 Now, as howling winds echo across the snow-covered reaches of the wild northwest, the Quaker Oaks company, makers of Quaker Pop Wheat, and Quaker Pop Rice, the delicious cereal shot from guns, in cooperation with the Mutual Broadcasting System, present by special recording, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon. Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo! It's Yukon Gain, swissest and strongest lead dog of the northwest, breaking the trail for Sergeant Preston of the northwest out at police, in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers. And Gain! On your knees! Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo! Gold, gold discovered in the Yukon, a stampede to the Klondike in the wild race for riches, back to the days of the Gold Rush, and the adventures of Sergeant Preston and his Wonder Dog Yukon King, as they meet the challenge of the Yukon. Our adventure will begin in just a moment. You can play a vital part in the defense of our country. Radar is a wonderful invention, but it cannot completely eliminate the chance of foreign aircraft slipping through undetected. To prevent the possibility of such an unwelcome surprise, the Ground Observer Corps has been established. This volunteer organization is composed of civilians who are spending a few hours of their spare time each week sky-watching. They have been taught how to do this job by Air Force personnel who also supervise the observer's time on duty. Today there are 49 filter centers located in 27 states to which observation posts report. All these centers and posts are manned by volunteers. When the Ground Observer Corps extends its coverage to the rest of the country, many more sky-watchers will be needed. If you are a teenager or older, and roll now for service in the Ground Observer Corps in your locality, write or phone your nearest civil defense center today, or write to Ground Observer Corps, Air Force, Washington 25 D.C. Help protect your country. This message is brought to you as a public service. It was quitting time at the Woodruff Mine. Doug Chandler had just come into the owner's office. He didn't have much hope that old Philo Woodruff would grant his request, but still it was worth a try. Well, Chandler, what is it you want to see me about? I'd like to ask you a favor, Mr. Woodruff. The favor? What is it? Well, as you know, sir, my little boy is crippled. Yes, yes, I know that. His league was broken into fours, wasn't it? That's right, sir. It never mended properly. He's had to huddle around on crutches ever since. Then? I received a letter yesterday from Dr. Hollis at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Dawson City. He wrote to a specialist in San Francisco and described the case to him. And the specialist wrote back that he believes Eddie's leg can be fixed. Well, I'm glad he did. But what's all these leading up the room? Well, to send Eddie back to the States and pay for the operation, I'll need a thousand dollars. I was wondering if you could advance me that much. Advance you a thousand dollars? Are you crazy? I know it's a lot of money. A lot of money? That's money. There's a man hand you're earning two hundred a month. A thousand dollars a month's to five months' wage. I can work it off by next spring, sir. I'll even pay you interest on the advance. The answer is no. All right, Mr. Woodruff. Sorry, I bother you. One moment, Chad. Yes, sir? You say you're sending him to Dawson? Yes, sir. I suppose you like to see him as often as possible. Naturally. Well, give you a chance to do just that. I only sent a message to Inspector Conrad. Mother, please, headquarters. You can deliver it for me. And while you're in town, you'll be able to visit with the other boy. Thanks. Very much. What do you want me to leave? First thing of my morning. Stop in at the office. My clerk will have the message for you. All right. Incidentally, on your way out, ask the clerk to step into my office. Get him to a big pen and paper. Yes, sir. Bert Heflin, the mine company clerk, was seated at his desk, just outside Bylaw Woodruff's office. Say, Bert, you know, Mr. Woodruff wants to see you in his office. He said to tell you to bring pencil and paper. Okay. Dr. Chandler said you wanted to see me, Mr. Woodruff? Yes, full of a chair, Heflin. I wanted you to take a letter. A letter will go to Inspector Conrad at Mother, please, headquarters in Dawson City. My dear Inspector. That evening, after leaving the mine office, Bert Heflin went to an isolated cabin, which was located some distance from the mining settlement along Gold Creek. Oh, it's you, Heflin. Hello, Ray. Is Duke here? Sure, come on in. We're just having a game of poker. Duke Gurney, a brawny, hard-bitten individual, was seated at a table with a third man called Louis. Howdy, Heflin. Hello, Duke. Hello, Louis. Come on, sir. Well, find out when that gold shipment is leaving. Yeah, Friday morning. $50,000 in gold, that's what. $50,000 in gold? Yeah, how about that, boys? I told you this deal was waiting for us. Oh, we found out something else. That is what? Old man Woodruff sending a letter to Mali headquarters in Dawson, asking for a constable to guard the shipment. Why? With a Mali guard and a couple of drivers, it'll be three against three. You just have to have a real fight on your hands when you go to hold up that shipment. Yeah, he's right, Duke. This job's not going to be such a cinch after all. We, shooting down a driver is one thing, but shooting a money is bad business. I don't like it. And neither do I. Relax, relax. I've got an idea. This may be a break in our favor. What do you mean? What are you talking about? Eflin, you say old man Woodruff is sending a letter to Mali headquarters? That's right. Who's taking the letter? A mind hand named Doug Chandler. Has he left yet? No, he's leaving first thing in the morning. All right, now listen, here's my plan. We'll trail this guy Chandler and gun him down when he gets there. Early the following morning, Doug Chandler set out on the journey to Dawson City. He didn't know that he was being trailed by Duke Gurney and the other two gunmen. Several hours later, Doug haunted his team and prepared to cook his midday meal near the rim of a steep walled canyon. The three crooks approached cautiously through a screen of trees and watched him as he built a campfire. Which one of us is going to plug in Duke? I'll handle it. Good shot. Come on. A moment later, the crooks reached the campfire and examined him. Is he dead? If he's ready, someone will be. Well, let's see if he's got that better on him. Here it is. Inspector Conrad Northwest Monarch Police. What do we do with this guy? Leave him into the canyon. Come on, help me carry him. All right, he'll move over. Now what? Get them grubbed by ourselves and then push out to Dawson. When we get there tomorrow morning, me and Louie will hold up somewhere on the outskirts. You'll go into town and deliver the letter to Inspector Conrad. Sergeant Preston was returning to Dawson from an extended patrol. Soon after nightfall, he approached the spot where Doug Chandler had been ambushed. King was running ahead of the team as loose lead. Suddenly, his nostril caught a faint odor of smoke. Puzzled, the great dog slackened his pace and swirled off the trail toward the rim of the canyon. What's wrong, King? Something down there in the canyon? Sergeant walked over to the spot where King was standing and peered down into the canyon. Far below, at the base of the cliff, he saw the smoldering embers of what seemed to have been a small campfire. In the glow given off by the embers, he could just make out the figure of a man lying in the snow. First, boy, there's a man down there. Certainly doesn't look as though he's sleeping. Hello down there! The man didn't stir. We'd better go get him, King. Come on, boy. Turning his team around, the sergeant headed back toward the mouth of the canyon. It was nearly an hour later when he arrived at the spot where the man was lying. King, I know this man. He's Doug Chandler. Shot in the back. See if his pulse is still beating. Yes, there's a spark of life left in him, boy. Perhaps we can save him. After the sergeant addressed the wound, Doug finally began to revive. Easy, Doug. You're in bad shape. You feel strong enough to tell me what happened? I don't know. Stopped to eat. Someone shot me. Just to throw me off the cliff. Apparently you landed in the snow. Did you build a fire yourself? Yeah. I came too for a bit. Dragged myself out of the snow. And it's to break off a few pieces of brush and start a fire. And I passed out again. Where were you headed? Carson City. Carrying anything valuable? No. Just a little other for Inspector County. Oh? From whom? Mr. Woodruff. You still have it? I don't know, Sergeant. My inside pocket. All right. It's gone. What do we do now, Sergeant? We'd better camp here for the rest of the night. Tomorrow we'll make it to Dawson and get to to a doctor. The following morning, Sergeant Preston resumed the journey to Dawson. Doug Chatter was in such pain in the jolting of the sled that Sergeant could travel only a short distance at a time and then had to stop for rest. As a result, it was 24 hours later when he finally arrived in Dawson City. Sergeant, wait a minute. Okay. How are you? How's it going? What's the matter, Doug? Where are you going first? Well, I'm taking you straight to the hospital. Oh. There's no way there. Would you mind stopping off at the boarding house for my little boy's stay? I'd like to see him as soon as possible. Just in case anything goes wrong. Well, of course, Doug. We'll pick up Eddie and take him to the hospital with us. All right. I'm coming. I'm coming. After arriving at the hospital, Sergeant Preston waited for a few moments with little Eddie Chandler while the doctor examined Doug. By the way, Eddie, did Dr. Hollis ever hear from the specialist in San Francisco the one he wrote to about your leg? Oh, yes, sir. He said I especially thought my leg could be sick. Oh, that's fine, Eddie. I'm glad to hear it. Maybe it won't be long before you can get rid of those crutches. Oh, I don't know. What do you mean? It'll cost an awful lot of money to send me back to the States and pay for the operation. I don't think Dad can afford it. Well, perhaps he can find some way to raise the money. Oh, maybe so. Anyway, I don't care about that. Just so long as Dad doesn't die. Well, don't you worry, Eddie. He'll pull through. Oh, here comes the doctor. Now he'll be able to tell us how your dad's making out. We'll continue our adventure in just a moment. Say, why aren't you, fellas and girls, out at the ballpark these days, watching those home runs walloped into the grandstands, eating peanuts, popcorn, and hot dogs? Come out to the ball game as guests of a major or minor league team. All over the country, kids 12 years or younger are seeing major or minor league games free. All you do is bring mom or dad or another paying adult. And you get your free baseball ticket immediately inside packages of Quaker Puff Wheat, Quaker Puff Rice, and Muffet Shredded Wheat. You'll find two free baseball tickets inside Quaker Packer 10. Names of teams and dates are on every ticket. So be guest of your favorite team at the ballpark. Crush to the storm with your mom and grab free baseball ticket packages of Quaker Puff Wheat or Rice, Muffet Shredded Wheat, or Quaker Packer 10, which has two free tickets. The more packages of these delicious Quaker cereals you get, the more free baseball tickets you get. Now to continue. After being shot from ambush, Doug Chandler had been taken to the hospital in Dawson City by Sergeant Preston. The sergeant and Doug's little boy Eddie waited tensely for the doctor's report. How is he, doctor? I'm afraid his condition is dangerous. Normally the wound wouldn't be fatal, but he's lost a lot of blood and the shock and exposure have weakened him considerably. You're going to extract the bullet? No, not yet. He's too weak. I want him to rest up first and gather his strength. Things look favorable. I may operate tomorrow morning. May I see him now? Please? Why, surely, son. As a matter of fact, he asked me to send you in right away. Are you coming too, Sergeant? No, Eddie, you go in by yourself. He wants to talk to you. In the meantime, I have to go over to headquarters and report to Inspector Connard. A short time later at headquarters, Sergeant Preston was giving the inspector an account of what had happened. I found a man in Steve Ward Canyon, sir, and shot in the back. I was afraid he would die unless he had immediate attention, so I took him to the hospital. I see. He told me he was carrying a letter for you from the owner of the Woodruff Mine. The Woodruff Mine? Wait a minute, Sergeant. What's the name of the man who was shot? Doug Chandler. You're sure there's no mistake about his identity? Fast as I've known him for some time, sir. Why do you ask? Because a man who said his name with Doug Chandler came here to headquarters yesterday with a letter from Philo Woodruff. My letter was stolen from Chandler by the person who shot him. Sergeant, beginning to look as though we're up against a well-laid scheme. I asked what the letter was about, sir. Woodruff asked me to send a constable to guard a $50,000 gold shipment that he's sending down to Skagway. $50,000 gold? Well, whatever the scheme is, that certainly provides a motive. That's what I am thinking. Did you assign a man to guard the shipment, sir? Yes, Constable Ross. Has he left yet? He left yesterday afternoon, and he and the man who posed is Doug Chandler. He probably passed their camp some time after dark last night. How soon can you be ready to hit the trail again? I'm ready now, sir. All right, go after them, Sergeant, and travel fast. That shipment is due to leave Gold Creek tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, Constable Ross and his companion were already more than halfway to Gold Creek. If they drove their teams along the bleak, snow-covered trail, the constable didn't suspect that they were being trailed by two other men, Duke Gurney and the crook called Louis, who had been dogging their tracks ever since they left Dawson. Soon after nightfall, they finally topped a steep ridge and came in sight of a mining camp spread out along Gold Creek. The crook posing as Doug Chandler shouted to the constable, Hey, stop him in the castle. Oh, ho! Oh, ho! Well, what's up, Chandler? Take a look down there. Down where? Down there towards the mouth of the crook. Looks like there's a cabin on fire, sir. I don't see anything down there. I reckon that'll take care of you for the time being. Leaving the constable where he had fallen, the crook broke off a pine branch and went back down the slope a short way so that his action wouldn't be visible from the mining camp. Then he set fire to the pine branch, waved it over his head, and at the same time gave voice to a shrill wolf howl. A short time later, the other two crooks appeared driving their teams up the slope. Oh, ho! Oh, ho! Oh, ho! Oh, ho! Well, how about it? Where's the constable? Over there on the ground. Ah, he's out cold. Good work, Rafe. All right, boys. Time up, and we'll take him back to our cabin. I'll change into his uniform and go report to Old Man Woodruff at the mine. Some time later that evening, Duke Gurney appeared at the mine wearing the uniform of Constable Ross. So you're the man that's been sent to guard the gold shipment? Yes, I'm Constable Ross. Glad to know you have a chair. Well, thank you, sir. By the way, where's Chen? He came back with you, didn't he? Oh, no, sir. He's still in Dawson in the hospital. In the hospital? What's the matter with him, man? Typoid fever. Typoid, eh? It's a good thing I didn't give him that advance on his wages. Thank you, boy. No matter, no matter. How about that gold shipment? I suppose you know I'm sending it out tomorrow morning. Yes, sir. The inspector told me. Very well. You can put up at the bunkhouse over night. He's ready to start at six in the morning. There'll be two drivers carrying the gold. And remember, the safety of that shipment is in your hand, sir. Don't you worry, Mr. Woodruff. I'll see to it that gold gets to its proper destination. We'll continue our adventure in just a moment. The bases are loaded. It's the last of the night. A two-out. Here comes the pitch. He swings. Whoa! Be right there in the ballpark and see a grand slam home run. Come out to the ballpark this very week as guests of a major or minor league team. Walk right through the gate free if you are 12 years or younger and bring mom or dad or another paying adult. It's so easy to get a free baseball ticket. It's right inside a package of Quaker Pop Wheat, Quaker Pop Rice, and Muffet Shredded Wheat. You get two free tickets in Quaker Packle 10. The ticket tells you the names of the teams and the dates. Don't miss out on the fun another day. Bring the whole family. Remember, no mailing, no waiting. You can get as many free baseball tickets as you want. They're inside packages of Quaker Pop Wheat or Pop Rice, Muffet Shredded Wheat, or Quaker Packle 10. Get yours right away. Now to continue. Meanwhile, Sergeant Preston was urging his team forward along the trail from Dawson to Gold Creek. All through the night he traveled, hauling only for an hour or so at a time to rest his exhausted huskies. Shortly after seven o'clock the following morning that he finally pulled into Gold Creek and halted his team in front of the office of the Woodruff Mine. Filo Woodruff looked up in surprise as the sergeant strode into his office. How's your gold shipment been sent out yet? Well, yes. The job is left about an hour ago. What about the constable who was supposed to guard the shipment? He went with him, of course. Was there a man with him when he arrived here from Dawson? Well, Doug Chandler was supposed to come back here with him, but the constable said he came down with typhoid fever. Had to go to the hospital. Doug Chandler's in the hospital, all right, but not with typhoid. What's that? He was shot in the back and left for dead before he reached Dawson. Good God. Who did it? That's what the Northwestern Army police would like to know. Whoever did it stole the letter you wrote to Inspector Conrad. But in that case, how did the constable happen to come here? A man posing as Chandler showed up in Dawson and delivered the letter to Inspector Conrad. Inspector sent Constable Ross back to Gold Creek with him. I don't get this at all. It doesn't make sense. What did the constable look like? He was a big fella. Dark-haired. Dark-haired? Constable Ross is blind. Come in, Jupiter. Wait a minute. The man must have been a crook. No doubt about that, and we can both guess what he's asking. My gold ship. Holy mackerel. $50,000 worth of dust. I've understood that you've got to go after the material. Now, wait a minute. First of all, who knew you were sending that letter to the inspector? No one except Chandler and myself. And of course, my clad, but Heflin... The fellow sitting out there at the desk? That's right. If he's got you, don't suppose he would. There's only possible answer. Come in here a minute, Heflin. All right. What's the matter? Is something wrong? The game's up, Heflin. Doug Chandler's been found, and the man sitting out there with the gold ship. It was an imposter. Now, you'd better talk and talk fast. I don't know what you're talking about. Oh, yes, you do. You're the only person who could have passed along the information that Chandler was carrying that letter to Inspector Conrad. I knew about that letter, sure. But so what? I don't even know what you're accusing me of. If either of those drivers carrying the gold shipment are killed, you'll hang for murder. This is your one chance to save yourself. Cindy, you'd better talk. How can I talk when I've got nothing to say? All right, Heflin, that's your attitude. I'm arresting you as an accessory to the shooting of Doug Chandler. You can't arrest me. I haven't done anything. You've got to... No, I'll then hold your hands out and back of you while I snap on these handcuffs. What are you going to do with him? Can you have one of your mindhands and guard him till I get back? Of course, but what about you? I'm going out to the drivers and the fake constable. You'll get to stop him, Sergeant. If that ship and his stolen ever-ruined man I'll pay you a $2,000 reward if you can save my gold. $2,000, eh? I'll remember that by now. All right, King, let's go, boys. It was several hours later when the fake constable and the two freight drivers reached a point where the trail wound through an arrow to fire in the hills. They had just emerged into the valley beyond when Duke Gurney, who was posing as the constable, shouted the command to halt. Help your teams! Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! What's the need, our constable? Sorry, sir, but that's not why we're stuck, huh? Get your hands up, both of you! Watch it, a gun! That's the idea! Stop and stop reaching, and don't try any funny stuff. This gun in my hand isn't the only gun that's covering you. If you'll cast your eyes at that big boulder over yonder, you'll notice two more guns aiming this way. Holy smoke, he's right, Jid. There's two guys over there behind that rock. We got him covered, Duke. Go ahead and take the gun. Yeah, I'll attend to that little detail right now. All right, give me your... All right, the harmless. Come on over and join the party. All right, Hunter Duke, I got the handle for you. Your scheme went off without a hitch. Oh, it's pretty smart the way you figured this job out. I sure never thought I'd see a Mountie turn croak. I'll let you in on a little secret, then. I'm no Mountie. What? I just borrowed the Mountie's uniform. How about it, Rafe? Did you bring the constable along like I told you to? Sure thing, Duke. I got him on my sled, all cut up and gagged. All right, you'll tie up these two drivers and dump all three of them somewhere off the trail. And we'll take the golden clear out of here. Got some rope handy on my sled. Okay, I'll see your gun, Louie. Let's get this going. All right, send to the Mounties. I'll get you for this. Shut up and keep those hands up there. Hey, who's a Mountie? With his team silent, Sergeant Preston had just a mark from the past. He jumped from his sled runners and covered the crooks. You won't take me, Mountie. The Mounties' gun spoke first, and Duke toppled face downward into the snow. Rafe and Louie went for their guns, and the drivers lunged for them. Louie fought his way free with a vicious blow and put the fire at Preston. I'll get you, Mountie. Again, the sergeant shot first, and Louie fell wounded. After taking his gun, the driver turned to help his own partner. Between them, they overpowered Rafe by the time Sergeant Preston reached the scene. Keep him covered, will I take a look at these two on the ground? Sure will, Sergeant. Do you recognize either of them? Yes. This one wearing the Constable's uniform is Duke Gurney. He's wanted for armed robbery. Have they dead? No, just wounded. I'll banish them up, and then we'll take all three of them back to the mine. How'd they pull off their scheme? None of them posing as the Constable and all that. Well, it's a long story, Jed. I suspect Bert Haflin was mixed up in the scheme, but he claims he's innocent. Says he knows nothing about it. However, even if we can't convict Haflin, these three will certainly go to prison, and if Doug Chandler should die, they'll hang for murder. Hey now, wait a minute. Haflin's not gonna wiggle out of this, Rafe. He was the one who got us into this field in the first place. I turned to if we hang, he'll hang with us, because I'll testify against him. Thanks very much. That's all I wanted to know. Two days later, Sergeant Preston and Eddie stood at Doug Chandler's bedside. Doug was propped up in bed with a cheerful grin on his face. Well, Doug, the doctor tells us that you're out of danger. That's right, Sergeant. He says I ought to be on my feet in a couple of weeks. Oh, gosh, Dad, I sure am stanky. I'm gonna be all right. I don't know what I would've done if he would die. Well, son, there's the man we have to thank for it. If he hadn't found me down there in the canyon, well, you probably never would have seen me again. I'm mighty grateful you, Sergeant. Well, you know, by the way, Doug, here's something for you. A roll of bills. Hey, what's the dick in there? $2,000 for a pile of wood. Holy smoke, how come? Well, he offered me a $2,000 reward if I could save his gold shipment. But the Northwestern Armed Police doesn't accept rewards, as you know, Doug. So I have to sweat it in to turn the money over to you. After all, you were shot in the line of duty, so to speak, and it's through you that the police got wind of the whole scheme. Sergeant, I just don't know what to say. Eddie, do you realize what this money will mean to a son? Is there enough to pay for the operation on my leg? Oh, you bet there is, son, more than enough. And when you go back to the states, I can go with you. Just think, it won't be long before you can get rid of those crutches and be playing around just like all the other kids. Oh, God, yes. Well, King old boy, with Eddie and Doug taking care of, I'd say this case is closed. We'll return in just a moment with a word about our next exciting adventure. Here's a mutual note for you. Mutual is a network that has programs you can enjoy throughout the week. If you like question and answer fun, then you'll find there are all sorts of quiz programs you can listen to on Mutual. You can try and out guess the contestants and see if you know the right answer before they do. Even if you don't know, it's loads of fun listening to others and you can learn a lot at the same time, too. And some of you boys and girls probably have favorite songs and favorite singers that you like to listen to. When you tune into Mutual, you'll hear many of the stars you like best, singing and playing the kind of music you enjoy most. Don't forget, too, there are programs of outdoor adventure and others of barn dance music and jamboree. There's plenty of good listening waiting for you on your Mutual dial. Tune in every weekday afternoon for Mutual's famous programs, especially designed for adventure lovers. And remember to listen other times as well for different kinds of programs you like over most of these stations. Sergeant wasn't expecting trouble when he came to Timberton, but now he'll be facing trouble and danger aplenty as he sets out to trail a desperate hold-up man with a fortune and gold at stake. Be sure to hear this exciting adventure Wednesday. These Sergeant Preston of the Yukon Adventures are brought to you every Monday through Friday at this time by the Quaker Roads Company, makers of Quaker Pop Wheat and Quaker Pop Rice, the delicious cereals shot from guns. By special recording in cooperation with the Mutual Broadcasting System. They are a copyrighted feature of Sergeant Preston of the Yukon Incorporated, created by George W. Trendle, produced by Trendle Campbell Muir Incorporated and directed by Fred Flower Day. The part of Sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton. This is J. Michael wishing you goodbye, good luck and good health from Quaker Pop Wheat and Quaker Pop Rice. So long. This is Mutual, Radio Network for All America.