 The challenge of the Yukon With this and strongest lead dog of the north country Blazing the trail for sergeant Preston of the Northwest mounted police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers Gold gold discovered in the Yukon a stampede to the Klondike in the greedy race for riches Now back to the days of the gold rush when sergeant Preston and his wonder dog king Battle through storm and snow to preserve law and order as they met the challenge of the Yukon In the gold nugget cafe favorite rendezvous the miners and prospectors of Dawson city Steve Carlton sat alone at a table in the corner Steve was dark clean shaven and rather handsome except for a surly expression and a cruel mouth He looked up and smiled as rose decrees one of the entertainers came to his table and sat down How I I got a talk to you We can't go on like this no more now listen honey. Let's not get into that again. Why did you marry me? You're not gonna tell people we can't live together. We need money to live together the way I want to live Want me to keep working in here? I shouldn't think you'd like the idea of your wife. I didn't say it after keep working here forever Just long enough to help me do something How can working here help you? Did you get acquainted with that green horn? I pointed out to you last night. Mr. Wiseman. Yeah, I went over and sat at a table after you left. Did you find out anything about him? I'll let him. What'd you find out? He's from California Doesn't know much about prospecting but wants to buy a gold claim Looks as if he had plenty of money. I have a good friend that Said he sold his ranch in the States and came up here to try his luck Maybe it's just what we're looking for What do you mean? If he comes in here tonight, I want to meet him. I might I'll be dancing with you and I'll pass this table You stop and introduce it. Steve, why do you want to meet him? You want to be married and live like other women, don't you? Except maybe easier But lots of pretty clothes and a nice house sure Steve. Well, then you've got to help me Maybe I'll sell my claim to Marsden said your claim wasn't any good Maybe it'll get good enough by the time Mr. Marsden gets ready to look at you mean You're gonna cheat him. I mean you better not ask too many questions You better beat it Rose. What's wrong? Oh, you mean because Sergeant Preston came in? Yeah Why do you always look like this whenever you see that mountain? Look if you'd like to murder I would I Hate him more than any man I ever knew why he's never done anything to you and he has I'll get away from here before he sees his talking No No, I won't go to you. Tell me what it is. Get out of here. I say all right, then Maybe I'll find out if I ask the sergeant. I'll ask him. No, come back here. Don't you dare ask him? Tell me that my brother was hanged on account of him No, brother You never told me you had a brother before you came up What did he do tell you some other time and that money watches me like a hook So get away from this table before he suspects we're working all right Steve, but I someday I'm gonna get him Him and that doggy Don't talk like that I'll help you with Marsden and then we'll go far away from me Please Don't talk about harm in a mountain. You know what that means. Are you gonna leave this table or do you want me to go off and let You sit here. All right, I'm going when my son gets here You'll find me over at the Faro table I'll look for you then I'll see you later Pete. Hello Bill. How about a song? Hello How are you here? How's the traffic? I find catch this window. Maybe you let fear by you three You sing French song no later on maybe I didn't even speak to your dog sergeant present. Hello there king You're some very happy in here. It's too smoky. I don't blame them. That's the way I'll see you. I'll see you later All right, well My define girl she was talking to Steve Carlton when I came in the air She's seen much of him Roger I have never seen such eyes like you You see everything Rose isn't hard to see in that red dress. Oh, she must be nice to all customers Yes, that's a business. I guess I was just wondering you do not like Steve Carlton. Oh, you know him pretty well Don't you care? Oh, he's mine. It is near my cabin, but but I do not see him much He is not so friendly. I don't see why he stays around here after what happened to his brother You think maybe Steve he was mixed up in that crime. We could never prove it Yeah, I have tell him about my bear cub that I catch would he never has come to see it Oh, how are you getting along with that bear to make a good bet? He's just quite big now Maybe you can stop me my cabin soon and see him. No, I'd like to matter of fact. I'm going north tomorrow morning I'll be right near your place. Why don't you stop and have breakfast? You know, I was hoping you'd say that yeah I remember the last breakfast you gave me you're the best cook. I know I'll be going past your place rather early though Well, that is fine me. I am up wrong before son I will give you good breakfast show you Michael Michael. That is what I call my bear I have named him after my uncle. All right. Yeah, I'll see you early tomorrow. Come on King Early the next morning Pierre loaded his stove with wood and then went outside the cabin to feed Michael his pet cub Who has chained to a stake outside? As he opened the door he cried out with alarm Michael Michael, where are you and through the woods following the tracks left by the bear? They led towards Steve Carlton's mind and then Pierre heard shots He ran as fast as he could toward the sound and again, he heard one as he approached the opening into Steve's mind Steve he has killed Michael My bear, where is he? What are you talking about? You you shot him. No, what are you snooping around here? I think maybe you shoot Michael you you see him maybe I haven't seen your bear But his track they come this way. I hear shot. I think Get out of here. That isn't why you came but why you shoot gun here in mine? Why you I see Steve You shoot gold into rock. Oh, you came to spy on me. Is that it? No, Steve. You do not do this You're salting mine maybe for to sell to someone You shoot gold into rock with shotgun. Then same mine is too rich Oh, you know on about soft no mine. Do you Frenchie? I suppose your friend sergeant Preston told you to watch we had given report That is not sure But but this it is against law. Well, you really stuck your nose into something this time my friend To me me. I'm old man. I If you are honest and do not try to sell this mine, I I will say nothing. Good job tooting. You'll say nothing. You'll pry an old fool. I'm gonna say to it that you don't Steve what you mean? It's just too bad. You decided to look in here right now Because you're not leaving this wine I cut some shells for this gun that i've loaded with gold. They got buckshot in them And i've got to use them Meanwhile sergeant Preston drove his dog team up to Pierre's cabin Discovering it to be empty. He walked around the house and saw the old man's tracks plainly outlined in the snow beside the broken chain Looks like the bear cut away king Maybe we better follow him. What do you say? Come on king. We'll follow his tracks here. I may need our help Let's go one way and here Come on king. That's Pierre Find him king. He's in that wine. I got that gun. You're under arrest. You won't take me alive Get up steve. Leave that gun on the ground. Don't try anything or i'll let him take you apart Stand up against the side of the mine while I have a look at Pierre. Keep him there king. Don't let him move I will and you'll hang for murder just the way your brother did. Put out your hands and handcuffing us Do you want king to convince you? No. Pierre de Bois. I'll get you first Preston Somehow Sergeant Preston thought he had seen the last of him But it was only the beginning of one of the most dangerous adventures the malty had ever experienced One night weeks later Rose de frieze jumped up an alarm when she heard a knock on her window I mean you've got a way from constable to can they be around to tell how You didn't kill a monk with self-defense wrap this blanket around you Oh, he wanted to do it. I couldn't come to talk to you at the trial. I couldn't tell people you were my husband Why didn't you let me help you? I'd do I'd get away somehow I didn't want anyone to know They'd be watching you fight that away Just can't believe you're here and when I had to let you go Without even saying goodbye Don't cry now Steve I'll find you nobody'll find me if you'll help me They'd never dream of looking right here in the hotel You can hide me in this room for a day or so It's so good to see I I can't believe you deliberately murdered me I never believe who you believe the truth We had a fight try to kill me first Was an accident We were struggling for the gun Went off like I said But Preston has always hated me they took his word for it when he said I shot the air All right I guess when you're in love with someone you Believe what you want to believe about it. I know you'll stick by me. What are you planning to do? Do you any money? I'll say the little enough to buy supplies for a trip across the border, maybe not enough to buy a dog team They're taking you with me Oh, but Steve You must take me with you. I'm strong. I can carry a pack I'll buy supplies enough and we'll get across the border somehow to Alaska To start all over again Somewhere new where nobody knows A trip like that is too hard for a woman. I'm not for me Steve I won't let you go without me I'm your wife I love you. All right before we cross the border. I have a couple of things to do. What? What do you mean never mind Tomorrow you get those supplies bring them in a few at a time during the day so people won't notice that I will see And you better inquire around and find out where sergeant Preston is Sergeant Preston Why Steve why do you want to know there? You don't think I want to get caught Find out where he is I'll know where to go to avoid them. Oh, I'll find out for you. I'll find out tomorrow One more trip today will be ready Uh-huh. He's going to 40 miles. We'll take him two days to get there. He's probably there now 40 mile We better head south before he gets back 40 miles down the way to the border You don't want to go there a person there. We can watch ourselves I see that we don't meet him on the trail Steve You're planning to kill him That's why you want to go that way. What are you talking about? Don't you see that it makes sense to go that way If Preston comes back from 40 mile without seeing us on the trail, he'll be sure we didn't go that way Rose Why don't you trust me? I do trust you on me But I'm afraid if you cared anything about me, you'd believe me Steve I I do I'll go wherever you want me to Now you're talking We'll leave on the trail of 40 mile tonight Or three days Rose plotted doggedly at Steve's side on the trail toward 40 mile The pack she carried was heavy But Steve rumbled when she wanted to rest and she knew she was slowing him down Hope we make 40 miles by tonight We come too far already Oh, don't you think we ought to make camp and then I don't know why it's what It ain't much better time alone We'll make 40 mile tonight This pack is so heavy It's a dog team coming Get off the trail. Come on back here in the woods behind that big group of fruit trees. I'm coming All right. Don't be around spending a minute. Oh wait, Steve. I can't run with but it's heavy bag. I'll help you Come on Here behind these trees I didn't see that long Here, I'll take your arm. Come on My ankle has All you want to do is kill press stop. I can't walk on get up on your feet and try it that camp out here forever Try stepping on it hard. You can stand a little pain. I can't do it. Sit here in the wilderness and starve Only we had a dog idea I'll go to 40 mile and leave you here I'll borrow a dog team and get more supplies come back after you. You wouldn't just leave me sure. I'll come back What do you take me for buy some wood here beside you and leave enough food I'll be back tomorrow be alone out here in the wilderness I'll see you steam all in freight. That's all we can do. I tell you If you leave the gun, we then perhaps if you know not how to shoot a gun You'll be safe with a fire If it gets dark for a while, quit worrying I'll get some wood dick darkness closed down around roads as she sat alone frightened and helpless As the long hours passed she piled wood on the fire to keep the flames leaping high And the supply beside her dwindled fast Then suddenly an eerie cry cut through the silence a cry that sent a chill of fear through her practically she put more of the precious wood on the flame And then the cry came again from another direction Agent Preston returning on the trail from 40 mile Faulted his dog team and prepared to camp for the night As he started to unhitch his dogs King standing beside him suddenly sniffed the wind Pricked his ears forward and growled What's the matter king? Oh Those are only thunder wolves boy. They've never bothered to before The last of the wood on the tiny flame and her cry for help made the fiery eyes draw back Which form of the wolf technically now? Closer closer it came And the other wolf began to circle behind her A gasp of horror sprang from the girl's lips as she saw the animal crouched full of spring and she covered her face with her arms But at that moment another gray form sprang from the darkness as the huge body of king hurtles face I shot the other one Your dog's face these slices didn't do boy I hope he doesn't hurt bad. He'll be all right. What on earth are you doing here alone? I'd Blame my ankle. I broke it. I couldn't walk My husband and I were going to 40 miles He he went on alone to get help your husband But I didn't know he was married. Who's he? You don't know funny. I didn't meet him on the trail. I just came from 40 miles Oh Something must have happened to him. Well, I'll get you back to my dog sled. There's a cabin a few miles from here belongs to a Trapper, I know Did you hear me screaming? Is that how you happened to come? We were pretty far from here, but king must have heard you and that's how we happened to come I hope my life to that dog might have happened if he had to come Don't think about that rose now. We'd better get you to jen's cabin as soon as we can Trapper's small windowless cabin was furnished crudely Rose sat on the only chair beside the table on which a lamp burned dimly Some dry spruce branches in the corner served as a bed Sergeant Preston put more wood on the fire in the small stove there. That should hold it for a while Good to be warm again. How's the ankle now? Much better since you're bandied. Good. Well, I guess we better go back in the woods and cut some new branches for this bed These are all dried up. You're doing too much. Don't bother. That won't take long I guess jet must be away looking over his trap line. Nobody's been here for a day or so Come on king. Want to go with me? We won't be going long. All right, sergeant Please he saved my life. I don't care what he did was too dark to shoot him on the trail for why I was hiding This dog team was too fast. I couldn't catch up. Oh Steve, put down that gun. You keep quiet One yell out of you and I'll choke you up. Don't get away from me. Stand right here behind us and see You didn't care anything about me The only reason you came back to me was to get money for supply. The only reason I came back after I escaped Was to get Preston. I've been such a fool You've left me there in the woods to die You killed Preston on the trail. I could have made the border before they found him Nothing but a murderer But if you kill a Monty They'll get you for it. I did kill a Monty. I killed the constable who was taking me to Ottawa And now I'm getting another one When he comes in that door the light will be right in his eyes I've got another bullet for that dog. Oh Steve, please Go away before it's too late. Stay quiet One sound out of you and you'll get a bullet through the back of your head As sergeant Preston neared the cabin his arms full of spruce branches He heard a deep growl from king beside him. What's the matter boy? Some kind of animal around? A great dog had caught the scent of a man that he remembered A man who had once tried to kill his master Desperately he pressed against the Monty's leg growling and whining to warn him of his danger The trail of the man led to the cabin door and king knew that's where he was waiting What his master was walking directly toward that danger Again king growled and barked What are you trying to tell me fellow? King realized that the sergeant didn't know his danger Then frantically the big dog tugged at the Monty's pocket growling and whining trying to tell him to stop Here let go king. What's the matter with your boy? What's bothering you? Inside the cabin Rose sat tensely Her fingernails digging into the wood of the table beside her Her clenched teeth holding back the scream of warning that welled up inside her And then as the door opened slowly She suddenly swung her arm and the lamp beside her crashed to the floor As steve's gun roared in the darkness a gray shape leaped through the doorway As king hurtled straight at the man who was trying to kill his master Where are you There's a lantern on the shelf somewhere hold him king watch him Take this dog away like old mute What's wrong here what steve steve carlton Get this pair off of me. I ought to let him tear you to pieces. I've got his gun king get back fella, but watch him My arm get up You're lucky. It wasn't your throat. All right sergeant. Did those shots? I missed me ther eggs Thanks to your breaking that lamp rose should have killed her first. I wouldn't have helped much steve King warned me that something was wrong. It'd been a window in this cabin. I'd have known what it was I wasn't in that doorway when you fired. I was beside it holding king But the dog I thought he was when you knocked the lamp down rose. I let him go I knew king could see in the dark that rotten dog but hadn't been found yet That'll do steve Once again, you're under arrest and this time i'll guarantee that your case will be closed forever The challenge of the ucon a copyrighted feature is brought to you each week at this time and all characters names and incidents used are fictitious Listen again next week to another exciting adventure during the days of the gold rush El prowl speaking this program came to you from detroit Does this sound familiar? driver of grocery truck and trailer kidnapped merchandise hijacked Hijackers barricade roads steel truckload of soap Yes, those items sound like they came from the headlines, don't they? As a matter of fact, they were part of a david harding counter spy show broadcast not so long ago On this particular broadcast david harding and the counter spies set out after a fictitious band of hijackers But the drama sounded so real that many listeners phoned in congratulating producers of the show on their timeliness Another thing that enhanced the reality of this fictional story Was the fact that the fbi had cracked down on a ring of 21 hijackers just the day before But it isn't unusual for counter spy to mirror the headlines The fresh new subject matter is constantly in keeping with the times For 30 minutes of suspenseful excitement catch