George R. R. Martin's Fevre dream

"Set in 1857 along the muddy Mississippi, Fevre Dream introduces Abner Marsh, a remarkably ugly man who longs to captain the fastest steamboat on the river. When a pale, mysterious gentleman named Joshua--who keeps strange hours and stranger friends--approaches him with an offer of partnership, Abner's dreams appear to come true...though he may have unleashed a nightmare on the unsuspecting shores!"--P. [4] of cover.