the hour of seven
The men had each forty rounds , one day 's provisions , and their flasks filled . In the meanwhile , Mataafa sympathisers about Apia were on the alert . Knappe had informed the consuls that the ships were to put to sea next day for the protection of German property ; but the Tamaseses had been less discreet . `` To-morrow at the hour of seven , '' they had cried to their adversaries , `` you will know of a difficulty , and our guns shall be made good in broken bones . '' An accident had pointed expectation towards Apia . The wife of Le Mamea washed for the German ships -- a perquisite , I suppose , for her husband 's unwilling fidelity . She sent a man with linen on board the _ Adler _ , where he was surprised to see Le Mamea in person , and to be himself ordered instantly on shore .