 The Clyde Beatty Show. The world's greatest wild animal trainer, Clyde Beatty, with another exciting story transcribed from his brilliant career. This master of the big caps captures ferocious jungle beasts and trains them to perform under the big top in the circus, where there are always thrills, action, and danger. Hundreds of dramatic behind the scenes adventures are all part of the Clyde Beatty story. This is the story in search of a myth. It was during an off-season that Clyde Beatty was making a series of appearances in Europe. Called to London for an engagement, he was resting in his dressing room after the show when his wife Harriet came rushing in. Clyde, take off that robe. Why? What's wrong with it? You're about to have a visitor, a very important visitor. Okay, okay, I'll take it off, but tell me who's coming. Cavendish Bentin. He's an Earl. His title is Sir Harry. Well, why didn't she say so? Oh, just a moment. Good evening, madam. I'm Cavendish Bentin. Oh, we were expecting you. Come in. I'm Harry Beatty. Charles. Clyde, this is Sir Harry. Hi. Sir Harry, my husband, Clyde Beatty. Hi. An honor, Beatty. Enjoyed your performance immensely. Thanks. Have a seat. Thank you, sir. Ah, is there something I can do for you? Well, if you don't mind, Beatty, I'll come quickly to the point. Great. Do I understand correctly that when you leave England, you propose to make a safari into the South African jungle? That's right. The purpose I take it is to capture some wild beasts. Right. Perhaps then I might press a commission upon you to make a quest for a particular animal for me. I suppose so. Sure. Splendid. There'll be a substantial fee, of course. What animal did you have in mind, sir? Lion, tiger, gorilla, perhaps? No. An animal that we read about in mythology. An animal that supposedly doesn't exist. There's one great horn growing from the middle of its forehead. You mean... Yes, Beatty. I want you to bring me back a unicorn. We will return to Clyde Beatty in just a moment. And I'll back to Clyde Beatty's adventure in search of a myth. Sir Harry, are you sure you meant to say a unicorn? Precisely. But, well, that's impossible. There's no such animal. I'm inclined to agree, Beatty. Of course there's an animal in India called the auric. It's referred to as a unicorn, but it actually has two horns. Also, there's a species of rhinoceros with a single horn in Africa. No. The beast I have in mind is like this. My, what a beautiful ring. That crest is my family coat of arms. You see, it features a unicorn rampant upon a field of blue and gold. But that animal is legendary. Only a mythological creature. Yes, I know. You want me to find one for you? I repeat, I'm inclined to agree there is no such beast. Well? However, there seem to be others not of the same opinion. But surely you're not going to waste your time and money in search of a myth. I find it difficult to explain this queer business, Mr. Beatty. However, there is someone at my home who can. Graphically. A car is outside the theater. Could you come with me for just an hour or two? Sir Harry, you've hit one of the many weaknesses in my character. I'm loaded with curiosity. Then you'll come. No, I'm not as inclined as I do. A herd of elephants couldn't keep him away. Give me five minutes to change my clothes. I'll be right with you. Beautiful countryside, Sir Harry. Yes, you've picked the best time of year to visit England. Harry, look at the size of that place over there. It's like a castle. If you get a closer look in a few moments, matter of fact you'll be going inside. Is that your home? Yes, it's been in our family for centuries. Before we go inside, I'd like to tell you a bit about the person we are going to see. I would have brought him to you in London, but unfortunately, he is unable to travel. He is an invalid. Oh, that's a shame. I'm glad I don't have to miss the opportunity of seeing this wonderful place. Tell me before he got sick with this man an adventurer or an explorer. No. But he is an expert in certain fields. Oh, a professor? One day, I hope he might be. You see, he's my son. He's 12 years old. His room is just at the head of the stairs. Here we are. Come in. How goes it, old chap? Why, sir, you're back early from the city? Yes, I brought along some visitors. Oh, do come in. Mr. and Mrs. Batey. This is my son, Aiden. How are you doing? I say, aren't you Mr. Clyde Batey? The Clyde Batey? I don't quite know what you mean by thee, but my name is Clyde Batey. Oh, I've read your books over and over. I've heard stories about your adventures around the world. I've spoken with the chap who's seen you battle the big cats in the arena. Well, when you're up and around, I'll see that you have a front seat for my show. Oh, thank you, sir. I'm so happy you've come to visit me. We're happy to be here, Aiden. You will stay for tea? Of course, they will. Good. Aiden, the Bateys are about to set off for South Africa. Truly? A hunting expedition, Mr. Batey? We're going to bring back some animals for the circus. It's going to be quite a trip. We'll sail from here to Cape Town. Then we push up to Johannesburg. Oh, wonderful. Then on to Lake Makara-Kari. Oh, that's right in the center of Bukwana land. It's a very large lake. Ma, you certainly know South Africa. Oh, I've studied every inch of it, ma'am. I, uh, I suppose you've studied about all the animals in Africa, too. Oh, I have, sir, all of them. Well, on this safari, I imagine we'll see some of all the species there. If, if you had your pick, what would you want us to bring back? Oh, sir, I'd want you to bring back a unicorn. Well, you, you think that's silly, don't you, sir? Well, I... I don't blame you, Mr. Batey. At one time, I thought so, too. You mean something has changed your mind? Yes, Mrs. Batey. Of course, when I was a very small boy, I did believe that the device on our family crest was a real animal. It is a unicorn, you see. When I was old enough to read, I realized the horse-like creature with a long, sharp, twisted horn set in the middle of its forehead was simply a myth. And what's your feeling now? Oh, now I'm certain there are such animals. At least there's one. Well, what makes you think so, Aiden? A letter my brother Joffrey wrote to me. He's an engineer with a diamond syndicate out in Africa, near Kimberley. Well, did he write to you that he'd seen such an animal? No, it was a friend of his who saw it, a man named Rourke. Is this Rourke a trustworthy witness? No, I don't know. But I believe my brother wouldn't have relayed his story if he were not. I see. Where was it that Mr. Rourke saw the animal? In the Okabunga Swamp region. Well, that's not far from where we're going. No, it's just northwest of Lake Makarikari. Aiden, would it mean so very much to you to know that such a creature exists? Oh, almost, almost more than anything in the world. Oh, excuse me, it's the house phone. Yes? Oh, have him come up. The doctor is here, Aiden. We'll step out until he leaves. You will come back for tea? Of course. We want to hear more about that unicorn of yours. I'll expect you back. Shall we go into this room? He's such a sweet child, sir Harry. As he said, he's a bright boy. Thank you both. Now about that unicorn business. I observed that you were very sensitive to the boy's deep feeling in the matter. You've made his eyes shine. That and the poison in his system from his illness. I don't pretend to fully understand such things, but to Aiden, the unicorn and our family crest and the word from his brother concerning a real unicorn have to him become a symbol of faith. I think I understand. I know I do. Then you will look into this story of Rooks when you go to South Africa. You bet we will, and you can tell that boy of yours if there's a unicorn on that continent, we'll find it. If you tell him yourself, he'll be tremendously impressed. You see, he admires you very much. I'll tell him. Just one thing. Yes? The boy might not be here when you return. Oh. But help him to know you've gone in search of his unicorn. Clyde Beatty will continue with his story in a moment. And now back to Clyde Beatty and in search of a myth. The Beatty's thought that we're going to Africa just to bring back lions and other usual circus type animals. But when they sailed from England, they had determined also to hunt for a fabulous creature, a unicorn. The search started in a hot and dusty office in Kimberley where Clyde was questioning Sir Harry's eldest son about a letter he had sent to his invalid brother in England. You don't mind my calling you, Joffrey, do you? Of course not. Cavendish Bending is rather a mouthful. About this Rook fellow you mentioned in your letter to Aiden, is he a trustworthy person? Well, yes and no. He's one of those characters one finds here in Africa. One time he was young and strong, fresh out of Ireland, out here to find the largest diamond in the Kimberley. I suppose he didn't find it. No, like a lot of others he did not. Like a lot of others who were disappointed and disillusioned, he developed a great thirst. One that mere water could not satisfy. I see. How did he ever get in the region of Okavango where he was supposed to have seen the one horned beast? He became a trader and then a guide. A rather good one too, I'm led to believe. Do you believe his story about seeing a unicorn in the Okavango swamps? That's not an easy question to answer. Well, if you're in doubt, why did you write to your brothers if the story were true? You've met Aiden. You know what an intense little chap he is. Yes, I've met him. He has a great deal of faith in what he believes. And he also has faith in his brother, Joffrey. Ouch! You don't pull your punches, do you, Betty? In my business it doesn't pay. Well, all I can say is this. Rook claims to have seen the animal and so do quite a number of Nagami natives in my trouble to question. Their story sounded authentic. What it means is for others to decide. Where can I find Rook? He left Kimberley for Johannesburg only last week. Good. That's where I'm heading. And after that? The Okavango Swamp Country. Then you are going to search for the fabulous unicorn. I promised a small and very sick youngster that if there was a unicorn in Africa, I'd find him. And, Betty, I'm telling you. Because I'm alive, walking up and down, pounding this here table. I've seen that glorious creature with me own two eyes and sober two-eyes, mind you. Just tell me what he looked like, Rook. There we was. Me and a couple of men had gone in gun barriers. We had a great pound in the holes, like a great stag stomping out his authority. We'd push aside the brush and he rose up before our very eyes. The most splendorous beast it has ever been me privileged to view. What did he look like, Rook? Well, now. He was a size and confirmation or good to medium tall Irish hunter. What color was he? White, Mr. Betty. White as snow. Are you sure there were no streaks of color in his coat? Well, no. There might have been a touch or two, a flick, or maybe a color onto him. But for the most part, he were white. Did you note the tail? The tail was not like a horse. The hair onto it was short, except for a tuft at the end, like a lion. I see. And the horn? From the middle of his forehead sprouted a long, sharp, twisted horn like a narwhal's tusk. What did the animal do? Do. He sniffed at us and wrinkled his flared nostrils. Then he turned, glared full at me till I swear sparks was coming out of his eyes. Now, don't get carried away. He's a fact. He then stumped the ground with blows that had fractured elephants back. They blinked my eyes, then in a flash he was gone. Rook, did anyone ever tell you you should be a writer? Well, no. I didn't know they could turn a rather neat phrase. Turn it. You can make one roll over and do nip up. Very precious for them kind words. Have you told me the truth? From the soul. May I never meet my blessed mother in heaven if what I've told you is untrue. All right. Now, can you take me to the place where you saw this creature? To the exact spot. The precise clearing in the identical waterhole. Good. And let's go. Clyde, have you ever in your life heard anyone talk like our friend Rook? Never. Oh, I do hope he hasn't been handing us a lot of blarmy. Take quite an imagination to make up the stuff he's been telling us. There's only one thing that bothers me. What's that, honey? A man would have to live to be a thousand years old to have lived through all his experiences. That's a fact. Clyde, do you think he's eating us on a wild goose chase? I'm afraid so, honey. Why? What would he hope to gain? He gets paid for every day we're on the trail. I... Well, I just don't think anybody could be that cruel to a boy who's sick and whose heart is so full of faith. Sounds like that boy's not the only one with faith. Well, I... Here we are! This is it! It's Rook. He found the place. Yeah, on the right on time. Come on. This is the place, Clyde. The very place. Well, it looks like the one you described. There's the clearing. And there's the waterhole where the deasty was taking his drink. Well, if there was such an animal, he could be hundreds of miles away from here by now. I don't think so, Betty. What makes you say that? No, there's one hunting man to another. A wild animal that's different from the others has got to be stronger than them, or he'll be killed, right? Well, that's usually right. If the creature is stronger, he'll pick out a good territory to stake his claim and then defend it with his life. That makes sense. In that case, our unicorn's bound to be somewhere around this ear-waterhole. Failing a career as a writer, Rook, you'd have made a good detective. Thank you, sir. No. From here, we've got one or two choices. Namely, we chase all over the territory, follow one footprints, and hopin' and hopin'. Or... Or we sit right here, nice and cozy and snug and wait. Do you mean for the animal to show up here? If the other deductions is logical, he's bound to appear eventually. Which of the choices do you suggest we follow? Actually, Mr. Betty, in fact, he's giving me a diviment and my poor feet is kidding me. In other words, you're telling me we wait. Mr. Betty, you've guessed me actual thoughts. Harriet. Mm-hmm. Harriet, wake up, honey. Oh. Oh, it's morning. Not quite, but it'll be daylight very soon. Well, why the early call? Rook just walked me. We've got a new visitor at the spring. Oh, not the unicorn. No, just a lone bull elephant, probably an advanced scout for the herd. Get dressed and come on down. Is he still there, Rook? There he is. He sure givin' this spot the double O. No, what's all this about? Quiet. All right. But what's the idea? Please, honey, just watch. I'll explain later. That's all I've been getting for a week now. Shhh. Wait. I'll explain later. The elephant's moving off. He's seen what he wants. And I've seen all I want. What's so exciting about an elephant at a waterhole? At this particular waterhole, it's... Betty! Rook! Here. Look, look over there. It's a unicorn. If it isn't, it sure looks like one. See? See? I told ya! I told ya! Oh, you beautiful. I wish there were more daylight. It's hard to see. More light than this to see that curly horn. Yeah. But except for that horn, the animal looks pretty much like a kudu. But Clyde, didn't you say that kudus like other antelopes run in her? Not when they're as different as this one. It's probably an outcast. Don't you believe it? Uh-oh. The elephant's coming back. That'll scare our beauty away. Oh, look. He's stomping the ground. He's mad as a hornet. But that kudu's not only a freak. He's crazy. The elephant's charging. The unicorn's gonna stand up to him. Why, this is fantastic. The unicorn's lowered his head. He's dashing at the elephant. Well, this is something I never expected to see. How could you? I never believed there was such a thing as a unicorn. And then what happened, Mr. Beatty? The animal charged. He seemed to be aiming that twisted horn at the elephant's throat. You see, Father, you see? No, no, wait. You mustn't get too excited. It's according to legend, all right? The unicorn is fearless. He'll even battle an elephant. But do go on, Mr. Beatty. What happened? At the last moment, the elephant raised his head. One tusk struck the twisted horn and it snapped like a twig. Oh. I fired my rifle. And then both animals dashed off into the jungle. Well, are you disappointed, Aiden? Oh, no. No, I'm sure the unicorn was able to find a new waterhole. I knew you'd say that. And look, here's the part that broke off the unicorn's horn. Oh, thank you. Thank you. You know, I've been reading about unicorns, too. They're horns, I understand, have a quality for absorbing poison. Perhaps this one does, too. Perhaps, Mrs. Beatty, perhaps. Well, we'd better go now. Goodbye, Aiden. Good luck. Goodbye, my friends. Goodbye. And thank you. Thank you so very much. Well, honey, the little fella seemed pretty happy. Thanks to you, dear. Me? I didn't do anything. Well, you didn't tell him you thought his unicorn was just a crazy kudu. Well? Tell me, honey. Do you really think it was a kudu? You know, Harriet, right this minute, I'm not too sure. And now, here is the star of our show, Clyde Beatty. Hunting a unicorn was one of the strangest expeditions I've ever undertaken, but it was worth it to make that boy happy. The next time we meet, you'll hear another thrilling adventure. All stories are based upon incidents in the career of the world-famous Clyde Beatty and the Clyde Beatty Circus. The Clyde Beatty show is produced and transcribed by Shirley Thomas, written by Robert T. Smith and Frank Hart-Pausig. Music composed and conducted by Albert Glasser. All names used were fictional and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. This is a Commodore production.