Bob has the weekend off, so he takes Neeka fishing on the Columbia River, but on a hike, Lassie and Neeka discover a crow building her nest in a dangerous place. When Lassie attempts to save the bird, she is swept down the icy cold river.

A boy restless with his rural life and chafing under the ""no trespassing"" signs of their territorial neighbor wishes to strike out to ""follow his star""--stealing the neighbor's mare to do so.