Farmer Maggot's Dogs

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

I think Maggot makes it clear to Merry that he was going to set his dogs on anyone who was caught trespassing after the encounter with the Nazgul, of whom he also said nearly ran him over with his horse had he not got out of the way at the last moment. Lucky for Maggot that this was not the Lord of the Nazgul. He was never going to frighten a Nazgul with his three dogs.

Well, Nazgûl were a bit out of Maggot's experience, so he can be forgiven for not appreciating the danger. I don't think the wraith meant to kill him by running him down: just a friendly was of telling him "thanks for nothing".

Then again, Maggot is credited by both Merry, and more importantly, Bombadil, as being more aware and knowledgeable than the usual hobbit. Think of the way he was quick to connect the Nazgûl with Bilbo's adventure decades before. Maggot almost certainly didn't know the nature of the Ringwraiths, but he knew or intuited that they were evil, and not merely nosy about Baggins gossip.