Each side built forts, facing across the gorge of a brook.  An endless fusillade and shouting maintained the spirit of the warriors; and at night, even if the firing slackened, the pickets continued to exchange from either side volleys of songs and pungent pleasantries.  Nearer hostilities were rendered difficult by the nature of the ground, where men must thread dense bush and clamber on the face of precipices.  Apia was near enough; a man, if he had a dollar or two, could walk in before a battle and array himself in silk or velvet.  Casualties were not common; there was nothing to cast gloom upon the camps, and no more danger than was required to give a spice to the perpetual firing.  For the young warriors it was a period of admirable enjoyment.  But the anxiety of Mataafa must have been great and growing.  His force was now considerable.  It was scarce likely he should ever have more.  That he should be long able to supply them with ammunition seemed incredible; at the rates then or soon after current, hundreds of pounds sterling might be easily blown into the air by the skirmishers in the course of a few days.  And in the meanwhile, on the mountain opposite, his outnumbered adversary held his ground unshaken.

By this time the partisanship of the whites was unconcealed.  Americans supplied Mataafa with ammunition; English and Americans openly subscribed together and sent boat-loads of provisions to his camp.  One such boat started from Apia on a day of rain; it was pulled by six oars, three being paid by Moors, three by the MacArthurs; Moors himself and a clerk of the MacArthurs’ were in charge; and the load included not only beef and biscuit, but three or four thousand rounds of ammunition.  They came ashore in Laulii, and carried the gift to Mataafa.  While they were yet in his house a bullet passed overhead; and out of his door they could see the Tamasese pickets on the opposite hill.  Thence they made their way to the left flank of the Mataafa position next the sea.  A Tamasese barricade was visible across the stream.  It rained, but the warriors crowded in their shanties, squatted in the mud, and maintained an excited conversation.  Balls flew; either faction, both happy as lords, spotting for the other in chance shots, and missing.  One point is characteristic of that war; experts in native feeling doubt if it will characterise the next.  The two white visitors passed without and between the lines to a rocky point upon the beach.  The person of Moors was well known; the purpose of their coming to Laulii must have been already bruited abroad; yet they were not fired upon.  From the point they spied a crow’s nest, or hanging fortification, higher up; and, judging it was a good position for a general view, obtained a guide.  He led them up a steep side of the mountain, where they must climb by roots and tufts of grass; and coming to an open hill-top with some scattered trees, bade them wait, let him draw the fire, and then be swift to follow.