PLAGE DE LA CROIX. "247 



for Rousseau, his prowess- and influence left him in uii 

 disputed possession. As he t'xamined the little trinket, 

 the Indian girl we have spoken of, the only female near 

 Rousseau, crossed her delicate fingers, and pointed up- 

 ward. The old chief instantly beheld the similarity be- 

 tween the large and small symbol of Christianity ; and 

 extending it aloft, with all the dignity of a cardinal, the 

 crowd shouted as they saw the resemblance, and a change 

 came over them all. 



They associated at once the erection of the large 

 cross with Rousseau ; and as their shout had again 

 called forth exhibitions of life from his insensible form, 

 they threw his cloak over him, suspended the cross to 

 his neck, brought, in a moment, green boughs, with 

 which a litter was made, and bore him with all respect 

 toward their lodges. The excitement and exercise of 

 removal did much to restore him to life ; a dish of maize 

 did more ; and nothing could exceed his astonishment 

 on his recovery, that he should be treated with such 

 kindness ; and as he witnessed the respect paid the cross, 

 and was shown by rude gestures, that he owed his life to 

 its influence, he sank upon his knees, overwhelmed with 

 its visible exhibition of power, and satisfied that his 

 prayer for safety had been answered by the accomplish- 

 ment of a miracle. 



The Choctaws, into whose hands tlie unfortunate 

 Rousseau had fallen (altliough he was not aware of the 

 diff'erence), were of a kinder nature than the Cherokees, 

 from whom he had so lately escaped. 



