 The challenge of the Yukon It's King, swiftest and strongest lead dog of the North country Blazing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest mounted police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers Gold gold discovered in the Yukon a stampede to the Klondike in the greedy race for riches Now back to the days of the gold rush when Sergeant Preston and his wonder dog King Battle through storm and snow to preserve law and order as they met the challenge of the Yukon The wonder dog King was at his master's side when Sergeant Preston approached the wooden bridge that spanned the monolec river As he saw a friend coming from the opposite direction King barked in recognition then turned to the mountain Yes, King, it's old Pierre just about to cross the bridge. We'll meet him on this side. Hi there Pierre No need to hurry Pierre. We'll wait for you Don't wait here for him King There the bridge The small Frenchman threw his arms off wildly in a hopeless attempt to save himself as the supporting timbers buckled and the Reds dropped into the swirling river King was tense as the air disappeared beneath the water Then he heard Sergeant Preston's voice after him King Like a bullet from a gun the husky shot forward in one instant he was running in the next he was in midair The icy water set a paralyzing chill through nerves and muscles to the very heart of the great dog But King forged ahead watching the surface of the river where the man had gone down He saw Pierre's head rise above the water Thank you Sergeant Preston shot was unnecessary King knew what to do with strong sharp teeth He gripped the Parker of the drowning man then reversing his direction headed back toward shore The air was unconscious Now I can give you a hand everyone dry land in no time there that does it boy Can't do much for Pierre here. I'll have to carry him to his cabin. That'll be my job. You've done your part King The Mount he didn't know that the eyes of a killer watched from a distance as he lifted the unconscious Pierre to his Shoulders and set out for the cabin of the half-drowned man Red Bartell was concealed by a huge rock He had been there when the bridge collapsed and had cursed when King pulled Pierre from the water When he saw that the murder plan had failed he hurried to the cafe in town to report to his partner spike Munson Keep your voice down red. Tell me everything to happen. I was back of a rock spike Waiting to pull Pierre out of the river after he drowned bridge went down already didn't it sure but sergeant Preston and his dog was there Preston ain't yeah, he and the dog rescued the old man all that dog gone luck Probably got him out of the water before he was dead. I don't know about that Preston worked over Pierre for a few minutes Then took him on his shoulder to carry him home Preston see ya. No, I kept out of sight So you don't know whether Pierre's dead or alive all I know is he was unconscious when Preston got him Pierre knows were after his cash. He lives to tell the money about us. We're gonna be in trouble Maybe you'll die without talking maybe we got to find out whether he did or not Preston learns about us. We better clear out of these parts not on your life Pierre got ten thousand dollars for selling his gold mine and I aim to get that money But red with a Mountie here. It's risky. We might have to kill the money. Oh wait a minute hold on There's no one gets away with killing the Mountie. Oh I'll figure something on your better figure fast That Mountie'll snoop around to find out why that bridge went down With what Pierre'll tell him and the axe marks in the timbers. He'll get us for attempted murder We'll divert suspicion from us by showing Preston the ax mark Good idea We'll go along with the others to repair the bridge and be there when Preston comes All we got to do now is to find out if Pierre is alive and able to talk and the gold or the cash Don't forget that's why I want to find out about that ten thousand dollars There's like now the news is up up here Don't help us much red still don't know if he's talking away. I'll find out about that Hey you weasel Yeah, come over here I'll send him over to Pierre's place. Gosh mr. Bartell. That's terrible about the bridge and about Pierre, isn't it? Yeah, sure bridge will have to be fixed right away and nobody can get through to the next time Oh me and Spike will go and help the boys fix up a temporary bridge And now listen Weasel there, how'd you like to earn a dollar? Well? Yeah, sure What do I have to do a go over and see how Pierre is see if his daughter needs some help show said sergeant Preston was there That don't tell us about the old jant Go on and find out and come and let us know we'll be down to the river. Oh, I'll go But I don't think sergeant Preston likes me neither does he's dog Yeah Let's get going Yes, he's sleeping normally Marie Sleep will do more good for him anything else I put your mittens close to the stove in the living room to drive him your park is wet too. Oh, thank you Marie. I Do not understand how you managed to carry Papa all the way from the river. He's not heavy. There's no way more than 130 pounds It's what I don't understand King and I crossed that bridge early today and we came into town. It was all right then Why should it collapse with your father's weight? King and I together way more than twice as much as he does All this time the bridge has seemed to be strong For the sudden it is weak Marie Does your father have any enemies enemies? Oh? Everyone is his friend But there are too many he has spoken now who are they one is red Bartell the other is called spike Monson and Bartell I've heard of both of them Did your father have anything they wanted? He's claimed as he found go in the cave of the singing lady Papa found what he called a rich bean of gold I mean to tell you but in the excitement. I forget he went to Jackson City to sell the claim when He was on his way back from there when the bridge went down Syndicate had offered $10,000 for it Copper and I well, we wish to leave the you can we were going to use them only we would get from the claim for the tree Well, it's strange. He wasn't carrying either gold or cash. No, he was not perhaps. He decided not to sell Decision was definite. He would not have changed his mind. I am sure Sergeant present you How how did I lean back on the pillow of Papa Marie? Sergeant Preston brought you home Papa. They saved you from the river. Oh, oh Now I remember King Where is he in the living room here? We closed your bedroom door to shut out any draft He he is good fine Fine dog. Yes. He is. How do you feel? My I will be all right Listen, yes my pocket Inside my pocket papers Get them from In oil skin pouches copy a bill of sale for claim And note for you Marie No, no, I must tell you well just answer my questions now do your head if you haven't strength to speak I am able to speak did you sell the claim? We I sold the claim For $10,000 Papers there they showed the sale. Well, what happened? Where is the $10,000? I had it were you around? No No, it was followed. Hello those two Red and spiked they follow me. I saw them following. Did I know you had the money? We I talked a lot about going to sell claim They knew about money that I had it. Oh, and they got it. No No, Marie I fooled them I fooled them easy pure easy I must tell you As I came to cave the cave of the singing lady We I had to pass it to reach bridge to get home. I know I I went inside I hid money there Just a minute king He probably wants to come in here Did monson and his partner see you go into that cave here? They knew I was in her way But they did not know I hid money there I waited long time I looked out of cave, but I not see them So I went on to bridge. That's where I saw you Then bridge It went down They weakened it. I am sure of it These two they wanted to kill me For $10,000. They would do anything. I'll find out who weakened that bridge pier Is there any chance of them finding your money? He'll be all right, Marie The hiding place is one, you know, it is where no one else could find They must know where you had the money as soon as farsome pristine leaves They will follow us and try to get it. Now pierre, uh, where is that hiding place of yours in the tunnel? There is chimney there. Oh, yes, Marie spoke of it. It is that far end of cave Pierre's description of the natural fault in the rock formation meant nothing to king The dog waiting outside Pierre's bedroom had been trying to get sergeant Preston's attention King was interested in someone outside the cabin He listened to the voices on the other side of the door and then made a decision He stood up Bracing himself against the door king nuzzled the latch until it opened King charged against sergeant Preston's legs then tugged it as breeches He's telling me there's something beyond that door. I understand fella Oh, it's your way weasel. What are you doing here? How long were you eavesdropping at the bedroom window? I didn't need drop. I just went to see if anyone was at home You couldn't see through that window Quiet king Come in here weasel What does that weasel want here? Well soon find out. I heard about pierre's fault I came to see if there was something I could do. I didn't mean no harm There is nothing you can do. Who sent you? Who sent you? It was red red bar tail. Oh, it was a red bar tail You may tell red bar tail that pierre will be as good as new in a few days I wonder what made the bridge collapse. We don't know But we're going to find out and you might tell that to red I'll get out of here before king helps you. I'm going. I'm going. I didn't mean no harm I wonder if he heard pierre say that his money's hidden in that natural chimney and that pig He is always snooping Oh Yes, I want to look at the bridge marie As I can cross to the other side. I'll get your father's money to tell him not to worry Be careful of those two sergeants. I will pierre your parka is wet from carrying papa. That's dry inside Oh, but your meetings are all wet through He'll take this pair of papa. Oh, thank you marie You you will let me know what you'll find at the bridge. Yes, you'll hear from me just as soon as possible Munking Don't worry about the fire. Give me a hand with this log right here And don't burn any of the timbers with the ax marks on them We're saving those depressed wonder how soon you'll be along with the things over Here comes weasel. Maybe he can tell me when he's coming fast. Hey there weasel You look half-rose. Come on over here. It's all out. Oh gosh Bridge is almost finished and blaming everyone in town is working on it. How are things at the air's place? He'll be as good as new in a couple of days. Is the money there? He's there and the air told him something about $10,000. What'd you tell him? That information's for sale. Listen, you little sneak. Spike asked you a question. I'd go on the answer room. All right. All right. Let go of my arm The air told about hiding $10,000 that he got for selling his claim. Where? Inside a certain cave. Did he say what cave? That cave of the singing lady or he's claim was asked. So that's it, huh? That's what he was doing in the cave. Preston's going there to get that money for pierre. Where did pierre hide the money? I couldn't hear all of they said on account of Preston's dog barking But it's inside of that cave somewhere and Preston knows the place All right weasel now shove on what I said shove on If you don't keep your mouth shut about this will shut it for you permanent Hold on you can't you gonna make trouble weasel? No, of course not. I wouldn't make no trouble for you mr. Bartel. See that you don't Come on spike, but you two better be careful. The air told sergeant Preston all about you. You mind your own business if you know It's good for you. Come on spike. The bridge is near enough finished for us to cross. You better cross and keep going red Preston knows everything he'll get her sure weasel says Preston's going after the money in the cave and that gives me an idea You take care of him so you'll never go after anybody again Hey, you know what I told you about killing the money This won't look like any murder spike We're trying out the bridge sam weasel can keep the fire going for you What's your plan? We'll set a blast at the cave touch her off after Preston's gone inside and located pierre's cash That'll look more like an accident than murder Hey, but the cash will be sealed inside with Preston and his dog Go dig our way in and get the cash Maybe the cave in won't kill Preston If it don't we'll finish the job with a rock No one will know the difference think you'll have time enough to do all that plenty of time As far as everyone knows a tunnel fell in before Preston found the cash pierre'll know blamed well We had a hand in it. I'll deal with pierre and his daughter later and weasel too if need be It won't be hard to handle things when that moldy When sergeant Preston reached the scene of the disaster he found the bridge temporarily repaired. You've done well sam Well, it's just temporary sergeant Preston We're working now to strengthen the supports. I uh, don't see spike monson or red bartell. Now they left a while ago Well, look here sergeant. They said to be sure to uh, show you this. What is it? The old timbers They got ax marks in them red and spike they paddled them up here and I see An axe was used to weaken the bridge you bet it was And I just like to find out who swung that ax. We're going to find out Which way did spike and red go across the bridge? He said they were trying it out one king. Hey, where are you going sergeant cross the bridge? I am but first I've got to visit a cave King reached the cave of the singing lady ahead of sergeant Preston While he waited at the entrance for the monte to catch up to him He listened with his ears cocked forward to the eerie sounds coming from within the tunnel That sounds made by the wind and the shaft that Pierre was talking about king Not hard to understand why Marie calls this the cave of the singing lady There was no reason to be suspicious about the many footprints at the mouth of the cave A lot of work had been done in the tunnel tools and supplies were piled near the entrance King snipped curiously and sergeant Preston gave the suppliers a casual inspection There was nothing to arouse suspicion Nothing to indicate that blasting powder had been buried and the fuse carefully concealed Ready to be lighted by the men who watched from a safe distance Mining supplies king Come on boy. You want to get to the end of this tunnel? Caverns deeper than I thought and shafts quite a distance in the entrance King noticed a patch of sunlight on the floor Looking up he saw a slanting slit through the rock scarcely wider than his husky shoulders and beyond the slit the sky Money should be hidden inside this shaft I have to get this mitten out Money must be in here somewhere Here's something Yes, here it is. This is pure as money The fur on the back of king's neck bristled the dog turned as he caught the scent of unfriendly men near the cave's entrance What is it king? We're getting out of here right away fella. Come on The law of the survival of the fittest had taught king to sense danger before it struck His instinct had sounded a warning and he was anxious to get his master out of the cave at once But before the mounting and his dog could reach the entrance King found himself clinging to the earth he raised his head and looked about The dog saw his master pinned to the ground by a huge timber one that had reinforced walls and ceiling King are you all right fella? Good The only light came from the slatting chimney, but it was enough to show king the agony on Preston's face The man tried to move beneath the beam King realized that his master was trapped and went into a frenzy of action in an effort to move the timber He gripped it in a strong cheek. He pulled. He clawed. He fought it from every angle, but his strength was not enough Steady king no use boys. No use breaking your heart trying to do the impossible Just take it easy a minute Must be some way out Some way to get outside and the fresh air daylight. There's half light it Half light The chimney, what if you can do it boy? I'll see if I can get this mitten out of my shirt pocket There here king take this mitten. That's it fella King knew that marido pray had given the mitten to sargent Preston King go over there over to the shaft back king Back boy That's it fella. Now look up king up That's it boy see Now king take the mitten to Marie out king bring help The ceiling was low where the slatting shaft and the rocks opened into the cave By standing on his hind legs King could get a toehold on the irregular rocks inside the opening. He scrambled to the top Outside he paused only long enough to shake himself Then as he started toward the bridge he heard the men who had been outside the cave With bullets streaking toward him king cut to the side to take advantage of the meager shelter of some stunted growth And then put on an additional burst of speed It was a race for life a great hearted dog against the killer's gunfire And the life at stake was that of sargent Preston king had to reach marido pray In the living room at du pre's cabin Marie looked anxiously at her father who was sitting beside the fire. Do not worry about me marie I am comfortable in this chair You should stay in bed until the sergeant returns Bed? Oh, I cannot rest until I know sergeant Preston is safe from the killer's Marie it is time he should be back I Care to play and his daughter stared in stunned amazement at the dog who had hurtled through the cabin window It is king. He jumped through the window Came through it as if it were paper Marie the dog wants you to look at something he has I see it king It is a myth and I Papa a myth and you say who we I gave this to sergeant Preston King has brought it here that dog wants you to go with him quickly marie There is but one answer We we king I understand I know what you try to tell me. We will go to the bridge and get him in to come with us. Then you can lead us to the I got a hand at the you same if you're seeing to it that we got the bridge in shape Hey, Sam look marido pray is coming. There's some kings with her. How is the bridge nearly finished? Yeah, but what's the matter marie? What's the matter with king? Look at him over there. He went with sergeant Preston Well, I know we saw them cross the bridge before it was finished the dog streaked back a few minutes ago He was alone. That is it He came back alone and brought a myth and this myth and the sergeant was wearing it Hey, you suppose something's happened to Preston? Oh, I am sure of it king acts like he wants us to go with him See him over there. He looks like he's waiting for us Yes, red and spike cross just about a half an hour before the mountie. I wonder I made one sound. Please hurry. All of you. We must get to sergeant Preston. Come on boy. Bring your tools There's no telling what we'll need Lead on king We're going your way Sam listen red and me we were right up and get over there and start digging You and red being right outside this cave looks mighty suspicious Just after a cave in two. I tell you we heard a blast and came to investigate I don't believe it I can't think of any other reason why his dog would almost carry his claws out trying to dig out the tunnel Oh, you're all crazy. Listen to a flighty girl. Come on spike. There's no use arguing. We'll go back to town You stay where you are. Hey, Sam. What's wrong? We got a hole through to the inside Winding her out Hey king come back here. Come on. Let's get over there He's already in the tunnel. He knows the sergeant is there We're coming Preston Get going boys. Come on spike. We got to get out of here. Preston's alive. Let's go red No, you don't munson. Don't try running away with me and red. I got to get back to town They can argue with this gun if you want to make something of it Perhaps they said off he's left to kill sergeant Preston Well, you went into the cave after my father's mother. That's a lie. You can't prove that we'll have the answer soon enough When Preston comes out, we'll see what he says It was the work about a few moments to widen the tunnel opening Sergeant Preston was found pinned down by the foreign timber Strong arms released them out here Lean on us sergeant We'll get you outside. Thanks, Sam. Oh, you hurt bad. No bones broken. I guess I'll manage We found red bar tail and spike munson in front of the cave and we come up to dig out I want to talk to those two. We thought you would I owe a lot to you king. He told me you were in trouble And let us hear careful now step over the rocks I'll bet you are munson Here marie This is your father's money. I put it in my parka just before the explosion Thank you. It's hard to figure out a thing like that could happen. That'll do red save the lies Like Now I don't like your manner. You got nothing on me and red bike You and red were after the money pier got from the sale of his claim. That's not you weakened the bridge hoping to kill pier You told sam to tell me about the axe marks and the old timbers Hoping to throw suspicion on someone else. Were you wondering trouble dealing polka If you could prove that sergeant, they'll admit it sam admit it. You think we're crazy You tried to trap me in the tunnel, but king got out Someone fired at him and he knows who it is. Look at him Hey showing his teeth steady king King knows who set off that blast and he knows who fired at him. Take them king Don't touch that gun spike How about it red? Will you confess who weakened that bridge? Why are you dirty double crosser you stood by to make sure it went down Go on red keep talking at least we were going to pull pier out and get the cash after he had drowned I can blast the tunnel entrance because Preston threw about our plan. We don't told her she was going to get the money We we figured you get him with a key then and get the cash later All right king get away from him. You heard him boy. So you wrecked the bridge, huh? Try to kill my father and sergeant Preston too. Don't worry men The law will deal with these two You're both under arrest for attempted murder Yes king the case is closed The challenge of the Yukon a copyrighted feature is brought to you each week at this time and all names and incidents used are fictitious Listen again next week to another exciting adventure during the days of the gold rush Fred boy speaking this program came to you from Detroit One fictional radio character whose actions are thought out to minute detail is david harding counterspire Phillips lord who created the suspense packed program has definite ideas about harding his tastes and his background Before the program ever made its debut Lord had put down on paper a description of david harding and his entire family Believing that a definite picture of the man was necessary if audiences were to accept him He pictured harding as a 45 year old man. He came from a small wisconsin town Harding whose similarity to actual persons is purely coincidental lives in a four-room suite by himself in washington All these details of character and personality go into making david harding counterspire The realistic sounding program it is For fast-moving mystery don't miss tomorrow afternoons david harding counterspire