Annie's Ark: A Casey Jones Odyssey

By Roy Bush

Annie and Casey are propelled from placid country life to sea-going exploration and deep woods adventure when they join a team of young Seattle scientists.

Four years earlier, Annie and her two older sisters were pleasantly surprised when their dad, Harry Kinsman, brought Casey, a cousin about their age fresh from New York, to their spacious home, Overton Manor, in a bustling farm community in Washington State. With the girls' loving encouragement and some hard knocks from life in the west, Casey becomes a hard-riding ranch hand.

Now, Annie and Casey in this odyssey to a strange new land, meet stark and sometimes dangerous displays of nature in the wilds of unexplored Alaska.

"This Casey Jones adventure features an exciting and heartwarming action story full of learning and growth. Annie is a refreshingly intelligent and capable female protagonist who has a fun group of supportive friends. Together they face challenges in the wild, and learn about life and human nature."

- Shawna Peterson, River Ridge YA & Children's Books

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elderberry Press
• Release date: Jul 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215750612

Book preview

Foreword

...i nteresting plot twists that the readers will enjoy. Mr. Bush did a good job of teasing the reader with two potential love interests for the main character (Casey) and then resolving both in the end.

— Dr. Gary K. Ostrander

Other books by author:

Fix-It Wizard

Cool Rider

Cry of the Goshawk

Whitewater Crossing

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Nadya Bush for Russian translation section, Jennifer Bush, Veronica Bush, Sarah James for their technical assistance.

Thanks to Michael Manship for his beautiful paintings that grace the cover.

1959 - 2022

Tlingit

PART ONE

FROM RANCH HAND TO WILDERNESS EXPLORER

Chapter 1

THE WHEEL OF THE FUTURE

Uncle Harry braked to a sudden stop. He’d caught sight of me working at the water control station of the vast Kinsman K2 Ranch. As I twisted the huge iron wheel, a gate rose. Powerful streams splashed from one strong flow to another, and a surge of foamy water began to dance down a canal. Harry Kinsman, known as a stern businessman, jumped out of his car. He called out over the musical sound of water rushing to quench the thirst of hundreds of acres of rich soil.

Say there, Casey. Does Bernie know you are switching the flow?

Bernie Wellman is over-all ranch manger. "Hi Uncle Harry.

Yes, he’s in town on business; asked me to help out up here."

Obviously satisfied with my answer, Harry Kinsman left in a cloud of dust. But I thought his question unnecessary.

It’s been several years now since my father died on the job in a Brooklyn iron foundry and my mom and I relocated out here to beautiful Washington State.

I wondered why, after many months of being a top ranch hand, I still hadn’t earned my uncle’s confidence. Of course, I started out with a near disaster...a slip and a fall into a swiftrunning canal...not far from here actually...and, with the help of a fine farm dog, a miraculous rescue.

That seems a lifetime ago. Between then and now, it’s not been boring for me. For instance, while in Oregon on ranch business, a murderous outlaw suddenly knocked me off my horse. As he evaded capture by a deputy sheriff, he’d exchanged my healthy fresh horse for his. After a series of events that included a stay with a friendly Oregon farm family and a strange involvement with a huge wildcat, I helped capture and convict the outlaw. As a result of this help, a grateful court of law awarded me a fishing boat, the Silver Belle. The outlaw had won the Alaskan based vessel in a high-stakes poker game. It is moored in Seattle and soon I must decide what to do with it.

I’d suffered a broken arm during the attack. Lear Bennett, a brilliant geology professor from the University of Washington, came to my rescue. On a Columbia River geology mapping trip, he found me, helpless, near the riverbank. By rare coincidence, later on, we met again on the Alaska Ferry. We recalled discussing the huge potential of Alaska’s resources. After he’d helped me with first aid, he got me to shelter and a hot meal.

The next morning, over a simple breakfast, we shared a deep interest in the power of the mighty rivers, shimmering mountains, and pristine forests of the area. This, coupled with his devotion to assisting young people, quickly formed the beginning of a friendship between us. We had a mutual mental itch to delve into the land, the layout and the life of Alaska.

Actually, I felt Dr. Bennett yearned to lead a student investigative field trip to that intriguing territory. The cost would be high. Tuition would cover a part of the expense, of course, and a science department grant could help, but Professor Bennett would probably depend on donations from a few Seattle families who, for reasons of furthering scientific discovery, or possibly as a business venture, would donate money to the cause.

He didn’t say it, yet I knew he lacked one vital resource.

He mentioned field trips with serious students into the upper regions of the Columbia River Basin, and elsewhere, but Alaska was a long journey north. For this ambitious plan of discovery unto the unknown regions, he needed a boat. Due to a quirk of fate, as a young man starting out in life, I owned one. What an exciting thought!

As I gazed out over the fields of K2 to the hills beyond, a vision of the future took shape and a thrill of excitement swept over me. I shuddered and burst out laughing. What brought this on? Was it that I had begun to find ranch life a bit tame?

Was it that now, out of high school, I missed the challenge of being on the sharp edge of learning? Was it that my three girl cousins of the Kinsman family, who at first had doted and fussed a bit over their male cousin from New York (and taught me how to swim,) now took me for granted? Was it that I felt a bit slighted by Uncle Harry today? Yes, I admitted, in a spate of introspection. My stirred-up feelings have surfaced due to all of that...yet more than that. I am restless because of that...and that...and that!

I yearn to be free to travel! To explore! To somehow show the way! To be guided by love of life, of fulfillment, and love of others who inhabit my world. Destiny is calling out for me to claim my future, brilliant and bright beyond my imagination.

Whatever the motivation, the inner yearning welled up like the powerful waters flowing, surging at my feet. Seized by a chill of excitement, it totally consumed me.

Yes! I’ll launch myself fully into the flow of my life ahead, swimming with or against the current of high adventure. Now, in 1925, it could begin with an Alaskan odyssey. My quest: to lay bare the unknowns in the land, the coastal layout, and the life of the frontier region of Alaska.

As for my affection for my cousins, I’d lost close contact with Neva, now in college; and Colette had become quite occupied with a steady boyfriend. That leaves the youngest, and yet ironically, the most mature in her outlook, Annie. Wise beyond her years, she had quietly assumed duties of ranch operation. Both Bernie and his wife and co-manager, Stella, accepted her help and leadership. She dealt with ranch hand assignments, and they accepted her as an extension of her father, Harry Kinsman. He seemed to welcome the time and effort she saved him so that he could apply it to his position as railway superintendent.

At Bernie’s suggestion, she signed the Kinsman name, ordering provisions, bunk house supplies, and kitchen food items. Apparently, Annie used her knowledge of bookkeeping acquired in high school to good advantage. K2 made a nice profit from its dry land fields of barley, the irrigated acres of alfalfa, and the strong herd of prime cattle.

Annie has blossomed into a capable young woman. She’d earned my admiration. Our conversations seem too brief, but always quite friendly. In a sudden burst of inspiration, I decided to re-name my boat, Annie’s Ark.

I watched my chance to chat with Uncle Harry. It happened Saturday evening after dinner and following the happy time when the Kinsman family often enjoyed a musical session. We missed Neva’s sparkling piano, but Colette picked up some on the keyboard and I loved to sing and play the guitar as usual.

Afterwards, Uncle Harry headed for the den. I followed him in.

He sank into his favorite armchair and lit a cigar. He smiled as I moved into a chair opposite.

Well Casey, he began. "I truly enjoy our singing sessions.

Always quite good, your prowess on the guitar has improved since the early days when you first joined us."

Thanks Uncle Harry. I get a kick out of our knocking out some songs. We’re a good group. Colette does fine, but still, I miss Neva on the piano.

Yes, but young people do move on to other things when it’s time for them.

I saw my opening and got right to it. Well, that’s exactly why I came to chat.

Uncle Harry blinked and sat up. "Really?’

Yes. During my time away, I formed an acquaintance with a University of Washington geology professor, Dr. Lear Bennett.

You mentioned him. I believe you’ve taken a correspondence course from him.

Actually, I’ve officially earned a number of college credits in geology from him that way.

That’s impressive, Casey. I wasn’t aware.

Well, we’ve exchanged a few letters too and the main subject of it all, is the potential of Alaska. It is prime subject matter for advanced study. Dr. Bennett and I share a deep interest in launching a field trip to Alaska’s southern Kenai region.

I had my uncle’s full attention. When?

I’d gotten this far; I scrambled mentally to provide good answers. My insides quailed with a thrill of excitement as my brain took on a mind of its own...supplying details off the top of my head.

With deliberate calm, I continued. When might we set out from Seattle? If all falls into place, one year from this June, for a six-week endeavor.

I covered my anxiety with a small smile. Dr. Bennett and I hadn’t settled on times and dates. Talk about sailing in uncharted waters! Could I avoid embarrassing questions?

How much involvement will you have?

"I’m a registered freshman, but I’ll need to be a resident, on campus student, to qualify for the field trip. Then, there’s a wild card aspect to this...Dr. Bennett will need a boat. There is no way around that."

Uncle Harry smiled. Fully aware of my being awarded a boat by the court, he asked, "Casey, are you saying that the Silver Belle might answer the Alaska field trip need for that?"

Yes.

Now Uncle Harry showed genuine interest. Have you checked out the boat? Moored in Seattle, isn’t it?

Yes, it is. I need time away from my ranch duties to check on it and confer with Professor Bennett.

I see. My uncle took a minute to reflect on my request.

Still winging it, I went on. "I need two weeks in Seattle.

Could I leave a week from this Monday?"

Uncle Harry smiled. Of course, I’ll ask Bernie to shift your duties to some of the other hands.

Thanks.

Money next. I’d entrusted my finances to my smart and capable uncle. I’d not thought of them at all recently. But now with a great adventure looming, I barely controlled my eagerness as I asked for an accounting.

Certainly, Lear Bennett could raise enough for the scientific equipment, food, supplies, the cost of hiring a local Alaskan guide...ample support for the work we would do. But that left the huge item of transportation.

A while back, I’d helped an elderly couple regain their lost

retirement fortune that had been stolen by the outlaw, Virgil Troaz. They insisted on giving me a reward. Prior to that, I played a major part in the capture and conviction of the outlaw, I’d collected another reward. Then, my practical idea offered to my Uncle Carl for drying and using salmon waste from his cannery for fertilizer had paid off.

Speaking in a natural voice, I mentioned a possible heavy expense re-fitting the fishing boat to assure its seaworthiness and accommodate passengers, hire a crew, and pay for fuel and shipboard supplies.

So, may I ask what I have to work with? I asked.

As he strode to his desk he answered, Of course, Casey. I have your financial status right here.

He handed over a smallish bankbook. My hand trembled as I looked at the balance: $670.20.

As I blinked at the total, Uncle Harry quickly said, "That total is only what you have earned here at the ranch. Here are a few check blanks. You might wish to use them for your needs on your business trip. Also, I’d like to provide a sum of cash, a bonus for you as a gesture of my thanks and encouragement.

I’ll draw out $200 in small bills for your immediate needs."

Hey! Thanks Uncle Harry! I’ll get new pants, shirt and jacket for the trip to Seattle. Some of my clothes are getting really tight.

Uncle Harry continued, The reward money you received from the state and the elderly couple is invested in General Motors stock. With dividends left in, it has increased in value to about $4100 now. And your share of the Carl Coleman fertilizer profits amounts to about $1200 more. It is invested in a Seattle shipyard, Maynard Crane and Construction Company.

Well, that’s very good to know, I said happily. Thanks for caring for my money. It’s more than I expected my net worth would be.

An average restaurant meal