 The challenge of the Yukon. It's Yukon King, swiftest and strongest lead dog of the North West, blazing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the North West Mounted Police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers. On King, on you huskies. Gold. Gold is scoured 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. Roy Dana was just finishing his midday meal in his cabin on Kino Creek when he heard a knock at the door. As he rose to answer the knock, his right hand slid down momentarily to the heavy colt revolvers slung at his hip. Well, what do you want? Howdy, David. Might have I stepped inside? Anything you have to say to me, say it right here. Oh, so we're going to get tough, are we? Maybe you don't know who I am. I know who you are. You're a slugger, Metz. One of Blackjack Tully Strong, our man. You're well informed. Go ahead and speak your peace and then clear out. You're all right. You've been here on Kino Creek a month now, Dana. You put up a cabin, now you're starting to work your claim. So it's time to pay up your mining tax. Mining tax? I suppose that's your polite name for extortion money. Call it anything you like. But here on Kino Creek, Blackjack Tully is king. Anyone who wants to work a claim pays a $200 monon tax. And after that, 10% of all the gold you take out of the ground. Listen, Tully may call himself the king of Kino Creek, but to me, he's just a cheap grifter. Meaning what? Meaning I'm not going to pay him a cent. He's right where they are, Metz. You might be fast on the draw, Dana. But that still won't save you from the worst beating you ever got unless you kick through with that $200. You had your answer. A mush. Blackjack Tully made his headquarters in the back room of the Kino Cafe. He was seated there surrounded by several of his henchmen when Slugger Metz returned later that afternoon. Well, how about it, Slugger? Did you collect all my monthly taxes for me? I collected from everybody except one guy. And who is that? That new miner, Roy Dana. What's the matter with him? Is he looking for trouble? Yeah, he pulled a gun on me. Said he wasn't going to pay up. Oh, he did, huh? As you know what to do, take the rest of the boys with him and go out and give them a real going over. We'll see if that won't change his mind. Right, boss. Come in. There's a guy here to see you, boss. Who is it? That miner, Clint Gresham. Well, send him in. All right, go on, Clint Gresham. I got news for you, Blackjack. What's up? I was just talking to that new fellow, Roy Dana. He's packing up his gear and getting ready to clear out. He told me he's going back to Dawson City and report to the Monies. He thinks he's going back to Dawson. Looks like he's really asking for it, huh, boss? He's asking for it, all right. Now, do you want us to handle it? Go after him and shoot him. And get rid of all the evidence. What's your business? Slugger, Metz and Jeb drove the dog team and sled along the rock-studded trail at Rimmed Eagle Canyon. Jeb was riding in the sled. They approached a huge boulder formation. Jeb shouted, Hey, Slugger. There's a place we can wait for Dana. Hey, you're right. Hust up the dogs. With the skill of an expert dog handler, Slugger glided his dogs and sled off the trail to the shelter of the huge rock. Hold that. Hey, that does it. He won't see the dogs at the sled until he's up real close. Don't worry. He won't get that close. Get that right from the sled. Right. We'll get behind the rocks. As soon as we see him coming along, I'll fire my six-shooter. That'll stop him. I could grab him with the rifle. No, no, no. This has to look like an accident. That's right. Say, are you sure we haven't missed him? He might be gone already. Clint said he was packing his gear. Get ready to go. We're in plenty of time to stop him. I sure hope so. Be curtains for all of us if the Mounties got wind of what's going on up here. Ah, don't worry about the Mounties. Blackjack runs Kino Creek the way he wants to. No red coat can bring Mountie Lord to this part of the country. You mean Blackjack can kill a Mountie? Well, he told us to kill Dana, didn't he? Yeah. Hold it, you have hold it. Here, dog team. Yeah, yeah, it's Dana. It's set you up, but don't use the rifle unless you have to. It was several weeks later in Dawson City. Sergeant Preston was on duty at Mounted Police Headquarters when a young sourdough came into the office. Eric is my name, Lou Herrick. Glad to know you're Sergeant Preston. Have a chair. Thanks. What can I do for you? I'm here to report the disappearance of my partner. His name is Roy Dana. I think he's been murdered. For quite a while, Roy and I have been on the lookout for a good claim. Then last August, we got wind of a new gold strike up on Kino Creek. That's quite a ways northeast of here. Yes, I know. Roy was out of a job at the time, so we arranged that he'd go up there first and stake out a claim and get things started. Later on, I was to join him. When was that? A couple of weeks ago. I finally quit my job and headed up to Kino Creek. When I got there, I found Roy's cabin all right, but the place was cleaned out and Roy was gone. Couldn't you find out anything about him from the other miners on the creek? No, that's the funny part of it. No one would tell me anything. They all seemed frightened that a lot of them wouldn't even talk to me. But then I had an idea. What do you mean? Well, before Roy went up to stake out a claim, we shared a cabin here in Dawson. Whenever one of us would go out and want to leave a message for the other one, we'd write a note and hide it on top of a rafter. So? So after I talked to the miners, I went back to Roy's cabin and looked. Sure enough, I found a note he'd left for me. You have the note with him? Yes, I have it right here. Go ahead and read it. All right. Dear Lou, things are in a bad way here. There's a man named Blackjack Telly who calls himself the King of Kino Creek. He and his gunhands are carrying on a reign of terror. I tried to make me pay $200 to work the claim, but I refused. Which means they'll be out to get me. I decided to head back to Dawson. If I don't make it safely, you'll know what happened to me, signed Roy. That's why I think he's been murdered. The sound of this letter, you may be right. Have you monies had any information before this about what's going on up there at Kino Creek? No, not a word. The constable was sent up there to keep order when the gold strike was made, but that was just temporarily. There aren't enough men on the forest to keep a man stationed there permanently. But you'll send someone out to investigate Roy's disappearance, won't you? Don't worry about that. If Roy Dana's been murdered, the Northwest Mother Police will find the men who killed him. I'll report to the inspector right now and ask to be assigned the case myself. If he's willing, we'll start for Kino Creek immediately. With the weather clear and the trail hard packed, the trip to Kino Creek was completed in 10 days. When Sergeant Preston and Lou Herrick arrived inside of the mining camp, the sergeant called the halt. What are we starving for, Sergeant? I think it'll be better if we aren't seen together, Lou, so we'll split up here. You go onto your cabin and I'll start questioning some of the miners along the creek. Perhaps I can pick up some information before I call on Blackjack Tully. Anything you say, Sergeant. In the meantime, good luck. Oh, thanks, Lou. All right, on game one, new husband! After separating from Lou Herrick, Sergeant Preston began making the rounds of the cabins along the creek. Hey, King, hello, hello, hello. Hey, King, hey, boy. Sergeant Preston. What? Joe Carver, I didn't know you had a claim of here. Well, I sure didn't expect to see you and King up this way either. Come on in. Come on, King. Pull up a chair. I'll fix you some coffee. Well, thanks, Lou, but don't bother. I'm hoping you can give me some information. Information? About what? About the situation here on Kino Creek. I... I don't know what you mean. Well, you know well enough what I mean. Blackjack Tully and his hired thugs are conducting a reign of terror among the miners. Is that why you came here? I came here to enforce the law. What happened to Roy Dana? He's dead. Murdered? I reckon so. How'd you find out about it? Tully and his gang saw to it that the news got around among the miners. He figured it was scarce more than ever. Have you been forced to pay tribute to Tully? Maybe. Maybe not, huh? I'm not talking. Look, Joe, this situation can be cleared up, but I'll need evidence. Evidence? If I was to make any charges against Tully, give you an excuse to arrest him, my life wouldn't be worth a plug nickel, neither would yours. Is that supposed to frighten me? For the love of my ex-urgence, you don't realize what you're up against here. If you take my advice, you will clear out while you're still healthy. I said I came here to enforce the law, and I intend to do just that. This isn't Dawson. We're in the back country. A couple hundred miles from the nearest Mountie Post. What do you think one man can do against a whole crew of gun slicks? You speak as though all the miners are spineless. Am I to take it that if it comes to a showdown, none of you will be on my side? Sure, we'll be on your side, but you will never get the miners to make a stand-up fight. They're all scared to move, same as I am. Maybe I can change their minds. I tell you, it's hopeless. They don't even trust each other. Tully's got spies who report everything that goes on. You mean he has spies among the miners themselves? That's right. Do you know any of them? Well, I know one of them, Clint Gresham. Clint Gresham, eh? Now, suppose I do manage to organize a handful of miners to stand up against Tully. May I count you in? Yeah, I reckon you can. But I still say it's hopeless. Well, Joe, we'll see about that. Almost every miner whom Sergeant Preston visited displayed the same attitude, an attitude of fear and apathy. Darkness was falling when he finally arrived at the Kino Cafe, which was located near the end of the creek. The place was crowded with sourdoughs, but a hush fell over the room as they saw the malty enter and walk up to the barkeeper. What can I do for you, Red Coty? I'm looking for Blackjack Tully. He's in the back room. I'll tell him you're here. Don't bother. You're Blackjack Tully? Yeah. That's my name. I suppose you're Sergeant Preston. That's right. I heard you'd come to Kino Creek. Pull up a chair. Thanks. That's a fine-looking dog you got there. I wouldn't try to pat his head, King sometimes takes a dislike to certain people. I sometimes take a dislike to certain people myself. What can I do for you? I won't waste words, Tully. The Northwest Mounted Police has received information to the effect that you and your henchmen are terrorizing the miners here on Kino Creek. Would you ever get that idea? It also appears that you forced the miners to pay extortion money in order to work their own claims in peace. Craziest thing I ever heard of. You deny it? Certainly I deny it. Have you found any miner who was willing to make any charge against me? No, I haven't. Oddly enough, none of them seem to want to talk. In that case, I guess there's nothing much you can do. No, you're right. The time being, there's nothing much I can do. So I'm leaving Kino Creek tomorrow morning, but I'll be back. And if I find that any crimes have been committed, the party's responsible will be arrested and punished. Before you go, Preston, here's a little advice. Don't bother coming back. We don't need any red coats here. We don't want any red coats here. What's more, you won't find this place very healthy. I said I'd be back, Tully, so watch your step. Three days after the sergeants' talk with Blockjack Tully, Lou Herrick received a visit from Slugger Metz. Well, Eric, I see you've taken over Roy Dana's claim. Sure, I was his partner. Who are you? The name's Metz. Slugger Metz. I'm Blackjack Tully's tax collector. His tax collector? Yeah, that's right. You see, in order to work a claim here on Kino Creek, you have to pay a mining tax of 200 bucks. What? And suppose I refuse? Well, I wouldn't do that if I was you, Eric. Dana tried to fight the system, and, well, as you know, he hasn't been heard from since. You mean he was killed? I'll let you draw your own conclusions. Hey, wait a minute. That signet ring you're wearing, that belonged to Roy. Well, let's say it was a little going away present. You've got plenty of nerve coming here wearing that ring. When the police find out you... You'd better take it easy, Eric. In case you don't know what that money sergeant pressed and mushed out of here three days ago, which means he's a long way from here by now. So don't go counting on help from the law, huh? What's to keep me from going to Dawson's city and telling my story at Mountie headquarters? Don't try it, Eric, because you'll never get away from here alive. Now, are you going to come across with that 200 bucks? Or am I going to have to take steps? Looks like you're holding all the aces. I'll pay you the money. Now you're using your head, Hank. Now you're using your head. Late that night, there was a knock at the door of Lou's cabinet. After getting up out of his bunk, lighting a candle, Lou opened the door. Oh, come on in, Sergeant. You too, King. Thanks. Come on, boy. Anything happen, Dad? Yeah. I finally had a visit from one of Tully's tax collectors, a fellow named Slugger Metz. Good. Have they given him the money? Yeah, just like we arranged. Let me tell you something else. While he was here, he practically admitted that Roy had been murdered. I'm afraid there's no doubt about that, Lou. He was even wearing a signet ring that belonged to Roy. Well, serve as evidence against him. What's the next move, Sergeant? Here's a list of a dozen miners. Joe Carver believes they're trustworthy. Some time tomorrow, go to each of them and tell them to assemble here at your cabin at eight o'clock tomorrow night and bring their guns. All right. Anything else? Yes. I also want you to go to Clint Gresham. But then you're inviting him to join the meeting, but instead of telling him to come to your cabin, tell him to go to that big rock formation west of the creek. What's your idea? Here's my plan. We know that Clint Gresham is one of Tully's spies. The following day, Lou went to see Clint Gresham to inform him about the meeting. Well, how do you, Harry? Let me inside quick. I don't want anyone to see me. Sure, sure, sure. Come on in, come on in. What's up? Look, Gresham, if I tell you something confidentially, can I trust you not to repeat it in the wrong places? Of course you can trust me, Harry. That won't be the word of it. All right. I reckon you don't like the way Tully runs things around here any more than the rest of us do. A dog gone right, I don't like it. Something ought to be done about that dirty crook. Well, here's your chance. Tonight a bunch of the miners are going to hold a secret meeting to discuss ways and means. Do you want to throw in with us? Sure I do. Where is the meeting going to be held? Be at that big rock formation west of the creek at eight o'clock. Good enough. I'll be there all right. As soon as Lou had left the cabin and disappeared from sight, Clint hurried to report the news to Black Jack Tully. Hey, boss. Well, what are you looking so excited about, Gresham? We'll tell you, boss. A bunch of the miners are fixing to hold a secret meeting tonight. What's that? They're going to discuss ways and means of changing things around here. Oh, they are, aren't they? How'd you find out? I found out from Lou, Harry, that new guy that just took over Dana's claim. He came around to my cabin and invited me to join the meeting. Well, that snicking scug. She'll go out and give him the works, boss. Oh, we can attend to him later. What time's the meeting set for? Eight o'clock at that big rock formation west of the creek. Uh-huh. What do you want me to do, Black Jacky? Start rounding up the boys. Tonight I want you to go out and bust up that meeting and teach those miners a lesson they won't forget. Shortly after eight o'clock that night, Black Jack Tully was seated at his desk in the back room of the cafe when the door opened and Sergeant Preston entered. Preston. Get your hands up, Tully. Where'd you come from? I've never been more than a mile away from Kino Creek since the last time I was here. What do you think you're going to do now? First of all, I'm going to find out if you're carrying a gun. Get up out of that chair. Now, look, Preston. I don't know what your game is, but I warn you, you're asking for trouble. Don't forget, I got a whole crew of gunmen working for me. Unfortunately, they can't do you much good at the moment because you sent them all out to break up a miner's meeting. How'd you know that? I arranged the meeting to get them out of the way. Incidentally, the meeting's not being held at the place you think. Well, you're dead. That will do, Tully. Look, maybe my men aren't gone, but there's still the bar keeping waiters outside. If I holler for help, won't you... That still won't do you any good. Before I came back here, I collected the guns behind the bar. I also left a miner outside to keep the bartender and waiters covered. I keep those hands up high when I search them. Watching, King. Oh, shoulder holster, eh? And I'll just relieve you of this gun for the time being. Good morning, you Preston. You're making a big mistake. Let me worry about that. Now, open up the safe. Open up the safe? Hey, what is this, a holdup? You'll find out soon enough. Look, have you got a search warrant? No, and I don't need one. A mounted policeman on patrol is empowered to take any steps necessary to enforce the law. Now, hurry up and open it. What if I won't do it? In that case, I'll have to use force. You mean in that gun you're holding? No, meaning my fists. Oh, well. That suits me just fine, Preston. Come right ahead. All right, you asked for it. As the sergeant holstered his gun, Blackjack Tully lowered his hands. Suddenly, he grabbed up a bottle of a standing on his desk and swung at it, Preston. Try this for a start. Oh, you don't? The sergeant's fist caught Tully square on the jaw, sending him crashing back against the chair. Why, you lousy red coat? Boiling with rage, Tully charged back at the sergeant. The next instant, they were standing toe to toe, trading rights and laps in terrific power. The crook was muscled like a bull, and he knew every trick used in the rough and tumble brawling of the gold camps. But the sergeant fought coolly and skillfully. You've had this coming a long time, Tully. Why, Thunder, you've signed your own deathmort, Preston. Thanks, holp. And here's another. As the crook weakened, the Mounties' punches landed with even more Tully effect. Finally, Tully went down and stayed down. Don't hit me again. I better now. Then get on your feet and open that safe. Meanwhile, slugger Mets and the rest of Tully's strong arm men had left the cafe at 8 o'clock and were on their way to the rock formation west of the creek. About 20 minutes later, they spied a man running toward them. Hey, that's Clint Gresham. Yeah. What, what's wrong with him? What are you coming back for, Gresham? I thought you were supposed to be at the meeting. There isn't any meeting. At least not at the place they said. They've tricked us. What are you talking about? I've been waiting here at the rock formation since a little before 8 o'clock. Yeah. Now it's going on here fast and not a single minor showed up here. Holy mackerel. He must have named a fake meeting place to throw us off the track. Yes, what I'm thinking. What do you think we ought to do, slugger? I don't know. We better get back to the cafe and tell Blackjack. Let him give the orders. All right, let's go. Let's go. After Blackjack telly, it opened the safe. The sergeant handcuffed him and then began searching through the contents of the safe. One of the things he found was a ledger containing the names of all the minors, each one followed by a number of entries. So you kept track of all the tribute the minors paid you, eh? That should prove very useful as evidence that you're trying. Ah, you're crazy. The minors all kept charge accounts in the cafe. That's all that is. I'll see what the minors have to say about that. Hey, what are you going through their pile of cash for? I'm looking for something that will prove definitely that you and your henchmen collected extortion money. Ah, there they are. I don't know what you're talking about. If you'll look at these particular bills carefully, you'll notice a small pencil mark on each one. Yeah. What about it? Those marks were made by Lou Herrick. They identify these bills as the extortion money which he paid over to slugger mats yesterday. I thought you would never bring me to trial, Preston. You won't leave Kino Crick alive. We'll take more than threats to save you, Tully. You're under arrest in the name of the crown. After releasing the crook temporarily so he could put on his parka, the sergeant handcuffed him again and escorted him out to the front of the cafe where the minor, Joe Carver, was keeping the waiters and bartender covered. Why thunder you got him, sergeant? Yes, Joe. Along with enough evidence to put him in his gang behind bars. I'm telling you, Preston, you never leave Kino Crick alive. It's way to my boys get back here. Sorry, Tully, but I can't wait that long. All right, Joe. Let's be on our way. What about the waiters and the bar keep? We have their guns, but keep them covered just in case while we're going out the front door. Right. You better not try following us, gents. Does the first guy who sticks his head out the door will stop lead? Let's go. All right, Tony. This is my sled. Sit down. You're going to pay for this. All set, Joe? Yeah. I'm ready, sergeant. Hey, wait a minute. Look there. Coming up the trail. Yeah, it's my boys. They're coming back. Now, by thunder, you two will get what's coming to you. Hey, Slugger, hurry! Keep quiet and stay on that sled. What are we going to do, sergeant? We can't get back to Lou's cabin now. They'll cut us off. Yes, you're right. I'll have to send King for help. Hey, boy. Go get Lou, King. Lou, hurry. Go on, boy. Hurry. What about us? We'll have to make a run for it. I know a place where we can hold him off. All right, let's go. Urging their teams forward at top speed, the sergeant and Joe headed away from the mining camp. But Tully's men commandeered the other teams that were standing in front of the cafe and followed them in hot pursuit. After a short but desperate chase, the sergeant headed his team down into a barren ravine. What's the idea coming down here, sergeant? We'll be trapped. I know this place. It's where I camp. There were some boulders at the other end of the ravine where we can shelter. Minutes later, the sergeant and Joe reached the far end of the ravine. They leaped from their sleds and dragged Tully with them as they headed for shelter behind the boulders. A few moments later, their pursuers came swarming down into the ravine and the battle was on. For nearly half an hour, the fight continued. From their fortress behind the boulders, the sergeant and Joe managed to account for several of their attackers. But they were too greatly outnumbered, and finally the situation began to grow desperate. We'd plug a few of them, sergeant. But that's not going to do us much good if we run out of ammunition. I've just got a few rounds left. I told you you'd never get away from here alive. Preston. They haven't taken a shit. But it's like a new fire, Joe. And from now on, make every shot count. All right, sergeant. As the shots from behind the boulders came less and less frequently and finally ceased altogether, Tully's men prepared to close in for the kill. Looks like they're out of ammunition. Come on, boys. Let's close in on them. Yeah. You and Clay Stigleron. Hey, where are those shots coming from? Holy mackerel. Look up there, top of the hill. It's the miners. Thank you, boys. It's every man for himself. We can't protect ourselves. We're up too high. You're going to sound like rats. So may I, don't you? A short time later, the crooks had been rounded up and disarmed, and the miners gathered around to congratulate the sergeant. Looks like Blackjack selling his gang a through for good. Thanks to you, sergeant. Things might not have turned out so well for Joe and me if the miners hadn't gotten here when you did. Did King lead you here? That's right. We were all waiting at my cabin when King came barking at the door. First, we couldn't figure out what he wanted, but he kept growling and tugging at our clothes till we got the idea. Good old King. I knew you wouldn't fail us, boy. What did we do with these crooks, sergeant? Heard them back to camp? Yes. And tomorrow, we'll start back for Dawson. At least they'll get his long prison sentences. And if we convict them of Roy Dana's murder, they'll all hang. You can't pin that on us, Preston. Don't be too sure of that, Tully. Slugger Mets is wearing Dana's ring. The miners can testify that your men spread word of Dana's murder, and we have an incriminating letter that Dana wrote. Now wait a minute. I'm not going to swing for this shooting. In that case, you'd better talk and talk fast. Shut up, you fool. I won't shut up. I had nothing to do with it. Tully's men bushwhacked Dana and threw his body into Eagle Canyon. Well, Tully, that's all we needed to know. Your reign as the King of Keno Creek is over. When you and your gang have paid the penalty for murder, this case will be closed. In our next adventure, soon after midnight in the barracks at Mounted Police Headquarters, Sergeant Preston is awakened by the constable on duty. Sergeant, wake up. Oh, what is it, Tully? Those three trail robbers have been looking for. They've struck again. Where? They just held up Sullivan's Roan House, south of Dawson. Start hitting our teams, Alex. I'll be right with you. This may be our chance to find the three outlaws. Sergeant Preston is setting out on a dangerous trail, the trail of three clever and desperate gunmen. If he does succeed in tracking them down, there's sure to be a gun battle, a battle which may cost the sergeant his life. So be sure to hear this exciting adventure tomorrow. These radio dramas, a feature of the challenge of the Yukon Incorporated, are created by George W. Trenble, produced by Trendle Campbell Enterprises, directed by Fred Flower Day and edited by Fran Stryker. The part of Sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton.