The Killer Whale | Challenge of the Yukon (03-13-52)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns – Episode Summary

Episode: The Killer Whale | Challenge of the Yukon (03-13-52)
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Release Date: October 1, 2025

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Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns presents a digitally restored classic radio drama from Challenge of the Yukon, featuring Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police and his loyal dog, Yukon King. The adventure, "The Killer Whale," is set amidst the icy expanse of the Yukon during the gold rush era, blending suspense, treachery, and indigenous legend as Sergeant Preston and his companions become entangled in a hunt for a lost treasure — and a battle with both outlaws and the untamed power of the sea.

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Key Discussion Points and Storyline

1. Setup: The Treasure Hunt and the Capture

• Professor Emmett Sheridan and two fellow professors are searching the Northwest Indian totem poles to locate fabled buried gold, seeking to decipher a mysterious stone tablet.
• The outlaws, led by Sergei Rostov (a Russian) and Captain Ralph Bradford (a whaler skipper), capture the professors and take them to a remote logging camp on Alexander Bay, hoping to force them to reveal the gold’s location.

  “We know the treasure is buried at the foot of a sun and raven totem.” – Sergei Rostov [04:31]

2. Conflict Among the Villains

• Rostov and Bradford spar over motives: Bradford wants to chase whales instead of lost treasure, especially the legendary “Big Blue.” Rostov, however, convinces Bradford to retrieve a crucial carved section from the killer whale totem pole, believed to be a key to decoding the treasure’s location.
• Bradford is dubious about stealing the totem, aware it's of great value to the local tribe, but is persuaded through Rostov’s cajoling and his own growing desperation.

3. Sergeant Preston and Ted Sheridan Investigate

• Sergeant Preston and Ted (the professor's son) arrive at the Tongass Indian village, questioning the chief and examining the killer whale totem for clues.
• The chief recounts the legend of the killer whale totem:

  “A long time ago a boy ... was given the power to create and control the killer whales ... The whales destroyed his evil brothers. And then the boy ordered the whales never again to harm human beings.” – Ted Sheridan [08:22]

• They learn the professors left with Captain Bradford’s ship.

4. Deception and Capture Aboard the Whaler

• Bradford, following Rostov’s plan, pretends to agree to take Sergeant Preston and Ted to Moose Bay but instead has his crew ambush and tie them up the moment they step aboard.
• Yukon King, Preston’s dog, evades the crew and hides in the hold.

5. Theft of the Totem and Escalating Danger

• Bradford’s crew chop down the killer whale totem and load the carved section onto the ship, fulfilling Rostov’s demands.
• As a gale gathers, the ship sets out to sea. Preston and Ted, still prisoners, note the severe storm and realize the treacherous situation.

6. Legend Meets Reality—The Attack of Big Blue

• When the crew sights a gigantic whale (“Big Blue”), all but the cook go after it in longboats, against Preston’s warning:

  “This may be the break we’ve been looking for, Ted. ... The whole crew’s being ordered into the longboats and only the cook will be left aboard.” – Sergeant Preston [17:27]

• Yukon King is called by Preston and chews through the ropes to free his master and Ted.
• On deck, they watch as Big Blue capsizes both whaleboats, leaving the men to drown in the stormy sea.

7. Shipwreck and Survival

• The whaler, now only manned by Preston, Ted, and the cook, is battered by the gale, loses its rudder, and is eventually driven aground but survives intact.
• The mate confesses:

  “They should never have stolen it. It brought the curse of the killer whale on the whole crew.” – The Mate [21:35]

• Preston, Ted, and the cook use the debris and the salvaged totem piece to build a raft, determined to reach Alexander Bay, help Ted's father, and bring the rest of the gang to justice.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What could they want with a totem pole?” – Ted Sheridan [15:57]
• “Big Blue, the last of the killer whales. What do we do now, Sergeant?” – Ted Sheridan [23:52]
• “Should he be blamed or should the captain?” – Sergeant Preston, reflecting on the tragic fate of the whalers [23:38]
• “We'll make a raft... That piece of the killer whale totem will do as part of it.” – Sergeant Preston, turning disaster into hope [23:58]

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Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:33 | Opening theme and scene-setting narration | | 03:15 | Rostov and Bradford discuss the professors and the totem’s secret | | 05:03 | Discussion of the killer whale totem and the plan to steal it | | 08:10 | Chief, Preston, and Ted examine the totem and learn about the legend | | 11:00 | Preston and Ted are lured on board Bradford’s ship and ambushed | | 15:50 | Preston and Ted, imprisoned, witness the theft of the totem via the cabin porthole | | 17:07 | Crew sights Big Blue and prepares for a fateful whale hunt | | 18:54 | Yukon King frees Preston and Ted | | 20:24 | The disastrous attack by Big Blue, as witnessed from the storm-tossed ship | | 21:32 | Reflection on the “curse” of the stolen totem; discussion with the mate | | 23:34 | Aftermath: Only the raft remains, with the group resolved to go to Alexander Bay and rescue Sheridan|

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Episode Tone and Style

The episode maintains the vivid, suspenseful atmosphere characteristic of vintage radio westerns, peppered with brisk dialogue, maritime peril, and attention to local legend and lore. The drama is earnest and adventurous, blending suspense with moral reflections and the indomitable optimism of heroic characters. The digital restoration, as highlighted in the podcast introduction, brings out the environmental sound effects—the howl of wind, crack of wood, and splash of waves—immersing the listener in the high-stakes narrative.

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Conclusion & Next Adventure Preview

Sergeant Preston, Ted, and the cook survive the wrath of both whale and sea. They prepare to trek to Alexander Bay to confront the remaining outlaws and rescue the professors. The legend of the killer whale totem intertwines with the fates of both villains and heroes, serving both as a plot device and a moral lesson capping the episode:

“Big Blue has taken care of the captain and his men. It’s up to us to take care of the other members of the gang. When your father’s free and the gang’s in jail, this case will be closed.” – Sergeant Preston [24:10]

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For Listeners

This adventure exemplifies the classic radio western: a mix of action, myth, and moral stakes. Even without prior episodes, listeners are swept into a world where law, legend, and the wilds of nature clash. The restored audio highlights lend new life to the vintage script and performances, making for an immersive historical listening experience.

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Note: All advertisements, sponsorship messages, and non-content segments were omitted from this summary.

Transcript

[Andrew Rines]

Foreign.

[Podcast Host]

Welcome to the old time radio westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode.

[Narrator]

Now. As gunshots echo across the windswept snow covered reaches of the wild northwest. Quaker popped wheat and Quaker popped rice, the breakfast cereal. Shot from gun present Sergeant Preston of the Yukon. It's Yukon King, swiftest and strongest lead dog of the northwest blazing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest mounted police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers. Gold. Gold discovered in the Yukon. A stampede to the Klondike in the wild race for riches back to the days of the gold rush with Quaker puffed wheat and Quaker puffed rice bringing you the adventures of Sergeant Preston and his wonder dog, Yukon King as they meet the challenge of the Yukon. There's no one that can make a better cereal than Quaker puff rice. It's nice. And when you hear that shootin' you're dern tootin'. The Quaker makes the ones shot from guns and do they hit the spot. Mmm, mmm. Take a bowl full of those king size premium grains of Quaker puffed rice or Quaker puffed wheat. Top with milk or cream and fruit and what a mouth watering breakfast treat. Try it tomorrow. Emmett Sheridan with two fellow professors headed into the Indian territory to study the Indian's totem poles and try to locate a fabled treasure in gold. They were closely followed by outlaws led by a Russian, Sergei Rostov. Sheridan found a stone tablet and was convinced that if the picture writing on it could be deciphered, the whereabouts of the buried treasure would be known. Rostov learned of this and with the help of Captain Ralph Bradford, the skipper of a whaler, the professors were captured and taken to an old logging camp on the shores of Alexander Bay. Three weeks later, Rostov received word that Sergeant Preston and the professor's son Ted were looking for the professor. Rostov rode out to the whaler which was anchored in Alexander Bay and conferred with Captain Bradford.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Good afternoon, Captain. What's good about it? When the wind starts blowing from the nor', east, it means we're in for a spell of dirty weather.

[Andrew Rines]

It will not be too bad, I trust, to prevent you putting to sea.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

What's that? Those two old fogies you're holding prisoner finally told you where Brooks gold is buried?

[Andrew Rines]

Not exactly.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

I thought as much. Well, I'm fed up. There's whales out there in the open sea and we mean to go and get some of them? Why, I saw a spout the other day that must have been a hundred feet high. Could have been Big Blue himself.

[Andrew Rines]

And who is Big Blue?

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

A whale so big he'd fill the.

[Narrator]

Hold of this ship with oil.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

And there's real gold for you. Not the buried treasure sort of stuff that may or may not exist.

[Andrew Rines]

We are certain the gold exists. What's more, we've chartered your ship.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

You've paid me a measly $2,000 and wasted two months of my time. I'm finished.

[Andrew Rines]

Let us consider the situation.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Consider the situation, he says. You're getting to talk like the professors.

[Andrew Rines]

They are making progress with their work.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

That's what they tell you. Even if they do figure out what the picture writing on the stone means, they'll not tell you.

[Andrew Rines]

They know they must, or they'll die.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Have you told them that?

[Andrew Rines]

I've given them one more week already. We know the treasure is buried at the foot of a sun and raven totem.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

That's a big help. You find those in every Indian village from here to Alaska.

[Andrew Rines]

And Professor Sheridan is confident that if he is furnished with a single key, he will be able to decipher the exact location.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Well, where does he expect to find the key to a picture language no one uses anymore? From me.

[Andrew Rines]

Yes, Captain, from you.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

What?

[Andrew Rines]

Do you remember the killer whale totem that stands near the chief's hut in the tonga's village?

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Sure, sure. They found the stone buried at the foot of it.

[Andrew Rines]

Professor Sheridan remembers some unusual carving near the top of it. He believes that is the key to the language on the stone.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

So he wants to be taken back there?

[Andrew Rines]

I suppose that was his suggestion. However, I told him it was impossible.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

I should hope so.

[Andrew Rines]

And I suggested an alternative.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

What?

[Andrew Rines]

That you bring him the section of the pole on which the carving is found.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Now, there's a brilliant thought. What's the chief of the Tongas going to be doing when we march into his village? Cut down his prized totem pole and.

[Narrator]

Saw off the top.

[Andrew Rines]

How can he stop you? Your crew has guns. The Indians have not.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Couldn't put up much of a fight, that's sure.

[Andrew Rines]

It would be a very simple operation. And there is another reason why you should return to the tonga's village.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

What's that?

[Andrew Rines]

I've just received word Professor Sheridan's son is on his way there.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Looking for the old man, huh?

[Andrew Rines]

Yes. And with him there's a Northwest Mounted policeman. Sergeant Preston by name.

[Sergeant Preston]

Northwest Mounted?

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Hey, that's bad.

[Narrator]

Very.

[Andrew Rines]

The chief will tell the sergeant that the three Professors left this village in.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Your ship and the police will start looking for me. Undoubtedly you got me into this, Rostov. I'll tell the police it was all your idea. Following the professors, taking them prisoner, holding them.

[Andrew Rines]

Easy, Captain, there's no need to tell them anything.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Well, there will be if I'm caught.

[Andrew Rines]

Listen, suppose you return to the Tongass.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Village to get a piece of a totem pole when there's a police sergeant waiting there for me.

[Andrew Rines]

K Captain, you would simply tell the sergeant that what the chief says is true, that you offered to take the three professors north in your ship and that you did take them where they wanted to go, to Moose Bay. You will then offer to take this sergeant and the professor's son there. Once you get them aboard the schooner.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Put to sea and dump them overboard.

[Andrew Rines]

It would be better if you brought them back here. Professor Sheridan may be persuaded to work faster if he sees his son's life is in danger. But if you prefer to commit murder yourself.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

No, no, no. I'll leave that up to you. I'll bring them here along with the.

[Andrew Rines]

Top of the totem pole. Now this is my idea of how you should proceed when you reach the tonga's village. That should be tomorrow afternoon at the latest.

[Narrator]

Sergeant Preston reached the tonga's fishing village on the day following Rostov's conference with Captain Bradford at Alexander Bay. When the sergeant questioned the chief concerning Ted's father, the chief led Ted and Preston to the tallest of the killer whale totems in the village. It was very old and a fine example of the Indian's art. At the top there was the figure of the raven and directly below it the carving which Professor Sheridan had noticed. Below the carving came the figure of the beaver, then the image of an Indian boy, then the symbol of the sea lion. And at the base of the column, the wide open jaws of the killer whale.

[Sergeant Preston]

A carving just below the raven. Looks like some sort of sign language. Is it Chief?

[Andrew Rines]

Me understand some picture.

[Sergeant Preston]

Not all.

[Ted Sheridan]

Perhaps it tells the story of the killer whale.

[Sergeant Preston]

What is the legend?

[Ted Sheridan]

Well, as I remember it, a long time ago a boy who belonged to the Tongass tribe was marooned by his evil brothers on a far off island. The boy discovered the lair of the sea lions and saved the chief sea lion's son from death. As a reward, the sea lions returned him to his home on the mainland and gave him the power to create and control the killer whales. By making wooden carvings of them. The whales destroyed his evil brothers. And then the boy ordered the whales never again to Harm human beings.

[Sergeant Preston]

But still men die who go down to the sea in ships to catch them.

[Ted Sheridan]

It's the sea that kills them, Sergeant, not the whales.

[Sergeant Preston]

The ground around the pole has been dug up recently.

[Andrew Rines]

Ah, professor dig.

[Sergeant Preston]

He was still looking for the buried treasure when he was here.

[Andrew Rines]

Ted, him not fine gold, but him fine stone. A many picture on stone.

[Ted Sheridan]

Are you sure, Chief?

[Andrew Rines]

Professors say stone tells story bout where Indian buried gold long time ago.

[Sergeant Preston]

The professor was able to read the.

[Andrew Rines]

Picture writing only little bit, but him take stone with him when him leave.

[Sergeant Preston]

How long ago was that?

[Andrew Rines]

Maybe one moon.

[Sergeant Preston]

Where'd he go?

[Andrew Rines]

Moose Bay.

[Sergeant Preston]

Then that's a long way from here.

[Andrew Rines]

Or him go on ship. A ship whaler put into harbor. Professor talk with captain. Captain say good me take you Moose Bay.

[Sergeant Preston]

Chief, was this captain a Russian?

[Andrew Rines]

No, him named Bradford.

[Ted Sheridan]

Oh, thank goodness for that.

[Andrew Rines]

Why you ask about Russian?

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, Chief, we found out that the professor and his party were being followed by some Russians. Bad men who were also looking for the buried treasure. They intended to wait until the professor had found it and then take it away from him.

[Andrew Rines]

Him not fine gold here.

[Sergeant Preston]

You seen any Russians around? Men with black beards?

[Andrew Rines]

No, not for long time. Captain Bradford have beard, but him not Russian.

[Ted Sheridan]

Well, Sergeant, I. I suppose the only thing for us to do is start out for Moose Bay.

[Sergeant Preston]

It's a long way. Mother.

[Andrew Rines]

King, you look ship sail in the harbor.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Schooner that Captain Bradford. Ship, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Preston]

We're in luck perhaps.

[Ted Sheridan]

I have plenty of money. We'll hire the captain to take us to Moose Bay just as dat.

[Sergeant Preston]

They might agree to it. We'll have a talk with him anyway. Come on, King.

[Narrator]

As the sergeant, the chief and Ted walked down to the beach. The whaler dropped anchor in the harbor and a small boat was put over the side.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

That'll do it for you.

[Narrator]

A few minutes later, the boat was run up on the beach and the captain stepped out of it. Well, hello, Chief.

[Andrew Rines]

Oh, this Sergeant Preston.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Pleased to meet you, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Preston]

Captain Bradford? That's right. This is Ted Sheridan.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Sheridan, huh? Are you the professor's son?

[Ted Sheridan]

Yes. Captain, the Chief says that you took my father and Professor Fraser and Professor Haywood up to Moose Bay.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

He told you, right? Dropped them off there about a month ago. From there they were going to work their way up the coast to Skagway.

[Ted Sheridan]

Could you take the sergeant and me to Moose Bay?

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Well, now, that was a special favor to your father. My ship's a whaler, not a ferry.

[Ted Sheridan]

I'll pay you any amount you ask.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Via two two day run.

[Ted Sheridan]

$500.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

That's a lot of money.

[Ted Sheridan]

It's yours. And I should tell you that we're afraid something has happened to my father. Please say you'll take us, Captain.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

I don't see how I can refuse when you put it that way.

[Ted Sheridan]

And it's settled.

[Sergeant Preston]

It's settled.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

But we'll not be able to sail before morning. My crew's making some repairs.

[Ted Sheridan]

Oh, tomorrow's fine.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Would you and the sergeant like to have supper with me? Spend the night on board? You'd be more comfortable than in the village.

[Ted Sheridan]

Why, yes, Captain.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Thanks, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Preston]

I want to talk with all the chief's people before we leave.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

You want to question them about the professor?

[Sergeant Preston]

The professor and others.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Well, you should be finished by suppertime, shouldn't you?

[Sergeant Preston]

I think so.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Then I'll send a boat for you about six.

[Narrator]

It was nearly dark when the sergeant and Ted reached the ship. Ted went up the ladder first. The sergeant followed him, carrying King at his arms.

[Mate]

All right, take.

[Narrator]

They had no chance. No sooner did they set foot on the deck than the whole crew swarmed over them. Both Ted and the sergeant were knocked out. The mate tried to grab King and throw him overboard, but the great dog eluded him and ran toward the stern of the ship. Sergeant and Ted were tied hand and foot.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

That does it. Now, Stone in the Ford cabin.

[Mate]

Come on, give me a hand.

[Narrator]

We'll continue our adventure in just a moment. They score every time. Yes, the ones shopped from guns. Quaker popped wheat and Quaker popped rice. Hit the spot for taste. There's delicious toasty nut like flavor in those King size premium grains that that are exploded up to eight times normal size. And they score in nourishment because every spoonful gives you added food values of restored natural grain amounts of vitamin B1, niacin and iron. So for the nutritious breakfast dish you love to eat, get delicious Quaker puffed rice and Quaker puffed wheat. And say, get ready, get set with paper and pencil handy. There's a terrific surprise coming at the end of the program. Something wonderful for you that's straight out of the great northwest. Don't miss it. Keep listening. Now to continue. When King escaped from the mate, he found an open companionway at the stern of the ship that led down into the hold. And there he waited until the decks were clear and he could return to his master. Inside the forward cabin, the sergeant regained consciousness and tried to put his hand to his aching head. He soon realized he was helpless. There was no chance of working free from the ropes that bound him. A Little light came through the open porthole and. And the sergeant could see Ted lying on the floor beside him.

[Sergeant Preston]

Ted.

[Ted Sheridan]

Oh, my head. We didn't have a chance, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Preston]

No wonder what happened to King.

[Ted Sheridan]

I caught a glimpse of him running toward the stern of the ship.

[Sergeant Preston]

Hope he's still on board. This was a poor way to find out what happened to your father.

[Ted Sheridan]

It's all clear now, isn't it?

[Sergeant Preston]

We can make some fair guesses.

[Ted Sheridan]

Captain Bradford's working with the Russians.

[Sergeant Preston]

And your father. Professor Fraser and Professor Haywood were taken prisoner when they came aboard the ship.

[Ted Sheridan]

Somehow Professor Haywood managed to escape. I wonder where dad and Professor Fraser are.

[Sergeant Preston]

Bradford may be taking us to them.

[Ted Sheridan]

Is a ship underway?

[Sergeant Preston]

No. What's that shovel in the village?

[Narrator]

I'll see. The sergeant rolled across the deck of the cabin until he was directly beneath the porthole. Then he managed to get to his feet.

[Ted Sheridan]

Captain and his men, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Preston]

Yes, they're in the village. The Indians seem to be running away.

[Ted Sheridan]

Why should Bradford attack them?

[Sergeant Preston]

That's strange.

[Ted Sheridan]

What is?

[Sergeant Preston]

Bradford's men seem to be chopping down the totem pole in front of the chief's lodge. Yes, it's falling.

[Ted Sheridan]

What could they want with a totem pole?

[Sergeant Preston]

I have no idea. Now they're starting to saw off the top of it.

[Ted Sheridan]

Chopping down a totem pole? It doesn't make sense.

[Sergeant Preston]

Some reason behind it. We can be sure of that.

[Ted Sheridan]

Have all the crew gone ashore?

[Sergeant Preston]

No, there are some of them standing at the rail.

[Ted Sheridan]

Oh, if we could only get free of these ropes.

[Sergeant Preston]

Take a look around the cabin.

[Ted Sheridan]

Looks mighty bare to me.

[Narrator]

What are the men saying?

[Sergeant Preston]

Can you hear orders to hoist anchor and break out sail as soon as the men return from the village. Wherever we're going, this will be a rough trip. The wind's rising.

[Narrator]

By the time the section of the totem pole had been hoisted aboard and lashed to the deck, the wind had risen to gale force. But in spite of that, sail was set and the whaler headed for the open sea. There, great waves pounded the ship as it beat to windward, and the sergeant and Ted were rolled back and forth across the deck of the cabin, crashing into the bunks in the bulkhead. By morning they were bruised and battered, but then the wind dropped to a breeze, the sea calmed down and the sergeant was able to get to his feet and look out the porthole. The captain and the mate were standing in the bow, only about 20ft away.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

There she blows.

[Mate]

Captain.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

He's the big one. We're going after him.

[Sergeant Preston]

This Calm won't last long.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

We're in the heart of a storm. Work fast. Lower both along boats. Use every member of the crew. Leave no one behind at the wheel. We'll lash the wheel. Put a sea anchor out to hold the ship. We'll use every man but the cook. That whale is big blue now. Not let them get away. Now.

[Mate]

Come on, then.

[Sergeant Preston]

This may be the break we've been looking for. Ted.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

What's that?

[Sergeant Preston]

They've sighted a whale and they're going after him. The whole crew's being ordered into the long boats and only the cook will be left aboard.

[Narrator]

The sergeant and Ted listened to the shouts of the men as sails were furled and a sea anchor rigged up and dropped overboard. The longboats were lowered and the crew swarmed down the ladders into them. The whales surfaced. Just as they pulled away from the ship, the captain called on the men to put all their strength into their rowing.

[Ted Sheridan]

Are you trying to call King, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Preston]

Yes. There's a rope locker just below this porthole. King could jump up on it. If I can just get my hands.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Up to the porthole.

[Sergeant Preston]

Yes. King may be able to chew the ropes loose.

[Ted Sheridan]

I may be hiding somewhere below decks. He may not be able to hear you.

[Sergeant Preston]

We're not even sure he's on board. But if he is, I'm sure he'll try to find me the first chance he gets.

[Narrator]

King had heard the men leaving the ship. When the decks had become quiet, he ran to the top of the companionway. There was no one around and he started for the bow of the ship. He heard the sergeant's whistle and raced toward his master. Here, up on the locker, the ropes.

[Sergeant Preston]

Chew them, boy.

[Narrator]

King went to work. It took him five minutes to chew through the ropes that bound the sergeant's wrists. Then the sergeant went to work on the ropes that bound his feet. Afterwards, Ted was freed.

[Ted Sheridan]

That does it at last. I suppose the door is locked.

[Sergeant Preston]

Yes, but it doesn't look too strong. We should be able to break our way out. Come on, put your weight into it.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

Now what?

[Sergeant Preston]

Captain's cabin. First we'll need guns.

[Ted Sheridan]

Right.

[Sergeant Preston]

Come on, King.

[Narrator]

In the captain's cabin, they not only found guns, but the ship's log and a chart with a course plotted for Alexander Bay.

[Ted Sheridan]

Alexander Bay. That must be where dad is.

[Sergeant Preston]

Sounds likely the ship was anchored there.

[Narrator]

For over three weeks.

[Ted Sheridan]

What do we do now, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Preston]

There's only one man on board, the cook. We'll probably find him in the galley.

[Narrator]

While they were in the captain's cabin, the Wind rose and began to howl through the rigging. On the open deck, the sergeant and Ted had to hang onto the railing as they fought their way aft against the ever rising gale.

[Ted Sheridan]

I have never seen such a storm. It's getting worse by the minute.

[Narrator]

You think the sea anchor will stop in this wind?

[Sergeant Preston]

Not a chance. I'm wondering if the men will ever make it back here in the long boats. There's a foolhardy thing to launch them.

[Ted Sheridan]

I don't see any sign of them.

[Sergeant Preston]

They're on the port side.

[Narrator]

As they rounded the housing at the stern of the ship, they saw the cook hanging onto the port railing. And half a mile away, the two long boats. The cook screamed.

[Mate]

He's got them.

[Narrator]

Suddenly, one of the boats rose high in the air.

[Mate]

Big Blue. He's come up underneath the boat.

[Narrator]

Raised out of the water by the great whale. Toppled over, the men were thrown into the rising sea.

[Mate]

They'll drown. Every mother's son of them. The other boat will pick them up. No, It's Big Blue. He's a killer. He's going for the other boat. Now he'll smash it to kindling.

[Narrator]

The second boat wasn't smashed, but the whale did turn it over. And now the whole crew was struggling in the water. There was nothing the man aboard the whaler could do. And that was the last they saw of the crew. For the gale rose to a new fury. The spray whipped from the waves grew thick as snow, blocked the crew from sight. Suddenly, the whole ship began to shake. It became a live thing, struggling to be free. Then the anchor cable snapped. The storm seemed to grasp the whaler and hurl it toward the distant shore. The sergeant raced for the helm, hoping to control the ship's course. But the wheel was spinning free. The rudder lines had broken. The ship was at the mercy of the wind and sea.

[Mate]

Nothing to do now but hang on.

[Ted Sheridan]

The coast is rocky along here. We'll be driven ashore and right.

[Sergeant Preston]

And we'll have to swim for it.

[Narrator]

Ted, it was the totem pole that did it.

[Mate]

They should never have stolen it. It brought the curse of the killer whale on the whole crew.

[Sergeant Preston]

Why did they steal it?

[Mate]

I had nothing to do with it. I had nothing to do with any of this crooked business. Sergeant. I hired a stage cook on what I thought was a whaling trip. Believe in this, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Preston]

Why did they steal the totem pole?

[Mate]

There's some carving on it. The professor wants to see my father.

[Ted Sheridan]

The pole was being taken to my father.

[Mate]

Yeah. Those trucks are holding him prisoner at Alexander Bay. He Found a stone tablet in the Tongas village. And if he can figure out the picture writing on it, it'll tell those crooks where the buried gold is.

[Sergeant Preston]

How many men are there at Alexander? Alexander Bay?

[Mate]

There's half a dozen besides Rostov, the ringleader.

[Ted Sheridan]

We're not far from Alexander Bay, about.

[Sergeant Preston]

10 miles to the north.

[Mate]

You'll never see it. We're done for.

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, there's life.

[Mate]

There's hope.

[Captain Ralph Bradford]

On.

[Narrator]

The ship drove toward the coast. And then suddenly a high black rock loomed straight up in the water on the starboard side. The ship missed the rock by less than a foot. And at the same moment the hull scraped the sunken reef. Then a huge wave rose beneath the.

[Mate]

Ship and lifted it up and over.

[Narrator]

The reef into calmer water. A few minutes later, the whaler ran aground on a sandy bottom. It listed to a 45 degree angle as the waves continued to beat against it. There was nothing the sergeant and his companion could do but stay where they were and hope the ship wouldn't break up. A long hour passed before before the wind began to die down. Another hour and the storm had passed over. The sergeant, Ted and the cook climbed from the wheelhouse to the slanting deck and searched the sea beyond the reef for some sign of the whaler's crew. There was none. The sky cleared and the sun came out. The sea grew calm, but there was no sign of life on its shining surface. Close to the horizon, the man saw a spout of water shoot in the air.

[Sergeant Preston]

There he is.

[Mate]

Big Blue. 20 men he's killed today.

[Sergeant Preston]

Should he be blamed or should the captain?

[Mate]

The captain should never have gone after him.

[Sergeant Preston]

He should have known the calm wouldn't last. I suppose it was greed that drove him to take the chance.

[Mate]

He was always talking about Big Blue and the money that one whale would bring.

[Ted Sheridan]

Big Blue, the last of the killer whales. What do we do now, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Preston]

We'll make a raft. There's plenty of loose wood around now. That piece of the killer whale totem will do. As part of it, we'll load the raft with ammunition and supplies and paddle into shore.

[Ted Sheridan]

And then on to Alexander Bay.

[Sergeant Preston]

On to Alexander Bay. Big Blue has taken care of the captain and his men. It's up to us to take care of the other members of the gang. When your father's free and the gang's in jail, this case will be closed.

[Narrator]

Say a totem pole is like a history book of the Northwest Indians. And the carvings of fish, animals, birds and weird creatures on the huge logs were all done by hand. Yet I understand that the Indians had only such tools as the whale bone, beaver teeth or sharp stones to do the carving. It's a rare privilege to see those totem poles in the Northwest. And because they're found nowhere else in the world. And that's what makes this news so terrific. Right now, every one of Sergeant Preston's friends can get in on the most exciting offer of your life. You fellas and girls can get a miniature, a real scale model of the great killer whale totem pole you heard about in the exciting story today. And here's another thrill. The killer whale totem pole is just one of five different miniature totem poles offered to Sergeant Preston's friends by Quaker Puff Wheat and Quaker Puff Rice. It's a complete collection. And what a scoop if you're first in your gang to get them. You get the great killer whale, the famous Thunderbird, the fight for the land otters, the weird burial pole, the sun and raven. Everyone is different. Everyone. A pressed wood, hand painted scale model 4 inches high of real authentic totem poles that you would see today if you traveled up to the great Northwest. They're just what you want for building your own little Indian villages, for taking to school when you study Indian. And they're easy as pie to get for the killer whale totem pole in today's story or the whole collection of all five different totem poles. Just do this. Get a package of swell tasting Quaker Puffed Rice or Quaker Puffed Wheat. The special new packages now at grocers tell all about these totem poles and tell you just how to get them. Then tear off the box top which has a special handy order blank with a list of the five totem poles right on it. Just check the totem poles you want and for every one you check, send 25 cents to get the whole collection. You send only $1. Send to Totem Poles, Box L, Chicago 77, Illinois. Then with your order, you'll get something extra, a little booklet which tells the fascinating history and story of each totem pole. What's more, if these aren't the most exciting scale model totem poles you ever saw, you'll get every cent of your money back. Now, whether you want one or all of the five different totem poles, the whole collection, you only have to send one box top from Quaker Puffed Wheat or Quaker Puffed rice. Then send 25 cents for each totem pole you want or $1 for the whole collection. Get going. Shake a leg. The supply is limited. Write down this address and send right away tonight. Send to totem poles fox l Chicago 77, Illinois and now a word about our next adventure. Alexander Bay was not to be the end of the trail for the Sergeant and Ted Sheridan. When they reached there, the only sign of life they found was Mike, the professor's Irish setter, and Mike was nearly dead from a bullet wound in his chest. Still, the dog was able to show the sergeant the trail his master had taken, and the sergeant knew the professor was still a prisoner. Other men, Rostov and his outlaws had left Alexander Bay with him. Their trail led into the deep forest where killers could find a thousand places to set an ambush. Don't miss this next exciting adventure. These radio dramas, a feature of Sergeant Preston of the Yukon Incorporated, are created by George W. Trendle, produced by Trendle Campbell, Muir Incorporated, directed by Fred Flowerday and edited by Fran Stryker. The part of Sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton. Sergeant Preston of the Yukon is brought to you every Tuesday and Thursday at the same time Paul by Quaker Puffed Wheat and Quaker Puffed Rice the breakfast cereal shot from gun. Only Quaker Pako 10 has wheat and rice shot from guns. That's Quaker Pako 10, a regular cereal pantry. Six different delicious ready to serve cereals. Ten crisp fresh individual servings. At breakfast you can take your pick of the pack, have your own separate individual package. Enjoy a different cereal extra fresh every morning. Just remember, only Quaker Pako 10 has all your family cereal favorites. Try Quaker Pako 10. You'll be glad you did. This is J. Michael wishing you goodbye, good luck and good health from Quaker Popped Wheat and Quaker Puffed Rice. So long. Listen tomorrow at the same time to the Green Hornet brought to you by the drink that makes you feel fresh again. Delicious Orange Crush. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.

[Podcast Host]

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