Then said Christopher: “Certes, this service may I well do, and I promise Him to do it.”
Then went Christopher to this river, and built himself there a hut. He carried a great pole in his hand, to support himself in the water, and bore over on his shoulders all manner of people to the other side. And there he abode, thus doing many days.
And on a time, as he slept in his hut, he heard the voice of a child which called him:—
“Christopher, Christopher, come out and bear me over.”
Then he awoke and went out, but he found no man. And when he was again in his house he heard the same voice, crying:—
“Christopher, Christopher, come out and bear me over.”
And he ran out and found nobody.
And the third time he was called and ran thither, and he found a Child by the brink of the river, which prayed him goodly to bear him over the water.
And then Christopher lifted up the Child on his shoulders, and took his staff, and entered into the river for to pass over. And the water of the river arose and swelled more and more; and the Child was heavy as lead, and always as Christopher went farther the water increased and grew more, and the Child more and more waxed heavy, insomuch that Christopher suffered great anguish and was afeared to be drowned.
And when he was escaped with great pain, and passed over the water, and set the Child aground, he said:—