A Louisiana con man enters his steamboat into a winner-take-all race with a rival while trying to find a witness to free his nephew, about to be hanged for murder.
Doctor John Pearly

Fleety Belle

Captain Eli

Sheriff Rufe Jeffers

Duke

New Moses

Efe

Pappy

Matt Abel

Chaplain

Jonah

Jailer

Breck

Jailbird

Hangman

Labor Boss

Townsman

Sheriff's Wife
Fleety Belle's brother
Salesman

Race Official

Farmer at Demonstration

Uncle Jeff
New Elijah
Race Spectator
Ben

Warden

Race Organizer

Fleety Belle's Father

Townsman

Governor
Boy

Mink
River Man with Pappy

Prisoner
Addie May