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 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 XXXXX , looking out the picture of Victoria to console her auditors .
Bab Betty Celia Indian Indians Matty crash first nook years