Ossian Collection > Fingal

NOTES.
Trials of strength and activity were given him, and he
was obliged to shew, by proof, that he was perfect master
of his weapons, and able to defend himself against all
attacks. He was placed in a plane field encompassed with
green sedge that reached above the knee, and was to have
a target by him, and a hazel stake in his hand, of the
length of a man's arm ; then nine experienced soldiers
were drawn out, and appointed to stand at the distance of
nine ridges of land from him, and to throw all their
javelins at him at once; if he had the skill, with his
target and stake, to defend himself and come off unhurt,
he was so far considered worthy of being admitted into
the service ; but if he had the misfortune to be wounded
he was rejected as unqualified. Having successfully passed
this ordeal, he had his hair plaited, and was obliged to run
through a wood with the whole caithagh, into which he
wished to be received, pursuing him, and was allowed but
the breadth of a tree before the rest at his setting out; if
he was overtaken or wounded, or if his hair fell loose
during the chace, or if his footsteps were not so light that
he could tread upon a rotten stick, without breaking it,
he was deemed too sluggish to fight with honor among
those valiant troops : next he was required to leap over a
tree as high as his forehead, and to stoop easily under one
that was lower than his knees. If it was observed that his
hands shook in holding his weapons, he was rejected: he