THE ISLAND TRAPPER; OR, THE YOUNG WHITE-BUFFALO HUNTERS. BY CAPT. CHAS. HOWARD, _Author of the following Pocket Novels_: 5. THE ELK KING. 50. THE WOLF QUEEN. 52. THE MAD CHIEF. NEW YORK: BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, 98 WILLIAM STREET. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by FRANK STARR & CO., In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington CONTENTS PAGE I. THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS. 9 II. THE GOLD GIRL. 17 III. THE VENGEANCE-HUNTER. 23 IV. CHARLEY SHAFER’S RIDE. 31 V. RIFLE, FIRE AND LASSO. 37 VI. WHITE LASSO’S CAPTURE. 45 VII. TREASON. 51 VIII. AN UNEXPECTED ACCUSATION. 58 IX. “YOU’VE GOT MY HORSE.”. 65 X. SHOT BY HIS OWN RIFLE. 72 XI. A VOICE IN THE NIGHT. 79 XII. THE BLOW FOR FREEDOM. 85 XIII. THE SWOOP OF THE AVENGER. 89 XIV. TECUMSEH’S VICTORY. 93 FRONTIER SHACK, THE ISLAND TRAPPER. CHAPTER I. THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS. “Whoa!” The Command was spoken in a low tone to a majestic iron-gray horse. Instantly the fore-feet were plunged into the loose earth, and the animal became as stationary as a bronze statue. “Dash me! if I didn’t hear music. Tecumseh, ye heard it, too, for I saw ye prick yer ears before I told ye to stop. Where is the white man who has the audacity to be musical in the Pawnee country? Dash me! I’d like to see him; I’d like to take ’im back to the States and present ’im to Mr. Barnum. Listen! there it goes again. Music, certain, no mistake, and it sounds like that which I’ve heard on Broadway, comin’ from the dirty hand-organs.” With a smile on his broad, handsome countenance, the speaker leaned forward in the wooden stirrups, with a half-doubled band behind his left ear. “He’s struck up a new tune, and dash me if it isn’t ‘Hail Columbia.’ I’m gettin’ uncommon curious, settin’ here on Tecumseh, and list’nin’ to the first genuine music I’ve heard for five years, and dash me if--Injun yells, by Joshua!”