 wind's echo across the snow-covered reaches of the Wild Northwest, the Quaker Oaks 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 a trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police, in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers. And then, on you, Huskies! 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. What do you want most in the car? Economy, pride, or personal safety? Well, if you're a good driver, you can have all three with an automobile in tip-top condition. A car kept in good running condition is more economical than one that isn't. And needless to say, your personal safety is wrapped up in how well your car responds mechanically. This month we are placing special emphasis on vehicle maintenance, which should be a year-round job. Here are the points that require careful examination. Brakes, headlights, rear and stop lights, tires, wheel alignment, exhaust system and muffler, windshield wipers, all glass, the horn and the rear-view mirror. When driving, be sure you can see, steer and stop safely. It takes true to do this, you and your car. Your life and the lives of your passengers are only as safe as your car. Get a thorough check-up today. This message is brought to you as a public service. Ricky was a husky who had gone wild. He lived like a wolf except that he always traveled alone and he fought for his life and his food like any other animal in those great north woods. There were times though after he had eaten and burrowed deep in the snow for warmth that he dreamed of other days. The best dream was of a man and a boy in a cozy cabin, a kitchen full of wonderful smells and behind the kitchen a storehouse where there was a wonderful bed. It was in fact only a canvas cart with a quilt on top of it. But Ricky loved it the first time when as a three-month-old puppy he had been able to scramble up a nestle in the quilt's soft folds. The feeling of the quilt came back to him as he huddled in the snow and then he dreamed of the day when he learned that such a wonderful bed was not for him. The boy was calling from the kitchen. Ricky, work down before Porsche's here. What's that? What about here? Awesome, Pa! Why do you say that the pup was on Champ's bed? He didn't know Pa. You must be taught. Pa, please. What difference does it make? After all, it's the only old cotton quilt all ragged and torn. I thought you understood how I felt about it. I do. Champ was the best lead dog he ever had. He won the 40-mile race for it three years in a row. He was a real champion. But he's gone now. I don't think he had mind if some other dog used his bed. You remember what I said when Champ died? Yes, sir. And until we had another champion lead, no dog could sleep there. I haven't changed my mind, son. But Ricky may grow up to be a champion. There isn't a chance of that. He's undersized. He may grow a lot. He's a runt hat. He won't even make a sled dog, let alone a lead. I love him, Pa. Of course you do, son. I don't mind you keeping him as a pet, but he must be taught his place. Pa, please don't whip him. Uh-huh. Look. While the man and boy had been talking, Ricky had climbed to the bed again. Oh, Ricky, why can't you be good? Get down. He thinks you're playing. There's only one way to teach him. Ricky watched expectantly as the man took a switch down from the wall. The man pointed the finger at the bed, and Ricky happily jumped up on it. No. The switch bidded to Ricky's flank. He cowered close to the quill, only to feel himself lifted fondly and thrown to the floor. No. Oh, that's enough, Pa. Yes, son, I think so. I hope so. Oh, Ricky. Ricky. You promise to be good, won't you? You'll never get up on chance bed again, will you? Never. Never. That was the only time he had ever felt the sting of a whip during the time he lived with the man and the boy. But he still dreamed of the wonderful bed that was not for him. There were other dreams. But these were nightmares, really. He dreamed of the rough red-bearded man holding the open bag in front of his nose, the appetizing smell of fresh meat coming from inside. Come on, Pa. Good meat. It's all yours. All you have to do is call in and get it. He dreamed of his cautious exploration at the mouth of the bag, that next, that fatal step, and then the bag closing over it. He was a prisoner, no matter how much he scratched and growled, there was no escape. You shouldn't be so greedy, Pa. That next home was nothing like his first. He lived with half a dozen other dogs in a run, but there was no friendliness between them. If one wanted enough to eat, one had to fight for it, and Ricky learned how. He also learned how to work in harness. That was good, though. There was something in his blood that responded to the hard work of the trail. It was something he had been born to. My son! My son! If only red had been kinder, if only he had fed them enough. Ricky dreamed of that last terrible night when the team had shivered in the cold outside the Big Brick building. A long, long time it seemed until red had come out carrying a heavy sack. Right on your feet, you must be going to get out of here fast! Fast! There were shouts and shootings as the team raced out of town. Ricky had been promoted to the lead position by that time, and red lashed him unmercifully. Damn you, ugly mutt! Run! Even now, as Ricky dreamed of it, the horror of that night came back to him, the desperate plunging through the deep snow hour after hour. And when day broke, only a short rest and one frozen fish apiece to stay their hunger. And then on and on all day long, and red looking back over his shoulder, and then shouting as if he were insane. He's gaining on us! That mountain, he's getting closer every minute! Come on! The shouts and the sting of the whip meant nothing to Ricky now. He was beyond hearing and feeling. Only a blind instinct kept him going. Suddenly, there was an unaccountable pull in Ricky's style. The wheel dog had gone down. Red kicked the wheel dog and cut her out of the traces. Ricky and the other dogs crouched in the snow. All right, now you must get up! None of them responded when red ordered them to their feet. Ricky still had a little strength left, but he knew the rest of the team was finished. They must have rest, and Ricky refused to move, even when red stood over him and beat him with the handle of his whip. You dirty mud, I'll teach you to quit! I'll teach you to get me caught! Red was blind with anger and death as well, for he neither saw nor heard the dog team coming over the hill, and he didn't stop beating Ricky until a stern boy shouted a command. Stop that whip! I'm not arresting you just yet. What for? We have a personal score to settle. Those dogs have run their hearts out for you and now you beat them. We'll see how you can take a beating. Just you and me? No gunplay or fist? Yes. It's just me playing! Ricky watched the fight through a film of red, hardly knowing what was going on, but grateful that the beating had stopped him. Finally, he saw red stretched out in the snow, and the other man was speaking. Oh, yeah. Stand up then. I've had enough. Hold out your hands. There. Now we'll get down to the business of the law. You're under arrest for the robbery of the bank and gold flats. Don't bother lying you were seen leaving the bank and the golds there on your sled. Sit down, I'm going to see what I can do for your dog. Ricky Wimpert will rule as a big man, Nelpe Sidians. Take a look at you, fella. Don't worry. Take care of these cuts, and you'll have a long rest close to a good fire before you have to move again. You look like... King, I... I'd swear that... Red, where'd you get this dog? It's Ricky, Tad Holden's pup. You stole him over a year ago. He was running loose. Ricky, boy, I'm sure of it. You're going home, fella. And Ricky did go back to the cabin when Tad Holden had lived. But another man was living in the cabin now. I'm running from that, Sergeant. He and Tad went up to Dominion Creek about two months ago. Well, this is their dog, Ricky, I'm sure of it. If that's Ricky, he sure grown a lot. Look at the markings. Yeah, just like old champ. For where to get the scars? From Red Brandon who stole him. That's the bank robber you just brought in. That's right. Twenty years they say he got. He deserves every one of them. Your troubles should be over now, boy. I'll take you to headquarters. The next time I go to Dominion Creek. Why don't you leave him here, Sergeant? There's plenty of room in the runs of headquarters. I'd like to have him, and Matt and Tad will be staying with me when they come in for supplies. That should be soon now, though, while there's breaking. Let me keep him here. Oh, it's done. After all, it is his home. Of course it is. Welcome back, Ricky. But it wasn't the same as it used to be. The man who lived in the cabin was hardly ever there. In a few days, Ricky was lonely. A week passed and spring was in the air. One evening, Ricky nosed open the door of the cabin and howled at the full moon. There were answering howls from the woods beyond the town, but call of the wild places was irresistible and Ricky ran down the main street and into the forest. He never returned to Dawson. He learned to hunt and every new day was a glorious adventure while the summer lasted. Winter was another story. He nearly starved that first winter, but summer came again and now he was spending his second winter in the wild. He walked from his dreams hungry and he poked his nose out of his snow burl. The temperature had dropped to a bitter 50 below and a blizzard was blotting out the land. Ricky huddled back in his burl. He stayed there for 24 hours until the storm was over. When he crawled out, there was no living creature to be seen. But cold bit through his heavy coat. But it was more than hunger, he felt now. There was a fear in his heart. A fear that nowhere in this silent world would he be able to find food. A fear of starvation. He raised his head to the pale winter sun and howled. We'll continue our adventure in just a moment. Last of the night, the two out. He comes to pitch. He swings. Be right there in the ballpark and see a grand movie. He's got a lot to do. Be right there in the ballpark and see a grand slam home run. Come out to the ballpark this very week as guest of a major or minor league team. Walk right through the gate free if you are 12 years or younger and bring mom or dad or another paying adult. It's so easy to get a free baseball ticket. It's right inside a package of Quaker Pop Wheat, Quaker Pop Rice and Muffet Shredded Wheat. You get two free tickets in Quaker Pakotem. The ticket tells you the names of the teams and the dates. Don't miss out on the fun another day. Bring the whole family. Remember, no mailing, no waiting. You can get as many free baseball tickets as you want. They're inside packages of Quaker Pop Wheat or Pop Rice Muffet Shredded Wheat or Quaker Pakotem. Get yours right away. To continue, Sergeant Preston and Constable Downey were returning from a northern patrol. They made an early camp and the dogs had cut his foot. How was it, Sergeant? Not too bad. It's a clean cut. Can't figure out how he did it. Must have been a sharp stone. He'll have to ride the sled for the next few days, lucky boy. How's the stew coming? That's ready. I'll start fishing it out. How's matter, King? King had left the other dogs around the campfire and was standing at the edge of the woods. There's something in there. Come on, King. We'll investigate. Ricky crouched in the snow watching the Sergeant as he walked toward him. His instinct was to run, but his hunger made him stay. And then suddenly, instead of growling, the big silvery dog was running toward him, barking a welcome. Recognition came to Ricky. He had met this man and dog before. A dog, King, but wild as any wolf. In spite of the friendly tone, panic overcame Ricky and he bolted back. Say that was a dog, Sergeant. Yes, and I know which dog, too. Ricky. Do you remember old champ Holden's dog? It was the last of his pups. Red Brandon stole him and I brought him back to Dawson, but he ran away. Well, he's gone again. I have a hunch he won't go far. He's hungry. Let's see if we can coach him into camp. Ricky hadn't gone far. And when darkness fell, he crept back toward the camp. All the dogs except the big lead had burled in the snow. And halfway between the edge of the trees and the campfire, there was a tin plate filled with a savory stew. Ungarded. His for the taking. If he only dared show himself. He started taunting it. Neither the dog nor the men paid any attention to him. The aroma of the stew was overpowering. He crawled on and on until he reached the plate. It was not until he began to eat that one of the men spoke his name. There's no need to be afraid, Ricky. That stew was meant for you, boy. We're your friends. We'd like you to stay with us. The last of the stew was bolted down and still the quiet voice kept on and Ricky didn't move. Wouldn't you like to come a little closer? Over here by the fire where it's nice and warm? Don't be afraid, Ricky. Don't be afraid. At the sound of the words, a dog's age-old longing for human companionship swept over Ricky. His heart was filled with a yearning for that young master he had lost so long ago. The boy he loved and who had loved him. Perhaps this man with a kind voice could lead him back to the boy. Ricky crept closer and closer to the boy. It was the day before the midwinter race for 40 miles of DOS and the cafes in 40 mile were crowded. Mat Holden was talking with some of his friends in one of them when Link Carter pushed his way through the crowd to his side. You think you're going to win the race tomorrow, don't you, man? Well, I think I have a good chance. You want a bet? My team against yours? I would if I had any money. You've got a claim. My claim is against $1,000. Oh, now my claim is worth more than that. There isn't worth anything until you pipe water up there. That's true, man. All right, I'll take it. It's all right. I know what I'm doing. Here, I have the deed of the claim right here, Link. We'll let the bartender hold the stakes. Come on. I have the stakes proposed. I've not tried to explain his actions to his friend. I have a good chance of winning. Clown Dyke's the best lead dog I've had since old champ. Yes, but taking a chance with your claim. Link was right about that. I need money or it's no good to me. But there's the prize. That's $500. I need that to pay Tad's hospital bill. How is the boy? Well, he said the operation was a success, but he doesn't seem to gain strength. You need more medicine than doctoring. I sure hope you'll win, man. I've been looking all over for you. Why, what's matter? It's Clown Dyke. He's sick. You don't have a chance of winning without Clown Dyke, man. Come on, John. Show me where Clown Dyke is. All right. Matt stayed with his lead all that night. It was nearly two o'clock when the door of the shed opened, and Sergeant Preston stepped inside. Hello, Matt. Hello, Sergeant. How is it? He's better, man. He won't be able to work tomorrow. What are you going to do? I have to race. I have too much at stake now, too. I made a foolish bet. Yes, I heard about it. But things may not be as bad as they seem. No prize to pay a hospital bill. No claim. I don't know. I have a good lead you can use. Oh. Wouldn't it be something that I could substitute King for Clown Dyke? That's impossible, Sergeant. The rules of the race say that a contestant must own as well as drive his team. But you'll do on this lead I'm talking about. I don't understand. You will when you see him. Come on and take a look. Sergeant Preston had persuaded Ricky to work in Blackie's place. When the team reached 40 miles, it was a matter of course that he should be fed and turned into a run with the other members of the team. And now as the sergeant and mad approached the run, he woke up with the sound of King's marching. He recognized the sergeant at once. But when he realized who was with him, he nearly was gone. What's the matter with that dog? He's glad to see you. To see me. Look at him, man. Sergeant. Am I looking at a ghost? Well, he's a dead ringer for old shampoo. He's larger. He's called a runt. Ricky! He hasn't forgotten his name, and he hasn't forgotten you. Go on in and say hello to him, Matt. Oh, God. Hello, Ricky. Hello, Bella. Glad to see you. What did you find in this time, Sergeant? In the woods north of here, he was starving. Well, he sure doesn't look it. Oh, he's been eating well for the last few days. Oh, nice, Bella. I won't say he's in best condition, but the 40 miles from here to Dawson won't bother him. Take my word for it. I shall. Ricky will tad be glad to see you. When am I? You can win for us tomorrow, Ricky. Hell to his best. All the luck in the world, Matt. Possible Downey and I are leaving for Dawson first thing in the morning, so we'll be at the finish line. You know who'll be there with us? Who? If the doctor will allow it. Well, I guess that'll be all right if he's bundled up enough. There couldn't be any better medicine for him than to see you and Ricky coming home first. Well, I feel sure of that. Good luck, Matt. We'll continue our adventure in just a moment. Say, kids, how about you and your whole family going to the baseball game? You'll have the time of your lives, seeing those smashing homeruns, watching exciting double plays and strikeouts, eating peanuts and cracker jacks. Why not go this very week? Come out to the ball game as guest of a major or minor league team. Yep, admission is absolutely free for your dad or another paying adult. And you can get your free ticket immediately. No mailing, no waiting. Free baseball tickets are right inside packages of Quaker Puffed Wheat, Quaker Puffed Rice, and Muffet Shredded Wheat. In Quaker Packle 10, you get two free tickets. Names of the teams and dates of the games are on every ticket. Remember, the more packages of these delicious Quaker cereals mom gets, the more free baseball tickets you get. So tell mom you want to eat lots of Quaker Puffed Rice, Muffet Shredded Wheat or Quaker Packle 10. And just think of the fun you'll have at the ball game. Seeing real-star players in person and cheering for home runs. Still wild enough to be terrified by the crowd of men and girls throughout the starting line the following day. Now they don't need to tremble that way, Ricky fellow. These people won't hurt you. And in just a few minutes we'll be on our way. The teams were lined up and the starting gun sounded. The shot added to Ricky's terror. But the terror lent wings to his feet and he dashed into the lead. There was no way Matt could control his speed, though. And Matt knew that such a pace could never be maintained for the whole distance. He pleaded with Ricky. Nothing could stop Ricky. And before long he was half a mile ahead of the next team. And only then was Matt able to slow him down. Matt was afraid now, afraid that the initial dash had taken too much of the team's strength. Still as the hours passed and mile after mile was covered Ricky maintained his lead with no sign of faltering. It was not until Dawson was in sight that Matt realized the team behind was gaining fast. If Link Carter must Ricky Matt could see and hear the crowd of men at the finish line and then he understood it was more than fatigued of his troubling, Ricky. He was afraid of the crowd. He wanted to swerve aside instead of driving straight on towards the finish. Link Carter grew closer and closer. He was cracking. And Matt's team was demoralized by their leader's action by his swerving from left to right. When the last team passed him he understood the urgency in Matt's voice but the yelling of the crowd at the finish line seemed to paralyze his muscles. He was powerless against his fear. And then with only a hundred yards to go and Carter's lead on nearly even terms with him Ricky heard a familiar voice above all the others. It belonged to the man who wore the red coat, his friend. The sergeant's shout was all Ricky needed. His fear disappeared. His friend wouldn't let anyone hurt him. With new strength, new courage, Ricky charged towards the finish. In a matter of seconds he had opened daylight between Matt's lead and Carter's team and he flashed across the finish line the winner. But he didn't stop there. He ran straight out of the sergeant and only when he reached him did he recognize the boy who was perched on the sergeant's shoulder. It was his young master. Ricky had no thought for the yelling all around him now. He had arms around his neck and he whimpered happily. How many times did he dream to this moment to be reunited with his master? It wasn't long before he was in the kitchen he remembered with the sergeant, Matt, young Ted and the big lead dog they called King. Ricky listened to the talk. The doctor said he may come home, Ted. Sure. There's no sense in my staying in the hospital anymore. Thank you so much in just a few days. I can hardly believe it. I had to get Will so I could see you with when the sergeant came in today and said that Ricky was coming home. The cure was complete. Good news, son. But that isn't the only good news. I made a bet up in 40 miles. Ricky was tired and the thought came to him of the wonderful bed out in the storeroom. Was it still there? He decided to investigate and he trotted through the open door. He looked as inviting as ever. Would it matter so much if just for a moment he should lie down on that quilt? The temptation was too great. He jumped up and settled down. He closed his eyes only for a moment but he was tired and he couldn't help dozing. This is where you've been. Ricky looked up into his master's face and the mats and the sergeants and then he lowered his head and started to crawl down from the bed. Now hold on there, Ricky. Stay, fellow. That's where you want to sleep. You've earned a right to it, boy. You surely have, Ricky. What had happened? Good boy. Instead of being punished, tad and mat, we're patting him. Ricky didn't understand but for some reason it was all right now to sleep on the bed and Ricky was glad. It had been a long trip home. He was tired and this was a wonderful bed. The last thing he remembered as he fell asleep was the sergeant speaking and King Bucky. This case is closed. We'll return in just a moment with a word about our next exciting adventure. Young America keeps his musical knowledge up to date by listening to Phonorama Times starring Johnny Desmond. Every Saturday, Johnny presents a roundup of the platters that are making musical history from coast to coast. In addition, he brings such outstanding big-name guests as Teresa Brewer, the Fontaine sisters and Bill Haley's comets. Yes, disc jockeys from every section of the country appear regularly to report to listeners on the top tunes in each of their hometown areas. And interesting teenagers appear on Phonorama Time to bring their viewpoints on what Young America is thinking about and talking about in music and other fields as well. Everyone loves Johnny Desmond and everyone loves his Phonorama Time show. So gather your friends and fellow music fans around this Saturday and every Saturday you can't afford to miss Phonorama Time starring Johnny Desmond on Mutual over most of these stations. Conrad's office at Mounted Police Headquarters. Captain Ames, how soon can your troop be ready to ride? In half an hour, sir. What's up? It's serious. The Northwest Mounted needs your help. I've just had a message from Sergeant Preston from the trading post at Tanglewood. Yes. The post has been surrounded. By Indians? Yes. Connack is leading them. There are only three men with the sergeant inside the post. They can't hold out as long as they can. But the situation is desperate. We'll leave it once, sir. The sergeant and his three companions have fought off the Indian attacks all through the night. But Connack has determined to capture the trading post and its stores of rifles and ammunition. Can help reach the little garrison in time or must they die fighting? Don't miss 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 Boats 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. Trenble, produced by Trenble 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.