Lure of the Wilderness

Ben and his father Zack venture into the dangerous swamp near Fargo, Georgia in search of two lost trappers. The trip is treacherous and unsuccessful, and Ben's dog Careless disappears while chasing a deer. An unseen assailant strikes Ben and he wakes to find himself captive by Jim Harper and his daughter Laurie.

Ben immediately recognizes Jim Harper as the man accused of a murder eight years earlier. Jim and Laurie have fled into the wilderness to avoid lynching and confrontation. Jim admits one killing was in self-defense and hints the other was committed by the Longden brothers.

Ben tells Jim and Laurie that he wants to return to civilization to receive a fair trial. He believes Jim's story and hopes to help clear his name. Laurie remains cautious but begins to see a possible path to exoneration.

Over the following days, Ben accompanies Jim and Laurie on hunting trips in the wilderness. Laurie's hostility softens as trust grows between them, and a mutual attraction starts to form. The trio maintains vigilance, aware that danger from the outside world still lingers.

Ben returns briefly to his father Zack and fiancée Noreen, announcing he will soon go back to the swamp. Noreen makes clear she will not wait for him and intends to find another beau. The news unsettles both families and sets up the later tension.

At a village dance, Noreen provokes a confrontation between Ben and her date Jack Doran. Ben defeats Jack and ultimately cancels his engagement with Noreen. The break intensifies the rift between Ben and his former life back in town.

Noreen follows Ben back to Laurie and discovers Laurie's identity. She falsely claims to Laurie that Ben has betrayed the Harpers and then informs the Longden brothers of Ben's interference. The seed of vengeance begins to grow.

The Longden brothers plot revenge against the Harpers for meddling with their scheme. They nearly drown Ben and later track down the Harpers to kill them so the truth will remain buried. Tension rises as the group becomes hunted.

Ben makes a concerted effort to warn Jim and Laurie about the danger from the Longdens. At first, they do not fully believe his warnings, but his persistence puts him in greater danger. He becomes a target for the Longdens.

During a confrontation, Jim is shot by one of the Longden brothers. Laurie and Ben rush to help, but the attack intensifies the need to act. The incident reinforces the stakes for their struggle in the wilderness.

Laurie uses her knowledge of the terrain to set a trap that kills one Longden brother and captures the other. The Harpers' pursuers are finally brought to justice as the brothers are neutralized. With their attackers eliminated, the truth about the Harpers starts to come to light.

With the truth finally revealed, the Harpers' name is cleared. Ben's involvement helps seal the vindication, and they are able to return to civilization together. The group travels back with Ben, finally restored to normal life.