"Out of the Depths: A Romance of Reclamation" by Robert Ames Bennet is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set against a backdrop of the American West and follows Lafayette Ashton, a wealthy but inexperienced hunter who faces serious personal and societal challenges after a reckless mistake leads him to shoot a yearling calf instead of a deer. The book explores themes of identity, redemption, and the transition between different ways of life, all intertwined with the budding relationship between Ashton and Isobel "Chuckie" Knowles, the spirited daughter of a rancher. At the start of the story, we meet Ashton as he navigates the rugged landscapes of the high mesas, showcasing a contrast between his refined urban background and the raw wilderness of cowboy life. Following a chaotic incident in which he shoots a calf, he encounters ranch hands Knowles and Gowan, who suspect him of wrongdoing. With a humorous yet tense banter, Ashton must fend off accusations while attempting to impress Chuckie, who offers him a glimpse into a world far removed from his privileged upbringing. As the narrative unfolds, Ashton is forced to confront his shortcomings and the reality of his situation, paving the way for potential reclamation not just of his reputation, but of his identity amidst the harshness of life on the range. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Out of the Depths: A Romance of Reclamation
By Robert Ames Bennet
"Out of the Depths: A Romance of Reclamation" by Robert Ames Bennet is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set against a backdrop ...
Robert Ames Bennet (1870–1954) was an American writer of westerns and science fiction. Early in his career Bennet wrote short stories, drama scripts, and novels for a variety of genres under the pen name Lee Robinet. By the 1930s he was primarily a western writer, penning such stories as Caught in the Wild, Go-Getter Gary, and Guns on the Rio Grande. Several of his novels were made into films, including "Finders Keepers" and "Out of the Depths". His Thyra: A Romance of the Polar Pit is considered a classic of the Lost World genre and is listed in 333: A Bibliography of the Science-Fantasy Novel a collection of the best efforts in Science-Fantasy up to and including 1950.