 The challenge of the Yukon It's Yukon King Swiftest and strongest lead dog of the Northwest Placing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers On King, on your Huskies 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 Spring had come to the Yukon and the arrival of the boat the Yukon Queen at Selkirk brought eager Anticipation to the many who were waiting to go back to the States The evening before the boat was to sail the cafe in Selkirk was crowded with many who had come to say goodbye to their friend Among them was a sourdough Joe Mullins who was telling all who cared to listen about his future plans Last I struck a rich up here I'm taking my cash out of the bank and going back to Seattle to enjoy it Might even get married and settle down if I find a woman who will have me Here you may plenty up here. Well, I have died on to 20,000 hadn't seen me through for a while. I reckon Already have my cabin engaged on the boat. So I'll go aboard tonight. You ready when she sails in the morning Men are live, but you're gonna be good to get back to city life again Yes, sir. Well, so long boys. I'll be around in the morning to say goodbye if I wake up After the old sourdough left two men who have been listening to what he said Saute it out of the cafe Imagine that old coupe having 20,000 cash, Greg. I am thinking about it, Nick I'm also thinking we could use that dough if we had it. Yeah, if we had it You think he's got it in his cabin on the boat? Well, he said he was going aboard to use his cabin tonight So I reckon yes. Well, Greg, you and I are gonna take a boat trip on a Yukon Queen up as far as Caribou, Lannick Caribou Lannick Nick, there's nothing there but a trading post in a few cabins. Not gonna stay there you fool I know Frenchie Limour owns the trading post there He'll rent us a couple of horses to use to come back here to Selkirk You'll pick him up at the livery stable next time he's here in town Mean we'll come back right here after grabbing the old man's 20,000 on the boat Sure. This is the last place they'd look for us The Monty's will figure that whoever took the cash went on to Dawson or even further. Yeah Yeah, that's right We'll be back here in about four days of things working out right now and with $20,000 in our pockets We'll go aboard the boat in the morning and buy tickets and we'll go ashore at the landing Now let's head for a cabin and get some sleep The next day the Yukon Queen left the dock at Selkirk and made her way along the Yukon River The two crooks Nick and Greg had gone aboard separately during the day were not seen together That night they met in the shadows on deck. We don't want to be seen together So far they think we're each traveling alone. That's right You found out anything about that sourdough doom on yeah, I've kept close watch on him. He's in cabin 102 I'm in 105 right across the corridor. Yeah. No, I told him I wanted an outside cabin on the upper deck So I'm in 320 How do you figure on getting a dough? There's several fire buckets filled with water along the walls of our corridor What about I emptied one of them and filled it with old rags and paper about midnight I'll sneak out and set fire to them. Some of the rags are oil-soaked Corridors dimly lighted by a couple of hanging lamps. You'll be nearby Ready to run through the corridor. We'll both start yelling fire when the rags and stuff smoke up enough I'll watch for my doorway till I see Mullins come out of his cabin I'll run over shove him back in and knock him on the head Now I get it you figure everybody I'll get excited and run from their cabins into the quarter The old man will do the same Bringing these cash with it. That's the idea in the excitement. Nobody will notice what happens. You run past I'll slip you the cash you hide in your cabin I'll go on deck with the others till excitement dies down When Mullins reports the robbery, they won't be able to connect us with it at all. They may search the cabins. I Expect they will in our deck, but I figured they won't on the upper deck I'll join you in your cabin shortly after we'll figure out a good hiding place just in case why sunrise think the plan will work Nick sure it will I'll go to your cabin and be ready at midnight At midnight the corridor on the lower deck was filled with thick smoke A dreaded cry rang out excitement broke loose and strangely garb figures rushed from the cabins into the corridor From his partially opened cabin door across the corridor. Nick watched Joe Mullins cabin Finally the sourdough's door opened the old man started out clutching a small handbag Nick sprang forward and shoved Joe back into his cabin Within a short time the source of the smoke was discovered and removed and calmness once more settled throughout the boat In Greg's cabin on the upper deck Nick and Greg were gloating over the success of their plan as they took the cash from the handbag on the bottom Look at this cash Greg all ours. I told you to be easy Yeah, I went off like clockwork Nick put your share of the paper money in the bottom of your suitcase I'll do the same with mine. What are you gonna do with him to the money back when I leave to go down to my cabin I'll toss it over boy. I Guess the old man hasn't come to yet for the time. He does and reports that his cash is missing We'll be asleep in our cabins Meantime in the captain's cabin the captain was discussing the fire incident with Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police Well, I'm glad you're aboard Sergeant Persa is inclined to think the smudge bucket in the corridor on a deck was the work of a prankster But I have a feeling it was put there for some purpose in mind I agree with you captain person and me to check in the cabins on that day. They'll be here with a report shortly good I was sleeping when the commotion broke out at the time King and I came to wait back Come in Captain passenger in 102 a man named Joseph Mullins was attacked and robbed during the excitement Mate stayed with them while I came to report the matter that explains the smudge bucket captain Started as a cover up for the robbery. I know it I knew something must have happened. Look it on and talk to Mullins. Come along King A few minutes later Sergeant Preston and the captain stood beside the bunk in cabin 102 Listening to Joe Mullins tell what had happened when the old sourdough had finished Preston asked You're gonna look at the man who shoved you back into the cabin Mullins. I didn't get a chance Sergeant the corridor was dim and plenty smoky. How much did you lose? It's like 200 to be in 20,000 It was a new paper money all hundred dollars. I see you tell anyone you were carrying such a large amount Well, I reckon I told about everybody at the cafe in Selkirk I never could keep my big mouth shut. It seems like if you'd left it at the person's office This wouldn't have happened Mr. Mullins as it is. We're not responsible for the loss. It's all I had Can buy Jiminy somebody on this boat has it well to all it's possible to find it Mullins We have over a hundred passengers aboard Sergeant besides the crew Some of them will be going ashore when we dock at caribou landing one to a dock a couple of hours after dawn Well search those who are going ashore and that doesn't help with search the cabin to those who stay aboard That's a good idea. No use disturbing the passengers now while they're sleeping We'll be on hand to help with the search when the boat docks at caribou landing In the morning when the boat was pulling into the dock at the landing Greg tapped on Nick's cabin door. Oh, it's you Greg. Come on in. I'll be ready to leave in a minute. I Got news Nick There's a sergeant of the mounted police aboard one of any has no reason to suspect us Oh, but they're searching the baggage of the people who are going ashore here. Oh, that's not so good We've got to think of something fast Maybe if we stay on the boat and go to Dawson Passage only to here Nick anyway our own money's just about gone. That's right Before I heard the purser telling the mate that they're gonna make a thorough search of the boat after it leaves the landing In that case we have to figure out how to get ashore here with the cash Yeah, but how wait wait a minute. I have an idea You bring your share of the cash down here to me right away Then take your suitcase and go to the gang flank and be searched What about you look as soon as you get ashore get the Frenchie at the trading post The telegraph company made him an operator and fixed it so as he can send and receive right there at the trading post Yeah, but how will that help tell Frenchie I sent you Tell him the faker message to Joe Mullins on board this boat Then have him bring it ashore in a sealed envelope. I don't see how that let me finish will you? Frenchie will say he has to get an answer so he'll have to give the message to Mullins personally Instead he'll come to my cabin 105 I'll let him put the bills in his pockets and he'll go ashore Then I'll go get searched and join both of you the trading post right after Bogey some slip up no reason why there should be Last time it was at Frenchie's place He took a message aboard this boat and took it right to the man's cabin the captain knows Frenchie by sight I gully it might work out. All right, then I'll go bring the dough down here to you and then I'll go arrange things with Frenchie Greg was one of the first to be searched to go ashore a short time later The man Frenchie came up the gang flank and spoke to the captain Hello Frenchie, I'll bring you aboard and bring the telegraph message for a passenger just a minute Frenchie Well, this man's luggage seems to be in order sergeant. Good captain. He doesn't have the money in his clothes All right, mister. You may go ashore. Thanks. All right. How are things of caribou landing Lamar? Oh business is picking up now such and I'm glad the winter is over This message captain, I should like to deliver it in person. There's to be an answer perhaps All right, who's it for it is for miss you Joseph Mullins Mullins. He's in cabin 105 cabin 105 Are you sure Capitan? It is 105. Oh, no, no, no, it's 102 Frenchie on a deck You know how to get there, don't you but of course I should take the message to him right away Are there many more to go ashore captain first of gave me this list sergeant We've checked off all the three of them and should be coming along shortly Frenchie quickly made his way to Nick's cabin and tapped on the door Frenchie. Come on in we Left to work fast spread these bills around in your pockets quick. We hurry up I ought to do it I'll follow you off the boat in a few minutes and meet you and Greg at the trading post again The captain in the mouth. They have suspect nothing once I am off the boat. Voila. He's done. No, it'll sure be a relief We'll see that you get well paid for doing this Frenchie. I'll get going Nick waited a short time then taking his suitcase He sorted on deck but after being searched he was allowed to go ashore One more passenger followed Nick down the gang flank then the captain spoke to sergeant Preston. Yeah That's the last one to go ashore here sergeant. The thief must still be aboard. It's the way it seems captain What is the boat leave here in about an hour? I suggest you come down to my cabin have some breakfast now Person in the mate will keep close watch to make certain no one tries to go ashore They're both trustworthy men and they'll obey orders to the letter. All right. We'll speak to them Then we'll have breakfast At the trading post Greg and Nick made instant preparations to leave Frenchie stood by as they finished saddling two horses Now we're ready to ride Greg. Yeah, but we better not stop and sell Kirk Nick I think it's safer to keep right on go right with me. We've paid Frenchie for the horses and for his partner helping us I Think it was a slick idea myself Well if they find out about that fake telegraph message, it wasn't delivered. There's no reason why they should question Mullins about it People get messages lots of times aboard the river boats when they stop somewhere. That is right Soon they both will leave then you will be saving up. Yeah, well, let's get going Just before the boat was ready to leave Sergeant Preston and his dog Yukon King met Joe Mullins on the deck. Well Mullins feeling better now Sure am sergeant, but I'd feel a whole lot better if you found the money for me We searched the passengers who left the boat here at caribou landing but without success Before we threw we'll search the entire boat. You know after losing all that cash I didn't think I'd sleep a wink, but you know from the time you questioned me until 10 minutes ago I slept like a log except for the interruption when Frenchie Lamore bought you that telegram Telegram What do you mean? Almost an hour ago Frenchie Lamore who runs the trading post came aboard with a telegram for you He said he'd take it to your cabin personally since there might be an answer Well, that's funny nobody came to my cabin. I Didn't get any telegram. Well Mullins glad to see you feeling better captain Mullins just told me he didn't receive a telegram Frenchie Lamore didn't go to his cabin. That's right But when Frenchie left I asked him if he found Mullins all right and he said he had Come to think of it when you mistakenly said Mullins was in 105 French he questioned it as if he knew someone else was in that particular cabin That's right. He did The man who was in 105 left after French a Frenchie knew that man captain I'll take King to cabin 105 to get that man sent and I'll get my horse from below and go ashore You mean you're not going to stay to continue the search. I'll let you depart your half an hour, please captain I don't come back. You'll know I picked up the trailer the thief Mullins should better come with me Let's go to cabin 105 come along King King picked up Nick sent in the cabin and followed it down the gangplank to the dock Preston and Joe Mullins went with the dog and waited on the dock while the Mounties horse Blackie and Joe's horse were brought ashore When they had mounted Preston called finding King Well in a few moments King led Preston and Joe to the trading post Two men dismounted and at the store. Hello, King. I Decided to come ashore What about the telegram you were supposed to deliver to Joe Mullins Frenchie? Confidential such on Perhaps if you go back to the boat and ask the fellow Mullins He was stopped to lie and mr. I'm Joe Mullins and you didn't bring any telegram to me on that boat It is what you wish the sergeant to think, monsieur. I shall not say other one Well of all the nervy skunk sergeant. I swear easy Joe easy Frenchie who came here from the boat? No one has been here from the boat sergeant. No one at all. Don't lie According to the purse's list a man named Nick Drake had cabin 105 I know he came here to this store directly from the boat finding King The intelligent dog sniffed a moment then going to the back door. He barked Prince of two horses fresh Prince to this is most foolish You have no reason to reason to believe you waited in the escape of a couple of crooks Frenchie And you may have shared in the loot. No, no, you've no proof of such a thing the proof will come later Meantime, I'm taking you to sell Kirk for questioning those two men seem to have headed that way Saddle your horse Frenchie watching King With King following the trail of Nick and Greg which led directly to sell Kirk Sergeant Preston Joe Mullins and Frenchie finally reached the town Though the crooks trail continued on south from town Preston took Frenchie to the constable's office After the constable learned the circumstances Frenchie was held on suspicion and then the constable joined Preston and the two mouties set out to pick up the crooks trail As they rode behind King would again found the trail Preston was saying the cooks had about an hour's start on us constable Look Mark show they've been pushing their horses hard. I didn't stop to rest in town Yeah, it means a finer place to start before long seems to me. Yes. They have no reason to believe they're being followed Let's hurry sooner. We catch them a better go up like a Nick and Greg had ridden straight through Selkirk and it kept going on the south trail Their horses were tired and they slowed to a walk They moved along Nick was talking. It was me good to think we put one over on that Mounties sergeant Preston Imagine Frenchie walking off the boat right under his nose with a cash Yeah, I suppose they'll spend most of the day searching the boat while all the time they're going further away from These mags Frenchie so let's get tired easy. You have to stop someplace before long let him rest a while That's not a bad idea anyway. We could eat some of the supplies we brought along. I Didn't have any breakfast remember neither did I There's an empty cabin not far from here where I stopped them away at the Selkirk a few months ago We'll stop there for a short time after all there's no hurry. That's right. There isn't I Bet the robbery in cabin 102 on the Yukon Queen will be the talk of the territory for a long time to come Not gonna help the reputation of that Mountie sergeant when folks find out he was a board at the time of the happen Hey, I see a cabin ahead that the one you mean. Yeah, that's it. Let's get a move on get up there Once they reached the deserted cabin Greg and Nick decided they were in no hurry to move on They ate a leisurely meal then relaxed and a couple of bunks in the cabin But some time later when Nick finally arose awakened Greg Hey wake up Greg You better be thinking of moving along now. Yeah, I suppose we hit We're taking a chance leaving that cash in our saddlebags if anyone started snooping around and found it We'd be out of luck nobody expect to find all that cash in anybody's saddlebags Nick Anyway, while you were sleeping I brought the saddlebags in and I'm over there all those hooks on the wall We'll gather up our supplies and get ready to ride won't be long before we get the white horse if we keep moving Come on. Help me get the stuff together. All right Sergeant Preston and the costable followed King around the bend in the trail Preston suddenly pulled rain Why are we stopping sergeant? I remembered that the cabin up ahead there is deserted The wise horse to stop there and investigate. That's right Continue on from here. Anyone in that cabinet see is coming. Yes. I'll leave the horses here in this wooded area And go to the cabin on foot Come on the two mouties dismounted and led their horses off to one side among the pines From here we'll circle around and reach the cabins in the rear. They won't be expecting a surprise visit. That's right. Let's go. Come along In the cabin Nick and Greg were about ready to leave Greg walked toward the front door saying I might as well bring the horses around front Nick And we'll carry out the saddlebags That's funny What's funny? Why'd you close the door just as I opened it? I could swear I saw a couple of riders for a second at the bend in the trail yonder And they disappeared now you're seeing things. How could they come around the bend and then disappear? They didn't exactly come around the bend. I just caught a glimpse of what seemed to be two horsemen and a flash of red Then they were gone like as if they turned back real quick Two horsemen and a flash of red. I'd say you Wait a minute Greg, maybe you did seem at that Maybe what you saw were a couple of mouties. They wear those red coats me. You mean you think we've been followed after all what to think But I'm not taking any chances. Maybe we better get to the horses and get away from here That's the worst thing we could do if we are being followed We'd be inviting a couple of bullets. What if they come here? Well, they can't prove anything against us that is they can't if they don't find the stolen bills What if they come here and search our saddlemen hurry hurry get the cash out of those saddlebags What are we going to do with it Nick? Open the door the stove Greg. Holy mackerel. You're not thinking of burning it No, not if we don't have to We haven't had a fire in that stove so it's cold open it. We'll stuff the bills in there Be well hidden here. Oh sit down and relax Greg if those are mouties and they do come here They have nothing on us, but maybe they'll search the cabin maybe But instead of going to jail for years I'll set fire to that paper money right in front of their eyes, and it won't know it No, you wouldn't I couldn't stand for you to do that Nick. I said I'll be a fool Almost 20,000 dollars. We may not have to burn it But before I let them find the evidence on me, I'll burn it pronto That dough can't do us any good while we rot in jail. Yeah, I suppose you're right Well, anyway, maybe we have anything to worry about Maybe I didn't see a couple of Mounties. I might have just some body you turn back I will know before long Whatever you do the Mounties come here. Don't go for your gun. Let me bluff it through if that don't work It will be time enough for gunplay. I don't like this. Stop worrying You may be looking for somebody else now Well, hello sergeant last time I saw you was on the Yukon Queen this morning You're not denying you were on that book. Well after the close going over you gave me before I went ashore. I knew you'd remember me Why don't you in the castle come on in? Sure the man he was trailing so that's how you did it smart dog You've got there but why trail me and my friend here they came to take you back for assault and robbery What did we steal of anything? You can't prove anything against us. I don't wish you to know that Frenchies done some talking only smoke shut up Greg Well, that Frenchie say all he wants all we did was buy a couple of horses from him Now Mounties have to prove what they say by showing the evidence will take you back for questioning regardless But before we go we'll search this cabin thoroughly while you're searching I'll start a fire in the stove if you don't mind. It's getting chilly I told you not to move Look around the cabin constable. I'll keep them covered. All right start by looking in their saddlebags The constable opened the saddlebags which he found to be empty then he began a methodical search around the cabin But without success Seem to be in here anywhere sergeant. Oh, I've been wondering why they brought the saddlebags in with them since they're empty Yeah, it really doesn't make sense come to think of what are you talking about? We had a few supplies in those saddlebags That's why we carried them in with us Look how about starting a fire in the stove while we're talking. No use being uncomfortable All right constable go ahead stove is all set All you have to do is put a match to the paper at the bottom. All right, I'll start the fire You don't even have to lift the lid Just light it through the draft opening at the bottom Make I'm not cool. Why do you shut up a little heat will do us all good. Wait constable hold it What's the matter sergeant open the lid of that stove and look in it before you light it Sorry Stove stuff with new bills. I noticed they were both tense when you start to light that fire. That's the evidence You're not taking me hold it Preston's bullet hit Nick's arm causing him to drop his gun as Greg went for his gun The Mountie sprang forward and landed a hard right to Greg's job Greg real back still holding this gun Preston lunge grab Greg's gun arm and twist it drop that gun I'll go you break my arm up the gun quick Drop it and this will drop you at that moment the constable moved into help if necessary Neither money saw Nick who in spite of his wound reached down and picked up his gun from the floor aiming at the sergeant But King saw it and sprang forward The valiant dog moved in like lightning grabbing Nick's good arm and knocking the crook to the floor Okay Well, Drake, you said we'd need the evidence to prove you guilty Those new $100 bills the constable found in the stove is the evidence We arrest both of you in the name of the Queen for robbery Nick your frenzy really did it you're in this as much as I am great you and French you're both in it Looks as if they'll all talk freely sergeant should be easy to convict them. That's right constable No matter how clever a criminal thinks he is he always makes us slip and these cooks are no exception We'll get them back to sell Kirk and put them in jail with their friend Frenchy Joe Mullins is going to get his money back and when that's done. I'll be glad to say this case is closed In our next adventure Three outlaws are watching the clearing and the woods beyond from the window of their darkened cabin He thinks I'm the only one in here So I'll do as he says I'll surrender hang for murder if the sergeant never gets you back to Dorset. I'm gonna walk out of here with my hands up The sergeant will step into the clearing and then you let him have it right The outlaw opens the door of the cabin and steps outside his hands above his head The sergeant steps into the open and then a volley of shots rings out Don't miss this next exciting adventure These radio dramas a feature of the challenge of the Yukon incorporated are created by George W. Trenble Produced by Trenble Campbell enterprises Directed by Fred flower day and edited by Fran striker the part of sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton The challenge of the Yukon is brought to you every Saturday and Sunday This is Jay Michael wishing you goodbye and good luck until our next adventure This is the mutual broadcasting system