Snug Dominy (Lon McCallister) goes to work for neighbor Roarer McGill (Tom Tully) after his farmer father returns to sea to avoid his shrewish second wife, Judith (Anne Revere). When Roarer bids on two beautiful mules, Moonbeam and Crowder, but is unable to handle them, Snug arranges to buy them in installments and is offered a high-paying logging job if he can learn to drive them. Snug's efforts are hindered by his greedy stepbrother, Stretch, and Roarer's charming daughter, Rad (June Haver).