A social worker from New York City arrives at the Williams' lodge with a group of boys from the city slums. The toughest of the boys, Rico, causes trouble for Billy and Pete when they go to explore an abandoned mine.

Billy deals with a strange malady, bush panic, which fills him with fear and confusion.

The big 10-mile race at Whitefish Falls is about to begin and the town is betting on its own John Onaman, a runner of great endurance. But John is worried about his sick sister.