Blair of the Mounties 38-01-31 01 Fire Valley

Summary

Detailed Summary of "Blair of the Mounties 38-01-31 01 Fire Valley"

Introduction

On January 26, 2025, Harold's Old Time Radio released an exhilarating episode of "Blair of the Mounties" titled "Fire Valley." This episode transports listeners to the rugged Canadian Arctic during the Golden Age of Radio, weaving a gripping tale of mystery, folklore, and adventure. Centered around the enigmatic Fire Valley, the story follows Sergeant Blair of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police as he investigates the disappearance of Corporal Leslie from Bear Creek.

---

Setting the Scene

The episode opens with Sergeant Blair and Angus MacGregor, the Hudson Bay Factor, sharing a moment by the fire. Angus introduces Fire Valley, a peculiar region discovered thirty years prior, characterized by its warm springs and lush vegetation—a stark contrast to the surrounding Arctic landscape.

• Narrator (00:20): "Thirty years ago, away up in the Canadian Arctic, wandering prospectors discovered a mysterious warm valley. A region of hot springs where flowering shrubs and luxuriant vegetation flourish the whole year through around the mysterious legend of Fire Valley."

---

The Disappearance of Corporal Leslie

The plot thickens when Sergeant Blair informs Angus about Corporal Leslie's disappearance from Bear Creek. Indigenous groups from the Badlands report that Leslie was taken by "ghosts," adding a supernatural layer to the mystery.

• Sergeant Blair (01:06): "The Indians had a queer story. Said that Leslie had been stolen away by ghosts. Well, that was a story."

Angus MacGregor initially dismisses the idea, finding it laughable.

• Angus MacGregor (01:26): "Mon, that was funny."

---

Lady Danbury’s Disturbing Dream

The narrative introduces Lady Danbury, Leslie's mother from England, who experiences a vivid and unsettling dream about her son's peril. Despite Angus's skepticism, the situation becomes dire when a telegram confirms Leslie's disappearance.

• Lady Danbury (02:25): "It was so utterly realistic. I saw Alan. Plainly he was in some trouble, imploring me to help him." (02:28)

• Angus MacGregor (02:22): "Mon, that was funny." / "Aye, it's preposterous."

The telegram arrives, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

• Angus MacGregor (03:02): "Corporal ACM Leslie Missing. Missing from Thunder Bay Detachment since October 10th. So far, no trace."

---

Planning the Expedition

Determined to find her son, Lady Danbury decides to travel to Canada, much to Angus's dismay. Reluctantly, Angus agrees to join her, and the team begins planning the treacherous journey to Fire Valley.

• Lady Danbury (04:18): "Then you will go, dear?" / "Splendid yourself. Such a sweet old thing, Robert."

• Angus MacGregor (04:03): "I'm going to Canada." / "Oh, preposterous."

Sergeant Blair coordinates the expedition, emphasizing the importance of the mission despite the inherent dangers.

• Sergeant Blair (06:48): "We're in the police. Well, what's the order?"

• Mike Rafferty (06:36): "By the holy poker, that's a fine trip you're after. Planning slap through the badlands in the dead of winter. I'm thinking we'll never come through alive."

---

Journey to Fire Valley

The team sets out at dawn, facing the harsh Arctic conditions. Sergeant Blair discusses the unusual warmth of Fire Valley, likely caused by geothermal activity, which baffles the group.

• Sergeant Blair (07:16): "They say there's a tropical valley here in the Arctic caused by hot springs, most likely."

• Mike Rafferty (07:21): "A tropical valley? Well, no, that's a queer thing in a cold country like this."

Despite Mike's reservations, the team presses on, driven by the hope of finding Corporal Leslie.

---

Encounter with Onita

As night falls near Fire Valley, the team encounters Onita, a local indigenous woman from Pakawan. She warns them about the dangers of the valley and reveals that Corporal Leslie is indeed in trouble.

• Onita (09:06): "I live Pakawan. You come Packa one. I show you. I show you white man. His name Lindley."

• Sergeant Blair (09:22): "We gotta chance it, Mike. All right, we come."

This encounter heightens the suspense, signaling that the search for Leslie is fraught with peril.

---

Rescuing Corporal Leslie

Following Onita's guidance, the team locates Leslie inside a cave. The rescue is tense, with Leslie warning them of imminent danger linked to volcanic activity.

• Corporal Leslie (10:32): "It's the engines. He says we've started something."

During the escape, Anita, a member of the team, is injured by an arrow, adding urgency to their departure.

• Corporal Leslie (10:36): "I'll be all right in a minute. Look after Anita, Sergeant. She saved my life."

---

Conclusion of the Fire Valley Mystery

Back at safety, Sergeant Blair explains the true nature of Fire Valley's legends. The indigenous belief was that sacrificing a white man would appease their gods and prevent a catastrophic volcanic eruption. However, the plan failed, leading to a volcanic event that devastated the valley. Despite the supernatural undertones, Leslie survives, but the experience leaves the team with lasting scars.

• Sergeant Blair (11:28): "They believed the time was approaching when their gods would destroy Fire Valley. If they sacrificed a white man, they hoped to avert the danger of the God."

• Corporal Leslie (11:39): "We made it. And that, Angus, is the story of Fire Valley."

---

Notable Quotes

• Lady Danbury on her dream: "It was so utterly realistic. I saw Alan. Plainly he was in some trouble, imploring me to help him." (02:28)

• Mike Rafferty expressing concern: "By the holy poker, that's a fine trip you're after. Planning slap through the badlands in the dead of winter. I'm thinking we'll never come through alive." (06:36)

• Sergeant Blair describing Fire Valley: "They say there's a tropical valley here in the Arctic caused by hot springs, most likely." (07:16)

• Corporal Leslie upon rescue: "I'll be all right in a minute. Look after Anita, Sergeant. She saved my life." (10:36)

---

Conclusion

"Fire Valley" is a masterfully crafted episode that blends mystery, folklore, and adventure, immersing listeners in the chilling expanse of the Canadian Arctic. Through dynamic character interactions and suspenseful storytelling, the episode showcases Sergeant Blair's unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth amidst supernatural legends and natural disasters. As the mystery of Fire Valley unfolds, listeners are left eagerly anticipating the next thrilling adventure in the "Blair of the Mounties" series, promising more captivating tales from this intrepid Mountie.

Transcript

[Sergeant Blair]

Blair of the Mounties A story of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police.

[Narrator]

We present the first episode of Blair of the Mounties. Thirty years ago, away up in the Canadian Arctic, wandering prospectors discovered a mysterious warm valley. A region of hot springs where flowering shrubs and luxuriant vegetation flourish the whole year through around the mysterious legend of Fire Valley. Tonight's episode has been woven. As the story opens, we find Sergeant Blair of the Northwest Mounted Police and old Angus MacGregor, Hudson Bay Factor, smoking by the fire.

[Angus MacGregor]

Throw up to the stool. Sergeant Yon's a Cornish.

[Sergeant Blair]

Yes. Pretty cold, Angus. Heavens, what a country for a man to spend his days in.

[Angus MacGregor]

Ayesh is a hard country. But tell me, what aboot yon story of Fire Valley?

[Sergeant Blair]

Oh, yes. Well, it was one afternoon in the late fall when the news came in that Corporal Leslie had been missing from Bear Creek for a week. The Indians had a queer story. Said that Leslie had been stolen away by ghosts. Well, that was a story. Indians from the Badlands said they'd seen the ghosts heading north with a white man.

[Angus MacGregor]

Mon, that was funny.

[Sergeant Blair]

Funny, yes. But the queerest thing of all was that our next poo came from England, eh?

[Lord Danbury]

Free England.

[Sergeant Blair]

Yes. Leslie's mother, Lady Danbury, had a dream.

[Lord Danbury]

A dream, you say?

[Sergeant Blair]

Yes. Let's see if I can describe it to you. Did you ring me?

[Lady Danbury]

Yes, Dawson. Is Lord Danbury down yet?

[Sergeant Blair]

Yes, me lady. He's out in the rose garden. Shall I call him my lady?

[Lady Danbury]

No, thanks, Dawson. I'll go out to him. Oh, Robert.

[Lord Danbury]

Yes?

[Angus MacGregor]

Good morning, Marian. By Jove, what makes you so pale? Didn't you sleep well?

[Lady Danbury]

No. I had the most terrible dream. I want to tell you about a dream.

[Angus MacGregor]

Oh, come now, Marianne. That's ridiculous. Come, come. Better forget it.

[Lady Danbury]

Oh, but listen, Robert. It means something. I'm sure it does. I dreamed about Alan.

[Angus MacGregor]

About Alan? Fiddlesticks. Just a touch of indigestion, my dear.

[Lady Danbury]

Oh, but please, Robert, at least let me tell you about it.

[Angus MacGregor]

Well? Well? Oh, all right.

[Lady Danbury]

It was so utterly realistic. I saw Alan. Plainly he was in some trouble, imploring me to help him.

[Angus MacGregor]

Oh, look here, Marian. Alan is probably safe and sound out there in Canada.

[Lady Danbury]

I tell you he isn't. Something's terribly wrong. I saw Alan standing under a strange overhanging rock. I know something's happened to him.

[Angus MacGregor]

Really, Marian, this is preposterous. Oh, hello, Dawson. What do you want?

[Sergeant Blair]

Begging your pardon, my lord. This here telegram just arrived.

[Angus MacGregor]

Oh, telegram?

[Mike Rafferty]

All right.

[Angus MacGregor]

Good heavens. It's a cablegram from Canada.

[Lady Danbury]

From Canada?

[Sergeant Blair]

Oh, dear.

[Lady Danbury]

What is It.

[Angus MacGregor]

Of all the astonishing things. Listen to this. It's from the Commissioner of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police in Ottawa. Regret to advise Your son, Corporal ACM Leslie Missing. Missing from Thunder Bay Detachment since October 10th. So far, no trace. Well, upon my soul, Marion, what do you think of that?

[Lady Danbury]

Now will you believe in my dream?

[Lord Danbury]

Dream?

[Angus MacGregor]

Stuff and nonsense. And you say you saw him standing under some confounded rock or other. Oh, bah. Disgusting, I call it.

[Lady Danbury]

We must do something about it.

[Angus MacGregor]

Do something? Just because that young idiot goes and pushes off into the jungle or whatever they call it out there, you tell me to do something. Why, it's positively insane.

[Lady Danbury]

Robert. I'm going to Canada.

[Angus MacGregor]

What? Hang it. Oh, I won't allow it. It's idiotic. It's. My dear Marian, you don't really mean that.

[Lady Danbury]

I most certainly do.

[Angus MacGregor]

Oh, preposterous.

[Lady Danbury]

I've looked up the sailings. The Winitoba sails on Wednesday.

[Angus MacGregor]

The Winnitoba? Why, she's the foulest old tub afloat. If I have to go on this wild goose chase, we'll go by the Cunard. We shall be in Edmonton in 18 days.

[Lady Danbury]

Then you will go, dear?

[Angus MacGregor]

Oh, I suppose so. Never get any peace if I don't.

[Lady Danbury]

Splendid yourself. Such a sweet old thing, Robert.

[Angus MacGregor]

Sweet old thing.

[Narrator]

Weak minded old idiot.

[Angus MacGregor]

Always giving in to these confounded women.

[Mike Rafferty]

Hello there, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Blair]

Hello, Mike. Did you have a talk with his Lordship? Yes, I had a long talk with him and Lady Danbury.

[Mike Rafferty]

Hold on now. What's that picture you have there?

[Sergeant Blair]

Why, it's a sketch Lady Danbury made. That queer shaped rock is where she saw her son standing in her dream.

[Mike Rafferty]

In a dream? And they came all the way from England to tell you about a dram.

[Sergeant Blair]

Yes, funny. But we've got to humor them. They're mighty important people.

[Mike Rafferty]

But look at them trees with leaves on them. Them's poplars. Sure, there's plenty of them up north.

[Sergeant Blair]

Yes, it's clear that. But of course, there wouldn't be any poplars with leaves on them this time of the year.

[Lord Danbury]

Oh, Policeman. Chief Emperor.

[Sergeant Blair]

Hello, Joe. Come in and get warm, huh?

[Lord Danbury]

Ma Tikimanitou. He.

[Mike Rafferty]

Dad, Joe doesn't like that picture.

[Lord Danbury]

Why you get him that picture.

[Sergeant Blair]

What's wrong, Joe?

[Lord Danbury]

Him bad picture no good. You no keep him.

[Sergeant Blair]

What? You know that place, Joe?

[Lord Danbury]

Yeah, I know him. Him bad place.

[Sergeant Blair]

Here, hold on, Joe. Good heavens, what a thing. If that dream should be true, him.

[Lord Danbury]

No good place here, Joe.

[Sergeant Blair]

Why do you call him that place, huh?

[Lord Danbury]

Injunman. Him call em Pakawan in. You Pakawan.

[Sergeant Blair]

Why? Good Lord. That's Fire Valley. Joe. Maybe you make mistake.

[Lord Danbury]

No me no man go Packawan. Him never come here.

[Sergeant Blair]

Wait a minute, Joe. You know trail to that place?

[Lord Danbury]

Yeah, I know him. Long way. Bad trail. Joe no go. No like em.

[Angus MacGregor]

Packawan.

[Mike Rafferty]

Hold on.

[Sergeant Blair]

You my friend, Joe?

[Lord Danbury]

Yeah, you good man. Policeman chief.

[Sergeant Blair]

All right, Joe. Maybe I go pack one. Maybe Policeman Rafferty him go too. Maybe I tell him big white chief Joe, him scared go pack one. What do you say, Joe?

[Lord Danbury]

Maybe you go policeman chief. Joe him go too.

[Sergeant Blair]

Right. You find him a little bare, Joe. Tomorrow, daylight we go policeman Chief.

[Lord Danbury]

Tomorrow, daylight I go.

[Mike Rafferty]

Well, by the holy poker, that's a fine trip you're after. Planning slap through the badlands in the dead of winter. I'm thinking we'll never come through alive.

[Sergeant Blair]

Maybe you're right, Rafferty. It'll be a hard trail, but. Well, we're in the police.

[Mike Rafferty]

We're in the police. Well, what's the order?

[Sergeant Blair]

Look over the dog teams. Mike, I'll need two sleighs. Stand by to pull out at dawn tomorrow.

[Mike Rafferty]

Okay, Sergeant.

[Lord Danbury]

I'll be with you.

[Sergeant Blair]

Stir up the fire, Mike.

[Mike Rafferty]

I will that.

[Sergeant Blair]

Say, how are those feet of yours, Mike? Pretty badly swollen?

[Mike Rafferty]

No, they're not so bad.

[Sergeant Blair]

Think you can make it, old chap?

[Mike Rafferty]

Oh, sure, I'll be all right. But what is this Fire Valley, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Blair]

Why, they say there's a tropical valley here in the Arctic caused by hot springs, most likely.

[Mike Rafferty]

A tropical valley? Well, no, that's a queer thing in a cold country like this.

[Sergeant Blair]

So it is. And yet there's truth in it. They say there's a band of white faced Indians in there.

[Mike Rafferty]

By golly. Now, it might be them ghosts they was talking about.

[Sergeant Blair]

By Jove, yes, it might be.

[Mike Rafferty]

What about that picture?

[Sergeant Blair]

Well, that's the most astounding thing of all. That rock in the picture is the one at the entrance to Fire Valley.

[Mike Rafferty]

Sergeant.

[Sergeant Blair]

Yes.

[Mike Rafferty]

Did you notice how warm it's turned?

[Sergeant Blair]

Yes, that's right. Feels like a chinook. But it's too far north for that. I wonder. Hello, Joe. What is it?

[Lord Danbury]

You come, I show you. You see em? Light in the sky.

[Angus MacGregor]

Light?

[Sergeant Blair]

By jingo. Yes. Looks like a big fire. Say, Joe, you don't mean.

[Lord Danbury]

Yeah, yeah. Him Pakwan. Maybe tomorrow we make em.

[Sergeant Blair]

So that's why it turns so warm. Well, that's lucky. Another day on that trail and we'd be all in.

[Mike Rafferty]

What is it, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Blair]

Looks like Fire Valley just ahead, Mike. We'll rest up here and move up closer to the valley tomorrow. Look after the dogs, Joe.

[Lord Danbury]

Yeah, I fix them.

[Sergeant Blair]

Well, Mike, you have a good rest? Sure.

[Mike Rafferty]

I feel like a two year old sergeant. Did you have a look at the valley?

[Sergeant Blair]

Yes, only a few hundred yards through the bush.

[Mike Rafferty]

Did you see anything?

[Sergeant Blair]

Well, no. The place seemed as quiet as a grave. But we found that big rock. You did? Yes, just like it is in the picture. We didn't go beyond the rock, but we'll have a look tonight. It'll soon be dark now.

[Mike Rafferty]

It's a spooky business. Hello. There's Joe. What's wrong? I wonder.

[Sergeant Blair]

What is it, Joe?

[Lord Danbury]

Oh, policeman, chief, woman. She come.

[Sergeant Blair]

A woman?

[Lord Danbury]

Yeah, she come by trail.

[Mike Rafferty]

Sure, and it's a woman all right. And a good looker for an Injun. Hey, what you want, young lady?

[Onita]

My name Onita. I live Pakawan.

[Sergeant Blair]

Well, why you come?

[Onita]

You come Packa one. I show you. I show you white man. His name Lindley.

[Mike Rafferty]

Mother of Massy. Does she mean Leslie?

[Onita]

Yes.

[Sergeant Blair]

Good heavens. Leslie here in this place?

[Mike Rafferty]

Look out now, Sergeant, it may be a trap.

[Onita]

No, Len Lay, my friend. You no come tonight. Len lay die.

[Sergeant Blair]

Okay. We gotta chance it, Mike. All right, we come.

[Mike Rafferty]

Can you see anything, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Blair]

Yes, there's a path going up the side of this rock. Is Joe there?

[Mike Rafferty]

Sure, he's right behind me.

[Sergeant Blair]

All right, keep your gun handy.

[Angus MacGregor]

Wait.

[Onita]

You come, Len lay in this place.

[Sergeant Blair]

We gotta. It's a cave. Yes. You know what cave is? I'm going in, Lenny.

[Onita]

Here, white chief.

[Sergeant Blair]

You sin Lord. Yes, Leslie. All tied up. Oh, Mike.

[Mike Rafferty]

What is it?

[Corporal Leslie]

Tattoo.

[Sergeant Blair]

Let's have your knife. Thanks. That's it. Cut this rawhide lashing. Now the gag. Goodie. What?

[Lord Danbury]

Who.

[Sergeant Blair]

Who's that? Come on, Leslie, this is Sergeant Blair. Sergeant Blair? Why, how did you. Listen.

[Corporal Leslie]

Look out, Sergeant. It's the engines. He says we've started something.

[Sergeant Blair]

All right, Mike, stand by that engine. Come on, Leslie. Snap. Oh, heavens.

[Narrator]

I was stiff as a board. I'll be all right in a minute. Look after Anita, Sergeant. She saved my life.

[Sergeant Blair]

All right, Letley. Can you walk?

[Narrator]

Yes, I guess so.

[Corporal Leslie]

Come on, you mother and devils.

[Angus MacGregor]

There's one for you.

[Corporal Leslie]

Mother and mercy. They got the girl, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Blair]

What? Good.

[Lord Danbury]

No.

[Corporal Leslie]

Yes, and she fell over the cliff.

[Sergeant Blair]

Good heavens. Listen.

[Mike Rafferty]

The drums have stopped by the holy poker.

[Sergeant Blair]

So they have. Yes. Come on, Mike. Now's our chance to make a break for it. It's our only chance. We'll go back along the path and.

[Lord Danbury]

Mon sargent, what a story.

[Angus MacGregor]

But you havena finished. What would they be wanting this Leslie for?

[Sergeant Blair]

Well, that was the thinker of the whole affair. They believed the time was approaching when their gods would destroy Fire Valley. If they sacrificed a white man, they hoped to have avert the danger of the God.

[Angus MacGregor]

And the sacrifice didn't come off?

[Sergeant Blair]

No. That's funny too. After our trip, a strong police party went in there. There had been a big volcanic eruption. The whole place was wiped out.

[Lord Danbury]

No, that's queer. And what about Leslie?

[Sergeant Blair]

Oh, we got him back all right. Had quite a time though. Poor little Anita got an arrow slapped through her. She went over the cliff. Leslie was crazy. Then came the trip over the Badlands. It was a nightmare. But we made it. And that, Angus, is the story of Fire Valley.

[Angus MacGregor]

Ay mon sargent.

[Lord Danbury]

Yon's a queer story.

[Narrator]

A strange story indeed, but only one of many and varied adventures of Sergeant Blair as told in this thrilling series. Tune in for our next episode in Blair of the Mounties entitled Murder in Long Coulee.