Made “IndieReaders Best Reviewed Books of Nov/Dec”
Westcoast Legacy
London – 1850 – Leaving an established life behind her, Margaret Manson packs up her family to follow her husband halfway around the world to an uncertain future in the Hudson’s Bay Company colony of Fort Victoria.
During the long voyage she becomes romantically involved with the enigmatic ship’s captain, arriving at Fort Victoria with some serious problems and many questions about her future. One problem is solved but another appears as she learns that her husband was lost at sea during his voyage, taking all their savings with him. Determined to succeed, she defies the accepted norms of the day, learning new tricks and skills to survive. Working with the captain and some local Indians, she and her sons establish a foothold in the new territory.
Rumors of Spanish gold fire up her imagination, fueled by some gold coins found with her husband’s belongings. This plunges her further into perilous adventures on Vancouver Island’s rugged West Coast.
Novel Notes – Hay Hay Kane
I have often mentioned to my readers that this book is about 95% historically accurate, that is, in relation to both the characters and the chronological timing of certain events. I have only introduced one extra family, Maggie Manson and her boys, and the Shanghai Lady with her captain and crew to develop the story.
Some readers have challenged me with the name “Hay Hay Kane” . . . what kind of an Indian name is that? Where did you come up with that name, etc.? Do not fear folks . . . I did not invent this fellow. Hay-Hay Kane was in fact a real person . . . an important person, one of eleven “chiefs and influential leaders” who signed an agreement with James Douglas, who purchased almost all the land between Esquimalt and Saanich, with the exception of the First Nation villages at the time. This agreement is referred to as one of the Fort Victoria Treaties, or the Teechamitsa Treaty. The land was purchased for a total of Twenty-seven pounds, ten shillings Sterling, which was paid out in proportion to each member of the tribe.
Where the “Kane” part of his name, came from is a puzzle . . . but possibly could be linked to the visit of the Canadian painter Paul Kane, who visited the area a few years earlier, painting many local scenes and natives.
First Nations people liked to adopt the Christian names from the white men, resulting in odd combinations like Robert George, Bill Frank, John Henry. No records exist on Hay-Hay Kane’s real, or original name. Other natives who signed this agreement had what might be called ‘normal’ Indian names . . . like See-sachasis, Pel Shaymoot, Kalsaymit, and Coochaps. A total of eleven locals signed this agreement, all recorded forever in the Teechamitsa Treaty.
4 out of 4 stars
What I liked most about the book were the periodic twists and turns that renewed my eagerness to continue reading. I immensely enjoyed the fact that these twists and turns seemed to occur during moments when I thought the narration was flat. The plot was also unique and enthralling since it was my first time reading about the Spanish treasures that were hidden in a cave. The conversations were also lively and realistic, and this made it easy to be inside the incredible story. There is nothing I disliked about the book.
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