 Dedicated to the strength of the nation, now heard on more than 1,300 radio stations. Proudly we hail, we are in westward hope, the United States Army and United States Air Force presentation. And our heroes are producers, the well-known Hollywood showman, C.P. McGregor. Thank you, Wendell, and greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to your Theatre of Stars, where each week Hollywood's foremost motion picture talent joins us in plays we know you'll enjoy. That highly popular star of the cinema, the idol of millions of western fans, William Bill Elliott, heads our distinguished cast of radio players in an exciting drama titled, Westward Hole. Bill Elliott portrays a famed guide and able Indian fighter who leads the caravan of hardy pioneers over the treacherous trails and passes into the far west. Not all the pioneers are serious nor all of them honest and courageous. As you ride with Bill Elliott through 30 exciting minutes, you meet the people and share their hardships and pranks. And now, here is an important message from Wendell Niles, then the curtain for act one of Westward Hole. Your Army and Air Force are a means to an end, the end piece. Maintenance of peace is the prime function of our armed forces. And this is accomplished in many ways by judicial occupation of former aggressive nations and assistance and rehabilitation of their people. By keeping an adequate army and Air Force as insurance against future conflict and by many other methods, give your men in uniform your backing. And now, once again, our producer. It's curtain time and here's act one of Westward Hole starring Bill Elliott as Christian Latimer. Out of the stirring sagas of the great American cavalcade west, many monuments of courage marked the unseen trails that led through the uncharted territory to the western lands of promise. Trails were carved across the face of this nation by strong men and women. A land was conquered and won by courage that would not quail before the endless stretch of prairies, the high vastness of the great Rockies, and the constant threat of torture and death by the Indians. To this magnificent spirit of American progress, we humbly dedicate this story. The time, the last century, the place St. Louis, Missouri, a train of Conestoga wagons assembled for the trip west. In charge was wagon boss Christian Latimer, the famous scout. A blacksmith prepares a heavy iron tire as Chris Latimer calls to a heavy set man on horseback. There Chris, here I come. On the double with you. What is it, what is it, Chris? You like it up on that horse, Pinky? Well, yes, Chris. You know I'm too fat for walking. You want to stay up on that horse on this wagon train and start moving out of here for Fort Beale? Well, now I was planning on it. Alright then, where's that mule skinner you promised me? Or are you going to drive that last wagon? Now, Chris, now you said I was going to scout for you this trip. I said if you get me a good teamster. Chris, you know a good teamster scares his hog wallow in the desert. Now you know that, now give me time. No Pinky, just in case you wanted to sleep on it a couple of days, you know we're leaving tomorrow noon. I know, I know, and I'll have your teams to get up at. What's the matter with Pinky? Oh, hello, Miss Genevieve. I guess Pinky's got his troubles and I'm probably number one on his list. I can't imagine you being a bother to anyone. That's very nice, ma'am. But I reckon Pinky wouldn't quite agree with you. Die here right? The train leaves tomorrow noon? That's right, ma'am. Well, what about me? You got that place yet? I'm sorry, ma'am, but there's been nobody pull out. It doesn't look as though anybody will pull out. And if I don't get a mule skinner before tomorrow noon, there's libel to be a whole wagon left behind. You know, we're so pressed for space that I'm not even letting Pinky take that goat of his, Arabella. That's how bad it is. Well, I still plan to go, you know. Lots of others had their hearts set too, ma'am. You aren't the only one that's going to be disappointed. Speaking of being disappointed, I'm going to be just that if you don't get over to the farewell dance tonight. Well, I'll be there. You will, Mr. Chris Latton. Oh, sure. Somebody's got to spread the wax on the floor. That bar with you damn. I reckon I'm really going to enjoy this. Uh-huh. Oh, Pinky, what about that mule skinner? Yeah, he just reminded me. I'm sick. Well, you better not fail me. Or you're going to be riding a heartboard a long ways. I've been it deep already. Say, ain't this Joe Bittery coming in? Yes, sir, sure enough is. He's looking for somebody, Chris. I think he's here. You're right. Don't fool him, Chris. He's no good. He's so low he can read by the light of a hot foot. I know all about Vickery. Hello, thanks, Chris Latton. How are you, Chris? Vickery. Pinky, good to see you, Chris. Thanks. What are you doing in St. Louis? Oh, I move around a lot. Oh, and so? You know, I heard just the opposite. I heard the Wells Fargo people put a hobble on you. You're listening to rumors too much, Chris. I was clear to that robbery a long time ago. Well, that's fine. I'm glad to hear that. By the way, I understand your train leaves tomorrow. That's right. I hear you short a mule skinner. Well? I'm offering my services. No thanks, Vickery. Why not? I said no thanks. Listen, what's so special about that train anyway? Nothing that I've heard. There is too. Something's going on. What's the matter with me? Ain't I good enough for you? Excuse me, Vickery. I've got to see somebody. Oh, no, you don't. You think you can insult me in front of all these people? Look out, Vickery. You better look out, Latimer. I'm going to take you apart. All right, you asked for it? All right, everybody stand up. Throw him out, Pinky. I ain't afraid of you. I ain't afraid of you. What's up outside of me? I can talk to you alone. Why, sure, man. I couldn't help hearing what he said about the train, Chris. Is there something unusual about this train? Well, I know. No, except everybody in the country is trying to get on it. There is something about that train. The reason you don't want me to go. Miss Genevieve, why do you want to make this trip? Don't you know that it's hard enough for a man, let alone a woman? Is there other women going? But they've got folks. They've got families moving out there. Chris. Yes, ma'am? Tell me something. Yes? Is it true what they say? That this is going to be your last trip? I reckon it is, ma'am. When I get to California this time, I'm planning on staying a while. Say, wait a minute, ma'am. I didn't know you felt this way. But don't you be presuming anything. I merely want to get through Indian country safe. I know I have a chance of doing that with Chris Latimer. Oh, thank you, ma'am. And don't you be too surprised if you find me on that train of yours. Don't you be too surprised. You've got to help me. Chris will never recognize me after I get all dressed up with this beard and everything. Ma'am, maybe not. But I don't want to get my head knocked off if I can help you in any manner of means. I sure enough will. Pinky, you're looking for a team, sir. But you, Miss Genevieve, are you just a little girl? I can drive a team of horses with any man alive. You've driven him before? No, but I can learn. Oh, there you go, making a joke out of this. Now I'm putting my foot down, no. Pinky, did I see you slipping that goat of yours, Arabella, into a wagon early this evening? Did you? Pinky, I just know you're going to help me. Mike, I up here in this wagon seat, isn't it? Now what do I do, Pinky? Oh, Dad Rabbit, you say get up to start him or hold to stop him. I think I can remember that. Oh, Dad Rabbit, why do I always get myself involved? Oh, here comes Chris now. He'll be wanting to see you drive them horses. And don't forget to lower your voice. Yes, everybody help here. Looking for me? Yeah, I got your team stand. Well, that's fine. Where is he? There with his back seat on that wagon. Uh-huh. Oh, kind of a runt, isn't he? I heard that, and I resent it. I meant no offense. All right, driver, take that team and circle around and bring them back between those barrels. Get up there! He's not taking that team between the barrels. He's going to run them between those egg crates. It's not some fresh egg. Why, they're scarcely an inch clearance on either side. Look out! What an anomaly that's going to make. Don't be too sure. Here he comes. Look at him! Sign him up, Pinky Pat. And believe me, that is good work. I'm beginning to think it was good enough. Jay, he comes to soldiers from the garrison and he's really a hot foot in it. Mr. Letterman. Yes, Sergeant? Captain Hayes would like to see it once, sir. It seems to be very important. I'll be right over, Sergeant. Captain Hayes, you sent for me? Hello, Chris. I want you to meet an old friend of yours, Dave Bonner. Hiya, Chris. Hi, Collie. You're really a sight for sore eyes. Dave Bonner. Well, the last time I saw you, we were riding out of Santa Fe together with Kit Carson. That's right. You still like those dude clothes, don't you? Ah, no remarks now. I see you still got that big diamond ring. I thought you might have lost it to a pair of blue eyes somewhere. No, no. No, not me, Chris. I just got back to St. Louis. I haven't had much time to look around. Yes, Chris. I know you won't have much time now. Why is that, Captain Hayes? Well, Dave's helping us out to get that shipment that goes through to four deals. You know, Dave, that we've got a big load on for four deals. I guess you can call two million dollars and gold big. I wish that we could give you a military escort all the way, Chris, but of course that's impossible. However, you're a real danger in the Paiute country. That's why Dave is going to run courier to four deals. Oh. Dave will notify the commanding officer there of the gold shipment and he'll meet you with an escort from four deals about three days this side of the fort. Well, by golly, I feel better about it now. Well, I knew you would. Well, so long, Dave. Captain Hayes. I've got to get a wagon train moving out of here at noon. There's a tension about the departure. The horses stamp as if they sensed the charged atmosphere of the perilous adventures to come. The women bundle their frightened crying babies into the canvas-top schooners. The skinners check their lines and harness. Last-minute chores are done and finished. Then the reverend Steeple Bell rings out and down the long line of waiting wagons rides the scout and wagon boss, Chris Latimer. Finally, down the line, a cry. I'll figure out what happened to Miss Genevieve. Oh, her. Well, sure, she'd at least come down to say goodbye. Oh, you never can figure out women, Chris. Can't be done. Hey, I'd better go tell that new mule skinner to keep his wagon in line. No, no, no. Let me do it. Funny, I thought that new mule skinner might give me a lot of trouble. Now I reckon it's just the opposite. Sometimes, Pinky, I can't for the life of me. I understand you. Oh, I guess no good local fool crazes a loon most of the time. But I find it fun. Pause briefly from our story Westwood Hole starring Bill Elliott for an important message from our government. Aviation Cadet Pilot Training is one year of rugged training, man, but it's worth it. Just ask any pilot in the U.S. Air Force. As a cadet pilot, you'll learn all about the latest most modern airplanes, how to fly them, chart your course, engine maintenance, and many other interesting and necessary phases of flying. When you complete your training, you'll win your pilot's wings. You'll be commissioned a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Reserves with monthly pay up to $336. And if you're especially proficient, you may win a regular commission. It's a great opportunity, man, but you've got to work fast now in order to make the next class. Find out today if you can qualify. Ask at your nearest Air Force base or recruiting station. If you can meet the requirements, we'll be right away. Our curtain rises on Act Two of Westward Hole starring Bill Elliott as the famous scout and wagon master, Christian Latimer. Slowly, the rumbling cavalcade moves ever westward, a white and moving monument of courage, weaving its way across the endless reach of prairies, through clests and canyons, hewn by the invincible armies of the elements. Pioneers these, pitting their strengths against the wilderness. Riding at the head of the train stormy night, Chris Latimer, picturesque in fringe buckskins, watches the unconquered land ahead. The Calvin Ford's a high stream, but Chris is suddenly very attentive to the sound in one of the wagons. What in the name of all tarnation, Pinky? Yes, boss. What's that racket going on in your wagon? Racket, Chris? I don't hear no racket going on. Let me have a look under the top in your wagon, Pinky. Well, I'm swearing to you, boss. There ain't nothing in my wagon except my ammunition. Well, I've never heard no ammunition flatten like a long-birded goat. Throw back that tarp. All right, boss. Oh, nothing in the back except an ammunition, huh? I thought I told you to leave that galloping songbird home. Well, I know, boss. I just couldn't chair myself away from Arabella. I was gonna, but when I comes to saying good-bye, she looked at me with them soft brown eyes of her, and it was like trying to cut off my left arm. Well, that goat of yours starts flattening and ending in country, Pinky. Well, you're going to gag her with a wagon tongue. You can hear that bar mit for 10 miles. I won't have to do no gagging, boss. Well, I got Arabella trained so she won't let out a peep when I tell her not to. Yeah? Oh, I assure her, boss. And just to prove it to you, I'll show you. Arabella, you ask up your fussing now before Mr. Latimer gets plum round. Now then, Mr. Boss, he's as quiet as a mouse. And see that you keep her that way, Pinky. We don't want no flattened goats to be direct in redskins like a torch. I won't hear another peep, boss. Arabella. Arabella. An area of peep, huh? I'll be talking to you later, Pinky. And maybe we'll be having a massive barbecued goat before long. Whoa now. Whoa, hold it, Stormy. Hey, what's the matter with that wagon and the river up there? Well, it looks like she was bogged down. Looks like the driver was dumped into the stream. Well, that's one way to get a nice school bath. He's just climbing back on the wagon now. He'll get out of there. No matter. Can he stay on the wagon? Hey, it's that new mule skinner. I better give him a hand. Come on, Stormy. You don't have to tell me that. Hey, wait a minute. The water must have washed it. Well, this is a fine how do you do? I suppose you had to know sooner or later. I'm sorry. Never mind about that. You know, you're holding up the whole wagon train. Move over. Yes, sir. Now then, give me those lines. Yes, sir. Petty goats driving up for them. There ought to be a law against such things. Get up there. Ha! Well then, Miss Genevieve, I'll find that pinkie. And then he can take over. You know, if we weren't out so far, I'd send you back. And as soon as you can, you'd better get some dry things on so you don't catch cold. First onward. The cry is westward whole. The Latimer train moves on. The Paiute Indian country is reached. And the day approaches for the rendezvous with the military escort. The place of the rendezvous three days from the fourth. Once in the Indian country, heart speed a little faster. At the head of the column is Stride Stormy Knight. Chris Latimer raises his hand and shouts in order. Look, you see what I see? There's four riders coming out of the gully. Yeah. Here's one of them. Sweat. What's he doing there? Well, I don't know, but I'm going to find out. Pinkie, you better come with me. The rest of you men, keep us covered. Come on, Stormy. Come on. I didn't expect to see you so soon again, especially out here in Paiute country. They're very good friends of mine. I thought you might like to know. Why? You're leading unprotected trains to their country. What are you building up to, Vickery? I thought you might like to buy a safe passage through. With what? With that gold you're carrying, the Fort Deal. You must believe in pipe dreams, Vickery. No, my information is authentic. Well, do you want a deal, Latimer? No, thanks. Don't say I didn't warn you. Come on. Hey, Pinkie. Yeah? You know, this is serious. Why? Well, we're not going to get our escort from Fort Deal. No. As a matter of fact, they don't even know we're out here. Why not? Dave Bonner didn't get through. How do you know? You know, he had a diamond ring he always wore. God rest his soul. And I just saw it on the finger of one of those indents. This is bad, Chris. Come on. We've got to get set for them. The Latimer train, encamped on a knoll, formed into a huge circle, settled down watchfully for the night. Only the quiet prairie sounds, the coyote howling, and the rustle of a hawk's wings. Inside the circle, a baby cries. But suddenly they came, swarming down from the hills out of the darkness in a wave of breath. There's freaking cries like death itself. The sound of carbines returned from the barricade of white and then a respite. Well, Pinky, I guess we've turned them back for a little while in a way. But we're done for, Chris. Unless we can get some help. Yeah, you're right. I'm trying to figure a way out. They got us plumb surrounded. There must be 2,000 environments. Wait a minute, Pinky. Now I know why I pulled up on this knoll. Yeah? Yeah. You take that small powder wagon, set a fuse to it. What are you going to do, Chris? I'm going to blast a hole through that wall with a powder wagon. And then I'll make a dash for it. You'll never make it, Chris. Don't you say that. You get the powder wagon ready. I'll get Stormy. You're not going through that howling mob of murderers, are you? Somebody's got to, ma'am. And I figure I've got as good a chance as the next man. Chris. Yes, Miss Genevieve? I just wanted to tell you. I just wanted to tell you. I'm sorry. I've been trouble to you. You haven't been any trouble? God, bring the baby safe, quick. Thank you, ma'am. And in the way you say it, I think he might do that. All right. Light the fuse. All right, Chris. If I get through, you'll hear 3 rifle shots. All right. Let her go. Signal Stormy. Let's go. Oh. You'd think so. Oh, please. Who's that? Oh, that's the Harris baby. Maybe I can help him all here. I sure did. He made it. A signal. Three shots from a rifle ringing out of the prairie fastness. Those had been heard together with a baby's cry and the muffled sound of hearts that beat through the agonizing moments. A symphony of courage it was. The squeak of the wagon wheels, barriers past and surpassed. Westward whole, the nation was built. The curtain falls on the final act of westward whole. Our star, Bill Elliott, will return for a curtain call after this timely message from Wendell Niles. School days are here again. But in the Army, it's school days all year round for men who want it. You see, the Army man has the facilities of the Armed Forces Institute available to him. This means he can choose to take subjects from a great variety of courses at high school and college level. Many high schools and colleges give academic credits for these. A soldier can study in his off-duty hours by correspondence or in organized classes. And the cost? $2 initial enrollment. That's all. As long as he continues his Usoffey schooling, there is no further fee. That's one reason so many men interested in continuing their education are making a career of the U.S. Army. There are other advantages too, such as good pay, security, chance for advancement and many others. Find out all about the educational facilities in the Army men. Ask at your local recruiting station this week. Now, back at the microphone, our star, Bill Elliott, and our producer. Well, ladies and gentlemen, you've seen our star, Bill Elliott, in motion pictures, and just this summer, you may have seen him in his new rodeo. Now I want you to meet him as he really is. Come out, Bill, and take a bow. Hey, not you. Come here, Bill, and get that critter out of here. What's the matter, ZP? Hey, Stormy, come on, get out of here. Stormy has turned out to be a ham. Well, he's heard applause now, ZP, and you know what that does to horses. And people. That's right. The Bar Bar A Ranch rodeo is back off the road. Yes, sir. And it was a mighty good season, too, considering this was my first rodeo venture. Did you take Thunder, your red rider horse? You bet I did. You know, Thunder is a high school horse. He does tricks. And Stormy Knight, he's a quarter horse, isn't he? That's right. He's a registered quarter horse stallion, and I used him in the rodeos for the cutting horse contest. That's where you cut out stairs. He's mighty fast, too. Say, Bill, there may be some that don't understand the word quarter horse. You know, one-legged horse or only one-fourth of a horse? Yes, sir, that's right. Well, you know, Stormy's supposed to be mighty fast on sprints for a quarter of a mile or less. That's how the quarter horses get their name. You breed horses at Van Nuys Ranch, don't you? Yes, they're just quarter horses. And by the way, I use Stormy in all of my Republic pictures. Bill, they tell me a great story on you out at Republic. Remember that race last fall at the Hollywood Park between a quarter horse and a thoroughbred? Yes, sir. How well I remember that race between Barbara B. and Fair Truckle. And by the way, I placed my bet on the thoroughbred Fair Truckle. And he lost his race to the quarter mare, Barbara B. What do you suppose, Stormy, thought about that this week? This is C.P. McSullivan. Well, C.P., that's my cue to high-tail it out of here. But tell me, what's doing here next week? Next week, Bill, and ladies and gentlemen, the popular actor, John Lund, becomes our proudly-behaved star in a dramatic story of Place in the Sun. John portrays a country doctor in our play, marries into society, and is on his way of becoming a great specialist. His problem is to serve humanity or to specialize in making money from the sometimes inconsequential ills his wealthy patients develop. It's a tense drama in John Lund's best acting. Well, I'll be tuned your way in. Goodbye, and thanks, C.P. Goodbye, Bill. Be sure to join us next week, ladies and gentlemen, when we bring you John Lund and the Place in the Sun. Till next week, this is C.P. McGregor saying thanks for listening and Cheerio from Hollywood. William Bill Elliott appears with the courtesy of the Hollywood Board and the committee that arranges for the appearance of all stars on this program. Music is under the direction of Eddie Scravanis. This program is rebroadcast The Armed Forces through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Remember, proudly we hail, next week presents John Lund. This program is transcribed in Hollywood for release at this time. Wendell Niles speaking.