Chap8-10

In Chapter Eight, Bilbo and the dwarves find their provisions of food are diminishing and eventually this is what sparks the move to stray from the prescribed road (Gandalf told the group not to leave the road). There is a small brook to be forded and Bilbo proves efficient here. Unfortunately, Bombur, one of the awkward dwarves falls into the water and this water is poisoned. Bombur is recovered but he remains in a stupor for the duration of the chapter.

It seems that there is a fire not far off the side of the road, ‹maybe there is food there? Alas, this is a mirage that occurs several times until finally, the group is separated and lost.