nine o'clock
`` Richard , my boy , '' said my father , `` you have often expressed a wish to go to sea , and I have now an opportunity of gratifying you . My friend Captain Fleetwood has volunteered to take you out with him as midshipman ; and , as I know I could not intrust you to better hands , I am glad to avail myself of his offer . The warning is rather a short one , as you must be on board your ship within a fortnight ; you have no time to lose ; and I will accompany you to town to prepare your equipment . We will leave this to-morrow morning at nine o'clock . '' I was rather staggered by this sudden announcement ; for , though it had always been the dearest wish of my heart to go to sea , yet there was something so unexpected in the accomplishment of it , that I repented of my choice . My heart sank at the thought of such a sudden parting from home and all that was dear to me ; besides , as I had just left school , I would have preferred having a few days ' holiday , and an opportunity of strutting in my sailor 's dress before the eyes of my admiring schoolfellows . However , there was no help for it now -- my lot was cast for life ; and , in a fortnight 's time , I was fairly shipped on board the Anne , a snug free-trader , bound to the East Indies .