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 Matty 's name in what had once been her shoes . An Indian arrow lay there , too , showing why she had never cried for help , but waited patiently so long for father to come and find her . '' If Miss Celia expected to see the last bit of hem done when her story ended , she was disappointed ; for not a dozen stitches had been taken . Betty was using her crash towel for a handkerchief , and Bab 's lay on the ground as she listened with snapping eyes to the little tragedy . `` Is it true ? '' asked Betty , hoping to find relief in being told that it was not . `` Yes ; I have seen the tree , and the mound where the fort was , and the rusty buckles in an old farmhouse where other Kilburns live , near the spot where it all happened , '' answered Miss Celia , looking out the picture of Victoria to console her auditors . `` We 'll play that in the old apple-tree . Betty can scrooch down , and I 'll be the father , and put leaves on her , and then I 'll be a great Injun and fire at her . I can make arrows , and it will be fun , wo n't it ? '' cried Bab , charmed with the new drama in which she could act the leading parts . `` No , it wo n't !
I do n't like to go in a cobwebby hole , and have you play kill me , I 'll make a nice fort of hay , and be all safe , and you can put Dinah down there for XXXXX .
Betty Indian Kilburn Kilburns Matty Victoria fire first nook shoots