ings were going in the lands of the Mountain。 It seemed they were going very well。 Bard had rebuilt the town in Dale and men had gathered to him from the Lake and from South and West； and all the valley had bee tilled again and rich； and the desolation was now filled with birds and blossoms in spring and fruit and feasting in autumn。 And Lake…town was refounded and was more prosperous than ever； and much wealth went up and down the Running River； and there was friendship in those parts between elves and dwarves and men。 The old Master had e to a bad end。 Bard had given him much gold for the help of the Lake…people； but being of the kind that easily catches such disease he fell under the dragon…sickness； and took most of the gold and fled with it； and died of starvation in the Waste； deserted by his panions。 〃The new Master is of wiser kind；〃 said Balin； 〃and very popular； for； of course； he gets most of the credit for the present prosperity。 They are making songs which say that in his day the rivers run with gold。〃 〃Then the prophecies of the old songs have turned out to be true； after a fashion！〃 said Bilbo。
〃Of course！〃 said Gandalf。 〃And why should not they prove true？ Surely you don't disbelieve the prophecies； because you had a hand in bringing them about yourself？ You don't really suppose； do you； that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck； just for your sole benefit？ You are a very fine person； Mr。 Baggins； and I am very fond of you； but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all！〃
〃Thank goodness！〃 said Bilbo laughing； and handed him the tobacco…jar。
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