[the phantom]

for Boromir sat muttering to himself, sometimes biting his nails, as if some restlessness or doubt consumed him

Poor Boromir. I'd be muttering and biting my nails too if I thought that a powerful weapon that would kill my people was about to be delivered to my enemy.

I always bite my nails though.

Even when the paddles were in use they did not trust Sam with one.

I always laugh when I read that.

And someone mentioned Boromir's wit but didn't give this quote-

'That would not be easy, even if we were all Men,' said Boromir.
'Yet such as we are we will try it,' said Aragorn.
'Aye, we will,' said Gimli. 'The legs of Men will lag on a rough road, while a Dwarf goes on, be the burden twice his own weight, Master Boromir!'

and later...

'We need sleep, and even if Aragorn had a mind to pass the Gates of Argonath by night, we are all too tired- except, no doubt, our sturdy dwarf.'
Gimli made no reply: he was nodding as he sat.

Also, I was thinking back to the first time I read LOTR (with my father many years ago) and I am fairly certain that it was during this chapter that a particular thought first struck me- Frodo and Sam are going to get seperated from the others.

In Lorien they went to the mirror by themselves and now in this chapter they discuss Gollum privately and decide not to bother Strider about it. I dunno, I just remember thinking that Frodo and Sam had kind of distanced themselves from the others somehow (maybe because they drawn closer to each other).

But on the subject of Gollum, it turned out that Aragorn already knew much more than they did, and had actually tried to catch him during their river journey (without the hobbits realizing it). Aragorn really is amazing.

And I know this might be a bit off-topic, but Aragorn said-

He padded after us all through Moria...

That made me wonder, how did Gollum get out of Moria? Didn't the dwarves design Moria so that the bridge that Gandalf broke was the only way to get in or out from the east? If so, are we supposed to assume that the Orcs had made new exits or what?

Boromir could leave the Company at this point and followed his proposed course, alone, to Minas Tirith. But he does not. Rather he chooses (or is compelled) to follow the same course as the Ringbearer. He explains his decision by asserting that it "is not the way of the Men of Minas Tirith to desert their friends at need" (and there is no doubt still some truth in this), but it is Frodo who is singled out here as Boromir's reason for continuing with the Company.

Yes, I noted this, and I wondered if, had things happenned differently and the Fellowship decided to go east together, Boromir would have gone with them despite his words. The choice would be easy to rationalize.

And I just thought I'd mention that the Argonath and the gorge it is in is one of the things that captured me on my first read. I would empty my checking account to travel that part of the Anduin.

Frodo peering forward saw in the distance two great rocks approaching: like great pinnacles or pillars of stone they seemed. Tall and sheer and ominous they stood upon either side of the stream. A narrow gap appeared between them, and the River swept the boats towards it....
Upon great pedestals founded in the deep waters stood two great kings of stone: still with blurred eyes and crannied brows they frowned upon the North. The left hand of each was raised palm outwards in gesture and warning; in each right hand there was an axe; upon each head there was a crumbling helm and crown. Great power and majesty they still wore, the silent wardens of a long-vanished kingdom. Awe and fear fell upon Frodo, and he cowered down, shutting his eyes and not daring to look up as the boat drew near. Even Boromir bowed his head as the boats whirled by, frail and fleeting as little leaves, under the enduring shadow of the sentinels of Numenor. So they passed into the dark chasm of the Gates.
Sheer rose the dreadful cliffs to unguessed heights on either side. Far off was the dim sky. The black waters roared and echoed, and a wind screamed over them...