 The challenge of the Yukon! Un-King! Un-New-History! The Wonder Dog King, swiftest and 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 Monod Police who preserved long order in the new Northwest country where the greed for wealth and power led to frequent violence and bloodshed. But in spite of the odds against them, Sergeant Preston and his Wonder Dog King met that challenge and justice ruled triumphant! Bane Stillwell stood on the deck of the Lula Bell as it steamed up the Lewis River towards Selkirk. In spite of the beauty of the scenery before her, her face looked troubled as she talked to her younger brother, Jim. I wish you'd let me keep the math, Jim. It's so important to let anybody know about it. Stealing gold claims is one of the commonest crimes up here, they say. What do you think, I'm a baby? The math's safe with me. I don't like the company you've been keeping on this boat. Oh, must we go into that again? You were drinking last night, Jim. Well, what if I was? I'm nineteen. A man should know how to... Don't quote Dirk Rothers to me. He knows his way around. He's been in this territory ten years. He's nothing but a cheap gambler. Before we reach Selkirk, you'll have most of your money. Huh, that's where you're wrong, sis. So far, I'm way ahead. So you have been gambling. Oh, please, Jim. Let me keep the math until we reach Selkirk. Oh, all right. It's half yours anyway. Here. You haven't mentioned this to anybody, have you? Oh, Jane, stop nagging me. I'm going inside for a while. I have to meet somebody. Be careful, Jane. Hello, Dirk. Hi, Sam. How are you? Is it on me or your hand? One drink first. No, thanks. I think I had too much last night. You sure had a good time talking. I guess I said a lot that didn't make sense. You sure had big plans about what you were going to do when you found that claim on your grandfather's map. Map? You mean I said something about a map? He doesn't even remember. Why, even off to help you find the claim. How many chips you want, son? Or, say, I left my wallet and my other trousers. Excuse me a minute. I'll get it. You think we scared him away? No, I don't think so. We had to find out. Do you think there is a map? Sure there is. Didn't you see how he acted? But if it hadn't been for that sister of his, he'd have brought it back last night. He hasn't only given him a couple of knockout drops. No, nothing like that. His sister's too smart. Let's let him win some more money tonight. That'll give him confidence in us. And we can keep friendly after we land in Selkirk. Two days later, in the town of Selkirk, the captain of the Northwest Monod Police answered a timid knock on his door. Well, King, down boy. Well, how do you do? Are you Sergeant Preston Northwest Monod Police? Yes, I am. Won't you come in? Thank you. I'm Jane Stillwell. I came to your help. What, sit down? Well, don't worry, King won't hurt you. He's a beautiful dog. Hello, boy. Sergeant Preston. My brother and I came from the States two days ago. We don't know anything about the country and have no friends. Well, now it looks as though we might be in trouble. Well, I'll be glad to help you. There's nobody I can trust. I had no idea how rough it was up here. It's not a very pleasant place for a woman. It frightens me. We came up here to look for a mine that my grandfather discovered. Recently? No. Many years ago, long before the gold rush started, he came back to Ohio and gemmed up a little. Our parents were killed suddenly, and he came back to take care of us. He had plenty of money, but planned to come back here when we were old enough, and then he got ill and we couldn't do it. That happened to many old prospectors. He died, most of his money was gone, but he left us this map showing where his gold claim was. You're the only one I dare tell about it. And now you say you're in trouble. My brother missing them on the boat. Well, they aren't very good influence on him. They keep trying to gain his confidence, and I'm afraid of them. I'd like to get Jane away from here as soon as possible. Any idea where this claim of your grandfather's is? Here's the map. I guess I'm safe showing it to you. He had a partner called Moussir Jake. Such an odd name, I thought maybe... Moussir Jake? Well, yes, I've heard of him. He lives somewhere up in the wilderness east of Dawson. He's rather an odd old fellow. It's like a hermit. Would his place be near that cross on the map? Yes, it would, but I hate to disappoint you. I doubt you'll find any gold there. Why do you say that? Well, old Moussir is rather crazy. He dresses in rags, they say, and won't have anything to do with anybody. Doesn't like people. He comes in for supplies once in a while, but he hasn't any money. But surely grandfather must have told the truth. We must see Moussir after coming this far, if he's still alive. Nobody ever suspected. Tell you what I'll do. I have to make a patrol to Dawson. Moussir's place is east of there, but I could take you. It wouldn't be too much out of the way. Oh, that would be wonderful. I could hardly let you two go into that wilderness alone, especially to see anyone like Moussir. I'd be very grateful to you. You could see him, and if he isn't cordial, which I'm sure he won't be, you and your brother can go on to Dawson with me. Here's your map. Thank you. That's so nice of you. When could we start? I was planning to leave tomorrow. Well, the sooner the better. I'll go right back and tell Jim. Oh, and incidentally, it might be a good idea to leave quietly without telling anyone you're going. The following afternoon, Sam Hawkins burst into Dirk Carruthers' room breathless with excitement. Dirk, they've gone. What? Who? The kid, Jim and his sister. That's not possible. I didn't have any dogs. Check out early. Went with a Mountie. With a Mountie? It's that sister of his. She did this. I just about had Jim talked into letting us in on it. Oh, and me. Deliberately losing 10 bucks to him again last night, so he'd trust us. Well, there's nothing we can do now. I guess there is. We can follow them. Yes, follow them. Andy, go out and find which direction they took. I'll get a dog team. As Preston, Jim, and Jane approached the small cabin of Moosey or Jake far back in the wilderness, a strange little old man appeared at the door. A scraggly gray beard matched the wild gray hair that fell almost to the shoulders. He was thin and stooped, but peered at them belligerently, a gun ready in his hand. Suddenly, he let out a shrill who dropped his gun and rushed toward young Jim. You come back to me. What? You know what you would. I've been waiting for you. And, Jonathan, I... Oh, these people. Well, this is my sister, Jane. And this is Sergeant Preston. Well, tell him to go along. We don't want those things. Jonathan, you ain't changed your mind. You look younger than ever. Well, I'm afraid you think I'm my grandfather. Come, Jonathan. I've got to show you something. Oh, Moosey. These people are the grandchildren of Jonathan. They've come to see you about time. Well, who is he, Jonathan, and their girl? Tell him to go along. Oh, but this is my sister. Well, you shouldn't have brought her. Come along, Jonathan. Yes, you can't convince him, Jim. Maybe you'd better go with him. I won't talk to Jane. Come along, Jonathan. I saved it all for you. I want to show you. All right, Moosey. I'm coming. He... He's sort of crazy, isn't he? He's so old, he's childish. I don't know whether it's safe to leave you here. He doesn't seem dangerous. Jonathan was my grandfather's name. Thanks, grandfather's come back. You see, Jim looks like him. Jim probably looks just the way your grandfather did when Moosey met. Well, as long as he thinks the head, I'm sure we'll be safe with him. He's lived alone so long, he's unpredictable. I know what I'll do. I have to go to Dawson, but I'll be back in a couple of days. I think I'll leave King with you until then. He'll protect you until Moosey gets used to having you around. Are you sure you can spare him? Oh, yes. Come here, King. How about it, fella? Will you take care of Jane? Of course you will. Thank you, Sergeant. I'll feel perfectly safe now. I wish I were doing Dawson's alone and stay around myself for a while. Well, don't worry a bit. Jim and King will take care of me and, as you say, in two days we'll know all about Moosey. Moosey here, chuckling happily, led Jim to the hill not far from the cabin. You remember, Jonathan? Remember this, please? Ain't nobody coming, is he? No, Moosey, nobody's around. Come on, Jonathan. Behind these bushes. Glad you ain't grown fat. You wouldn't get through this opening. I can just about squeeze through. Oh, it's a cave. Hey, you ain't forgot, have you? I'll just light this candle. I'm going to show you the storeroom. Hey, see what I saved? Look here. This is mine on this side and here's yours. You didn't take all of it when you left me and I'd been working and working and dividing half and half like we said we would. You remember? Are all these sacks full of gold? Yeah, sure they are. Look. Ain't it pretty, Jonathan? They're my nuggets from my brook hidden back here. Every day I come in and count them and hold them. Gold. Gold, Jonathan. So pretty and so shiny. But Moussir, why do you live in that little shack? Why don't you spend some of this? Sir, I don't want nothing more. Now that you've come back just you working with me and looking at my gold taken out of the earth and the water. It was two days later Jim and Moussir had left for the mine and Jane was busily sweeping the cabin and she talked to King who lay on a corner watching her. King, old fella. Yes, Dijon Preston could have taken you with him after all. Moussir actually said good morning to me. Aw, you're lonesome for your master, aren't you, boy? Right. Why, you're... you're Dirk Carruthers. Yeah, just paying a little call. Sam and Andy are bringing your brother and Moussir back from the mine. Why, you? Hang on to that dog. I don't like the looks of him. I'll do nothing of the sort. Never mind. I know a better way to keep him quiet. Don't shoot. Get him, King! Watch him, boy. Now you move and I'll shoot. Get this dog off. Tell them not to harm my brother or I'll tell King to finish what he started. Get this dog off me, and I will. Back, King. But watch him, boy. Play off for a while, Sam. If you hear a shot in here, kill Jim. This is a situation. Looks like we're all stymied for a while. As Sergeant Preston neared Moussir's cabin he wondered why King didn't come to meet him. Then he heard angry voices shouting. He stopped his team and crept toward them silently. Get a bullet through your skull. Moussir, be quiet. This man means what he said. Nobody ain't telling me now. Drop that gun. You're covered. I'm out of here. Pull up your hands. Both of you. Sergeant Preston. Get his gun, Jim. Here it is. Where's Jane? She's in the cabin. Dork's in there. Your dog's got him caught. Go and bring Dork out here, Jim. Jane! Jane! Sergeant Preston's here. Now you two stand together. I'm handcuffing you. Waiting for Jonathan to come back. Keep watching him, boy. I'll line up with those two, Dork. I'm taking you to town. Sergeant, I'm so glad to see you. I guess you'll be safe now, Jane. You won't leave me, will you, Jonathan? No, Moussir. Jim, or Jonathan, as you call him, will stay with you for a while. King and I will take care of these three. That cur... Watch it, Dork. King's going to be your shadow all the way to Dawson. Perhaps you'd better be nice to him. Yes, fella. You did a fine job. These copyrighted dramas originate in the studios of WXYZ Detroit, and all characters, names, places, and incidents used are fictitious. They are sent to you each week at the same time and reach you from our transcription studios. Hal Neill speaking. This is the Michigan Radio Network.