Sergeant Preston 44-07-06 Ep 0336 Unscheduled Escape

Summary

Sergeant Preston 44-07-06 Ep 0336: "Unscheduled Escape" – Detailed Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Title: Sergeant Preston 44-07-06 Ep 0336 Unscheduled Escape
Release Date: March 23, 2025
Description: Dive into the gripping adventures of Sergeant Preston and his loyal Wonder Dog King as they navigate the treacherous terrains of the Yukon, battling outlaws and upholding justice in the lawless frontier.

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Introduction

"Unscheduled Escape" is a riveting episode from the long-running series Sergeant Preston, set during the rugged days of the Yukon. Hosted by Harold's Old Time Radio, this episode masterfully blends suspense, action, and the timeless bond between a Mountie and his dog. As the spring thaw transforms the landscape, Sergeant Preston faces new challenges that test his courage and commitment to law and order.

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Setting and Atmosphere

The episode opens with a vivid narration that paints the Yukon as a place of both beauty and peril. Spring brings melted snow and muddy trails, complicating travel and increasing the annoyance of persistent mosquitoes. This setting creates a tense backdrop for the unfolding drama (00:32).

Narrator: "Spring had come to the Yukon. The snow had melted along the trails, leaving many of them thick, oozing rivers of mud..." (00:32)

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Characters

• Sergeant Preston: The dedicated and resourceful member of the Northwest Mounted Police, committed to maintaining peace.
• King: Preston's magnificent Wonder Dog, known for his strength and swift prowess in the Yukon wilderness.
• Marty and Charlie Kane: Resentful outlaws with a vendetta against Sergeant Preston, embodying the lawlessness Preston fights against.
• Art Hennessy: The cunning leader of the Hennessy gang, orchestrating schemes to evade justice.
• Inspector Maynard: Preston’s superior, providing guidance and support in the pursuit of justice.
• Clem: A prospector turned lawman, offering crucial information about the Hennessy gang’s movements.

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Plot Overview

1. The Capture and Tension (00:32 – 03:09): Sergeant Preston apprehends two men, Marty and Charlie Kane, who harbor deep resentment towards him. As they trek through the muddy trails, the mounting tension between the Mountie and his prisoners sets the stage for conflict.

Marty: "Trying to make this a death march, Marty?" (01:58)
Sergeant Preston: "You've done a lot of talking, but so far it's added up to nothing." (02:22)

2. The Suspicion of Poisoned Water (03:09 – 04:43): Upon setting up camp near a spring, King detects something amiss with the water, leading Preston to suspect foul play. Despite Marty's attempts to coerce Preston into sharing information, the Mountie remains steadfast.

Sergeant Preston: "I think I'll abide by King's judgment." (03:45)
Charlie's Kane: "We won't be behind bars long." (02:25)

3. The Escape and Pursuit (04:43 – 07:30): Two weeks later, Marty escapes custody, leading Preston back to Machete City to track down the Hennessy gang. Clem provides vital information about the gang’s hideout location, narrowing down their search between Three Forks and Meshet City.

Inspector Maynard: "Your job will be to bring Cain back to jail with the whole Hennessy gang to stay there." (05:25)
Clem: "Now, if that ever happens, there ain't nothing on this side of the great divide will get them out till they walk out to their hanging." (06:56)

4. The Showdown at the Hideout (07:30 – 14:43): Preston and King confront the outlaws at the gang’s concealed cave. Tensions escalate as Charlie Kane attempts to manipulate Preston, but through quick thinking and King's loyalty, Preston uncovers the plot to poison the water, turning the outlaws' scheme against them.

Sergeant Preston: "This dog's worth five of you." (10:13)
Sergeant Preston: "You won't stop me with that gun, Charlie. There's not a bullet left in it." (12:57)
Clem: "I just hope I live long enough to see the whole rotten bunch of them swinging for what they done." (06:56)

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Key Themes and Insights

• Loyalty and Friendship: The unbreakable bond between Sergeant Preston and King underscores the theme of loyalty, highlighting how their partnership is pivotal in overcoming adversities.
• Justice vs. Corruption: The episode epitomizes the eternal struggle between law enforcement and outlaws, showcasing Preston’s unwavering commitment to justice despite personal threats.
• Cleverness and Strategy: Preston’s ability to outsmart the Hennessy gang illustrates the importance of wit and strategy over brute force in law enforcement.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sergeant Preston: "You've done a lot of talking, but so far it's added up to nothing." (02:22)
• Marty: "We won't be behind bars long." (02:25)
• Sergeant Preston: "Your job will be to bring Cain back to jail with the whole Hennessy gang to stay there." (05:25)
• Clem: "I just hope I live long enough to see the whole rotten bunch of them swinging for what they done." (06:56)
• Sergeant Preston: "This dog's worth five of you." (10:13)
• Sergeant Preston: "You won't stop me with that gun, Charlie. There's not a bullet left in it." (12:57)

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Conclusion

"Unscheduled Escape" masterfully captures the essence of the Yukon’s perilous environment and the relentless pursuit of justice by Sergeant Preston and his loyal companion, King. The episode weaves suspense, action, and emotional depth, making it a standout installment for fans of classic radio dramas. Through clever dialogue and well-paced storytelling, listeners are kept on the edge of their seats, witnessing the triumph of integrity and loyalty over deceit and vengeance.

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This detailed summary encapsulates the key elements of the episode, providing an engaging and comprehensive overview for both longtime listeners and newcomers alike.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

The challenge of the Yukon. The Wonder Dog King, swiftest and strongest of Eskimo lead dogs, blazes the trail through storm and snow for Sergeant Preston as he meets the challenge of the Yukon. Sergeant Preston was typical of the small band of Northwest Mounted Police who preserved law and order in the new northwest country where the greed for wealth and power led to frequent violence and bloodshed. But in spite of the odds against them, Sergeant Preston and his Wonder Dog King met that challenge and justice ruled. Triumphant. Spring had come to the Yukon. The snow had melted along the trails, leaving many of them thick, oozing rivers of mud. And with the change in weather came the plague of man and beast mosquitoes. Instead of a dog sled, Sergeant Preston drove a travois which his dogs pulled effortlessly. Two men walked the trail with the Mountie sullen, resentful expressions on their faces. And in their eyes was the cold, unreasoning, deadly hatred of killers being brought to justice.

[Charlie Kane]

Trying to make this a death march, Marty?

[Marty]

Yeah, walking us through miles of this mucker.

[Sergeant Preston]

You're walking because there's no better way of getting you where you're going.

[Marty]

That's what I call real nice here. Taking such good care of your prisoners.

[Sergeant Preston]

Forget it. Triggered.

[Marty]

I ain't forgetting nothing. We might be able to put us in jail, but that's no sign we're staying there. See, Charlie and me will both get out. And when we do, we'll especially remember the pains you took to put us in.

[Sergeant Preston]

You've done a lot of talking, but so far it's added up to nothing.

[Marty]

And you sure wish it did, didn't you? Huh? Like maybe telling you where you can find the boss in the hideout. That's something you never know, Mountie. But I'm telling you this much. We won't be behind bars long.

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, in a way, you're right. You won't be behind bars long. They're both wanted for murder. As far as you're concerned, jail will just be a stopping off place till you walk to the gallows.

[Charlie Kane]

Don't worry. That rope Will never be around our necks. Those mosquitoes. Enough to drive a man crazy.

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, this is as far as we'll travel. All right, fellow.

[Marty]

Ho, King. Ho, you maliboots.

[Narrator]

When they made camp off the trail, Sergeant Preston, his two prisoners and the Great Dog King made their way to the spring, the only water source within several miles. Running ahead of the men, King reached the spring, lowering his head to the water. But as he did, he caught an odd scent. A scent that was distasteful to him.

[Marty]

What's wrong with that pooch of yours, Marty? How come he's turned up his nose at that water?

[Sergeant Preston]

I don't know. Unless there's something wrong with it. Yeah.

[Marty]

Well, maybe it ain't good enough for him. But I'm thirsty.

[Sergeant Preston]

What about you? I think I'll abide by King's judgment.

[Marty]

Scared you, huh? Here. Want a drink, Charlie?

[Charlie Kane]

No. Preston ain't taking any chances. Neither am I.

[Marty]

Nice and cool. Yes, sir.

[Narrator]

Early the next morning.

[Charlie Kane]

Yeah, we ought to be in Meshet City tonight. Trig. Hey, Trigger. Trigger.

[Sergeant Preston]

What's the trouble, King?

[Charlie Kane]

It's Trigger. He ain't moving. Look at his face.

[Sergeant Preston]

It must have been that water. So King was right.

[Marty]

He.

[Charlie Kane]

I thought I heard him calling me last night, but I wasn't sure. Seemed like. Like I was dreaming.

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, we're starting now for Machete City. Trigger won't be hanging for his crimes, but you will. Get the dogs up, K.

[Narrator]

Two weeks later, in the headquarters of the Mounted police, Sergeant Preston sat in Inspector Maynard's office. The Great Dog King settled on the floor close to his master's feet.

[Sergeant Preston]

So Charlie Kane made the break, did he?

[Inspector Maynard]

Yes. You weren't out of Machete City 24 hours when he got away. One of the guards was killed in a gunfight. But two members of the gang, well.

[Sergeant Preston]

Trigger said they'd never stay in jail.

[Inspector Maynard]

Your job will be to bring Cain back to jail with the whole Hennessy gang to stay there. The law and order commissioner, Meshett City and Three Forks will give you whatever help they can.

[Sergeant Preston]

You know, sir, I have a hunch Art Hennessy has his hideout somewhere between those two towns, Three Forks and Meshet City.

[Inspector Maynard]

If you were right, that should make the job easier for him. Well, good luck, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Preston]

Thank you, sir.

[Narrator]

Retracing his trail to Machete City, Sergeant Preston sought out the guard who had survived the gunfight with the Hennessy gang. He listened closely to the old prospector turned lawman as the two of them sat in the small building that served as the jail.

[Clem]

In broad daylight, they came Sergeant, there was three of them opened fire on Sam and me. We barely had a chance.

[Sergeant Preston]

Yes, I heard about Sam.

[Clem]

They filled him so full of lead he was dead before he ever hit the ground. Me, I stopped a couple of slugs in my shoulder. But I. I live to tell about it. I just hope I live long enough to see the whole rotten bunch of them swinging for what they done.

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, from the description you've given me, Clem, I know one of the men was Art Hennessy. All right. Did you see what direction they went when they left town? North.

[Clem]

They didn't waste no time. I can tell you, by the time the men was out of the saloon to see what all the ruckus was about, the whole bunch of them was gone.

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, that proves one point anyway. That hideout must be between here and.

[Clem]

Three Forks with a good 70 mile stretch of country in the middle.

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, it's a start, Clem. And so far that's the only clue we've had. For months we've been trying to locate the hideout.

[Clem]

I sure hope you find it. I guess one murder more or less don't matter much to them fellows. But Sam was my friend. A better man never lived. Sergeant, I just want to have the pleasure of putting them under lock and key in this here jail. Believe me, if that ever happens, there ain't nothing on this side of the great divide will get them out till they walk out to their hanging.

[Sergeant Preston]

And they'll hang, Clem. If I have to spend the next year looking for them. They'll hang.

[Narrator]

Sleeping back from the trail at night and during the day covering it carefully, examining every remnant of the campsite, the Mountie worked tirelessly hoping to find some clue that would lead him to what he sought. Meanwhile, not 20 miles from where the policeman had camped, a short, heavyset man halted his dog team in front of a well concealed cave.

[Marty]

Shut up, you mutts.

[Sergeant Preston]

Hey, Charlie. Yeah.

[Charlie Kane]

Say, I didn't expect you back so soon, Keith.

[Art Hennessy]

Listen, you remember the Mountie that took you and Trigger in?

[Charlie Kane]

Oh, I remembered. I'll never forget him. Why?

[Art Hennessy]

Well, he's camping on the trail about 20 miles from here. I took the back trail, cutting through timber most of the way. But I gotta look at him and I'll lay attend the one he's out to put you behind bars again.

[Charlie Kane]

That's interesting. Mighty interesting. Too bad Art ain't here. So he thinks he'll trail Charlie Kane, does he? We'll just go and meet him, Pete. Yeah, that's what we'll do. Take that Rifle of yours and your revolver. Come on.

[Narrator]

Several hours later, with moonlight filtering through the leaves of the birch trees and illuminating the trail, the Great Dog King raised his head from between his paws. His fur bristled dangerously as he stood up.

[Sergeant Preston]

King. King, what is it?

[Charlie Kane]

All right, buddy Ring.

[Sergeant Preston]

Oh, I see.

[Charlie Kane]

Yeah. Thought I'd save you the trouble of looking me up. Might as well get set to travel. Never mind the supplies. You won't eat them where you're going.

[Sergeant Preston]

Quiet, boy. Looks like you're holding the cards this time, Kane.

[Charlie Kane]

You bet I am, honey. I'm playing them my way. Now get moving.

[Narrator]

With Charlie Kane holding a gun on him, Sergeant Preston with the Great Dog King covered the trail to the outlaw hideout. King waited, his fury almost smothering obedience, for the command from his master to jump these men. But when they halted in front of the camp and the command came, it was not the one he had hoped for.

[Sergeant Preston]

Go on, King. Back to Machete City. Bring help. Understand? Go on, fella. Go to Clem, Wyatt.

[Narrator]

For a moment, the King hesitated. But the urgency in the Mountie's voice left no doubt in the dog's mind.

[Charlie Kane]

Hey, where's that dog of yours going?

[Sergeant Preston]

What's the difference where he's going? I'm the one you're holding a gun on.

[Charlie Kane]

Yeah, well, I can turn it on him just.

[Sergeant Preston]

Why, you dirty.

[Marty]

Hey, Pete.

[Art Hennessy]

This gun in your ribs is loaded, Mountie.

[Charlie Kane]

First time anybody ever tried to sock me for firing at a mutt.

[Sergeant Preston]

That dog's worth five of you.

[Charlie Kane]

You took a pretty big chance there, Preston. One of those bullets might have stopped you. One of them will yet. But I want Hennessy to be here to see it.

[Narrator]

Sergeant Preston sat beside the outlaw's campfire, his eyes straining toward the rim of a distant hill. He wondered if Charlie Kane had hit his mark. Had King managed to escape safely? Accepting the food the outlaws offered him, the policeman refused. The cup To Charlie Kane held out.

[Charlie Kane]

Ever drink?

[Sergeant Preston]

Marley, where'd you get that water?

[Charlie Kane]

Out by the spring. Why?

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, that's what I thought. No, thanks. No, I don't want any.

[Art Hennessy]

What's wrong, Charlie?

[Charlie Kane]

I don't know. He says he don't want anything to drink.

[Art Hennessy]

All right, so let him alone.

[Sergeant Preston]

You're not forgetting what happened to Trigger, are you, Charlie?

[Charlie Kane]

Of course I ain't forgetting what happened. Hey, now, wait a minute. You don't say.

[Sergeant Preston]

All I'm saying is that I don't want any of that water.

[Art Hennessy]

You said Trigger died from drinking poisoned water, Charlie. Yeah.

[Charlie Kane]

Yeah, he did. Listen, Monty, this water's all right, see.

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, maybe it is, but I don't want it.

[Art Hennessy]

You must be right, Charlie.

[Charlie Kane]

This water's all right.

[Art Hennessy]

How do we know it is?

[Sergeant Preston]

You'll know. First you begin to feel a little light headed.

[Art Hennessy]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Preston]

Then you begin to feel a slight pain. And it's more difficult to get your breath.

[Art Hennessy]

Charlie, I. I didn't want to say anything to you, but now it is harder to breathe.

[Charlie Kane]

Finger tight inside a few hours.

[Sergeant Preston]

Oh, sometimes it takes longer before you feel the effect.

[Art Hennessy]

There's something you can do about it. Sure there is. I know. I read someplace once that if you swallow something, you'll be all right.

[Clem]

Then you won't die.

[Art Hennessy]

Listen, Mountie, you know about medicine. Give us something that'll counteract.

[Sergeant Preston]

Michael, Kid is with the supplies. You insisted I leave back along the trail. Pete, I can't do anything for you.

[Art Hennessy]

Yeah, but there must be some way.

[Charlie Kane]

There's got to be.

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, there is one thing.

[Art Hennessy]

Yeah, what is it? We'll give you. You'll walk out of here as free as air if you can help us.

[Sergeant Preston]

What about it, Charlie?

[Charlie Kane]

Sure, sure, it's about.

[Art Hennessy]

We're wasting time.

[Sergeant Preston]

Break open all of the bullets you have here. You'll need quite a bit of powder. Then mix that with water and swallow the mixture.

[Narrator]

The two outlaws worked quickly, breaking one bullet after the other. Following the Mountie's instructions. Five minutes passed, then 15. They swallowed the bitter mixture hurriedly and as Preston prepared to leave the camp.

[Charlie Kane]

Hey, wait a minute. Where do you think you're going?

[Sergeant Preston]

We made a bargain. I've kept my part of it.

[Charlie Kane]

Sure you did. You're staying here.

[Sergeant Preston]

And just what makes you think that I will?

[Charlie Kane]

Thinking don't enter into it, Monty. I know you will. You better stand right where you are.

[Sergeant Preston]

So that's it, huh? You won't stop me with that gun, Charlie. There's not a bullet left in it.

[Art Hennessy]

He's right, Charlie. We busted every one of them all.

[Sergeant Preston]

And this is where I start busting something besides bullets. You can shake crooks out. King. King, old boy. Are you safe, fellow? Sure.

[Clem]

Sure is safe. Let us right here. Say, what's going on? Sure looks like you put the fear of your fist into these tools, Charlie.

[Sergeant Preston]

Pete.

[Pete]

How did it happen? This morning he got the drop on you.

[Clem]

I forgot to tell you, Sergeant. We met this fella coming along the trail.

[Sergeant Preston]

Hennessy, huh?

[Clem]

I got his guns. He was on his way here when I recognized him.

[Charlie Kane]

It was a water art. He never would have got the best of us if it hadn't been Poisoned.

[Pete]

Poisoned water.

[Art Hennessy]

It ain't fit to drink.

[Sergeant Preston]

Art.

[Pete]

Are you talking about the water from the spring?

[Art Hennessy]

What do you think I'm talking about? I told you how Trigger got it from a spring.

[Pete]

Oh, you lame brained fool. The spring where you and Trigger camped with The Mountie was exactly 35 miles between three Forks and Meshette City, wasn't it?

[Sergeant Preston]

Yes, it was. About that Hennessy.

[Pete]

I calculated myself how far a team could travel along that trail from either town. Then I poisoned the only spring within miles. I've kept it poisoned so as to stop anybody would be too near the hideout. The way I figured it, Preston should have died the way Trigger did.

[Charlie Kane]

Well, then. Then the water here is all right.

[Pete]

Sure it is. Ain't that what I just said?

[Charlie Kane]

Put the Mountie heat.

[Sergeant Preston]

Sir, I didn't say the water was poisoned. I refused to drink any. The power of suggestion and your own imagination did the rest.

[Clem]

I don't get all this, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Preston]

I'll explain it to you later. Clem. Right now you have the chance. You wanted to put the Hennessy gang under lock and key. And this time they'll stay there. Yes, fella, you did a great job. The case is close.

[Narrator]

These copyrighted dramas originate in the studios of wxyz, Detroit, and all characters, names, places and incidents used are fictitious. They are sent to you each week at the same time. Jack McCarthy speaking. This is the Michigan Radio Network.