The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-11-26
A Visit to the Rocks Of Deer Creek and Bald
Friar

Commercial some time since, and hope they
will pro-" interesting to our readers as
descriptive of some of the grandest local
scenery in our county-or indeed in the
State. The legends Of the Indians who
once inhabited "hereabouts" will be new
to many, and should be preserved in con-
nection with the history of these romantic
spots:
After having passed the night in refresh
ing sleep, and partaken of a good break
fast, we felt bracad for drive of fifteen
miles and the climb to the rocks of Deer
Creek.
1t would be hard for Scott, with his
great descriptive powers, to portray the
wild and sublime scenery here met with.
AS seated upon the beetling rocks we look
ed into the abyss where we could distin-
guish the earth more than four hundred
feet below us the feeling to seek more Sc
cure ground was but natural. Our curios-
ity 1--WE had q number of ladies with us,
which perhaps, accounts for this commo-
dity in such abundance) overcame our fears,
and gazing upon this wild picture of ma
ture, forgot all else. We could look, until
the eye, tired of gazing at immensely of
distance, would turn in relief to the bold
outline of the hill opposite, noted for its
many legends told of the Delaware Indians
whose home this once was. Of the print
tive pleasures of these sons of the forest,
perhaps, none were looked forward to with
the same degree of interest as that of
crowning of queen. For long period
regularly once year, might be seen the
entire encampment making their way in
co1nrnn r,rocnceion To tho 1,1ooa v,boro
now stood. Clambering up the steep rocks
and forming on the tops there, of an irreg.
ular circle, they waited with all the stoi-
cism OF their race, for the chief of their
tribe to announce the object of their pres
ence.
Amid deep silence, tue chief having
concluded his remarks might be seen adj
yancing hand-in hand, the great medicine
man, whose tall stature, flowing white
locks, and venerable aspect, formed stri-
king contrast to the young and lovely girl
at his side, chosen by her tribe as queen for
the ensuing year. Passing directly through
the centre Of the circle until they reached
certain point held sacred by them all,
and known to-day as the "Queen's Seat"
here stopped and still holding her by the
hand, commenced chanting his wild,
weird incantations, invoking the good
will and assistance ofthe "Great Spirit in
times of peace, and to make them strong
and help them annihilate their enemies in
time of war; when seating the now crown
ed queen, babe her be kind to the people,
and see that the "Manitou" entered not in
to their wigwams. Exhorting the tribe
to obedience to their new mistress, and
committing her safely to their charge, the
picturesque scene, formed by the fantastic
dress OF the circle, slowly dissolved itself
into pairs, and taking their way to the
ground below, were soon engaged in the
wild sports of the day. Is it strange that
the imagination, standing upon this tradi-
tionary ground, should make us see the
grim forms of Indian warriors long since
passed to the happy hunting grounds,
guarding with jealous care their 'trysting
place" made doubly dear by recollections
of their Queens Seat"
A call to dinner, which the def hands
OF the ladies had prepared, made us linger-
lngly leave this beautiful spot and acknowl-
edge that six hours fasting was sufficient
to make us voracious. 1t is impossible to
describe the rock which served us as a TIA
BILE; 1t seemed as though nature intended
this place as q pleasure resort, and had
fashioned for it all the conveniences re-
II.
pro tenn. of this large and hungry family,
saw that none of her children wanted, and
she will long be remembered as the presi-
ding spirit of Table Rock. 1t would
hardly be fair to pass unnoticed Mr. G.,
who assisted Mrs. c., and distributing
among us rare and choice pieces of the
dish he was called upon to carve, has en-
deared himself to all. The numerous calls
for water, from the gentlemen, proved their
abstemious habits, and we therefore agree
with Mrs. Darlington, only we shall have
to make Ike plural. After digesting as
well as the time would allow, we COM
menced the descent, and reaching the level
repaired to the Pavilion. Mr.. Alexander,
seeing the inconvenience which has here
totore been so sadly felt by all visitors
tor the want of refreshments for man and
beast, conceived and has since executed
his charitable design to relieve, for the fu-
ture, all such wants. and thereby not
only increase the number of visitors but
also their comforts. We would advise all
OF our friends, that when the heat makes
our city almost insupportable to visit Mr..
A., i'll his quiet and beautiful retreat.
They will find good music, fine floor
Tor dancing, rich refreshments, and what
will be more pleasant than ala host who
Will devote himself to making the party
pass pleasant time. Such we remember
Mr.. A., and such all will find him who
give him call.
Having bid adieu to our kind host, we
started on our return. En- PEASANT, we
would mention at least two incidents con-
nected with our pleasant drive home which
would interest-one, pertaining to q GER
tain tea pot, and the other, to the running
OF two horses; but for fear that the digres-
sion might cost us the loss of an invitation
for the future, we desist. Upon the follow
ing day, taking our seats in the carriages
we were soon passing swiftly over a fine
road and through delightful country in
the direction of Bald Friar. Why it is so
called we are ignorant. We found it to
be very high point, where the ground,
sloping for more than a half mile at an an
gle Of torty-fve degrees, terminates abrupt
ly by burying itself in the grand old Sus-
quehanna, whose broad bosom, dotted by
thousands of small green islands, reminds
one OF the floating islands, spoken of in
the history of ''fates," during the time of
Louis XIV. The river at this point is also
historical, as being the place where Wash
ington crossed with his army to Pennsyl-