 The challenge of the Yukon The swiftest and strongest lead dog of the north country Blazing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the northwest mounted police In his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers On King! On New Huskies! Who discovered in the Yukon a stampede to the Klondike in the greedy race for riches Now back to the days of the gold rush when Sergeant Preston and his wonder dog King battled through storm and snow to preserve law and order as they met the challenge of the Yukon Every spring in the Yukon country Jim Green and his friend Dan Peters were returning to their homes on the outskirts of Selkirk after a successful day of hunting Peters was carrying a small animal wrapped in a scarf that wriggled in the squirm like a cat in a bag As they approached Jim's cabin Jim's young son Bob came running to meet them Poor Dad Yes he was looking for you How was the hunt Dad? Fine son, we got a big caribou hanging on a tree limb to go back after with a dog sled and we got something else too Now we might be glad to give it to you What is it? Oh wrapped up in your scarf Here, take him careful now, he might claw you It's a bear cub Oh, just a baby Oh Dad, he's wonderful He's a lively one too Is he mine? Are you gonna let me keep him? If you'll take full charge of him and take good care of him Oh I will Gee, I'd rather have him than anything I could think of Look, he's got a white spot over his eye Well, you don't think your Dad and I would bring you just an ordinary black bear, do you? Do you think we ought to keep him in the cabin? No, the heat would be bad for him You'll have to build a pen for him out in bag Sure I will I'm gonna call him Blackie Well come on, we'd better take him in and feed him Gee Dad, thanks a million Yes sir, Blackie, you and I are gonna be good friends Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police on his way back from a northern patrol was mushing toward Selkirk I'm king, I'm your Husky At the news of the town, a small boy came out of a cabin beside the trail I'm king, I'm your Husky Hello there Bob, how are you? I wonder if you have time to stop a minute I want to show you something Why, yes I guess I have What is it? It's in the back of the cabin Say, isn't that a new lead dog you have? Yes it is, isn't he a beauty? His name's King Gosh, you're a nice one Are you letting him go free instead of being harnessed? Yes Bob, he's rather young to be a lead dog He's hardly more than a puff But he's smarter and stronger than the rest of the team in spite of it Maybe a better time for your sled sergeant You see, he might not like the surprise I'm gonna show you Don't worry about King Bob, I've been training him ever since I got him He'll do anything I say Well, alright, come on Fine King, side me fella Dad and Mom went into town for supplies I thought I better stay here and watch Blackie Blackie? He's a surprise, here he is in this pen What? A bear cub? Well, where'd you get him? Dad got him, the last time he went hunting He's just a baby, he's too young to be afraid of anything He has a white spot over his eye I never saw a bear with a mark like that Look at King, he's wagging his tail You know, I bet they'd be friends if we'd let him Maybe they would Do you think King would hurt him if I let him into the pen? Well, let's try it, Bob Now, let's see, how do you open it? Right here, this wire Oh, alright King, go in and see Blackie Careful now, don't hurt him Look, King is looking like he's afraid They're both young, they'll be playing together soon Dogs and bears don't usually get along together, do they? Well, any animals will get friendly if you get them together when they're young enough, Bob Please, Sergeant, will you bring King back here once in a while and let him play with Blackie? I hate to have Blackie get lonesome It would be nice to have a friend, an animal friend, I mean Sure, Bob, I come to see your father often When I do, I'll bring King We'll see that Blackie has a friend Gee, that'll be fine And so, through the following months King and the Black Bear became friends Blackie disliked other dogs but always accepted the big lead dog that he'd known since he was a cub As the months passed, the Bear grew fast and Bobbie's affection for him grew too Blackie was almost full-sized when one day, two strange men stopped beside the cabin where the animal was chained Bobbie was feeding Blackie as the men approached That's something that's quite a pet you have there Yes, sir, I raised him It was just a baby when I got him Here's some more fish, Blackie Hey, but he eats a lot, don't he? He sure does, but I can get all the fishing needs He likes berries and things I should think he'd be lots of trouble for you Oh, he's worth it That Bear would make good fur blankets You quit talking like that Charlie's an Indian I guess he don't think it's very practical to keep a pet like that Well, I don't care what he thinks Like, he's the best pet anybody could have I suppose you wouldn't think of selling him I should say not There isn't enough money in the world to buy Blackie That Bear, him, lots of trouble Maybe it would be to you, but I like it Well, I ain't interested in buying him I get troubles enough Is he gentle? Blackie wouldn't bite anybody Nobody's ever been mean to him He doesn't like dogs very much, though Doesn't like the most bearest dogs Well, come on, Charlie We gotta get back to town Goodbye, kids Bye Here, Blackie That big bear Yeah I could use an animal like that You mean you want Bear? How'd you like to earn some money, Charlie? How much money? Maybe it's gotta be paid off in fire water What you want me to? I might need a little help tonight I'm leaving town When I go, I'd like to take a big black bear in my wagon with me Me not help Steve Bear I didn't say anything about Stephen anything I'm sick and tired Maybe I won't need any help A job like the one I'm thinking of should be pretty simple About five weeks later Sergeant Preston returned from a northern patrol He was on his way to headquarters in Dawson City when he heard young Bob's voice Sorry, Steve, Sergeant Preston Oh, Bob, it's good to see you It's good to see you I've been waiting for you to get back Everything all right at home? No, Blackie's gone Somebody stole him about a month ago Stole him? We found his chain file Someone took him during the night But why would anyone want your pet bear? He's about full size now, isn't he? Yeah, he's awful big But he was gentle and I missed him He was a nice pet Remember how he and King used to play together? Yes, they always liked each other King was the only dog Blackie ever liked Well, Bob, the only thing I can do is keep my eyes open for him Gee, Sergeant, I knew you'd help me You've grown a lot since you saw him last But you can always tell him about that white spot over his left eye No other bear will have a marking like that But don't plan too much on my finding him, son This is a big country, you know But you're always going on long trips to different towns I know Well, I'll certainly try to find him Maybe I can pick up some information I'm sure I'll know Blackie if I see him I sure hope you'll find him I'll do my best, Bob See you later I have to report to headquarters Thanks a lot, Sergeant Bye Bye Come on, King Good morning, Inspector Oh, how are you, Sergeant? Fine, thank you, sir There's that dog of yours How are you, boy? He looks a lot bigger than the last time, I'm sorry He's full size now, I think, Inspector Oh, sit down, Sergeant Thank you, sir I have another job for you It's going to mean another patrol north Yes, sir It's an Indian village up near Dawson The Indians are stirring up trouble I believe you've been up there before, haven't you, Sergeant? Why, yes, sir, I have I know that tribe, they've always been peaceful We've never had any trouble with them I know we haven't But someone is selling them liquor, I believe We can't seem to find out who it is I've used the young Indian guide from that tribe His name's White Eagle I believe he's the son of the chief I might be able to get some information from him Good, that's what I was hoping for Just what have the Indians done, sir? Well, as yet, there hasn't been any murders They have raided a trading post Belonging to Pierre LaSalle Yes, sir, I know Pierre They did it during the night when Pierre wasn't there A few trappers have reported being robbed And a couple of drunken Indians pulled knives on a prospector And stole some gold dust Now, before things get too violent We have to find out where they're getting their liquor I'll do my best, sir You'll start tomorrow then? I'll start in the morning, Inspector I'll see Pierre and try to find White Eagle Good, they're sooner the better South of Dawson, a big covered wagon Stood in the center of the clearing Huge letters on the side of it read Beaver Bill by Beaver Oil The magic medicine Near the wagon stood Beaver Bill himself He was a big, powerful man And there was a wicked grin on his face As he teased a big black bear that was tied to a stake The full beast was bewildered and angry As Bill poked it with a sharp stick The man was so preoccupied with his cruelly That he found a notice, a young Indian Who had come quietly on Marcus and his feet And stood behind him, watching Come on, you lazy cuddly This will teach you not to be a leftover Ah, that's better Get your temper up, ah Wait the chain was longer so you'd get at me, ah You're plain and filthy Unless you get gentle, ah Most cuddly at that time, is ya? Why you keys bear like that? You come from? Me from Indian Village Why you hit bear? You got to keep me in It might not fight Anyway, it's none of your business And don't come sneak it up like that again You'll have to get shot Ah, bear leg hurt The dog done his last night Before he got the dog What are you doing here? What do you want? You come from Indian Village Chief Whitefetter, him my father You tell your father them last fursy Traded me was poor I went better when him got no more furs He'd better get some if he wants any more liggy And that goes for the rest of your time Tell him to bring me good furs or gold Me not tell him that Me come tell you not sell more firewater to tribe Tribe all thick No can hunt or fish So you're taking it on yourself to tell me what to do, ah And it's none of your business If the tribe would rather drink than eat To keep your nose out of a chain Firewater make bad trouble for tribe Ah, listen here, Indian If you want to stay healthy and keep your tribe out of real trouble You'll get out of here and keep your mouth shut White man's law say Indians not buy liquor Ah, listen you Who do any tattling to the law or something very bad Might happen to you and your father See that bear I let him fight dogs in a pit One of you Indians might accidentally get pushed in there With him during the fight They can always give the chief a ring side seat He'll not hurt my father Heard if you've got sense enough to keep your mouth shut Now get out of this camp before I put a bullet through your thick skull White man, maybe Be sorry Just a few miles from Beaverville's camp Was Pierre LaSalle's small trading post When sergeant Preston arrived the old Frenchman was alone Linking Hello sergeant How are you Pierre I'm glad I am to see you and that fine dog of yours You've had little trouble with the Indians around here lately Glad I have Sit down sergeant warm yourself I'll give you some nice hot tea Thanks Pierre, I could use some I have just made some While you drink it I will tell you You know what's nice to have today is getting longer Always seems this spring never will get here Here you are sergeant Thanks Now tell me about this robbery Well everybody talk about this man who camped about five miles from here He sell what you call beaver oil Beaver oil? What's that I show you I buy some for my knee She ate me all the time It's just rheumatism you have Here is Potter I rub it on but my knee she still eats me See that This is just a fake Won't do your knee any good What's this to do with the robbery It is on that night when I go see this man That my store she has robbed by Indians Well how do you know the Indians did it My friend Jacques he meet them on trail when he come home late They are very drunk and have fur in blankets Did you go to the village to see if you could identify your things We I go but there is nothing All first she is gone How much do they steal Maybe two, three hundred dollars That's pretty serious Couldn't you get anybody to watch your store No everybody go see this beaver bill You mean the man who sells this fake medicine Why do everybody want to see him Well you see sergeant If you buy his medicine Then you can see his show His show Here this man He has big black bear in pit He offered three hundred dollars to any man That have dog that can stay in pit for three minutes But no dog can stand up against a bear on a pit That is right No dog can stay there unless he is dead dog If dog is dead beaver billy does not pay You say this man has a black bear We is big you ugly I'm looking for a certain black bear That was stolen from a friend of mine I think I'll go over and see beaver bill Beaver bill is camp between here and the Indian village You go straight north Then turn right at Elk Creek Maybe quarter mile I won't have any trouble finding that We I hope you'll get him Sergeant Preston approached the camp of beaver bill He left his dog team And taking king alone Walked along the trail He noticed a thick group of spruce trees And slowed his pace as he heard king growl And saw the fur on his back bristle Quietly the sergeant changed his direction And went around the trees Instead of along the path in front of him A figure sprang up quickly and faced him Thank you Sergeant Preston It's you Why did he go? What are you doing here? Where are you holding that knife? Me We not know it you You were waiting for someone else, weren't you? Me not tell Was it the man they called beaver bill? Him go to town Him not in camp And you thought he was coming back, is that it? Him bad Now why do you say that? Why were you planning to kill him? Me not tell My father not like it if I tell You know better than to try to kill a man Why'd you do it? Him hurt my people Why they go? You know I'm your friend, don't you? Yes You friend Soon you'll be chief of your tribe And you'll be a good brave chief Me try I could arrest you for this But I'm not going to I want to help your people There must be a reason for you doing this Your tribe's in trouble That's why I've been sent up here Now I promise you I'll help them If you'll help me Father say no tell I don't like to ask you to disobey your father Maybe You come to village You see I intended to go to your village from here We'll go back there together but Wait for me here I want to have a look at the camp of beaver bill Me wait A short time later, as white eagle led sergeant Preston To the cabin in which his father lived The Indian village was very still Except for some dogs that barked at him from a distance When the two men entered the cabin They found the old chief lying asleep On a bed of spruce boughs You see My father He was sick No can talk You're right He's dead of the world What's that on the floor? Here You look A bottle of beaver oil He hasn't been drinking this has he All brave drink it A little bit of it left in the bottle Well This isn't medicine, it's bad whiskey Did he get this from beaver bill Me not tell You'll find out But this isn't the same thing that pier has The bottle he bought is some kind of liniment White eagle You must help me So far you haven't told me anything But I found out for myself You'll find fire water in bottle An old beaver bill is selling it to you I'm going to arrest him Now will you help me? You'll be in bad trouble if you don't And if you do I'll help your people Me help you My people cold, hungry All gold gone All furs gone Braves too thick to hunt That's what we have to stop Man sell fire water Take all gold and furs But he must sell medicine As a white man Ah White man pay two dollar Get medicine Indian pay furs and gold Get fire water So that's how he works it He puts medicine in the bottle As he sells to the white man And liquor in the same kind of bottles For the Indians Now that's right My people soon starve Me ask him not sell more fire water Him say him shoot me if I try Stop him Does he have a show every night With the bear I mean Ah He'll have show tonight I want you to go there with me tonight white eagle I want you to buy some fire water from him Like this Here take it Now me no want fire water I don't mean for you to drink I must have it for evidence I'll give you this money You'll buy it and keep it for me I'll get it from you later Maybe him try kill me If him see me near camp He won't try anything With the crowd of people there Anyway king and I will be watching him Meet me there tonight white eagle That night a big crowd of men Was gathered at the camp of beaver bill Surrounding a platform At the back of his wagon Nearby in a pit About ten feet square A big bear Blanked at the flaming torches That were set at each corner And growled futilely at the teasing Faces that bent above him As white eagle approached the crowd A man meeting a big dog Stepped into his path White eagle Oh Oh Such a question I know you without uniform I was afraid beaver bill might not go on With his show if he's all mouthy in the crowd Now as soon as you buy the fire water Bring it to me here Let me bring it to you Beaver bill is on the platform now I guess he's ready to make his speech Come on let's get closer Come on king All right gentlemen Oh if I don't want to be sure I want to tell you about this magic medicine Beaver oil This marvellous decoction Had been used for centuries By the crown head to Europe It was made from a secret formula No known way By the foremost scientists of Russia And given to the ancestors Of King Henry VIII Beaver oil Ha ha ha I bet that's how Henry got rid Of all the way Beaver oil Ha ha ha If you're a slum bagel You commonly know there's vacay For me it's a swooping car Me want beaver oil White eagle So your father sent you far this time I guess he made you see the air Of your ways Ha ha ha There you are To the chief Sergeant Petty Me buy it Good white eagle Is it liquor? No it's fire water Me pay with gold Fine I'll stay away from him To last for the show I'll call you when I want it You're going to arrest him now? Not yet white eagle I'm going over there now Come on King Me wait Anybody else want beaver oil? Have you all bought fossils for this bad Yeah For three minutes Mister I've got a dog that'll do it All right Bring your dog to the pit stranger Let him do the crime You're a good dog You better not put him in that pit Yeah that barrel's killing That only is my dog I can do what I like What he's doing You're crazy mister That barrel finished him in 40 seconds The rest of them did They should be good folks Anybody want to put any money on the dog I'll give hard to 10 to 1 You think we're crazy? We've seen what the bear done to the other All right folks get her on Don't get inside the room Then with the most bottles Get in the first row Show you a bottle Hey you I bought three bottles You get four too Let me get in front of you No you don't I got two more in my pocket Put him in when I say go I'll tie him here He's still alive in three minutes You get the grass guy All right The crowd grew silent Intense with excitement As the big dog approached the edge of the pit The huge bear raised his head And swung it slowly from side to side Growling a warning The hare on king's back bristled And then with an answering growl He sprang into the pit The bear started toward him Then stopped Slowly puzzled and uncertain Both animals sniffed the air Then king whined softly The bear had risen on his haunches But came down on all fours Slowly the animals approached each other What's the matter with him? Look at that way They ain't going up high They like each other What's the matter with you? You got a piece of bear in these glasses Look, they're touching over They like each other They're buddies Well, David Bill I guess I win the prize Looks like my dog can stay in there As long as he likes It sure does When you look at the critter He still pays off Show them nature of the curse Drop that paper or I'll break every bone in your body I won't Give it here Hand over that prize money It ain't fair I won't pay it You better like to go into the pit or the pit Hand it over Here you are Two hundred dollars gold pieces Two hundred Three hundred Thanks, Bill Now don't go away We have a little more business to attend to How'd you know that bear wouldn't hurt your dog? Strangely Well, I just had a hunch When I saw that white spot over his left eye Well, by darn, I never heard of anything like that Me either Let him have business You got me Just a minute Wait, Eagle Meet here, Sergeant Sergeant Maybe I should introduce myself I'm Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police A Monty A Monty without his uniform And I'm putting you under arrest For selling liquor to the Indians You can't prove that Oh, yes, I can I have the evidence right here Show him those bottles, White Eagle Here, bottle That isn't medicine It's bad whiskey, Beaver Bill You know there's a law against selling liquor to the Indians Right, Eagle You filthy wretch No, Bill I'm taking you with me You'll spend the night in jail in Dawson City But do I can My bear A bear will be another charge against you You stole him from a small boy in Selkirk You can't prove it As for the furs and blankets in your wagon Most of them belong to Pierre LaSalle I'll take them back to him You won't leave them where you're going The next morning at Pierre LaSalle's trading post Sergeant Preston put a stack of gold coins on a counter As he talked to Pierre and White Eagle This is yours, Pierre But Sergeant, I cannot take that money You'll bring back most of what Indians steal Well, after you take what's owed you Use the rest for supplies for White Eagle's tribe Food enough to last through the winter Blankets, whatever they need Well, that money is yours and King's No, White Eagle King and I aren't allowed to accept prize money When we're on duty Oh, this is a fine thing you do, Sergeant I don't think we'll have any more trouble With the Indians now No, I thank you for my people You will come now and see them Some other time, White Eagle King and I must be on our way You see, there's a small boy down in Selkirk We'll be very anxious to see that bear All right, old fella, let's go It'll be quite a trip with a prisoner And your old friend, Blacking Yes, King, the case is closed A challenge of the Yukon A copyrighted feature is brought to you Each week at this time And all characters, names and incidents Used are fictitious Let's go