about seven o'clock
Shells commenced to fall within the city . Menelek returned and took up his headquarters in the stone building that was called the palace . That night came a lull in the hostilities -- a truce had been arranged . Colonel Belik summoned me about seven o'clock to dress him for a function at the palace . In the midst of death and defeat the emperor was about to give a great banquet to his officers . I was to accompany my master and wait upon him -- I , Jefferson Turck , lieutenant in the Pan-American navy ! In the privacy of the colonel 's quarters I had become accustomed to my menial duties , lightened as they were by the natural kindliness of my master , but the thought of appearing in public as a common slave revolted every fine instinct within me .