noon
It is hard to exaggerate the peril of the forenoon that followed , as they lay off Laulii . Nobody desired a collision , save perhaps the reckless Leary ; but peace and war trembled in the balance ; and when the _ Adler _ , at one period , lowered her gun ports , war appeared to preponderate . It proved , however , to be a last -- and therefore surely an unwise -- extremity . Knappe contented himself with visiting the rival kings , and the three ships returned to Apia before noon . Beyond a doubt , coming after Knappe 's decisive letter of the day before , this impotent conclusion shook the credit of Germany among the natives of both sides ; the Tamaseses fearing they were deserted , the Mataafas -LRB- with secret delight -RRB- hoping they were feared . And it gave an impetus to that ridiculous business which might have earned for the whole episode the name of the war of flags . British and American flags had been planted the night before , and were seen that morning flying over what they claimed about Laulii .