The Mississippi Saucer

Jimmy is a restless shanty‑boat kid who makes a living drifting the great Mississippi by swapping odd trinkets and staging silent pantomimes that tease the big packet boats. With a croaking bullfrog tucked in his grip, he turns every passing vessel into a stage, daring captains to notice his cheeky salute while his uncle Al watches, humming from his jug and dreaming of Mardi Gras. The river’s rhythm is punctuated by Jimmy’s collection of empty tins, a battered shoe and a Sears catalogue, each item a token of his restless curiosity.

When the massive Natchez Belle looms on the horizon, Jimmy’s sister “Pigtail” Anne—fierce and stubborn—presses him into action, pushing his mischief to a new level. Beneath the playful rivalry lie simmering tensions with the jealous Harmon brothers, whose envy of Uncle Al’s modest success threatens to spill over into the lazy currents. The scene is set for a river‑borne adventure where daring pranks and family bonds navigate the winding tides.