 The challenge of the Yukon. Und King! Und you Husky! King, the swiftest, strongest of Eskimo lead dogs, blazes the trail through storm and snow for Sergeant Preston as he meets the challenge of the Yukon. Sergeant Preston was typical of the small band of northwest-mounted police who preserved law and order in the Yukon during the gold rush of 98. That was the year that brought over 50,000 men swarming into the Klondike region and the greed for gold led to frequent violence and bloodshed. But in spite of the odds against them, the force preserved a splendid record in maintaining the right. The challenge of the north was answered and justice ruled triumphant. Harry Jenkins, a well-to-do writer, came to the Yukon to gather material for a book. He heard much of the men who rushed to the north country to get rich quick. With a good outfit and sturdy dogs, he set out to see these minors, the lucky ones and the unfortunate. He visited Indian tribes and presented them with gifts. It delighted him to see their faces blow when they saw the great heavy gold watch he carried. It was early morning when Jenkins and his guide Pierre Beaumont waved a last goodbye to Chief Charlie and his people. Hi, Chief. Maybe we'll see you again sometime. Harry Jenkins didn't know it, but that was his last time to see Chief Charlie or anyone else. The next day, Sergeant Preston stopped for a moment at the Indian village. No, I'm sorry, Charlie. I want to get to half-mile this afternoon. The next time I come by this way, I'll plan to spend more time with your people. White man always much in hurry. My people miss see red coat. This kind of weather, that red coat, has to be covered with something to keep out the wind. We sell white man's skin yesterday. Keep him warm. It was a good deal for you. If not like other men come here for gold, him carry big gold clock. Me, what trade skin? Oh, trade the skins for the watch, eh? Him not do. What was his name? Him name Jenkins. Him may be big chief. Well, if he is, I never heard of him. Get the dogs up, King. Goodbye, Charlie. Charlie Wiss, Sergeant Preston, safe journey. Good trail. Thanks. Good luck to you and your people. On you, Huskies! Now, the wind in our back, we're making better time than I expected. At least we don't have to break a trail this trip. No snow for the last two days. Looks like we'll get some before nightfall, all right. Seems King's found something ahead there. All right, fella. All right. All you, Huskies. What's that you... A man? Yes, King. He's dead. Oh, tracks of another man. Looks like he put up a fight for his life. The other man shot him and then got in the sled and kept going. Well, maybe we can find out who he is. No money in his pockets, nothing to... Oh, what's this? A key chain with a tag on it. Well, let's see. Harry A. Jenkins? Jenkins. Well, that's the man Charlie was telling me about. Whoever was with him robbed and murdered him. We'll get him on a sled and then follow those tracks, King. There. That does it. All right, boy. On, King! Are you Huskies? With King in the lead, the dogs raced over the frozen trail while Sergeant Preston kept his eyes on the tracks in the snow. But as the team neared half-mile, the mountain knew his job would be doubly difficult, for the tracks of the sled he'd been following were obliterated by countless others. A short time later, Sergeant Preston arrived in town. Well, we'll stop at the hotel, King. Whoever killed Jenkins robbed him, so he came into town with plenty of money. Come on, you dumb mutt. All right, get in line there. Come on, over with the dog. Well, his dog doesn't follow him, boy. I don't blame you. That's no way to treat an animal. Here we are, fella. Hello, Sam. I thought you were a customer, Sergeant. That is to my recognized King there. I get fooled every time when you got your tunic covered up. Me with a memory for phases, too. It's been a long time since we've been a half-mile. But, Sam, we didn't stop in just to pay a friendly call. No? Well, then... What's coming last night or early this morning? Well, matter of fact, there's only been one. He came in late last night. He did, huh? What's his name? Fellow name Beaumont. Pierre Beaumont. Stranger in town? Not exactly. I've seen him around before. Only I never saw him flesh as much money around as he did this time. What room is he in, Sam? I'd like to talk to him. Why didn't you say so, Sergeant? He left here, checked out, not 15 minutes ago. Said he was going to head for Simmons' cabin up the trail. What did he look like? Oh, he's big. I'd say about 6 feet 2. Kind of dark skinned, bushy black eyebrows. Then he must have been the one we saw outside. Huh? Oh, we saw someone outside a few minutes ago. Seem to have a lot of trouble getting his dogs together. I think I understand why now. You got something on him? Yes, yes, we have. Come on, King. I wish I'd known you were looking for him. What'd you want it for? We'll tell you about it when we get back, Sam. Right now, King and I are heading for Simmons' cabin. Along most of the well-used trails in the north, there were prospectors' cabins with latch strings hung on the outside of the doors. It was the custom for any traveler to pull the string, which raised the inside wooden bar, walk in and make himself at home. There was always dry wood in the stove and a square block of matches in sight, so the demand coming in might make a fire with the least possible waste of time. Simmons' cabin was one of these. Inside, the stove was glowing while an old prospector warmed his feet in front of it. His companion walked over to the window, raised his horny hand to shade his eyes and peered out. It looks like we're going to have company, Pete. Yeah. Well, I don't know who it might be, but from the way he was yelling at his dogs, it sounded like a good company to me. I can tell what a man's life and the way he treats his dogs, I always say. Yeah. What's that you're putting in, mate? Yeah, got in mind a whittler boat with an Indian sitting in it. Come on in, stranger. Make yourself at home, as you were doing. Thanks. Hang your mackin' all over there, stranger. Yeah. Got anything to eat here? Raised beans in the cupboard. Mind to fix them. That's mighty hospitable to you, gents. Thanks. You were talking about dogs a minute ago. Huh. Worthless pack of hounds. That's all? Well, now every man's welcome to his own opinion, but I had a dog once smart as Husky that ever walked. Which one was that? Called her Pussyfoot. Yes, sir. Now there was a dog. Yes, sir, the best dog in the Yukon. My money, I'll take a horse. No, horses don't get far on these trails up here. Ain't just dependable. They would tell you about the time Pussyfoot saved my life, mate. Yeah, sure. I heard that story 60 times if I heard it once. And every time you tell it, you make it bigger. Well, maybe the stranger here ain't heard it yet. You're right, I haven't. I can do just as well without hearing it. Strangely don't like dogs, and that's that. But you do. And I can tell you a story about a dog that'll make Pussyfoot look like a python. Wait a minute. Ain't any dog can do that? Just talk in, and I'll prove it. You better. I'd like to know if Pussyfoot doesn't make more company coming. Yeah, whoever he is. If he wants something neat, he can fix it himself. Just like I had to. You ain't crippled, stranger. Hey, looks like we got a full house tonight. Come on over here by the stove, mister. Thanks. What's that dog doing in here? Oh, he's with me. Well, he can stay outside with the rest of them. Maybe you didn't hear what I said. He's with me. He's welcome, first, Mike and me are concerned, mister. I'd like more welcome and certain people I'm looking at right now. Well, you little brainless. Uh, you, uh, you men together? Us? Shucks, no. I mean, we ain't all together. Mike and me are, but the stranger here, he's got in a while back. I see. I'll cook some beans a little while. It's every man for himself here. Yes, so I see. What's the matter, boy? You're peraging, huh? Pete, that husky there reminds me an awful lot of this other dog I was telling you about. Oh, oh, yeah. I want to hear that story. Mister, maybe you like dogs. Good looking one like that one following around. You sure can pick them. Yes, he's a fine dog. Well, Pete here claims his husky saved his life once. She did, too. The dog I'm telling you about didn't only save one life, Pete, he saved the whole community. The whole community? Oh, now that's a tall one. It's a truth. It's a pristine dog, husky named King. I don't care whose dog it is. Ain't any of them worth what it takes to feed them? Yeah, I've finished eating them if you want to cook some beans. Yeah. Take off your mac and all, mister, and make yourself to hum. Come on, Mike. Get over your story. If that were such a smart dog, I want to hear about it. You remember the time they had to dip to hear the epidemic up at Fort Mon? Yeah. You remember it, mister? Yes. Yes, I remember it well. The only thing that could stop the folks from dying off like flies were to get serum to the town and get it there fast. I know that. Sure, any fool does. But there wasn't a drop to be had, and it was 100 miles to Hawkinsville and back to get it. What I want to know is where this here dog you're talking about coming in. I'm getting to that. Now, you see it happen like this. Sergeant Preston got into town with that there dog he is, and once he took the situation in, he sent King off with a message in his collar, mind you. All that way, while she stayed in town with the minister to save what lives he could. And would you believe it? The dog left it early morning, and by 10 o'clock that night he was back with serum in his collar and a note from the dock at Hawkinsville saying he was following with more. That's how a dog saved the whole community. Well, sir, I tell you, I wouldn't have believed it. You mean you saw that dog leave Fort Mon and come back with a serum? Saw him! Why, man, I was right there working along with the sergeant myself. Me and him are great pals. He's a fine fellow, Pete. I'd stand that dog of his against anything in the Yukon. Uh, I've heard enough of dog stories. I'm turning in. You can ask Doc Burns the next time to go to Hawkinsville, if you don't believe me. When I see my friend Sergeant Preston, I'll get it in writing. Uh, anyone got the time getting a little tired of myself? Yeah, yeah, I got the time. Just a minute. Just about. Watch is stopped. Let's go. Let's have a look at it. Wait a minute, stranger. I don't show this watch to everybody. No? Probably for a good reason, Pierre Beaumont. I said let me see that watch. A little demandant for a stranger. How'd you know my name? It's my business to know all about men like you. A man is a stranger until he introduces himself, Beaumont. I'm Sergeant Preston of the Monod Police. Sergeant Preston! You don't have anything on me, Monty. If your conscience is clear, you'll hand that watch over now. Yeah? Well, suppose I will. Hey, look out! He's grabbing for the knife! No, no, don't! Quiet boy, quiet. Now I'll have a look at that watch. No wonder he wouldn't show it to me. Engraved Harriet Jenkins, 1895. He's our man, all right. That was some sock you landed on his chin, Sergeant. I don't know how you manage it with all him heavy clothes on. It's strange you didn't take off your pocket. I didn't want to let him see my red coat. And I hated to interrupt your story. Um... Sergeant. Yeah. Yeah. It appears like you've got some explaining to do, Mike. I, uh, knew Peter'd never believe you if I hadn't said I was there in Fort Mon with you. I heard the story from Doc Burns. Oh, that's all right, Mike. If we weren't friends before, we are now. Well, I'll handcuff the prisoner and King and I'll keep a watch on him tonight. Understand, boy? Then tomorrow it's back to half-mile. Chief Charlie to identify Beaumont, he's as good as hunting. You mean King here guards prisoners, too? Oh, yes. And you can take my word for it. As far as King was concerned, Mike didn't exaggerate the story he just told it all. Yes, King, the case is closed. Challenge of the Yukon, a copyrighted feature of the Challenge of the Yukon Incorporated, brought to you each week at this time, originated in the studios of WXYZ Detroit. The characters and events in tonight's drama were fictitious. This is Jack McCarthy speaking.