. But soon he was convinced that his new master was
not the mightiest on earth. For one day, whilst approaching a crucifix
by the wayside, Satan quickly took to flight, and Reprobus asked him for
the reason. Satan replied: "That is the image of my greatest enemy, who
conquered me on the cross. From him I always flee." When Reprobus heard
this, he left the devil, and went in search of Christ.

In his wanderings, he one day came to a hut hidden in the forest. At its
door sat a venerable old man. Reprobus addressed him, and in the course
of the conversation that ensued the old man told him that he was a
hermit, and had left the world to serve Christ, the Lord of heaven and
earth. "Thou art my man," cried Reprobus; "Christ is He whom I seek, for
He is the strongest and the mightiest. Tell me where I can find Him."

The hermit then began instructing the giant about God and the Redeemer,
and concluded by saying: "He who would serve Christ must offer himself
entirely to Him, and do and suffer everything for His sake. His reward
for this will be immense and will last forever." Reprobus now asked the
hermit to allow him to remain, and to continue to instruct him. The
hermit consented. When Reprobus was fully instructed, he baptized him.
After his baptism, a great change came over the giant. No longer proud
of his great size and strength, he became meek and humble, and asked the
hermit to assign to him some task by which he might serve God, his
master. "For," said he, "I can not pray and fast; therefore I must serve
God in some other way." The hermit led him to a broad and swift river
nearby, and said: "Here build thyself a hut, and when wanderers wish to
cross the river, carry them over for the love of Christ." For there was
no bridge across the river.

Henceforth, day and night, whenever he was called, Reprobus faithfully
performed the task assigned to him. One night he heard a child calling
to be carried across the river. Quickly he rose, placed the child on his
stout shoulder, took his staff and walked into the mighty current.
Arrived in midstream, the water rose higher and higher, and the child
became heavier and heavier. "O child," he cried, "how heavy thou art! It
seems I bear the weight of the world on my shoulder." And the child
replied, "Right thou art. Thou bearest not only the world, but the
Creator of heaven and earth. I am Jesus Christ, thy King and Lord, and
henceforth thou shalt be called Christophorus, that is,