 The challenge of the Yukon! It's Yukon King, swiftest and strongest lead dog of the Northwest, lazing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers! Un-King! Run, you husband! Gold! Gold discovered in the Yukon, a stampede to the Klondike in the wild race for riches. Back to the days of the Gold Rush, with Sergeant Preston and his wonder dog Yukon King battling through storm and snow, as they meet the challenge of the Yukon! And behind his sled, periodically hopping on the runners to ride. His team was made up of five, six huskies, with an exceptionally good dog running as a free lead. Presently, a girl's voice came from the bundle of black bearskin on a sled. Dad! Oh, there! Oh, you critters! All right, catch them to a standstill! Ah, was that you said, Sarah? I've been watching the sun! Quiet down, Rex! You overgrown glute! I can't hear a word that Sarah's saying! Now, what was it you said, honey? It's time for you to ride the sled and let me run behind it. Oh, I'm not tired. I can take it for a while. Of course you can, Dad. But we just passed Manucci Falls. We'll be in Old Rock in a couple of hours, and I want to be driving the team. All right, honey. Bean, is there your dog? I guess you've got the right to choose. Just let me get on the handle from all these bearskins. I wonder if it's warm enough to go without my park. No, not by a jugpole. What's the matter, Dad? Look over yonder. A couple of men just broke out of the forest. They're coming this way. Whoever they are, they're mighty big. They know how to handle snowshoes. They're probably trapped. Maybe hunters. They're packing rifles. Hello there! Yeah, hello yourself! Who want to talk to you? That's your privilege, mister. Stop talking! Are you a free-leaf vissus? Only with people who ask for trouble. We're looking for one particular dog. An animal named Rex. Take a look at that one, Breed. Does that look like Rex? Hey, it looks like you. It is Rex, and I'm his owner. My name is Sarah Crockett. That checks, eh, Breed? What? This is my father. I like to know the man I'm talking to, stranger. You can call me Moose. That's good enough. He's Breed. We're, uh, what you might call our welcoming committee from Moldrock. How did you know we were heading toward Old Rock? How did you know about my dog? Well, I'll tell you. The dog weight-filling contest is just about the biggest thing of the year in Old Rock. There's always considerable talk about it. We know that. We hear the talk is fired down as Dawson. You're, uh, aiming to qualify Rex for the contest, right? Right. Ah, the dog look like all he's cracked up to be. We expect to win that contest, mister. Your dog will likely win the weight contest, pours down. If he can get in. Well, Rex will pass the qualifying trials, all right? That's not what I mean. What do you mean? Well, you see, Crawford, there's a matter of an entrance fee. We sent the entry fee four weeks ago. I'm not talking about that. Go on up. What are you getting at? Don't let your fingers get any closer to that gun, Crawford. You better disarm them, Breed. Right. No, you see here. What's the idea? Stand still. Well, that dog to be quiet. I don't want to hurt anyone. Quiet, Rex. Quiet for me. If you think you can get away with holding a gun, I mean disarming me. Take it easy, Crawford. Like I said, we don't want to hurt no one. All we want is the entrance fee. Your dog can compete in a pull-in contest. The fee comes at $5,000. What? $5,000? It's high, but it's only half the first prize. And you can win a lot more by betting on your dog. But we've got no cash like that. And if we had, I wouldn't pay it to a couple of thieves. You can get the cash in, old rock. Jake Peabody has cash to lend. Now, reach him to the sled and take what you need to go on alone. Go on alone? That's what I said. We'll take charge of Rex and the girl as well as the dog team. So we've got the $5,000 cash in hand. Moose and his half-breed companion were heavily armed and sure of themselves. Joe Crawford had no choice but to go on alone. He raised money to ransom his captured daughter and the dog team. Old Rock was a small community far north in the Yukon territory. But its annual dog pulling contest was an event that attracted people from far and near. And for one week each year, the place roared with activity. This was the first time Sergeant Preston, his great dog king, had been to Old Rock. The Mountie paused in the darkness before he entered town. He studied a small meat house and murmured to his dog. That's the place, King. That's the servant need to stand with. That's where Kate West and her daughter live. What's up here, boy? Say, King, quiet, boy. Oh, it's last year, here. Merci. Oh, I saw your uniform. My name's Sergeant Preston. I think you're Marion West, is that right? Oh, yes. Won't you step in? Thank you. Wait right here, King. Mother, this is Sergeant Preston. Sergeant Preston? How do you do, Mrs. West? You were expecting Sergeant Need. He couldn't make the trip this time. Is he all right? He will be all right in a couple of weeks. He twisted his knee. He was fine, but he won't let him walk for another fortnight. He sends his best regards to both of you and let him, as Marion, to you. Oh, thank you, Sergeant Preston. Won't you sit down? Thank you. I suppose you'll be here during the dog contest. That's why I was sent here. Oh, they're not like they used to be, Sergeant. With so much easy money being spent on wagers and partying, a lot of unscrupulous men come into Old Rock. That's what I've heard. Well, they know better than to make any trouble while I'm out here in town. I hope King and I will be able to keep things under control. King? My dog. Oh, yes, I saw him. He's a beautiful dog. And speaking of dog sergeants, there's to be one from Dawson in the contest. Oh. Everyone says he's sure to win. I saw. They call him Wack. I like seeing him. Oh, you probably will. Who owns the dog? Oh, a man named Joe Crawford. Oh, that is, he doesn't actually own it. It belongs to his daughter. A girl my age, named Sarah. I heard that Mr. Crawford reached town last evening, but his daughter and the dog weren't with him. I think I'll find Crawford. He got acquainted. Sergeant Preston, your brother, Moundy, always stayed with us when he came to Old Rock. Oh. We'd be honored if you two would accept our hospitality. Why, thanks, Mrs. West. I'd like to stay here. It's rather far from the center of town. I think I'd better stay at the hotel if I can get accommodations. Oh, you can get accommodations all right. Jake Peebe will always make room for a llama in the old skin, Flint. You would like him, Sergeant Preston. He boys half the folks in town. Many licks the boots of all the others. I see. By the way, I'd like to accept your hospitality and part... In part? Do you think my dog, King, might stay here for a day or two? Oh, yes. Of course. But so many dogs being brought to town, I'd like to keep them apart. Some of them might feel like starting trouble. Well, then this should be King's home as long as you want it to be. Bring him in, Sergeant. Oh, thank you, Miss West. Here, King. Come in, boy. Oh, Sergeant, he's beautiful. I'm so strong looking. King? Shake hands with Miss Winston and Mother. Oh, you beautiful thing. Mother isn't he gorgeous? Yes, he certainly is. Going to leave you here for a while, King. I'll be back later, boy. The lobby of the Old Rock Hotel was filled with people who had come to town for the wake-pulling contest. There were men who came with contesting dogs in the hope of winning one of the lesser prizes. Men who came to buy or sell sled dogs. Men who came to bet. And many people, some of them women, who were there merely to watch the contest and enjoy the excitement. In one corner, Jake Peabee, owner of the Old Rock Hotel, sat with Joe Crawford, whose face was drawn with worry and fatigue. I'm sure glad I met up with you, Mr. Peabee. I don't know who else would have staked me to $5,000. I, uh, I have an agreement all prepared. Just sign it and I'll give you the cash. Here it is. And of course, I expect to be paid for the risk I take in advancing the money. Hey, this here says I signed first prize to you. $10,000 if Rex wins it. It also says that if Rex does not win, you owe me nothing. But gosh, of course, if you don't like the deal, you can seek financial assistance elsewhere. But, Dad, right if there's no one else in town can afford to stake me to that kind of cash? Well, of course, there's an alternative. Now, uh, there's a model over there near the door. Go and tell him your daughter and Rex have been captured on the trail and are being held until you pay $5,000. Oh, no, no, I, I don't dare call on the law for help. Why not? I can't do it. I can't take the chance. Those crooks would kill my daughter if I went to the law. I'll take your deal. I'll sign it. Here's your cash. Here's your paper, PV. How are you going to get this money to the men who are holding the girl in the door? That's a secret, Mr. PV. I can't tell you how I am to get it to them. They got my instructions. You better get that money out of sight, Crawford. The money's coming all this way. He might get curious. I understand your name's PV. Yes, that's right, Sergeant. Jake PV, owner of the old Rock Hotel, and at your service, sir. I'd like a room. Well, sir, we're full up right now. Well, I'll find a room for you, sir. Yes, sir, yes, indeed. Always pays to stand in with the law, I always say. Oh. Not you, Joe Crawford. Me? Yes. Yeah, that's my name, Joe Crawford. My name's Preston. Glad to know you. I'm glad to know you, Sergeant Preston. I'd like to talk to you, Crawford. I'm particularly interested in the dog you've entered in the contest. I do declare, Crawford. I guess everyone's heard about Rex. PV, would you see about quarters for me? Oh, yeah. Sure thing, right away. I'll sit down here and talk to Crawford. As PV crossed the floor, he fought down an impulse to turn and look over his shoulder. He was uneasy with the presence of a Northwest Mountie in his hotel, but pleased with the successful manner in which his plans were developing. The motion to the clerk behind the hotel desk and backened him to the inter-office. Close the door, slavery. There'll be no one watching the desk while I'm in here, Mr. PV. That's all right. I want to talk to him. How did you make out with Crawford? Fine. He's got the cash. I have an assignment of the $10,000 prize. That's pretty good, huh, boy? It's pretty good, yes, but we've got to watch our step. Moose gave Crawford orders to place the money in the hollow tree near the crossroads sometime tonight. You follow him, and he goes there. Aye, sir. Get the cash and bring it back to me. And we send word to Moose and Breed to turn the girl loose. Is that it? Yeah, yeah, that's it. They'll put her on the trail for town so she can reach here in time for the qualifying trials first thing tomorrow morning. I'll take over the desk and find a place for the Mountie to sleep. Now, you keep Crawford in sight. We want to be sure he does the right thing with my money. Hmm? We'll continue our story in just a moment. Here's important news. The challenge of the Yukon now comes to you every Monday, Wednesday and Friday over most of these same ABC stations. Be sure to listen to another adventure of Sergeant Preston and his famous dog Yukon King on Friday. And remember, challenge of the Yukon can now be heard every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And now to continue our story. While the conspirators discuss their plans, Sergeant Preston asked Joe Crawford a number of questions about his dog, giving no sign that he was curious and dissatisfied with the answers to those questions. Finally... So you see, Sergeant, I'm expecting my daughter and the dog will be here sometime between now and... Just a minute, John. What? Let's start over. Why, uh... What do you mean, Sergeant? Your statements don't hold a gunner. My statements? Explaining why you came here and why your daughter isn't with you or the dog Rex is. You've contradicted yourself several times. No, see, here... It makes her high in that contest and a lot of money's been bet on the outcome. What about it? Let's take a walk, Joe. A walk? Come on, we'll see how the weather is. You, uh, going somewhere, Mr. Crawford? Well... We'll be back presently. Now, look here, Sergeant. Hey there, Sergeant Preston. I found a room for you. In a little while, PV, if you're going to take a little walk, I'll be glad to go along and show you the town. I want to talk to Mr. Crawford privately. Oh. Let's have it, Crawford. I don't know what you're getting at, Sergeant. I saw PV hand you some money. You have it in your inside pocket there. Well, I... That is... I don't like PV. He looks like a man who's trying to fix a contest. No, no. Why did he give you money? Please, Sergeant Preston, please don't ask me questions. You've got to take my word for it. There's nothing dishonest between me and PV. Why did he give you the money? Well, I can't tell you. I can't. That's all there is to it. I can't say a word. If you think I've been paid to throw the contest, that's not it. Rex will be in that contest and Rex will win. I'd bet on Rex myself if I had the money. You have money. The money PV gave you. But I... Oh, gosh, let me go. Let me go back inside. Where's Rex? Why did PV give you that money? Well, you need a friend. And it isn't PV. I want you to trust me and then tell me the truth. All right. All right. I can tell you that the truth, Rex. But you can't do anything about it. If you so much as make a move, my daughter will be killed. Holding her for hostage and Rex with her. Where? I don't know. All right. Let's have that story. It happened yesterday and the pay trail from the south. Sergeant Preston listened to Joe Crawford's story attentively. And as he listened, the plan informed in the mouth of his mind. Without returning to the old Rocco to tell, he took Joe's arm and guided him to a small house at the edge of town. Where the green dog king had been waiting with Mrs. West and her daughter. King? This is Joe Crawford. He's a friend, King. Gosh, that's a mighty handsome dog. Have you heard about that, you king? When you're sure all that I heard you was. As Joe's hand closed about the king's big, big furry paw, it was a good grip. King felt instinctively that this was the right kind of man. He looked at the sergeant Preston and as if to tell his master that he liked the friendly tone of Crawford's voices. Then Mrs. Nastral's quivered as he caught the lingering scent of Crawford's strong dog Rex. What is it, King? It looks like he's caught the scent of Rex. You do know all dogs, Dr. Crawford. Better than I know people. Here, the cake mom will take. She'll be right in with the pot of tea. Thanks. I'll put it right down here. Mrs. West, we're going to need your help. My help? Yes. Crawford, what do you think of King? He's a lot of dog. We came to this house in darkness. No one around here has ever seen either King or your dog Rex. King could take the place of Rex in the qualifying trials tomorrow morning. But Sergeant, my daughter... We're going to get your daughter back and your dog as well. And we'll do it without paying $5,000 in tribute to those crooks. But I want Rex in that contest. According to the contest rules, Joe, the man who pays the entrance fee can enter any dog he wants to. I paid the fee figuring that Rex would enter with Sarah Drive-In. That's right. If you qualify a dog in the trials, you may enter a dog in the finals. It's perfectly legal to make a substitution. If King can qualify tomorrow morning in your name, you may enter a dog in the finals. Rex? Yes. We'll have Rex here soon after the trials get underway. Ms. Wess. Yes. I want you to handle King tomorrow morning. You mean I'm to enter? And with your dog? Yes. You wear a heavy parka and keep it well around your head. No one will recognize you. But Sergeant, how will that expose those crooks and get my daughter out of their hands? Leave that to us, Joe. Kick King and me. Now, Joe, listen. Sergeant pressed and outlined his plan in great detail. And as he talked, Joe Crawfordford became a changed man. Despair and defeat gave to hope and courage as he heartily agreed to cooperate in the Mounties plans. It was late that night when Slavin came into the office of the old Rock Hotel to report to PVV. I tell you, boss, there's something wrong. And I don't know what it is. What do you mean, Slavin? I've been watching Crawford like you said. He's been around town having a gay time and he hasn't made any effort to put the money where he was told to. He acts like he wasn't worried about getting his daughter back. Where is Crawford now? Out in the cafe with a number of the boys. Hey, hi, Mr. PVV. Oh, hello there, Crawford. You want to see me? That's why I'm here. Mind if I talk private? You seem to like to talk private. Well, I'll get out. I want to return the cash you sent me. What? Yep, my deal's off. I won't need the cash to pay off the crooks that's holding my daughter. Here, have you all... How's that? I can't talk about it, Mr. PVV. I just want to return the cash and get back to pay for our sign. But we made an agreement. I have it in writing. Sergeant Preston said if I had any trouble about calling off our deal, I should let him know. Oh, well, of course it'll be no trouble. I'll return the extra sign right here in my drawer. Here you are. Thanks. I'll tear it up and the deal's all off. See you at the tryouts in the morning, Mr. PVV. Joe Crawford's manner was light-hearted as he left PVV's office, but intimately he was filled with fear and concern for his daughter. He had acted on instructions from Sergeant Preston. He had the utmost confidence in the Mountie, and yet he couldn't help wondering if in returning the cash he had doomed his daughter to her death. Soon after Joe left the room, Crawford's life in return. What's that for? Crawford returned the money and got back the paper he signed. Then you won't get the prize money? No. I wouldn't have returned that paper except that Crawford has the backing of that Mountie. I don't want to argue with the Mountie. What about the girl and the dog Rex? I don't know what about them. Do you think they've escaped from moose and breed? I don't see how they could have escaped. They haven't seen them around town, have you? No. I've been watching Crawford all day. He hasn't seen them? I'm sure he hasn't. I knew I'd call off the deal. I wish I knew what he and that Mountie talked about. Hey, boss, maybe the Mountie found the hideout. Maybe he knows where moose is holding the dog and the girl. I wonder. You think I ought to go to the hideout and see how things are? Not now. We've got to be careful. If moose gets into trouble, he'll tell all he knows about some of our deals. Sit tight, Slavin. Wait until the trial is tomorrow and see what happens. The day of the elimination contest was clear and cold. Crowds jammed close to the roped-off area where each dog in turn was harnessed to a weighted sled. Officials added weights until a dog had pulled its maximum, and then another contestant took his turn. Peavey and Slavin were slightly apart from the crowd. I haven't seen anything of Crawford's girl or the dog Rex. Crawford doesn't seem to be worried. Look at him over there. Where? Standing with the Mountie. Oh. They're calling for the Crawford dog. Now we all know for sure who the girl got away. Slavin, Slavin, look! Here he comes! Well, everyone there came murmurs and comments of admiration. As a slim girl and a heavy Parker with a hood that concealed her head and most of her face, led a great powerful dog into position for the trial. No one in the community had ever seen Sergeant Preston's king, so everyone mistook the dog for Rex. Joe Crawford did his best to maintain a carefree exterior according to Sergeant Preston's plans, but his heart was heavier than ever and his voice showed deep concern. Sergeant, if this plan of yours doesn't work, if it doesn't work, they'll try something else too. Your dog's ready. All right, Rex! Oh, boy! Oh! King didn't wholly understand the situation when a girl called him by another name, but he did know he was expected to pull a load to which he had been hitched. Pull it, boys! Pull it! The voice of Sergeant Preston came from the sidelines with an unmistakable command. As the weight on King's sled was increased, PB turned to Slavin and spoke in a low voice. Slavin, we've got to see him out loose and green. That's what I've been saying. The girl and dog have gotten away from them in some way. As I told her, of course, if Moose gets into trouble, he'll squeal. Get to the hideout right away and see what's happened. I'm on my way. King found the sled much heavier, but he pulled it without great difficulty. He glanced toward Sergeant Preston for a word of approval, but the Sergeant had turned his back on the crowd. He was moving rapidly away. King heard his new friend speaking. Let's see what he can do. Go ahead, Judge. Pile on them weights. Rex will show you. Go on, Rex! Why did everyone call King by the wrong name? King didn't understand it. And why had Sergeant Preston left? He wondered about these things as the sled behind his back was made heavier. Say now, if your dog can pull that, Mr. Robert, he's in the families without any questions. Just watch it. All right. King strained at the harness, tugging, pulling, throwing every ounce of his great strength into a mighty effort. He felt the sled behind him move. He felt her hand on top of his head and heard her voice. Good work, boy. Good work. You did all right. King wanted desperately to go in pursuit of his master. Let me out of this harness, he tried to tell the girl. All right, father. She seemed to know what he wanted. Her hand slipped off the heavy leather. There you are. A bark of thanks, then King was gone. Racing, streaking across the crisp snow in the direction his master had taken. Sarah Crawford had been kept with her hands tied in a remote cabin, and her dog had been chained in a nearby woodshed. As the morning of the trials advanced, Moose looked frequently at his watch, and finally said, It's too bad, miss, but the trials are over by this time. Looks like your dog's out of the running. Now what do we do, Moose? I tell you, Breed, I don't know. My boss figured Crawford would borrow the cash and leave it where he was told, so the girl could be turned loose. We got no word. You should have had word last night early this morning that the cash had been left. It's too bad, miss Sarah, but it looks like your old man let you down. You'll pay for this. Don't talk that way. You just wait. My dad will find a way to get Moose. Moose, look out the window. Slaven come this way. Yeah? Maybe cash would be paid, huh? The old trials went off on schedule. It's too late. We still know. I'll open the door for Slaven. Hi there, Slaven. Moose, are you all right? I sure am all right. What's kept you so long? How'd the girl get away? Get away, my eye. Look over there. What? You? Here. But her dog was in the trials, and she... I thought that... Her dog is in the woodshed tied with a hunk of chain. Let me see. There you see. But that dog... The dog that was in the trials and the girl, who were they? I look, Slaven. I don't know what you're talking about. This is Crawford's daughter and her dog. I can vouch for it. The dog was in no way trials or small... Well, Joe Crawford had someone entered. And I... I'm on it. I want to talk to you. It's Preston. Help. Help me. I get him. No, you don't. When Breed's hand came up with a gun, Sergeant Preston charged with battering Ram Force. A blow to the stomach. A blow to the chin and Breed went down. Get him. Get him from behind. I'll pull you two. Slaven leaped on the money from behind. While Loose reached for Preston's throat with fingers like steel bears. Help. Help. Go talk to Loose. Finish you. Hang on, Loose. Hang on. Sergeant Preston called in all his wirery strength and with a superhuman effort wrenched pretty momentarily. Get him. I'll get you. Try this. With his back against the wall, the money ducked and dodged. He delivered blow after blow to Loose's chin. They were hard blows. But the giant kept coming in, reaching with those mighty fists. It was a battle to the finish with no holes barred and quarters too close for gunplay. The money's strength was having fast. His blows became weaker and weaker. Now we get him. I'll get you. The Breed was still unconscious. But victory for Loose and Slaven was but seconds away. Then help came like a furry streak and lost the snow. It was the great dog King, charging to aid his master. King and King. King leaped to the door, fangs bared. His full weight struck big moose in the chest. That's it, boy. King was everywhere at once, fighting like a demon. Then Preston put all his remaining strength in a final punch. That takes care of him. Loose, let go of him. Call him off. He'll kill me. I'm King. Come, boy. I'm glad. That dog. Get up, Loose. You're covered. If either you or Slaven move, I'll let you have it. That King doesn't get to you first. Oh, my goodness, you came. Oh, Sergeant Preston, these men, they captured me. My dog is in the bush. Hold still, Mr. Orbit. I'll have to cut those ropes while I hold a gun on these three. The Breed is recovering consciousness. Watch them, King. Don't take your eyes off them, Sergeant. If you'll just hold a knife instead, I can cut the rope around my wrist. Good. I'll take the knife, and you can finish the job, and release your dog. But I must tell you, there's a man in town named Peabee who was in with these men. It was up to us to... I know all about it. Your father's waiting in town, and as for the contest... It's too late for that. No, it isn't. Your dog Rex is in the finals. And from what I saw of the trial contest, he's sure to win. But how? King entered in his place and qualified. King! Sergeant, I've heard about King. I... I guess he's the only dog in the country that's greater and stronger than Rex. He said thanks for that. Listen, Monty, this wasn't our idea. I don't mean to face a wrap-up. You'll not face it alone, Moose. I'm taking the three of you into town, and there we'll pick up Peabee. Yes, King, I'm alive to pick up Peabee thanks to you. And when we get it, boy, this case will be closed. No, no, no. No, no, no. No, no, no. No, no, no. The challenge of the Yukon, a copy-ready feature, is a product of the challenge of the Yukon Incorporated, created and produced by George W. Trendall and directed by Fred Flower Day. The part of Sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton. All names and incidents used are fictitious. Listen again next Friday to another exciting adventure during the days of the Gold Rush. J. Michael speaking. This program came to you from Detroit. Radio's Bad Boys providing plenty of good entertainment these days. Yep, it's Lou Costello. And along with his partner, Bud Abbott, he furnishes hundreds of laughs on his Wednesday night fun fest, plus his Saturday morning kid show. Each week, Abbott and Costello interview the youngsters who have gathered for the broadcast, award prizes, and entertain visiting celebrities. And as a special feature, a trophy and gold medals are given away each week to the Boy or Girl who has performed a particularly heroic deed. The Abbott and Costello kid show is a valuable contribution toward combating juvenile delinquency, along with being top form entertainment. This comic couple of radio can be counted on to supply plenty of fun on their Wednesday night show, especially when they cut loose in a typical Abbott and Costello routine. Don't miss their shenanigans tonight on the Abbott and Costello show. And for a program every youngster will enjoy, hear their kid show Saturday morning.