Chapter 1
Strider sat in his usual corner at the Prancing Pony, watching. A small Hobbit, the one with dark hair among a group of four, sat at a table near the fire. He kept glancing at Strider uneasily, as if he wasn't used to (or didn't like) being stared at. The other Hobbits referred to him as "Underhill," but Strider was fairly certain that this "Underhill" was actually the Hobbit Gandalf had told him to look for.
This could be Master Baggins. Careful though, he cautioned himself. Remember the last time you trusted a stranger too quickly and easily.
Barliman Butterbur, the landlord of The Pony, and the Halfling were talking. They cast an occasional glance in his direction, apparently hoping that Strider wouldn't overhear their talk.
"Who is that? I don't think you introduced him?"
"Him? … He is one of the wandering folk—Rangers we call them … He disappears for a month, or a year, then he pops up again … he's known round here as Strider. Goes about at a great pace on his long shanks; though he doesn't tell nobody what cause he has to hurry …"
As Barliman walked away Frodo looked over and caught Strider's eye. He nodded and gestured to the seat next to him. As the Hobbit drew near Strider pulled back his hood and spoke.
"I am called Strider. I am very pleased to meet you, Master–Underhill, if old Butterbur got your name right."
"He did." Frodo stiffened, having caught the pause and slight stress Strider had placed on the word "Underhill".
Pippin's voice cut across the room. "Baggins? Sure, I know Baggins." Frodo turned to see Pippin pointing right at him.
"See there, that's him. Frodo Baggins. He's my second cousin, once removed on his mother's side, if you follow me."
Frodo jumped up and ran over to the young Hobbit.
"Pippin!" he hissed.
Mid-stride Frodo slipped on some ale spilled on the floor. His hand jerked; the Ring, which he had been fingering in his pocket, flew into the air. Frodo reached out to grab the Ring–and it slid onto his outstretched finger.
During the ensuing commotion Frodo crawled into a corner. He was startled when Strider roughly grabbed him, said "you've drawn far too much attention to yourself Mister Underhill," and hauled him upstairs.