До Адама

           IstaredatLop-Ear,andhestaredback.Weunderstoodeachother.Immediately,andwithgreatcautionandquietness,webeganclimbingupthecliff.Whenwereachedthetopwelookedback.Theabiding-placewasdeserted,Red-Eyeremainedinhiscave,andthehordehaddisappearedinthedepthsoftheforest.

           Weturnedandran.Wedashedacrosstheopenspacesanddowntheslopesunmindfulofpossiblesnakesinthegrass,untilwereachedthewoods.Upintothetreeswewent,andonandon,swingingourarborealflightuntilwehadputmilesbetweenusandthecaves.Andthen,andnottillthen,inthesecurityofagreatfork,wepaused,lookedateachother,andbegantolaugh.Weheldontoeachother,armsandlegs,oureyesstreamingtears,oursidesaching,andlaughedandlaughedandlaughed.