noon
`` Now , '' said the Supervisor , `` take the brush hook and clear the trail as I locate it . '' Wilbur , accordingly , following immediately after his chief , worked for all he knew how , cutting down the brushwood and preparing the trail . Every once in a while Merritt , who had blazed the trail some distance ahead , would return , and , bidding the boy pile brush , would attack the underwood as though it were a personal enemy of his and would cover the ground in a way that would make Wilbur 's most strenuous moments seem trifling in comparison . Once he returned and saw the lad laboring for dear life , breathing hard , and showing by his very pose that he was tiring rapidly , although it was not yet noon , and he called to him . `` Loyle , '' he said , `` what are you breaking your neck at it that way for ? '' `` I do n't come near doing as much as I ought unless I do hurry , '' he said . `` And then I 'm a long way behind . ''