`` I ca n't ; never had a decent bow in my life . The little gilt one I used to wave round when I was a Coopid was n't worth a cent to go , '' answered Ben , feeling as if that painted `` prodigy '' must have been a very distant connection of the respectable young person now walking off arm in arm with the lord of the manor . `` Practice is all you want . I used to be a capital shot , but I do n't believe I could hit any thing but a barn-door now , '' answered Thorny , encouragingly . As the boys vanished , with much tramping of boots and banging of doors , Bab observed , in the young-ladyish tone she was apt to use when she composed her active little mind and body to the feminine task of needlework , -- `` We used to make bows of whalebone when we were little girls , but we are too old to play so now . '' `` I 'd like to , but Bab wo n't , 'cause she 's most ` leven years old , '' said honest Betty , placidly rubbing her needle in the `` ruster , '' as she called the family emery-bag . `` Grown people enjoy archery , as bow and arrow shooting is called , especially in England . I was reading about it the other day , and saw a picture of Queen Victoria with her bow ; so you need n't be ashamed of it , Bab , '' said Miss Celia , rummaging among the books and papers in her sofa corner to find the magazine she wanted , thinking a new play would be as good for the girls as for the big boys . `` A queen , just think ! '' 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 XXXXX till he could come for her .
Celia Connecticut England Matty Victoria archers arrow-heads century rakes ruster