'Why hullo there! You're the one everyone has been talking about, yes? Well, I could use your help. I have big problems, and that's a fact! You see, I was on a trip to visit my dad away in Buckland after visiting my brother Gil at Hengstacer. I thought to myself, \qYou should take a shortcut... no use wandering all the way down to the Great East Road and all.\q That's when it all went wrong.

'Now I was walking along quiet as you will until about the time for elevenses, and I felt a dreadful hunger. I came upon an old bit of stonework in the Brandywood and sat myself down for a light snack. All of a sudden, quick as you will, a hefty burly fellow shows up, and with none too kind words mind you. He was much larger than the big folk of Bree... I am afraid I was quite scared of the brute and ran off without my pack!

'The stonework is north of Buckland in the Brandywood. I doubt that this giant Man -- Svalfang I heard him call himself -- will stay in his dreary little hut all day. Maybe you could sneak by and pinch my pack when he is out stomping and doing whatever large folk of his kind do.'