noon
At the camp that morning , Wessner 's conduct had been so palpable an excuse to force a discharge that Duncan moved near McLean and whispered , `` Think of the boy , sir ? '' McLean was so troubled that , an hour later , he mounted Nellie and followed Wessner to his home in Wildcat Hollow , only to find that he had left there shortly before , heading for the Limberlost . McLean rode at top speed . When Mrs. Duncan told him that a man answering Wessner 's description had gone down the west side of the swamp close noon , he left the mare in her charge and followed on foot . When he heard voices he entered the swamp and silently crept close just in time to hear Wessner whine : `` But I ca n't fight you , Freckles . I hai n't done nothing to you . I 'm away bigger than you , and you 've only one hand . ''