In the waning sunlight of a late Mississippi afternoon, the brown-water back of the mighty river glints with purple shades and flickering reflections, and the riverbank grows dim on the western shore. The throbbing of the steam engine, and the hiss and rattle of valves, and the huge shivers from the walking beams moving below, sets up a sturdy driving tempo in the background, contrasting strongly with the lap of river waters parting at the bow, the gargantuan strokes of the sternwheel moving tons of water aft, and the play of evening breezes draining away the heat of the Mississippi summer. For'ard, the splash of the lead, less often now as the boat is taken up in the broad midstream channels...

Marrrrrrk three! Three fathoms and sand below! Bar comin, Cap'n!!! Shoalin'!!!"On the prom deck, the dark-eyed gambler fiddles with his cards and watches the plume from his cheroot drift aft over the river...