 The challenge of the Yukon It's Yukon King's swiftness and strongest lead dog of the Northwest Placing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest mounted police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers Gold gold discover many 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 The team was fighting its way through a blizzard But when King slowed down and started to bark the sergeant knew there was some other reason than the difficulties of the trail King was barking at two mounds of white at the side of the trail The sergeant unharnessed him and he ran toward them as he did so a dog's head appeared from one of the mounds Crouch close to the ground. He had been completely covered by the snow There was no sign of life from the other mound when the sergeant brushed the snow away a man king Dead quickly he examined the body not exposure as a bullet killed him a bullet in his back The husky who still crouched at his master's side looked up into the sergeant's face You've been guarding him, haven't you old fellow? I think you just stayed here until the cold got you the sergeant went through the man's pockets His papers identified him as John Taylor. There was no gold or money murder and the motive robbery Have a single clue old faithful. I wish you could talk That was how old faithful was named and he proved that he deserved the name When John Taylor was buried in the Dawson Cemetery the dog refused to leave the grave And either the sergeant or one of the constables brought him food every day But the murder of John Taylor was never solved the storm had wiped out every clue It was just about the time the sergeant gave up all hope of finding a clue that old faithful decided to give up his vigil in the cemetery He followed the sergeant at King home to headquarters He visited the cemetery every day, but it was plain that he had adopted the sergeant as his new master The sergeant tried him out with his team and was pleased with the results. You've been well trained old faithful. You're a good worker The next day the sergeant was called into the inspector's office Is that for me inspector? Yes sergeant sit down. Yes, sir. Take a look at this $20 bail Huh, what do you think of it counterfeit? Yes, but an extremely good counterfeit. What did come from this one? The one was passed at the Monte Carlo half a dozen of them have shown up at the bank during the past week Bill is good enough to fool anyone, but an expert. You believe there are more in circulation. I'm sure of a sergeant Well, we can educate all the businessmen in town. We shall and we'll question anyone who tries to pass one of these bills But I have a letter here that may lead directly to their source the counterfeit is themselves Do you know gold ledge? I know where it is, sir. I've never been there. That's what I thought. That's good You don't know the town and the town doesn't know you I'm suggesting that you work out of uniform while you're following up this lead If a member of the force were to settle down in gold ledge for any length of time But alert our suspects perhaps make it impossible to get the necessary evidence against them You have the names of some men? Two names Rostov and Markham This letter is from the banker in gold ledge. His name is Sam Harvey Few of the counterfeit bills turned up in the town over a month ago Since then the banker has been conducting a quiet investigation of his own trying to trace them through their original source He isn't sure you understand, but he thinks Rostov and Markham are the men. We're looking for they have no apparent income And yet they live well Their movements are rather mysterious. It'll be up to you to investigate them sergeant. Yes, sir. I Suppose in that country it'd be best to pretend that I'm a prospector a good idea Well, it'd be all right, sir if I contact the banker I don't see why not and identify myself you'd better He may have some additional information. I'll get started first thing in the morning sir good and good luck It was clear to King that afternoon that he and the sergeant were about to start on a trip The sled was loaded with supplies and in addition to the usual items There were a pickaxe a shovel and the sort of pan the miners used to wash gold The following morning when King scratched the door the sergeant's cabin and was admitted Come in boy. There was something strange about his master's appearance What's the matter don't you know me the sergeant was wearing cornyroy trousers a red and white checked wool shirt a Buckskin jacket and heavy boots as King watched he slipped into a bare-skinned parker and pulled the hood over his head Don't you like my new parker? Well this outfit will only be worn temporarily boy for the duration of the trip Until we got enough evidence to make an arrest I'm Bill Smith prospector Well the clothes are all right As long as we don't meet someone who knows us will be all right. Let's get started boy The trip to gold ledge took two days It was late on the afternoon of the second day when the sergeant drove down the main street He stopped the team in front of the bank Win inside with King the other members of the team crouched low in the snow But suddenly old faithful jumped to his feet a Huge man was walking down the sidewalk toward him He was just about to pass the team when old faithful lunch toward him The man was carrying a whip and he began to beat old faithful over the head He drove him back and still continue to whip him the sergeant ran down the steps of the bank Stop that try to bite me. Will you give me that weapon trying to make me? Sergeant wrench the whip in the big man's hand Yes The big man charged the sergeant for his weight It was extremely fast and there was no denying the power in his shoulders One hammer like blow caught the sergeant on the side of the head and turned him around But he sidestepped the big man's next rush and lashed out with a right Left that both hit their mark from then out It was a battle between brute force on one side and skill and intelligence on the other The sergeant gave ground occasionally until the big man started to slow down Then he took the initiative he stepped inside a wild right and punished his heavier opponent with rights and laps The big man was unable to ward off the blows a solid right crashed through to his jaw And he dropped to the ground For a moment he lay still then his hand started for his gun getting king Get this dog off of me. He's got my hand. That's because your hand was trying to get your gun. I'll take it. All right, King There it's empty now you may have it Careful you'll want any more you met your mask bull mind as well admit it better clear out while you can still never get I'll get you yet stranger like my word The sergeant returned to the bankers office where they discussed the fight you made yourself an enemy Preston I suppose so but please remember the name Smith Bill Smith. All right, that was bull Corbett He's a friend of the men we've been talking about our stuff and Markham. Yes Well, I can't understand is my old faithful went for him He's one of the best tempered dogs have ever had must have had a reason Well, we saw it all bull didn't do anything to him old faithful must have remembered him from someplace sometime before The dog's first master was murdered. I mean, is that so you happen to know was bull around 40 mile about six months ago Well, he didn't arrive here until three months ago. I see Well, you didn't finish about rosto from Markham and their cabin is next to the El Dorado cafe And I have no more information My only suggestion is that you follow them when they make one of their mysterious trips out of town I'll keep an eye on them in the meantime, but it'd be possible for me to rent a cabin. I'm afraid not But there's a hotel bull lives there. Well, I want to keep an eye on him too. Thanks for your help, Mr I mean, I only wish I could tell you more. You've been very helpful. Come on King The sergeant registered at the hotel and that night he had suffered a corner table in the El Dorado cafe Just as he was finishing a man with a scar on his left cheek detached himself from the crowd at the bar Cross the room toward the sergeant. I'd like to introduce myself stranger Joe Mark. Bill Smith Sit down. Thanks You seem to be generally acknowledges a new champion of gold ledge. That's all I didn't see the fight but judging from your appearance and bulls it must have been a clear-cut victory Perhaps I was lucky Perhaps What are you doing here? Just looking around Prospecting in a way. Well, there isn't good for it right now I agree much better to take it easy in town till it breaks Well, of course a man must live I'll have to find some sort of work. You got a fine team Smith You ever thought I hauling freight not only thought about it. I've done it. Well, I may have a job for you Oh, what is it creative equipment? I had to leave down in white horse weighs about 500 pounds Well, you pay a dollar a pound That's steep. I wouldn't have any payload on the way down Yeah, that's steep but hard I'll pay it $500 for the trip There's only one thing. What's that the crate isn't exactly in white horse. It's hidden near the town Someone will have to ride with you to make sure you find it. You know, I can't make it neither come up partner Rostov There's only one other man. Could that be bull corbid? You guessed it Smith It changed things any I can think of more pleasant traveling companions But if he promises to do his share of the work, I don't mind. All right, then it's settled When can you start? How about tomorrow? Fine Bull will meet you in front of the hotel at daybreak That evening there was a conference in the cabin next to the cafe between Markham Rostov and bull corbid Rostov the bearded Russian did most of the talking. Let me go over the evidence with you once more bull The first stop he makes on reaching town is the bank. He might have had some ghoul doesn't made no deposit I have checked only talked with Sam Harvey The next thing is his lead dog. I Reached the scene of your encounter just as his master knocked you down. Yes turn lucky punch Well, we will not argue you went for your gun He called to his dog get him King. Well, there are plenty of dogs in the Yukon called King, but so well trained At the word of command this King grabbed your gun and then shook it making it impossible for you to aim or even shoot This King has been trained as a police dog Therefore his master is a policeman a sergeant press it you wish to get even for what he did to you We give you the opportunity. Why do you make objections? What do I get out of it? He's after all of us your guessing a guess that he's found it on reason I look six days of white horse seven or eight back two weeks bull You'll find a chance to get rid of them during that time the gorge near alakash is the ideal place a Blow on the head and he drops over the side It is impossible to recover the body so you load the case on the sled what What's in it another printing press spare parts. We need them you drive back here and report an accident. That's all maybe Why don't one of you do a job the police have more against you than against us they get nothing on me if we were to tell them about you Okay, I wasn't sure of course not the job is yours because you are best qualified for it You are the strongest bull and you would like to even score would you not? Yeah, then let us have no more talk. It is late. Let's see according to my watch. It's only 12 Your watch Oh, I I am sure that such a fine watch keeps excellent time But 12 o'clock is midnight and you must leave at daybreak. It's better that you get some sleep, okay I'll get him you can be sure of that The sergeant left gold legs the following morning with bull riding the sled The weather was clear and cold in the trail hard packed they made good time But there were no road houses between gold ledge and white horse and they were forced to sleep when he opened Each night as the sergeant crawled into his sleeping bag. He alerted King The great dog slept close to his master and it was impossible for bull to make any movement during the night without waking King at once Old faithful watched bull constantly as well He never tried to attack him again, but he always growled deep in his throat when bull came near him Once though as bull looked at his watch old faithful whimpered The sergeant noticed that's a nice watch bull. May I see it before? It's after 12 time be don't you trust me bull way should I Really be at the cash by late afternoon all we have to do is follow this gorge It's your turn to get the wood. I know come on The only trees were at the edge of the gorge. The sergeant picked up an axe and started toward them as he went to work King followed the canyon to the south and bull saw his chance The sound of the axe made it impossible for the sergeant to hear bull The big man was directly behind him. He raised his arm to strike King saw him and barked fanically The sergeant instinctively dropped to the ground the force of bull's lunge carried him forward He tripped over the sergeant has managed to grab hold of a small tree as he lost his footing Struggling for a better hold his feet swung over the edge of the precipice Supposed to save your life after you just tried to kill me Deliberately the sergeant took a pair of handcuffs out of his pocket and clamped them on bull's wrists And then he took a firm hold on his pocket and put it to safety I What's your idea you're under arrest in the name of the crown the charge is attempted murder No, no, no, you got me wrong. I slipped lucky thing for me. I'm gonna look at your watch What for curiosity old faithful seem to recognize it just to see recognized you the pocket of your jacket, isn't it? Take your hands off me. Yes. Here it is Let's see if there are any initials on it. Hey, I bought that from a miner in 40 miles JT which could stand for John Taylor. Yeah, that's right. That was a miner's name He was carrying the watch when he left 40 mile for Boston. I bought it for me before he left You took it from him after you killed him. No, wait a minute. It's a nice watch, but it was a mistake to keep it Bull the charge against you is murder and save your breath You're going to show me where Markham's equipment is cashed, and I'm taking you to jail in Whitehorse get moving The packing case was found and loaded on the sled Bull was taken into Whitehorse and turned over to Constable Downey I'll start for Dawson with him first thing in the morning and carry through on the case once you get there right sergeant What's to be done? I'll have to make a trip to 40 mile as a list of Taylor's friends in the file I should all be interviewed will need their testimony that Taylor was carrying his watch when he left 40 mile Also, we'll have to establish the fact that bull was in 40 mile We must trace his actions before and after the murder. No, that shouldn't be hard What about you sergeant? I still have work to do on the counterfeiting case. You can tell the inspector I'm heading back for gold lads. All right. That's a printing press on my slend Rostov and Markham evidently intend to use it I'll deliver it to them and they'll probably arrange for someone else to transport it to the head corners Perhaps not they may ask me to do it. So that'll make everything much simpler. Yes, but sergeant when bull doesn't come back with you They'll be suspicious. I'm sure they are already you believe bull was acting on her orders when he tried to push you into the Seems likely Rostov and Markham will try again in that case. I'll have their chance. Bye, Jim. Good luck. Same to you It was eight days later when Sergeant Preston drove up the main street of Gold Ledge once more Stopped his team in front of Markham's cabin On schedule Markham It's Bill Smith the crates on the sled want to look at it. I could see it Well, fine. Come on in. He met with a little accident What sort of accident? I slept and hurt his leg. Nothing serious. I'll have to stay in the White House for a while Too bad. What do you want the crate unloaded? Oh, not here Markham and I bought them mine and to be at the creek a few miles outside of town We would like the crate to be delivered there. That'll cost you extra a few dollars. It does not matter Money you'll want to drive out there with me. Oh, it is getting dark. There's no need for you to go today Tomorrow morning will be fine. Whatever you say. Why don't I pick you up? Well Both Markham and I will be busy tomorrow. There is no need for either of us to go you take it there first thing in the morning I'll give you full directions We have a caretaker who will take charge of the crate when you get there suits me. I'll draw a map for you the way is simple One takes the west trail out of town It is four miles to the creek Turn north there and follow it for a mile You will see the entrance to the mine just before you come to a small woods. It should be easy to find. Oh, but of course Yeah, here's the map. Thanks I'll be on my way feel my dogs and get some supper myself You will be paid as soon as the crate is delivered to the mine. Fine. See you later Why Rostov? What do you mean? Why are those directions? They were right and could there be any more secluded spot around here than our mine? It's the best place I know of Bull has failed us. They must take care of the sergeant ourselves. You mean get word to Mike I said we not only Mike but you and I as well will be waiting for the sergeant when he reaches the mine in the morning No, what happened to both? I do not know An accident he said That could mean anything. He suspects us. That's sure of course But he does not suspect that we know who he really is He still plays a game hoping to get evidence against us. There's plenty of evidence at the mine the plates are small Press room true But such evidence will do him no good He will never leave the mine alive It was after midnight when Sam Harvey climbed the stairs to the second floor of the hotel and hurried down the corridor to the sergeant's room Oh It's Harvey hoping up Hello, come in sir They've left town lost often mark them. Yes took the west trail. I thought you might want to follow them Do they own a mine on two-bit Creek? No, is there a mine on two-bit Creek an old one? It's worked out what better place could they find for their operations you think they've gone there I'm practically sure of it They know who I am Harvey. They do how did they find out? I have no idea Are you sure well trying to kill me on the way to white horse? That was a fairly good indication tried to kill you as a clumsy attempt He's in jail now, but Rostov and Markham don't know that Tomorrow I'm supposed to deliver the packing case. I brought from white horse to the mine on two-bit Creek They'll be waiting for you there if they know you're connected with the police You'll be walking straight into a trap. I'm starting right now Harvey the trap may not be set yet But alone there are two of them. There may be three. They mentioned a caretaker called Mike Mike Benton Yes, he hangs around with them You'll need help. It's my job Harvey. I can't ask anyone else to take the chance. You don't have to ask I'd rather go alone But if I don't come back, I'd like you to get in touch with headquarters at Dawson Preston There are a half a dozen men who would be glad to thank Harvey, but I'd rather go alone The sergeant took the trail to the west and turned north when he reached the Creek Two miles farther on he saw the opening of the mine beyond at the woods The map had been accurate Rostov wanted him to reach the mine He stopped his team a hundred yards from the entrance End of the trail king The dogs burrowed in the snow The sergeant lit a small hurricane ladder and headed toward the opening of the mine on foot with King at his side There were sled tracks leading past the mine and on to the woods There were footprints coming back from the woods and entering the mine Sergeant followed them into the main shaft. It led straight back for a hundred feet King walked close beside his master The shaded light from the lantern hardly reached the timbers that braced the roof, but King knew there were men ahead They might be dangerous Sergeant pat at his head and King was reassured his warning had been acknowledged They came to a cross tunnel and the sergeant stopped to the right They could see a thin line of light showing beneath the door the sergeant blew out his legend Checked his gun the sergeant stopped once more a few feet from the door You could hear voices The sergeant it hurt enough He kicked the door open and blasted the lantern from the table beyond it Then he dropped to the ground close to the side of the tunnel as a volley of shots rang out from the guns inside the room The sergeant held his fire in the second before he shot out the lantern He had seen all he needed to convince him this was a counterfeiters work room The only problem left was to capture the men Crawled forward toward the doorway his hand touched a piece of wood. He threw it into the room Three guns fired at the sound and the sergeant fired at the gun flashes Two of the men in the room were hit the sergeant crawled back to King Only one man looking to shoot But he won't fire again King. He knows it'll make him a target. I can't see him It's up to you go get him boy. The man with the gun go get him at the order and without a sound King began to crawl forward He moved only a few inches at a time until he was inside the room Then he stopped to take stock of it by scent rather than by sight Two men were lying near the far wall One of them was moaning slightly The man who had just spoken was hiding behind something made of wood and iron The accurate smell of burnt powder told King he had a gun in his hand This was the man the sergeant had sent him after he must crawl around the object to reach the man And he must do it so quietly the man would never suspect Inch by inch he moved toward him until he was only a few feet away. It was time to spring Oh As Rostov yelled the sergeant entered the room and stuck a match Lighted I'll keep you covered. You don't need to join me with a gun. All right. All right That's much better As the light flared up King was standing guard over Markham's gun Which is slid under the table the sergeant broke it emptied it and tossed it on the table Mike's gun was in a far corner. This too was empty and after the sergeant had handcuffed Rostov He turned his attention to the two wounded men No, you're not Mike. I'll get you bandages and take you into town. You'll live to do 20 years What's a charge against this look around your Rostov count if it builds plates a press paper There's another printing press on my sled. What's your guess? The charges counterfeiting then and accessory to murder murder the murder of John Taylor on the trail between 40 mile and Dawson six months ago. We had nothing to do with that boy who killed him We know nothing about it until after what you did know about it You gave sheller to a man. You knew had committed murder We will give evidence against him for the crown that may help you a little but you'll still go to jail for counterfeiting How did you find out it was ball to kill Taylor old faithful told me a dog? Yes He belonged to Taylor and he hated bull. Why? The answer was simple when I found Taylor's watch on bull That's usually the way it is the answers are always simple after the case is closed In our next adventure It was midnight as the Yukon Queen moved up the Yukon River The quiet and the corridor on a deck was suddenly broken by a dreaded cry In the excitement of figures stood watching the door of cabin 102 As it opened and an old sourdough started out clutching a small bag the figure lunge forward When the old man in 102 was robbed during the excitement of a faked fire on a deck It seemed a hopeless task to find the guilty party If Sergeant Preston and King find a clue and trail the crooks they may face the guns of desperate killers Be sure to hear this next exciting adventure These radio dramas a feature of the challenge of the Yukon Incorporated are created by George W. Trendle Produced by Trendle Campbell Enterprises Directed by Fred flower day and edited by Fran striker the part of Sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton The challenge of the Yukon is brought to you every Saturday and Sunday This is Jay Michael wishing you goodbye and good luck until our next adventure This program came from Detroit Today's most popular heroes of outdoor adventure are heard every weekday afternoon from five to six o'clock Monday Wednesday and Friday Mark trail roams the wilderness Clyde Beatty defies the beasts of the jungle and Victor Borgha entertains with five minutes of musical laughs Tuesday and Thursday There are the Indian hero straight arrow riding to a pole justice sky King zooming to supersonic action and Bobby Benson Cowboy kid in tales of Western daring listen the mutuals hour for fun with Mark trail Clyde Beatty Victor Borgha Straight arrow sky King and Bobby Benson over most of these stations every weekday afternoon This is the mutual broadcasting system