 The challenge of the Yukon It's Yukon King Swiftest and strongest lead dog of the Northwest Placing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest mounted police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers Go gold discovered in the Yukon a stampede to the Klondike in the wild race for riches Back to the days of the gold rush with Sergeant Preston and his wonder dog Yukon King as they meet That challenge of the Yukon Lee Durham and Hank Bristow had been friends since boyhood When news of the Klondike gold strike had filtered through to their home in the east the two young men had thrown up their jobs In spite of their parents protests and had joined in the frenzied rush to the Yukon territory After prospecting unsuccessfully throughout the summer and fall of 98 they had finally staked out a claim on Venture Creek But the claim hadn't paid off As the weeks went by they grew more and more discouraged One day while they were working their claim Hank paused the pan out a sample of the gravel Yeah, look, there's not even a speck of gold dust in his rotten gravel. Oh take it easy Hank We haven't gone down far we've been telling ourselves that for the last two months can't quit now Hank Gotta keep on working the claim. It's our only hope. I tell you it's played out Where you going into the cabin with a worried look on his face Lee Durham threw down his pick and followed Hank into the cabin All right So we'll elect I may as well admit it's about time. I've been afraid to face it. It's true claim is played out Well, what are we gonna do about it? We're flat broke only one thing we can do Have to wrestle up jobs and earn enough money to get us back home Sure look fine We come up here to make our fortunes and wind up going home broke with our tails between our legs. I'll rub it in Have to face it. That's all maybe you will but I won't what do you mean? I mean, I'm not going home broke. That's for sure. What are you gonna do? We can't get any gold out of our claim them by thunder. I'll get it somewhere else What are you driving at Hank Joe Malin has mined over $40,000 worth of gold He's got a stowed away in his cabin for the love of making that thing. You know robbing him. Are you why not? An old coot like him will never live long enough to spend 40 grand. That's not the point. Rabbit. He's a crime. It's wrong. Yeah What about us? We work our heads off and wind up with nothing to show for it while Joe strikes it rich. Is that fair? That rotten luck. I realized that but it's still a little my eye Suppose we were to take part of his goal not all of it just part of it say About 10,000 that 40 grand and it's still even plenty Would not be a lot fairer than the way things stand now. I don't know Put it that way. It doesn't seem quite so bad. All right, then How about it? No, no, I can't do it. Use your head Lee Think what we can do with that money 5,000 a piece we can go back home and make a real start in life. You can marry Helen. It's sure be swell What about the wrist? What's risky about it? But go to his cabin tonight after he's asleep. We know right where he keeps his gold So won't take long to grab a couple of pokes. Maybe you won't even wake up that chance He keeps his gold under his bunk. Well, even if he does wake up, it'll be dark So he won't be able to recognize us We can wear handkerchiefs over our faces if it'll make you feel any better What if he puts up a fight an old man like Joe? We can handle him easily. We'll tie him up and gag him then what? Come back here and hide the gold and sit tight for how long? Have to wait for a couple of weeks. So won't look suspicious Then we'll clear out and go back to the States Now What do you say? All right We'll do it The rest of the day Lee and Hank spent moping around their cabin waiting tensely for nightfall Hank was particularly restless and his darkness closed in he put on his parka and went outdoors to try to walk off some of his tension a Few moments later. He came rushing back in the cabin. Hey, what's the matter? There's no light. It must have gone away somewhere. Maybe he's turned in for the night. This early It's not five o'clock yet. Come on. Now's our chance. Let's go to his cabin and grab that gold before he gets back Okay, yes, you're right We're gonna do it. We may as well get it over with we'll take a gun and some rope with us just to be on the safe side Joe Moline's cabin was located about half a mile down the creek After approaching the cabin Lee and Hank circled around cautiously to make sure Joe was nowhere in the immediate vicinity Well, he's satisfied that Joe's not around anywhere He still can't be sure he's not asleep inside the cabin. If you're still worried what tie hanger chiefs over our faces Yeah, I think we better A moment later with bandanas tied over their faces the two men advanced softly toward the front door of the cabin Wait a minute We sure we want to go through with us And I know I'm kind of scared myself then let's go back. It's not too late. No, we've got to go through with it We need that gold. Oh, come on. All right We're sure you unloaded that revolver sure. I'm sure The doors quietly the room was pitch dark making it impossible to see the old man's bunk Softly hanked to hold through the darkness toward the point where he knew the old man's bunk was located Hearing no sound of breathing. He reached out his hand and touched the blankets sure enough the bunk was empty It's okay Lee. He's not here strike a match and make sure all right Yeah, you're satisfied. Yeah, I guess so I'm gonna take off this door gone handkerchief That's better now. Let's see about that goal The goal is gone. Are you sure take a look for yourself? Wait a second. I strike another match Right But he's supposed he's done with that. I know he must have hit at someplace else before he left. It's like we're out of luck Maybe not Light the lamp will take a look around the cabin. You think it's safe. We can risk it for a couple minutes. All right As the soft glow of the oil lamp dispelled the darkness Lee gave a sudden cry of alarm What's wrong look over there on the floor holy mackerel? It's Joe Malin Shot right between the eyes. We gotta get out of here. Yeah, you're right. Come on. Wait It's good Perry Great day. You killed Joe. We didn't kill him and what's your partner doing with a bandana with his face? You got us all wrong kid. Don't give me that door. I'm a kind of a fool you take me for I tell you this is a case with a mountain hold it Perry Wait a minute Hank Can't get away with killing me get your hands up and stand away from the door. What are you gonna do Hank? I'll keep him covered you take that rope you brought and tie him up But if we do that it'll look like say can't you see what a mess we're in Once Perry tells his story of the monies were dead sure to be convicted of murder a tying Perry up won't help it We'll just make things look worse. There'll be a fool By the time someone comes along and turns him loose we can be on our way to the border It's our only chance to escape Hurry up and tie him. We've got no time to waste Early the next morning at mounted police headquarters in Dawson Sergeant Preston was called into the office and Inspector Conrad You sent for me inspector. Oh, yeah, Sergeant. Have a chair. Oh, thank you, sir I have a new assignment for you. I suppose you've heard all about the Yukon kid I know his record soon bank robbery murder. That's not what I mean I was referring to what happened while you're out on patrol I haven't heard any news since I got back to town last night, sir Well, the Yukon kid was seen in a cafe in 40 miles just a few days ago The man who recognized him tried to capture him the Yukon kid pulled a gun and shot him dead Posse went after him, but he got away. Any idea where he was heading? Yes, the man in the posse chased him for nearly 24 hours. They say he was heading in this way So there's a good chance that he's hiding out either in or around Dawson. I see I'm giving you the job of finding him Sergeant Have you ever seen his picture? Yes, sir. I've seen his picture on the reward notices. Well, here's a new handbill. It's just been printed Oh, I see they've up to reward to 10,000. Yes, the bank and the express company chipped in another 5,000 Come in Inspector. Yes Constable. What is it? There's a man here named Gideon Perry came to report a murder. A murder? Yes, sir Happened out on Venture Creek. Send him in right away. All right Perry Come on in Perry and have a chair I'm Inspector Conrad and this is Sergeant Preston. Howdy Now let's have the facts in the first place who was murdered an old miner named Joe Maline lived out on Venture Creek His cabin is located just a little ways up to Creek from mine. Tell us what it happened Well, yes, even I was in the cabin and I heard a shot seemed to come from Joe's place So I rushed out to see what was a matter. There was a light in his cabin I went up and looked in the window and what did you see? I saw Joe Maline stretched out on the floor and two men bending over him One of them was holding a smoking gun. Did you recognize the man? I sure did The man with the gun was a young fella named Hank Bristow The other fella had a bandana over his face, but I realized right away must be Hank's partner Lee Durham Who are they? Miners? That's right. They got a claim about half a mile from Joe's place. Ain't no good though Played out about a week or so after they started working it. Go on. Well, I opened the door and rushed in Did you have a gun? Of course not. Why rather a dangerous thing to do wasn't it rush again to confront an iron killer? Really reckon I was so excited. I didn't stop to think Anyway, like I say a rush didn't I caught him red-handed then what happened Hank turned his gun on me Totally Durham to tie me up then they grabbed Joe's gold and cleared out Hank said something about heading for the border. How'd you manage to get loose? Hey, they didn't do a very good job of tying me up Failed with the ropes a couple of hours and finally got my hands loose Did you check on Bristow and Durham before you came into town to report the murder? Yeah, I did sergeant Sneaked up to the cabinet looked inside Sure enough. They were gone Place was clean now Sergeant I guess you'll have to hold off on that you con kid assignment for the time being you're assigning me to this case That's right. You can put King on the center Bristow and Durham should be easier to trail them What about the body sir take Constable Ross with you. You can bring the body back to town very well Inspector, I'll start right away Several hours later the two Maldives accompanied by Gid Perry arrived at the dead man's camp This is just the way the body was lying after the shooting that's right sergeant. I didn't touch it Doesn't look as though there'd been any struggle. No Haven't leave a shot in cold blood Now let's see if Moline was facing toward the door and the bullet must have lodged in the rear wall Somewhere near the corner Can you find it certain in a few moments the sergeant managed to pry the bullet loose You said Bristow and Durham took the old man's goal after they tied you up. That's right Where was the gold Moline kept it under his bank. They knew it was hidden there Reckon every minor on the creek knew it Joe was funny that way He trusted everyone he knew but he didn't trust banks He figured his gold was allowed safer here in his cabin or he could keep an eye on it What do Bristow and Durham look like? Well, they're both young about 22 or 23 a rick and Bristow's dark about six feet tall Durham's blonde little shorter in Bristol. Don't spoil you better come with me when I go there Kevin I got a general idea of which way they were headed and you can pass the information along to the inspector You'll want to telegraph wait right so what about me? Well, you're free to go Perry. Thanks for the help you've given us Is no need to thank me sergeant. I was just doing my duty. All right constable. Let's go come on King Sergeant Preston and constable Ross went to the cabin where Durham and Bristow had lived and King quickly picked up the scent of the two fugitives Mounties followed their trail for a mile or so then the sergeant Preston called a halt We know they're heading north probably hoping to make it to the border something I want you to do before you go back to Dawson What's that sergeant? You know where Frenchie Leclerc lives sure why after you go back to get the body stop off at Frenchie's place leave your team with him and go back on foot to get Perry's cabin Then what? There's a good chance that Perry will go out to talk about the murder with some of the other miners along the creek I want you to stay out of sight and keep a watch on him So as he leaves go in his cabin and search it thoroughly Search it for what for Joe Maline's gold Maline's gold Wait a minute. Let me get this straight You think Perry had anything to do with the murder. I'm not sure Alex, but his story sounds a little fishy How so he claims he caught two murderers red-handed Yet instead of killing him they tie him up and lead him to tell his story to the police Think of it that is train anyhow. We'll hurt to check on him. Okay, sergeant in the meantime. Good luck. Thanks, Alex Gideon Perry waited until he saw Constable Ross return to Joe Maline's cabin and take away the dead man's body Then he left his own cabin and after crossing the frozen surface of the creek. He headed south into the hills Half an hour later. He halted his team near the mouth of a cave in the hillside Leaving his sled he approached the cave entrance Hey, Tom It's me here a Sinister figure emerged slowly from the shadowy depths of the cave That's about time you were showing up. I got here as soon as I could Told the Mounties about fine bristone Durham and they believed every word of it Included the fact that they swept the old man's goal Sergeant Preston is chasing them right now Good good. Well, she were playing in luck They could save for me to get back to your cabin. Not yet. The Mounties may come back You better stay hold up here for a couple of days. All right, but hurry up. Let me know as soon as it's safe Ain't no fun living in a cave. Don't worry. I'll let you know In the meantime, don't go running off with that gold Remember half of its mine Meanwhile Hank Bristo and Lee Durham were mushing north to the border as night fell They halted their team and prepared to make camp in a sheltered spot beside the trail Both men were silent and preoccupied and neither felt any real appetite as they sat around the campfire eating their evening meal Finally Lee threw down his plate with an exclamation of disgust What's the matter? You know what the matter is as well as I do We're in a mess and we're taking the wrong way out of it. It's better than hanging isn't it? I'm not so sure Do we want to be running from the law for the rest of our lives all right? I don't know look Hank Let's face it. We made a mistake ever trying to rob Joe in the first place sure admit that I Must have been crazy to get such an idea. It's no use crying over spilt milk and I'm as much does blame you ever fall in with a scheme Well What are we gonna do about it? I say we go back and give ourselves up all right? That suits me. Let's go Lee and Hank gathered up their gear and stowed it on the sled and then headed back toward Dawson It was a clear cold night and the snow-covered trail bordered on either side by tall pine forests was clearly outlined in the moonlight Several hours later. They sighted a traveler approaching the distance Hey, there's someone coming up ahead. Yeah, I see a big powerful husky was running ahead of the oncoming team as loose lead As they drew closer the husky charged toward them with a menacing prowl What is eating that? Alive that Jordan means business. Hey, wait a minute close the money, isn't it? Yeah, you're right Hello there money I might be glad you turned up. What do you mean by that? We ran our way to Dawson to give ourselves up. We're wanted by the law Bristow and Durham. I'm Bristow and he's Durham side. I suppose you were trailing us. Yes. I was Frankly, I wasn't expecting you to surrender of your own accord. Oh, we didn't expect to either up to a couple of hours ago But we finally got wise to ourselves. You're both armed. Lee isn't I'm carrying a revolver hand it over Needless to say don't try any false moves while you're doing it. Don't worry 38 And it's not loaded. I took out the cartridges before we went to Jo Maline's cabin last night This is the only gun you've had in your possession. That's right. Go ahead and search us if you like. I'll do that All right What made you decide to give yourselves up? We realized we've been darned fools and our only chance of clearing ourselves was to come back and face the music Gideon Perry has accused you too of murdering Jo Maline. We expected that but it's not true Maybe you'd better give me your own version of what happened. All right. It was like this Our claim was played out. We were broke so we got the idea Lee Durham made a clean breast of everything to sergeant Preston holding nothing back and making no attempt to excuse himself and his partner The sergeant was impressed by his obvious sincerity When he was through sergeant Preston said I'm not saying I don't believe you But your story certainly doesn't jive with what Gideon Perry told me What do you mean by that? The one thing Barry says he heard a shot and when he rushed over to maline's cabin You were standing over the dead man with a gun in your hand. That's a lie There was no shot. I never even drew my gun left. He showed up. He must be trying to frame us He also says that after tying him up you took maline's gold That's not true either the gold was gone when we got there search the gear on our sled if you think we have it I shall before we leave here As a matter of fact, I'm rather inclined to believe your story Even if you're telling the truth, you're still guilty of attempted robbery So I'm placing you both under arrest in the name of the crown When we get to Dawson, we'll talk things over with inspector Conrad Next morning at mounted police headquarters. The two prisoners told their story to inspector Conrad The inspector listened closely and aside from a few questions offered no comment Instead he turned to sergeant Preston and said well sergeant. What do you make of their story? Well frankly, sir. I think they're telling the truth I wonder if a jury would think so. There were certain facts in their favor, sir One thing they surrounded voluntarily. Yes, that's true Also, they did not have the gold in their possession when taken under custody and maline was killed with a 45 Or as Bristol's guns at 38 They might have hidden the gold and gotten rid of the murder gun In that case, they must have cooked up this story beforehand and then returned to surrender expecting to prove their innocence Well, does it sound reasonable, sir that two murderers would voluntarily stick their necks on such a crazy story? Remember Gideon Perry was the only person who could testify against them If they really wanted to put themselves in the clear, why didn't they shoot him and be done with it? Yes, I see what you mean sergeant if their story is true Perry must be trying to frame them that constable Ross searched Perry's cabin Yes, he ransacked it thoroughly. He's certain the gold isn't there. Perry may have hidden it somewhere else Unless we can find the gold we may never be able to prove who committed the murder Inspector, I believe Durham and Bristol are innocent and as we're trying to rob maline. I think they've learned their lesson If they were to help us find the real criminal and recover the gold Would you be willing to give them a second chance? Meaning would I be willing to drop all charges against them? Yes, sir Exactly. What do you have in mind sergeant? Well, sir, I have a plan that may prove whether or not Gideon Perry had anything to do with this murder. Now my idea is this Lead Durham and Hank Bristol listened with a tense yet eager air as the sergeant explained his plan to inspector Conrad When he was through the inspector drummed thoughtfully on the desk for several moments And then he turned to the prisoners and said you've heard the sergeant's plan Now if Perry should be a killer, there's a chance he'll turn desperate You yourselves will have to carry an unloaded gun. Are you willing to take the risk involved? You bet we are and we're willing to try anything if it'll give us a chance to prove we're innocent Very well, if you'll help us carry out this plan and it works out successfully The northwest mounted will press no charges against you That night Gideon Perry was seated in his cabin when he heard a knock at the door Evening Perry Durham and briscoe. Yeah, both of us Get your hands up in the air and start backing up What do you want what that gold you stole from joe mullin's cabin? I don't know what you're talking about. Don't give us that We know all about the pack of lies. You told them at least we read the story and the clan dug nugget There's only one reason why you should frame us It must be because you got the gold yourself Now hand it over. I swear. I don't know what happened to the gold then. Why did you claim we told them? Never mind arguing with them Lee. This gun is the only kind of talk he understands Now then Perry you've already framed us from mullin's murder. So I guess it won't matter much if we kill you too Either you hand over the gold or I pull this trigger, which would be I tell you I haven't got the gold I'll count three and then this gun goes off one Two all right. All right. Don't shoot. You can have the gold hand it over. It ain't here I've got it into the cave about two miles south of here. Get on your parker. We're going there right now Half an hour later the three men arrived at the cave in the hillside Oh We'll need it see our way around inside the cave. Good idea A moment later with Lee holding the lantern and Hank keeping kid Perry covered with his gun The three men advanced toward the cave. All right Perry you go first All the landing up high Lee so we won't lose sight of this guy. All right get moving Perry The cave seemed to be empty But suddenly from behind a pile of rocks a voice barked out a sharp command I Figured up. Yeah, sure. Well top. I sure will All right you with the landing and then over to get to yeah Don't try any funny stuff Because our squeezes triggered the first sound of a false move Who are these poor ones getting her durham and bristol? They showed up the cabin tonight and put a gun on me They figured out that I'd swipe Maline's gold. They want to meet and lead him toward Oh, they did Well gents the gold is here right over behind them rocks where I was hiding But it ain't gonna do you too much good. I suppose it was you who killed John Maline. That's right. I did kill him Then you two showed up very conveniently to take the rap and who are you? Well, it happens. I'm kid's brother Tom Perry But I reckon you two have heard of me under a different name. Never mind boss about who you are Let's hurry up and get rid of them. Yeah, sure And what do we do the law? I'll think they made the getaway over the border. I'll plug one you plug the other here goes Hey, what? It's under the guns. I'm sure we brought you here where the gun that wasn't loaded. Well, it's gonna be loaded Uh, take care of both It's only Tom grab Hank around the waist and swung him around to use him as a shield the same time he fired The shot missed this Preston flung himself flat the ground Tom fired again But Hank had knocked him off balance and the shock went wild That same moment Lee made a dive for gidd but the crook fell in with a single blow of the empty gun His gift dropped the lantern and made a wild rush for freedom. He was stopped by sergeant Preston The sergeant's fist caught him square on the jaw knocking him to the ground But gidd picked himself up and charged back at the sergeant. He was strappy Preston Gidd Perry was fighting for his life But his desperate fury was no match for the sergeant's cool skill It wasn't long before the sergeant knocked him down again and this time he stayed down Watching things Meanwhile, Hank and Tom were rolling on the ground locked in a deadly grapple Hank had seized Tom's wrist and was twisting it so that he couldn't bring his gun to bear While king stood guard over gidd the sergeant walked over to the struggling pair Let go of that gun and lie still or you're a dead man That's better pull away from him Hank stand clear Now then Perry get on your feet You and your brother are under arrest in the name of the crown Later when the two crooks had been handcuffed and Lee Durham had been revived The sergeant recovered the stolen gold from the spot where it had been hidden Hank said to him how about it sergeant? Is this clear as of that murder charge? Yes, Hank it does I overheard Tom Perry's confession and this gold would pinch the case against Tom and his brother I sure was glad to hear your voice when Tom Perry started to shoot us I didn't know whether he'd followed us or not Yes, I trailed the three of you and you left good Perry's cabin I expected him to lead you to the place where the gold was hidden Didn't know whether or not he had an accomplice. Oh, uh, incidentally you two have a reward coming Reward? That's right. When I saw Tom Perry's face, I recognized him as a notorious outlaw known as the Yukon kid There's a $10,000 reward offered for his capture Holy but you're the one who really captured him sergeant the northwest mounted police don't accept reward Besides, he never would have been captured without your help $10,000? Well gully, Hank, you realize what that means? I sure do It means our troubles are over and now that Moline's murder is solved. This case is closed We now take you to northwest mounted police headquarters in Dawson Form me inspector. Yes sergeant A young miner named Chris Radford has disappeared under mysterious circumstances What are the circumstances according to his wife? He received a visit last night from a stranger a man who answers the description of hawk webster the outlaw I want you to locate young radford sergeant find out if he's mixed up with radford's gang All right, sir. I'll get on the case immediately come along king Hawk webster is a ruthless killer And if he should prove to be involved in this case sergeant Preston will be facing one of his most dangerous assignments Yes, there's no telling what may happen if his search for chris radford should bring him up against hawk webster and his gang Be sure to listen to this next exciting adventure the spread eagle raid These radio dramas a feature of the challenge of the uconn incorporated are created by george w trendle produced by trendle Campbell enterprises directed by fred flower day and supervised by charles d limington The part of sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton They are brought to you once each week until september when we shall resume our regular monday wednesday and friday broadcast This is j michael wishing you goodbye and good luck until our next broadcast This is the mutual broadcasting system