PLACE DE LA CROIX. 247 
for Rousseau, his prowess and tufluence left him in un- 
disputed possession. As he examined 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 the unfortunate 
Rousseau had fallen (although he was not aware of the 
difference), were of a kinder nature than the Cherokees, 
from whom he had so lately escaped. 
