Before the day of the ceremony came round, each community elected a captain; and a stand of colours was prepared for the great event. This consisted of a fine table-cloth of the largest size, decorated with ribbons. All things being ready, the band of herdsmen sallied forth on the morning of the first of August, attired in their best apparel, and armed with stout cudgels. Repairing to the neighbouring tower, the colours were displayed in triumph; then the assembly indulged in horn-blowing and in making merry until about nine o’clock, when they partook of breakfast as they sat upon the green-sward. Scouts were despatched to every quarter to watch the approach of any hostile party. It frequently happened that on Lammas Day the herdsmen of one district proceeded to attack those of another locality, to bring them under subjection by force. On the approach of a hostile party the horns sounded to arms; the band immediately arranged itself in the best order that could be devised—the boldest and strongest in front, and those of inferior prowess behind. They seldom remained on the defensive, but generally rushed forward bravely to meet the enemy. The captains carried the colours and led the van. When both parties met, they mutually desired each other to lower their colours, in sign of subjection. When there appeared a great disproportion in the strength of the bands, the weakest usually submitted to this ceremony without difficulty, believing their honour was saved by the evident disproportion of the match. If the bands were nearly equal in strength, neither of them yielded; blows ensued, and sometimes bloodshed. It is said that on one occasion four herdsmen were killed and many disabled. If no opponents appeared, or if they themselves had no intention of making an attack, the bands took down their colours about mid-day from their towers, and marched, blowing their horns, to the largest village in the neighbourhood. Here they were met by the lasses and the people generally, who participated in the diversions of the day. Boundaries were marked out, and proclamation made that all who intended to compete in the foot-races should appear. Prizes were offered. The first prize, usually a bonnet ornamented with ribbons, was displayed upon a pole. Sometimes half-a-dozen competitors started, and ran with as great eagerness as if the prize had been a kingdom. A pair of garters was awarded to the victor of the second race; and the winner of the third gained a knife. After the races were over, the people amused themselves in such rural sports as suited their taste, and before sunset dispersed quietly to their respective homes.