Adventures Of Champion 1949-10-24 Mystery Of The Lost Treasure

Summary

Podcast Summary: Adventures Of Champion 1949-10-24: Mystery Of The Lost Treasure

Release Date: July 2, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Series: Champion, the World's Wonder Horse

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Introduction

In this thrilling episode of Adventures Of Champion, listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio, where adventure, mystery, and camaraderie unfold on the expansive plains of the West. Hosted by Uncle Smokey, the story revolves around young Ricky West, his loyal German Shepherd dog Rebel, and the magnificent chestnut stallion Champion, known as the world's wonder horse. This episode, titled "Mystery Of The Lost Treasure," delves deeper into the quest for Pancho Villa's long-lost treasure and the perils that lie in their path.

Plot Overview

The episode begins with Uncle Smokey recapping the preceding events, reminding listeners of the encounter with Mr. Salvo at Mammoth Caves, who revealed the existence of Pancho Villa's buried treasure. However, Mr. Salvo disappears mysteriously, prompting Ricky, Uncle Smokey, Champion, and Rebel to investigate his disappearance.

The Kidnapping of Mr. Salvo

Early in the narrative, Rebel discovers suspicious footprints in the dirt, leading Uncle Smokey to deduce that Mr. Salvo has been kidnapped by menacing figures. The trail points towards a cluster of trees, indicating that the captors, Hasty and Loco, are responsible for Salvo's disappearance.

Rebel (00:02:14): "Winder, Little Smokey, look down there in the dirt. Footprints."

Uncle Smokey (00:02:10): "Looks like Mr. Salvo's been kidnapped."

Determined to rescue Mr. Salvo, the team mounts Champion and follows the trail, leading them directly into a confrontation with the kidnappers. Ricky engages in a tense dialogue with Hasty, revealing that the villains are after the treasure map mentioned by Mr. Salvo.

Confrontation with Hasty and Loco

Ricky's sharp interrogation exposes the kidnappers' intentions to seize the map and the treasure for themselves. The exchange reveals the depth of their desperation and the lengths they'll go to secure the treasure.

Ricky West (00:04:07): "That treasure's mine. I've been looking for it for years. Not going to turn it over to a couple of pole cats now."

Hasty (00:05:26): "What difference does it make? He told other people that story, too, and nobody believed him."

The tension escalates as Ricky asserts his intent to obtain the map by any means necessary, highlighting the imminent danger Mr. Salvo is in.

Discovery of Clues

As the pursuit continues, Rebel and Uncle Smokey uncover more clues. Rebel spots blood near the stream, suggesting a violent encounter, heightening the sense of urgency and peril.

Rebel (00:07:20): "It's blood."

Uncle Smokey (00:07:28): "Well, in just a minute, kids, we'll return to the Adventures of Champion."

This discovery leads the team back to their base at the Flying A ranch, where Rebel stumbles upon a crucial piece of evidence—a treasure map hidden amidst Mr. Salvo's belongings.

Uncovering the Treasure Map

The revelation of the treasure map marks a pivotal moment in the story. Rebel's keen senses uncover the map, directing the protagonists towards the hidden riches of Pancho Villa. This find not only propels the narrative forward but also sets the stage for future confrontations with Hasty and Loco.

Rebel (00:12:23): "A treasure map, Uncle Smokey. Look, there's the cross mark up above. It says the treasure of PV."

Uncle Smokey (00:12:31): "PV Pancho Villa. Dog gone it, son."

Characters

• Ricky West: The brave and resourceful young protagonist determined to uncover the truth behind Mr. Salvo's disappearance and the lost treasure.

• Uncle Smokey: The wise and seasoned mentor who guides Ricky and provides crucial insights during their adventures.

• Rebel: Ricky's loyal German Shepherd dog with an exceptional sense of smell, instrumental in tracking down clues.

• Champion: The majestic chestnut stallion known as the world's wonder horse, embodying strength and perseverance.

• Hasty and Loco: The antagonistic kidnappers intent on seizing Mr. Salvo and the treasured map for their own gain.

Notable Quotes

• Uncle Smokey (00:02:35): "We better get started and hope that we can save Mr. Salvo."

• Ricky West (00:05:13): "There's a map, a map you picked up in El Paso from a half breed that tells the exact location of the treasure."

• Rebel (00:12:24): "A treasure map, Uncle Smokey. Look, there's the cross mark up above. It says the treasure of PV."

Climax and Cliffhanger

As the episode progresses, the protagonists face mounting challenges. The discovery of blood leads to a heartbreaking assumption about Mr. Salvo's fate. However, Rebel's uncovering of the treasure map injects new hope into their mission. The episode concludes with Uncle Smokey urging listeners to stay tuned for the next installment, promising more excitement and revelations in the quest for the lost treasure.

Conclusion

"Mystery Of The Lost Treasure" masterfully combines suspense, adventure, and the timeless bond between humans and their animal companions. Through engaging dialogue, vivid descriptions, and strategic cliffhangers, this episode captivates listeners, leaving them eagerly awaiting the next chapter of Ricky West and Champion's adventures. Uncle Smokey's storytelling not only entertains but also immerses the audience in a bygone era of radio storytelling, celebrating the enduring charm of old-time radio dramas.

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If you enjoyed this summary and wish to continue following the adventures of Ricky, Uncle Smokey, Rebel, and Champion, be sure to subscribe to Harold's Old Time Radio and join the community of dedicated listeners.

Transcript

[Narrator]

A herd of wild horses blazing their way across the plains of the West. The sound of a thousand stampeding hooves. And leading them all is the king of them all, Cenotri Champion, the world's wonder horse. Yes, boys and girls, the Mutual Broadcasting System presents once again the transcribed adventures of the king of all wild horses. Champion, the World's Wonder Horse. A series of fast, exciting stories about a boy named Ricky West. Raised in the wilderness since childhood by his adopted Uncle Smokey. A German shepherd dog named Rebel, and a stocking legged chestnut stallion you all know and love. Champion, the world's wonder Horse. Right now though, boys and girls, here's your old Uncle Smokey. To continue this week's exciting story, the mystery of the lost treasure.

[Uncle Smokey]

Well, howdy there, kids.

[Ricky West]

Yes, sir.

[Uncle Smokey]

Just like our friend Mr. Rustedge said. This here's your old Uncle Smokey once again. And I'm all set to tell you some more of them thrill packed happenings in the story of the mystery of the lost treasure. First off, you all recollect no doubt that Ricky, Champ and Rebel found an old man named Mr. Salvo up by Mammoth Caves. Anyway, this old timer told us an amazing story of buried treasure. Pancho Villa's treasure. What's more though, he said he knowed where it was. But he also said that a couple of men was after him. Well, sir, the next morning when Ricky went into the back bedroom that Mr. Salvo was supposed to be sleeping in, he found the old timer was gone. And then when we looked out the.

[Rebel]

Winder, Little Smokey, look down there in the dirt. Footprints.

[Uncle Smokey]

Three men. Mr. Salvo and two others. Dog gone, son. Looks like Mr. Salvo's been kidnapped.

[Rebel]

It sure does. You can even see where the tracks of the three men lead out to those trees.

[Uncle Smokey]

And one of the men's feet seems to be dragging. Like he was being pulled along against his will.

[Rebel]

I guess Mr. Salvo was telling the truth after all when he said two men were after him.

[Uncle Smokey]

Seems that way, son.

[Rebel]

His footprints lead to that clump of trees over there. Uncle Smokey, I bet we'll find horse tracks leading the way.

[Uncle Smokey]

I wouldn't be a bit surprised, Ricky.

[Rebel]

Think we could follow him?

[Uncle Smokey]

I should ask you that, son. Do you think Champ could follow him? He's the one who's gonna have to do it.

[Rebel]

I'm sure Champ can.

[Uncle Smokey]

Good. I sure would like to know how much of a head start them varmints have on us.

[Rebel]

I don't know how we could tell that Uncle Smokey.

[Uncle Smokey]

Freshness of the prince, maybe well, we can't just stand around here worrying about that. We better get started and hope that we can save Mr. Salvo. Well, kids, we started out Ricky and me riding Champ and Champ follering the tracks of them kidnappers. We know they were probably pretty desperate. And we know that Mr. Salvo, in his weakened condition, couldn't stand too much punishment. Anyway, up the trail, miles ahead of us, the two kidnappers, Hasty and Loco, was moving along with their captive. Mr. Salvo.

[Ricky West]

How's the old man doing, Loco?

[Hasty]

Oh, he's all right, boss.

[Ricky West]

Kind of quiet. He isn't dead, is he?

[Hasty]

Nah. Guess he's just trying to figure out a way to get away from us.

[Ricky West]

Yeah, they'll have to figure a long time. Yeah.

[Hasty]

Hi, boss.

[Ricky West]

Yeah.

[Hasty]

What if he's already told that kid and the old man about the lost treasure?

[Ricky West]

What difference does it make? He told other people that story, too, and nobody believed him.

[Hasty]

Yeah, but what if they believe?

[Ricky West]

Even so, that doesn't mean a thing because you'll never tell them where it is. Is Sierra Loco. Old man Salvo's only going to tell two people where that treasure is. Those two people are going to be you and me. Hold up here. Looks like a good place. Come on, help me take the old man off the horse. Okay, easy now. All right, Loco. Old man Salvo and I are going to have a little talk. So why don't you take the horses over to that stream and give them some water.

[Hasty]

Right, boss. Whatever you'll say.

[Ricky West]

Come on, Come on.

[Rebel]

No more.

[Ricky West]

Okay. Salvo, you and I got some things to talk about.

[Hasty]

I know what you want to know, but I'm not going to tell you.

[Ricky West]

That's true. Well, I think. You just think. You won't. When I get through with you, you'll tell, all right.

[Hasty]

That treasure's mine. I've been looking for it for years. Not going to turn it over to a couple of pole cats now.

[Ricky West]

Oh, yeah? Well, I say you are. Now, come on, before I take this with me.

[Hasty]

Won't tell. Won't tell.

[Ricky West]

There's a map, a map you picked up in El Paso from a half breed that tells the exact location of the treasure.

[Hasty]

How'd you know that?

[Ricky West]

Never mind how I know, that's all. That's why we didn't kill you a long time ago. We figured you'd lead us to the treasure following that map. Then it'd be the time to kill you. Or else we figured you'd die protecting it and we'd steal the map from you. But one Way or the other, we'd have the map and the treasure.

[Hasty]

Then I guess you'll just have to keep waiting till I die.

[Ricky West]

We can speed that up for you, too. Fact, you'd have been dead by now from lack of food and water if it hadn't been for that kid and his horse.

[Hasty]

Now, you look here. If I was to tell anybody where that treasure was, I'd tell it to them, not you.

[Ricky West]

Oh, well, that's something I wanted to know. If you was to tell anybody the whereabouts of the treasure, you'd tell it to them. If you was to tell. So you haven't told yet. And that makes my job easier. All right, now you let me go. Let me go until you tell me where that clamp to the treasure is.

[Hasty]

I've told you a hundred times, you won't tell who tells.

[Ricky West]

Okay, then just let me show you what I'm gonna do to.

[Uncle Smokey]

Well, kids, neither Ricky nor me had any idea what Hasty and Loco was planning to do with Mr. Salvo. Of course, we knew he wasn't going to get kind treatment, but we didn't know just how far them two varmints would go. Anyway, in the meantime, Champ kept right on a following the trail the kidnapped horses had left. And a little while later.

[Rebel]

The horses stopped here. Just before they got to that stream, the men got off. See the heel print?

[Uncle Smokey]

Yeah, son, now I do. Let's get off and look around.

[Rebel]

Right. Look, the horses tracks go right into the stream.

[Uncle Smokey]

Yeah, and I'll bet they went the rest of the way in the water. Maybe they figured they was being followed and we'd lose it. Ricky, look over there by that tree.

[Rebel]

It's blood.

[Uncle Smokey]

Well, in just a minute, kids, we'll return to the Adventures of Champion. But right now, I want to ask each and every one of you a very important question. Have you written me that letter or postcard yet telling me how you like this program? Well, if you ain't, I wish you'd sit down just as soon as today's chapter's over and do it right away. You see, boys and girls, Ricky and me is sort of conducting a survey, you might say, just to see how many friends we have. So if you want to keep hearing the adventures of Champion, all you have to do is say so. Just write to me, Uncle Smokey. Box 2, 1 09, Hollywood, California. You got that, Uncle Smokey? Box 2, 109, Hollywood, California. And I sure thank you. And now, back to our story. Well, I don't have to tell you how badly Ricky and Me felt seeing that blood and imagining what had happened to Mr. Salvo. It sure seemed possible that those two no count coyotes had put an end to the old timer. Anyway, since there was nothing more we could do, Ricky, Champ and me headed back to the Flying A.

[Rebel]

But isn't there anything we can do, Uncle Smokey? You know, it's possible that Mr. Salvo isn't dead.

[Uncle Smokey]

It's possible, son, but it don't seem likely. He couldn't have stood much punishment, sick as he was. I know, but his death wasn't our fault. Son, the best we can hope for is to track down those low down lizards who killed them.

[Rebel]

We don't even know what the murders look like. All we know is that there's two of them.

[Uncle Smokey]

I know, son. There's not much to go on. But if all of us work together, the sheriff and the posse, you and me and Champ and Rebel, well, I just wouldn't want to be in those killer's shoes, that's all.

[Rebel]

We'll get them, Uncle Smokey. We'll get them, I know it. But still.

[Uncle Smokey]

Still what, Chuck?

[Rebel]

I got a funny feeling that Mr. Salvo is still alive.

[Uncle Smokey]

Well, kids, I don't know how you could ever explain Ricky's feeling that way. Maybe he was just hoping so much that Mr. Salvo wasn't dead that he believed it himself. Anyway, at the same time we was talking Mr. Hasty, and loco was up in the mountains having some trouble of their own.

[Ricky West]

Yeah, the old man's stubborn, Loco. I've slapped him around a little, but he still won't talk.

[Hasty]

Aw, let me hit him, puss. I'll make.

[Ricky West]

Don't be stupid. You'd kill him. That'd ruin everything.

[Hasty]

Yeah, but we can't let him live. Not after he knows who we are.

[Ricky West]

Of course we can't let him live, but we can't kill him yet either. Not until he tells us where that treasure map is.

[Hasty]

What are we gonna do?

[Ricky West]

Well, tie him up and roll him in that cave. Put a little water by him so he stays alive. Then we've got some traveling to do. Loco.

[Hasty]

Oh, where are we going?

[Ricky West]

I've been thinking, Loco. The old man figures he's only got one set of friends in the whole world. The kid and that old guy the kid's living with. So since the map isn't on him, he may have left it back at the Flying A ranch for safekeeping.

[Hasty]

Yeah, that's right. Let's go back to tear the place apart that we'd find.

[Ricky West]

Relax. Oh, yeah, we're not going to tear any place apart. Not yet anyway. But we are going to get back to the Flying A come dusk and have a look around. And if we find a map there, things aren't going to go too well with the kid and his uncle.

[Uncle Smokey]

Well, boys and girls, while this was going on, Ricky, me and Rebel were still back at the Fly and a trying to cheer ourselves up. And the funny thing about this whole darn thing was that we didn't even know there was a treasure map. Mr. Salvo never told us anything about it. And I guess we wouldn't even have known about it at all if it weren't for Rebel. You see, we was setting there in the living room when all of a sudden. Hey, son. Son, what's that dog up to?

[Rebel]

I don't know, Uncle Smokey. Looks like he's playing with something.

[Uncle Smokey]

Sure making a racket.

[Ricky West]

Here, Rebel.

[Rebel]

Here, boy. Look, he's got something in his mouth. Uncle Smokey. Here, boy. What do you got there, huh?

[Uncle Smokey]

Can you see what it is, son?

[Rebel]

Looks like a tobacco pox to me, Uncle Smokey. Drop it, boy. Drop it there. Yeah, it's a tobacco pox all right, Uncle Smokey.

[Uncle Smokey]

It's not mine. I wonder, Mr. Salbos.

[Rebel]

I bet he must have fallen out of his clothes or something.

[Uncle Smokey]

Hey, look what's on.

[Rebel]

There's something in here. Hola. Thank Uncle Smokey. Look what rebels found.

[Uncle Smokey]

A map.

[Rebel]

A treasure map, Uncle Smokey. Look, there's the cross market up above. It says the treasure of PV.

[Uncle Smokey]

PV Pancho Villa. Dog gone it, son. This means Mr. Salvo probably left that there map here on purpose. And it also means those varmints probably haven't killed him. Of course, it also means something else.

[Rebel]

I think I know what you mean, Uncle Smokey. It means that we haven't seen the last of those two men who kidnapped Mr. Salvo.

[Uncle Smokey]

Well, kids, there we was holding the treasure map that those two varmints would have killed anybody to get a hold of. Yes, sir, we were sore in a spot, but. Well, what? You know, time's run out on us again. But boys and girls, tomorrow's another day. And that means another excitin chapter in the mystery of the lost treasure. So till then, this is your old Uncle Smokey saying, so long, kids, and keep punching.

[Narrator]

Be sure and listen in tomorrow, same time, same station, to learn more about Ricky Rebel and the king of the wild horses, Gene Otley's champion, the world's wonder horse. This transcribed program was produced by Gene Altric Productions, directed by William and Birch and came to you from Hollywood. And now stay tuned for Curly Bradley, which follows over most of these stations in just a moment. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.

[Rebel]

Sam.