 The challenge of the Yukon It's Yukon King swift as a strongest lead dog of the Northwest Placing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest modern police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers 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 as they meet the challenge of the Yukon Dave Fillmore's gang had become notorious from the time they pulled the bank job in Skagway and headed north into the Yukon territory Fillmore was a big man with bushy eyebrows and a scar across his temple and he didn't take the trouble to conceal his identity In fact, he was inclined to boast of it such as when he started his gang with a bank robbery in Skagway He had approached the head of the bank in his office that day What is it you want money that's what banks have plenty of don't they I don't understand To apply for a loan maybe you'll savvy this What's the meaning of this means I'm going to get money and plenty of it You won't get away with this the armed guard out. I'm not alone, mister You can tell folks later that Dave Fillmore and his gang paid you a visit again My men are standing around out there just waiting to bust this place wide open. You don't do just what I say What is it you want me to do? I'll hold this gun in my pocket, but pointed right at your back. See You walk out there and fill this satchel with cash from the vault First false move and you'll get a bullet my men will blast everybody you got working in this dump I'll get moving Under Fillmore's leadership the gang managed to get across the border into the Yukon territory Then as they moved northward along the Yukon trail They left behind them a series of crimes Robbing whenever the chance presented itself and resorting to murder when necessary Their boldness increased to the point that upon reaching white horse. They entered the express office in broad daylight All right, ma'am get busy and clean out the safe a Week later sergeant Preston pulled rain in front of mounted police headquarters in Dawson city Come along good morning Morning Paul Understand the inspector wants to see me. Yes. He does sergeant He's been asking for the past two days when you get back from 40 miles. I see that's why we sent to your cabin So early this morning after hearing you'd arrive during the night must be something important Inspector in yes, and he said when you came and you were go right to his office fine. Come on Morning inspector. Well, so I can press it. I'm mighty glad you finally returned from 40 mile. Sit down. Thank you, sir What is it you want to see me about? Do you remember the handbills we received from the states on a fellow named Dave Fillmore? Yes, sir Fillmore was the leader of an outlaw gang big man bushy eyebrows scar across his temple Rob the bank in Skagway, I believe I see you still retain that remarkable memory of your sergeant Thank you, sir However Dave Fillmore is still leading an outlaw gang the gang managed to get across the border and herded up the Yukon Trail I see It's Fillmore and his men have moved northward They've left behind them a series of robberies and killings They finally become so bold that they pulled a robbery at the express office on Whitehorse Happened about a week ago. They murdered the agent there. That is serious. It certainly is I understand that they've headed towards Selkirk. I want you to go down there sergeant see what you can do Yes, sir. Fillmore and his gang must be stopped I'm counting on you and your dog king to help do it. The sooner you leave the better. All right inspector I'll head for Selkirk right away. Well, good luck sergeant and goodbye. Bye, sir Well, do our best to trail the Fillmore gang won't we King? Come on The name Dave Fillmore came to mean violence and robbery as Dave and his gang moved farther north Then one day they entered the cafe in Selkirk Reach all here. What's the hold up? Where's you and the others go line them up take whatever they got. All right, Dave. Come on boys You ask for this I'll teach the rest the other day Fillmore means business. I'll get on with your work West. Let's get away from here The constable looked up from his office desk when a group of excited men hurried in Again, just help the cafe and shop the Jackson Jackson dad here the leader was a number named Dave Fillmore And that's right a big man with bushy eyebrows Fillmore I in his gang are responsible for a lot of crime south of here He has a scar along his left temple. I already have a description of him. How many were with him? Oh four others I got my horse and try to travel. Do you want us to go along? Want to posse? I'll go alone right now. I find their hideout. I may call on you folks later After leaving the cafe Dave and his gang headed south from town and then took a branch trail that led to a shallow creek They rode along the water for some distance then again took to a little used trail The men had ridden in silence But after they left the creek west Dave's right-hand man spoke think that ombre you've plugged is dead Dave What if he is west I hear the monies don't give up on a murder case here in the Yukon Ah, stop worrying. We covered our trails, didn't we? Yeah, sure But they'll have your name and description sure, but they have to catch me I'm smart enough to see that they don't It's up in this territory a year ago, and I know my way around Well, we heading for where we gonna hide out. I got a cousin Bell Brown who owns a two-room cabin up this way Her husband's in jail, and she hates mounting. She's staying way up here alone for he's got a claim that pays a little Bell's just as tough as a man for some cash. She'll be glad to hide us out for a while So let's get a move on When Dave and the gang pulled up in front of Bell's cabin she came out to meet them Oh Fine well For these hombres with you friends of mine were running from the law So we came here to stay for a while you get paid for putting us up. It's all right with me Let's make yourselves at home. Well, it's sure nice of you Bell. Yeah, sure. I hope you're covered your trail Well Dave those Mounties are plenty smarter trailing when we took to the creek for a stretch to throw off anyone who might try to follow us Just the same you ought to send a couple of the boys back into the creek to watch just in case Yeah, it's a good idea West take one of the boys and ride back to where we left the creek and watch for a while. Yeah, all right, Dave You come on with me Joe, right? Mean time the constable had picked up the trail of the gang and followed it to the creek He rode slowly up the bank looking for hoof marks His progress was slow and it was some time before he reached the approximate place where the gang had left the water Suddenly a shot rang out and a bullet whined over his head You'd come snooping you're a fool to come along even the others are wanted for murder, mister You'll be caught sooner or later. Oh, yeah Get his gun Joe. I'll I keep him covered. All right I got it. Yeah, we'll take him back today. All right get going you along that trailer Wes and the outlaw Joe took the constable to the cabin where Dave and Belle were waiting All right, Bonnie get inside and make it fast. You regret never mind up back It's the constable Bell Brown So you're hiding out film ornest gang, huh? So what of it? I didn't ask him to come here, but Dave's kin to me and when he brought his men here I took him in that means you'll be arrested with them Belle Who's gonna arrest who around here? That's a good question Belle looks like the constable isn't gonna do it down right He isn't I hate Mounties all of them for what they did to my husband Well, I was grabbing them ought to make him feel good then bill You picked up our trail and was heading this way. You make sure nobody was following him. Yeah. Yeah, don't worry What's more no one will miss him when a money goes out hunting someone he'll stay away for days sometimes That's right nobody in town will think anything of it when the constable doesn't come back for a cell It'll be a mighty long spell one of Dave Maybe that depends we ought to plug him get him out of the way Dave. That's the way I feel about it It's the only safe thing for us to do In fact, I'll put a bullet in him right here and now put away that shooting on Wes put it away You're here don't have to pull a gun on me bill like I said if I plug this money Gun says you aren't gonna plug him not in my cabin anyway What's more? I don't hanker for being in on a murder go ahead and plug him Wes Don't let any female tell you what you can do Thunder I'll show you what I can do. Mr. Are you calm down all you? I'm running this gang and what I say go savvy Nobody's gonna plug this Mountie like Belle says Least wise not right now, but Dave you mean to say you're gonna stand by what she says just be Listen a minute lunkhead We have to head away from here and other Mounties get on our trail this red coast will be a nice no case we get in a tight spot You'll be a sort of a hostage Yeah, that's a good idea. They will get on your trail Fillmore When they do the fact that you hold me as a hostage won't stop them if it don't mister, then you'll get a bullet I'll take the Mountie in the back room time up hand and foot and make sure your time tight Okay, come on Joe bring them along Look Bell gonna need more supplies here. I'll give you some money. You can go into town and get them All right, I'll get my horse and start out right away Dave Bell rode to town and pulled to a stop in front of the general store Here's a list of things I want to get sure thing have them for you in a jiffy Suppose you heard about the robbery and killing of the express office. No, I don't get much news out where my cabin is mighty bad Mighty bad. I can tell you seems like it was the Dave Fillmore gang Most brazen thing that ever happened since I've been in Selkirk. Yes, sir. I mean ma'am You've heard of the Fillmore gang haven't you can't say as I have How do you expect me to hear of every local ombre that gets a bunch of local men to go out robbing and killing like that? I reckon women don't keep up with happenings like that as much as us men folks do I reckon you're right Now get busy and get those things I ordered. I haven't got all day Yeah, yeah, sure Did the law get on the trail of that Fillmore ombre in his gang? Yeah Constable picked up their trail. So I hear tell him set out after all Appears to me though. He'd wait until he got some help before he went against a tough gang like that Yeah Yeah, let's see now sugar Coffee bacon. Oh, oh, yeah the flower Yeah stocking up for the winter kind early on your man. That's my business And I'm not taking any so long as you mind your own business I Pay for what I get with cash. Yeah, you sure do that's something lots of others don't do I can tell you Think I got it all. Hey From what I can see through the window over there looks like the constable's come back empty-handed He's just stopping in front of his office. No, it can't be the constable. He What I mean is he wouldn't come back so soon Hey, that isn't the constable I thunder you're right, ma'am that's sergeant Preston with his dog king Must have just come into town. All right. All right. Don't stand there gaping get my stuff together I'm in a hurry. Go on wrap it up and let me get out of here when she saw Sergeant Preston stop in front of the constable's office Bell became nervous She knew the sergeant would try to find the constable and getting her bundles She hurried from the store and packed them in her saddlebags then she mounted and rode away hurriedly Meantime sergeant Preston had entered the constable's office and not finding the constable there went to the cafe looking for Wait here, King Anyone know where I might find constable weeks Yeah, the constable started to trade Dave Philmore. He's gang round noon a gang held up the cafe and shot Ned Jackson They go along. Yep. They said he tried to get a line on their hideout Then he'd come back and form a posse. Are you sure it was Dave Philmore's gang? Big ombre with a scar on his temple and bushy eyebrows fact. He said he was Philmore Thanks, I'll pick up the constable's trail and try to catch him Sergeant Preston went back to the constable's office. They are he mounted his horse blackie started to follow the constable's trail. Let's go, King Preston had no difficulty trailing the constable to the point where he had been taken by the two crooks From the hoof marks King it looks as though two horses came from behind that boulder there They'll must have been surprised by a couple of the many was following I'll follow their tracks and see what they took Bill. Get up lucky Bell Brown rode at a fast pace along the trail toward her cabin She knew sergeant Preston's reputation and had heard about the great dog Yukon King From what she had learned about the Mountie and his dog She felt sure they'd start out to pick up the constable's trail so that they might help him in his search for the Philmore gang Finally Bell reigned to a halt in front of her cabin Made a fast trip Bell I hurried back with some news Dave. I saw another Mountie riding into town Yeah, whatever the Mountie wasn't just an ordinary one. It was sergeant Preston that big dog Preston you say who's he why should we get excited over here? I learned about that ombre when I was up here before West Preston's dynamite We ought to get rid of the constable and head out of here Prano having the constable alive as an ace in the hole West like I told you before We can threaten to kill him with we get in a tight spot I know what that Mountie Preston will do Dave as soon as he hears the constable came trailing you Preston will follow along you wait and see That's about what he will do we better get our horses and beat it away from here Dave We can take the constable along with us I can't a couple of us go and wait and ambush for Preston like we did the constable We could plug him and be done with that dog is as well trained something might go wrong I got a better plan. Yeah. What is it? We'll get Preston here inside this cabin without his dog We'll settle with Preston Then we can put a bullet in the dog and how you're gonna get Preston inside without that dog. It's your job, Belle What do you mean you get your horse and ride out to meet Preston? You don't know you know me then what we'll hide in the back room Tell Preston you found the constable on the trail near your cabin wounded Bring him here with you but the door help Preston you don't like having a dog in your cabin ask them to leave it outside And when Preston heads into the back room, we'll finish him off in the constable too I get to your horse and go meet Sergeant Preston Following Dave's plan Belle left the cabin and rode back along the trail Finally she saw Sergeant Preston and King Belle called out sergeant Oh I'm sure glad I met you sergeant. I'm Belle Brown got a cabin up the trailways. Oh, yes You say you're glad you met me something wrong. There sure is I was heading the town just now It's about the constable. What about him? He's at my cabin wounded how did happen? Well about noon or not long after some men rode past my cabin later I saw the constable go by it was trailing an outlaw gang Yeah, I know he told me he said he was catching up to the gang beyond my cabin and they shot at him Then they went on Managed to get back to my place. Is they seriously wounded? No sergeant just a flesh wound But it's better for him not to try to get around yet. He wanted me to get word to town though So that's why I was heading there. I see The constable tell you to look for me in town. Yes. Yes. He did. Oh, maybe you better come back to the cabin with me now And see him. That's what I intend to do. Let's get going As they rode in the direction of the cabin the sergeant Preston glanced now and then at Belle He noticed the tense expression on her face and the nervous way she handled her horse Finally he asked for their money in the gang that passed your place Bell. Yeah, I don't know just how many I see Isn't Jake Brown your husband Bell? Yes. Yes, he is. I have some news for you Take me becoming home soon. Oh Did you say Jake might be coming home soon, that's right I found new evidence that I'm sure will clear him as soon as his case is reviewed in Dawson. He'll be set free You don't look as though you're very happy about it. What's the money? Nothing nothing at all The news she had just heard affected Bell greatly She had hated Maudi's ever since Jake had gone to prison for murder And now she had learned that through the efforts of a Maudi her husband would be freed and the Maudi who had made it possible Was the man she was leading into a death trap and yet she was afraid of Dave Fillmore and believed that he and the gang Would kill her if she turned against them Preston broke into her thoughts as he asked something worrying you about After all you and Jake can start over now. Yeah Yeah, that's right. You're still thinking of going through with this bow Through with what aren't you trying to lead me into a trap? What? What gave you that idea because you lied to me when we met The constable did not expect me in Selkirk at all And I noticed that even though you were still too far away to see my shebbins who called me sergeant Preston I realized that somehow you'd found out that I was in town Let the cabin up ahead there. Yes We'd better stop a minute All right, Bill, what do you want to tell me look guy? I've gone it's sergeant with you doing what you did for Jake. I I just can't go through with it Even if Dave does get even with me Dave Fillmore. Yes, he's a cousin of mine Dave's plenty mean When he and his gang came to the cabin to stay a while. I didn't dare say no They're waiting there now. What about the constable? He's there, too. He isn't wounded. They haven't tied up. I see Thanks for telling me this But you realize bell that you were going to take part in a murder. I I got to hate Mounties I believe Jake wasn't guilty and since they put him away. I Well, I've been a different person crazy like I understand now. I see things straight, but I Guess it's too late Jake's coming home, but I'll be the one that's going to prison. Maybe not Bell. You helped me capture that gang and got the constable away from them safely You you mean you'd speak up for me with the law. I think my testimony would result in probation for you Thunder I'll help you then. I'm sure they can't see us in the cabin I'll leave our horses in that grove over there and go forward on foot to assure Oh, I can handle a gun like a man and I have one here with me, too Sergeant Jack can't stop me from doing my part. All right. Let's get rid of the horses get up like Oh When they stopped and dismounted in the grove not far from the cabin Sergeant Preston thought of a plan after getting the layout of the cabin from Bell He told her what he had in mind Bell. I've thought of a plan that should work. It'll be risky though I expect to take risks and it'll be worth it to get Dave and his men out of the way Jake and I can be together again. That's what I have in mind I'll cut around through the woods until I'm behind the cabin give me about five minutes And you mountain right to the cabin then what go in and get all of them to come into the front room I'll go through the back room window and tie the cast of bone and we'll move in on the gang I'll take King with me now before I go. I'll tell you what you can say Bell waited until five minutes had passed then she mounted and rode to the cabin Hey Dave I came back alone all of you come here a minute. I want to talk to you Yeah, what happens to me pressing on the trail. He didn't come back with me Did he we can see that what I want to know is why it ain't going to town and find him then I got to thinking Dave It'd be better if all of you lid out for the Alaska border and forgot about Sergeant Preston. Yeah Just what made you change your mind. I told you I did a lot of thinking I always heard a woman changes her mind for no reason at all. Well, what if they do Bell? You're not that type You had a reason or you wouldn't have changed your mind Well for one thing I don't want to leave this place if you killed Preston in the constable here The law might find it out and I couldn't stay you said before you left you go through with a plan You couldn't stay here with Preston in town Anyway, him and that dog had come here looking for the constable and you would be in trouble. Maybe but I'm taking that chance I thought Bell hated money. Yeah, that's right Bell is gonna take more explaining than we've heard so far. Look Dave. Here's the way I look at it. Start talking As Bell kept the gang in the front room talking Sergeant Preston went through the back room window After untying the constable and giving him a gun Preston whispered a few directions Then the two Mounties sneaked toward the door to the front room Bell stood with her back to the front door while Dave and the four others faced her with their backs to Preston in the constable When she saw them edge around the doorway Bell finished her talk At the site of Preston and the constable the men put their hands up with the exception of Wes who went for his gun as he drew Preston fire As Wes fell and the other three stood with their hands raised Dave suddenly grabbed Bell You swing her in front of him so that he was close to the front door He held it with one arm and a vice like grip as he fumbled behind his back for the door latch saying you won't take me Mounties, not unless you want to shoot a woman. Let me go And before I go I'll put a bullet and bell for pulling a double cross Bell standing in front of Dave and facing the Mounties felt Dave's gun dig into her back as he eased the door behind him Sergeant he'll kill me for sure. That's right. The great dog King waiting out in front of the cabin heard his master's call He saw Dave backing out the front door with a gun pointed at Bell's back The great husky sprang at Dave during the gun from his hand Get away as Dave struggled with King Bell turned quickly and seeing what had happened. She picked up the gun Drave the drop. I got Dave's gun. That's dog. Get him away. The other side with the law, that's right. She is We're arresting all of you for murder in the name of the crown Bell is clear of that charge. Well, you double cost us out Bell I might have known you pull a stunt like that You didn't want to stay in here when I started to go through with it The sergeant knew I was leading them into a trap anyhow. He told me so afterwards. That's right You should let a couple of us wait in ambush for him Dave like I wanted to do these man won't stop on anything Frankly, I'll be willing to testify for Bell too. She saved me from a bullet. What was that? I was first brought here that man West pull his gun and was about to shoot me But Bell drew her gun and forced him to let me alone and if she hadn't stopped me I would have plugged you to maybe all this wouldn't have happened to shut up you This would have happened no matter what you did once Sergeant Preston and his dog King got on your trail. I Was mighty local for a while, but I'm glad I'm over it now another point in your favor Bell That you prevented the constable from being killed. I should have known we couldn't trust a female But seen as Bell is my cut now on I'm denying any kinship with the likes of you Dave Fillmore. I Knew if I didn't let you stay willingly at my place. You'd have forced me into letting you anyway. That's right. I would have Maybe she stopped West from killing the constable Way to left here and took them with us. He'd have been killed sooner or later You can bet on that you've all done your last killing You'll have more than one murder to answer for when all the facts are known We're sure lucky you came to Selkirk when you did sergeant I was sent out from headquarters after reports kept coming in about Dave Fillmore. I didn't expect to find him so soon I told you Dave these monies are small. Oh shut up. Hadn't been for pressing in that dog We'd have been all right. You would have been caught sooner or later Fillmore I got them back to Selkirk now constable. Yes Well, you'll have to come along, but I'm sure your affairs will straighten out, you know sergeant I guess I was kind of local and I thought I hated Mounties If things do straighten out for me Jake and I'll always have you to thank for getting us together again. You and Jake have many happy days ahead of you, Val Now let's start for town Inspector in Dawson will be glad to hear this case is closed We now take you to Northwest mounted police headquarters in Dawson you sent for me inspector Yes, sergeant we finally gotten a lead on those two American counterfeiters were looking for is any of the money turned up sir Yes, sergeant the Yukon Territorial Bank reported that Ed Russell a minor tried to deposit ten thousand dollars in counterfeit bills Now Russell has disappeared mysteriously. He may be connected with the counterfeiters any race sergeant He should lead you to them. I'll get on the case right away, sir. Come along What has happened to the minor who disappeared have the counterfeiters killed him to keep him from talking or is he a member of the gang? If so sergeant Preston himself may be facing death when he tries to bring the criminals to justice Be sure to listen to this next exciting adventure 10,000 counterfeit These radio dramas a feature of the challenge of the Yukon incorporated are created by George W. Trendall Produced by Trendall Campbell enterprises and supervised by Charles D. Livingston The part of sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton They are brought to you once each week until September when we shall resume our regular Monday Wednesday and Friday broadcasts This is Jay Michael wishing you goodbye and good luck until our next broadcast This is the mutual broadcasting system You