about nine o'clock in the
morning
On going on board , I made enquiry whether a lad of that description had been there . The lieutenant , who commanded in my absence , said , ` Yes , he has been here , Sir , but he would neither wait for your arrival nor give his name , but promised to call again to-morrow morning . ' I really could not sleep for anxiety that night , as the description which I received from all who saw him almost confirmed my suspicions . I gave orders to be informed the moment he came next day ; and accordingly , about nine o'clock in the morning I was told he was come alongside . I desired he might be sent into my cabin , and in a few minutes William himself stood before me . '' `` I begged to know what was his business with me , treating him exactly as I would have done a perfect stranger . My young gentleman was rather confounded with this reception at first , but he gradually took courage , and informed me he had made up his mind and nothing would alter his determination of going to sea ; that if I was resolved not to receive him , nor to allow him to remain in my ship , he could not insist on it , but he would certainly go on board another , and he had no doubt he would find other captains who would not reject him .