noon
Its solemnity was increased , when he held aloft a belt of white wampum , and , enumerating his own sins , asked Manitou to forgive him . When he had finished he exclaimed , `` Naho , '' which meant , `` I have done . '' Then he passed the wampum to Tonessaah , who also made his confession , and all the other sachems and chiefs did the same , the people , too , joining with intense fervor in the manifestation . A huge banquet of all that forest , river and field afforded was spread the next morning , and at noon athletic games , particularly those with the ball , in which the red man excelled long before the white man came , began and were played with great energy and amid intense excitement . At the same time the great Feather Dance , religious in its nature , was given by twelve young warriors and twelve young girls , dressed in their most splendid costumes . Night came , and the festival was still in progress . What the Indian did he did with his whole heart , and all his strength .