 The challenge of the Yukon The swiftest, strongest of Eskimo lead dogs blazes the trail through storm and snow for Sergeant Preston as he meets the challenge of the Yukon Sergeant Preston was typical of the small band of Northwest mounted police who preserved law and order in the Yukon during the Gold Rush of 98 That was the year that brought over 20,000 men swarming into the Klondike region and the greed for gold led to frequent violence and bloodshed But in spite of the odds against them the force preserved a splendid record in maintaining the right the challenge of the north was answered and justice ruled triumphant Shortly after daybreak two men stood watching a distance sled and dog team break tracks through the snow Hidden from view behind two huge rocks. They waited eyes cold with greed and watchfulness see Told you wouldn't be long after daybreak. Yeah, you're right Got a hand it to you bird. You sure had this one studied, huh? The old man carrying that haul of dust you think I'd take any chances That's why we've been lucky When you take time to plan There aren't any mistakes ain't worrying none about the mistakes Well, I care about is get my hands on as much gold. That's mine for the taken. You just be careful how you take it Long as you stick with me, you won't have to worry about that noose waiting to drop over your head You can play them You can fill a poke faster this way than peddling beaver skins How much do you calculate he's carrying plenty? Thomas has been making this trip to the bank for a long time Surprised nobody thought of this before Got your gun ready. Oh, sure And you can make him out pretty plain now. Well, it gets past the rocks you're taking a chance. I'm getting away, ain't you I'm gonna be shoot fast enough We'll never know what hit him You're calling the cars Yeah Sisters suspect anything you're real Remember what I said wait till he gets past the rocks I heard you You ain't got fired a mush old timer see that gun on top of the sled We want to get him before he has a chance to use it All right, slim let him have it Get that dust and we'll clear out of here. I don't like the idea being around dead men too long myself He's carrying some of it Look at this Well, what's that the old-timers poke. I'll just pocket it for my trouble You got the rest of it. Yeah, leave me. I ain't ever seen so much dust in one hole in my life. Come on then. What about the dogs leave? Traveling with daylight sergeant Preston stopped a short time later at Bart Johnson's cabin several miles north of Higbee It was Bart's sister Muriel who explained. Yes, Bart was out early this morning as he always Make the round of his trap line so early Bart Sergeant I never know whether he'll make his rounds early or late But last night he mentioned he'd be gone before I'd have breakfast ready Offered to get up early and get up for him, but he said not to bother And I am anxious for him to come back. Why well you see today's Bart's birthday No one pays much attention to birthdays up here in the Yukon, but I'm going to be married soon Bart and I won't be together much longer and Here it is. I wanted to have this ring Hey That's a real present Bart's always liked it. So I thought I'd surprise him. Hope it fits King likes it doesn't he sergeant quiet King It isn't that I'm not delighted to see you sergeant, but I can't help wondering what brings you and King to our part of the Yukon I guess you might say the line of duty brings me here Muriel. Oh Isn't that part coming now? Don't I saw him? You're right. It is bar You're yours. I'm what hello Bart Well I'm a little surprised to see you here. I just thought I'd stop by Bart. I think you've forgotten something Forgotten something. Yes. It's your birthday. Oh I don't keep track of your sister does and I have a present for you. We lay take up Why it's a ring is a rare present in the north put it on it might not fit you know Hey Got it on but I'll never get it off again. Is it too tight? We'll tight enough that you won't be able to change your mind and want it back Are you going money? Oh King and I'll be getting along. Won't you stay it? bird What's that that fell out of your Parker? It looks like a poke an initial Swim asked me to take it into Higby for him Sorry, you're leaving Preston. Yes Well, goodbye Muriel. Goodbye sergeant. Come back again. I expect you. Goodbye. Bye All right, King get the dogs up As the great dog King led the Mounties dog team Preston's thoughts dwelt on Muriel and her brother Bart. I'm sure he's tied up with those gold robberies How to prove it and Muriel I'll be glad when that girl marries and has someone else to look after What's wrong King? What is it boy? Oh You lead the way fella Nuzling around in it Well, that's Ray Thomas dog team, but we're Ray Why don't we turn them dead? That's what you wanted me to see King. Yeah, those rocks concealed it That was why Bart had the poke initial RT He's responsible for this. All right, King. I'm coming They run out behind the rocks, huh? You must have gotten all the bullray carrot most claims in the hills Get the dogs up King. This is one crime Bart Johnson's going to pay for Meanwhile back at the Johnson cabin Bart had watched from a window to see what trail Preston would take Seeing him turn to the right. He knew it would only be an hour before the Mountie would come on Ray Thomas dead in the snow He sent Muriel into town for supplies and as her sled disappeared on the trail the murderer worked feverishly He rushed from the cabin to his sled and driving the dogs mercilessly fear of capture urging him on He raced to his partner slim. Oh, who you malibus? You're right Mike. You was going to explain this to you later. Get your sled and follow me and hurry sure But where you going I told you explain later for both big dead men if Preston catches us fresh. Yeah, now will you hurry? Slim needed no further urging the two men Bart's sled cutting the trail draw to the edge of Crystal Lake Where to Slim's amazement Bart called a halt. What are you gonna do now in such a hurry way Help me turn this sled over How about the dogs even here? Toss this hat There don't get it. You will From here on will ride the gates in your sled Mushroom alamutes Sergeant Preston did go back to the cabin Finding it empty. He's prepared to leave just as Muriel came up the trail Sergeant Preston back so soon. Where is Bart Muriel? I don't know. He was here when I left I see All right, King. Come on. Get the dogs up Leaving again. I'm looking for Bart you see You might be making a round of the drop line I don't think so When I left here on my way to Higbee, I was about halfway to town when I found Ray Thomas on the trail Murdered Thomas. He'd been murdered and robbed But I don't see what that poop Bart drop was initials our tea Oh I'm sorry Muriel I'm ready King. Good. Goodbye, Sergeant Good luck Approaching Crystal Lake the Mounties sharp eyes sighted the overturned sled before the dogs came abreast of it Oh, King. Oh, you husky That's Bart sled and His hat Must have been taking the trail fast and then King too bad we have an eyes to see the bottom of the In Gates City a few days later the two killers Bart Johnson and his partner slim Stood at the bar in the golden peacock cafe Neither of them were recognizable as the men would fled the law to those in the cafe They were just two strangers Skies and ourselves like this. Yeah, I was anxious to feel that rope around my neck What made you so sure Preston knew it eyes when I dropped that poke made me as sure as I'll ever be You found Thomas That be all it need Knew something we came to the cabin in the first place. Well Your own mother wouldn't recognize your name get him Hey, yep one more here. How about you? Oh, yeah? Make that two right Tomorrow, we'll start her scagway in the States. What about your sister? They can't be worrying about her. Yeah, here. You are strangers. I always wanted to get back to the states Look, you see that? Yeah, come on. Let's get out of here. No, no, wait a minute Take it easy. I'll never know. It's just stand like you Ain't to blame sergeant. Hi there just fine. Hey, I heard about poor Ray. Yes Shot in the back Never knew what hit him I guess. Well, somebody made a nice haul. He was carrying the heap of dust Got any idea who done it? I did have but What you looking at sergeant that man holding the glass down at the end of the bar You ever see him before? No Them two are strangers as far as I know why I'm going down there As a back entrance to the cafe, isn't there? Yeah, you're leaving them. No, I'm not Those two friends might try to King you go to the back entrance and wait there. I don't show my hands red. Sure. Come on king. Come on boy You two boys are strangers in town, aren't you? The difference is that make money Strange I have a feeling we've met before Must be thinking of somebody else. Maybe The man I'm thinking of war a ring just like that one Let's see it stranger. I won this ring in a poker game Now if you have no objections money, I'd like to see that ring Hell of the light the stones you're not taking it off So long mister This isn't so long Bart. Why you hey put that gun away you I don't want no shooting in here You heard what he said Bart back to a slim you won't get out that way my helper will stop you You're helping go on slim anyone here makes a move will be as last one. It wasn't such a smart bluff King's teeth and old bluff Adam King All right, King I guess you've had enough bark stand right where you are slim you win money the law always wins I Thought you drown when I found your sled by the lake But that ring on your finger gave you away With these handcuffs on the red Asking cases closed Challenge of the Yukon a copyrighted feature of the challenge of the Yukon incorporated brought you every Saturday at this time originated in the transcription studios of WXYZ Detroit The characters and events in tonight's drama were fictitious Bill Morgan speaking. This is the Michigan radio network