 The challenge of the Yukon. I'm king on your skis. The wonder dog king, swiftest and strongest, Gvescomoli 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 new Northwest country where the greed for wealth and power led to frequent violence and bloodshed. Sergeant Preston and his wonder dog king met that challenge and justice ruled triumphant. In an isolated spot on the Klondike River, young Ben Ginney lived alone with his father. It was early spring but deep snow still covered the ground. Ben was taking advantage of the longer day and had been out setting his trap since dawn. It was almost noon when he approached his father's cabin. He stopped when he saw that the door was open and heard men's voices. He stole softly to the side of the open door and listened. There's a law. This is my claim. The law ain't gonna know about it, at least until we're out of the territory. And then, maybe you won't be able to tell them, isn't I gonna split this goal we found hidden away? Then we're gonna help you work your claim. Some of my friends will find out. You're never gonna be alone if someone comes visiting. You're gonna introduce us as two of your partners. And there'll be a gun in my pocket in case you get other ideas. Hey, Nick. How was wrong, Ed? There must be a kid living here with him. Found some kids clothes in the back room there. Is that right? Have you got a kid? No. I mean, he isn't here. Now we can see that. Where is he? He went away. He's staying in town. It'll be just too bad for him when he gets back. We can't be bothered watching a kid and you too. I wish Ben had been around when you came. He could have gone for help. I'm afraid he wouldn't have got very far. Me and Ed can run awful fast if we have to. Anyway, the nearest help is ten miles from here. We checked that, too. Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police was returning from Pen Patrol. White Eagle, his favorite Indian guide at that territory, was with him. They drove the dog team down the precarious mountain trail slowly. The sun was sinking in the west and the snow dazzling white over the valley below them. The valley's pretty with the sun on it, White Eagle. The sun go down soon. Look, hooking! Why you stopped him? Look down there in the valley. Isn't that someone walking? Let me see him. I wonder how he got so far off the trail. Wait, I'm going to have a look at him to my field glasses. How do you think he'd get in the middle of big snowfield? I don't know. Looks like a child. Going around in circles. White Eagle, he's fallen. I have to get to him. How do you get there? I'll go down there on skis. He can follow me, I think. You take the dog team. For me, meet you somewhere? That boy must live somewhere near here. You go into the roadhouse as we planned. I'll take the boy home. Maybe, boy, not able to tell you where he lives. I'll be able to backtrack him, I think. He's left the trail yard wide in the snow. Oh, roll up a blanket for me, will you? I'll pack it down there. It'll be almost frozen. Me, too. It'll be heavy going for you, King, old boy. I'll go a lot faster than you do, but I have an idea you'll catch up with me. Hey, there, young fellow. Wake up. Now, let me wrap this blanket around you. What? What's he? Well, your eyes are swollen because you're a snow-blind son. Now, don't worry. You'll be all right soon. My dad, he's... Take it easy. Don't try to talk. I'm so tired. I'm going to carry you home. Come on, son, over my shoulder. Now, don't try to talk. I'll follow your trail back. I'm sleepy. Well, you made it, King. Good boy. Come on, we're taking this boy home. Yeah. I'm sleepy, too. I guess we'd better tie our house. You don't mind if I call you by your first name, do you? Now that we're partners. I... I'm not sleepy. Where are you going to be tied up, anyway? You might get the idea of going visitin' their stuff. Now, get over there on that car. Please. Let me stay up a while longer. He's acting awful, funny. What you so nervous about? I guess you'd be nervous, too, if someone moved in on you the way you two did. He's right, Ed. But you're going to go to bed just to see him. You're going to be tied up. Nick, did you hear something? Yeah, I did. And listen. You're going to be tied up. You're going to be tied up. Nick, did you hear something? Yeah, I did. And listen. Somebody's out there. I had to get behind her out. Keep that gun in your pocket and keep it pointin' at him. Maybe it's a kid. If it's my son, please don't. I'll do anything. Yeah, but you're a son. You better behave. The first one to move out of you and he's a dead pigeon. I won't do anything. I promise. Keep the gun on him, Ed. I'll go out and see who's coming. I'll watch him. What? What? Why, uh, yes, uh, bring him in. Go on in, King. My son. Where did you find him? Down in the valley. He went snow-blind. Give him to me. Ben, are you all right, son? He's asleep. He's completely exhausted. I'll put him here on this car. Oh, you're Monty? Yes, I'm Bill Preston. Sit down. I'm Nick. This is Ed. Howdy. We're Ralph's partner. Is Ralph a boy's father? Yeah. Ben's all right. His feet and hands aren't frozen. Well, it's better put him right to bed. Let him sleep. I'll carry him into his room. Here and back. Put him to bed. Oh, uh, but let me have a look at him. I'll put him to bed, Ralph. You better make some hot tea for the sergeant. But, uh, I... You make some tea. The sergeant and I will take care of Ben. Well, all right. I'll carry him. He's heavy. I'll bring a lamp. Come on, King. Was he able to talk to you at all, sir? No. No, he wasn't. He was too exhausted. There. There. He'll be better off in here. We better get his boots off. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Now, that ain't gonna be just covered up. He'll be all right. He's cold, that's all. Better get another blanket for him. Oh, sure. Sure. How do I... King. King, old boy. Here, fella. Down beside him, King. Listen, fella. Got him. You hear? Guard him. He's got a blanket. Oh, uh, I'll take it. I put my dog up beside him to warm him up. You'd better get some sleep yourself, sergeant. You look all in. Well, I am pretty tired. I'll turn in as soon as I've had some tea. Is Ben all right? Don't worry about him. You'd better sit down, sergeant. Thanks. Um, here's your tea. Oh, thanks a lot. This will sure taste good. You, uh, planning to stay here tonight? Oh, I hope so. Oh, yes. You must stay. Of course you'll stay, Ralph. He's too tired to go any farther tonight. I certainly am. You can sit in the cot over there near Ben's room. It'll be fine. Did, uh, Ben say anything to you, sergeant? Well, no, he didn't. Uh, where did you say you found him? Down in the valley. Struggling too deep snow? Down in the valley. And you carried him all this way? I'm pretty tired. You'd better go to bed right away, sergeant. I guess some sleep will help. Sure will. Do you say you all live here? Yeah. Yeah, we're Ralph's partners. I, uh, age-way Ralph. Yes. Yes, you are. I'm, uh, sorry I'm so tired. Why don't you lie down right now? We can talk in the morning. I think I will, if you don't mind. I'll be leaving early in the morning. Maybe I'd better say goodbye now. Thanks for the bed. Oh, thank you for saving Ben. You're making that big kid up these hills enough to wreck anybody. Oh, uh, you want us to wake you up? I'll wake up for all of you, I'm sure. I'm sure it feels good. Then go right to sleep, sergeant. Watch the boy, will you? We'll watch him all right. Don't you worry. Come on, Ralph. You'd better lie down, too. What are you going to do? That ain't for you to worry about. Please, take care of Ben. Let me go to him. You're staying right here. That mounting sure was tired. He's asleep already. Don't be too sure. Now, come on, Ralph. We'll turn you off for the night. Ben, you sleep on the outside of his bed. There ain't room for two people. He's still in do as I say. What do we do, Nick? The kid wakes up in the morning. You tell him we ain't Ralph's partners. Get over on that bed, Ralph. I'm going. But, Nick, the kid... Don't worry. I'll fix him during the night. But the Mountie will know. I'll just hold the pillow over him. He'll die of exhaustion. No, Nick. That Mountie's too smart. We'll wake the Mountie early. He'll be gone before the time for the kid of Ralph to wake up. Maybe we ought to take care of him, too. Oh, no. I'm not asking for that kind of trouble. Get Ralph tied up. I'll take care of the kid later. Sergeant Preston and the ladies sound asleep on his cotton as a door to the back room. Ralph, securely tied and gagged lay, helpless on the opposite side. Nick walked quietly toward Ben's bedroom, followed by Ed, who was holding a dimly lighted lamp. I'll get this pillow. Take him away and shoot this dog. Dad! Look out, Nick. Hold him, King. Hang on to him. I've got you wet. Get up. You get out of bed and light a lamp. Good. Take this dog away. Take him away. Watch him, King, and keep him there. Get that gun for me, son. They're on the floor. All right, King. Back, fella. Hide him up. Get up, Nick. That devil almost killed me. I was just going to help the kid. You were yesterday, and you were going to steal our gold and our queen. Enough of that. Get into the other room, you two. Come on, Ben. We'll see what's happened to your dad. Oh, bring the lamp. You think they killed him? No, he's all right, son. He's just gagged and tied. All right? You and Nick stand right there, and don't try to get away. Well, you watch them, King. I'll get that gag out of his mouth. His hand's untied. He's been all right. I'm all right, Dad. Sergeant, I never thought you'd find out who these men were. Your face told me a lot when I came in tonight, Ralph. You look frightened. And when you didn't dare leave the room to go in and see your son, I knew something was wrong. So, all that sleeping was just pretending? I put King in with Ben, told him to watch him. I knew Ben was safe, but I couldn't figure out just what you two planned to do. I couldn't tell you. I was afraid they'd hurt Ben. I knew Ben went for help because I saw a shadow beside the open door when he came home from trapping. They planned to kill him. Kill him? Never mind, Ralph. The law will take care of that. I never thought about that dog of yours. I told you we shouldn't get out of here. You couldn't get out. King and I didn't sleep a wink all night, did we, fella? The copyrighted drama has originated in the studios of WXYZ Detroit, and all characters, names, places, and incidents used are fictitious. They are sent to you each week at this same time. This is Larry McCann.