Legendary fictions of the Irish Celts

2IO Fictions of the Irish Celts.
German Helden), and when associated to a military
order they were Cn>-ai, companions. A postulant for
admission among the Fians should be a free man in
every respect, and so expert that, merely armed with a
stick and shield, he could defend his otherwise un-
guarded body from half a dozen men darting spears at
him from a distance of nine ridges. If he escaped un-
wounded, he was required to run through a tangled
wood with his long hair hanging loose, and get out at
the other side, uncaught by the same or another half
dozen warriors. If an ill-conditioned bough as low
as his knee crossed his path, he should run under
it ; if it were no higher than his shoulder, he should
bound over it. Having passed this bodily ordeal he
was obliged to swear fealty to the Ard Righ (head king),
to promise on his word as Curadh to be charitable to the
poor and to respect women. His near relations Avere
also engaged never to seek ei-ic (blood-fine) for his death,
but to leave that care and the defence of his honour
to his brothers-in-arms.
During the winter half year, the Fians were enter-
tained at the expense of the kings and chiefs. In the
other they spent most of their time fishing and hunt-
ing, when not watching for invaders. They took their
principal meal in the evening, and this was the pro-
gramme of mealtime and bedtime :—Through the forest,
and on the plains, and on the hillsides, were small