 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. And King Von Newhuskies. 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. Liz Territ was an influence in Dawson City. She had inherited several enterprises from her husband who had died the year before. Liz had taken over and was prospering. Now that summer had come, Liz had big shipments to make to Seattle both of gold and of furs. Captain Davis of the Yukon Vale had docked at Dawson City after returning from the trip to Selkirk. He went to the Territ fur trading office to make the usual deal to carry Liz Territ's shipments to Seattle. Howdy, Captain. I figured you'd be coming around some time this afternoon. Have a chair. Thanks, Liz. I suppose you've come about carrying our shipments this season. That's right. The river boat, the River Queen, that put up here yesterday, didn't you? Yep, sure did. It looks like I'm finally going to have some competition. Well, it seems to me you'd act a little more worried than you do, Captain. Why should I? I've been given good service to folks up this way ever since the Gold Rush started. Yukon Bell is a fine boat, even if the River Queen is newer. I reckon there's enough business for both of us anyhow. Well, look, Captain, I had a visit from the skipper of the River Queen this morning. He's not going on to Selkirk. He's heading back to Seattle right from here, sailing day after tomorrow. So are we. Bill Camden, the River Queen's skipper, says his boat is much faster. And what's more, Captain, he's offered to reduce the rates a bit to get our business. Now, wait a minute, Liz. We've been doing business since you and your husband started up here. You say you'd change over and ship up on the River Queen? Oh, I might. I'm not in business from a health, you know. Well, doggone it if you do that. Others will do the same. Then it won't pay me to make the run up here. I know how you feel about it. Now, hold on, Liz. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll cut my reach to match, Camden. How's that? Well, not at something, of course. But one thing that's very important to me is something you can't match, Captain. Huh? What's that? I told you, Bill Camden says his boat is much faster than yours. He hopes to beat you to Seattle by three or four days. That time means a lot to me. Now, he's lying. Nothing on the River... Yukon River can beat the Yukon Bell. Nothing. Now, now, now, take it easy, Captain. Well, I just don't like anybody insulting Yukon Bell. That's all. Why, Thunder, if I had the chance, I'd show that boasting skipper of the River Queen that he'd take the smoke of my boat any time. Say, that gives me an idea, Captain. If you really mean what you just said. Of course I mean it. I like dealing with you, and Bill Camden struck me as having a sneaky look about him that goes against the grain. Then you're going to ship on the Yukon Bell after all. On one condition. What's that? If the skipper agrees, I suggest you race the Yukon Bell against the River Queen tomorrow. Say it new. Sure, think of the fun and excitement. And if you're so sure the Yukon Bell can beat the other boat, you can make yourself a few big wagers on the side. But what's the reason you... The first boat to reach the Landon at Beaver Town ten miles from here will get my business. And that means the shipping business of most others in town. Well, how about it? Do you think the Yukon Bell can win? Of course you can. Vice Under, you tell Bill Camden I'll be ready and waiting with steam up at noon tomorrow if he's willing. If he backs down, Captain, I'll consider giving my business to your boat. Camden is coming back here later. Told him I wanted to talk to you before I made a decision. I'll put the proposition before him and if he agrees, I'll come to the dock and tell you. Later that afternoon in Skipper Bill Camden's cabin on board the River Queen, Bill was talking to his first mate, Larry Smith. Larry, I just gave him Liz Turret's office. Did he get the agreement for carrying his stuff? No, I thought Cretna rates would do the trick. But Captain Davis said he'd match our rates. Of course, the fact that I said we could make a faster run to Seattle almost won her over. Skipper, if we don't get some of the shipping from up this way, we won't last some of Yukon. I'm not after just some of it. I want to get all of it. I want to get all of the turrets shipped on our boat. The others will follow suit. You mean we've lost out to the Yukon Bell? Not yet. Liz likes Davis. She's giving him a chance. But the decision won't be made till tomorrow. What's she waiting for? She wants me to race the River Queen against the Yukon Bell. Starting here at noon tomorrow and finishing at Beavertown 10 miles from here. She says her business will go to the winner. Of course, you told her our boat was faster. Of course, you told her our boat was faster. But you really think we can beat Davis in a race? He's been a riverboat skipper for years and he knows all the tricks. Larry, we're going to win that race one way or another. What's more, we stand to make some cash on bets. But how can you be sure of winning, Skipper? Look, as you know in the boiler room below Dax, each boiler has a steam escape valve on top. Keep the pressure from getting too high. Yeah, yeah, I know. Those valves are adjustable. If someone should happen to tighten the nut on one of them so the steam couldn't escape, the boiler would finally blow up, wouldn't it? Sure, but before that happened on the Yukon Bell, we'd win the race. Yeah, but some of the men below Dax would be scalded. In fact, it might blow the side right out of the boat. Could be. But we got to win that race, Larry. How would you get anyone to tighten that valve down? Nobody could get into the boiler room to do it. Maybe somebody who could and would. Who? Captain Davis fired one of his boiler room crew right after the boat docked. He gave the fellow until tonight to get his gear out of his locker. He's a tough guy named Butch Miller. He's plenty sore at the captain. He was swearing he'd like to get even with him sometime. I heard him raving about in the cafe earlier today. Of course, he just said that to me private life when he asked me to take him on. Did he say you'd do what you wanted him to do? No, I didn't know about the race then. I'll go up town and find Butch tonight. I'll put it up to him to fix that valve when he goes aboard to get the stuff in his locker. I'll make it worth his while. As soon as you know for sure, I'll start making some bets. That's a good plan, Skipper. We ought to win a lot of cash and what's more end up with a lot of business. It was still early evening when Sergeant Preston stopped in front of Northwest Mounted Police Headquarters. Oh, like a boy. Come along, King. Hi, Sergeant. Where you been keeping yourself? Liz Turrett. Hello. I've been on a patrol of 40 miles. King and I just arrived in Dawson. You got bad just in time for all the excitement. What excitement? The big riverboat race at noon tomorrow. The Yukon Bell is going to race the new boat, River Queen. I noticed the new boat tied up alongside the bell. What's the occasion for the race? Well, I reckon you can sort of blame me for that, Sergeant. You see, I'm giving my business to the one that wins. I see. I'll be fighting for fairly high stakes and if your business goes to the new boat, the other shippers will follow. I reckon that's true, but that's not the only stake. I hear everybody at the cafe is wagering practically all they have on the race. Of course, I'm hoping Captain Davis's boat wins, but I'm too smart to bet. Does the Yukon Bell seem to be the favorite? From what I heard, the skipper and crew of the River Queen bet plenty that they'll win. In fact, I hear Skipper Bill Camden mortgage the River Queen to the hill to raise more betting cash. Seems to be sure his boat will win. Yep, that's right. My too. Should be an exciting race. Where's the finish line? At the Landon at Beavertown. I'll have to be on hand to see it. I'm riding the Yukon Bell. What's wrong, Sergeant? I might have thought. I'll tell the captain to expect you. You can even bring King with you, huh, fella? Are both boats going to carry passengers? They agreed only to take on ten apiece. Skipper Bill is charging high prices for his ten, but the captain is carrying ten of us for free. I'll expect to see you come aboard the Yukon Bell to help us cheer if it wins. See you in the morning, Sergeant. Meantime, Skipper Bill and his mate Larry Smith sat in the cafe at a secluded table talking to Butch Miller, the hand who had been discharged from the Yukon Bell. Butch, you got everything straight about what you're to do when you go board Davis' boat for your gear tonight. Yeah, yeah, I know just what to do. Are you sure no one will question you being in the boarder room? No one's aboard right now, but the night watch. He knows I'm to go there to get my stuff. The others are all uptown here. Well, I don't want any hitching. I bet my last dollar on the River Queen winning. You just keep your end of the bargain, Skipper, and you can count on winning that race tomorrow. I've already paid you a hundred dollars. You go through with it and we win. You'll get another hundred, no job on my boat, and be sure you don't go shooting off your mouth to somebody, Butch. Don't worry. I've already bet the hundred to Skipper give me on the River Queen to win. Well, I guess that proves you're sure you can go through with the plan. Yeah, I'm satisfied, you will. Now, let's get out of here now, Captain. Butch will be going aboard the Yukon Belt soon. I'll wait a while. Then when it's done, I'll come up to your cabin, Skipper, and tell you. We'll be waiting. So long, Butch. Let's get going, Larry. Later that night, Sergeant Preston decided to stroll along the waterfront and look over the two boats. Taking King with him, he left his quarters and walked toward the shadowy, deserted docks. Well, King, there are the river boats that will compete in the race tomorrow. The River Queen's a newer boat with the Yukon Belt as well built. She's the one we'll see along, fella. Think you'll like that? As the bounty and his dog approached the docks, Sergeant Preston suddenly stopped. Wait, boy. He drew back in the shadows as he saw a fronted figure come down the gangplank of the Yukon Belt with a canvas bag slung over his shoulder. Must be one of the deck hands. The Sergeant Preston stood watching the man's figure stopped on the dock, looked around suspiciously. Then, seemingly satisfied, he quickly walked to the gangplank of the River Queen and went aboard. Oh, strange. I'd like to know more about him, fella. Well, he hasn't done anything wrong in going from one boat to the other, but he might as well check with a night watch on the Yukon Belt. Come on, King, you'll try to find out just what's going on. Sergeant Preston strolled up the gangplank of the Yukon Belt and was met by the man doing the night watch. You better wait right... Oh, a mountain! Yes, I'm Sergeant Preston. Evening, Sergeant. If you're looking for the captain, he's gone ashore. In fact, there's most everyone ashore tonight. I didn't come aboard to see the captain. I came to check on a man I saw leaving this boat a moment ago. Oh, yeah, that's a hand the captain fired today. He came aboard to get his stuff from his locker. His name's Butch Miller. Oh, I see. It's all right then. He acted a little odd when he got on the dock, so I decided to check on him. I checked him aboard, Sergeant. Leave me his good riddance, too. I was a heavy drinker on the job and he was always causing trouble. Oh, his new skipper will be into trouble then. He won't get a berth on any other riverboat. No other skipper would take him, especially out of Dawson City. Butch Miller's reputation is well known around this town by now. Oh, that's strange. He looked around when he reached the dock as though he didn't want to be seen, but he wanted to see the river queen. Want to board the river queen? That's right. I can't figure that. Captain Davis numbered 5 skipper Bill Cameron in about Miller today. I see. Well, thanks for the information. Come on, King. We'll go on back to quarters. Meantime, on board the river queen in the skipper's cabin, Butch Miller was reporting to Bill Camden. Skipper, it's all done. Now, all you have to do is wait a mile. Tighten that valve down so it won't work. It won't be noticed until the steam pressure gets so high it'll be too late to loosen it in time to keep the boiler from blowing up, huh? And when that happens, you and Bill will be out of the race. Yeah, it could be more than that. The explosion might blow a hole that'll sink the boat, or it might start a fire that'll burn it at the water's edge. And it'll teach that honorary captain Davis to throw me off his rotten tub. Hey, hold on. If you're able to happen, Liz might be killed. The one on the rice wouldn't do us any good. Don't you worry. You'll have the only river packet that can carry passengers and freight to Seattle. What's more, you'll make plenty on your bets. I should have thought of what might happen, huh? I don't like the idea that Liz might get killed, but she refused to sail on our boat. And if you say that the Yukon Bell is totally out of commission, we'll get all the trade. Now, there's one thing, Skipper, that I want to bring up. What's that? I want more cash right now. And the promise of more later. Now see here, butch. I'm giving you a job on this boat, along with some cash. Sit down, Skipper. Sit down and take it easy. Look, if I was to tell what I know to the Mounties now, you'd stand to lose the race and come in for some uncomfortable questioning. You fool, you go to jail for fixing that bell. I'd go back and loosen it before I told him. Of course, if I told him after the boiler blew, I might go to jail, but you'd go with me. And maybe for murder. Why, Yukon? I'll look. Take it easy. Didn't say I would tell. I'm just pointing out what could happen if I did. You stand to gain plenty, and I want to get some of it. Well, all right. Before we start the race, I'll give you more cash. And I'll give you a 10% of what I win. Five. Five. Maybe someday I'll be first mate on the River Queen, huh? Who knows? Take a good blow, Butch. I'll see you in the morning. All right. I'll leave my stuff and go uptown to the cafe for a while. See you in the morning, Skipper. After Butch Miller left the River Queen to go to the cafe, Skipper Bill Camden went to Larry Smith, his first mate in his cabin. Larry, I got something important to talk over. What is it, Skipper? We've got to do something about Butch Miller. Why? What's happened? He fixed a valve on the Yukon bell tonight. Now he threatens to do some talking if I don't pay plenty. Ah, I never thought of that. He could blackmail us from now on. Yeah. And one of the things he wants is your jab as first mate, Larry. What? You mean you're going to kill him? I didn't say that. But remember, after race is over, the Yukon bell disabled, he can force us to do most anything. Unless... Unless what? Unless something happens to Butch Miller. That's one way you can make sure he doesn't get your jab. I see what you mean. Look, Butch is at the cafe right now. If you watch till he hits back here at the boat, you'll have a chance. Maybe he won't come back alone. Oh, yes he will. None of the other men are friendly to Butch. I suggest you get him in the dock and stock him with your gun. I'll wait and watch him up on deck. Give me a signal. Then I'll have to carry him to the old fisherman's shack up beyond the docks. What good will that do? I mean, why keep Malive in the shack? When he comes to... We'll tie him up. And after the race, if we win, the Yukon bell blows up, we'll finish him off. But if nothing happens, we win anyhow. Can't bother us. But if we lose, I'll count the boilers not blowing. Butch will wish he was dead several times over before we get through with him. That's a good idea. Now, you're having to kill him in our hands unless things happen the way they're supposed to. I'll go watch for Butch right now. After I let him have it, I'll give a low whistle. And you come help. It was well after midnight when Butch Miller left the cafe and made his way toward the docks. He was alone and moved with slow, unsteady steps into the shadows near the docks. I'll show him Butch Miller ain't no fool. I'll get plenty from them to plenty. Hey, who's that? What do you want? This'll keep you quiet, Miller! I did it. I've got a signal to skippin' on him. When Butch Miller wakes up, he'll be plenty surprised. The following morning, about an hour before the starting time of the race, the whole town was in a state of excitement. People lined the banks of the river for miles and small craft drifted offshore waiting to follow in the wake of the two river packets. As Sergeant Preston, with King at his side, went up the gangplank of the Yukon Bell, the sailor who had been a night watch came along just behind him. The sailor spoke. Good morning, Sergeant. You were bored last night, remember? Yes. You must've been wrong about seeing Butch Miller on board the River Queen last night. Why do you say that? Well, because I just came from over there. You see, a fella came from the cafe this morning bringing Butch Miller's cap, which he left behind. He gave it to one of the deck hands. I told Captain Davis about what you said that Miller went aboard the River Queen. He told me to take the cap over and leave it for him. Is that the cap you have in your hand? Mm-hmm. Has Butch's name penciled inside it. Why didn't you leave it? Well, a man over there on the River Queen said Butch isn't aboard. What's more, they said his duffel bag isn't below decks. In other words, he's not a part of the crew and nobody's seen him. But I saw him go aboard. Yeah, yeah, so you said. I thought maybe he went to ask for a job and got turned down. That'd account for his stuff not being aboard. But I asked Smith, the first mate, and he said he didn't know anything about Miller and didn't see him last night. If you give me Miller his cap, I'll go ashore and see if I can locate him. Sure, Sergeant. But don't stay too long or you'll miss the race. I'll get back in time. Here's the cap. Thanks. Come on, King. Go to the cafe and try to locate Butch Miller. Sergeant Preston went to the cafe and made inquiries about Butch Miller, learning that he had left the cafe late the night before going out the back door. Preston left the cafe and taking King around to the back held out Butch's cap. He went from this fella. Find him, King. Find him. The intelligent dog stood for a moment and then sniffing the ground near the back door of the cafe, he stopped and barked to indicate he had found the scent. All right, fella, go find him. The trail King was following led back toward the docks. The crowds along the waterfront confused him somewhat. Finally, because of his intensive training and keen sense of smell, the great dog made his way to the shack which had been taken. Sergeant Preston pushed open the door of the shack and entered with King. Someone's over there on the bunk and tied and gagged. Take it easy. I'll take away your gag and I'll tell you. There. They did it. Look, I've been here all night. Wait, I'll cut your cords. There. Now you can set up. Yeah. Listen, they talked. They didn't think I came too yet. They planned to kill me, that's why. Who does? What's this all about? I'll tell you, Sergeant, it's a skipper and maid of the River Queen. They paid me to tighten a valve on one of the boilers of the Yukon Bell. It'll blow up and the River Queen will win the race. So that's it. Yeah. You're coming with me. We've got to release that valve before the boats start. The boats, they're already leaving the docks. That's too late now. Hold out your arms. Hold them out. All right. These handcuffs will keep you out of trouble. I'm leaving you here with King to watch you. Stay here, King, watching boy. Sergeant Preston ran to the dock where the Yukon Bell had been moored. Both river boats were already heading into midstream. And because of the noisy crowd it was useless to shout. Preston looked around frantically for a few moments. Then he saw a small motorboat about to leave. He ran along the dock calling out... Wait! Hold that boat! I'm coming aboard, Sergeant. Hurry up, we'll miss the finish. I'm coming aboard right now. Now listen, it's a matter of life or death. Get me to the Yukon Bell and hurry. Do the best they can, Sergeant. Here we go! On board the Yukon Bell, Liz Terence stood beside the captain on the bridge. Her face was flushed with excitement as the two boats moved along side by side. Hey, by thunder, Captain. This shore is exciting. Sorry, Sergeant Preston didn't make it. He's really missing something. Don't know why he isn't here. Saw him heading for the boat some time ago. Then when I come to look for him, he wasn't aboard. Here's hoping you can get up speed enough to beat Camden. Well, we're not up to full speed yet, Liz. The boys below are getting up plenty of steam and soon I'll give the signal for full speed ahead. Some of them small craft better stay back or they'll be sworn. Yeah, say, look, there's someone coming like blazers. Say, if he gets much closer, he'll ram into us. Better give him a warning whistle. Guess their plumb loco don't pay any attention. Say, look, one of them standing up waving. Give him a telescope. Hey, that's Sergeant Preston. I can see his red-mounted jacket. He's crazy to think you'll slow down for him to come aboard now. Preston isn't a man who does crazy things, Liz. I got a feeling something's wrong. I'm slowing for him. No, no, don't do it, you fool. You'll lose the race. I'll take the chance. He's forging ahead. Maybe so, but I'm taking Preston aboard to find out what's happened. A rope ladder was quickly thrown over the side and as the big boat slowed, the motorboat carrying Preston came alongside. In a few moments, the mountain had climbed the board. I was afraid I wouldn't make it. I came down from the bridge to see why you waved us down, Sergeant. The captain is waiting up there for you. Tell him I have something to do and it has to be done quickly. Oh, all right, Sergeant. As Sergeant Preston made his way down into the engine room of the boat, he heard one of the Stoker's shout. That valve has to be loosened. A wrench, where's our wrench? Not heating the Stoker's warning, Preston rushed over and got the wrench. Then he went to work on the escape valve of the boiler. He could see that the pressure gauge already indicated great danger, but he knew lives might be at stake. Have to get it loose, have to. Preston's nobody worked while the Stoker's huddled across the engine room near the companion way to the deck. Finally, they're not loosened, and Preston fell back as a great rush of steam hissed from the escape valve. Hey, the Sergeant fixed the valve, I'm all right. I threw myself to the deck and buried my face in my arms. My arms scalded, but it isn't serious. I'll signal the Captain full speed ahead and tell him I said so. Sergeant Preston's message was given through the hollow signal tube. At a short time later, the Mountie went to the bridge where the Captain and Liz were waiting. He told what he'd learned. Sergeant Carter sunk the boat with all hands on board. Win the race now, Captain. Later Sergeant Preston will settle with Skipper Camden and his mate. You just win the race and they can lose everything he has. Go to it, Captain. Full speed ahead. All right, Sergeant. Here we go. Full speed ahead. Slowly but surely, the Yukon Veil moved up on the River Queen. For a short time, they ran neck and neck, and then the Yukon Veil crept ahead until at the finish line she won by a full length. Her boats docked at Beaver Town. Then Sergeant Preston went to the shack and got Butch Miller, when guarded during the race by the great dog Yukon King. Then, taking Butch with him, he picked up Liz and the Captain and all of them boarded the River Queen. They entered the Skippers' cabin where Skipper Camden was talking to the mate Larry Smith. Preston opened the cabin door and entered without knocking. Looks like you couldn't wait to crow with me, Captain. Let me tell you. What are you bringing Butch Miller here for? Why the handcuffs on him? You ought to know, Camden. Shut up for everything. Let you and Larry Smith get away with it. Shut up. I don't know what you're talking about. Neither do I. Stop the act, Camden. I'm arresting you and your mate in the name of the Crown for felonious assault on the person of Butch Miller and portraying direct the Yukon Queen. I'll see you. Do your talking at headquarters. Good work, Sergeant Preston. Well, Captain Davis, you won the race. I'll take these men to headquarters now. This case is closed. We now take you to Northwest police headquarters in Dawson. Is that for me, Inspector? Yes, Sergeant. Have you ever heard of a man called Solitaire Jackson? Yes, sir. He's an American gunman who just got out of prison. From what they say, he came up to the Yukon to get even with the man who framed him. Apparently, that's not the only reason he came up here. Man answering his description has just robbed the express office and shot the Constable on guard. I want you to find him, Sergeant, and bring him in. Right, sir. Let's go, King. Solitaire Jackson has a dangerous reputation. But why should he rob the express office if his real motive is to get revenge on the man who framed him? Perhaps there's more to this case than the Inspector realizes. More mystery, more criminals involved, and more danger for Sergeant Preston. Be sure to listen to this exciting adventure, the Diamond Solitaire Wednesday. These radio dramas, a feature of the challenge and the Yukon Incorporated, are created by George W. Trendall, produced by Trendall Campbell Enterprises, directed by Fred Flower Day and supervised by Charles D. Livingston. The part of Sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton. They are brought to you every Wednesday until September when we shall resume our regular Monday, Wednesday, and Friday broadcasts. This is Jay Michael wishing you goodbye and good luck until next Wednesday. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.