twelve o'clock
Their geography told them of other lands and people , but these were mere names , until now . Among the books were Robinson Crusoe , Midshipman Easy , Peter Simple , three or four of Cooper 's Indian tales , Dana 's Life before the Mast , and several of Kingston 's and Ballantyne 's books . These opened a wonderland of life and adventure to the boys . The schoolmaster used to give them out , at twelve o'clock ; and they were returned at two , when school recommenced ; and only such boys as obtained full marks for their lessons were allowed to have them . In this way , instead of the library being a cause of idleness -- as some of the guardians predicted , when they heard of its presentation -- it was an incentive to work . Certainly its perusal filled the minds of most of the boys with an intense longing to go to sea but , as there is always a demand for apprentices for the Yarmouth and Lowestoft smacks , the guardians did not disapprove of this bent being given to their wishes -- indeed , as no premium had to be paid , with apprentices to smack owners , while in most trades a premium is required , a preference was given to the sea by the guardians . When William Gale reached the age of fifteen , and was brought before the board to choose the trade to which he would be apprenticed , he at once said that he would go to sea .