 Now as howling winds echo across the snow-covered reaches of the Wild Northwest, the Quaker Oaks Company makers of Quaker Puff Wheat and Quaker Puff 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, swiftest and strongest lead dog of the Northwest breaking a trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest out at Belize in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers I'm King on Newhouse Games 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 The warm weather and long daylight hours mean more fun out of doors especially for the younger members of the family But sometimes it's not possible to be outside or it's important to relax and sit quietly for a little while Then is the time to tune to Mutual Every weekday afternoon at 5 o'clock there are programs of imaginative entertainment and bring all of the adventure and excitement of the wide open spaces Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, member of the famed Northwest mounted police braves the dangers of a wild and lawless territory in the days when gold was king With his faithful dog Yukon King Sergeant Preston is a challenging example of courage and daring and Following sergeant Preston every day Monday through Friday is Bobby Benson Every weekday afternoon at 5 o'clock the doors open wide on a whole world of adventure with Sergeant Preston of the Yukon and Bobby Benson both on Mutual over most of these stations Duncan Grant the owner of a Pacific Trading Company in San Francisco I just called his son Eric into his office. I have a job for you big job Why is it dad as you know, I've had my eye on the Yukon for a trade for some time Now that the gold rush has stimulated the development of that region I believe the Yukon territory is going to become one of the richest sources of furs on the continent It certainly looks that way early this year. I sent one of my agents up there a man named Raymond Buckner I believe you're acquainted with him aren't you? Oh, sure. I know Ray Buckner The book there's job was to scout out the situation Send me a report on all the independent trading posts in the territory. What was the purpose of that? There's gonna be plenty of competition for the first trade If we expect to get our share of it, we've got to move fast That means we can't wait to establish our own chain of trading balls You mean you're thinking of buying out the independent trading post either buying them out Real speaking contracts with them for the exclusive marketing of their output. I see But where do I come in on all this person? I told you I had a big job for him I'm sending you up to Yukon territory as official representative of the company To make the necessary deals with the independent trading posts This is the biggest assignment you've ever given me dad. Yes, but I'm sure you can head How soon do you want me to leave tomorrow morning? Your tickets are already bought You will serve her last year on the northern venture And transfer it St. Michael to a river steamer called Yukon Star. All right. I've already written to Ray Buckner He'll come aboard at 40 mile. Let's see town just over the border from Alaska and travel the rest of the way with you to Dawson city Okay, dad. I'll start thanking right away Days later in Dawson city two men met in the back office of the red dog cafe One was the owner of the cafe a burly cold-eyed man named Gerald Ballard Was risen by ruthless methods to a position of wealth and influence in the Yukon territory His visitor was the trading company agent Raymond Buckner Gerald Ballard spoke. Well, Buckner, what do you want to see me about? I have news for you Ballard Reds fill it. I received a letter this morning from the home office in san francisco The company is getting ready to move into this territory. How are they going about it? The owner son is coming up here He's a young fellow named Eric Grant His orders are to either buy out the independent trading posts or else to make contracts with them for exclusive marketing of their furs Oh, so that's it I suppose you realize that if young Grant carries out those orders, you'll be facing some dangerous competition. Look Buckner I've told you before that I intend to get control of the Yukon fur trade That statement still goes Well, you'll have to figure out somewhere to stop the company from taking over all those trading posts I think there can be arranged the pacific trading company's most fly-by-night outfit Ballard It'll take plenty of money to outbid them. Yeah Maybe there's an easier way What do you mean? Suppose something were to happen to young Grant You mean murder? What's the matter? Does the word scare you? No, but a hemp rope does Besides killing Grant will stop the company permanently It'll give me time enough to take over those trading posts on my own terms and organize my own setup Even so murder is a risky proposition. Don't worry. Your neck won't be in any danger I can get one of my boys to handle the job That is if you're willing to set things up for him. Oh, I might be What's your offer? 5,000 cash right now Later on when my own fur trading company is organized I'll need an experienced man to manage it for me meaning I'll get the job. That's right Ballard, you just made yourself a deal What is it you want me to do? How soon is young Grant arriving? He's on his way right now on board the Yukon Star I'm to go aboard at 40 mile and travel back here with him. Mm-hmm Come over and take a look at this map on the wall A few miles north of here There's a cliff that just out into the river It's called rocky points. Yeah, I know it is I'll notice on the map that the river narrows right at that point. So If someone with a rifle were posted on that cliff Wouldn't be hard to drill a man standing at the rail at the Yukon Star Yeah But how do you know young Grant will be standing at the rail when the ship passes rocky point? That's who you come in Mean you want me to lure him into position? That's right. You can be pointing out the scenery to him or anything like that Getting him up in the bow where there won't be any other passengers crowding around you My man on the cliff will do the rest Following week when the Yukon Star arrived at 40 mile Eric Grant came out on deck to scan the faces of the people waiting at the landing He found himself standing side by side with two tall red coated mouties We'd come aboard at circle city, Alaska. That's a mighty fine dog. You have that money. Oh, thanks. He never leaves your side Does he know we're pals? I've been noticing him ever since you first came aboard Oh, by the way, my name's Eric Grant. Glad to know you. I'm sergeant Preston northwest mother police This is our constable Alexander Ross. How do you know? I didn't know you money's ever operated across the border in Alaska We don't it so happens that we have escorted some criminals to the American authorities at circle city Now we're on our way back to Dawson. Sounds like exciting work. You on your way to Dawson, too? That's right, but i'm expecting someone to meet me here at 40 mile He's going to come aboard and travel the rest of the way with me to Dawson Should be somewhere on the dock right now. There he is. Hey, Ray A short time later when the gang flag had been lowered Ray Buckner rushed aboard and greeted Eric warmly So you finally got here Eric. How are you boy fine and sandy ray? Your father has impressed you with a mighty big assignment. Don't I know it? I just hope I can handle it successful. Don't worry about that. You'll make out all right I'm particularly anxious to make good on this assignment because if I do dad's promise me a raise Which means I'll be able to get married get married. Well, congratulations I don't need to ask if she's beautiful Well, it just so happens. I have a picture of her right here in my pocket May hear I'll let you judge for yourself Hey, this girl really is beautiful This picture is quite a work of art in itself. Yes, it's a miniature. She had painted for me right after we were engaged Well with that is a good luck charm. I don't see how you can fail to make good Maybe you're right at that Good weather prevailed and to every person on board except one It appeared the trip to Dawson city would be completed uneventfully When the ship approached rocky point sergeant Preston was standing in the wheelhouse Talking with captain Cory the master of the uconn star. Well, it won't be long now. Hey captain That's right sergeant. That's a few more miles and I'll have you back in Dawson city Oh dad rat it all A couple of passengers up there in the bow. Is that out of bounds? It is for anyone outside the crew Passenger gets up there among the anchor chain and winches. Is that to break your deck? Great shopping jupiter one of them has been shot. Yes. It came from the cliff over there reverse the engine Let's get down there and see if he's still alive Coming through please go on get back out of the way all of you Holy smoke it's young Eric Graham. Yes, so I see someone shot him while we were standing here at the rail Tell me if he's still alive. Yes, his pulse is still beating Dr. McCorm came aboard at 40 miles in the captain. Yeah, that's right. I'll send someone to get him Oh here he comes now What's going on here? This man's been shot doctor. He's about to take over. All right sergeant. Let's have a look at him I'll let the ship start captain. How about lowering a boat? Sure right away I think you can catch the person who fired the shot. No telling least they've all hurt to look around We'll continue our adventure in just a moment Say if you had the thrill lately of being right there in the ballpark when the leadoff 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 pop wheat or quaker pop rice Or muffett shredded wheat or by quaker pac-o-ten and get two free baseball tickets Names of teams and dates are on every ticket Hurry to get your free baseball ticket in the special package of quaker pop wheat or rice muffett shredded wheat or quaker pac-o-ten To continue sergeant and constable ross won a show in a small boat And after paddling around the point they finally found a place where the cliff was not too steep And offered enough rocky footholds for them to scale up to the top Then they scouted around and made a thorough examination of the spot where the gunman had lain in wait When they returned to the ship they were confronted by the captain and the crowd of passengers eager for information Among the latter was ray buckner. What did you find out sergeant? Not much captain Manifold the shot was alone. He had a horse tethered in the grove of trees I suppose that means he made a clean getaway Well, a temporary getaway at least What do you mean by that? As soon as we arrive in Dawson, I intend to ride back here and try to pick up his trail By the way, uh, do you mind telling me your name? Of course not. It's ray buckner. You're the man who joined Eric Grant at 40 miles? That's right. What's his business in the Yukon territory? Well, his father's the owner of the pacific trading company. Huh? The company is planning to enter the Yukon fur trade So Eric was sent up here to either buy or make contract with the very independent trading force Any idea why someone might want to kill him? Oh, no idea at all Why should anyone want to kill a complete stranger? That's what I'm wondering Surely the bullet wasn't meant for him in particular Must have been some drunken sourdore Indian just shooting at random That's possible Is the doctor finished with him yet, Captain? Not yet, Sergeant. We carried him to his cabin and the doctor is still in there working on him Come on, Alex. Go back and see how he's making out Right, Sergeant They found Dr. McCorm just emerging from the cabin to which Eric had been carried How is he, Doctor? He's in fine shape, Sergeant. I've extracted the bullet Fortunately, it didn't go very deep Well, he was hit squarely on the chest. It's a miracle the shot wasn't fatal Miracle is the word for it What saved his life was a miniature portrait in a metal case Oh? He was carrying it in his breast pocket and it slowed down the bullet Is he strong enough to talk? No, he's still unconscious, Sergeant I doubt if he'll come too for some time He'll have to be taken to the hospital as soon as we land in Dawson All right If you'll help me carry him, Buckner, we can fix up some kind of stretcher Sure, Sergeant. Good idea As the two bodies walked away from the cabin, Sergeant Creston We locked you, Constable Ross Alex, why don't you do something for me? Amen, Sergeant When we arrive in Dawson, I want you to wait around outside the hospital Until Buckner leaves, then trail him and find out where he goes All right But what's the idea, do you think? Buckner had something to do with the shooting? He must have, if the shot was deliberately intended to murder Eric Grant The setup was too perfect to be accidental Two men standing alone at the rail and the ship's bar Huh? Where do you think Buckner will go after he leaves the hospital? If he did, I'll plan this shooting I want to report to his confederates And so we'll find out who they are When the ship docked at Dawson, Sergeant Creston and Ray Buckner carried the wounded man to the hospital From there, Buckner went to his hotel and then to the Red Dog Cafe Gerald Ballard and his gunman Trigger Durham were waiting in the back office Ballard greeted him impatiently Well, Buckner, what happened? No dice Grant's still alive What's the big idea, Trigger? I thought you told me you killed him I told you I plugged the man standing at the rail with Buckner and I did Sure, but Grant was carrying a metal picture case in his pocket That saved his life Of all luck That's not the only bad luck either What do you mean? It so happens that two Mounties were on board the Yukon Star One of them is a jet named Sergeant Preston What? What's the matter? That guy Preston is the smartest Mountie on the force He's pump poison Better watch out then He's planning to ride back to Rocky Point and try to pick up your trail Holy mackerel, that dog of his will be able to follow my scent, boss That's just what I was thinking to myself We better take care of that red coat right now What do you mean? I mean we won't wait for Preston to throw you back here to the cafe Take Slim along with you and ride after Preston And make sure he doesn't get back to town Meanwhile, Constable Ross was reporting back to Sergeant Preston that Mounted Police had caught him I followed Buckner as you told me to, Sergeant Where'd he go? First he went back to his hotel then he went to the Red Dog Cafe I looked into the window and saw him going back in the Gerald Ballard's private office Gerald Ballard, eh? You think he may be the one that Buckner's working with? Working for, more likely, Ballard's crooked He controls a number of enterprises Just recently, I heard a rumor he was moving into the fair trade Sergeant, are you going to hold Ballard in for questioning? No, before we make any moves in that direction we'd better go back to Rocky Point see if we can pick up the trail of the man who shot Eric Grant's Good idea All right, Alex, let's settle up and get going Come on, gang Oh! The long, arctic summer day was drawing to a close and the sky was sullen with gathering thunder clouds as the two mouties headed north along the trail leading out of Dawson City By the time they arrived at Rocky Point darkness had fallen and the storm had burst in full force Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on Get it, hold on, hold on That's the thing you brought that lantern along, eh, Sergeant? All right, I may need more than the lantern to pick up the trail in this storm Sergeant lit the lantern and then led King to the spot where the gunman had lain in wait to kill Eric Grant Great dogs snipped around carefully and although he was able to pick up faint traces of scent he couldn't follow it more than a short distance from the point where the gunman had tethered his horns No use, Alex Rain's washed out the sun That gunman sure was playing in a lock What's the matter with you, King? Get down behind those bullies, Alex The first one to smash the lantern which the sergeant was carrying but the mouties had dropped behind the bullies before any more of the bullies could take effect King must have heard them before they started firing Yes, I thought that gunman trouble All right, Alex, let's give it back to them The shots were coming from the screen of trees which fringes the edge of the cliff The mouties fired back at the flashes Finally, one of their shots was followed by a distant scream They got one that time, Alex Yes, it sounds as though we toppled off a cliff The other one stopped firing How about he clearing out? Maybe a trick to draw us into the open The mouties waited tensely but there were no more shots Finally, the sergeant decided it would be safe to investigate advancing cautiously among the trees they located a spot from which the crooks had been firing They were mounted, they must have left their horses somewhere back down the trail Unfortunately, it's too dark to read sign without a lantern You suppose the man I shot really did fall off the cliff? Let's go down and take a look We'll continue our adventure in just a moment You should have been at the ball game today I saw three home runs and guess what? I got one of the home run balls Fellows and girls, why don't you get a free baseball ticket? It's easy Come out to the ball game as guest of a major or minor league team Your free ticket is waiting for you right now Inside packages of Quaker Puffed Wheat Quaker Puffed Rice Muffet Shredded Wheat and Quaker Packo Ten 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 Puffed Wheat and Rice and Muffet Shredded Wheat You get two free baseball tickets inside Quaker Packo Ten So don't miss out another day See the star players wallop those home runs After skirting the cliff to a location where they could clamor down more easily The Mouties made their way back along the base of the cliff to a point directly underneath the spot where the crooks had been hiding Sure enough, they found the body of a man sprawled among the jagged rocks By the light of a cupped match, they scrutinized his face Say, I know this man, Sarkin They call him Slim Yes, one of Gerald Ballard's hired hands This proves Ballard's behind the whole deal Not the sort of proof it'll stand up in court Well, at least you can hold him for questioning I think I have a better plan, Alex If we can get the clerk at Buckner's Hotel to help us What do you have in mind? Well, first we'll take this man's body back to town and here's what we'll do We'll get the hotel It was nearing midnight when the clerk from Ray Buckner's Hotel came to the Red Dog Cafe and delivered a letter to Gerald Ballard What's up, boys? Letter from Buckner, Hotel Clerk just brought it over Let's see what it says Oh, wait till I get it open, will ya? Ballard, I've just had a visit from the Mouties Something has gone wrong They suspect that I helped arrange their shooting a very grand I think they also suspect that you were mixed up in that deal I've got to talk to you, but I don't dare come to the cafe So meet me as soon as possible in that open shed of steamboat landing Don't let me down or I'll talk and talk plenty Sign Buckner Oh, Lee Mackerel, that sounds like the Mouties are really getting wise And it also sounds like Buckner's getting cold feet You gonna meet him like he says? Sure, I'll meet him I think you better come with me Why so? If Buckner show a sign to turn him yellow on us we better get rid of him Otherwise, he may wind up squealing to the Mouties Now come on, let's go A short time later, Ray Buckner was awakened by someone knocking on the door of his hotel room After getting out of bed and lighting the lamp, he opened the door Uh, Sergeant Preston What's up? I've come to ask you a favor A favor? Yes Needless to say, you're as anxious as I am to catch the person who shot Eric Grant Of course, of course With your help, I may be able to do just that I'll be glad to help What do you want me to do? I'd like you to pretend that you're under arrest and come with me to the steamboat landing wearing handguards What's the idea? Well, frankly, I'd rather not say just now My plan may not work But can't you at least give me some idea what you're up to? Well, put it this way If the man I'm after thinks you've been arrested for the shooting I'll put him off guard and help me capture him Oh, so that's it You willing to do it? Why, well, sure Naturally, I want to help any way I can All right There's no time to waste, get your clothes on, let's get going Meanwhile, Ballard and Trigger Durham had already gone to the steamboat landing and were waiting just inside the shed The rain had ceased Finally, the two figures appeared in the glow of light cast by the lanterns on board the Yukon Star which was moored farther down the landing Wait a minute Here come two guys now There's a dog with them Hey, that one guy's a red crow Pulled him back room, the other one's Buckner And he's wearing handcuffs Hey, that dirty rat Must have squealed on us I was told of Mon, you were here to meet him Yeah, that's what he's done already I suppose they've seen us here Oh, no, wearing the shadow here in the shed Wait a minute Now they're stopping Looks like the Mon's gonna leave Buckner behind Yeah, he's leaving the dog to guide him Coming here by himself Should I gun him down? No, no They hear the shot on board that riverboat We gotta do something Buckner spilled the beans at that Mon You're in a spot Keep your shirt on They don't know there's two of us here When the Monty gets a little closer, I'll step out to meet him You stay back in the shed and keep him covered Right A moment later, a sergeant Preston approached the shed Gerald Ballard stepped forward into view So you're kept to an appointment with Buckner, right, Balland? Well, what about it? I'm placing you under arrest in the name of the crown Yes, again, Preston Stop that gun, Monty What? Didn't know I had someone covering you from the shed, did you? Same man who tried to kill me earlier this evening at Rocky Point, I suppose That's right The same man who tried to kill Eric Grant Only this time, he's gonna do a little better job Come on out and meet the sergeant, Trigger Yeah Well, well, if it isn't Trigger Durham You're mighty cool, aren't you, Preston? What do you think you're going to do now, Balland? I'm gonna have Trigger put a bullet in you And another one in that double-crossin' rat Buckner Not here, of course Some place where the shots won't be heard One thing I'd like to know, just out of curiosity What's that? Why did you want Eric Grant killed? Oh, didn't Buckner tell you? I'm gonna get control of the fur trade in this territory I don't want Grant's company getting in my way Oh, thanks for the information All right, I'll explain Hey, what the hell? Hey, another Mountie, I'll get him No, you don't No! As Trigger dropped his gun and clutched his arm in pain Balland lunged at Preston You won't take me, Preston! Grabbing the sergeant, he tried to swing him around to use his shield But Preston knocked him loose with a jolly right off the face Why, you... Balland recovered and lunged back into the frame with a wild grin in his eyes He was a big, thickly muscled man Fully as tall as Preston And he fought with a cold, desperate fury His heavy fist rain blows at the Mountie But only half of them landed Whereas every one of sergeant Preston's punches found his mark with telling effect Get down! Finally, the sergeant drove a terrific right to Balland's door that sent the crook sprawling weakly on the wall No! Had enough, Balland? Yeah Yeah, I know what I'm left with And get up on your feet You and Durham are under arrest in the name of the crown I expected you wouldn't have caught up with it If it hadn't been for that squeal and rat, Buckner Buckner didn't give the game away, you did Why? I was the one who sent you that note And I tricked Buckner into coming here to make you think he'd confessed Oh, it didn't matter to you So that's how this other red coat happened to show up so conveniently That's right The constable's been hiding behind those bales Ever since you first came to the shed Now that you've confessed you, Durham, and Buckner will pay the penalty for your crimes Which means that this case is closed We'll return in just a moment with a word about our next exciting adventure There are lots of ways to save money You still hear about people tucking it away under mattresses putting it away in a favorite piggy bank or a cookie jar But there's a much better way to save and that's by buying United States savings bonds through the payroll savings plan It's the real easy way of saving money Your employer automatically sets aside a certain sum of money each payday any amount you name It's all done before you get your pay so in that way you never miss it When enough is accumulated you receive a series E savings bond automatically too There's no bookkeeping or budgeting problems for you It's also the smart way of saving Series E savings bonds pay back $4 for every three you put in even more if you hold them past maturity Yes, there are many ways of saving money But today, while you're thinking about it join the 8 million other Americans who find it easier to save through the automatic payroll savings plan This message is brought to you as a public service And now in an isolated cabin near Gold Creek An outlaw called Duke Gurney is talking to a mine clerk named Bert Heflin Well, did you find out when that gold shipment is leaving? Yeah, Friday morning and they also found out something else Old man Woodruff is sending a letter to the Northwest Mounted in Dawson asking for a Mountie to guard the shipment Oh, he is, huh? That's right And I'm afraid it may spoil our plans for the holdup Maybe and maybe not I've got an idea how we can take care of that Mountie and pull off his job even easier than we've figured Yes, Duke Gurney has a clever scheme to outwit the Northwest Mounted and sees a valuable gold shipment Which means that Sergeant Preston will have to think and act fast when he comes up against this daring and ruthless outlaw Don't miss 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 Oats Company Makers of Quaker Pop Week and Quaker Pop Rice The delicious cereals shot from gun by special recording in cooperation with the Mutual Broadcasting System They are a copyrighted feature of 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 good-bye, good luck, and good health from Quaker Pop Week and Quaker Pop Rice So long, this is Mutual Radio Network for All America