About two hours before noon
I say if thou fail , thou shalt repent but once -- all thy life long to wit . '' Ralph nodded his head , and said : `` Fear not , I will not fail thee . '' And therewith they turned away from each other lest they should be noted . About two hours before noon they got to horse again , and , being no more encumbered with the wains and the beasts , rode at a good pace . As on the day before the road led them along the edge of the wildwood , and whiles it even went close to the very thicket . Whiles again they mounted somewhat , and looked down on the thicket , leagues and leagues thereof , which yet seemed but a little space because of the hugeness of the mountain wall which brooded over it ; but oftenest the forest hid all but the near trees . Thus they rode some twenty miles , and made stay at sunset in a place that seemed rather a clearing of the wood than a meadow ; for they had trees on their left hand at a furlong 's distance , as well as on their right at a stone 's throw .