 The challenge of the Yukon It's Yukon King swiftness and strongest lead dog of the Northwest Placing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest mounted police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers on King Go gold discovered in the Yukon a stampede to the Klondike in the wild race for riches Back to the days of the gold rush with Sergeant Preston and his Wanderdorf Yukon King as they meet the challenge of the Yukon Sam Perry entered the cafe in Dawson City and stood a moment watching the crowd Finally his eyes rested upon a man sitting at one of the tables with two companions Sam walked slowly to the crowd as he approached the table the man at whom he'd been staring looked up Then without taking his eyes off Sam. He spoke to the two men who sat with him Looks like Sam Perry's got something to say to his fellas. I've got something to say to you Luke. Kassan. Get your feet Hey, let me go. Sure. I'll let you go with this Hey, what's it all about? What's going on here? Hi, Sergeant Preston. I just hit Luke Kassan and knocked him down Oh, I see let me help you up Kassan. I Want to fix a Kassan forget it Sam you come with me. I want to talk to you. All right, so we'll finish this some other time Perry Well, the law isn't around any time Kassan. Come on Sam. Let's go now Sam. What's it all about? Why did you hit Kassan? He deserved it sergeant. That's all I have to say I could take you in for disturbing the peace, you know In fact Kassan could bring a charge against you. He wouldn't what makes you so sure because he knows he deserved that blow and more What's he done to you that makes you feel the way you do? Well a few months ago Luke Kassan and I met one day in the cafe Hey Sam, I hear gold has been found up on Fox Run There are a few more claims to be had up there. I wouldn't mind having a claim that it pay off You ever thought of staking a claim Sam? Sure, but there's more to it than just that. Take plenty of cash. Why understood you have some cash put away. I Should think you'd want to take a chance of finding gold I'm willing but I don't have the amount of cash you probably think I have They tell me it takes about five hundred dollars to grab steak and work a claim before it ever pays off If it ever does, I guess it does take about that much. What about you? Aren't you interested in a claim on Fox Run? Oh sure I am but frankly, I don't have that much cash either Of course there's a way both of us could get in on that gold rush. How do you mean? Pull what cash we have and stake a claim as partners. Yeah Yeah, I suppose we could do it that way. Well, why don't we I? Have to think it out. Don't be so hedgy While you're thinking Others are going up that way and picking out the best claims But we might not strike gold at all and we both lose what little we had what's the matter afraid to take a chance You'll never make a strike here in the Yukon without taking a risk Well, I guess you're right, but let's pull our cash like I said and go up there tomorrow We'll stick out a claim and start right in. What do you say? All right, Lou. I'll do it. Good. Good. You meet me at the trading post tomorrow Morton Bring your cash now bring mine We'll get all the stuff we need then head for Fox Run in a couple of months. We may both be rich Some things and went to Fox Run While I worked around the place Cassin came into town and filed a claim go on We build a cabin then started working the claim day and night hoping to make a strike He worked one part of the claim and I worked another Now went on for several months until we ran out of money. I see what did you do then? Well, one night. I was very much discouraged It surprised me even then how cheerful Lou continued to be Anyway, he came into the cabin that night and saw me looking down Hey, you look like you lost your last friend Sam snap out of it. Let's have some coffee. No, thanks. I I don't want any Now look here There's no use getting discouraged because we haven't found gold yet Some prospectors work the claims twice as long before they strike gold. Yeah, maybe so But you know as well as I do we haven't the cash to go on Well, I have to admit that's something to think about Didn't you tell me about a friend of yours in Selkirk who struck it rich a while ago. That's right He's a fellow I knew back home But he had plenty of cash to begin with he struck gold within a couple of months now He's really got plenty as me so far as I know he has Lynn Why don't you go down to Selkirk and ask him for a loan or to Selkirk? How am I supposed to get there use the dog team we have well, but what about you? How would you get around I can borrow a dog team till you get back go ahead Sam? The only thing left to do And I'm sure if we have the chance to work the claim longer will hit gold All right, I'll go that's the spirit I'll go to town with you in the morning and you go on from there Yes, Sergeant I did it when I returned yesterday, I heard our claim had paid off I Couldn't find Cassin But I did find out he'd filed a claim under his own name and it sold shares to two of his friends And you've been left out of the deal. That's right This morning I went to the cafe as you know to accuse Cassin When I saw the sneer on his face, I let him have it That's what it was all about and see what you meant when you said he deserved to blow you gave him But it seems to me you'd have drawn up an agreement between you and you and Cassin for state We did I went out to the cabin last night to get the coffee I'd put in an old jar in the cupboard, but it was gone and you have nothing to prove your own part of the time nothing And I sunk all the cash I had in it to know let me think this over Sam. Maybe I'll figure out something Meantime keep out of Cassin's way to avoid more trouble if that crook crosses my path I won't be responsible for what happened Sergeant Sam. Don't say something. You may be sorry for Remember what I told you avoid trouble with Cassin. I have business here at headquarters now, Sam But I'll see you again shortly come along came Shortly after Sergeant Preston Sam Perry left the cafe Lou Cassin went to the store for supplies leaving his two companions who would have meet him later One of the men spoke to the other in a low voice. Listen Wally. I Thought of a way we can get plenty of cash Become sole owners of the claim on Fox run. Yeah, how? Everybody here knows Sam Perry his puny sword Lou for being cut out of the claim They all saw him sark do a short time ago Yeah Even the money show that well if something should happen to Lou We could take the papers from the cabin and claim the mind. Yeah, that's right That don't believe Perry's a type of go that bar down if something happens to Lou everybody think Perry did it though He's got plenty of reason to get back at Lou I begin to see what you drive on there. I noticed it start in the snow Lou's going on alone to the cabin. What's a snow gut to do with it? We cover tracks of a couple of fellows who followed Lou and put a bullet in him We're supposed to meet him out of the cabin in Tampa supper Yeah, we could do what you think and Circle back to town and be here when the body's found this afternoon Someone's bound to find him along the trail Yeah, what are they doing? Well, we won't leave town until he is found We'll grab the papers at the cabin right after we plug him and come right back here Snow cover up tracks You know, it's a good idea We'll sit here until we see him go up the street toward the trail and we go out back get our dog sled and follow Later Dell and Wally moved along the trail toward the cabin on Fox Run with their dog team As they rounded abandoned the trail they sighted Luke Cassin a short distance ahead of them. There he is. Dill just ahead Yeah, here's our team. He's having to wait. I think he recognizes Why are we stopping Here before it gets wise There goes That did it sure it did come on. Let's go Leaving Luke Cassin near his dog team on the trail Wally and Dell went to the cabin took the cache and then returned the cafe and town That afternoon an old sourdough hurriedly entered Mountie headquarters where Sergeant Preston was talking to Constable Bill Darby Luke Cassin's body out on the Fox Run trail. He's been shot. Luke Cassin. That's right He's dead Sergeant wonder who killed him. That's something for us to figure out Bill. Well, if he asked me I'd say fine Sam Perry He was plenty sore at Cassin and everybody knows it. We know all about that Sam will have to be questioned Sergeant I hope he has an alibi. I can't believe Sam would do such a thing Bill When the way he was talking last night he would Sam's young and hot headed sergeant You find him and you'll have the killer to my way of thinking Constable make arrangements to bring in Cassin's body, will you? All right, I'll find Sam Perry and have a talk with him. Come along King Meanwhile Sam Perry left the hotel and walked along the street He stopped to speak to a prospector where a neighboring claim on Fox Run. Hi, Sam Hello, Hank just come to town. No came in this morning Hear the news what news I met Jed the sourdough has a place on very Crick He's all upset said he was on the way to mighty headquarters Seems he found Luke Cassin dead on the trail a while ago Cassin dead. That's right murdered somebody shot him He looks bad for you Sam Folks will think after the way you were talking. I don't know anything about it. Thanks for telling me Jed So long I'm sure acted mighty suspicious seems to me You'll have a lot of explaining to do. Yes, sir Later that afternoon sergeant Preston returned to headquarters going in Sergeant I brought in Cassin's body Did you question Sam Perry? No, Bill? I didn't get the chance. I looked for Sam all over town. You think you skipped out That's what I'm afraid of that may mean that he didn't kill Luke Cassin sergeant. I know you thought well of Sam Perry I always liked him myself Murderers murder. I know if you want me to I'll try to pick up his trail and bring him back. No, Bill I'll go after Sam myself We've seen heading down the South Trail. I got my dog team and King and I'll pick up his trail and bring him back Let's go fella After Sam Perry left Dawson the storm grew in intensity When he had heard the news about Luke Cassin, he felt certain he'd be blamed for the killing So flights seemed the only way to avoid prison Sam expected to be trailed by a Mountie and he was determined that he wouldn't let himself be taken Mush! Mush, you huskies! He pressed on without rest hoping to put as much distance as possible between his dog team and the Mounties Oh, oh you huskies! Finally he brought his team to a stop alongside a ridge which afforded some protection from the cold wind and driving snow After a rest a little as the weary huskies sank down in the snow to rest Sam sat on the edge of a sled despondently Suddenly the wind blowing toward him from back along the trail brought the sound of a dog barking This dog must be a Mountie coming. Maybe Sergeant Preston and his big dog King Preston is trailing me. He must He must think I killed Cassin But I'm not gonna let him take me back. He's not gonna get me Mush! Mush, you huskies! Sam became panicky as he realized that Sergeant Preston and King were moving up behind him a little further along He turned off to a ridge about a hundred yards back overlooking the trail A short time later Sergeant Preston came around a bend with his dog team He stopped the dog sled as Sam called out to him from behind the ridge Don't follow me over here Sergeant Looking for you Sam, I want you to come back with me Easy King Sam wouldn't shoot me. Stay here with the team while I'm going over and talk to him Coming over to talk to you Sam Stay where you are. I'm coming over there Sam Slowly the Mountie walked toward the ridge Unknown to Preston Sam's dogs and sledded loosened the heavy snow crust which covered a narrow crevice in the ice As the tall muscular Mountie stepped upon the crust it suddenly gave way beneath his weight The Mountie went down the same time flinging out his arms which stopped his descent But left him hanging with his feet dangling below him Sam help me quick Since the slightest movement caused the ice to crack along the edges Preston found it impossible to pull himself up He realized that if he struggled to free himself the icy crust would break under his arms and send him deep into the crevice Great dog King saw his master fall and rushed to the scene Then Preston saw Sam driving his sled toward him quick Sam, I can't hold on I'll slip down into the crevice No, Sam I couldn't do that Then we'll find the one who did help me Sam help me No, if I leave you I'll be able to And can't let you die so I just can't I'll get you out of there quickly Sam picked up a coil of rope from his sled Tying one end of the sled he lay prone on the icy crust and then without stretched hand clutching the free end of the rope He slid forward until his hand touched Preston's can you can you grab the rope Sergeant? I think so Yes, I have it Sam slid back and then getting to his feet he called to his dog team To the end of the road in a moment was safely on firm ground He sat resting a moment and then as he rose to his feet. He said simply thanks, Sam. I Don't know why I didn't leave you and go while I had the chance. I Didn't kill Cassin, but they'll say I did take it easy Sam will go back to Dawson and I'll do all in my power to prove your innocence Nobody will believe I'm innocent. I have no alibi. I went to the hotel room and slept for several hours. I see Well, we'll do what we can to find a killer Sam. Let's start back to Dawson now It was late that night when Sergeant Preston and Sam Perry returned to Dawson After questioning Sam was detained at police headquarters for the time being Early the following morning Sergeant Preston went to the inspector's office to discuss the case After hearing the details the inspector said and you don't believe Perry killed Cassin. No, sir I don't I think if he had he would have taken advantage of my predicament yesterday and would have left me I see your point Yet he could have shot Cassin in the moment of extreme Cassin's murder was premeditated inspector Someone must have followed him from town when you first came in here, Sergeant You spoke of a plan you'd like to try. Yes, sir. What is the plan? No one in town knows that I brought Sam Perry back with me during the night. That's true Go on the plan I have in mind is this sir let people think I returned without Perry We've given up the hunt for him because we found a witness to the murder on Fox Run But there wasn't a witness sergeant. That's right, sir But if people think there is whoever did kill Cassin might try to get to him But someone would have to pose as the witness. There's a way we might work it inspector But first let me ask you this if you had something confidential that you didn't want to get around What man in town would you definitely keep it front? That's easy Gabby Eaton the hotel clerk. That's exactly right, sir I propose a constable Darby dressed like a trapper. I'll disguise his face a bit and I'll take him to the hotel and engage a room on the ground floor I'll tell Gabby confidentially that I brought back someone who might be a witness to the killing The news will be all over Dawson within an hour, right? The constable and I will go to the room and fix things so there will appear to be a man sleeping in the bed The constable will go out the back way. I'll go out past Gabby's desk and warn him again That no one but the police are to go to the witness's room and from then on we watch for someone to try to reach the supposed witness Is that it? Yes, your plan is worth a try sergeant. So go ahead and good luck It was still early in the morning when sergeant Preston with constable bill Darby disguised as a trapper Entered the lobby of the hotel which at that hour was deserved Morning Gabby morning sergeant morning. Did you catch that young fellow Sam Perry you went after no I gave up the search when I located a man who all listen Gabby Before I say any more I must tell you know this is very confidential. Oh sure sergeant. You know you can count on me As I started to say Gabby I located a trapper who might be able to name the killer who shot Cassin yesterday great day You mean you found someone who actually saw the shooting huh? I didn't exactly say that you know Of course Headquarters wants to engage a ground floor room for this man Gabby and no one is to go near the room except the police you understand I get it sergeant. This here quiet fellow with you is the witness who saw the shooting Say stranger. What did the killer look like would you have no use asking questions? He's been told not to talk to anyone. Oh What rooms available? Yeah, let me see now Yeah, now here's the key to one oh two. That's the end of the hall to back sergeant. Oh, thanks. I remember not a word Gabby Oh, of course not. All right, mister. We'll go to your room now. Come on. Wait here, King. I'll be right out Not long after that Gabby the hotel clerk was off duty. He hurried to the cafe and entered Trying to act nonchalant in spite of his excitement Gabby walked to the bar where a small group of men stood talking Everybody Coming to get in here full Gabby. Yeah, Gabby has to get the latest news Maybe I already got the latest news later than any of you put around here Easy seeing Gabby's got a choice, but he wants to toss into our midst. Hey boys Seeing as how you aren't interested in anything I might know There's no reason for me to stay around getting insulted. Oh, we were only kidding Gabby Yeah, we know you got something to tell come on Gabby. Let us in on well Maybe I do know the latest developments about the murder. You mean sergeant Preston caught Sam Perry. Is that it? No But I do know sergeant Preston is back in town. Oh, we know that too. I saw him a while ago You aren't telling us anything new I suppose you know why he's back in town so soon. Rick and he lost Sam Perry's trail. That's all That's where you're wrong Matter of fact the police gave up the hunt for Sam Perry. Yeah, that's a fact gave up the hunt for Perry Gosh, he murdered Cassian, didn't he? Well, maybe he didn't then again. Maybe he didn't what do you mean by that? There's no maybe about it for as we all know What would you say if I told you something I found out a while ago? Course it's it's supposed to be a secret so you'll all have to promise not to spread it around you can count on us Gabby we can keep a secret as well as you can can't we boys? Then listen to this Sergeant Preston brought back a trapper who actually saw the killer Mackle is that the truth? It's helped me just true as I'm standing here Police are hiding the witness at the hotel. They lock him up alone in the room and nobody can see Remember not a word of this to anybody my child I gotta get to the store now I'll see you all later. Yeah There goes Gabby spreading the news man alive that secret will be all over John in no time at all Meantime Sergeant Preston and the disguised constable are going to the room And after fixing what appeared to be a sleeping figure in the bed locking the door Preston went out the front way and the constable by the back By noon Gabby had spread the word all over town The crook wally with a worried look entered the cafe in search of his partner Dell Wally walked to the table where Dell was sitting alone There have you heard the news? I just came to town from the cabin. What news do you mean? The police gave up the hunt for Perry Why? Oh Gabby at the hotel said Sergeant Preston came back with a trapper who saw the killer. What? Yes, that's right Police are hiding the witness at the hotel for the time being Gabby says that trapper can point out the killer when he's ready. That ain't good We better hit the trail out of town Wally. Yeah, that wouldn't help if the trapper saw us and gives a description to the mounies Trailers and get us sooner or later. What can we do? If that witness was dead They wouldn't have anything to build a case on against us. The mounies will have him under guard most likely Gabby says it isn't supposed to be known the trappers at the hotel. He says he's alone in the room What do we do? It gets dark early But wait until dark and we'll get that trapper one way or another At dusk Wally and Dell entered the hotel and approached the desk where Gabby was again on duty Hi Gabby Dell and I want a room where we're gonna spend the night in town you want a room for two, huh? Yeah, let me see Here you are room 206 upstairs and straight back. Oh, thanks. Oh Say this isn't near that trappers room. Is it the fellow the mounies look at here? I don't know what you mean. Well, we just don't want to be disturbed by mounies going in and out That's all that well don't worry if there was somebody that was keeping here. He'd be in 102 That's all right then Now let's go to our room Wally. Yeah. Yeah, there's Later that night Wally and Dell sneak down a back stairway and stopped in front of 102 Meantime Sergeant Preston with King and Constable Bill Darby and entered the back door of the hotel And were waiting in a vacant room across from 102 They heard steps in the uncarpeted hallway Preston spoke in a low voice quiet King Bill someone's no yes, please the door open a little You have your gun ready in cases of weight if he's sleeping I have my knife What if the door is locked? I Lifted Gabby's past key from the nail at the desk when his dog and do it Let's go in They've gone inside Sergeant. We'll wait until they come out that room is dark He'll use the knife on the fake figure in the bed. I wasn't to think they've killed a man Coming out now King hears them Something's wrong. That was a dummy in the bed. We'll be the back to our room. Let's grab them come on Rage for the view. Oh, he spoke a couple of mountains. Here's your gun. Tell hold it You won't get me. Get him King Bring that man Bill right down King come for that. I'll take your gun What's going on here? I heard shooting Gabby these men found out about the witness I told you about this morning, huh? We caught them coming out of room 102 great day Used a knife and I'll wait a minute. You haven't got anything on us. I'll have plenty on you too before we through Let's take them to headquarters. Come on. All right. Let's go Later at headquarters Wally and Dell were grilled about Cassin's murder Wally thinking that Dell was trying to put the blame on him for the attempted murder of the supposed witness Told the mounies that Dell had fired the shot that killed Cassin As the questioning was about over constable Darby would go on to search Wally and Dell's room entered headquarters I found this cash box. Oh Shall we open it inspector? Yes, of course There's a copy of an agreement between Cassin and Sam Perry Saying that partners in the claim and if one dies the other inherits bring in Sam Perry constable Darby Yes, sir, but I thought Perry skipped down yesterday. I brought him back during the night. He's here But that trapper the witness your plan work sergeant They really believe there was a witness a knife to roll of blankets in the hotel room. You can't hold me for murder. Yes, we can We're arresting you and your partner for the murder of Lou Cassin Yes, Sam these two men killed Cassin you're in the clear What's more this paper here makes you owner of the claim on Fox run. Yeah, what about us? We we the crown will see that you hang for Cassin's murder Thanks, sir for what you've done for me Sam when you saved my life on the trail I was certain you couldn't be guilty of Cassin's murder for a time Perry We were convinced at headquarters that you were guilty. That's why I left town I knew everybody including the police would think I'd killed Cassin even though I hadn't thanks to sergeant Preston's fine judgment of human Nature into his ingenuity. We have the real killers gosh if it hadn't been for the shot at Sam all your worries are over now Cassin's killers are in our hands. So this case is closed In our next adventure sergeant Preston meets an excited sourdough on the trail to Wolf Creek Oh Sergeant Preston thank heavens I found you. What's wrong, Bernie historic keeper Wolf Creek was shot to death last night Doug Leonard's accused of the murder Doug Leonard. He's no killer. He's no killer But the evidence is against him now a fellow named Marcus Tate is trying to stir up a mob to lynch him Come on King Doug's life depends on us Even though Doug Leonard is innocent he may die before he can be brought to trial When sergeant Preston tries to save him he may find himself facing death at the hands of the real killers Be sure to hear this exciting adventure tomorrow 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 This is Jay Michael wishing you goodbye and good luck until tomorrow This is the mutual broadcasting system