 The challenge of the Yukon It's Yukon King swiftest and strongest lead dog of the Northwest Blazing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest mounted police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers Gold gold discovered in the Yukon a stampede to the Klondike in the wild race for riches Back to the days of the gold rush with Sergeant Preston and his wonder dog Yukon King as they meet the challenge of the Yukon Sergeant Preston was returning from patrol one morning and was mushing along the trail bordering Venture Creek His great lead dog Yukon King was running ahead of the team as loosely In the distance to the small cabin suddenly King increased his speed and sprinted forward Then the sergeant saw what had attracted King's attention. It was a body lying in the snow in front of the cabin It's a girl King the sergeant raised her head and pushed back the hood of her Parker The girl was young not more than 19 or 20 at the most her face was deadly pale and her cheeks were hollow Still alive King had better carry her into the cabin as the sergeant later down on the bunk the girl's eyes flickered open Sergeant Preston Northwest mounted police. I found you lying unconscious in front of the cabin. Oh, I see Thank You sergeant I'm Mrs. Redford and need a red what happened. I was feeling quite ill a while ago Thought perhaps if I went outside got some fresh air Well, I might feel better Yes, I fainted. How do you feel now? All right, quite all right. Where's your husband? He went out honey. Look, uh, How long has it been since you've eaten? Well, I don't know what you mean Tell me the truth You're right What's the point in lying? I Haven't eaten since yesterday morning. You stay right there. I'll fix you some food The sergeant went out to his sled and returned with an arm full of his own supplies Then he fixed Mrs. Radford a nourishing meal When she was through she turned to him with an embarrassed smile. I can't tell you how grateful I am Terribly embarrassing to have to accept charity charity has nothing to do with it country like this the person gives help when he can Accepts it when he needs it. I suppose that's the common sense attitude. Of course it is Your husband's claim played out Well, I'm afraid so he never did get much gold out of it only a few hundred dollars worth We spent the last of that two weeks ago. I don't mean to be inquisitive, but what are your plans? Well to tell you the truth. We don't have any Weird our wits and Chris has tried to get a job in Dawson or at one of the mines, but so far He hasn't had any luck. Oh When I get back to town, I'll ask around see if I can turn up anything boy We'll certainly be grateful if you can That must be Chris now Nita, what's wrong? Nothing Chris. I'm all right. I just painted out in front of the cabin. That's all Sergeant Preston brought me inside. I might think when you happen to long sergeant. I'm Chris Radford. I don't know you Chris Did you have any luck hunting? No, none at all. I brought in some supplies. You'd better have something to eat Thanks, but there's no need for charity holding the truth Chris. Oh Don't look so pained everybody shares his supplies up here. It's an unwritten law You've probably fed more than one traveler yourself. Of course we have I doubt if there's a sourdough in the U Count who hasn't been down on his luck at some time or nothing It's nothing to be ashamed of I suppose you're right Chris. Your face seems very familiar Haven't we met before not that I know of sergeant You may have caught a glimpse of me in Dawson sometime Sergeant Preston says he's going to inquire around and see if he can locate a job for you Chris. Oh, that'll be the biggest favor You can do me sergeant. I'll do my best What do you folks come from the States? Philadelphia to be exact. Do you have parents or any other relatives who might help you? None that I know of Need us an orphan and my mother died last year just before we came to the U Count. What about your father? Dad left mother when I was a kid and you don't know where to locate him. No, he never saw him again after he left And if I did know where to locate him I still wouldn't ask for help not even if you were a millionaire I see Well, we'll see if we can find you a job in the meantime those supplies on the tape isn't there We'll last you for a week or so. You've been mighty kind sergeant. You certainly have still wish I knew while your face seemed so familiar Maybe it'll come to you by the time you get back to town. Maybe so come along gang I'll drop back again in a few days. Let's go boy When sergeant Preston arrived back at headquarters, he was told to report to Inspector Conrad. Oh Yes, sir constable Ross, did you want to see me? Yes, I have a new assignment for you rather a vague assignment. I'm afraid The American authorities on Alaska just sent us a warning about a dangerous gang led by a man called Hawk Webster there in the territory. Yes, apparently they slipped over the border about a week ago Do you have pictures of the gangster? No sergeant. That's the trouble. All we have to go on are some very brief descriptions Here you can take the report and study it. Oh very well, sir. Oh All I'm here. There's something I'd like to speak to you about sir. Go ahead, sir Do you know the man they called Klondike Jack? Certainly. He's the owner of the spread Eagle cafe. Does he have a police record? Yes, we have him covered in our files He served time in the States for train robbery and later on he got in trouble in Alaska Received a one-year sentence. However, he's never given us any trouble here in the territory. You know his real name. Yes It's Jackson Radford Radford. Does that mean something to you? This morning? I met a young fellow out on venture Creek named Chris Radford His face seemed familiar, but it couldn't place him and later on I realized he's almost a double for Klondike Jack They're probably related. I believe their father and son Chris told me he hasn't seen his father in years Doesn't know where he's located. What's the reason for your interest sergeant? Chris and his wife are practically destitutes. He claims played out and he can't find a job Well, Klondike Jack can certainly afford to help them out. He's making a fortune out of his cafe Trouble is Chris won't accept help from him. Feels very bittersweet. It's funny Well, at least you can let them know about each other. Perhaps you can bring them together, Sergeant. I'll do my best, sir At that moment Klondike Jack was seated in his office at the rear of the spread Eagle Cafe He was talking to a visitor a gaunt cruel looking man with a beak-like nose and a scar across one cheekbone The visitor was the outlaw Hawk Webster Jack was saying I Thought you and your gang were still operating in Alaska What in thunder are you doing here in Dawson the United States Marshall got on our trail and started making things hot for us So we decided to look for happier hunting grounds. What did you come to me for? Well, it's like this Jack Me and the boys are a little short of cash right now. We figured we might work out a deal with you Yeah, what kind of a deal with a layout like this you're in a position to pick up lots of useful information such as Well, for instance a miner comes into your cafe He starts to enjoy himself shoots off his mouth You find out he struck a bridge got a whole heap of gold stored away back in his cabin All right You pass the word to us and will you follow him back to his cabin and swipe his gold. Is that it? Yeah, that's it I'm not interested now. Look Jack use your head. I am using my head. That's why I'm turning you down I have been going straight ever since I hit the Yukon territory. I aim to keep on going straight. Oh, wait a minute. Come on in Okay, wait a minute wait a minute who's this sergeant press That's what I figured look how about hiding me somewhere around here till he clears out some manner He's never seen you at Marshall may I send my description to the Mounties? Getting that closet over there and keep quiet. He probably won't be here long. Okay, hurry up and get rid of him All right, send them in Sam. All right, boss moment later sergeant Preston enters the office Howdy, Sarge. Hello, Jack. Have a chair. Thanks What's on your mind Jack? I believe you used to have a family once upon a time Yeah, I guess maybe I did How'd you know any idea what happened to them? Oh I wrote my wife a couple of years after I left her but I got no reply Later on I went back, but they were gone moved somewhere else Couldn't trace him. I see What are you driving at Preston? Do you know anything about him? Suppose I do Well then for the love of Mike man hurry up and tell me what about my wife? Is she all right? She died last year I I'm sorry Jack. Well, what about my boy? So they didn't know where to locate you and if he did he still wouldn't accept help from you Even if you were a millionaire, it's like that. I'm afraid so Jack But there's anything I can do to patch things up between you. I certainly do it. Thanks, sir I appreciate that I appreciate it a lot, but let me try to talk to him first No, I'd like to do that Scaven's about halfway up the creek is a big boulder on the bank of the creek right in front of it You can't miss it. Oh, I'll find it. Let me know how you make out. I sure will sergeant I am plenty grateful to you for telling me about my boy. Come along King It's all alongside Yes, he's gone if that's what you mean now about that proposition I was offering you It changed your mind, huh? No, I haven't as far as I'm concerned you can clear out right now and don't come back sure Sure, I'll clear out You know, I got a hunch you may be sorry you passed up my offer One dyke jack started out for Venture Creek. It was late afternoon when he arrived at Chris's cabin. Oh Oh Hello, Chris. Well, aren't you gonna ask me in what do you want? I'd like to talk to you Me to this is my father. How do you do? Well, so you're my daughter-in-law Come here. Let me look at you My thunder you're as pretty as a picture As pretty as Chris's mom was when she was your age. How did you know we were living here? Sergeant Preston told me you look just like your father Chris That's why Sergeant Preston kept saying your face being so familiar. Yeah, I guess he must have figured it out after he left you I reckon so Well now that you're here. What do you want with me? I I want to help you son. I Don't want your help. Listen to me Chris. I know you hate me I don't blame you but maybe I'm not quite as bad as you think you ran off and left mother-disturbed Didn't I wrote to her and I tried to find you later on You were gone. I couldn't trace you. You could have if you'd tried hard enough. I Reckon it's no use trying to excuse myself. I've done wrong Chris. I know that but I've paid for it Believe me. I've paid for it How can't you let bygones be bygones? No, I can't If you'd seen what mother went through you'd know why Chris, don't you think you're being a little too hot? No, I don't But I want to help you son. You need money. All right. I've got money lots of it. You can have it all Thanks But I'll get along without your help That's your final word. Yes That's my final word. All right. I can understand how you feel That's the way it's got to be I'll clear out but if you should change your mind Well, I'll she'll be glad to see you You can find me at the spread Eagle Cafe in Dawson. Just ask for a Klondike Jack. Goodbye. Goodbye Good luck to both of you Both Chris and Anita were silent for a long time after Chris's father had left the cabin But later that evening Chris burst out with the thoughts of her uppermost in his mind You blame me don't you for turning dad away as I did of course I don't blame you Chris. I can understand how you feel just the same you think I was too harsh with him I do think he's sorry for the past and he's terribly unhappy He wants to make it up to you any way that he can what you mean as he wants to buy me off He thinks he can save his conscience with money It's the only way he has to make up for what happened. Yeah, I know and in the meantime, I'm broke I can't support you properly. Can't even feed you. Please don't talk that way Chris Things are bad right now, but they won't always be like this You'll find a job. Yeah, maybe what's going to happen if I don't Howdy you're Chris Radford ancient that's right. I'd like to talk to you about something Come on in. Are you alone on my wife's here? Maybe we'd better talk outside What I got to say is private. Oh What's this all about you need money it'll be worth your while to listen All right Wait a second. I get my coat I don't know he wants to talk to me outside. I won't be too long Right What's on your mind? I'd you like to pick up 5,000 bucks? bucks For doing what wearing a handkerchief over your face and holding a gun. What's that? See here. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah simmer down a minute and listen to me. Will you use the idea? Tomorrow night. I'm aiming to rob a cafe in Dawson. You must be crazy coming to me with a proposition like that Look, I'm not asking you to take any risks or do any of the dirty work and what are you asking? Well, if you listen, I'll tell you As four of us gonna stay just hold up be a big job We need one more man to pull the thing off right meaning me. Yeah, I'm meaning you But you're part of the easy All you have to do is go in with the rest of us Stand there with a gun in your hand. Just help keep the customers covered. That's all Me and the boys will handle all the details and take care of any trouble that comes up How did you find out about what's the difference? Point is I heard you were broken up against it So naturally I thought you might be interested in picking up some easy money and maybe winding up in prison. I don't be crazy This job's a cinch. What's more. I'm offering you 5,000 bucks. That's guaranteed. You're sure comes a more natural get more You make it sound mighty easy sure because it is easy I'm telling you Radford come in with us on this job, and you won't regret it No, I can't do it. I'd rather stay honest and starve to death. Is that it? Well, what if I would that's my business, isn't it? Look, maybe you don't mind starving out here, but what about your wife? You suppose it's any fun for her It's not my fault if I can't find a job. It'll be your fault if you don't get her out of this mess You can do a lot with 5,000 bucks, right for it It'll take you back to the States in style back to where you can find a job give your wife the kind of life She deserves. I Alright, I'll do it. I'll go in with you. Now you're talking sense It was late at night when a hawk Webster returned to the cabin on the outskirts of Dawson Which he and the other three members of his gang were using as a hideout From the evil grin on his face as he stepped into the cabin his three henchmen could tell that his mission had been a success Looks like you got what you went after our sure idea. You mean the young Radford's coming in with us on the holdup That's right. I promise from 5,000 bucks and he couldn't resist Not that he'll ever see that fight You're gonna be funny when Jack finds out his own son's helping to rob the cafe It'll be funny. All right, but Jack won't be laughing You'll know who robbed him, but he won't dare give us away for fear his own kid might get caught Well really haven't strapped huh? Yeah, and that ain't all Besides the bootle we get from the holdup. We'll be able to blackmail Jack from then on you mean about his kid Sure either Jack pays offer we send the Mounties a note telling them that young Chris Radford took part in the holdup Yeah, but if we do that the kid will squeal on us himself. Let him squeal The Mounties will have to catch us what he can do anything to us besides we won't have to worry about that Jack'll pay off fast enough when it's a question of his own kid going to jail Bar Thunderhawk you figured out some slick deals in your day, but this job is a slickest of them all What times young Radford gonna show up? He's gonna meet us here at the cabin tomorrow night around 10 o'clock and We'll give him an empty gun and head for the cafe The following evening Sergeant Preston came to Chris Radford's Cabin on Venture Creek Hello, Mrs. Radford Take off your pocket Sergeant sit down. Well, thanks. I won't bother to take off my pocket I can't stay long reason. I came was to talk to Chris about his father. Have you seen him? Chris his father I mean and see told me about the talk he had with Chris yesterday Asked me to intercede with Chris see if I couldn't help bring them together. Oh, I wish you could Sergeant. Where is Chris? I guess he's in town Frankly, I'm quite worried about him. I saw well He left early this morning and said he'd be coming right back Said his business in town wouldn't take more than 15 or 20 minutes at the most He still hasn't come back. Do you know what he intended to do in town? No? No, I don't That's partly why I'm so worried. What do you mean? Well last night a stranger came to see Chris He wouldn't come in because I was here Yes, Chris to step outside and talk to him. You have no idea who he was No, I just caught a brief glimpse of him in the doorway. Oh, go on After he left Chris seemed very disturbed He wouldn't tell me what they talked about All night long he turned and tossed and hardly slept a wink Then this morning he seemed a lot quieter and steadier as though he'd come to some decision And that's when he told me he was going into town. If you're seriously worried I can have my dog trailing Do you think he could find him? I'm quite sure he could. He's the best tracker in the territory. Then I wish you would Sergeant Maybe I'm being foolish, but it would relieve my mind a lot We'll need a piece of clothing that Chris has worn recently. That'll give King his sense. All right, Sergeant I'll get something right away Several hours later four men gathered in the darkness behind the spready Gucafein The leader of the group was Hawk Webster. I all got your hand chips tied in place All right boys. Here's how we work it Deuce you slip in the back way Rall everybody in sight make sure that no one gets out to spread the alarm right bus Rest of us go in the front door and cover all the customers And then on I'll give the orders now to you, Sandy Get your guns on I said sure girl. All right, let's go Leaving Deuce behind the other three crooks advanced toward the front of the cafe Before emerging from the shadow as they halted for a moment and watched the passers-by in the street Then when he was satisfied that all was clear Hawk gave the signal to rush toward the front door. All right boys now Man Anymore you want a dose of the same medicine All right, then keep your hands high and don't go reaching for your gun What's the next move boss? You stay here, but the door keeping covered red You move around among the tables grab their pokes right? I'll go back in the office and see about Circling around the tables Hawk Webster made his way past the bar and threw a doorway into the rear of the cafe There he found Klondike Jack and several employees standing with their hands in the air as Deuce covered them with his gun I've got everything under control boys. Good work. Deuce. What? Why are you dirty pole cat? I know how to shut up around with you now start walking towards your office Deuce you stay here and watch this bunch. All right. All right get moving red Open the door and go in My thunder Hawk you won't get away with it. So you'll recognize me. Yeah, certainly. I recognized you You can't disguise that voice of yours with a handkerchief over your face I'll have the Mounties on your trail ten minutes after you leave here Oh, no, you won't Jack when the Mounties come around to investigate this hold up You're gonna tell him you haven't got the slightest idea who we were are you crazy? Oh far from it. You see one of the boys out front who's robbing your customers right now Happens to be a young fella named Chris Radford. What's that? Yeah, Chris Radford that kid of yours that need money so badly You squeal on me that I'm Mounties and you'll be sending your own son to prison you filthy scum. I don't like to be called names like that You better lay off or I might start squeezing this trigger. Hurry up and get that safe open Helpless to resist in the face of Hawk Webster's leveled gun Klondike Jack obeyed the order and opened his office safe Then the Hawk produced a bag which he'd been carrying under his parka and forced the cafe owner to stuff into it the Gold and currency which had been stored in the safe When he was through Took the bag from him and told him to open the door leading out into the corridor. All right get going Get your hands up again stand right we are still keeping the cafe owner covered with his gun Hawk backed out into the corridor Heard the rest of those jasper's into the office here along with Klondike Jack. We'll lock them in Come on inside only That'll hold them for a while. We make our getaway Come on go back out front again. See how red and snagger making out with the customers. Yeah, we sure pull this job off slick and hot What's going on out there? We'll soon find out They've got red and stank. Come on. We got to get out here Slamming the door that led to the front of the cafe Hawk and Deuce turned and ran toward the back door But Sergeant Preston came charging after them Deuce had just reached the back doors the Mount he closed in on them both cooks and hosted their guns But Hawk turned and tried to draw The sergeant leapt at Hawk and brought him down with a flying tackle Seeing his leaders play Deuce paused and jerked out his gun But before he could fire at the sergeant a great dog sprang through the open door The gun flew from Deuce's hand as he went down under King's sudden attack Meanwhile Hawk and the sergeant were trading savage blows at short range As Hawk weakened under Sergeant Preston's terrific punishment He suddenly stopped punching and grabbed the money around the throat In answer the sergeant let go a series of hard rights and Get up on your feet then On your feet mister Alongside your partner there. You're both under arrest in the name of the crown After a handcuffing his prisoners sergeant Preston released Klondike Jack and the other persons who had been locked in the office Klondike's expression was tense and worried as he faced the sergeant. I Suppose you captured Chris. No Jack. I didn't you mean he got away I mean he didn't take part in the holdup fight of his due to him. We were able to prevent it But Hawk said he was out front helping the guy. He was lying Last night Hawk persuaded Chris to help rob a cafe because he needed money so badly Chris didn't know it was your cafe and anyway had a change of heart overnight Came to town this morning and told Hawk. He wasn't going through with it. The gang captured him was holding him prisoner Hawk was simply bluffing when he told you Chris was taking part in this robbery sergeant How come you found all this out when I went to Chris's cabin this evening his wife was worried because he hadn't returned home I put King on his trail and tracked him to the crooks hideout and Chris told you what Hawking his gang were up to is that it That's right. They came straight here from the hideout picked up a constable on the way Oh, that sure takes a load off my mind knowing my boy won't have to go to prison. Here he comes now, Jack I think he has something to say to you. Hello there Chris Hello dad. I I'm wondering if you still want to be friends with me After the way I talked last night. Don't be foolish son. I told you I didn't blame you for feeling the way you did There's nothing in the world. I want more than to be friends with you and your wife. Oh But how are shaking hands on that dad by thunder Chris Sure makes me happy to hear you say that and Listen, you're going to let me help you out now. Aren't you you won't have to help him out, Jack What do you mean? There's a $5,000 reward for the capture of Hawk Webster in his gang That reward will be paid to Chris just as soon as this case is closed We now take you to Northwest Mounted Police headquarters in Dawson You sent for me inspector. Yes, Sergeant Preston. I did I Suggest that on your patrol duty to Selkirk you stop and investigate the deserted settlement of Beaverton There are reports that strange happenings are taking place there in spite of the fact that it's a ghost town very well Inspector King and I'll start that way this afternoon. Come on thing Yes, Sergeant Preston will investigate Beaverton But it may be that he and King will find that they've come up against a great deal more than they bargained for They might even find themselves in a death trap Be sure to listen to this next exciting adventure the Beaverton legacy These radio dramas are feature of the challenge of the Yukon Incorporated are created by George W. Trendle Produced by Trendle Campbell Enterprises directed by Fred Flower Day and edited by Fran Stryker The part of Sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton They are brought to you once each week until September when we shall resume our regular Monday Wednesday and Friday broadcasts This is Jay Michael wishing you goodbye and good luck until our next broadcast This is the mutual broadcasting system