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More anciently, the high priest's seven counsellors determined the time for the sacrifice of first fruits. (They also directed about the time planting, so that the corn generally might be ripe at the same time. Having determined the time for the feast of first fruits, they dispatched a messenger through the country, to notify the people, and also to get seven ears of corn from seven different fields, belonging to the seven different clans. The whole nation then lived compactly together. This man, on his return delivered the seven ears of corn to the seven counsellors. These seven counsellors fasted, at the council house seven days, or six days previous to the feast, and on the morning of the seventh day gave the seven ears of corn to the priest. On the evening previous, i.e. on the evening of the sixth day of the fast of the seven counsellors, the nation assembled. The hunters of the town where the feast was held, having spent the six days in hunting, now unite with others in the solemnity of the occasion. Every family had some of the various green fruits of their fields, brought ready cooked from home. This night, the whole nation assembled, kept as a watch night or vigil. The women however, for a short time, danced