ck was well taken care of. If she went to the village pond
it was only to tell her comrades of her remarkable way of gaining the
beautiful money.

_St Christopher_

Once upon a time there lived a great giant. He had mighty arms and
legs and could carry tons upon his back. His name was Offero.

Offero had one wish. He wished to serve the greatest king on earth. He
was told that the emperor was the most powerful. So he went to him and
said, "Lord Emperor, will you have me for your servant?"

The emperor was delighted with him. "Promise to serve me for ever, my
good fellow," he said.

"Ah no," said Offero. "I dare not promise that. But of this be sure,
as long as I am your servant, no harm shall come to you."

So they journeyed on together. The emperor was delighted with his new
servant. All his soldiers were poor and weak compared to Offero.

In the evening when the soldiers rested, the emperor loved to listen
to music. He had with him a harper who would play upon his harp and
sing sweetly.

Once the harper sang a song in which the name of Satan was heard. At
this name the emperor trembled and made the sign of the cross.

"Why do you tremble, Lord Emperor?" asked the giant.

"Hush!" said the emperor.

"Tell me, or I will leave you," said Offero.

"I tremble because I fear Satan," answered the emperor. "I made the
sign of the cross so that he cannot harm me. He is as wicked as he is
strong."

"Farewell," said the giant. "I seek Satan now. If he is stronger than
you, I must serve him."

So he journeyed through the land and soon found Satan at the head of a
large army.

"Where do you go? Whom do you seek?" asked Satan.

"I seek Satan," said Offero. "I would have him for my master, for he
is the mightiest king on earth."

"I am he," answered Satan. "Come with me and you shall have happy and
easy days."

Offero served Satan for months and was well pleased with his master.
At last, as they were marching through the land one day, they came
upon a place where four roads met. Just here stood a cross.

When Satan saw the cross, he turned his army and marched quickly away.
"What does this mean?" asked the giant. "Are you afraid of that
cross, my master?"

Satan was silent.

"Answer me," said Offero, "or I leave you at once."

Then Satan said, "Yes, it is true that I fear the cross. Upon it hung
the Son of Mary."

"Then I leave you straightway," said Offero. "I seek the Son of Mary.
He shall be