 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 mounted 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 Jim Lucky had come to the Yukon territory during the Gold Rush and it brought his wife and ten-year-old son with him They had stake to claim a few miles out of Selkirk on Beaver Ridge and through the summer months Jim had been able to dig enough gold from his claim to make ends meet But when winter came the claims seemed to give out and Jim realized that he and his little family would soon be without food One morning Jim paced the cabin as he talked over the situation with his wife Sally might as well face it Sally Claim isn't paying off and we're almost out of supply. I know Jim Seems useless to try and work the claim anymore The only thing I know of to do is to try to get a job in town Well, if you could it would help see us through the winter And then in the spring maybe we could sell the dog team in the cabin and the claim and so go back to the state Go back. Yes Jim, I didn't know what it would be like up here in the winter. I wouldn't have agreed to come here The cold and all the awful snow and ice. It's almost more than I can stand. I wasn't thinking of going back Sally You'd feel different about it if we were making a goal of things I feel that our big chance for the future for Bobby's future is here in the Yukon The only future I see for us right now is cold and perhaps starvation Don't ask me to stay here Jim. I've made up my mind that we're leaving as soon as we're able to get away But if I find a job in town, maybe by spring we'll have the scarce in Selkirk. You know that as well as I do But I guess it's the only thing left for you to do right now But even if you do get a job take it with the understanding that you'll give it up in the spring And then we'll sell out be a reasonable Sally I do get a job. It'll be with the idea that maybe we can save enough to stake a new claim after the thought comes Why do you have to be so stubborn? I'm sure if you did take another claim We'd wind up facing another long winter in the same condition we're in now Please please Jim. Don't ask me to go through all this again For my sake for Bobby's sake. Now don't get so upset honey. Things are tough enough as it is. Oh, but I can't All right I'll drop the matter for now The important thing is to get money for supplies to see us through But the matter isn't decided Jim when spring comes we'll discuss it again But promise me you won't make any definite decision about another claim without talking it over with me first All right, Sally. I promise Yes, sit down Bobby and I'll fix your bowl of mush. Oh, we had mush for supper last night All we get is that old mush stop complaining son I'm going to town and maybe when I come back. I'll bring some supplies gosh dad That's what you said the other day, but you didn't bring anything back when you came home, huh Bobby? I I'm going to town now Sally This time I'll be sure to bring home something You can count on it Bobby The boys complained it upset Jim considerably and he headed for town with his dog sled Determined to keep his promise to bring home supplies His credit had been stopped at the general store, and he knew it was useless to ask for more But he did have at the store with an idea There's Marlon Jim doing any better with your claim. No Same Mike, how about letting me work for you for the winter I could pay what I owe sorry Jim I've had a half a dozen asked the same thing, but I don't need anybody Why don't you try the cafe they might put you on as an extra weight or something thanks Micah I'll try over there. I'm sure sorry Jim, but you know if I could afford to take yarn I would forget it. I'll find something to do somewhere Well, I wish you luck, but the towns full of drifters hoping to find jobs to see them through the winter Yeah, I know see you again Mike so so long Leaving the store Jim went to the cafe The Approach the cafe owner who was standing near the bar morning, mr. Pryor Not so well right now I I came here to see if you might be willing to give me a job any kind of a job Like he had the fifth one this morning who's come asking for work I have more hands now than I really need but you needn't pay me much Just enough to buy supplies for me and my wife and son Have a couple right now working just for their meals. I'm sorry have a mind then thanks Just as Jim turned away with disappointment and desperation showing on his face two men who would overheard his request Whispered together at a nearby table Then one of them called out. Hey fella. Give me a minute. Will you you call me? Yeah Sit down a minute. We want to talk to you might as well What's on your mind, mr. I'm mark Harvey. This is my friend Van Layton. Hi, my name is Jim like he glad to know you From the way you looked when you were turned down like he you must need work bad I sure do Have a wife and boy to feed back on beaver Ridge were my no good claim. It's maybe and remember. I'm just saying maybe We could throw something your way like he will you you mean you could give me a job Well, what we have to say is confidential. So keep your voice down. Yeah, we have a deal on And if others get wise they might beat us to it. That's right But the job if you can give me work I'll do anything just so I get paid enough to buy supplies. We decide to use you to pay plenty That's right But you'd have to keep your mouth shut or you'd spoil our deal and like yeah I don't know on second thought van. Maybe we'd be taking a chance. No honest. I don't care What it is and I'll keep quiet about it just so I get the job well Maybe we'll be able to use you at that Come on. Let's go to our room. I'll tell where we can talk in private. All right. I Think we might as well let you have a job as long as you need one so bad Let's go Mark Harvey and Van Laken took Jim to their hotel to discuss the work They offered it after they were seated in the room Jim asked well What is it you have to offer they noticed in the window of the cafe that you got a dog team That'd have to be part of our agreement like ink. Yeah, that's right Then what you really want is to hire my dog sled and have me drive it. Is that it? We want a dog sled all right, but we'll do the drive enough and Yeah, I don't get this you said you had a deal on him might be able to give me a job Now you say you just want to hire the dog team you could hire a team at the livery stable sure But we don't intend to bring it back. Wait a minute You think for a second that you're gonna get it up and sit out Hey, why the gun I said sit out all right Time up and time tight. Hey, what's the idea sure got the cords already. Look you don't have to tie me Anyway, I'm not gonna let you steal my dog. Oh, shut up. Oh Put them out cold. Yeah I'll try and gag him. I'll wait before your time. I'm gonna change Parker's with him We leave him tied and gagged in the closet here. Yeah, the room's paved to the end of the week They won't clean up to land We lock the door Nobody'll find him for several days Let's get busy the two crooks mark and van tied and gagged Jim Lackey after Mark had taken Jim's pocket away The unconscious man was put in the closet bear He won't come to for a long time when he does he won't be able to attract attention Come on out close the door. All right Now they have a long way before we do what we plan mark We got to get his dogs live without attracting notice to it'll be easy You stay here and wait like it back. Now. Where you going? I'm going to the cafe and get like his dog team Somebody might see you taking it. Look this park our lackeys is all I need Okay, I'll pull the hood forward like this Anyone happens to spot me from the cafe window. They'll think it's like he leaving with a sled. Yeah, that's right Your body size and all But where you gonna keep the dog team and sled do we're ready to use I'll run it behind this shed That's in back of the hotel. The dogs will burn the snow bank. Nobody will notice them In any way folks won't be looking for Jim lackey since they won't know he's disappeared so we're a good distance away from here What do we do after you get back here? Sit around this hotel room for the rest of the afternoon. No reason to we'll both go back to the cafe And when we're ready, we'll do what we planned I'll go get that dog team and sled That evening sergeant Preston who was following the trail to Selkirk stopped the lackey cat Sergeant Preston and King do come in thanks Where's Jim isn't he home? No sergeant. He isn't in it. Well, frankly, I'm worried worried Jim left this morning to try and find a job and I expected him home before this You say you went to find a job. Yes. Yes, the claim is given out entirely. Oh, I'm sorry to hear that That's it. He bring back some supplies. We only had mush to eat yesterday. That's Bobby. Oh, things are that bad Yes. Yes, Sergeant. I I've never seen Jim so discouraged Frankly, I hope we can leave here in the spring for good Jim doesn't want to he finds a good claim things will look different Sally Don't you worry about Jim. I'll look him up since I got to town. Thank you so much. Sergeant. Come on, King We have to be going boy bringing back again soon. Will you sergeant? Yes, of course. Bye for now. Bye sergeant. Let's get going Sergeant Preston arrived in Selkirk and after stopping at the constable's office. He searched the town for Jim, but without success Meantime Van Laken and Mark Harvey was wearing Jim's parka moved cautiously behind the general store It had begun to snow and Mark seemed pleased as he spoke in a low voice Everything's working out our way then the snow will cover our tracks. That's a break. All right Well, it's about time for Mike to close. He closes in midnight He comes out the back door then locks it after him before he goes to the cabin And you'll see the dog team there at the corner of the building The light shining from the windows that build next door is just enough so she'd be able to see me and the dog team Think you'll recognize like these dogs. Sure that white Siberian lead dog a like he stands out With a bandana over my face and like he's park on You'll think I'm Jim like it He keeps plenty of cash in his safe. Mm-hmm when he steps out of the door I'll stick my gun in his back make him go in and open the safe You keep out of sight till I signal you through the window Store elimpus went out He's gonna leave. This is it. I'll wait here alongside the door. You beat it around the corner of the building. All right Hold it you glory be get inside. I go up sure sure the reflection from next door gives light enough Open the safe hurry. You won't get away with this busy. All right. It's open You better think twice before you go through with this I got a glimpse of your dog team outside and even in this dim light I recognize that patch of black fur on your partner changing your voice like you have don't help any I Know you're Jim Lackey, so you better not try Hey, man, come on. He say anything sure He said he knew that I was Jim Lackey Come on. Let's get the cash from the safe and we'll take some supplies and head out of town It was some time later when the storekeeper Mike entered the constable's office with a handkerchief tied around his head Sergeant Preston and the constable both looked up in surprise then the sergeant asked what happened Mike Sure, and I was held up and robbed. That's what sit down Mike and tell us about it No, as I remember this is just the way it happened Briefly the storekeeper related what had taken place at the store up to the moment that he'd been struck down The two Mounties listened intently then sergeant Preston spoke evidently it was done by someone who knew your habits Mike Was it light enough for you to get a look at him? It was sergeant and to sad I am to have to say I'm sure he was Jim Lackey Jim Lackey That's hard to believe maybe it is costable, but I got a look at the dog team. He had waiting I recognized Jim's lead dog for one thing and for another I recognized his Parker It had a big patch of black fur at the bottom where it had been mended it could have been Jim All right, didn't you see his face not just as I was shorn above the band down he wore He spoke in a low tone and seemed like he was trying to change his voice but Jim Lackey I can understand why he came looking for a job early in the day Said he needed supplies and didn't have any money. That's right I stopped this cabin on the way here this evening his wife told me they were practically destitute He cleaned out my safe and a lot of supplies are missing from the store Did you tell him you recognized me Mike sure that's when he socked me and knocked me out I'll get my dog team constable. I'll take King try to pick up the trail to back as a snorer I not just got to Jim's place sergeant. It seems to me. That's where he'd head with the supply That's what I think Mike. I want you to take supplies out to the lackey cabin first thing in the morning I'll see that you get paid for them great day First young spouting robs me knocks me on the head then you say for me like Jim Lackey is not stupid Knowing that you'd recognize his dog team and that parker. That's right. Let me finish Knowing that and his only chance of escaping the law would have been to kill you instead of just knocking you out That was Providence that kept him from putting a bullet in me no doubt. No, I think it was definitely planned to knock you out So that you could identify him later to the police as Jim Lackey Sure, and that doesn't make sense sergeant I don't believe he'd be foolish enough to leave his team with that distinctive lead dog in full view Nor would he wear that parker with a black patch if he planned to rob someone What are you driving at sergeant Jim didn't hide the fact that he was in need. That's right I heard he was asking for a job all over town Don't you see he'd be perfect as a frame up for someone who wanted to commit robbery and get a team for the getaway You think Jim Lackey might have been framed by someone. That's right Constable the only way to prove my point is to get on the trail of the thief But if he doesn't turn out to be lackey, what do you suppose Jim is? That's what I want to find out I Looked all over town for him, but since King isn't familiar with his sense and I had nothing belonging to Jim They weren't able to find him. I got my dog team ready now and we'll go to the back door of the store Daniel pick up a cent there. Come on King Meantime the two crooks had headed north after traveling about two hours Mark spoke soon reached the deserted shack I told you about Ben and we'll put up for the night. This fallen snow will keep us from being a pal on you And they hear the news the Mondays will head for lackey's cabin and wait for him there The poor sucker will get a job. All right, you wind up breaking rocket prison. I guess you forgot We left him tied and gagged in that hotel closet, huh? Oh Yeah Well, maybe for the time they find him you'll be dead Hey, wait a minute. What's the matter? One thing we didn't think of mark When they find him in our room and the Mounties will start looking for us Forget it. We'll stay in hiding and they won't be able to pick up our trail. Well, there's the shack just ahead. Must you ask you? When the two crooks had gone into the store to get supplies they had stepped in grease drippings behind the counter Sergeant Preston and the Constable took King to the back door of the store and it was this strong greasy scent Augmenting the natural scent of the crooks that King followed. He disregarded the lighter scent. They had left coming from the hotel Preston and the Constable followed as Yukon King led the dog team along the trail left by mark and van Trail Kings following goes in the opposite direction where like these cabins located I'm beginning to think you're right about it being someone else sergeant Jim would have taken supplies to his family I'm afraid he's been murdered. I never thought of that. We'll find out when we catch the man with trailing He has a good start on us. I'm hoping he'll stop to rest somewhere Constable He wouldn't expect to be followed in this falling snow evidently. He never heard about King without King. We'd have been stopped at that Now I see a light up ahead. Must be a cabin there Maybe we'll get some information if we stop there Well stop here and go ahead and investigate that cabin constable looking fire I think King and circle around so we'll come up behind the cabin. All right, let's go come on King Inside the shack mark and van who had slept a few hours were having coffee before hitting the trail again Where's a good place to hide out mark if you thought of warning? Yeah, we'll hide out of the trapper's shack at Pellies Landon Mounties will expect us to hit for white horse or Dawson City They'll be hunting for Jim like it for two three days. That'll give us time to get there That's right. And remember with that fallen snow. We're not leaving the trail Hey, listen the dogs out there. Maybe a bear some other animals snooping around. Yeah Maybe we're gonna make sure Get up easy like van go flop on your bunker Blow off the lamp as if we're gonna rest a while. Hmm. I don't get it. It's dark outside Anybody snooping could see us through the window. Yeah After you lie down the lights up get on put on your park out put on mine And we'll ease out the front door Even though it's dark It's not too dark for us to sneak around the shack on either side with our guns ready and see if anyone might be there If you do see anyone shoot I get up and go to bunk all right I Still think it's only an animal We know we couldn't be trailed with the snow falling to cover our tracks as fast as we made them You fool even if someone didn't trailers might be a traveler who saw the lighted shack and came here to investigate We can't take a chance of being seen by anyone Now I get your point I'll go lie in the bunk like it told me Well might as well put out the lights so we'd be able to sleep a while Now hurry get into your parking The dogs see us and stop behind the shed right by a king Look lights gone out in a shed. Yes Those must have put him on guard the two Mounties and Yukon King had stopped behind a small shed Preston cautiously looked around a corner of the shed. He could see along one side of the shack from his position But not the other He waited a few moments and then as the dogs quieted He was about to move toward the shack when he saw a figure appear and creep forward alongside the building I see someone He's moving this way. Let's get him. Come on The two Mounties move quickly from behind the shed and as they ran forward Preston called out the name of the crown I'll fix you. Don't try it This gun drop we've got him good shooting sergeant I'll fix your wound as soon as we get you inside. Come on. All right Come on Not knowing that another gunman was on the other side of the shack the two Mounties started toward the front door with their prisoner Mark had heard the sergeant call out and had heard the shot They got back realizing a fan had been wounded Mark retraced his steps to the corner of the shack and waited with ready gun For the two Mounties to come around to the front door with a wounded man The two Mounties started forward after seeing van the great dog King started to follow But the intelligent dog decided there was something wrong He had followed two cents along the trail, but he saw only one man King knew he must find the other one. So he turned and headed around the offside of the shack There he saw the other crook mark where turned back and was moving toward the front after hearing Preston call out to his partner King stalked cautiously behind the unsuspecting crook was watching closely for the Mounties to appear as They came around the front corner of the shack opposite him mark aimed his gun and then King sprang The big dog sudden lunch and set mark crawling and he lay struggling on the ground Okay, don't bother. I'll pick up this gun. I'll get up you and we'll all go inside We heard someone stupid you got nothing on us soon find out get inside bring the other one constable Come on Watch them King Hey, look Sergeant at Parkies warning the one with a large black patch of fur. That's Jim Lachey's Yes, and I noticed that dog team outside belongs to Jim tool Bring over that carpet bag. That's under that bunk there constable sure I'll bet the Mike's money and gold is in here. I'll open it This is the golden cash stolen from Mike's safe. All right Mike described it Five pokes of dust and the rest and gold coin and paper money Who are you? What are your names? I'm Van Laken. He's Mark Harvey You had Jim like his dog team and his Parker if you've killed like a no, no, we didn't kill like he honest Where is he speak up? He's back in town in a hotel room He's tight and gagged in the closet right so you can't pin a murder rap on it That depends he may have suffocated in that closet with a gag in his mouth. That was Mark's idea Shut up then. No, I won't he he planned it like that But after he left I I went back and opened the door part way Sergeant you were right about someone trying to put us off the trail by blaming Jim. Let's hurry constable We'll bind that crooks wound and we'll head for town and let's hope we find Jim like he alive The following morning the two mouties arrived in South Kirk with their prisoners and went directly to the hotel room Go on inside both of you What's in King? We're looking the closet constable. I hope he's alive There he is Jim help me untie him constable Gags loosen now his wrist That does it Seems to be gone sergeant help me get him to the bed Still alive. He's coming to good It's lucky for those two crooks. He didn't die Jim Jim Sergeant press It's all right Jim we caught the crooks. We'll take you home just as soon as we got them behind bars I'll stay here with Jim if you want me to sergeant all right constable. Come on you two You're under arrest in the name of the crown. Let's get going Jim Lackey weakened by the blow on his head and by the ordeal He went through in the closet was taken home and put under a doctor's care Two days later a sergeant Preston with a constable and Mike the storekeeper paid a visit to the lackey cabin They found Jim sitting at the supper table with his wife and boy While Bobby played with King the three men sat down to have coffee Finally sergeant Preston's smile and spoke Jim you went through quite an ordeal in your search for a job But you seem to have fully recovered from your experience. That's right surgeon. I have tomorrow I'm gonna start looking again the supplies you sent out sergeants will see us through for quite a while I wish I was big I'd go find a job too. I bet you you have a few years to wait yet You want so much to help us? You'll be going to school in Selkirk in the spring Bobby Best way to get a good job when you grow up is to learn all you can Bobby will go to school sergeant But I'm reasonably sure it won't be in Selkirk if there's any possible way to get back to the feet Yes, Sally maybe if I do get a good job no good jobs to be had here Jim I'll not let you try to work another claim But if as Jim said he did find a good job Sally what then well Perhaps if it was a lasting job that would give us a good living that's your cue Mike Tell them why you came out with us. Yes Well, you see Jim I got to figuring I'm getting along and can't do things like I used him And I got to talking to the sergeant Well, he showed me where to be smart for me to take on a young fella Who could later on run the business for Jim Mike wants you to work for him permanently Sure, that's it. It is a fine business and you might work into a partnership someday Jim. I'd like to have him What do you say? Gosh, I I don't know what say Jim I think it's wonderful and you'll let Jim accept Sally. Oh, yes, of course golly, then we'll be good Then we'll be able to get all them All we want to eat and that'll give me candy to sometimes won't eat sure that's right, honey Lots of supplies for the family and candy for you whenever your dad decides you've been a good boy Gee will I can I'll be a storekeeper maybe when I grow up Bobby? I thought you said once you wanted to be a money like Sergeant Preston gosh You have plenty of time to make a decision about that Bobby Anyway, you'd have to be a British citizen to become a money. Well, then I'll learn to be a storekeeper like I Seems to be settled thanks to you sergeant and to Mike I'll get a job far better than I hoped for well now that the two crooks are in jail and a job for Jim has been arranged This case is closed In our next adventure Two men are lurking in the darkness outside mounted police headquarters. Well, it happened sergeant Preston has found Gonzalez He and his wife are inside headquarters right now good We'll wait here till they come out and then fail them that sure was a smart plan you figured out We couldn't locate Gonzalez ourselves, so we tricked them out. He's into finding him for us. Yeah now that he's been found We won't let him out of our sight till he leads us to those rubies and we'll kill him and his wife and grab the rubies for ourselves Lee in a lane Gonzalez are in terrible danger Sergeant Preston doesn't realize that fact and by the time he finds out the truth It may be too late to save them and himself from death at the hands of two ruthless killers Be sure to hear this next exciting adventure tomorrow These radio dramas a feature of the challenge of the Yukon Incorporated are created by George W. Trendle Produced by Trendle Campbell Enterprises Directed by Fred flower day and edited by Fran striker the part of sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton This is Jay Michael wishing you goodbye and good luck until our next adventure This is the mutual broadcasting system