The Mississippi Saucer

By Frank Belknap Long

Something of the wonder that must have come to men seeking magic in the sky in days long vanished.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wilder Publications, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781515405719

Frank Belknap Long

Frank Belknap Long Jr. (April 27, 1901 – January 3, 1994) was an American writer of horror fiction, fantasy, science fiction, poetry, gothic romance, comic books, and non-fiction. Though his writing career spanned seven decades, he is best known for his horror and science fiction short stories, including contributions to the Cthulhu Mythos alongside his friend, H. P. Lovecraft. During his life, Long received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement (at the 1978 World Fantasy Convention), the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement (in 1987, from the Horror Writers Association), and the First Fandom Hall of Fame Award (1977).

Book preview

The Mississippi Saucer

By Frank Belknap Long

© 2016 Positronic Publishing

Cover Image © CanStockPhoto / Lonely11

Positronic Publishing

PO Box 632

Floyd VA 24091

ISBN 13: 978-1-5154-0571-9

First Positronic Publishing Edition

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The Mississippi Saucer

By Frank Belknap Long

Something of the wonder that must have come to men seeking magic in the sky in days long vanished.

Jimmy watched the Natchez Belle draw near, a shining eagerness in his stare. He stood on the deck of the shantyboat, his toes sticking out of his socks, his heart knocking against his ribs. Straight down the river the big packet boat came, purpling the water with its shadow, its smokestacks belching soot.

Jimmy had a wild talent for collecting things. He knew exactly how to infuriate the captains without sticking out his neck. Up and down the Father of Waters, from the bayous of Louisiana to the Great Sandy other little shantyboat boys envied Jimmy and tried hard to imitate him.

But Jimmy had a very special gift, a genius for pantomime. He’d wait until there was a glimmer of red flame on the river and small objects stood out with a startling clarity. Then he’d go into his act.

Nothing upset the captains quite so much as Jimmy’s habit of holding a big, croaking bullfrog up by its legs as the riverboats went steaming past. It was a surefire way of reminding the captains that men and frogs were brothers under the skin. The puffed-out throat of the frog told the captains exactly what Jimmy thought of their cheek.

Jimmy refrained from making faces, or sticking out his tongue