Escape to Danger - Recap

At the Franklin National Forest offices, Tom Whitney, an animal trainer applies for a permit to put on a show at the Forest campgrounds. Corey is amused with Tom's clever animals, especially Zelda, a raccoon. Corey grants the permit. As Tom thanks him and packs up, he points out his lazy little beagle. Tom has named the beagle "No Count."

Tom packs his collection of trained animals in the bed of his pickup truck and says good-bye to Corey. Tom drives away over a lonely road with No Count next to him in the cab.

The truck's brakes fail on a downhill slope and the truck crashes when Tom tries to avoid hitting a doe that wanders into the road. Tom is knocked unconscious and the trained animals -- raccoon, pig, rabbit, and goose -- escape their cages. They flee into field and forest. No Count the beagle cries at Tom's ear but is unable to rouse his master. The beagle jumps from the truck and runs up the road toward the Franklin Forest offices.

The raccoon scurries about the forest floor and climbs a fallen tree. A squirrel chatters at him gaily.

The beagle is seen barking at the Franklin Forest office door.

The goose wanders here and there. A curious fawn watches the goose with a puzzled expression on its face.

Corey has surmised that Tom has met trouble when the beagle showed up at his door. He sets off with Lassie and No Count in his jeep. Tom is conscious and holding his head at the edge of the road. Corey pulls up and applies first aid.

Corey orders Lassie to find Tom's trained animals. Lassie sets off. She finds the pig. She begins shepherding him back to Tom.

Back at the wreck, Tom tells Corey he is frightened for the animals. They are all house pets and cannot survive on their own. Corey loads Tom in the jeep. Tom's head is bandaged. The little pig comes running from the woods. Corey loads the pig in one of Tom's traveling boxes and puts the pig in the back of the jeep.

Lassie sets off again and finds the goose. She shoos it back to the jeep. Corey places it into a box. Lassie hurries off and finds the rabbit. She brings it back to the jeep where it's loaded into a box and put in the jeep.

Corey sends Lassie off to find the raccoon, then drives away to get Tom the proper and thorough medical assistance he needs.

Lassie searches for the raccoon. Zelda is seen scurrying here and there. Lassie picks up her scent. A chattering squirrel tells Lassie that Zelda is ahead. Lassie hurries off.

Zelda roots about finding good things to eat. A bobcat is watching her from a distance.

Tom is seen in a hospital bed. He hopes Lassie will find Zelda. Corey assures him all will be well. Corey tells Tom he will haul the truck in and have the brakes fixed. Tom thanks Corey.

The bobcat follows the raccoon -- keeping a very close watch on her. The raccoon is swept into a stream but pulls herself out of the water.

Lassie sees Zelda the racoon sitting on a log near the stream. At the same moment, the bobcat attacks Zelda. Lassie rushes in and battles the bobcat. The little raccoon covers her eyes.The bobcat fights fiercely but is defeated and hurries off. The raccoon hugs Lassie thankfully and the two hurry away.

Back at the hospital, Tom is seated in a chair and cuddling his beloved Zelda. Tom expresses his gratitude to Lassie and Corey. Tom says he will be up and about in time to perform his show. But most importantly, he has renamed his heroic little beagle. No longer will the little beagle be called "No Count" but in recognition of his brave and thoughtful actions after the wreck he will be called for evermore "Count."

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