Candidus and Vitalis, and many others besides them,
and they were associated in steadfast faith,
so that they would not turn to shameful heathenism
from the living God in whom they believed.
Then Maximian journeyed with a great array
until they came to the mountains, and the wicked man desired,
after he had passed over the mountains,
to hold his heathen worship, and bade men call to him
the whole army that they might fulfil his hest,
and with him might all offer their sacrifices
to the devilish gods, to the dishonour of God Almighty.
Then went the Legion, of whom we have before spoken,
forth on their way, and fled from that idolatry,
for they would not destroy themselves by the diabolical sacrifices,
but rode more than twelve miles to the river Rhodanus [Rhone],
and there speedily alighted on account of the tedious journey;
and the Emperor encamped with the other army
near a little town called Octodurum [Martigny],
offering his sacrifices with the unbelieving
to his wicked gods, desiring to gladden them
before he should come to the fight, that they might assist him.
Then perceived the Emperor that the Christians were not there,
and thereupon angrily commanded his companions to go
and bid the Christians to come to him.
So the messengers rode quickly
and announced to the Christians the Emperor's proclamation,
but they all said with steadfast faith
that they had until then believed in the living God,
and ever throughout their lives would believe in Him,
and spake to the messengers thus in other words;
' We are ready to go forth to the fight with the Emperor,
but we will not be perverted to his sacrifices.'
Then the messengers rode quickly back again,
and made known to the Emperor that the Christians would not
obey his hest concerning his idolatry.
