TLACK DE LA CROIX. 251 



her language. AVith this high resolve, he repeated the 

 sounds of lier voice, imitated her gesticulations, and en- 

 couraged, with marked preference, her society. 



The few weeks passed by Rgoisseau among the 

 Clioctaws, had made him one bitter, implacable enemy. 

 Unable to explain his ofl&cc or his intentions, his prefer- 

 ence for Chechoula, had been 'ftarked by the .keen eye 

 of a jealous and rejected lover. 



Wah-aola was a young '' brave,'' who had distin- 

 guished himself on the hunting and war paths. Young 

 as he was, he had won a name. Three times he had 

 laid the trophies of his prowess at the feet of Chechoula, 

 and as often she had rejected his suit. Astonished at 

 his want of success, he looked upon his mistress as la- 

 boring under the influence of some charm, for he could 

 find no accepted rival for her hand. 



The presence of Rous.seau — the marked preference 

 which Chechoula exhibited for his society, settled, in 

 his own mind, that the '• palo face ' was the charmer. 



With this conviction, he placed himself conveniently 

 to meet his mistress, and once more pleaded his suit 

 before he exhibited the feelings of hatred which he felt 

 towards llousseau. The lodge of Cliechoula's father 

 was, from the dignity of the chief, at the head of the 

 Indian village, and at some little distance. The impa- 

 tient Wah-a ola seated himself near its entrance, where, 

 from his concealment, he could watch whoever entered 

 its door. A short time only elapsed, before he saw, in 



