 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 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 the challenge of the Yukon The steamboat Yukon Star was just arriving at the Dawson City Landline Among the crowd that waited on the wharf was a young mine owner named Hal Vaughn and his foreman Ernie Joplin The two men waited until the passengers had surged down the gangplank And then they went aboard to speak to the skipper captain Corey hello there captain Have a good trip down river yep that we did good weather all the way good How about that mining machine we have been waiting for ever aboard yep? I got a stowed down the whole derived white horse today before we sail I golly that sure is good news Now we'll really be able to get things moving at the mine a Ernie. Yeah, that's right, boss Oh, uh by the way captain is my foreman Ernie Joplin howdy Joplin glad to know you captain You fellas sound so you've been money anxious to get hold of this mine and machinery. Oh, we sure have With this machinery we can put the mine on a paying basis You mean your mine hasn't been paying off before this worse than that. I've been losing money Things have been practically at a standstill all summer and on top of that. I'm in debt to Clint starbuck Clint starbuck see I know that fella. He's a mining speculator isn't he? Yeah, that's right And if I don't pay him off by next spring, he'll be able to take over the mine But I reckon I won't have to worry about that now. This machinery has arrived. Well, I'm glad to hear it I'll see when you be able to unload the set. I'll get the bulls and write it busy on it right away Reckon you fellas better come along and talk to him too. You tell him where you want the crates pile good enough Come on Ernie. We'll attend to unloading and then talk to Jasper Howard about packing his stuff out to the mine. All right, boss Jasper Howard was a freighter whose cabin was located on the outskirts of Dawson city Al Vaughn and Ernie Joplin went to call on him as soon as they had attended to the unloading of the crates of machinery Al Vaughn What are you doing here in Dawson city? How are you Jasper? I'll tell you what I'm here for in just a minute, but first, you know where any Joplin Don't you my mind for sure sure we've met before howdy now Well, what's on your mind hell? Well, I have a job of hauling I want you to do for me that is if you're free to take on a job right now sure am Just got back from a trip out to the creeks yesterday As a matter of fact, I'm looking for more work good good How many horses and mules do you have in your string right now? Oh about 20 Why what is it you want me to haul for you some mining machinery about half a dozen crates of it We just finished unloading it off the boat from Whitehorse. Oh half a dozen crates, huh? How heavy are they plenty heavy some of the crates weigh? Oh seven or eight hundred pounds I imagine but we can take the machinery apart and load the pieces separately and then assemble them later at the mine Well in that case, I reckon we can handle them easy enough. How soon do you want to leave tomorrow morning if that suits you? I'm sure thing. I'll have my string of pack animals down at the dock at say Seven o'clock in the morning good enough Well, I will have the machinery installed and work going full blast inside of a week And if Clint starbuck was counting on taking over the mine It looks like he's gonna be badly disappointed Yeah Sure looks that way. All right On the evening of that same day Ernie Joplin the mine foreman paid a visit to the office of Clint starbuck The man to whom Hal Vaughn was in debt. Well, how about a job in the did the mining machine re-arrived? Yeah, that's right starbuck came in today on the Yukon Star Crates have all been unloaded. So now young Vaughn thinks he's gonna put the mine on a paying basis He'll do it too But there's new equipment He'll be able to get the ore out and pay off the dead eosie in that case. I reckon we'll have to take steps What do you mean by that? I mean we'll have to make sure Vaughn never gets a chance to use that machinery Look, wait a minute before we go any farther. I want to know just what I'm going to get out of this deal Now don't worry about that Joplin you string along with me and you'll be well taken care of talk is cheap starbuck All right, let's say a thousand dollars cash is a down payment later on a 10% interest in the mine after I take over I reckon that's fair enough How does Vaughn figure on getting this machinery out to the mine? He's gonna have it hauled out by a packtrain Who's handling the job? Oh afraid of him a jasper howler. He's got a string of about 20 horses and mules That's a little even tomorrow morning tomorrow morning Let's see in about three days from now. They ought to be passing through devil's gorge. Yeah, so what? You know what the trails like through devil's gorge. Don't you all right? I've been over it often enough Fail winds along the narrow ledge on one side of the gorge. That's right and below that ledge There's a sheer drop of four or five hundred feet. What are you getting there? Suppose the charge of blasting putters planted somewhere up above that ledge And then just as the packtrain goes by the charge explodes Start a landslide that's right Every critter in the packtrain will either be crushed or swept over into the gorge below. Well, what about me? I'll be riding with that packtrain myself use your head stupid Before they start up through the gorge make some kind of excuse so he can turn back Pretend you're less something behind at the last place you made camp Yeah, I said me. That's a good idea But your plan still sounds kind of risky. What's risky about it? Well, suppose someone escapes and tells the Mounties that landslide wasn't accidental don't worry about that If anyone does survive I'll make sure they don't live long enough to go squawking to the red coats. You're gonna need help to pull the thing off, right? Yeah And I know where to get help where Every hotel of the Klondike kid Who hasn't police have got reward and notices posted all over the territory for them Well, I know where him and that's I wash pallies right now They've done jobs for me before and I reckon they'll do this one You're a smart operator Starbuck. Yeah, that's right Like one back to your hotel and leave the rest to me Soon after Joplin had left his office Clint Starbuck rode eastward out of town Several hours later. He rained up in front of a ramshackle What you want come on open up Johnny, it's me Clint Starbuck May not know you in dark. How could you recognize me when you only had the door open a crack? You may not like to take chances The outlaw known as the Klondike kid was seated at the table thumbing a greasy pack of cards. Howdy, Starbuck Pull up a chair. Yeah, I'll do that Bring us out here Get another job for you and your Indian friend This time I'll be working with you. What's the deal tomorrow morning that pack trains leave in Dawson City They'll be head and knees to a mine out on Malibu Creek But there's three are gonna see to it. They never get there. How do you figure on stubborn? Every human place called Devil's Gorge sure event through it. All right Now here's my plan About three days from now the pack train will be passing through the next morning Jasper Howard string of pack horses and mules were lined up along the waterfront at Dawson While the mining machinery was disassembled and loaded on their backs The last crate had been emptied Jasper spoke to Hal Vaughn It's enough in it. Well, I reckon it'll do for the time being we've hauled heavy loads in this One good thing. We won't have to worry about trail robbers like we would if we were packing a load of gold Yeah, you're right about that Jasper. I don't imagine any road agents would have much use for this mine Not unless they're operating your mine on the side Well, if you're all set and may as well mount up and get started sure let's go. All right, Sam. Let's get these critters moving It was two days later that Sargent Preston and Constable Ross rode through Devil's Gorge On their way back to Dawson City from a special patrol The great dog Yukon King was trotting along at the sergeant's stirrup a wonderful view from up here on this trail Huh sergeant providing you don't look straight down. What's the matter Alex? High cliff walls bother you. Let's say I don't like riding so close to the edge of nothing This trail isn't much more than a narrow ledge gets even narrower little way farther along Yeah, I know and it's a sheer drop from here straight down to the floor of the gorge How far do you suppose it is 400 feet at least and I wonder they call it Devil's Gorge All right, King. We'll catch up. We'd better ride single file from here on Alex. Yeah, good idea. I'll take the lead The two Mounties had passed through the gorge and had reached a point with the trail broadened and sloped downward When they noticed a lone horseman poised on the mountainside some distance ahead I know what that fellas up to a sergeant. I don't know seems to be looking through binoculars Now he's turning around. He must have heard our horses. Yes. He's seen us. That's funny. Look at him He's galloping away. You may have some reason for avoiding the mounted police. Come on Alex We were to check on him Spurring their horses to a gallop the two Mounties took off after the fleeing rider The latter had a long head start as he raced down the mountainside and headed into the foothills What the Mounties had better horses and finally after a hard chase they closed in on their quarry Stop in the name of the crown We only want to question you He wasn't in trouble with the law before he is now I hate to shoot a man, but he's not giving me any choice With a single shot the sergeant roll the fugitive missat Holy smoke sergeant You know who this fella is. Yes, he's called us Johnny the partner of the Klondike kid No wonder these red coats of our scared him off. How about it? Is he dead? No, but that bullet didn't do him any good Be luckier for him if he goes this way. There's a hangman's rope waiting for him in Dawson City That's the same. I'll try to save him for the judge to get a fair start at Alex I'll try to take out this bullet right sergeant later when the sergeant had removed the bullet and dressed his wound the Indian began to regain consciousness He's opening his eyes. Well, Johnny. Do you feel strong enough to talk me gone die? Not from your wound if that's what you mean. What are you doing up there on the mountainside? Me not maybe you are looking for that partner yours is that it may not talk Looks like we may as well save our breath Alex. Yeah, maybe so, but I'll bet that's the answer sergeant He and his partner probably arrange a rendezvous. He was waiting for the kid to join him You'd be no look out. He was keeping he was certainly expecting someone to show up on the trail Who else but the Klondike kid? There's one way to find out. What do you mean get the trail ourselves? If someone is heading this way whom Johnny was expecting we're bound to run into him. I reckon that makes sense What about this file? We'll make a travel for him and hit you to one of the horses. Good idea I'll get some branches a short time later The two Mouties had constructed a travel of two poles with cross pieces to support the body of the wounded man The outlaw was wrapped in blankets and strapped to the travel with ropes Then the poles were hitched to cultist Johnny's own horse. How about a Johnny? Me all right. We'll take it easy and try not to shake it too much We all set to hit the trail sergeant all said Alex believe Johnny's horse between us, right? At the same time sergeant Preston and Constable Ross were starting out with their wounded prisoner Clint starbuck and the Klondike kid were waiting at their camp in the hills not far from the scene of the shooting The kids squatted close to the ashes of their dead campfire While Clint prowled back and forth chewing on the butt of a cold cigar Yeah, so would I but if you're smart you'll wait here in Lila little Johnny gets back if he gets back You'll get back all right for all we know he's just taken a few pot shops out of rabbit sounded more like a gunfight to me He'd be having a gunfight with Listen Johnny's got more sense to go looking for trouble while we're working this job for you How do we know someone won't recognize him? He wouldn't let anyone get close enough to recognize him Not to the whole Northwest mounted out looking for so where they are You heard what he said back at the cabin about not wanting to take any chances. Yeah, maybe so, but I still don't like it Well, neither do I but what are we gonna do about it? You're so all fired anxious to find out what happened go out and see for yourself. All right, so we're down somewhere down That's I wash Polly you has got himself into trouble. That's his tough lucky We'll wait here for an hour or so and see if he comes back if not We'll go out and scout for the pack train ourselves Meanwhile the pack train was approaching slowly along the trail several miles from Devil's Gorge Herald Vaughn was riding at the head of the column with Jasper Howard the owner of the pack animals He's Yukon trails sure do get sloppy in summer. It's his dad red and musk egg I just hope he don't hit any more bad stretches like the last one we passed through I'm afraid that's not the last soft spot between here in the mine Performance writing up to talk to you Wonder what he's looking so worried about What's wrong Ernie? I'll go it boss. I've lost my wallet. I lost your wallet. Yeah, I didn't discover it till it was going till it just now Have much cash in it very close to hundred bucks all my personal papers, too What are you supposed to happen to it? I must have left it back at that last spot what we made camp Would you mind if I rode back and tried to find it course not go ahead think you can catch up with us again Oh, sure. These kids are moving pretty slow. You'll soon be passing through Devil's Gorge. That's all right I'll meet up with you on the other side. Good. You better get moving. Hope you find it. All right. Thanks, boss Come on weighty The pack train plotted steadily forward It was about an hour later that Hal and Jasper sighted two Maudi's riding toward them from the direction of the Gorge The red-coated figures drew closer Jasper exclaimed. Hey, I know that Mountie on the right So do I sergeant Preston. Hello there sergeant What happened to that fellow in the trevor is an outlaw named cultist Johnny When we chased him he put up a fight and was wounded What did you run into on the mountain slope this side of the Gorge? Siding along the trail through a pair of binoculars looking for what that's what the constable and I would like to know You may have been on the lookout for your pack train. You mean waiting the way layers possible. What are you carrying? Nothing that a road agent would have any use for It's a load of new machinery for my mind. Would anyone have any reason for wanting to interfere with this shipper? No, not that I know of sir Wait a minute. I Suppose there is at that. Oh Clint starbuck Without this machinery, I wouldn't be able to pay off the debt I owe him and in that case He could take over the mine. It's a strong motive especially for a shady operator like starbuck But you know you were planning to install this machinery. I don't think so At least I never told him how many people knew you'd be packing the machinery to the mine at this time Just myself and Jasper Howard here and my foreman Ernie Joplin. I believe you've met him, haven't you? Yes, he writing with her. Well, he was sergeant, but he turned back about an hour or so ago turned back Yeah, he discovered his wallet was missing. He figured he must have lost it back at the last place We made camp. Do you think he was telling the truth? Sure as far as I know I'll say you're not suggesting that Ernie is mixed up in some kind of a plot against me. I don't know how But if there is a plot to waylay you with devil's gorge where we met cultist Johnny Seems odd the Joplin should turn back just before you reach the gorge. It's probably just a coincidence Maybe you're right howl, but I think it'd be wise not to take any chances. What do you mean? Would you mind holding up the pack train while I go and check on Joplin? But hang it all sergeant that may delay us for three or four hours. I think sergeant Preston is right. Hell won't hurt to play save Well, all right. We'll do as you say. Thanks. What about me sergeant? You stay here and guard cultist Johnny while I ride on come on king After leaving the pack train the sergeant Preston rode forward at a good speed Less than an hour later. He came on Ernie Joplin resting beside the trail with his horse tethered to a tree At sight of the Mountie Joplin started up with a guilty look on his face Howdy sergeant Preston What's the idea Joplin? I thought you were supposed to be riding back to look for your wallet Well, yeah, yeah, that's right, but I stopped arrest. You must have spent most of your time resting since you left the pack train My horse showed signs are going lame. You're quite sure you lost your wallet. Well, sure. I'm sure What do you mean any objection if I make a search right now? You know see here stand still Joplin watch him king After searching Joplin the sergeant looked in his saddlebag and promptly found missing wallets. Well, well, well So this is where you lost your wallet by thunder. So that's what happened to it I swear I forgot all about putting it in there never mind the act Joplin if you know what's good for you You'll start talking right now start talking. I don't know what you mean Why did you make an excuse to separate from the pack train? Don't lie you told Hal Vaughn you were going to ride back to look for your wallet Instead I find you resting here beside the trail with your wallet in your saddlebag I tell you I forgot all about putting it in there Huh, I suppose it was purely coincidence that you turned back just before the pack train approached devil's gorge Devil's gorge What's that got to do with it a short while ago constable Ross and I captured an outlaw named cultist Johnny near the Gorge We're studying the trail through binoculars Could be that he was waiting to wailay the pack train. Oh, maybe so. How would I know what he was doing? In other words, you're not talking. How can I talk when I've got nothing to say? All right Joplin get on your horse You're taking me we're going back to join the pack train We'll see if your horse shows any more signs of going lame now. Go on get moving And the sergeant and Ernie Joplin arrived back at the spot where the pack train had halted Cal Vaughn grieved them in surprise I Didn't have far to go what do you mean? Joplin only wrote a little way after he left you Found him sitting beside the trail with his horse tied to a tree. What's that? What about the wallet I found the wallet in a saddlebag For Pete's sake Ernie, what's this all about? It was a mistake boss. I forgot what I'd done with my wallet I was sure it was well, how come you were just waiting around beside the trail they claimed his horse showed signs of going lame But there was no indication of that on the way back here my thunder Ernie if this is some kind of a scheme Hold on boss. Don't go flying off the handle. This man. He's got nothing against me I don't even know what is driving at hang it all sergeant. I don't know what to think just the same howl I think constable Ross and I better escort your pack train through devil's gorge. Well, I certainly won't object The whole thing still doesn't make sense to me. What do you think can happen to us? I don't know any more than you do now But Joplin here had some good reason for not wanting to accompany you through the gorge I'd sure like to know whether your suspicions are correct. Oh now look boss You don't trust me. Maybe I'd better quit working for you right now Like I think that's just what I'll do. Sorry Joplin, but you're not quitting. Just what do you mean by that? When the pack train travels through the gorge, you're coming with us and you're going to be riding in the lead Oh, wait a minute. You can't force me to go anywhere. I'm not under arrest. That can be arranged if necessary But one way or another you're coming with us a Short time later that afternoon two men crouched on the rocky slope high above the trail through devil's gorge They were watching the pack train as it slowly approached in the distance One of the man was Clint starbuck and the other was the outlaw known as the Klondike kid I must be Vaughn's pack train Orion. We had those binoculars. I lent that side wash pot of yours We can tell for sure. Well, we haven't so quich a gripe Is it last butter all planted? Yeah, Johnny and I fixed it this morning. Just like you told us to Like to know what happened to that Indian whatever happened to him It must have had something to do with those shots we heard while we were waiting back at the camp Yeah, don't make much difference. I reckon we can handle this job between is now wait a minute Just how are we gonna work it? You better go over it again, so I'll be sure I got it all clear All right We'll wait till the pack train gets the point where the trail tapers down to the narrow ledge Then we'll light the fuse and make a run for it By the time the party goes off We'll be out of danger zone and the pack train will be right square in the path of the landslide. Got you Think we can make our getaway without them spotting us. You we can They'll be watching their step along that ledge not looking up the slope. Yeah, I guess you're right These rocks and boulders give us plenty of cover and even if they do spotters. So what? They won't say be what we're up to At least not until it's too late to do any good As The pack train approached devil's gorge and headed up the trail along one side of the chasm Ernie Joplin's mind was working frantically. He was in a desperate situation He tried to weigh the odds against him There was a chance Clint starbuck wouldn't go through with the scheme now that cultist Johnny had been captured Or maybe he would call it off when he saw who was riding at the head of the column Joplin knew that if he broke down and told the truth to sergeant Preston He would be facing a long jail sentence and yet if he refused to talk and kept on going He would be risking a horrible death Samantha Joplin, you're looking pale. I don't know what you're talking about. Don't you? Well, maybe I'm wrong Meanwhile Clint starbuck and the Klondike kid were watching tensely from their place of concealment higher up the slope The pack train had almost reached the point where the trail became a narrow ledge Suddenly Clint spoke only Michael automatic that guy in the lead right beside the money. It's only job I told you those red coats men trouble. Maybe Joplin squealed out. Don't be stupid He's supposed to be bringing that pack train up here if they knew what we plan to do No, maybe not but your plans going wrong somewhere. Yes. It's going wrong as far as Joplin's concerned. That's for sure All right, what are you gonna do? What are you supposing what I do? Soon as they come a little closer. I'm gonna light the fuse At that instant sergeant Preston was saying to Ernie Joplin All right Joplin move up into the lead left to ride single file from now on. No, no, I can't do it. Stop the horses Well, are you ready to talk? Yeah, I'll talk Vince to help look at the Klondike kid. They're up there in the slope somewhere They're gonna touch up a charge of blasts and powders to start a landslide Holy mackerel, what are we going to do sergeant? Get the horses turned around hell. You're carrying a gun Keep Joplin covered in the meantime the castle and I are going to dismount and go up that slope I'll try to find starbuck and the Klondike kids study by keys Come on Alex, right sergeant Meanwhile the crooks were watching everything that happened They were crouched behind a group of boulders some distance up the slope at the spot where the blasting powder had been planted to start the landslide Vince starbuck was just about to light the long slow burning fuse when he realized that the pack train had stopped too far of range For the explosion to be effective. Hey, look at those mountains. They're coming up the slope. I've got eyes stupid Well, what are we gonna do now lie low and get our guns ready? They Scottish will gun them down It was slow going for the two bodies as they picked their way up the steep rocky slope King was at his master's side with every sense alert Make mighty good targets for those two sergeant. Yes, I know When they start shooting we'll just have to hit the dirt fast Mountain size mighty big honey rocks for him to hide behind Wish we had some general idea of their position. There's one thing in our favor Oh, what's that the breeze is blowing down the slope tortoise King should be able to pick up this Looks as always picked up a cent already. Yes, no doubt about it. Where are they fellow as if in answer to his master's Question King suddenly charged forward Moment as the sergeant pulled out his revolver. He saw the sudden glint of a gun barrel You got one of them sergeant never mind that take cover as the Mounties died behind the nearest rocks and answering shot rang out and then another The Mounties returned the fire Sergeant's command King too had taken cover and now as the shooting continued He done it away out of line of fire. It looked as though he were frightened But actually as soon as he was far enough away from the scene of action He began moving in a wide circle so as to close in on the enemy from the rear Between shots the two Mounties kept an eye on his movements. Hey, look at King sergeant. Yes, he knows what to do What's the idea? I'm gonna try to work around come up behind them. That's right All he's doing that will keep their attention focused this way with a gun Great dog moved as silently as a shadow from rock to rock Meanwhile the two Mounties were keeping up a steady fire Several minutes later. They heard a ferocious snarl in the distance followed by a yell of surprise That's what we've been waiting for Alex come on the fight's over the two Mounties jumped up and ran toward the spot where the crooks had been Concealed as they arrived on the scene They saw Clint starbuck struggling in terror to get away from King's a few feet away The Klondike kid lay sprawled out motionless on the ground Dog come up right here. He won't hurt you. That's why still I'll we pick up these guns. All right, King on guard. Good work boy You haven't been hurt get up on your feet You're under arrest in the name of the crown. What about the other one Alex? Is he dead? No, I just wounded sergeant. He'll live to stand trial King boy with your help We've captured the two men and we're going to destroy the pack train After you've handcuffed starbuck Alex, I'll attend to the other fellas wound once they're behind bars. This case will be closed And now at a rear table in a cafe in Dawson Two men speak in low tones Wally that clean cast and let us in on his pain off plenty and our way we could get to own the whole thing Oh, what's on your mind? Cassin cheated Sam Perry out of his half Perry knocked Cassin down here in front of everybody and made threatening remarks Yeah, I know that Cassin's going out the trail to Fox run if he's found murdered Perry will get the blame We'll follow Cassin Falling snow cover our tracks and Perry will be jailed as the killer the two men Wally and Dell have planned the murder Knowing someone else will be blamed When sergeant Preston and the great dog Yukon King set out to trail the man who was thought to be the killer Preston may find that his own life is in the hands of a desperate fugitive Be sure to hear this exciting adventure next Saturday These radio dramas a feature of the challenge of the Yukon Incorporated are created by George W. Trendall produced by Trendall Campbell Enterprises Directed by Fred flower day and edited by Fran striker the part of sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton. They are brought to you every Saturday and Sunday starting January This is Jay Michael wishing you goodbye and good luck until next Saturday This is the mutual broadcasting system