And this way went we stumbling for sixteen great hours; and by
that time had come to a pace proper for that task, and to be
something numbed, and seeming grown unreal, because of the
affecting of the Darkness.
And lo! for eight days then did we go upward forever through
that most dreadful night. And after the first day, we crept alway
upon our hands and our knees, and I to go in the front, and had the
Diskos ready upon my hip. And I took two of the straps from the
pouch and the scrip, and so had a certain length; and I set them
from the waist-belt of the Maid unto mine own belt, and so did know
ever that she came close after me.
And we made journeys sixteen hours long, and did eat and drink
at the sixth and the twelfth hours, and likewise we eat and drank
ere we slept, and aga
