 The challenge of the Yukon It's King, swiftest and strongest lead dog of the North country Blazing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Monmouth police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers Gold gold 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 battle through storm and snow to preserve law and order as they met the challenge of the Yukon Far north of the Arctic Circle near Mackenzie Bay a band of Eskimos were hunting seal The winter had come suddenly that year and the freezing wind had covered the vast expanse of water with thick ice As they approached the bay Olock the leader suddenly stopped and pointed ahead talking in his native tongue to weboo his brother What is that that moves slowly on the white snow? It's not a seal or a bear See there are two together They walk first on their hind legs then crawl on all fours They are men like us They fall down and then drag themselves to their feet come we must help them They're white men one is still as if dead help us We've been without any food for days We're it helped me with a weboo. He has fallen The other one is he alive? Yes We must get dogs and slanted. We can take them back to village and give them food and shelter Weeks passed and the two white men lay in an igloo too weak to help themselves The Eskimos were kindly and fed them what food they had and so the men could sit up and talk to each other They were alone in the small snow house when Hank Peterson the stronger of the two sat up for the first time Like summers his partners still lay quietly on his bed of furs. How do you feel big still kind of hard for me to breathe There's no air in the stinking hole and that lamp makes it worse better than freezing Guess we're lucky to be alive. I wonder if we'll ever be able to find the boat Wouldn't do us much good frozen in solid We should never taken a chance like that We were two weeks later and we said we'd be schooner couldn't wait for us It was a winter hidden too soon that really did it How do I know the ice would get so thick this time of year not a good the trip to this You thinking you could get furs trading with Eskimo tribes. He didn't even see any Eskimos until now You didn't know anything about the country up here with your yapping We're not through yet not through We're stuck here until the ice melts next spring Even then maybe we'll never find the boat these Eskimos will find it for us soon as I'm strong up to go with them I'm not telling them about it yet though. Why not? They could be looking for it when they go on the hunting trips make you haven't been well enough to notice things around here These Eskimos don't know a thing about white men. There's only one of them who can speak any English at all What's that got to do with you realize that right here in this smelly rats nest We're sleeping on a fortune in furs Well, I noticed was a war the men of this tribe are good hunters The only reason they hunt is to get food and furs to cover themselves They don't know the value of them. You think we can trade with them when we're strong enough. We'll get back to the boat We've got a lot of cheap junk there that we can trade for a valuable furs These Eskimos having any guns As soon as we're on our feet we can take over this village just the two of us We'll get every valuable pelt they bring in and by spring we'll be out of here rich man. They're quiet Someone's coming through the snow top. Why be quiet. They don't know what we're saying It's probably that toothless old hag that brings us that dinner every day. Oh, yeah, it's all you are Well, the old calm has learned another English word Soup you say thanks you are thanks for this stuff. I think they're doing the best Look at that for color on it. That's white Fox And that coat or whatever it is you call it. It's made of sea otter pelt's a Fortune and furs on that wrinkled old hag see Zuluck's mother. He's the best hunter in the tribe. That's why he's head man She heard me say her son's name and she's pointing to the white Fox fur must be a recent present I Never you mind Lillian Russell Just as soon as I get well enough that'll be the last white Fox you'll put around that turkey As Hank and Vic recovered oolock learned many English words from the white man and they in turn learned Eskimo It wasn't long before they could converse freely with each other And it was then that Hank told oolock about the boat. You see oolock winter caught us early Our boat was locked in the ice. I'm afraid that's too hard for him to understand Hank. All right, you tell him. Yeah, I'll try it Oolock You know what boat is like kayak? Me no cold come much ice catch boat can't go Where this? Well, you savvy where you find us Yeah Me me no it to three sleeps from there Both no go for many son. We don't want to leave in it. We'll come back here We got many presents on both for your people. Hey, don't say that present. Yeah You take us both Oolock got strong dog team they take Find the boat good We'll leave soon, huh? One sleep We go that means you'll start tomorrow fine I wish you hadn't said that about the presence that I had to do that to give them confidence in this now Tomorrow is it? Tomorrow we start to make our fortune From the day that Hank and Vic brought back the cheap calico beads nails and small mirrors for trading purposes Life in the peaceful Eskimo village began to change Hank beamed with satisfaction as he looked at the big stack of pelts. He had accumulated But Vic looked troubled look at him Vic. It's a fortune and we ain't half started Those Eskimos are working their heads off together. I don't like the way you look sick The rest of the Eskimos are so anxious to bring in pelts They don't bring home enough meat for the families half a village is hungry. That ain't my fault I'm not afraid of a lot. They need those furs for clothes and bedding We're lucky this brother has stopped trading with us. I notice Maybe it's time I showed who luck that he ain't had man in this tribening. I think that's too dangerous Who luck isn't a fool? He and his brother are the best hunters and the most intelligent members of the tribe. They're all afraid of my gun Yesterday I hit one of them with my dog whip when he tried to trade me a hide with a rip in it He crawled like a dog and I didn't have any trouble They know who's master now There's who looks brother way boo. Let's be coming home from this traffic way room Way boo stop Workman Want me? Well, you've got some nice furs this trip. Didn't you? Oh much good hunt. Go on in See what you'll take for them. Oh Me no trade furs and meat my family called hungry who luck say No more trade with white man. Oh, he did did he? But I'll show you whether you'll trade with me or not. Give me that door You want to taste of this tool Get whip get back. I say I've got a gun. Do not hit who love Hey your shot way boo White man not kill my people Me throw a knife My who luck you've killed ain't you to that knife white man bad him killed brother Better dead your face is cut who like I ain't slashed you with a whip. I I'll fix it white man go Make pack go from village Me not leave white men bad for my people Me tell you go Tell all white men not come on hunting ground of my people Me you look White man's law says you can't kill people this Eskimo Sergeant Preston of the northwest mounted police had been sent north for the small settlement of a cleavage Where a new post had been started? He's out in the police cabin with inspector Emerson a man who had had a great deal of experience in the north country We have a big job up here sergeant. So I understand sir some of the Eskimos in these parts have never seen a white man It's our job to educate them make them understand our ways and our laws. They're quite harmless aren't they inspector? Eskimos are generally speaking a peaceful happy race, but they are also intelligent brave They resent it naturally if anyone takes advantage of them and then they're far from harmless They have a great deal of racial pride That's why we must be careful in the administration of justice I suppose it might be advisable to see the crimes of the Eskimos eyes before we make an arrest. That's it exactly sergeant By wise and fair treatment we can win their respect and confidence. Oh, well get it, sir Inspector Emerson is here. I'm Sergeant Preston. Oh, we got a man out here in our sled We found him about five miles out of town. Well, he's almost dead He's got lost in that blizzard a few days ago. Bring him in. Wait, I'll help you He's half out of his head and Raven like a lunatic. Well, take your shoulders. You take his feet. We can handle him. Thanks I'm afraid there ain't much hope for him. He's pretty far gone Want me to help? He'll take care of him Jake. I'm glad you brought him here You'd better get some brandy sergeant over there in the cupboard. Let me know if there's anything I can do. We'll do that. Thanks You killed it that night Give him a little his hands and feet are frozen Afraid there isn't much we can do here. Take some of this fellow Brandy swallow it and throw a little more and lie back You're safe at the mountain police barracks. We'll do all we can for you Is thank your partner Where is the village? Maybe more who was the Eskimo who killed your partner? Take a little more brandy. There you are Look look like don't worry. We'll get him for killing your partner. No, no, he wasn't he's unconscious So I doubt that he'll come out of it. He's dying in a coma. Well, we can be thankful that he had a few moments of consciousness We got some information This looks like your first case up here sergeant. He said the Eskimo's name was Bullock And he had a whiplash across his face and to help me find him and he told us one thing that means you have to find that village He said that ooluck would kill any white man who came near it That's the thing we'll have to prevent He's better turn in sergeant and get some sleep. Yes, sir I'll start out to find that village only tomorrow morning. I'll send quick my best Eskimo guide with you He speaks English and Eskimo both And my advice to you is to send quick to the village alone first You can sound him out about their feeling toward white men come back to your camp to report You'll know what to do after that. Yes, sir. I'll get my surprise ready tonight and start the first thing in the morning inspector Sergeant Preston and Kuig had searched for almost a week through the vast snowy wasteland of the Arctic But had seen no sign of the Eskimo village they were seeking The following day, however, they came upon the former camp of a hunting car Somebody made camp here a quick Eskimo hunting party here. Hmm. See blood on snow for them cut up game. They killed what means we must be near their village Maybe 10 20 mile Trail from here not hard to follow Maybe me go to village now, huh? It better you stay here. You're probably right quick We'll build an igloo and I'll stay in there until you come back They take you two or three days you be all right load Don't worry about me. You take the dog team and I'll keep king with me while you're gone I'll do some hunting and have some fresh meat by the time you're back. Uh, I come we build snow The next day is sergeant Preston with King beside him started out over the rugged terrain that was near McKenzie Bay As he topped a rocky ridge that was covered with snow He saw a black speck move on the smooth surface that stretched out before him Thinking it might be a seal. He adjusted his binoculars. Wait a minute King pair of this ice is bad. Oh, see what that is It's not a seal. It's a man Calling on his stomach. What it It looks like a polar bear over there into those rocks below the mouth He had drama was being enacted an Eskimo was stalking a half-grown polar bear That slept on a small rock nearby winds coming this way and you can get there sat can to King I never saw those patients man's moving an inch at a time So interested was the malty in watching the drama below him that he kept the glasses glued to his eyes as he moved to The right to get a clearer view and then suddenly the crust of snow on which he stood gave way and he felt himself falling into A crevice that had been covered by a light crust of snow a stinging pain chopped through sergeant Preston's right arm And they hit the bottom of the crevice and delay half-stun for a moment, but my arm I Can't Get help boy get that man bring him back I can't move fellow my legs hurt to get him boy bring him back here The Eskimo Ulock smiled to himself as he inched forward on his belly toward none of the polar bear He pictured his triumph when he entered the village having killed a bear alone No one had ever done this before and while this animal was not full-grown. It would still be a great victory Cautiously he drew his spear rose to his feet and hurled at a spot near the beach shoulder where it would enter the heart But just then man was moved and as the spear struck the great animal roared with pain and fury The wound was not fatal and Ulock raced away drawing another spear as the bear charged As Ulock turned to pull the spear, his foot caught on a jagged piece of ice and with a cry of terror he fell It was then that the terror-stricken man saw the form of a huge gray dog Launched through the air at the side of the charging beast. The bear reared up on its time's leg and with a twist of its body, sent the dog rolling into the snow Ulock was on his feet, curling his spear, which this time found its mark. The bear sprawled in the snow at the Eskimo's feet Ulock looked with wonder at the big dog that had saved his life As King came toward him, Ulock spoke to him in Eskimo You are not a wolf Did you come from the sky to save me? I owe you my life Why do you bark and run back? Come, I will give you the best of me from the carcass of Nanook who would have killed me Why do you pull at my coat of skin? You are in trouble You are telling me something Yes, yes, I will follow, but I will follow you Sergeant Preston lay at the bottom of the shallow crevice his face twisted with pain His right arm and shoulder were badly wrenched and every movement was agony Then he heard the welcome sound of King's bark As the muttie looked up at the opening above him He suddenly saw the head of a man the face framed in the fur of his park are looking down at him Help get me out of here Yes, have you a rope a line or something he's got line She'll skin that'll do it and think I can tie it around me Me not like white man. Oh Why'd you come dog bring me? Give save my life. Well, maybe you'll get me out of here for him. He's my dog They do For dog my arms hurt, but I can use the other one. I can brace my feet against the side of this wall Tie the rope to King's harness. He can help pull me up The mouth he almost painted with pain as he reached a point where the powerful Eskimo grasped his hand and pulled him to the top He lay for a moment with his eyes shut and teeth clenched Then as the Eskimo bent over him He looked up into his face and caught his breath as he saw the scar of a flip flash across the cheeks You hurt my Shoulder and arm Whenever my king I'll be all right storm come Me go could you help me get back to my snow house me not like white Leave me to die here in the storm Him good You back to snow house. Thanks What's your name? Me who looked huh? My dog's name is King He likes you look that tells me you're a good man. I can trust you be like dog Be not like white man. Well, at least you're honest about it. I I can't walk very well You look my ankles hurt But with you on one side and King on the other maybe I can make it Come on before that storm hits which is if we're in for a blizzard For two days the terrible arctic blizzard whistled around the snug house of snow and beat upon its walls with fine pellets of ice Hurled by the wild wind and for two days Sargent Preston with kind words and understanding Gradually melted oolok strong prejudice against the white men When the storm cleared and the sun shone again on the land the mountain and the Eskimo were friends The following day oolok had gone out to hunt when sergeant Preston heard the sound of his dog team, which meant kiosk returned Going out King. I must be doing You all right hello to a had an accident, but it's not serious blizzard stop me from coming back Sergeant we must go away fast. Huh? What's wrong quick? Let me go to Eskimo village or people eat white man Them say white man come him killed oolok him a head man him not there Blizzard stop him from coming home to village him give orders kill white man oolok here with me He's gone out to hunt you mean him friendly. Yes, he's fine. That's Eskimo's come Them know me come from white man's country them try to kill me. I mean they're after me get away Your dog came faster them come them try to kill us. They know white man here. They mustn't have any bloodshed It's too much for only here. I know King King boy Go find oolok King find him King and bring it back Well, you must understand King oolok fella bring oolok back get him boy He'll get him. Yes, he can find him soon as a new code. He'll follow his scent. I hope he's not too far away Is that a dog team our dogs are parking me look out and see Then come six men Then come fast. I'll be safe in here for a while. They have no guns when they get close to it Shoot over their heads in the doorway. That'll keep them away from the opening Oh, they know you're with a white man. He think maybe they understand me. Tell them you good man me your guide Then get very mad say oolok tell them kill all white man They're getting close quick be careful when you fire shoot over their heads and stand back from that opening They can close spirits in the long distance All right quick shoot back quick get back That's beer came right to the skin coming the opening then go back away from door of snow house I'm afraid of gun keep watching quick. I could only use my arm if any of them get near the door I've got a gun over their heads again them back of snow house Listen, what's that? That's right chop all the snow house Keep watching that opening quick. I'll watch these walls. I can use my gun with my left hand I'll fire through the first break. They make you better fire at the door again to scare them My wall is beginning to crack. I'll have to shoot Is that king me see? King come good Oh, you made it fella. Oh, you brought him back in time good boy a Big crackling fire of grip who had lighted up the snowy clearing in front of the igloo Sergeant Preston sat on one side of it beside oolok with king between them on The other side of the fire set six of the strongest hunters from oolok's village huddled into shapeless forms in their heavy furs The fire lights shone on their strong faces as oolok spoke to them And they listened intently when oolok read to them from the paper which sergeant Preston had given him He read it slowly in their native tongue The queen of the land commands you saying Thou shalt do no murder Why does she speak to us? Long ago our God made the world He owns the world The people also he made And he owns them The proclamation that oolok read is the same with a few changes That still hangs in every indian and eskimo village in the uconn territory and Explains how the mounted police are their guardians and protectors The eskimos listened solemnly, but when a man commits murder At once tell me queen servants the police And they will come and bind the murderer and the ruler shall judge him Thus our God commands us So you are to follow the queen's command This man is sergeant Preston He is the queen servant and our friend He is white man's law. Thank you oolok And now I want to give you a present this rifle and these bullets It will make your hunting easier Tomorrow I'll show you how to use it stick the supplier oolok now great hunter white man him Many thank you All white man friend now You and great dog king Make it sure Yes, king thanks to you this case is closed The challenge of the ucon a copyrighted feature is brought to you each week at this time and all names and incidents used are fictitious Listen again next week to another exciting adventure during the days of the gold rush Fred boy speaking this program came to you from Detroit For 30 minutes of listening loaded with suspense and excitement It's hard to top the gangbusters show on the air every Saturday night over most of these same ABC stations Thrilling action is always the keynote of gangbusters right from the clattering opening of the machine gun and marching feet Until the last absorbing minute of this fast-moving program Every Saturday night gangbusters brings you dramatizations of actual cases fresh from police blutters of crimes that have threatened the peace and security of our nation Gangbusters not only serves to make the American public more aware of crime and its danger It also serves Americans everywhere by broadcasting up to the mad descriptions of persons currently wanted by some police department in the country Don't forget gangbusters is heard every Saturday night. That's tonight over most of the