Tim persuades his big brother Chuck to go on a canoe trip down the Saugeen River in Ontario. They have to paddle through rapids and overcome the dangers of the river. In the forest and in the towns along the way they have many great adventures. Whether they are chased by moose, trapped by bears, harried by steers, mistakenly jailed, frustrated by big yachts and a madman in a motorboat, overturned in dangerous rapids. or entranced by the stories of a hunter and an Indian chief, the boys cannot be deterred from their goal of pursuing the river to its mouth. They learn to appreciate nature and to love the wild animals who live around them. And they cherish the friendships they make along the way. Through it all, despite disagreements, they learn to respect each other and grow closer as brothers and friends.