The mayor of Turtle River doesn't want Hank's circus to open, because the last traveling carnival / circus ripped off their money. When some boys (who formed the Ernie Devlin fan club) sneak in to visit Ernie, he gives a free performance for his fans. When the mayor finds out, he has Ernie arrested and thrown in jail. A forest fire breaks out near the city; Ernie helps a townsman reach the lumber mill, so he can blast the trees blocking the water supply.