 Now, as howling winds echo across the snow-covered reaches of the Wild Northwest, the Quaker Earth Company makers of Quaker Pop Wheat and Quaker Pop Rice, the delicious cereal shot from guns in cooperation with the Mutual Broadcasting System, present by special recording, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon. It's Yukon King, swift as his strongest lead dog of the Northwest, breaking his trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers. On your feet! 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, and the adventures of Sergeant Preston and his wonder dog, Yukon King, as they meet the challenge of the Yukon. Our adventure will begin in just a moment. Is electricity your friend? Yes, in most cases. It can be a bad atomade, or if you direct it through electrical wires which have frayed insulation and can result in costly fires. Remember, the electricity in your home should be your servant, not your boss. What careless wiring will help electricity take over? Check the wires on your electrical appliances, lamp cords, and the other items in your home that have electric wires to make sure that the insulation is in good condition and is capable of preventing short circuits and fires. Defective wiring isn't the only way a fire can start in your home, either. Don't permit rubbish or waste paper to accumulate. Clean out your cellar attic and closets and eliminate possible starting places for fires. Almost a thousand fires daily take place in homes across the country, due in most cases to carelessness. Be sure your home isn't one of them. Check up and clean up. Don't gamble with fire. The odds are against you. This message is brought to you as a public service. October, an evening was sharp and cold as the river packet Yukon Queen made its way on the last trip north to Dawson. Sergeant Preston and his great dog King had gone aboard at 40 miles and were headed for Mountie Headquarters at Dawson. Preston and King walked to the deck rail and stood watching the bleak landscape as it moved slowly by. A short distance away, young man and woman stood watching the scenery. The man turned and looked at the Mountian dog and then spoke to the woman. Now let's look at that big hut. I'm sure he'd have him jump at him. He is big. He has friendly eyes. Things well trained. He wouldn't attack anyone unless I ordered him to. He's gentle and friendly to people he likes, aren't you, boy? He sure is a beauty. Yes, isn't he? May I tell him? Of course. Hello, King. Why, you have a nice big coat. I noticed by your uniform that you're a sergeant in Northwest Monopolis. That's right. I'm Sergeant Preston. I'm Burke Damerick and this is my wife Alice. I've heard so much about the Mounties. I'm glad to meet you, Sergeant. So am I, Sergeant. By go. You're from the States? Yes, from Seattle. We're heading for Celtic. I see. You'll reach there in just about the time winter sets in. I hope I can stand the winter here. It took a lot of persuading on Burke's part to get me to come. I hope you have something definite to do, Burns. Getting a start up here isn't quite as easy as the stories might lead one to believe. Oh, we have, Sergeant. An uncle of mine who came up during the first gold rush died a couple of months ago and left his gold claim to him. Oh. That's why we're going to Celtic. I see. Frankly, I have told Burke it's a gamble. We sold our home in Seattle and Burke gave up a job with Wells Fargo to come here. Well, after all, Alice, I had that letter from a lawyer in Celtic saying the claim had been well to me and that I had to come here to settle things. Are you going through to Celtic, Sergeant? Why, not by boat, Burke. I haven't been to Celtic since last spring, but after I stopped at headquarters in Dawson, I'll take out my dog team and head down that way. I'll be in Celtic within two weeks. I'll look you up to see how you're getting along. Bye, and good luck. Good bye, Sergeant. Come on, Burke. When they finally arrived in Celtic, Burke and Alice Demeris left the boat and went to the hotel. The following morning, they walked to the office of lawyer Zach Cain, the sharp-beachard, steely-eyed man that would have written the letter to Burton. I hope the lawyer is in this early. Yeah, we'll soon find out. Good morning. What can I do for you? Your lawyer Cain? Yeah, that's right. I'm Burke Demeris, and this is my wife. How do you do? We arrived on the boat last night. I received a letter from you, but... Oh, yes, of course, of course. I'm glad to see you. Sit down, sit down. Thank you. Oh, here's the letter you sent, Mr. Cain. Oh, yes. Will you wait? Will you have a cigar, Burke? No, no. Thanks, Mr. Cain. I don't smoke. You, Uncle Laird, talk so much about you. I feel that I already know you. You see, I wasn't only his lawyer, but Ed Morrow and I were also good friends. His death was a shock to me. He cut the moon and died within a couple of days. How terrible, poor Uncle Laird. He was always nice to me. He is a fine man, your Uncle Laird. Of course, he was getting along in years, but seemed to hold up well. It was kind of him to make a well-favoring bird. Yes, he was wise enough to make a well, and he appointed me to take care of things and get it set. How long will it take? No time at all, Bert. All that is necessary is for you to sign a couple of papers, that's all. The small cash box contains the cash and personal affection your Uncle left. And I locally use gold cufflinks. Nice gold watch and chain. What about a bank account? I'm glad she's all here. One hundred dollars. A hundred dollars? That's right. Of course, Bert gets the gold claim, too. I'll take you out there this morning if you like. The sooner the better. But we figured if Uncle Laird had a gold claim, he'd leave more than a hundred dollars. There's a cabinet furnishings out at the claim, so you'll have a place to live. How far is it to the claim? About five miles east of here, Bert. We'll have to have some way to get back and forth to town. There's the answer, cars. I may be able to arrange for dogs in the sled if you decide to stay there at the cabin. There's no place else we could stay until Bert gets more gold from the claim. Well, thankfully, I don't think the claim pays off too well. Oh, Bert, if it doesn't pay off much, what will we live on through the winter? Well, Uncle Laird must have made a living from it, honey. The only thing for us to do is to go live in the cabin and see what we can take from the claim when we work. Yes, yes, of course. That is the thing to do. Now, I'll have you sign these papers, Bert. I'll get the horses in a rig from the Liberty Staper and we'll go out to the cabin. After Bert signed the papers showing that he'd received his uncle's estate from lawyer Cain, a young couple left self-cultured in a rig with a lawyer leading the way on horseback. They soon arrived at the cabin to be there and he'll hold it. Oh, they'll hold it. Mr. Cain, is this the right cabin? Surely, boys, Uncle, this is... This is it, Mrs. Devonette. This is it. Maro left it. We can go in and look it over. Sure, a weather-beaten old place, yes? Badly in need of repair. Come on, honey. Thank you. Let them lock the door open. Possibly, imagine a worse case. Could your uncle or anyone else have lived in a cabin like this? I don't know, Alice. If Uncle had lived here, he would have... There is your uncle's picture on the table, Bert. Yes. Yes, that is Bert's uncle, all right. He sent us a picture just like this one. Yes, the condition of this place is sure disappointing. If I had enough money, we'd get back on the boat and leave for the stay-away. It's awful. Hose in the roof. Wrecking chairs. They've docked over everything. Bert, what are we going to do? Well, now there is no use being upset about it, Mrs. Devonette. He did take a little hard work, but if Bert is handy at repairing, he could make it livable. Oh, it isn't that so much. Look here, why not give it a try? Here a couple of days or so and look things over. You will find a claim out behind the cabin. You'll have to go to town for supplies. I expected you on the boat to dock last night, so yesterday I brought out a stock of food the last few days. Oh, thanks. I sure wish we knew what we were getting into before we came all the way up here. If we had, we wouldn't have come to Selkirk. Perhaps if you'd given Bert more details in that matter. Under the circumstances, I'm sorry now that I didn't. I'll tell you what, stay here a few days. I'll leave the horse and reek with you. Then if you don't think you can make a go of it, maybe I can find someone to buy out the claim for, well, for at least enough to get you back to Seattle. I'm sure I can get a few hundred dollars for it. That's awfully kind of you, Mr. Cain, but so we can't. Now, say no more about it, Mrs. Devonette. I feel a bit guilty about this matter, and I know I can push through the dealing time for you to take the boat at the end of the next week if you want to leave. Well, we'll stay a couple of days then and look things up. Good. Now, if you decide to go back, just come into town and let me know. There's a shed out back where you can stay with the horse. There's feet out there for it. And it will be saved from priling animals. Priling animals. Oh, now I shouldn't have frightened you. Well, it's better to be on the safe side in case a good easily or a few hungry wolves should come along. I'll get back to town now. We'll continue our adventure in just a moment. The thrill lately of being right there in the ballpark when the lead-off man steps up to the plate. Have you been there to see his star players in person? See them wallop home runs? See the exciting double plays? Well, don't miss the fun another day. Come out to the ball game as guests of a major or minor league team. Walk right through the gate free if you are 12 years or younger and bring mom or dad or another paying adult. Yes, you can get a free baseball ticket. No mailing, no waiting. It's right inside a package of Quaker Puff Wheat or Quaker Puff Rice or Muffet Shredded Wheat or buy Quaker Packle 10 and get two free baseball tickets. Names of teams and dates are on every ticket. Hurry to get your free baseball tickets in the special package of Quaker Puff Wheat or Rice Muffet Shredded Wheat or Quaker Packle 10. To continue. That afternoon Burt went out and looked over the claim. Even to his inexperienced eyes it showed little promise and yet he was determined to give it a try. He found no tools for which to work and so taking the rig he drove into town to the trading votes. When he entered and approached the counter the old storekeeper looked him over critically. I want to buy a pick and shovel, pick and shovel. Soon you're new here aren't you Mr. That's right I am. Get the things you want. When did you get into Sokirk? There you are. Like I just said. When did you get in? I came in on a boat last night. That's five dollars for the pick and five for the shovel Mr. There it is. My name is Mike Kelly. What's yours? Burt Demerit. Burt Demerit, don't you fix him to work a claim? Yes, my wife and I have a claim about five miles east of here. Five miles east you say. I know. You don't mean that worn out claim where that cabin is with the porch roof rotted off. Yes, that's it. I hate to get you down son, but an old sourdough gave up that claim some time ago. It's worked out. Hope he didn't put any money into getting it. No, no, it was wilderness. That sure something to leave to somebody alright. Better not waste your time trying to work that claim Demerit. Anything else? No, thanks. That's all. I'll be in again. Goodbye. Goodbye son and good luck. You're sure needed. During the next few days, the temperature dropped and heavy snow fell. It was the first part of the following week when Sergeant Preston and King coming down from Dawson stopped with a dog pee in front of the boarding pole. Okay. Hurry up. Come on boy. Hello Mike. Well, well, Sergeant Preston and King. Good to see you again. Good to see you Mike. We haven't been here in so good for some time. Sure we missed you. That we did. What can I do for you Sergeant? I stopped in to ask about the young couple I met on the boat. Maybe you can tell me where to find them. Well no, maybe I could. What are their names Sergeant? Bert Demerit and his wife. Bert inherited a gold claim around here. Bert Demerit. Say no. There was a young fellow by that name come in here a while back and bought a pick and shovel. I asked when I told him about that claim he inherited. He could dig out there till doomsday without turning up as much as a grain of gold. Sure no, but he's been near the place for a night until a year I'd say Sergeant. The old sourdough who used to have it gave up and went to White Horse. Well that's odd. Demerit told me his uncle died here about two months ago and left everything to him. The only one who died around here was old Ed Marrow. It was a little over two months ago. Ed Marrow? He owned the big strike mine? That's right. No, if it was something like that that Demerit inherited they'd really have something. Yes, I... Mike, is there a lawyer here in town now? Sure is Sergeant. A fellow named Zach Cain. He and Marrow were as thick as two peas that they were. Oh, I see. Thanks Mike, you've given me an idea. If I'm right, King and I have a case to solve and we'll have to move fast. While Sergeant Preston and King were at the trading post a man hurriedly entered lawyer Cain's office. Well, what's your hurry, Blakie? Will he be chasing you? You better stop puffing on that cigar and listen to what I have to say, King. Well, what is it? I guess Sergeant Preston and his dog go into the trading post. Where's the buddy? He should happen to run into that fellow Demerit. He might ask questions. Seen as how Demerit is a stranger around here. You'd better do something about closing that deal in quick. Yes, I guess you're right, Daddy. If I can get Bert to sign away it's clean to me, I'll be sitting pretty and they'll just disappear. The fool is still trying to work that dead claim out there. Sorry, give up by now and come in and take up your proposition. Yes, you'll be there. The only thing to do now is for me to take the paper and the money and go out there. Better do some fast talking. I'll ask the both of the states to leave here in a couple of days and they better be on it. I'll talk them into it. After they sign I'll take them by a shortcut over to your place near the big strike mine for a couple of nights and then see that they take the boat when it says. You better go out behind the office get your dog team together and head for Demers. Then maybe you better follow the back trail out of town. Since you're fairly new around here Preston might ask questions if you met him. Yes, all right. I'll take the paper with me. I'll put on my things and get going. You look at the office after they leave and then keep your eyes on Preston. The lawyer left by the back way. It was about five minutes later that Sergeant Preston and King stopped out front. Blinky was just about to leave and heard Sergeant Preston stop. He sat down behind the fence and waited. Well, Sergeant, come right in. Thanks. Are you the lawyer, Mr. Cain? No, no, Mr. Cain is out of town. He went out of town for a few days on business. I see. When do you expect him back? Well, I can't say, Sergeant. He just asked me to drop in here and take any messages that might come in for him. You sure Cain went out of town? Yes, yes, I'm sure. Sorry, I missed him. By the way, may I offer you a cigar? No, no thanks. I don't smoke a cigar. Neither do I. Who are you and what are you doing here? I'm Blinky Hawkins, a friend of Zach Cain's. Besides playing office boy for Cain, what else do you do around Selkirk? I listen, ma'am. No, you listen to me. I've seen you around town before. Your manager, the big strike mining company. Well, what if I am? You told me you didn't smoke cigars. So that smoldering cigar butt there on the desk tells me someone left here in a hurry just before I came in. You lied about Cain being away, didn't you? Look, Barney, you have no right to come in here. Now look around the back. What are you doing? Whoa! That's what I thought. Cain evidently left in a hurry with his dog team. I have some questions to ask him, so I'll tell him. As for you, Hawkins, I might want to ask you a few questions, so stay around town till I get back. Come on, gang. Not fun, boy. We'll continue our adventure in just a moment. You should have been at the ball game today. I saw three homeruns. And guess what? I got one of the homerun balls. Fellows and girls, why don't you get a free baseball ticket? It's easy. Come out to the ball game as guests of a major or minor league team. Your free ticket is waiting for you right now inside packages of Quaker Pop wheat, Quaker Pop rice, Muppet Shredded Wheat, and Quaker Pakotin, which has two free baseball tickets. Yes, if you are 12 years or younger, just bring mom or dad or another paying adult and see wonderful major or minor league baseball games free. Names of teams and dates are on every ticket. Get as many free tickets as you want, no mailing, no waiting. When mom buys breakfast cereal, just be sure she gets the kind with a free baseball ticket inside. That's Quaker Pop wheat and rice and Muppet Shredded Wheat. You get two free baseball tickets inside Quaker Pakotin. So don't miss out another day. See the star players wallop those home runs. It's begun to snow heavily. Not knowing where King was heading, Preston and King were slow to bid as they tried to follow his trail in the storm. In their small cabin, Alice and Bert Demarest glanced at each other as they listened to the moaning of the wind outside. Bert, the last boat for the state leaves you a day after tomorrow. I know, I know, dear. But if this storm keeps up, we can't use the horses to get to town. But maybe if we left tonight and took a room at the hotel... No, we couldn't chance it without a dog team, Alice. I've been a fool not to have gone in and accepted King's offer before this. Oh, we can't stay here. I just can't stand it. Bert, we have to do something right away before it's too late. That awful wind and those wolves hollering last night. I know how to fix you, Alice. Someone's coming. Hello. Come inside. Alice, Mr. King, come in, come in. I'm coming out in all this storm, but I'm so glad to see you. Oh, I know the way out here blindfolded, Mrs. Demers. I used to come off in the sea, Bert. Yeah, that's right. I've been so worried and frightened out here, we must get away as soon as possible. That is a good thing I came out there. My offer still holds if you want to accept it. In fact, I brought out the paper for Bert to sign if he wants to. Yes, of course you'll sign it. But the boat, suppose it doesn't come through? Oh, the boat will come through all right. The river hasn't iced up enough to stop it. But could we get to town? Yes, of course. I'll see to that. Hey, have the paper for you, Bert. And here's a pen. You dig. Better read it first. Hey, never let people sign things about reading the boat back. Read it, Bert. Outlaw. All right. I, Bert Demers, do hereby give up all right and title to the big strike mine and other properties to Zachary Cain for the sum of $300. I have the cash with me. Oh, Mr. Cain, you're so good to us. That's right, he is. But what's this big strike mine? That's the way this claim was registered, Bert. Your uncle wanted to give it a name. Poor chap. And here's the pen. All right. Thanks, now. I need to write there on that line. All right. Wait a minute. Sergeant Preston, I'm King Andrew. The wind and the sudden gust blew the paper off the table across the cabin. The paper? The wind blew it off the table? I'll get it. Sheriff King, he got that paper. Easy, King. Bring it here, boy. Yeah, listen. Give me that paper. Good dog. I'll report you to headquarters. You have no right but to get on this transaction. The deal was almost completed. Oh, this is an interesting document, Cain. Sergeant, why are you interfering? Mr. Cain is only trying to help. He's only trying to cheat Bert out of one of the richest mines in this territory. The big strike mine formerly owned by Ed Murrow. Oh, that's my uncle's name. I know. Cain tried to obtain your signature by fraud. Oh, oh, my. The bullet coming through the window had barely creased persons for it. And he stood momentarily stunned. But the great dog King moved into immediate action, stinking. For the deep-rooted growl, he moved back and then sprang. Oh, help. The big husky elite straight through the window and it landed on the figure of Blinky outside, taking the crook completely by surprise and knocking him to the slope of the ground. Before Blinky, he had his breath knocked out by the sudden attack. He could move. King grabbed his arm, causing the crook to drop his gun. Help! Help! Get him away! Sergeant President, leaving bird inside with a gun to watch that Cain, quickly approached King in the struggling crook. Help! Help! Take him away! Okay, son boy. Oh, oh, he jumped me. He came through the window. Oh, my. Get inside, John. Oh, my. Oh, my. Oh, my. This is Blinky Hawkins, manager of the big strike mining company, Bert. That's your company now, you know. You, you have nothing against their sniffing. They were going to sign that paper at the roof, free wheels. Here's the paper, Bert. As a lawyer, Cain, you know the charge of attempted murder against a member of the mounted police will stand against both of you. Not to mention your attempt to take over the big strike mine by fraud. Oh, wait a minute. Hey. I had no knowledge that Blinky followed you out here to shoot at you. You told me to work that money. You're just as much to blame as I am, Cain. We'll let the court decide that. Does all this mean that Bert really inherited something worthwhile, Sergeant? Yes, Mrs. Demarest, it does. In addition to the big strike mine, Bert inherited a large home in Selkirk. Oh, Bert, we won't have to go back to the States after all. You hadn't been so slow, Cain. You'd have got them to sign that paper long ago and got them away from town. Good thing they didn't get you to sign sooner, Bert. Both you and Alice might suddenly have disappeared. I met men like Cain before. A disgrace to a fine profession. No, probably fine. He was disbarred in the States, so he came to Selkirk where he wasn't known. Where the hell was? You think you were smart, don't you? But if it hadn't been for that dog, Blinky could have shot again. Why be? But Cain was here, Cain. When I think how close you came to being killed, Sergeant, it makes me shiver. I deserve that bullet crease as a lesson. As a lesson? Yes. I should have known Blinky would follow me out here from town. I think you were plenty smart to figure things out and follow Cain here, Sergeant. Thanks, Bert. I'm so glad we met you and Cain on the boat. Otherwise, those men would have succeeded in doing us out of Bert's inheritance. And you and your husband might have been murdered after they had what they wanted. Cain, I arrest you and Blinky in the name of the crown for attempted murder. As soon as I get you to jail, this case will be closed. Sergeant Preston will return in just a moment with a word about our next exciting adventure. Your musical treat of the day waits for you throughout the week on Mutual. Each Tuesday and Thursday evening, it's time for Eddie Fisher and a session of music as everyone likes it. Young and old delight in Eddie Fisher's wave of the song. And he's joined on every show by Fred Robbins as emcee, Alex Storto's orchestra, and outstanding guest stars. Every Saturday, the teenager's favorite, Johnny Desmond, brings photorama time and a roundup of the newest and best in popular recordings. On Sundays, the Enchanted Hour presents favorite music from the world's best-loved composers. Every weekday also means time for Hawaii calls and authentic melodies of the islands. Music fills Mutual's air throughout the week. Here's the Eddie Fisher show, Johnny Desmond with photorama time and Enchanted Hour and Hawaii calls on Mutual throughout the week over most of these stations. Sergeant Preston left his great dog king outside and reported to Inspector Conrad. Sergeant, are you familiar with the community called Nugget Crossing? Why, yes, sir. I haven't been to the crossing in a long time, but I remember it well. There's a lot of trapping done around there. Well, those trappers are threatening trouble. As I have it, they claim that they've been defrauded of their pay for the season's catch. Unless something is done at once, they're likely to tear down the trading post. Well, they can't do that. The post is operated by one of the finest women I know and one of the most honest. And, Sergeant, you'd better work fast. I'll leave it once, sir. Sergeant Preston cannot possibly be forewarned that the crooks who stole the trapper's gold will kill to avoid exposure. They would even kill a mouty. Be sure to hear this next exciting adventure. These Sergeant Preston of the Yukon Adventures are brought to you every Monday through Friday at this time by the Quaker Boats Company, makers of Quaker Pop Wheat and Quaker Pop Rice, the delicious cereal shot from gun by special recording in cooperation with the Mutual Broadcasting System. They are a copyrighted feature of the Sergeant Preston of the Yukon Incorporated, created by George W. Trenble, produced by Trenble Campbell Muir Incorporated and directed by Fred Flower Day. The part of Sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton. This is J. Michael wishing you goodbye, good luck, and good health from Quaker Pop Wheat and Quaker Pop Rice. So long. This is Mutual Radio Network for All Americans. Thank you.