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hadn't。 He would have done something。'
But even as hope died in Sam； or seemed to die； it was turned to a new strength。 Sam's plain
hobbit…face grew stern； almost grim； as the will hardened in him； and he felt through all his limbs a
thrill； as if he was turning into some creature of stone and steel that neither despair nor weariness
nor endless barren miles could subdue。
With a new sense of responsibility he brought his eyes back to the ground near at hand； studying
the next move。 As the light grew a little he saw to his surprise that what from a distance had
seemed wide and featureless flats were in fact all broken and tumbled。 Indeed the whole surface of
the plains of Gorgoroth was pocked with great holes； as if； while it was still a waste of soft mud； it
had been smitten with a shower of bolts and huge slingstones。 The largest of these holes were
rimmed with ridges of broken rock； and broad fissures ran out from them in all directions。 It was a
land in which it would be possible to creep from hiding to hiding； unseen by all but the most
watchful eyes： possible at least for one who was strong and had no need for speed。 For the hungry
and worn； who had far to go before life failed； it had an evil look。
Thinking of all these things Sam went back to his master。 He had no need to rouse him。 Frodo
was lying on his back with eyes open； staring at the cloudy sky。 'Well； Mr。 Frodo；' said Sam； 'I've
been having a look round and thinking a bit。 There's nothing on the roads； and we'd best be getting
away while there's a chance。 Can you manage it？'
'I can manage it；' said Frodo。 'I must。'
Once more they started； crawling from hollow to hollow； flitting behind such cover as they
could find； but moving always in a slant towards the foothills of the northern range。 But as they
went the most easterly of the roads followed them； until it ran off； hugging the skirts of the
mountains； away into a wall of black shadow far ahead。 Neither man nor orc now moved along its
flat grey stretches； for the Dark Lord had almost pleted the movement of his forces； and even in
the fastness of his own realm he sought the secrecy of night； fearing the winds of the world that had
turned against him； tearing aside his veils； and troubled with tidings of bold spies that had passed
through his fences。
The hobbits had gone a few weary miles when they halted。 Frodo seemed nearly spent。 Sam saw
that he could not go much further in this fashion； crawling； stooping； now picking a doubtful way
very slowly； now hurrying at a stumbling run。
'I'm going back on to the road while the light lasts； Mr。 Frodo；' he said。 'Trust to luck again！ It
nearly failed us last time； but it didn't quite。 A steady pace for a few more miles； and then a rest。'
He was taking a far greater risk than he knew； but Frodo was too much occupied with his burden
and with the struggle in his mind to debate； and almost too hopeless to care。 They climbed on to the
causeway and trudged along； down the hard cruel road that led to the Dark Tower itself。 But their
luck held； and for the rest of that day they met no living or moving thing； and when night fell they
vanished into the darkness of Mordor。 All the land now brooded as at the ing of a great storm：
for the Captains of the West had passed the Cross…roads and set flames in the deadly fields of Imlad
Morgul。
So the desperate journey went on； as the Ring went south and the banners of the kings rode
north。 For the hobbits each day； each mile。 was more bitter than the one before； as their strength
lessened and the land became more evil。 They met no enemies by day。 At times by night； as they
cowered or drowsed uneasily in some hiding beside the road； they heard cries and the noise of
many feet or the swift passing of some cruelly ridden steed。 But far worse than all such perils was
the ever…approaching threat that beat upon them as they went： the dreadful menace of the Power
that waited； brooding in deep thought and sleepless malice behind the dark veil about its Throne。
Nearer and nearer it drew； looming blacker； like the oning of a wall of night at the last end of
the world。
There came at last a dreadful nightfall； and even as the Captains of the West drew near to the
end of the living lands； the two wanderers came to an hour of blank despair。 Four days had passed
since they had escaped from the orcs； but the time lay behind them like an ever…darkening dream。
All this last day Frodo had not spoken； but had walked half…bowed； often stumbling； as if his eyes
no longer saw the way before his feet。 Sam guessed that among all their pains he bore the worst； the
growing weight of the Ring； a burden on the body and a torment to his mind。 Anxiously Sam had
noted how his master's left hand would often be raised as if to ward on a blow； or to screen his
shrinking eyes from a dreadful Eye that sought to look in them。 And sometimes his right hand
would creep to his breast； clutching； and then slowly； as the will recovered mastery； it would be
withdrawn。
Now as the blackness of night returned Frodo sat； his head between his knees； his arms hanging
wearily to the ground where his hands lay feebly twitching。 Sam watched him； till night covered
them both and hid them from one another。 He could no longer find any words to say； and he turned
to his own dark thoughts。 As for himself； though weary and under a shadow of fear； he still had
some strength left。 The _lembas_ had a virtue without which they would long ago have lain down
to die。 It did not satisfy desire； and at times Sam's mind was filled with the memories of food； and
the longing for simple bread and meats。 And yet this waybread of the Elves had a potency that
increased as travellers relied on it alone and did not mingle it with other foods。 It fed the will； and it
gave strength to endure； and to master sinew and limb beyond the measure of mortal kind。 But now
a new decision must be made。 They could not follow this road any longer； for it went on eastward
into the great Shadow； but the Mountain now loomed upon their right； almost due so