Oorah!: The Adventures of a Brave Girl

By Allen Johnson

Oorah! The Adventures of a Brave Girl is the story of an American ten-year-old tomboy. Although her name is Samantha, she prefers to be called Sam in honor of her father’s first name. Her greatest desire is to become as brave as her dad, a United States Marine who died in battle during the Vietnam War.
Although Sam’s mother, Priscilla, is also American, she was born and raised in Surrey, England. Priscilla decides to send Sam to England for the summer where the youngster will be greeted by her grandmother, the Duchess of Surrey. Priscilla hopes the duchess will turn her little ruffian into a proper lady. Will it work? Even Priscilla has her doubts.
As soon as Sam arrives, she meets an English boy, Oliver, who is a year older than she. Together they have one riotous adventure after the other—riding across the English hillsides on horseback with their trusted Great Dane at their side.
How will a rough-and-tumble ten-year-old girl deal with lordly British aristocrats? How will she battle a ghostly knight come to life? How will she capture the one animal the English could never land: The Beast? And what mind-boggling discovery will make her an international celebrity?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Apr 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9781665739061

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Oorah!

The Adventures of a Brave Girl

ALLEN JOHNSON

Copyright © 2023 Allen Johnson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical,

including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written

permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this

novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Archway Publishing

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.archwaypublishing.com

844-669-3957

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed

since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do

not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-6657-3905-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-3904-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-3906-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023902978

Archway Publishing rev. date: 04/25/2023

Dedicated to

All the children

who love an adventure

Table of Contents

1     Extraordinary Heroism

2     Sam Meets Molly

3     A Walk in the Woods

4     Like Father, Like Son

5     Sam Versus the Beast

6     The Price of Fame

7     The Grand Soiree

8     Head over Heels

9     The Ghost of Leith Hill Tower

10   Sam Disappears

11   The Fall

12   The Mystery of the Cave

13   The Treasure Below

14   Sam, Oliver, and the Egg

15   Queen’s Growth Spurt

16   The Family Meeting

17   A Ride into Town

18   A Sad Goodbye

19   The Mystery of the Key

20   Where’s Molly?

21   Together Again

22   Summer’s End

23   Goodbye

A Few Words from the Author

1

Extraordinary Heroism

Pendleton, Oregon, 1969

Samantha Madison, or simply Sam, as she preferred, was not fond of watching TV or wearing fancy dresses or sitting around with nothing to do. That wasn’t her style. The feisty ten-year-old fifth grader preferred climbing trees, riding horses, and playing baseball with the boys.

But Sam’s mother, Mrs. Priscilla Madison, favored a more restrained nature. Darling, I think it’s time you become a bit more mannerly and ladylike, she said more than once.

What does that even mean? Mannerly and ladylike. The words made Sam roll her eyes and puff out her cheeks. Yuck. More like dull and boring.

She knew her mother loved her, but did she understand her? After her father, Samuel, died fighting in the Vietnam War, the feeling crept through her as silently as nightfall.

There was a flame of truth that burned inside Sam’s chest. She was more like her father than her mother. British by birth, her mother still retained the Queen’s English accent and a flair for order and dignity. Although Sam never said it aloud, her mother could be a bit old-fashioned—what Sam called a stick-in-the-mud. Her father, on the other hand, was an American roughneck: strong, playful, and, of course, courageous. Although her mother was unaware—or didn’t want to be aware—the spirit of her Marine father raced in Sam’s blood.

One day, when Priscilla wasn’t looking, Sam slipped into her mother’s bedroom, opened the top dresser drawer, and let her fingertips trace her father’s medal, the Navy Cross. At that moment, a sliver of sunlight pierced a slatted window blind and fell across the medal. It glowed so brightly it made her heart jump. She jerked back, caught her breath, then eased forward and touched the medal again. The light fell upon her fingers. She followed the beam to the window slats. Is my father speaking to me?

Dad?

Although cast in silence, Sam smiled. Her last memory of her father came to mind.

She was nine-years-old, and he was saying goodbye. It would be his final tour of duty.

He picked her up and set her on his lap. Sam, you have to be Marine strong for your mom. Can you do that for me while I’m gone?

Sam tried to choke down the lump in her throat. Yes, Dad.

That’s my girl. Oorah.

Oorah? What does that mean? she asked.

It’s a Marine battle cry.

Gee.

His eyes were serious, his tone deeper. But it’s more than that. It’s about pride, honor, and love. Don’t forget the word. When I say it to you, it means I’m proud of you, I honor you, I love you.

Sam snuggled in and lay her cheek on her father’s broad chest.

He kissed the top of her head and said, Wherever you are, whatever the challenge, I’ll be there for you. Oorah.

Sam looked at the medal. Oorah, Dad. Then she read the citation.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

HAS AWARDED THE

NAVY CROSS

TO

LIEUTENANT SAMUEL B. MADISON

UNITED STATES MARINES

FOR

EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM

WHILE ENGAGED IN MILITARY OPERATIONS

ON 22 FEBRUARY 1969

Extraordinary heroism. Those two words were burned into Sam’s heart. The President of the United States was talking about her father. More than anything, it was what she wanted for herself: to be heroic and prove she loved her father as much as he loved her. That’s why the Navy Cross glowed. It’s Dad’s spirit speaking to me, encouraging me to be brave and strong.

Her father’s devotion had always been real. He’d confirmed it every day. She still remembered how he would lie on his back and lift his feet skyward like a dead bug. Climb aboard, he’d say. She would then rest her hips on his feet, outstretch her arms, and pretend to be an airplane. Then he would boost her into the air, catch her on the way down, and hug her ever so tightly. Even now, she could feel his love flowing through her.

***

Sam’s mother didn’t play airplane. She worried.

One day, Sam was climbing her favorite tree, a grand old maple. She shinnied up higher and higher until she could see the entire neighborhood and beyond to the horizon. It was magical.

What’s beyond the skyline? What if I could fly there? And what would lie beyond the next horizon? She was thinking about all that when she heard buzzing. A bee brushed her face, then a second and a third. She swatted the dive bombers with both hands.

Oh! She lost her balance, tried to catch herself, but fell to the branch below. For a moment, it knocked the breath out of her. But the bees had no sympathy. They were still circling her head. Again, she swiped at the stinging insects, which sent her tumbling to the next-lowest branch.

Samantha! It was her mother’s voice. Jump—I’ll catch you.

I’m afraid, Sam said.

Just then, a bee stung her cheek. Ouch! she shouted. Mom!

There was panic in her mother’s voice. Samantha, jump now!

Sam swallowed hard, closed her eyes, and let go. She landed in her mother’s arms, but with so much force, they both tumbled to the ground.

Are you all right? her mother asked.

I…yes…I think so.

Her mother rose to her knees, pulled Samantha into her chest, and pushed to her feet. I’ve got you. Her voice broke. I’ve always got you.

Priscilla rushed Samantha into the house, gently laid her on the living-room sofa, and dashed into the kitchen to make a paste with baking soda and water.

Returning to her daughter’s side, she applied the salve over the bee sting. This will help reduce the pain.

Thanks, Mom.

Suddenly, Priscilla was crying. I’m sorry, sweetheart. You scared me.

Sam threw her arms around her mother. But, Mom, I’m okay.

I know, sweetheart, but you worry me.

She paused and smiled softly. Look at you. She brushed a wayward strand of hair away from Sam’s brow. When you wash away the grit and smudges—which is not nearly as often as you should—you look like autumn with your red and gold hair. She fingered the rust-colored freckles that fell across the bridge of her daughter’s nose and nodded with satisfaction. You will always have a lovely nose. Then, with a smirk, she added, If it’s not rearranged by a baseball bat one day.

Sam smiled, which made her dimples dig in.

Her mother was silent for a moment. Her gaze became dreamy as if looking but not seeing, which troubled Sam.

Mom, what are you thinking?

Although Priscilla awakened from her daydream, her eyes remained sad. We only lost your father three months ago, she said, her voice so quiet Sam could hardly make out the words. I cannot lose you. You have to be more careful. You’re such a tomboy. That’s fine. I love you for it, but I also think it’s good to know what it means to be more… well, ladylike.

Sam grimaced.

"Not all the time, but when it is appropriate. Priscilla raised her eyebrows. Although her lips curled up, the expression was more a plea than a smile. Is that too much to ask?"

Sam thought about how the Navy Cross had glowed under the ray of sunlight. I feel your protection, Dad. I can’t tell Mom I talk to you. She wouldn’t understand. Besides, if I told her,