 Now, as howling winds echo across the snow-covered reaches of the Wild Northwest, the Quaker Oats Company makers of Quaker Pop Wheat and Quaker Pop 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 the trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest, how did police, in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers? Undang! 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. Last year there was an average of 500 forest fires every day in the United States. The forest burn would make a strip nearly a mile wide around the earth at the equator. 90% of these destructive fires were the result of carelessness on someone's part. The lighted cigarette carelessly flipped out the car window, a campfire left untended, a lighted match thrown into a drift of dry leaves, or any one of many other thoughtless acts that can cause a fire. When you are out in the woods, here are four simple rules of fire prevention to follow. Crush out cigarette cigar and pipe ashes, break matches in two after using. Drown all campfires, then stir up and drown again. Always be sure to find out the law before using fire. By following these simple precautions, you will be doing your part in the prevention of costly forest fires that we can't afford. Remember, only you can prevent forest fires. During the summer season, the townspeople of 30-mile in the Yukon territory were thrown into a state of nervous tension by a series of robberies. Wherever men gathered, the topic of conversation was invariably the same. Did you hear about the latest robbery, Jake? You mean there's been another one? Yeah. But those trucks robbed the bank only a few days ago. Got away with 920,000 dollars in cash. I know, but since then, there's been a whole up right on the edge of town. Holy mackerel, I didn't hear about that. It happened last night. That sourdough willis was heading down to Dawson City with his gold. A couple of bandits with their faces masked took everything Willis had. Well, that proves there's a bunch of crooks operating around here this summer. They've got somebody leading them who knows all the ropes. That's right. Constable might as well be in timber too, for all he's been able to do to track them down. The next day, John Carver, owner of the cafe and the bank in 30-mile, called a meeting of the leading townsmen at the trading post. The meeting was attended by the constable assigned there. I called this meeting because something has to be done about the crooks who are operating around 30 miles. They took 20,000 from the bank a few days ago. Next, they robbed that old prospector of all he had on the trade of Dawson City. Last night, they cleaned out the safe at the express hours. Something has to be done to put a stop to their robberies. What you say is true, Mr. Carver, and I've been trying to get a line on them. They seem to have a very smart leader. They're liable to hit again. They've got to be stopped. Now, quiet down, men. Constable, I know you represent the law here in 30-mile, but so far you haven't been able to cope with the crooks as you've just admitted. Now, unless you do something and do it soon, we're going to have to get together for our own protection. They'll be caught sooner or later, but you have to leave it to the law. We're willing to have the law act, Constable, if it does act. But the bank can't stand any more losses. And we never know when those crooks might strike at the cafe. Now, if you've decided on a plan, we'd like to hear it. Oh, that's a man. I admit I can't handle this alone, and I don't intend to. I've sent to Dawson City for help. How many motties do you expect him to send here, Constable? Frankly, I've asked for only one. One? Oh, I see. Not just a minute until I explain, please. A man I asked for is the best money in the organization. Sergeant Preston. Sergeant Preston, man. Yes, I've heard of him. And I know he has quite a reputation, but I doubt that even he will be of much help against that clever gang. Wait and see. Before you men decide to take matters into your own hands, give him a chance. Now, what do you say? Well, I hear Preston's mighty good. Yeah, we'll see what the money can do. How about it, fellas? All right, Constable. Men seem to agree to wait for you and Sergeant Preston to catch that gang of crooks. But I warn you, if you don't do it soon, we'll take over law enforcement and run things here in town ourselves. Late that same night, John Carver was talking to a visitor in his private office at the cafe. Well, you, so far, we've gotten away with things. But the Constable sent to somebody who might make it hot for us if he gets the dirty manam. Yeah? Who's that, John? He sent to Dawson's city for that mobby, Sergeant Preston. I guess you heard of him. Preston? Sure, I've heard of him. Having him come here and get on our trail isn't good at all. I know. He's clever and persistent when he sets out to catch anyone. What are we going to do? There's just one thing you can do. It is to make sure he doesn't get you. What do you mean? Don't act stupid, Jules. He's most likely on his way from Dawson right now. Do other ways with Fred and pick a good spot from which you can shoot him for manboys. That's risky business, John killing a muddy, especially one as well known as Preston. If you're a cabel, there's no risk. It's a case of him or us. Just remember that. There's one more thing, John, that maybe you don't know. What are you talking about? That dog of his. What about the dog? I reckon you haven't heard of that big husky of Preston. He's got that dog so well trained, it's almost human the way it drags people down. Then use your head, shoot the dog too, and you'll have nothing to worry about. But make sure you pick a good spot to ambush them so there won't be any slip at them. All right, we'll plug them both. I know just the right spot. Good. Just leave it to me and Fred. We'll go out and wait for that Mountie and Dog to come along the trail, then we'll let him have it. And our worries will be over. That same night, Sergeant Preston brought his horse to a stop in front of the Northwest Mounted Police Headquarters in Dawson City. Whoa boy, whoa boy. Come on, kid. Inspector's waiting to see you. He's in his office now. All right, I'll go right in. Wait here, kid. Well, Sergeant, sorry to rouse you out at this hour. I knew it must be important, sir. It is very important. Sit down, Sergeant. Thanks. What's up, sir? Plenty. An Eskimo came in with a message from Constable Brooks at 30 miles. He needs help as soon as he can get it. What's happened up there? A clever gang of crooks are at work in their vicinity. They seem to know when and where to hit to get plenty of gold. I see. According to the message from Brooks, they hit the bank when a large amount of gold ready for transfer was in its vault. Then when the express office had plenty of gold in the safe, they hit there. That is serious. That isn't all. They seem to know when a prospect leaves town with a take from his claim. They robbed one on the way to Dawson City. Well, I'd say someone in a position to watch what goes on in town is in with that gang. That's the way it seems to me, Sergeant. The Constable hasn't been able to get a line on the gang at all. He sent a request for help. Fat, he asked for you to come there. Yes, sir. I want you to go all right, Sergeant. If you don't, the Constable may have trouble with the townsmen. They want to take the matter into their own hands. Oh, well, we can't let that sort of thing start in there, you can. That's right, Sergeant. When will you start? I'll leave right away, sir, and take King with me. As soon as we get there, the better. Fine. Good luck, Sergeant. Thank you, Inspector. We'll do the best we can. Goodbye, sir. We'll continue our adventure in just a moment. Say, kids, wouldn't you like to be in the ballpark and see how a star picture makes the ball curve right over home plate? Golly, everything about a major or minor league game is exciting. Get in on that excitement. 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 have mom or pop with you or another paying adult relative. It's as easy to get a free baseball ticket as going to the grocery store. Get it right inside packages of Quaker Puff Wheat and Quaker Puff Rice and Muffet Shredded Wheat. You get two free tickets inside Quaker Packle 10. Names of teams and dates are on every ticket. Golly, why wait? When mom buys breakfast cereal, be sure she gets the kind with a free baseball ticket inside. That's Quaker Puff Wheat or Rice, Muffet Shredded Wheat, or Quaker Packle 10. Pull the rest of the night and through the next day, Sergeant Preston with King running alongside rode the trail to 30 miles. Meanwhile, after hearing about Preston's expected visit and making plans to ambush him and King, the two crooks, Jules and Fred, moved along the trail looking for a place in which to fire at the Mountie and his dog. Well, Jules, do you have any definite spot in mind where we'll wait for Preston and that husky of his? Yeah, there's some boulders just off the trail. Close enough, a couple of good shots will soon be there. Sounds like a good place. When I've heard about Preston's dog, we better make sure he doesn't catch our scent and give warning before we get a chance to shoot. Oh, the way the breeze is blowing now, it'll be coming from them to us. The dog isn't going to catch our scent. Good. We'll have to make our first shots count, too, Jules. Otherwise, they may have a chance to take cover. Yeah, we'll have to make sure of our aim. We're both considered good shots, so that ought to be easy. How long do you think we'll have to wait for him to show up? Oh, not too long, I reckon. Not much of a ride here from Dawson City. He brought enough grub to last a while anyway. Yeah. We'll camp right over there near the boulders until they come along and we'll let them have it. Get up there. Get up. Within a short time, the two crooks reached the point along the trail Jules had mentioned. They drew rain behind the boulders and dismounted. Oh, oh, oh! There's a place, Fred. We'll be hidden by these big boulders just off the trail. Yeah, there's plenty close enough to the trail. Doesn't seem possible we could miss from here. That's right. Now we'll make ourselves comfortable. We'll have some time to wait. But it'll be worth it when we see that Mowdy and his dog lying dead on the trail. It was the following evening when Jules stood up and looked cautiously over the top of the boulders. Hey, Fred, thought I heard a dog bark here. Yeah, I heard it too. You think it's Preston's dog? We'll soon know. We'll be able to see them come around the bend yonder. The wind is still from them to us, so the dog won't get our scent. Good thing it's still light. There they are. But the dog is running on the offside of the horse away from us. I'll aim for Preston. You try to get a chance at the dog. I have my rifle ready. It's gonna be tough to wing the dog. He's shielded by the horse. Don't worry. After Preston's done for, we'll plug the mutt. He'll both be dead in a few minutes. On the trail, Sergeant Preston rode along leisurely to arrest his dog and horse. Well, King, we'll soon reach 30 miles. Just as Preston finished speaking, a shot rang out. Jules and Fred looked cautiously from behind the boulders a short distance away. I hit Preston. He's lying on the trail and not moving. Yeah, you got him. That dog's still alive and running around like he's plenty of sighted. We'll mount him right over there to make sure Preston is done for. While we get near enough, we'll both put bullets into that dog. Let's get going. No, wait, Jules. Somebody's coming. That dog is acting like you see somebody coming to help. Let's get out of here quick. We'll cover our trail. Come on. Well, a few minutes after the two gunmen hastily rode away, Sergeant Preston lay without moving. And then he slowly pushed himself to his elbows, as one of the townsmen rode up and dismounted. Sergeant, you hurt bad? No, it's all right. It seems to be just a bullet crease across the back of my head and stem me for a minute. The way you're looking over toward those boulders, King, the shot must have come from there. Well, try to pick up that trailer. Still busy. Look, Sergeant, you better ride to town with me and have a doctor fix up. And you'll be in better shape to trail whoever shot at you. Yes, that is the best thing to do. I'll try to reach the Constable's cabin without being seen. Don't mention this around town if they think they killed me so much the better. I'll keep quiet about it. Must have been some of the gang who'd been raising a ruckus in your town. I reckon they didn't want you to get to 30 miles. That's possible. Let's get going. Steady, buddy. Easy. Come along, King. Come on, buddy. Accompanied by the man from town, Sergeant Preston managed to reach the Constable's cabin on the edge of 30 miles without being seen. The townsmen left and sent the doctor over. Then after having food and rest, Preston sat down with the Constable to discuss the situation. Now, Constable, who was in a position to know I was coming here? Practically everyone, Sergeant. You see, they had a meeting and I told them I'd sent for you. I see. I'm sure whoever shot at me thinks I'm done for. They couldn't get to me to make sure because the man who came along the trail, I must have been lying there stunned for several minutes. Do you think someone in town is behind that gang? Looks that way to me. Had it someone who's in a position to know everything that goes on here. Well, that could apply to a good many. Things aren't kept very secret around town. Practically everyone discusses his business at the cafe. I see. Now, look, suppose I stay here on the cover for a while. You go to the cafe and keep your ears open. Someone just might drop a remark that would give us a line on the man who tried to shoot me. All right. I'll go over there right now. See you later, Sergeant. It was over an hour later when the constable returned to the cabin where Sergeant Preston was waiting with King. Well, Constable, anything happen at the cafe while you were there? Something must have that might mean a leave, Sergeant. Tell me about it. Well, I went into the cafe. A man named Jewels who does part-time bar keeping there started a conversation with me. Well, Constable, when's the money coming here from Dawson? The one that has the big dog with him all the time. You mean Sergeant Preston? Yeah. That's the one I heard you were going to have come here. Tell the truth, I've been expecting him all afternoon. Maybe he's not even coming. He might be away from Dawson City enough. I'd have been notified, or they'd at least send someone else in that case. That gang sees him on the trail and liable to wail at him. You never can tell. Sergeant Preston can take care of himself. And as you said, he has that big dog with him. That's yours. Just let the constable do his own worrying. If that money's coming from Dawson, he'll get here sooner or later. Get busy with the customer. Yeah, sure, Mr. Conner. I was just interested, like everybody else. That's all. So this fellow Jewel seemed interested in whether I'd get here or not, eh? That's right. And John Carver, the owner of the cafe and bank, didn't seem to like it either. Huh? That's worth thinking about. As owner of the cafe and of the bank, Carver'd be in a position to... Constable, you think you could get the express agent to cooperate on a plan I have in mind? Yes, I'm sure he would. Good. I'll tell you all about my plan, and I want you to go talk to the express agent. Have him do and say exactly what I tell him. After listening to Sergeant Preston's plan, the constable went to the express office carrying two small sacks, such as prospectors used to transport gold. A short time later, the express clerk entered the cafe and approached Jewels. How's that head wound of yours coming along? All right. It's almost healed up by now. Lucky that gang didn't gun you down for good. Yeah, that's right. I, uh... I'm looking for the constable. Have you seen him? He was in here about an hour ago. I haven't seen him since. Guess he rode off to do some snooping around after that gang he's after. That's happy, look worried. Oh, nothing, nothing much. I'm, uh... I'm going home to get something to eat. If the constable comes in here, ask him to wait around till I come back on the way to the express office, will you? Sure. I'll ask you. Haven't got a line on the crooks, have you? Once it robs? No, no, no. Only I... I don't want to be robbed again, that's all. I'll be back in about an hour or so. Hmm. Guess I better talk with Carver. The express agent was just in looking for the constable. Where for? He wouldn't say. He's on the way to his cabin to eat. He'd be gone about an hour, he said. Well, what about it? Get to the point. I got an idea from the way he talked that he's got another shipment of gold down there in that old safe at the express office. One day... I'll get Fred and Jim to command you with here. This is a chance I didn't expect so soon. We'll continue our adventure in just a moment. Are you kids there? Are you seeing the exciting homers that your home team makes? Win or lose, there's nothing like the fun of a baseball game. The hot dogs of popcorn, seeing star players in person. Come out to the ball game now as guests of a major or minor league team. Your free ticket is waiting for you right inside packages of Quakerpuff wheat, Quakerpuff rice, Muffet shredded wheat, Quakerpackleton, which has two free baseball tickets. Yes, if you are 12 years or younger, just bring mom or dad or another paying adult relative and see a wonderful major or minor league baseball game free. Names of teams and dates are on every ticket. Hurry! Get a free baseball ticket package of Quakerpuff wheat or rice, Muffet shredded wheat, or Quakerpackleton. Remember the more packages of these delicious Quaker cereals you get, the more free baseball tickets you get. To continue, about 20 minutes later, Sergeant Preston with King and the Constable waited in hiding behind the woodshed to the rear of the express office. Finally, they heard footsteps coming along the back way. Quiet, quiet, quiet. There they come. I think there were three of them. They're wearing bandana to cover their faces like the cruxer heard the word. They start watching, keep quiet. Fred, you come in with me. Right. Jim, you stay here and watch when anyone's coming, okay? Let's go. Quiet, Ken. From their hiding place, the two Mounties and King watched as the men forced the back door and entered the express office. King looked expectably at Sergeant Preston, but the Mountie gave no order or signal to attack, so the great dog waited tense but quiet. After several minutes, it elapsed. The crux left the express office carrying the two sacks. My husband's a good one, all right? Let's get away from here. There they go. Let's follow them, Constable. I hope we got them with their leader after the game. A few minutes later, Preston and the other Mounties stopped a short distance from the back door of the cafe. You came here to the cafe all right? I've been sniffing at the back door. Yes. Now what, Sergeant? You go around to the front and under the cafe. Make your way out of there to the office door in there and keep your gun handy. All right. What about you and King? We'll go to the back. When you hear a commotion, go in. Don't worry for trouble. Get going, Constable. Sergeant Preston cautiously approached the back door and warned King to be quiet. He stood listening. Meantime, inside, Jules and the others were talking to John Carver. Just like I said, Mr. Carver, those two sacks of gold there on your desk were in a safe, ready to be shipped. Are you sure nobody saw you coming in here? No, nobody saw us at all, boss. We made sure of that. We'll go out front again and nobody can prove we ever left the cafe. That's right. It's the easiest job we ever did, Mr. Carver. That express agent's going to be surprised when he goes to get that gold out of here. Say, how about giving us our split right now, Mr. Carver? What's more, I think we should get more of a share than we've been getting. That's right. We should. We take all the chances and you grab most of the take. Wait a minute, you fools. You'll take what I give you and that's all. I'm the one who figures out the jobs and gets a load down on where you can get plenty of gold. Quiet down now. You're bragging your voice. Then don't come in here whining about what you get. I'll give you the share from this job right now. Sit. What is this? What's the matter? Yeah, what's wrong? Look in this sack. Hey, what? Full of smoke filled with stones and dirt. Let me see that other sack. Hey, this one is filled the same way. We've been fooled. I've been fooled. Where's the gold that you get at the express office? Where is it? Well, we don't know. Those are the sacks we found there in the safe. You brought them straight to me. You substituted these for the ones you stole from the safe. Constable wouldn't guard a couple of sacks of dirt and pebbles. Maybe not. Hey, have a good man to turn you all into the Constable and tell him you murdered Preston. Why? Well, the fellow who came along just after you shot the money must have brought him the body. And these guns says you've come across with the two sacks. You're trying to hold out on them. Take it easy now. You're the one who always told us what to do. You set us out to ambush Sergeant. Come on around the check. Don't not do anything, Carver. Drop that gun. Sergeant Preston, get him. Fire. As Preston shots out of the Constable with ready gun, push them to the road. Yes, you do. Come on. Carver and the other two crooks raised their guns to fire, but both Preston and the Constable fired first. King too entered the fight, heading for the crook thread with a deep growl and grabbing him by his gun arm. Let's go. Get him away. King. Come on, boy. Watch him, King. Get their guns, Constable. Right, you fools. Why didn't you shoot? No, it all happened so sudden we didn't have a chance. We thought Preston was dead. Yes, I know. Good thing you were scared away by a traveler on the trail or I would have been dead. Looks like we have them all under control, Sergeant. That's right, Constable. This is the gang that caused all the trouble in this territory, and John Carver is the leader. Yes, your plan worked. Carver isn't as clever as he thought he was. What plan? I don't understand. Sergeant Preston's wiser than you gave him credit for, Carver. After he was shot out on the trail, he came into town secretly. He decided that instead of going back out there and trying to pick up the trail of whoever shot at him, he'd try a plan that would get the whole gang with proof in their hands. You mean the bags of dirt and pebbles? That's right. Preston guessed somebody in town must be the leader of the gang. He planted those bags of dirt and pebbles at the express office, and we sent the express agent in to talk to Jewel. Jewel, there's a fool to be taking him back. You're the fool to think you could get away with robberies and killings without being caught. That's right, they all hang. Carver planned everything. He's the one who even planned shooting you on the trail. We know all about that now. Carver even had you rob his own bank, taking the money that belonged to the townspeople. Now, they'll get it all back. Sergeant, I knew if you came here, you and King would find that gang. Glad we could help, Constable. Carver, I arrest you and your men in the name of the crown for robbery and murder. That hadn't been for somebody coming. We could have made sure you were dead back on the trail, along with your dogs. Your plan backfired. I'm sure glad it did. Now that we've caught the entire gang, the folks here in 30 mile will feel easier. Let's get them to jail, Constable. Once that's done, this case will be closed. Sergeant Preston will return in just a moment with a word about our next exciting adventure. There's warring adventure on Mutual. Tales that will take your breath away and transport you into lands where danger is your constant companion. First, we take you far up into the Baron Yukon territory of yesterday, where icy winds and howling wolves are enough to drive a man wild, and civilized ways are gone and never present lust for gold. Now let's go to another lawless world, the west of early frontier days. Not so cold, but which makes up for the freezing temperatures with trigger-tensed tempers, where the gun is a man's lease on life. This is a country which abounds with cattle rustlers, and where miles and miles go by before you see any signs of life. The west, beautiful but wild, a land which cries out for the hand of the law. You'll never lack for adventure on Mutual, whether it freezes you with fear in the wild northwest territory or singes you with the accurate heat of the western plains. It's all on Mutual every week over most of these stations. It stood before Inspector Conrad at Northwest Mounted Police Headquarters in Dawson. Oh, Sergeant President, it's just a man I want to see. Is something wrong, Inspector? Two men robbed the Dawson city bank, got away with 20,000, tappin' yesterday. The officer who trailed them then lost the trail. I want you to get those crooks. I'll do my best, Inspector. They're desperate men. Be careful. Yes, sir. I can now try to pick up the trail at once. Come along, then. When Preston and Yukon King let to trail the bank robbers, they didn't know the clever trick the crooks would use in their attempt to escape. Can Preston and King catch the thieves after they've already outwitted two other mouties? Be sure to hear 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 Roads Company, makers of Quaker Pop Wheat and Quaker Pop Rice, the delicious cereals shot from guns 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. Trendle, produced by Trendle 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 Wheat and Quaker Pop Rice. So long. This is Mutual, Radio Network for All America.