midday
`` One might suppose , '' mused the youth , `` that she had an uneasy conscience and wished to scud to safety . '' A South American passenger near him was jesting with one of the Germans , `` What if they have already declared war ! ... What if they should make us prisoners ! '' After midday , they entered Southampton roads . The Frederic August hurried to get away as soon as possible , and transacted business with dizzying celerity . The cargo of passengers and baggage was enormous . Two launches approached the transatlantic and discharged an avalanche of Germans residents in England who invaded the decks with the joy of those who tread friendly soil , desiring to see Hamburg as soon as possible .