noon
What can such a chap as you do on a ship ? Go home , and stick by your mammy for five years more , and then you 'll have no trouble in shipping . '' Rodney was a good deal frightened at such a reply , and walked on for some time , not venturing to ask again . Toward noon he went on board a large vessel , and seeing a man , whom he took for the captain of the ship , asked him if he could give him a place . `` No , my boy , '' he replied ; `` we do n't sail for three weeks , and we never ship a crew before the time . '' All day he wandered about the wharves , and to all his questions received repelling replies , mingled oftentimes with oaths , jeers , and insults . No one seemed to feel the least interest for him .