[doug*platypus]

Biffo Proudfoot had been strolling along the bridge over The Water towards Hobbiton, smoking his pipe, when he spotted one of his many uncles ahead talking with Mad Baggins. Actually, Biffo was one of the few hobbits from Frogmorton who preferred rather to call him Bilbo, but Mad Baggins he was to most. In fact, Biffo had long been a quiet admirer of the esteemed Mr. Baggins; the tales of his adventures Outside proved there was hope yet for Biffo. After all, though tanned and weathered from working in the fields, Biffo was but 37 years old, and still had time to look into a possible career in Adventuring. Over the last few months, the hobbit had developed a strange feeling that if he didn't start soon, he might never get around to it. Yes, thought Biffo, it's definitely time to expand my horizons.

After a short chat with Bilbo, Olo Proudfoot walked off with him up towards The Hill. Biffo, although not well acquainted with the Bagginses, had talked to Bilbo once or twice before at The Floating Log in Frogmorton, and they knew each other by sight. Biffo decided to tag along after the pair, knowing well Bilbo's reputation as a source for unusual events.

A short while later, Biffo was standing amongst a motley assortment of hobbits, young and not so young, inside the parlour at Bag End. Bilbo's Hobbit-hole was certainly deserving of its excellent reputation. Biffo noticed with a grin however that, contrary to popular opinion, there was not a single solid gold footstool in sight. As it turned out, Bilbo was planning a surprise birthday party for his nephew, Frodo Baggins. He had called the group there to help him with preparations, part of which involved sending some hobbits barely into their tweens trooping off around The Shire.

"But what about the bandits?" Biffo asked, concerned, "There has been news that bandits have been prowling the area. Vicious enough to kill, they say."

This was only a rumour of course, and Biffo doubted it himself. But hobbits were curious and outgoing by nature when young, and inclined to ignore the dangers of the road. Biffo knew them well, and had always carried a short dagger concealed on him, in addition to his solid walking stick, when travelling from town to town.

"We have no proof that there are bandits," an older hobbit spoke up in argument. "It may be just a silly rumour."

This seemed to put an end to any fears. Still, thought Biffo, better safe than sorry I say! and he made up his mind then and there that he would be helping out. At any rate, after the last few weeks in the Southfarthing, his work was over and he was a free hobbit, for the meantime. When the chatter of the younger hobbits had eventually died down, Bilbo called for volunteers to help him out. Olo Proudfoot and another hobbit called Primrose had already volunteered, when Biffo stepped forward.

"I'll be glad to help out, Mr. Bilbo sir! We'll have no truck with bandits on this trip, believe me!" Biffo secretly hoped that his words would not come back to haunt him later.