 The challenge of the Yukon It's Yukon King swiftest and 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 Butch Ganz was serving a five-year term in the Dawson City Jail But one night in January he succeeded in breaking out of his cell and overpowering the guard By the time his escape was discovered the following morning the snow had covered his tracks and butch was heading north toward the mining community of Poker Bend Late that evening he arrived at the cabin of a friend named Zeke Murdock What do you want? Do you think I want Murdock? Holy smoke it's Butch Ganz It's a dark heart. It didn't recognize it. Don't stand there yapping. Let me in I thought you were in jail down in Dawson. I was but I busted out. Well, how in thunder did you get up here? You're supposed I got here I walked Stoke up the fire in the stove will you? Yeah Hey, you're lucky the wolves didn't get you Plenty bold around these parts and they don't go near dead Old pack of them came at me back there on the other side of the ring. Yeah. Oh, what'd you do? Hold up in the cave We took a few shots at him Finally scared the critters off. Why'd you get the gun? It belonged to the guard back at the jail Swiked it after I knocked him out No, it's a funny thing about them wolves With the husky run alongside the leader of the pack looked like a big Siberian Had a white body and black legs. Yeah. Yeah, I've heard about that husky They say just to belong to some kids around here sure doesn't look very tame now Well, what do you figure I'm doing butch? Figure on staying right here for a while. Are you crazy? You can't stay here The Mounties are sure to be trailing it. Hey won't trail me anywhere What's known to hard when I got away they won't have any tracks to follow and I still don't like the idea If the red coats ever catch you here, they'll haul me in for harbing an escaped criminal. You've got a mighty short memory Murdoch Yeah, what do you mean? Looks like you've forgotten about that bank robbery I got sent up for Now what about it? You were in with me on that job Murdoch. They caught me, but you got away I could have squealed on you, but I didn't I kept my mouth shut Realize and yeah Here's something else you can start realizing If the Mounties ever catch up with me I'm gonna spill the whole story to him Including the fact that my partner on that bank hold up was a guy named Zeke Murdoch Are you savvy? Yeah I savvy so you better do a mighty good job of hiding me Murdoch Otherwise your libel a wind-up serving a five-year stretch yourself News of the jailbreak was telegraphed north to Sergeant Preston in 40 mile The sergeant started for Dawson immediately hoping that King would be able to pick up the escape convicts trail As he passed through the settlement of poker Bend. He stopped off at Jane Blair's eating house Jane Blair was a widow with two children Dick a 12 year old boy You're right King oh, gee, I'm glad you've come to visit us. Hello, Susie. How's my best girl? Hello there, Dick? Look at the way King's wagon his tail. Oh, you know how glad he is to see you two again. Oh good. Oh Your mother home. Oh, yes, sir. She's inside. Are you gonna stop for something to eat? Yes, I intended to your mother doesn't mind serving lunch in the middle of the afternoon. Of course. She doesn't not for you Are you and King working on a case now sergeant not exactly thick Soon will be bank robber escaped from jail down in Dawson hoping King and I'll be able to pick up his trail Oh, but anything King will be able to track him down Sergeant Preston and King are here. Well, I'm sick alive. It is Sergeant Preston. How are you, Mrs. Blair? Oh, I'm fine. Thanks King old fellow goodness. If you aren't just the nicest dog Are you gonna stop off in poker Bend a while sergeant? No, I'm just passing through on the way to Dawson. I Was wondering if I could get a meal here at such an awful hour. Oh, you most certainly can You just sit right down here and I'll pick something up for you. No time. Thanks. Look at King sit up on a tiny leg Gee, I wish we had a dog as smart as him. Well, you have Daisy and I'd say she's a mighty smart dog Where is she by the way? We don't have Daisy anymore. She ran away That's too bad day. You sure she wasn't stolen. I'm pretty sure we heard she joined a wolf pack a wolf pack Yes, sir, there are lots of wolves around here You know and three or four different people have told us they saw Daisy running with the pack Could they really recognize her or do they just think it was Daisy because she happened to run away? They claim they really recognized her Daisy was marked in a very unusual way You know white with black lady and they say that's just how this dog was marked and it must be there Gracious. I'm all out of potatoes. Dick. Will you run down to the store? Please and get me a bushel of potatoes Mother come on. Don't bother on my account, Mrs. Blair. Just fix me whatever you have. Oh, that's all right sergeant I'll need some for tonight. Anyway, be as quick as you can children. I can't go ahead with the meal till you get back We'll hurry come on. I Hope you don't mind waiting a few minutes sergeant. Of course not. How's everything going by the way? Oh, I Can't complain. I suppose The restaurant does enough business to keep us all fed and clothed Sound rather worried something on I don't want to burden you with our troubles. I'll feel that way, Mrs. Blair I wouldn't ask if I weren't interested. Well, Sergeant I I had to borrow five hundred dollars to open up the restaurant after John died The notes do in March. I'm not sure whether I'll be able to pay back the money by that time or not Who lent you the money? No a hazing the manner runs the general store. Yes, that's right He's already given me one extension on the note But I don't think he'll give me any more time if I can't pay him back in March. You folks have a lot of friends I'm one of them. I hope you won't hesitate to call on us. Thank you sergeant, but I hope that won't be necessary No a hazing the proprietor of the general store was a grizzled sour-faced individual in his late fifties As Dick and Susie entered the store he greeted them with an indignant scowl. Ah So it's you two Something wrong. Yeah, they're in totem something's wrong. It's that crazy dog of yours the one that joined the wolf pack I had another running with her this morning. What happened? Well, I went over to moose land and to pick up a shipment of canned goods from Dawson City on the way back The wolf started chasing my sled like it's not gonna kill me if I hadn't had my gun with me with Daisy with them You've got your boots. He was with him. She was running right alongside the leader golly I'm sorry to hear that mr. Hayes But I don't see why I should make such a fuss about Daisy the walls would be just as dangerous around here whether Daisy was with them or not Ain't so sure about that young fella gas me. They've been twice as bad since he joined up with the pack She's smart to people's ways. That's the whole trouble. She's smart and she eggs them on Personally, I hope someone plugs her one of these days I'd have done it myself if I could have taken better aim Oh a hazing continued to grumble as he took the children's order Dick was just paying for the potatoes when the door opened and Zeke Murdock entered the store One of these days the folks here about will organize a regular wolf hunt That's what they'll do and believe me that pesky dog. He also be the first one. They get it in the neck I know she was vicious first time I ever laid eyes on her should have been shot long ago Here's your change Come on What's the trouble yeah wolves tagged me this morning when I was coming back from moose land and Run away husky was with him like I just told him kid the dad read it critter It's not a bad idea you had just then huh about organizing a wolf hunt. I mean done toton It's not a bad idea. You had trouble with the critters too. Yeah. Yeah, I have a Packum came at me just the other day over on the other side of spruce Ridge. It was a Fact I tell you them wolves are getting bolder every day first thing. You know, they're gonna kill somebody They won't kill anybody if we kill them first, huh? Hey, you're right about that by Jingu. I've got a good mind to organize a wolf hunt myself. Well, you can sure count me in About setting a time right now Well now what about tomorrow say we get a gang together and farm up about two o'clock in the afternoon over at the foot of spruce Ridge That suits me fine You tell everybody it comes in the store and I'll start spreading the word around as soon as I leave here Hey thunder, I wish I thought of this sooner They can hardly wait to get a shot at them sneaking great killers. Those woes won't stand a chance We'll have every man in town out gunning for him seek Murdoch spread the news about the wolf hunt around the cluster of Cabins and log buildings that form the settlement of poker bend As he had expected the inhabitants responded eagerly to the promise of excitement Was nearly supper time when Zeke returned to his own cabining butch gann spoke to him irritably When did you hear what I've cooked up I'm waiting You know when we were back in Frisco You used to be a pretty good man at opening saves never mind the flattery. What's the deal? How would you like to tackle a safe over at the general store? What's in it plenty the old guy that runs the stores a local money lender Hazen his name is Noah Hazen He's got plenty at door himself And on top of that he stores gold us for the miners around here He had to save hope in the other day when I was in there Loaded sounds interesting. Well, how about it? I? Don't know. I ain't got any tools. Oh now. You won't need any tools Safe as an old cast on job From the looks of it you could open up blindfold. Yeah, but it's kind of risky ain't it and a little settlement like this The old man should wake up start squawking he'd have the whole town on my neck I've already taken care of that angle That's what kept me so long. What do you mean? I've just been organizing a wolf hunt a wolf. Oh, that's right. Hazen gave me the idea himself when I was over at the store It seems he had a brush with the wolf pack and he's way back from moose landing Murdock explained a bunch about the wolf hunt and the way all those sourdoughes went for the idea It looks like every man in town be over on spruce ridged more afternoon So you'll have a clear field from two o'clock Sounds like a cinch. It is a cinch and the beauty of it is I'll be sticking close to Noah Hazen all afternoon That means I'll have a perfect alibi Not that I'll be hanging around long enough to need one. What do you figure I'm doing once we lay our hands in that dough You'll both clear out the territory We'll go back to the states and live like kings Murdock you're a pretty smart character. You've just made yourself a deal Sergeant Preston reached Dawson city by nightfall when immediately to the jail King got the escape convict sent by sniffing around his cell, but he was unable to pick up the scent outside the jail Early the next morning sergeant Preston and Constable Blake took King to a point just north of town The great dog circled back and forth across the trail. Finally he paused and gave a sharp bark What does that mean sergeant? I think he's got the scent about it boy Oh No doubt about it King has picked up his trail and Gans did head north just as you guessed Do you think we can catch him before he gets over the border? I don't know but we're certainly going to try Come on King line up the team boy. All right behind you sergeant. All right, honking A short time later that same morning Jane Blair was busy at the stove in a restaurant at Fokker Bend Oh bother fires almost out in the woods all gone Dick, what is it mother run out to the wood shed? Will you please and bring in some more wood? All right We can help you carry it in and be sure to put on your park as children none of this running out bareheaded. All right, mother Two children put on their park is it went out the back door for you as they approach the wood shed. They've heard a soft wine Did you hear that Come on, let's see It was dark inside the wood shed But in one corner the children saw husky curled up on the floor The dog was white with black legs and she was thumbing her tail happily at the sight of dick and Susie Why it's Daisy It's good to see you again Daisy Haven't even got their eyes open yet. I'm gonna run inside right now and tell mother what we found dick way I just happen to think of something There are people in the restaurant Maybe we'd better not let them hear about Daisy coming back. Why not don't you remember how mad mr. Hazen was yesterday He said he was gonna shoot deck at Daisy the next time he laid eyes on her golly. That's right. I forgot But there are lots of people who feel the same way he does If they knew Daisy was out here, they'd want to kill her. I bet they would do Maybe we shouldn't even tell mother. She's not mad at Daisy. Of course not But I've got an idea should be awfully worried about people finding out especially about mr. Hazen finding out that's right, and I think Golly, that's right But what are we gonna do? We can't keep Daisy and her puppies hidden out here forever. I know Yeah, I don't know what to do Let's just not say anything for the time being maybe we can think of something later All right in the meantime, we can take out something for Daisy to eat when mother isn't looking That afternoon the Zeke Murdock prepared to leave his cabin and take part in the wolf hunt He spoke to butch gans, but I'm gonna show off now butch Got everything straight. Yeah, I guess so I'll crack the safe and hide the gold in the gully bag of the store and tonight you and me are loaded on the sled and High-tailored north of the board. That's right. It's a perfect setup I'd sure like to see old Hazen's face when he finds his safe empty And you're sure nobody'll see me when I go into the store. Why sure. I'm sure I Told everybody was plenty excited about this wolf hunt. Didn't I? Why when I was in town just a few minutes ago, they were already starting to stream over to spruce Ridge Another half hour there won't be a person left within half a mile the general store Except maybe that dame that runs the eating house the two kids. Okay, I guess it's safe enough sure it's safe to step your worry I'm gonna leave right now. You can get going another half hour. So Savvy yep. I got you It was nearly an hour later that sergeant Preston and Constable Blake approached the settlement of poker bend King led them toward Zeke Murdoch's cabin The two Mounties advanced cautiously They were close to the wall of the cabin sergeant Preston said you stay here town I'll edge around the corner and take a look through the window Place is empty. Maybe he just stopped off here for a while and then he kept on going north. It could be the explanation Take a look inside Looks like he spent the night here anyway. How do you know sergeant? Look over there in the corner Pile of pine bars You're right sergeant Gans must have used them as a makeshift bunk, which means the regular occupant of the cabins here at the same time he was probably some pal of his What's the next move sergeant? Let's see if King can tell us where butch went when he left the cabin one fella Meanwhile butch Gans was emptying the safe at the general store He'd already carried out four large moose hide pokes full of cold dust Was preparing to carry out one last load when he heard someone come in the front door What sprang up with his gun in one hand whose relief he found that the person who had entered was his partner Zeke Murdoch Murdoch Ladies you're doing here. We're in trouble butch. We've got to get out of here fast. What's up plenty? Two Mounties trails in my cabin. That's right. It must have come all the way from Dawson city They're probably on their way here right now How come you found out about him as a wolf hunt over already? Oh, it's still going strong I was up on the ridge with everyone else. I just happened to spot these two Mounties come around to bend the trail But they passed right below me. I sneaked on the slopes. I could watch what they were up to What about the old guy? No haze and I mean thought you and him were sticking close together We were but I gave him a slip so I could watch what the Mounties are up to. Oh, what happened? Well, I had a dog with them you let him right up the cabin Soon as I saw that I high-tail it into town. Come on. We got a car out of here All right, but wait till I hide the rest of this gold down the gully out back There's no time for that. They make me hear any minute. I'll keep your shirt on Murdoch for all you know They're still back in the cabin. Don't be foolish. You think they're gonna camp there and wait for you to give yourself up That dog is there's a tracker He let him through the cabin. He can leave him here too. Well, wait a minute I'll take a look and see if anyone looks like a couple of teams are coming up the trail right now Yeah, that's them. All right What are you gonna do close up the safe then we'll duck out the back door? I've got an idea a Few minutes later sergeant Preston and Constable Blake halted their teams outside the general store Sake I wonder what's happened to everyone right now the only person I'm interested in finding is butch Gans look King is sniffing at the safe. Yes Apparently it wasn't supplies that butch came here for No sign that the safe has been forced open not likely that butch would leave any marks He has a record as an expert safecracker back in the States They probably open an old relic like this just for working the dial listening to clicks How about it fellow you go out the back door Come on Tom. Let's see where he leads King paused outside the door sniffing the air carefully There were two well-defined scent trails left by the man he was hunting for One led toward the edge of the gully and back of the store the other led away toward the center of town King was uncertain which trail to follow What's the matter is he lost the scent not necessarily just getting his bearings He's going over to the edge of the gully. Yes, we'd better take a look as the two bodies walked over to see what king had found The great dogs scrambled partway down the sloping side of the gully What's he up to now which Gans isn't down there? We could see him if he were not down there now But apparently he's been down there very recently. You're right. King's found something. There's something hidden in the underbrush. Come on Tom Moment later the two Mouties saw what king had found For big pokes full of gold and must have gotten them out of the safe Why and thunder should he hide them down here? We'll find it out later. Come on Mouties climbed back up the slope. They packed the gold and Sergeant Preston sled for safekeeping Then the sergeant spoke to King. All right fellow. We still haven't found the man we're looking for which way to go boy Oh He's heading over toward the center of town. Come on. We'll follow him Which Gans was looking out the front window of Jane Blair's eating house as the two Mouties approached on their sleds His partner Zeke Murdock was holding a gun on the terrified widow and her two children Zeke spoke can you see him coming yet? Then go in the kitchen get ready duck out the back door at the wood shed as soon as I give you the word Okay, a table had been set and a cold meal hastily scraped together on a plate Zeke Murdock had taken a few bites out of the food to make the scene look as convincing as possible Still keeping his gun pointed at mrs. Blair and her children Zeke sat down at the table Stuck a napkin into his shirt front. Don't forget I'm going to be holding the gun under the table all the while the Mouties are in here So you better sound mighty convincing All right, butch get going they're out front right now Who I hello there Sergeant Preston Hello, Dick. I I didn't expect to see you back here so soon sergeant. I didn't expect to be back quite so soon mrs. Blair Constable Blake and I are trailing an escaped convict rather King's trailing in porous The saint led the poker bend and now it turns out that the man were after apparently came here to your restaurant Escaped convict why that sounds impossible What did he look like? He's a big fellow about six feet tall and heavy set dark hair as a small scar on his right temple I don't recall seeing anyone like that That's funny. What's the matter King seems to want to go out in the kitchen all that fellow Not polite to go. We are not invited Mrs. Blair Are you sure nobody's been here that answers the description I just gave you Might have been in for breakfast or lunch. I suppose I'm not good at remembering faces, but I can't tell you definitely he wasn't out in the kitchen No one's been out there except the children and myself The sergeant spoke to Zeke Murdoch who appeared to be enjoying a hearty meal I don't suppose you've seen the man. I'm looking for my nose. I didn't mind. I haven't I Don't recollect seeing anyone that fits a description you gave him He probably came in here to eat when the place was crowded and then went out again after he finished his meal I guess it must be a town. All right, Mrs. Blair. I'm sorry we troubled you, but What is that like something's going on out in the wood she maybe that's where Gans has been hiding come on down Let's go out and take a look break. Oh, yeah, he's got a gun sergeant. Yes He'll go off a minute. Either one of you lords his hands Don't let that husky make any false moves either that a king sergeant. I'm sorry He was holding that gun under the table all the while you were here. It's all right, Mrs. Blair understand So your butch guns partner, eh, what do you think money keep your hands up high both of you Mrs. Blair you get out from behind the counter and collect your two kids Now if you move into kitchen Zeke Murdoch her to dis prisoners into the kitchen that's better I Don't try any funny business while I'm working over to the door Keeping his gun level at his prisoners Zeke Murdoch move cautiously toward the back door He pushed the door open with one hand and shouted hey, butch come on in here make it snappy I'm holding the gun in these two monies Moment later butch Gans entered the room Despite of his drawn gun. There was a slightly sheepish look on his face dumb go to butch Why couldn't you keep quiet out there? We almost had a fool. It wasn't my fault It was a husky out there in the woodshed with a litter of pups Yes, me it's the same husky that runs with a wolf pack I tried to quiet her down then the minute I stuck my head in the woodshed she started snapping at me Well, it's no use crying over spilt milk. Maybe it's better this way We've got the Mounties we got their sleds. What do you figure on doing well time all up Load the gold on the Mounties sledge Make tracks with a border and leave the Mounties alive Why not why it wouldn't be more than an hour or two for someone had come in on time They'd borrow a dog team come chasing after us I'll bet you're ten to one they'd nail us for we ever got over the border. Yeah But if we kill them there's always a chance we'll swing for it. Not if we do the job right. What do you mean? Look, suppose we knock out the whole bunch of them set fire to the place Wouldn't be a thing to show that it wasn't an accident. That's not a bad idea plenty smart idea Everyone will think the place caught fire from the stove or something. All right, we'll do it But first you better take the Mounties guns away from them so they don't try any funny stuff on us I'll just do that little thing with his free hand put your guns remove the Mounties guns and their holsters and stuff them into his own Parker and while you're at it You might as well handcuff the tube with their own bracelets Good idea which helped himself to the pair of handcuffs which each money was carrying then he said all right you two turn around I'll put out your hands and hold them out and back here Keep them covered Murdock while I snap on the cuffs what you put away his own gun and proceeded to snap one pair of handcuffs and Constable Blake's wrists Neither he nor his partner Zeke Murdock noticed the stealthy way in which King was slinking closer to Zeke Suddenly the great dog saw his chance Knocking the gun on Zeke's hands and at the sound of his snarling attack the sergeant world and drove his fist square in a butch ganz face What staggered a reach for his gun two men grappled suddenly the sergeant tripped against a chair He fell to the floor with butch landing on top of it. I don't fix you Monty dick Blair doubted toward the back door He leaped it butch knocking him off the sergeant sergeant struggled to his feet a moment later He had taken butch's gun away from him. All right. All right. You got my gun give this dog off of me She's half wolf. I guess he's had enough dick. Come on, Daisy What about me for peach a cold look at dog press and get him away from me He won't hurt you if you lie still on guard King Get up on your feet Murdock you two gans Both under arrest in the name of the Queen a Few moments later constable Blake had been set free and both of the crooks were wearing handcuffs Dick and Susie Blair were explaining to their mother about Daisy golly mother. We were going to tell you about Daisy later on Just that oh, we didn't want to worry you because we knew that people might make a lot of trouble if they knew she'd come back Especially that crabby old mr. Hayes Don't you worry children? I won't let anyone do anything to Daisy not after what she did this afternoon The matter of fact Noah Hayes and will probably want to present Daisy with the biggest stake in his store You see Gans and Murdock robbed his safe just before they came over here to the restaurant hadn't been for Daisy They might have gotten away. Oh golly. That's wonderful. Oh, that reminds me Since it was really Daisy who captured butch Gans you folks will be the ones who get the reward money reward money That's right When the bank heard about his escape from jail, they posted a $500 reward for his capture the Arjuna I can't believe it's true. I guess you folks will be just as happy as I will when Tom and I report that this case is closed Now here's Sergeant Preston with a preview of our next adventure the case What price King on a millionaire named Cyrus Ogilvy tried to buy King for me for his spoiled young son I naturally refused But the boy was used to having his own way so his father arranged to have King stolen The plot led to some unexpected and highly dangerous consequences both for Cyrus Ogilvy and for me be sure to listen to this exciting adventure Wednesday These radio dramas a feature of the challenge of the Yukon incorporated are created and produced by George W. Trendall supervised by Charles D. Livingston and edited by Fran striker the part of Sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton They are brought to you every Wednesday until September when we shall resume our regular Monday Wednesday and Friday broadcasts This is Jay Michael wishing you goodbye and good luck till next Wednesday