FOUR DAYS AT DAVE^NPORT, 413 



wonder and pleasure at the grand scenes that were 

 presented, even across the mighty river. On one oc- 

 casion a Frenchman who had been resting in our 

 villagce, brouo'ht his violin with him to the Tower to 

 play and dance for the amusement of my people who 

 had assembled there, and while dancing with his back 

 to the cliff, accidentally fell over it and was killed. 

 The Indians say that at the same time of the year soft 

 strains of the violin can be heard near the spot/' He 

 further relates tiiat in the year 1827, a young Sioux 

 Indian, who was lost in a violent snow-storm, found 

 his way into a camp of the Sacs, and while there, fell 

 in love with a beautiful maiden. On leaving for his 

 own country he promised to return in the summer and 

 claim his bride. He did so, secreting himself in the 

 woods until he met the object of his affection. A 

 heavy thunder-storm was coming on at the time, and 

 the lovers took shelter under a rocky cliff on the south 

 side of the Tower. Soon a loud peal of thunder was 

 heard ; the cliff was rent into a thousand pieces and 

 they were buried beneath them. ^' This, their unex- 

 pected tomb," says Black Hawk, "still remains undis- 

 turbed.'' 



In the spring, summer and autumn many hundreds 

 of visitors climb to the Tower, especially on Sunday and 

 holidays, and while breathing the pure, healthful at- 

 mosphere, enjoy delightful views of the surrounding 

 country and the majestic river at their feet. The 

 Davenport family own the property, which, however, 

 18 accessible to all visitors. 



