 Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous trails, fighting the many enemies of nature. This is the job of the guardian of the forest, Ranger Bill, pouring rain, freezing cold, blistering heat, snow, floods, bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions. Yes, all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done. Ranger work involves many things regarding animals, nature, and people. If one isn't kicking over the traces, the other one is. But that's what makes being a ranger a good life. Oh, there's a monotonous lot of work too. Every year we have to count wildlife herds and flocks, spend days riding the countless trails and fire lanes to keep an eye on things. But not too infrequently, we run into something different and unusual. And that's what happens in our story today. Let's call this one Terror on Finger River. We're in the Finger River country now. The Finger River is called by this name because of the many backwater areas that branch off the river. The Finger River itself runs into the Pacific Ocean and for several miles in from the sea, it has a mixture of fresh and salt water. It's a great fishing river because of the numerous fingers that run off the main river and make excellent fishing and also hunting areas. A series of events took place that demanded our activities on the Finger River to begin. There's the marker, boy, Pablo. See, Senior Paul. That trot line ought to yield a good catch. See, it should. This is a good place. Okay, drop anchor while I get the sacks ready. See, Senior. Here's your gloves. Pablo, begin hauling the line now. Yeah. I'll unload the hooks. Are you ready, Senior? Pull it in. Look at the hook. Only the head is there. Hey, I wonder what scavenger fish is around here. Pull up the next one. See, Senior. Dumpin' swordfish. Another one the same way. I hope the whole line is not like this. Well, haul it in. We'll find out. There he goes, Rod. Good shot, Rod. Thanks. Some mornings it does pay to get up. One more and I've got my limit. Hey, there goes another one. Well, I guess that does it this time. I guess we might as well retrieve our birds and go home. You said it. No sense sitting out here in the blind when we've bagged our limit. Ah, right. Although it's a lot more comfortable wearing these new type insulating suits than it used to be. Remember how we used to shimmer and shake? Do I? I chipped all the enamel off my teeth because I couldn't stop chattering. Let's go. Yeah, go ahead and climb on the boat. I'll hand this stuff to you. Watch it. You get seasick there. Everything aboard, Commodore? Yes, sir, Admiral. You can shove off now. Maybe you'd better untie the boat first. Yeah, I guess I'd better. Oh, boy, that's sure. It looks a far long way from here. Yeah, it sure does. Well, take her away. Stare me to the birds. We've got seven of them to pick up. A little bit to the right. That's good. Now lift your right oar and I'll pick up the bird as we go by. What was that, Ben? Ben, what was that noise? Did something wrong? Why, your white is a sheet. Where's my gun case? Ben, you know we never carry a working gun in the boat. We are this time, friend. What's the matter with you? You're nervous as a cat. Hey, don't point that gun at me. Sorry. What did you see come out of the water? You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Ben, what was it? A barracuda. A barracuda? Yep, it came out of the water like a flash. It grabbed the bird and took off. I saw its head. It's got a long mouth and it was open. A row of needle teeth all along the top and the bottom. Pretty good time, don't you think, Max? Hey, ain't got no argument there, alright? Sure beats walking. Yep, that it does. Even beats running. I'll circle low over the cove. I'll land and taxi to the dock. You're running this flying machine. Just get us down one hunk. I don't hanker after no bath that ain't Saturday night. Hey, what's that big thing in the water? Where? Right below us. Great, Scott. What is it? You tell me. I'll circle round again so we can get a better look at it. It ain't no log, that's for sure. It's got to be a fish because we ain't got no gators around here. I'll try to get lower here so we can take a good look. Funny told, it sure is a monster. Never seen any fish that big in the finger river. Look at it, just lolly gagging around there. What? Mine must be six or seven feet long. You're right. I've never had anything that size in the finger river. I'll come around for landing. The float's hitting the water, I'll scare it off. You know something, Mark, about that big fish that is? What, you think you recognize it, Max? Not for certain, but it appears to me it might be one of them they're barracuda monsters. You really think so? Well, I ain't for certain, but I know if it is. If it's one of them barracuda fish we're in trouble. Them fellas has got a mouthful of razor blades for tea. It didn't take but a few hours for the stories of the three groups of men to get around the town of Finkers. Soon, most of the fishermen and the hunters were gathered in a supply store called the Trading Post. It's a usual practice for these sportsmen to gather here and compare notes, listen for tips and where the best fishing and hunting is. But on this day, the gathering had a different purpose. It wasn't the usual joking and good natured talk. It usually goes on the Trading Post. All right, all right, hold it down, everybody. Paul, you say that five of your trot lines had the fish bodies bitten right off and the heads remained on the hook? That's right, Rod. Something big took out of the hooked fish. Pablo, bring that line over here and show the boys. See, Senor Paul? Here, Senors, is what is left of a good day's catch. Great day in the morning. Some of these fish are pretty big and are bitten clean in two. I've never seen anything like this before in my life. Must have been the same monster that grabbed off our ducks and almost got Ben's hand a boot. What did this thing look like, Senor Ben? It was a big and long fish, Pablo. How long was it? Well, that I couldn't say for sure, but I did see the head and he opened jaws. And I still think it was a barracuda. How could it be a barracuda this far up the river? That ain't no... You aren't Ben's telling you, fellas? Why do you know, Max? Did you see it? I sure did, Paul. Me and Art came into the Coban Arts Plain, and there it was, it's biggest life, lollygagging in the water right below us, and took off as soon as the floats hit the water. That's the truth, men. We saw it. I'd say it was six or seven feet long. Senors, this is very bad for all of us. I agree with Pablo, but how can we be sure it's a barracuda? Yeah, that's what I say. Let's not jump off the deep end until we know for sure. I think we can give you the proof. What kind of proof, Max? Art and I seen something when he was walking over here that'll give you all the proof you need, Ben. Where is it? Back along the riverbank. Let's go take a look. That poor dog. He really got it. He looks like he's been shredded with a thousand razor blades. Yeah, we asked for it, Max. Man, I've seen all the proof I need. Nobody's gonna get me on the river now. The next time, it might be one of us. Now, Max says he's almost sure it's a barracuda. Well, I ain't for certain, but pretty nearly so. If it ain't a barracuda fish, I'll eat that thing tailin' all. How can we fight and kill a barracuda? It's not so much. I'm living off this river. How about calling the rangers? Yeah, why not? I hear that the boss ranger Bill Jefferson's a pretty smart ombre. I'll see, senior Ben. I hear many good things about him. Well, let's call him in. In the meantime, we'd better pass the word for everybody to stay away from the river. The barracuda scare spread faster than lightning up and down the finger river. And I can't say that I could blame those folks for their panic. Well, Max called me and told me about the monstrous fish that was raising so much havoc. I've known Max for a long time. Stumpy's known him ever since the two men were lads. We knew this was no joke. Old timers like Max don't joke about matters of life and death. The boys and I moved fast to get to the town of Fingers, not only because of the panic, but also a lot of men and their families would be without income since they earned their bread and butter from the river. The finger river monster had to be gotten rid of and quickly. We took off in a helicopter equipped with floats and headed for the finger river country and the barracuda fish. I didn't see it with my own eyes. The empty of people is the front of church on Monday morning. It sure is strange. The finger river is always busy with boats and people. I don't see a living soul near the water anywhere. It looks like the barracuda scare is taking a real hold. Spread up and down the river. That's true, but maybe it's a good thing. How do you mean, Tom? Maybe it's better that nobody goes in or on the water until that fish is caught. It might attack people. Especially a child. You're right, Tom. Perhaps it's better to have everybody scared away than to take the risk of a trench. I wonder what kind of a fish it is. It's so large and so savage. There's the trading post. We'll land on the edge of the river next to it. What if the fish attacks the copter? It'll sure have stomach trouble trying to digest this contraption. Especially when it comes to the motor. Them there, piston rods and the crankshaft give a filler acid indigestion. Is that the whole story now, gentlemen? All the facts? You have it all, Bill, every gory detail. Know that you got him? What are you going to do about it? Well, first of all, I want to tell you that this vicious fish is not a barracuda. Well, how do you know that, Bill? It looks like an art and I have seen a monster. It looks just like a barracuda. A barracuda is strictly a saltwater fish. And it has to be tropical water as well. It would be impossible for a barracuda to survive in these cold waters. How about that? At least we know that it's not a man-eater. Do we really know that senior art? Well, Pablo, I guess you've got a point. But anyway, it's a relief to know that it's not a barracuda. What is it then? What other kind of fish can be so savage? Yeah, I'd swear on a stack of bibles that it's a barracuda. I saw its mouth. Well, we didn't see it as close as we wanted to, but it is big, that's for sure. Hey, Henry, get yourself some paper and a pencil. I want you to do some artwork. Sure. Right away. I wonder what he's up to. What's running around in your brain cells, honey? Stumpy, I'm going to have Henry draw a picture of a certain large fish. Oh, and the men can identify it. What do you want me to draw, Bill? I'll sit right down here at the table, Henry. Sure. Ben, Max, Art, gather around here. We'll try to draw a picture of this fish. All right. All right, uh, draw a garfish, pal. Huh? Garfish? Hmm? Not just memory, wee bits, honey. Long, narrow mouth. Four, five feet long. Real thin. Oh, yeah, yeah, I got you. I think I can remember here. I'll have it done here in short order. Say, that's beginning to look like the fish I saw. Ah, that's it. Don't know what you think, Max. Eh, that's a tolerable close, Art. That's tolerable close. Uh, draw a top few, pal. Okay. That is one wicked-looking fish, senior Bill. That's a wicked fish, period, Pablo. They're great loafers and loungers, except when hungry or angry or afraid. All right, all finished. That's a close likeness of the garfish. Well, Ben, Max, Art, what do you say? Is this the Finger River monster or no? Eh, I say yes and no, Bill. Well, make up your mind, old weasel. Well, hurry up, you old badger, and let me cogitate awhile. That might be good for you, whatever it is. There's something missing, Bill. I agree with Max. How about if it were a couple of feet longer and wide across the back? Yes, yes, that would do it. That's the fish I saw. What is it? An alligator garfish. What we were up against. The savage, vicious, alligator garfish. This large freshwater fish can be docile and sleepy one minute to one hour or one day and become a hated and feared marauder the next. The crowd of men pass looks of fear between themselves because they'd seen the poor dog that was a victim of the big gar. Max asked us to walk down to the river with him and look at the dog. And Paul wanted us to look at his trot lines. A few of the crowd went with us as we walked down to the river bank where the men cast anxious eyes at the water. Something wrong with your revolver, old timer? No, I mean, he's making sure he's ready for business and he said monster happens to come cruising by. Yeah, I know what you mean. Over here, Mr. Jefferson. Good morning. You're poor grizzly. Oh, I'll see. Could the gator guard do that, Bill? I'll say he could. He's got the teeth for it. It ain't a pretty sight, man, but I thought you might want to see him before we bury what's left of the poor little critter. Thanks, Max. Now, Pablo, let's see your trot lines. See, Senor, follow me. Have a look, Senors. Boy, look at that, will you? Every one bit clean off just behind the head. It takes sharp teeth and big jaws to do that good a job. How many trot lines did he clean off for you? Five, Senor. Almost a whole day's catch. I'm sorry to hear that. Alligator guards don't hang out in these northern waters, do they? No, they don't. They like warmer water. How did this one get this far north? Well, my guess is that somebody brought the fish north when it was small and released it in the Finger River. Well, how could it survive the winters? I don't know, Art, but the fact remains it has. Now it's our job to catch that monster and catch him fast. Boy, am I glad we got this big old flat bottom boat. It's heavy and slow, but it'll give us protection just in case that big guard decides to try and dump us. Hey, mine just do there, too, Henry. He gets all fired hot under the collar. You said it. He could be a mean customer when he wants to. How are we going to catch this guy? We'll troll for him, Henry. But we don't even know where he hangs out. Controlling might take days. Yes, pal. It might take a lot of days, but we've got to get him. I'll take the oars now, pal. Okay, they're all yours. Boy, my hands are sore from rolling this tub. Where the gloves were plumbed through the middle. I'll take the oars now, Stumpy. Let's see if we can wake the big fellow up. I wonder if that big fish ever gets hungry. He will someday, sometime, pal. And we want to be there when the time comes. Who's this ought to be? Power driven. Yeah, you said it. But an outboard might scare the monster off. Let's try that cove. He might be in there. Boy, if he is, I think I'll jump in and wrestle him bare-handed just to get it over with. This doesn't bring results. We'll go in for a rest. Strike! Hey, Bill, you've got to strike! Look at this. It's a big one, all right. I hope it's the gar. It is, Bill. There he is over there near the surface. Wow, what a monster. Watch it, fellas. I'm going to set the hook. Oh, how come? He had it. I know he did. He was just playing, sonny. Like a musky. He was holding the bait in his teeth, real gentle-like. When Bill tried to set the hook, that big gar just let go of it. Not only is he vicious, but smart, too, huh? You said it, Henry. We'll get him yet. All right, let's go in for a rest. We'll try again early in the morning. You'll be too jumpy now to take the bait again. Bill, when are you fellas going to get that thing? Tomorrow, we hope, then. We had him once today, but I ain't trying to set the hook too soon. I just let go of the bait. I hope it's tomorrow. You know all the folks that face for a living are getting pretty low on money. Their families will go hungry soon if they can't go back to work. Yeah, I understand, Ben. And we'll go back out first thing in the morning and stay out until we get him. Thanks, Bill. The budged forester saw what was left of an otter up near a shinny cove yesterday. The otter and the gar must have tangled. Yeah, could be. An otter can beat a dog fighting in the water, but ain't no match for that thing out there with razor blades for teeth. No, no! Under the pier. It's under the pier I saw it. Stumpy. Get old Betsy. Come on, fellas. Look at that, would you? It's lazing in the shade of the pier there. How are you gonna get him? This is the best chance you'll ever get. Is there a spear gun handy? Sure, but not big enough to hold that thing. Look at me, some wire. Some heavy wire on the double. I know where there's some. I'll fetch it right sudden. Now, this is a slim chance, but here's what I'm gonna do. I'll carefully drop this wire loop down in front of him. Then you fellas stomp on the shore, good and hard. You'll feel the vibration and leave. If he swims through the wire hoop, we've got ourselves a fish. Okay, sonny. Yeah, when you're ready, you'll go ashore and hold an injured warden. Send an otter, scare him out of there. Okay, let it down. Yeah, how am I doing, Henry? Fine, fine. Whoa, whoa. Okay, just a little bit more. Okay. Whoa, whoa, that's good, right there. Okay fellas, start stomping. Get stomping and shooting. He's coming now! Take it easy, old timer. He got away, but not clean. Huh? Blood in the water. That rifle slug struck pay dirt. Hey, there he is. Over there. He's flopping near the shore. You're right, sonny. He's hit and hit bad. Let's get over there and finish him off. Good work, old timer. Look at that mouth and those teeth. He was able to do a lot of damage with that equipment. Yep, you said it, Tom. At last we got him. Now things can return to normal on the river. Yes, pal. The river monster is dead. And that, boys and girls, was one of our most unusual experiences as forest rangers. Everything's quiet now on the finger river, and I hope it stays that way. By the way, I've got that alligator gar stuffed and mounted and on display right here in headquarters. Well, see you next week for more adventure with... This is Stumpy Jenkins speaking for Ranger Bill and saying, don't forget to hit the trail with us every week at this time for lots of exciting adventure with all the Ranger gang. Henry Scott and Gray Wolf and Bill, of course, and me, the old timer, are all on hand from time to time to bring you the best stories we can find. So you tune in to Naughty Pine and learn the latest that's happening around the Ranger Station or in the mountains and forests nearby or maybe even someplace further away because that young fellow, Bill, gets into all kinds of situations and troubles and complications when he's trying to help somebody else. So you be sure to join up with us next week for this half hour of storytelling and then you won't lose out on anything that's going on. I'll be looking for you. So don't disappoint me.