“Satan,” Offero answered, “for I have heard that he is the most powerful upon earth. I wish to have him for my master.”
“I am he,” said the other, “and thy service shall be an easy one.”
The giant bowed low, and joined his followers.
As they pursued their way they came in sight of a cross. No sooner had Satan’s eyes perceived it, than he turned with evident fear and haste and took another road, so as to avoid passing the cross.
Offero was not slow in noticing these signs of alarm. “Why dost thou do so?” he asked his master.
“I fear the cross,” Satan made answer, “because Christ died upon it, and I fly from it lest it should overcome me.”
“Then there is one more powerful than thou, and I shall leave thee and seek him,” replied Offero. With these words, he left Satan and went in search of Christ.
After much toil and long wanderings, he came to a hermit, whom he entreated to tell him where Christ could be found.
The holy man, seeing him thus ignorant, pitied and taught him. “Christ is indeed the greatest king in heaven and on earth,” he said, “for his power will endure throughout eternity; but thou canst not serve him lightly—he will impose great duties upon thee, and he will require that thou fast often.”
“I will not fast,” said Offero, “for that would weaken my strength, which makes me so good a servant.”