground,' he said. 'Otherwise
nothing can be made out for certain. All our footprints are here,
crossing and re-crossing. I cannot tell whether any of the hobbits
have come back since the search for Frodo began.' He returned to the
bank, close to where the rill from the spring trickled out into the
River. 'There are some clear prints here,' he said. 'A hobbit waded
out into the water and back; but I cannot say how long ago.'
     'How then do you read this riddle?' asked Gimli.
     Aragorn did not answer at once, but went back to the camping-place and
looked at the baggage. 'Two packs are missing.' he said, 'and one is
certainly Sam's: it was rather large and heavy. This then is the
answer: Frodo has gone by boat, and his servant has gone with him.
Frodo must have returned while we were all away. I met Sam going up
the hill and told him to follow me; but plainly he did not do so. He
guessed his master s mind and came back here before Frodo had gone. He