River Kings

Shawn's head thumped like the paddle-wheels and the burn on his forehead throbbed painfully. The ropes were tight and cut his hands. The river slid by with a cool swish, and on the deck above the red-bearded man strolled out of the wheelhouse to the railing outside.

Shawn runs away from home to join Captain Elijah on the Lazy Jane, an old river-boat trading on the River Murray in Australia at the turn of the century. But he finds that life aboard is tough and the Captain has enemies - particularly Red Morgan, the fearful red-bearded river pirate ...