 Now, as gunshots echo across the windswept snow-covered reaches of the Wild Northwest, Quakerpuff wheat and Quakerpuff rice, the breakfast cereal shot from guns, present the challenge of the Yukon. It Yukon King, swiftness and strongest lead dog of the Northwest, blazing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest modern police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers. And King, run, you eskies! Gold, gold discovered in the Yukon, a stampede to the clodike in the wild race for riches. Back to the days of the gold rush, with Quakerpuff wheat and Quakerpuff rice, bringing you the adventures of Sergeant Preston and his wonder dog Yukon King as they meet the challenge of the Yukon. Say, the owl is a wise old bird, and here's my idea of someone who's plenty smart, too. It's the fellow or girl who eats a nourishing breakfast of Quakerpuff rice or Quakerpuff wheat with milk or cream and fruit. These cane size, ready to serve premium grains of rice or wheat, are shot from guns. Yes, actually exploded up to eight times normal size to make them bigger and better tasting. No fooling, wheat or rice shot from guns is so crisp and tender, it melts in your mouth. It's good for you, too. So tomorrow morning, be smart and enjoy this breakfast treat, Quakerpuff rice or Quakerpuff wheat. It was during the summer months when Sergeant Preston was called to the inspector's office in Dawson City. The concern on the inspector's face was evident as he leaned forward across the desk and spoke in a serious tone. Sergeant, word has been received of strange happenings at the Northwest Mounted Police Summer Training Quarters down the Yukon River near the border. Yes, sir, the Bayer City Quarters. That's right. You spoke of strange happenings, sir. What do you mean by that? Well, I can't explain any more than anyone else can, Sergeant. So far there seems to be no explanation, but in one week two of our recruits have disappeared while on river patrol duty, later to be found at the water's edge dead. And you say there's no explanation, sir? So far none. That's why I've sent for you, Sergeant. I want you to go down there and see what you can find out. All right, sir. We'll leave it once. If the mister can be solved at all, Sergeant, I feel that it will take you and that fine dog of yours to do it. Thank you for your confidence, sir. We'll do our best. I know you will. You can get all the details when you get there. Goodbye and good luck, Sergeant. A few days later, Sergeant Preston with his great dog, King, arrived at the outpost. He learned little beyond what the inspector had told him. And the afternoon of his arrival, accompanied by a young corporal, Sergeant Preston rode to the water's edge. As King trotted along behind, the two horsemen moved slowly along a short stretch of beach that was hemmed in on each side by high rocky bluffs. It was along here, Sergeant, that both men were found. See? You say this stretch of beach is always patrolled? Right, Sergeant. It's about the only logical landing place for anyone trying to avoid the border patrol. There's been reports of a lot of contraband being smuggled into the territory from Alaska. Ah, so I've heard. Isn't it strange we haven't seen the man who's on duty along here? See, that's right. Wonder why we haven't. Well, there, ho, ho! Corporal, I heard someone calling for help. Yes, I heard it, too. Look, King's at the water's edge. Someone's in the water out there. Come on! Get in, King! After him, fella! The dog's swimming out to him. Yes. I'll go help him as soon as I get this coat and gun build off. There. King's almost to it. Wait here. I'll go out there. Hold on. I'm coming after you. Get in, King. That's the boy, King. Easy, fella. You'll be all right now. We'll get to the short. A short time later, Sergeant Preston and King reached shore with a man they had saved in the water. As the corporal bent over the victim, he spoke to Sergeant Preston. He hasn't responded to our efforts very well, Sergeant. I wonder how he happened to be out there in the water. He's the man who was supposed to be here on patrol today. Yes. He's opening his eyes now. He's trying to speak. Tell him, folks, that the devil... Take it easy, fella. You'll be all right. Oh, it's too late. Sergeant... Sergeant, tell him it got me. That the devil got me. And, uh... Sergeant E. Yes, Corporal? He's gone. Ted? But I thought once a person gained consciousness after nearly dropping me. There was something more than the effects of the water here, Corporal. Quiet, King. I heard what he said. Something about a devil. Yes. I wonder what he meant. I don't know, but I intend to find out somehow. Come on, Corporal. Let's get him back to the outpost. This business gives me the creep, Sergeant. What do you mean? This is the third man on duty at this stretch of beach to die. The other two were found washed ashore here. I don't like it at all. Neither do I, but there must be some logical explanation. Maybe so. But, Sergeant, the men at the outpost are all feeling mighty nervous about it. Unexplained happenings like this are enough to unnerve any group of men, Corporal. That's why it's necessary to find out just what's behind all these deaths and the sooner the better. Later at the outpost, Sergeant Preston was talking to the officer in charge. It's too bad, sir, that another man had to go before we could find out what's behind all this. I know, I know. Tell me exactly what happened, Sergeant. Well, sir, the Corporal and I were riding along that small stretch of beach when we heard a cry for help. Someone seemed to be drowning. With King's help, we got him out of the water and did what we could to revive him. Yes, I'm sure you did, Sergeant. Go on. He regained consciousness, but he seemed terrified. Tried to tell us to warn us about something. He said to tell you the devil got him. What? Great Scott. That again? What do you mean, sir? Sergeant, are you sure he mentioned that? Why, yes, of course. Do you have any meaning to it? I have no idea what the reference is, Sergeant. But I do know this. The man you found a short time ago was the third one to die because of this so-called devil. The third? Yes. But I thought the other two were already dead when he was found. One of them came too long enough to whisper that word, devil. He said it two or three times, then died. The other one was dead. But a prospector was found dying on that stretch of beach just two days ago. He, too, spoke in fear of the devil. Is it absolutely necessary to patrol that beach, sir? You see, firearms and other contraband have been smuggled in, and supplied to the Indians in the territory north of here. That short stretch of low beach is about the only accessible landing place for boats that might bring stuff up the river. I see. By the way, another peculiar thing about these deaths. Each of the victims was found in about the same spot along the beach, just above the bend where you say you found that man today. You mean to say all three claiming they had met that devil were found in about the same place? That's right. Or Corporal Drew, the young corporal who is with you today, has gone down there to stand guard duty now. What? Yes. He said he'd be extra careful. Someone has to come in. Excuse me, sir. There's no time to lose. What? I have a feeling he needs some help, sir. Come on, King, we have to hurry. On for the... Meantime, Corporal Drew had returned to the stretch of beach. He rode slowly up and down, his eyes scanning the wide stretch of water. Then he decided to ride toward the bend. Get up. As Corporal Drew rounded the bend, he found that the beach ended sharply against a cliff like bluff. He pulled up and dismounted. Ho, ho, ho. Up there on that bluff would be a good place for a look at. Climb up there right now. Slowly the young man he climbed to the top of the bluff. Finally reaching the top, he stood looking out over the water. It's the place to watch from. I hear voices around under the cliff. I mean over the edge and look. I'm not sure I heard men talking. There's no boat in sight and no one around. How it... Smoke coming from the face of the cliff on there. How can that be? I'd better get down from here and try to have a look. Slowly Corporal Drew made his way down from the high bluff to the beach. There he looked around, startled. What? My horse. It's strange he wouldn't leave me like that. Then maybe somebody scared him off, though. I'll have to walk it back to the outpost. But first I'll try to get a look at the face of that cliff. His curiosity aroused, Corporal went to the water's edge. He noticed a narrow ledge just above the waterline and extending along the base of the low hanging cliff. Removing his boots and dropping them in the sand, he cautiously stepped upon the ledge and carefully moved along. Well out. Big opening right in the cliff from the water. Must be a cave back in there. Yeah. That's where that smoke ice hole was coming from. There's a ledge going into it too. I'll follow it and see what's in there. A short distance inside the opening, a rowboat had been drawn up on a flat rocky surface which formed the floor of a large cavern. By the light of a big campfire which they had kindled, four men were busy unloading several boxes. Hurry up, we have another load to bring, and I don't like it in here. Hans is scared of the devil back there, the pool. As long as the sun shines through the opening of the cave, it stays down in the pool. I don't like the life of the fire here. That's why we keep it burning while we work in here. Just the same, I don't like being in here when I... Somebody's come in here. It's a big shot. Oh no, dude. I have it covered. Rub your gun, Billy. What? I have you covered when the gun got back. That's all again here. Good work, man. Bring him in. Get going, you. Another one spying on us. Yeah, they never learn. I'm beginning to learn a lot. A lot you'll soon forget too. You wish you never found out about this cave, Bobby, but you meet up with the devil. We'll continue our story in just a moment. I wonder if we're going to have a visitor today. Hey, who's this? It's me. You? Oh gosh, who are you? You look... Well, she's like a beachcomber. Like you'd been shipwrecked for years on a deserted island. I was a long time ago. But who are you? Robinson Crusoe. Robinson Crusoe. Right. And I'm mighty glad to be here. You mean not on that island? Yes, sir. Didn't you like it there? No, it was all right, except for one thing. What's that? No grocery stores there. No grocery stores? No place to buy Quaker Puff Tweets and Quaker Puff Breasts. Oh, you go for the cereal shot from God. Do I? Look, my day just isn't right unless I started off with a heapin' bowl filled topped with milk or cream and fruit. Hell, Robinson, old boy, no wonder you'd rather be here than on that island. And say, fellas and girls, take a tip. Ask your grocer for Quaker Puff Wheat and Quaker Puff Rice. They're the famous ready-to-serve breakfast cereals shot from guns. Yes, Quaker Puff Wheat and Quaker Puff Rice are shot from guns to make them crisp and tender. No wonder these king-size premium grains melt in your mouth. They're actually exploded up to eight times normal size to make them bigger and better tasting. What's more, wheat or rice shot from guns is good for you. Furnishes added food values of restored natural grain amounts of vitamin B1, niacin and diet. Ask mom right now to order big red and blue packages of delicious Quaker Puff Wheat and Quaker Puff Rice shot from guns to continue our story. Corporal Drew stood in the cave facing the group of hard-looking men who had captured him. At the mention of the devil, he felt a strange tinge of fear creep over him, mingled with curiosity. As he gazed about him, straining to see beyond the light of the campfire, the smuggler spoke again. Curious, huh? Imagine that. He's curious just like the others were. Since he's so curious to see what's in here, we'll give him a chance to find out. Light a couple of torches. We'll roam to the small ledge across that devil's pool and leave him there. After lighting the torches, the men forced the corporal into the boat, and they rode across about 30 feet of dark, forbidding waters in a pool at the back of the cave. There, he was made to stand on a narrow ledge just above the water's edge. There. Now, maybe you'll be here when we come back. And maybe you won't. We'll see about that, Mr. Maybe he's planning to swim across the pool and go for help at the output. Well, if he isn't afraid of what's in that pool, then I'll go ahead and swim. Guess it'll meet the devil sooner or later anyway. Yep. What do you mean by that? You'll find out, my friend. When you meet up with what's in that pool, you won't do any more snooping. You can be sure of that. Leaving Corporal Drew on a ledge of the pool in the cave, the smugglers went out for another boat load. Meantime, Sergeant Preston and King arrived at the beach and rode along in search of the corporal. Strange. Corporal doesn't seem to be around. The beach is so trampled with hoof marks it's hard to tell anything from them. Look down toward that bend, King. We can find him there. Come on. Sergeant Preston with King running ahead rode down the beach and around the bend. Reaching the bluff where the corporal had dismounted, Sergeant Preston pulled up. Hold on, hold on. Couldn't have gone any farther this way. I was excited about something other than what I said. What is it, fella? Is that enough? No. Must be the corporals, I wonder. Find him, King. Find Corporal Drew, fella. That's strange. King's running to the base of the cliff as if the corporal had gone along there. What is it, fella? You think he went along that narrow ledge, King? Corporal! Corporal Drew! Corporal, where is he? I can't figure it. The ledge close to the water's edge. King's sniffing along that. Go on, fella. Find him! For some time after the men had left the cave, corporals stood on the narrow ledge on the far side of the dark pool. The flickering light from the campfire beyond added to the blackness of the pool. Stifling the uneasiness that welled up within him, Corporal Drew had almost decided to chant swimming across the pool. But again, he seemed to hear the mocking words of the man who had left him there. The young Mounties' courage failed him, and he continued to stare at the inky water before him. The smuggler's words puzzled him. Yet, remembering how nervous one of them had seemed, Drew felt there was something about the pool that was to be feared. A rippling of water drew his attention. Suddenly, he glanced down to his feet and a cry of terror burst from his lips. Help! Help! Look out for that thing! It's after me! Help! He's coming back! Help him up! Yes, Sergeant, I... I'm all right. I think you can get over safely now. No, no, I... I haven't got the nerve. I'll swim over to you here. I got it. But you better wait, Sergeant. Keep your eyes open and be ready to shoot again. All right. I got to cross all right. Now, come on, Corporal. Don't be afraid. There. How do we help you? I would have had the nerve alone. Well, have them yourself. Get off the thing in the pool. Here we are. That was a large devilfish, Corporal. We didn't get here any too soon. It might have dragged you under. A devilfish? I never saw one before. It's not usual to find one of them here, but they thrive in most any climate. This one may have been brought here. Those long, slimy arms are almost touching my feet. If you and King hadn't come along when you did... King found you. Yes. And he didn't hesitate to jump into the pool. He's a brave dog, all right. Well, you'd better forget about that experience, Corporal. What I want to know is how you got over there on that ledge. Some men and a robot. They came in here. I investigated and they caught me. I'm sure they were smugglers, Sergeant. They brought those boxes over there. I'll have a look at those boxes. There's no doubt about it. These boxes contain firearm. They said they were coming back with another load. Good. I want to meet those men. First, what they did to those other guards and then for their smuggling. We can't handle them alone, Sergeant. They're armed and tough. There were four of them. We'll have help, Corporal. What do you mean? We have King with us. We'll be a reception committee ready for those men when they do come back. And I hope they don't keep us waiting. For some time, Sergeant Preston and the Corporal with King beside them waited inside the cave for the return of the smugglers. Finally, King growled the water. King, here's something. I'll take a look out through the cave opening. See anything? Yes, they're coming, Corporal. We'll get behind the boxes and give them a surprise. Come on, King. Here we are. I'm proud to start playing, boy. I hear them now. Take a look at that molly we left in here. Hey, get the boxes on. Hurry up. Hey. The molly's gone already. They took him into the pool. Well, what about it? He was too nosy like the others. I'll grab under this box somebody. Put it down there. At least they know that stupid molly won't tell me tales. He was scaring me left. Hold on, I'll watch out for that. So that's what you told him, eh? Don't move, any of you. There won't be left on the ledge. Yeah. So it is. But don't let him scare you. I'll show him. Oh, you don't? Suddenly dodging behind the box they just put down, Hans raised his gun and aimed it at Preston. In a flash, the Great Dog King speaked around the box, grabbing the smuggler by the gun arm and throwing him off fellows. Come, King, come, fellow. You thought that monster you had in the pool had grabbed you, eh? Don't talk, Hans. They can't prove anything like that against us. Oh, that's right. The others must have found this cave and we were away and the devil thing got them. Yeah, that's the way it was. The molly we left over there is standing beside you. So you can't charge us with murder. Oh, we'll see about that. You can't prove a thing. You two others drop your guns. Sure, sure. We'll drop them. Pick them up, Corporal. All right. Now I have them. Keep them covered. Now you'll. Maybe I can get you to talk. I'll put up my gun and use my fists. Oh. Well, I'm not afraid of you. Take that. Quiet, King. This will be a study. There, aren't you? But not hard enough. Dark cold, Sergeant. Yes. Now, you're just using that method. But I enjoyed it anyway. You still haven't proved anything. We will. Get into the boat. Fuck for you. I said get into that boat, all of you. Look, I... I moved it. The bullet scraped my arm. Get in. No, why should we? All right. Keep that door away. I will see whether you tell the truth. Meantime, the officer from the outpost with a few of his men arrived at the beach and found Creston's horse standing near the block. Oh. Oh. Oh. There's a sergeant's horse. I don't see him or the Corporal. Maybe the devil business got them too. Yes, this beach is bad luck. They shouldn't have come here. That's enough of that kind of talk, men. We came here because I was wondering if the sergeant discovered anything. That's all. He and the corporal are around someplace. What? What's that? A boy seemed to come from a cave in the face of the cliff. Yeah, let's investigate. Steady. Come with me. Yes, here's a ledge along here. Follow me, men. All right. A few minutes later, the officer and the man entered the cave in a surprising sight met their eyes. Yes. Otherwise, we'll leave you to swim across. No, no, we didn't. We put the guards here on the ledge. That devil got them. You did us. Sergeant Creston, what's he talking about? Hello, sir. It was just in time to hear them confess they left the guards on that ledge over there. Yes, but... The devil they speak about was a large devilfish they kept in that pool. What? Devilfish? So that's what it meant. Yes, sir. King and Sergeant Creston saved me from it. It's dead now, but it almost got me. Dead? Then we meant fools did the talking. King helped us capture them and even dove into the pool and started toward me when that, uh, that awful thing was still alive. Sergeant Creston riddled it with bullets. Uh, devilfish. Well, it's fantastic. It's almost unbelievable. Sergeant, those men are fiends. It's really an octopus, sir, and though people refer to it the most at times, it's a devilfish. Octopus, but how on earth did it get here? Do you remember, sir? The beginning of the summer of this year, there was a freak show that came to Dawson City. Do you remember? Yes. Yeah, that's right. And they showed an octopus. Only they called it a devilfish. Yeah, it sounds a little more terrifying, perhaps. Anyway, the boat on which the show was leaving was rammed and sunk short way down the river. That monster was in a tank aboard the ship. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Jake was with the show. It was his idea to catch that thing in the net and put it in the cave to cover up our smuggling. So that explains it. But the guards, if it got them, why weren't they... Well, so far as it's known, sir, all an octopus does is wrap its tentacles around a person and pull him under the water. When the victim ceases to struggle, the octopus releases him. The bodies were bruised but otherwise unmarked. Well, Sergeant, as I said before, those men are absolute fiends. They're the smugglers you're after, sir. It hadn't been for King. I wouldn't have found the corporal in time, I'm afraid. You're right. King's a wonderful dog. You can say that over and over again, sir. All right, men. We'll get those killers over here and take them back to the outpost. Hurry up. All right, Pa. I guess I can say that thanks to you, King, the case of the devil fish and the smugglers is closed here and now. Hey, King? In just a moment, Sergeant Preston will give you a preview of Wednesday's adventure. Here's a tip. Quakerpuff wheat or Quakerpuff rice is never sold in bags or bulk. Not on your life. To get the famous crisp, fresh, wheat or rice shot from guns, always buy the big Quaker Red and Blue package. You'll go for both delicious kinds. For variety, eat the wheat one time, rice the next. These tasty giant breakfast grains shot from guns are made from only the premium grains. So for the best, always insist on Quakerpuff wheat and Quakerpuff rice. Have some for breakfast tomorrow. These radio dramas, a feature of the challenge of the Yukon Incorporated, are created and produced by George W. Trenble, directed by Fred Flower Day and edited by Fran Stryker. The part of Sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton. They are brought to you every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the same time by Quakerpuff wheat and Quakerpuff rice. The breakfast cereal shot from guns. Listen Wednesday when Sergeant Preston and Yukon King meet the challenge of the Yukon in the case of the Moose River Murder. When King and I started out with young Constable Forrest on his first patrol of the Moose River District, we thought it would be simply a routine trip. But there's nothing routine about murder. This trip turned out to be one of the most exciting cases we ever encountered. Be sure to hear this exciting adventure Wednesday. For a delicious hot breakfast, eat Quakeroats. The giant of the cereals is Quakeroats. Yes, the giant of the cereals is Quakeroats. Delicious, nutritious, makes you feel ambitious. The giant of the cereals is Quakeroats. Say, boys and girls, do you want to be a star someday in sports and activities? Then start on Good Quakeroats breakfast tomorrow, because nourishing oatmeal gives you more growth and endurance than any other whole-drain cereal. Still less than one penny is serving. Quaker and Mother's Oats are the same. This is J. Michael wishing you good bye, good luck, and good health from Quakerpuff wheat and Quakerpuff rice. So long. This is ABC, the American Broadcasting Company.