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.