about noon
He ate a little venison and regretted that he did not have a small skillet in which he could make soup for Tayoga later on , but since he did not have it he resolved to pound venison into shreds between stones , when the time came . Examining Tayoga again , he found , to his great joy , that the fever was decreasing , and he washed the wound anew . Then he sat by him a long time while the morning passed . Tayoga , who had been muttering in his fever , sank into silence , and about noon , opening his eyes , he said in a weak voice : `` How long have we been here , Dagaeoga ? '' `` About half of the second day is now gone , '' replied Robert , `` and your fever has gone with it . You 're as limp as a towel , but you 're started fairly on the road to recovery . '' `` I know it , '' said Tayoga gratefully , `` and I am thankful to Tododaho , to Areskoui , to Manitou , greatest of all , and to you , Dagaeoga , without whom the great spirits of earth and air would have let me perish . ''