Pippin subsided; but Sam was not daunted, and he still eyed Strider dubiously. 'How do we know you are the Strider that Gandalf speaks about?' he demanded. 'You never mentioned Gandalf, till this letter came out. You might be a play-acting spy, for all I can see, trying to get us to go with you. You might have done in the real Strider and took his clothes. What have you to say to that?'
'That you are a stout fellow,' answered Strider; 'but I am afraid my only answer
to you, Sam Gamgee, is this. If I had
killed the real Strider, I could kill you. And I should have killed you already
without so much talk. If I was after the Ring, I could have it--NOW!'
He stood up, and seemed suddenly to grow taller. In his eyes gleamed a light,
keen and commanding. Throwing back his cloak, he laid his hand on the hilt of
a sword that had hung concealed by his side. They did not dare to move. Sam
sat wide-mouthed staring at him dumbly.
'But I am the real Strider, fortunately,' he said, looking down at them with
his face softened by a sudden smile. 'I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn; and if
by life or death, I can save you, I will.'