 Now, as gunshots echo across the windswept snow-covered reaches of the Wild Northwest, Quaker Pop Wheat and Quaker Pop Rice, the breakfast cereal shot from guns, present the challenge of the Yukon. It's Yukon King, swiftness and strongest lead dog of the Northwest, blazing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest modern police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers. On King, run, you muskies! 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 Quaker Pop Wheat and Quaker Pop Rice bringing you the adventures of Sergeant Preston and his Wonder Dog Yukon King as they meet the challenge of the Yukon. Say, the owl is a wise old bird, and here's my idea of someone who's plenty smart too. It's the fellow or girl who eats a breakfast of Quaker Pop Rice or Quaker Pop Wheat with milk or cream and fruit. These King-sized, ready-to-serve premium grains of rice or wheat are shot from guns. Yes, actually exploded up to eight times normal size to make them bigger and better tasting. No fooling, wheat or rice shot from guns is so crisp and tender, it melts in your mouth. It's good for you too. So tomorrow morning, be smart, enjoy this breakfast treat, Quaker Pop Rice or Quaker Pop Wheat. Mrs. Trent held the doll-up for Jeff Morton's inspection. What do you think of her? Oh, she's beautiful, May. Mary's gonna love her. I can't thank you enough. Well, dressing this doll has made my Christmas for me, Jeff. I'm only sorry that Paul and Mary won't be here tomorrow. Well, you know what the doctor said. Mary has to stay in bed for a few more days. You're perfectly right. There's no sense in taking chances after the seeds she's been through. I'll have her down here for a party on her birthday. Do you have everything in a candy? Well, here. Cookies? Here. And here's the doll. Be careful, Audrey. You can bet I will. And be careful of yourself too. It's a dangerous trail up there in the wills, especially after you hit the creek. Well, Merry Christmas. I'll see you, May. Thanks again. Jeff drove out of a little town of Greenwood just as it was getting dark. He followed the Klondike in the direction of Dawson until he neared the mouth of Christmas Creek. He could see a large campfire near the edge of the woods and thinking it might be some of his friends on their way to Dawson, he drove straight toward it. But the sight of a tall figure lit by the flames made him step on the break and call out to his team to stop. Oh, there. Gee, gee there. Get around. It's Teranga. This will escape from jail. Teranga and his renegades. Get around here. As Jeff turned his team around, the renegade chief Teranga saw him. Mush! Mush on! Teranga ordered his men to open fire. What if the bullets hit Jeff in the right leg? But his grip was firm on the crossbar and he managed to stay on the running board. I gotta warn the folks in Greenwood. Mush! He urged his team back along the trail to Greenwood and his dogs soon carried him out of range of the renegade's guns. But he didn't dare stop and take care of his wound at that moment. On he drove until he saw the seven buildings that made up the little settlement. When he reached Harryworth's store, he called out to the team to stop. Who? Who there? Harry! It was six-year-old Sunnyworth who opened the door. Get your dad, Sunny, and start ringing the fire bell. Come here, Harry. I just saw Teranga in about 20 men. The mouth of Christmas Creek. You better get everybody into the store. They're heading this way. Why do I saw them? But they haven't got dogs. It'll be a little while. Hey, you've been wounded. I stopped a bullet in my leg. I can walk though if you help me. Where's the fire, Harry? There's no fire. There's Teranga in his renegade. They're heading this way. Everybody into the store. Everybody. Hey, there's a store there. Ten minutes later, all the inhabitants of the little community were standing around Jeff while the doctor bandaged his leg. I'll be through in a minute, Jeff. You won't be able to move for at least two or three days. My kids, Paul and Mary, I've got to get back to them. Well, there's... Soon as this is over. Joe, come on with me. Right. You too, Mac. There's guns and ammunition in the store. Hey, there's a dog team coming in and down from the east. You said Teranga didn't have any dogs yet. I saw them at Christmas Creek to the west. Get Sergeant Preston. On his way back from Lost River. The Sergeant and King were welcomed. Jeff told his story, and the Sergeant took charge of the preparations for the siege. Each man was at his post with an extra loaded rifle and a store of ammunition beside him. And all the lamps had been put out when the defenders heard the yells of Teranga's men. The fight began. Teranga tried to rush the building, but his first charge was driven back. Then he split up his followers. They surrounded the store and started creeping toward it. They aren't giving us much of a target now, but we can still keep them back. May 12th, a sunny war sat close to the wounded Jeff Morton on the floor. One of the renegades shots shattered the glass from a window and the boy covered his head. Oh, you must be... What will happen if they get in here? They won't, Sonny. Do you think the Sergeant would let him do that? You must be brave like him. No one can spoil Christmas Eve. We're going to have a party. Well, come on. Let's sing a song right now then. Let's show Teranga he can't share us. It came right clear that glorious... Come on, Sonny. Sing with me. All right. I think they've had enough. They're clearing out. Hold your fire. I think you're right. I'm gone. Yes. Heading out of town the way they came. They won't be coming back tonight, but just to be safe, you'd all better stay right here in the morning. You men can take turn standing guard. Okay, Sergeant. What are you going to do, Sergeant? King and I will try to make it to Dawson. I'm going there and bring back every man we have in the barracks. Teranga and his crew must be rounded up if there's going to be any peace in the Yukon tomorrow. Sergeant, I gave my word to Jeff. His boy and girl, Paul and little Mary, they're up there in the hills in his cabin all alone. I promised I'd go and make sure that they were safe. We'll all go. That isn't a job for one man. Yes it is, Harry. I'll stop at the cabin on my way. You will, Sergeant? Of course, Jeff. What's more, I'd better take Paul and Mary into Dawson with me. Is that all right, Doc? Oh, I guess so. If Mary's bundled up well, better to take a chance on a little cold weather than on Teranga. But, Sergeant, you don't know where my new cabin is. Is it far from the old one? No. That was at the head of the creek. Yes, at the foot of the hill. There's a trail leading up through the woods. My new place is in a clearing right at the top of the hill. Yes. Paul will have a light burning in the window. It'll be easy to find. Maybe too easy. I mean, if those others... There is no reason to think they're heading in that direction. But they might. Oh, heaven forbid. Heaven will, I'm sure. Don't worry, Jeff. I'll get the children. Oh, somehow I'm sure you will, Sergeant. Will you take Mary's doll with you? What? It's on my sleigh. Well, that tyke won't have any Christmas at all if Santa doesn't bring her that doll. Take it to us, Sergeant. Of course, Jeff. I'll get it for you. One, King. The doll was given to the Sergeant. The team was lined up and he started out of green. One, King! One, King! As he turned west on the Klondike, he could hear the little group in the store start to sing. Their voices soon faded in the distance. It was a brilliant night. Moon and stars in the northern lights. Green, yellow and red streaking across the sky. He soon checked the speed of the team. Easy, King. Easy, boy. He had let everyone think he intended to head straight for Jeff's cabin and then drive on to Dawson. But his first mission was to find out where Taranga and his men had gone. It was their trail he was following, and it led him straight back to Christmas Creek. At the mouth he found the sight of their old camp. They hadn't stopped there. Oh, King! Oh, your husband! He started up the creek, King. I think we'd better leave the team here, boy, and hide the sled. If they've made camp somewhere up above, we'll have to circle them to get to Jeff's place. Look our way through the forest. All we can hope is that they haven't gone too far. We'll continue our story in just a moment. Hmm. I wonder if we're going to have a visitor today. Well, sure enough. And our visitor is a lady, rather elderly one, dressed up a bit behind the times. Hello there, young man. Why, hello. I'm the old woman who lived in the shoe. You're what? You're the old woman who lives in the shoe? Yes, indeed. Well, I guess housing shortage is rather bad. Oh, we don't mind. We? Yes, myself and all the children. Oh, that's right. You're the lady with so many children, you don't know what to do. But I do. Huh? I mean, I do know what to do with the children. I see. They're really very well behaved nowadays. Oh? Especially around breakfast time. Ah. Everything's fine now. Since we started having good breakfast, a quaker-puffed wheat and quaker-puffed rice. I take it the children kind of go for a wheat or rice shot from guns. Oh, indeed they do. We have the wheat one morning, the rice the next. That's a fine idea. It's easy on me too. What with having such a large family. You mean because quaker-puffed wheat and quaker-puffed rice are so easy to serve? Yes, and with milk or cream and fruit, they make a frifty, nourishing breakfast. That's right. Wheat or rice shot from guns furnish added food values of restored natural grain amounts of vitamin B1, niacin and dien. Uh-oh, land sakes. I must be going now. Back to the shoe? I mean home? My yes. I've got to fix everyone's supper. Supper? Gee, I don't envy you that job. There's nothing to it. The children have been so good lately I promised them a special treat tonight. Their choice of quaker-puffed rice or quaker-puffed wheat with their favorite fruit. Well, goodbye now. Well, sir, that's a fine idea. Quaker-puffed rice and quaker-puffed wheat hit the spot at supper time as well as breakfast time. These king-sized kernels are shot from guns to make them bigger and better tasting. Yes, they're actually exploded up to eight times normal size to make them crisp and tender. Don't be missing out. Make sure you get both delicious kinds. Quaker-puffed wheat and quaker-puffed rice tomorrow. Now to continue our story. The sergeant drove his team into the cover of the trees at the mouth of Christmas Creek. The dogs were unharnessed and immediately burled in the snow and went to sleep. Fur bowels were piled over the sled. Then the sergeant placed Mary's doll in his knapsack with a few supplies in his first aid kit and he and King started out. They followed the trail carefully on and on toward the head of the creek. It was a relief when he finally saw campfire glowing through the trees. Easy boy. There's the foot of the hill. It's just above where Jeff's old cabin is. We'll make sure the exact spot then we'll work our way around it. Come on. Silently the sergeant and king made their way toward the campfire until they could see Tarang this tall figure his bitter twisted face. There were at least 20 men with him. Good enough. Now to get up to Jeff's cabin game. They cut to the west for 200 yards before they started up the wooded slope. Then suddenly King growled a warning. He and the sergeant dropped out of ground in the shadow of a low bush. They heard a branch crack to their left then the sound of footsteps. Two of the renegades carrying firewood a third with a rifle were walking toward them. Closer and closer. They were less than a dozen feet away from the bush that concealed the sergeant and king when they passed it. The sergeant held his breath. Directly above him a fur bow was heavily weighted with snow. For hours the snow had been exerting a steady pressure and now the bow gave way to it slightly and the snow slid from the branch to the ground. The Indian with a rifle whirled and fired in the direction of the sound. The sergeants stifled a groan. The Indians talked together for a moment and then moved on toward their campfire. Paul Morton was only 11 but he was a husky youngster. He was dozing in a chair near the window where a lighted candle burned. The shot woke him. He sounded like a rifle. Paul. What, Mary? I heard a shot. That was only a limb cracking in the core. You know the way they do. Well, it sounded like a shot. It wasn't. It's Indians. It's Teranga. Go on. He's in jail. What if he got out? Would he come back here? How could he get out? You forget about Teranga. Why didn't Pa have to go away? He had to go and tell Santa Claus what you wanted for Christmas. A new dress. And a dollar. No, it's no matter. Santa Claus won't come here. Of course he will. Teranga won't let him. Oh, where do you get such ideas? Santa Claus is a lot braver than Teranga. Well, I can handle him. Well, you can't. I can, too. I can shoot just as good as Pa can. And if Teranga comes around here, I'll give it to him good. Why don't you go to sleep, Mary? Santa Claus won't come if you don't. He won't come anyway. Oh, don't. I think I hear somebody coming up the hill. Well, it isn't Pa. The dogs would be barking. I guess I was just imagining things. Don't go away. I'm not. I think maybe I'll sign up this rifle somewhere. I'm just seeing if it needs oiling, too. No, I'm not. You better be. Who's there? It's Sergeant Preston. Just a second. Hello, Sergeant. Come on in. Thank you, Paul. Hello, King. He still remembers me. Gosh, it's good to see you, too. Why, anything happened here? No, but Pa isn't back from Greenwood. Sort of lonely, just Mary and me. Your father's staying in Greenwood tonight, Paul. I was going to take you and Mary with me to Dawson, but I... Sergeant, what's the matter? You've been hurt. Here, sit down on this bench. Thanks. Better hang a blanket over the window, Paul. Oh, all right, Sergeant. Without another word, the boy understood there was some danger looking outside in the forest. He fixed a blanket over the window and let the candle. Then he helped the Sergeant out of his pocket. There, Sergeant. Yes, Mary, this is my uniform. I suppose you can help me with the bandage, Paul. Sure. I'll get this coat off, too. It's the first aid kit in my knapsack. In here? Yes. What's this package on top? Well, that's for Mary. It's her Christmas present. For me? You can't open it until tomorrow. Santa? This isn't Santa. A closet, Sergeant Preston. Oh, I know. Let her have it, Paul. All right. Here you are. Thank you, Santa. Oh, for God's sake. Just because you've got a red coat. And a red shirt, too, I'm afraid. Don't let Mary see it. She can't. Help me turn the way. Sure. Paul helped the Sergeant. Bandages wound. And as they worked, they talked and whispers. That right, Sergeant? It's perfect. I'll just put my coat around my shoulders. Here. Thanks, Paul. Tarang and his men are camped at the bottom of the hill. We're going to write a note and send King back to headquarters with it. To Dawson? Well, he know where to go. All I have to do is tell him headquarters, helping help. I'll stay here with you and Mary tonight until just before daybreak. What are you going to do then? Well, I'm going to let Tarang see me. I'm going to lead him back to the Dawson Trail. It'll be easier to capture him then. That isn't the reason. You're going to let him chase you so we won't come up here. You better not. You better stay with us. Maybe the Inspector and the other men in the post will be here before morning. We'll see. Do you have a piece of paper and a pencil? And a table drawer. I'll get them. The Sergeant wrote a note telling the Inspector and Dawson exactly where Tarang were camped. Then he attached it to King's collar and led him to the door. You understand, don't you, boy? Headquarters. Right. Come on, King. Headquarters. The great dog ran across the clearing, a flash of silver in the moonlight, and then he disappeared in the forest. Go on, boy. How long will it take him to get there? He should make it in two hours. If Taranga doesn't see him. I put my trust in King before and he's never failed me. He's a wonderful dog. Santa, I love you. Mary for the last time. Never mind, boy. I love you too, Mary. He's the most beautiful doll in the whole world. You must thank your father for it. Because he told you, I know. When's he coming home? Tomorrow, perhaps, or perhaps I'll take you and Paul down to Greenwood. Now you'd better go to sleep. All right, Santa. We ought to stand guard. I'll do that. You go to sleep, too, Paul. Well, I guess I am sort of sleepy. Good night, Santa. You listen to that just as bad as she is. Good night, Paul. After the children were asleep, the sergeant put out the candle and took down the blanket from the window. He drew up a chair close to it and watched the trail leading up to the top of the hill and the forest all around. His plans were made. When morning came, it was likely that either Taranga or one of his men would find his tracks leading up to the cabin. If help didn't arrive before daybreak, he must be down at the bottom of the hill. He must let the renegade see him. He must leave them away from Paul and Mary. Once taught morning, he heard a yell from the bottom of the hill. It woke Mary and she started to cry. He moved to her side and took her hand. Nothing, Mary. Well, I'm not afraid when you're here. That's good. Now will you go back to sleep? Oh, I can't. Tell me a story. Tell me all about Christmas. The true story? Uh-huh. That's really the best. And so as the moon set and the northern lights faded from the sky and the stars shone brightly through the darkness that came just before dawn, the sergeant told the little girl a story of the first Christmas. She nodded happily at every well-remembered part. And now the wise men? Well, that night a bright star shone in the sky and there were three wise men who saw it. Like the star I can see. Where? Up the window. Yes, like that, but much brighter. And the wise men decided to follow it and it led them to the stable in Bethlehem. Where the baby was. Yes, Mary. And they brought gifts with them and they laid them at the feet of the child. And that's why they give presents at Christmas time. That's the reason that presents aren't the most important thing. It's the way we feel at Christmas that matters. The warmth and kindness in our hearts. What we call the Christmas spirit. Why doesn't Teranga have it? Well, he may someday. And someday maybe the Christmas spirit will stay with all of us through all the year. That's something to hope for. What is? Christmas morning. My star's going away. You're right, Mary. It's getting late. I'm going to put on my parka now. Go out for a little walk. Why? Well, I want to see if there's any sign of King. We've gone long? That depends, Mary. You try to sleep a little more now. No, Sergeant, don't go. I must, Pa. Please don't. If you let them see you, you won't be able to get away from them. Stay here. Pa. What? I'm leaving you to stand guard over Mary. You'll do a good job, won't you? But we don't want you to... It's too late anyway, listen. They're still down at the bottom of the hill. Maybe, maybe the mollies have come. Maybe you don't have to leave us, Sergeant. There's only one sure way of telling that. Pa. King wouldn't stop down there. He'd come back here. He's made it. If he's brought help, we should be... He did. There he is. Good boy, King. Mary, King's come back. King! There's a note attached to his car. Not your note. No, it's from the inspector. King evidently wants to get back to you. I'm sending him on. We're down at the bottom of the hill and Teranga's surrounded. He can't possibly get away. It's going to be a merry Christmas after all. It's good news, Pa. Yes, King, that's good work, boy. And even as a sergeant hugged King, and the great dog licked his face joyful over their reunion, the firing ceased at the bottom of the slope. A few minutes later, Inspector Conrad himself drove up the trail and announced that Teranga and his men had been surprised and rounded up without a casualty on either side. It would soon be on his way back to Dawson, and Christmas would be celebrated on Christmas Creek as it should be. But the sergeant felt that Mary and Paul should be with their father on Christmas Day, and he bundled them both on his sled and stunted up for Greenwood. On King! On your knees! With King setting the pace, the sled seemed to fly over the glistening snow. The forest was left behind. The white hills beyond sparkle under the bright sun. The sky was a matchless blue. Oh, it's a beautiful day. God's been saving it just for Christmas. And then, very distant, but crystal clear, they heard the sound of the bells in the little church at Greenwood. And King pricked his ears as he ran in a happy salute to the holiday sound. Closer and closer it came until he rounded the bend in the shining river, and the little party could see the snow-covered cabins nestling among the evergreens. There was a church, too, and the people from miles around streaming into the service. And in front of the church itself, Harry Worth, and Sonny, and Mrs. Trent, and the doctor, and Paul and Mary's father. There's Paul. And the golden chimes rang out in welcome and celebration. Oh, King! Oh, your husband! All over, Teranga's been captured. Wonderful. Wonderful. Mary! Oh, I want to kiss you, Pa. Oh, my, that's a beautiful big hug. Oh, thank you for sending that to me. She just won't listen to reason. She thinks Sergeant Creston is Santa Claus because he has a red coat. Oh, yes! Is he really? Yes, he is, Sonny. His team is dogs. Oh, naturally. In the Yukon. And he's kind and he's good, and he wants us all to be kind and good. Isn't that Santa Claus? Uh-huh. Will you go to church with us, Sergeant Santa Claus? I certainly will, Sonny. Take my hand. I might, too. Oh, come on. A merry, merry Christmas. A merry, merry Christmas to everyone. He's saying it, too. Mary's right, you know. The Sergeant is our Santa Claus. Accidents, fellows and girls, accidents do happen. Every few seconds there's an accident and someone's hurt. What's more, in wintertime, there's more chance than ever of accidents due to snowy and icy roads. So be careful. Most accidents are due to just plain carelessness. Use your old bean when you're playing out of doors. Be careful when you cross the streets. Snowy or icy streets make cars harder to control, harder to stop. Be careful with your sleds. Never coast or ride them on streets open to traffic, and never, never hit your ride on the back of a truck or car. Don't take chances. Not even a little chance. Now, more than ever, be extra careful. These radio dramas, the feature of the challenge of the Yukon Incorporated, are created and produced by George W. Trendall, directed by Fred Flower Day, and edited by Franz Stryker. The part of Sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton. They are brought to you every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the same time by Quaker Puff Wheat and Quaker Puff Rice, the breakfast cereal shot from guns. Be sure to hear the challenge of the Yukon Monday. Till then, this is J. Michael, wishing you good bye, good luck and good health from Quaker Puff Wheat and Quaker Puff Rice. So long. For a delicious hot breakfast, eat Quaker Oats. The giant of the cereals is Quaker Oats. Yes, the giant of the cereals is Quaker Oats. Delicious, nutritious, makes you feel ambitious. The giant of the cereals is Quaker Oats. Say boys and girls, you want to be a star someday in sports and activities, then start on good Quaker Oats breakfast tomorrow, because nourishing oatmeal gives you more growth and endurance than any other whole grain cereal.