Old Time Radio Westerns

"The Ice Trail" – Challenge of the Yukon (April 3, 1952, rebroadcast November 12, 2025)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode Overview

In this digitally remastered episode of Challenge of the Yukon, listeners are transported to the snow-swept gold rush days of the Yukon, where Sergeant Preston and his faithful dog, Yukon King, must solve a robbery and rescue a kidnapped fur trapper. Rich in atmospheric sound design and vintage radio drama charm, this adventure follows the plight of Pierre Dumont, an earnest trapper who becomes the target of desperate thieves, and the relentless pursuit of justice by Preston and King across the treacherous spring ice.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Stage: The Allure and Dangers of the Yukon

• The story establishes the bustling fur trade and gold rush fervor near Selkirk, Yukon.
• Pierre Dumont, a hardworking trapper, is excited about his successful season and plans to sell his prized collection of furs for a much needed sum, eager to finally provide for his patient wife, Marie.

[03:25] Pierre:
"Marie, I have been most lucky with my traps this season. I have just brought in another batch of fine furs...They will bring much money."

2. Ambition and Temptation: The Robbery is Hatched

• At the Selkirk general store, Pierre arranges with the shopkeeper, Mike, to sell his furs and will return the next morning with his load.
• Two ne’er-do-wells, Sid and Joe, overhear Pierre’s plans and conspire to rob him as he travels home with his earnings.

[05:53] Sid (to Joe):
"After he collects the cash, we’d follow him and grab it, huh?...We'll figure things out so he'll not get back to town."

3. The Crime: Pierre Robbed and Abducted

• Pierre receives $1,200 for his skins and sets off for home but is ambushed halfway by Sid and Joe.
• The crooks tie Pierre up, steal his money, and plan to dispose of him so he can’t report the crime.

[07:39] Pierre (pleading):
"That money, it is all I have."
[07:40] Sid:
"You mean it's all you did have. We have it now..."

• The men scatter Pierre’s dogs and leave his sled hidden before fleeing with him as their captive.

4. The Search Begins: Sergeant Preston and King Investigate

• A prospector reports seeing Pierre’s dogs running loose, which puzzles Sergeant Preston.
• Preston visits Pierre's worried wife, Marie, and uses Pierre's old glove to let King pick up the scent.

[11:02] Sergeant Preston:
"King will get Pierre's scent from the glove, and then he'll be able to pick up his trail."

• King leads Preston to the scene of the hold-up, where they find scattered money and Pierre’s sled.

5. High-Stakes Chase on Dangerous Ice

• Sid and Joe, with Pierre bound on their sled, take to the melting river ice for a faster escape, ignoring warnings about the risk.
• Tension mounts as cracks and creaks signal the danger of imminent breakup.

[17:39] Sid (sinisterly):
"Tonight, after we reach the cabin, we'll put a bullet in him and we'll bust a hole in the ice on the river and shove him under."

• Meanwhile, Preston and King pursue swiftly, braving the weakening ice themselves.

6. The Ice Breaks—Dramatic Rescue

• The ice dangerously collapses beneath Sid and Joe’s sled; they’re stranded on a floating slab with Pierre, surrounded by icy water.
• The crooks attempt to swim for shore, abandoning Pierre, who is still bound.

[21:01] Sid (panicked):
"We'll have to try to swim for it...Come on!"
[21:25] Pierre:
"Help. Come back. Don't leave me!"

• Preston throws a rope to the struggling crooks, rescues them, and then directs King to swim out and free Pierre by gnawing the ropes.

[22:56] Pierre (amazed):
"Preston's dog, King. But how can he help me here, King, these ropes."

7. Justice Restored and a Grateful Reunion

• Pierre is freed and brought to safety; Sid and Joe—frigid and defeated—are handcuffed.
• The full story comes out: Preston’s dog King tracked Pierre, and Preston’s perseverance led to the timely rescue.

[24:08] Sergeant Preston (official):
"I'm arresting you in the name of the Crown for robbery and attempted murder."

• Pierre expresses deep gratitude, emphasizing King’s loyalty and intellect.

[24:48] Pierre:
"King doesn't like to be called a mutt. If it hadn't been for him, I would have been dead...But remember, it was Sergeant Preston who trained that dog."
[24:59] Sergeant Preston:
"King's a great partner to have, Pierre. Without his help, I couldn't say this case is closed."

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Pierre’s hope and hard work:
  "I have been most lucky with my traps this season...no longer will you have to worry." [03:25]
• Sid’s ruthless logic:
  "They'll never know what happened to you or that we had anything to do with it." [18:05]
• Tense rescue as King performs a heroic act:
  "King understood. He gnawed the cords which held Pierre’s hands together until they finally parted." [23:05]
• Classic affirmation of teamwork:
  "King’s a great partner... Without his help, I couldn’t say this case is closed." [24:59]

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Highlight | |-----------|--------------------| | 03:25 | Pierre shares his success and dreams with Marie | | 05:53 | Thieves plot to rob Pierre after overhearing his plans | | 07:39 | Pierre is robbed and tied up by Sid and Joe | | 09:06 | Prospector alerts Preston; investigation begins | | 11:02 | King takes Pierre’s scent, search intensifies | | 15:36 | Preston tracks Pierre’s captors onto the ice | | 17:39 | Kidnappers reveal their deadly plans for Pierre | | 18:28 | The ice begins to break up, increasing peril | | 22:32 | King swims out and frees Pierre on the ice | | 24:08 | Preston arrests the robbers for robbery and attempted murder | | 24:59 | Preston and Pierre reflect on the loyalty of King and the value of partnership |

Episode Tone & Style

The episode maintains a classic adventure radio drama tone—urgent, suspenseful, moral, and earnest. The voices are rich and animated, with period-appropriate accents, and the soundscape is brought to new life in this restored production, intensifying the atmosphere of frontier danger and the heroism of Preston and King.

Conclusion

"The Ice Trail" is an exemplary slice of Old Time Radio Western drama, immersing listeners in a tense tale of robbery, survival, and justice. With sharp pacing, memorable characters, and the steadfast heroism of Sergeant Preston and King, this episode highlights both the peril of the untamed Yukon and the virtue of loyalty and determination in the face of danger.

For more digitized radio adventures, subscribe and follow Old Time Radio Westerns.