and Betty looked much impressed by the fact , as well as uplifted by the knowledge that her friend did not agree in thinking her silly because she preferred playing with a harmless home-made toy to firing stones or snapping a pop-gun . `` In old times , bows and arrows were used to fight great battles with ; and we read how the English archers shot so well that the air was dark with arrows , and many men were killed . '' `` So did the Indians have 'em ; and I 've got some stone arrow-heads , -- found 'em by the river , in the dirt ! '' cried Bab , waking up , for battles interested her more than queens . `` While you finish your stints I 'll tell you a little story about the Indians , '' said Miss Celia , lying back on her cushions , while the needles began to go again , for the prospect of a story could not be resisted . `` A century or more ago , in a small settlement on the banks of the Connecticut , -- which means the Long River of Pines , -- there lived a little girl called Matty Kilburn . On a hill stood the fort where the people ran for protection in any danger , for the country was new and wild , and more than once the Indians had come down the river in their canoes and burned the houses , killed men , and carried away women and children . Matty lived alone with her father , but felt quite safe in the log house , for he was never far away . One afternoon , as the farmers were all busy in their fields , the bell rang suddenly , -- a sign that there was danger near , -- and , dropping their rakes or axes , the men hurried to their houses to save wives and babies , and such few treasures as they could . Mr. Kilburn caught up his gun with one hand and his little girl with the other , and ran as fast as he could toward the fort . But before he could reach it he heard a yell , and saw the red men coming up from the river . Then he knew it would be in vain to try to get in , so he looked about for a safe place to hide Matty till he could come for her . He was a brave man , and could fight , so he had no thought of hiding while his neighbors needed help ; but the dear little daughter must be cared for first . `` In the corner of the lonely pasture which they dared not cross , stood a big hollow elm , and there the farmer hastily hid Matty , dropping her down into the dim nook , round the mouth of which young shoots had grown , so that no one would have suspected any hole was there . `` Lie still , child , till I come ; say your prayers and wait for father , ' said the man , as he parted the leaves for a last glance at the small , frightened face looking up at him . '' ` Come soon , ' whispered Matty , and tried to smile bravely , as a stout settler 's girl should . `` Mr. Kilburn went away , and was taken prisoner in the fight , carried off , and for years no one knew whether he was alive or dead . People missed Matty , but supposed she was with her father , and never expected to see her again . A great while afterward the poor man came back , having escaped and made his way through the wilderness to his old home . His first question was for Matty , but no one had seen her ; and when he told them where he had left her , they shook their heads as if they thought he was crazy .
But they went to look , that he might be satisfied ; and he was ; for they they found some little bones , some faded bits of cloth , and two rusty silver buckles marked with XXXXX 's name in what had once been her shoes .
Bab Betty Connecticut Indians Matty afternoon arrow-heads century first shoots