Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland. Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland. Struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous trails, fighting the many enemies of nature. This is the job of the guardian of the forest, Ranger Bill. Pouring rain, freezing cold, blistering heat, snow, floods, bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions. Yes, all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done. The Blue Lake You know, when I think of the story for today, I have to chuckle some because of the consternation that was caused at Blue Lake early this year, or I should say early this summer. It was just as the tourist season was getting into full swing. Now Blue Lake is located high up in the mountain country. And it's real cool and comfortable up there, when everywhere else people are sweltering. Well, you've no doubt heard tell of yarns about monsters being in lakes and oceans. And I wonder if the folks at Blue Lake didn't begin to think that this was true after several peculiar happenings took place. Let's call this story, The Clown of Blue Lake. The Clown of Blue Lake During the day motorboats ply the lake for pleasure riding and towing water skiers. But in the early morning and late evening hours, the fishermen take over and try to land the big ones. Let's join a couple of the boys as they roll quietly along the lake to their fishing spot. Well Gus, this is the time of the year I've looked forward to each month since last summer. Yeah, sure is Amos. Good to leave those hot city offices and come here to God's country and live. Just think, three whole weeks at this wonderful place. Buy any new lures this year? Huh? Oh no. Hard enough carrying all the gear and gadgets I've got now. The strength of your bag besides the limit of the size of your bag. Sure does Amos. Of course my wife has something to say about that too. I know what you mean. Say, we're almost at our spot. That's a perfect night for drifting and we'll drop anchor as soon as we begin to get strikes. I hope we can get some big ones like we did last year. Amos, I got a strike. Oh, play him easy. We're doing great tonight. There he is. Look at the size of him. That's a fine catch. Here's the net. Good. Okay, pull up that stringer Amos. Right away. Man, but you've caught a beauty. Hey, something's robbed our stringer. It has. Hey, let's see that. Look at this one. I'll say somebody's robbed our stringer and we had a prize catch too. Let's head back to the lodge with this one. So at least we'll have one fish to show for on the evening's work. So a lot of the men are having trouble with having their stringers robbed, eh Pop? They sure are, Amos. There's been a lot of complaining and some of the men are getting a mighty hot tempered about it. Well, can't this culprit be caught? Maybe it could. We knew where it was. Pop, you've been around Blue Lake a long time. What do you think this thing is, huh? I don't rightly know, Gus. I don't rightly know. It could be a large water snake, so maybe it could be a big fish. It could be a large water snake, so maybe a mato. Or it might be a large pike. Then again, it might not be any one of them there critters. You sound pretty mysterious about this whole thing, Pop. Well, maybe them old tales about monsters and lakes ain't so far-fetched after all. A beautiful 300-yard drive, Rick, straight as an arrow. Thanks, Hank. It's about time I got one. Now I'll see what I can do to get across the creek and not in it. Oh, I knew that was a bum one. I felt the club turn in my hand. That isn't too far in the rough. I'll help you look for it. Thanks. Let's go. Is this where your ball went into the rough? Yeah, this looks good. Let's use an iron to poke around in the underbrush. Yeah, I know what you mean. I don't want some rattler to latch onto my hand or get too close to my legs. Right. I'll start through here. I'll stay abreast of you. Ball shouldn't be too hard to find. I hope not. I'd hate to lose that two-dollar ball. Oh, there it is. Where? Under that scrub pine. Way under. I'll have to stretch so I'll poke... Yeah! What's the matter? Get out of here, quick! What's the matter with you? Say, where's your club? That's what's the matter with me. Something grabbed my iron right out of my hand. Is that why you yelled? Sure, wouldn't you? Well, I guess I'd have been running long before you did. Was it powerful? I'll say it was. Boy, what a scare it gave me. I can imagine. But what do we do now? I'm going back to the lodge and get Ben Stout down here with a rifle and find out what's in that scrub growth over there. Okay. I'd better stay here and warn the rest of the golfers to stay out of that rough. You boys stay behind me, because if I have to shoot fast, I don't want one of you in the way. Don't worry, Ben. I don't want a 30-30 through my head. I might not live to tell about it, and I've got enough holes in my head already. You're in a better mood now, aren't you, Hank, now that you over your first fright? Yeah, but I'd sure like to know what's in there. Besides, it's my club and ball, and I want them back. Let's go, Ben. You said it. No, no, don't crowd me. I don't want anybody getting hurt. A little to the right, Ben. Okay, just keep directing me. Right straight ahead, to that scrub pine about 50 feet in front of you. All right. Now you fellas, give me room. I'm a good shot, but I'm not a sharpshooter. Give me room and don't crowd in, and we better take it slow. I see the club and ball. You do? Good. Now you fellas, keep a sharp eye while I poke around here a bit. Be careful it doesn't grab your rifle. If it does, it'll let go quick enough, all right? I'll give it a 30-30 right in the teeth. Now give me room now and don't crowd me here. Well, guess whatever it was isn't here now. It's safe to pick up your club and ball, Hank. Well, at last. It took a long time, but it was worth... Wow, look at this club. What's the matter with it? What's the matter with it? Take a look at the iron. The iron's bent. Well, I've never seen anything like this in the 20 years I've owned High Ridge Lodge. Well, even a bear trap couldn't do that to a club head. But now I know why you yelled so loud. You had a good reason. Whatever snatched that out of your hand sure had power. Had power? You mean has power because we don't know what it is yet. Junior, how many times do I have to tell you not to lean over the edge of the pier like that? I'm watching the fish, Mother. I thought you were trying to catch fish, not watch them. Now be careful. Do you hear? Yes, I hear. I don't know what comes over children these days. They just don't seem to hear worth a hoot. Mother! Junior! I'll get him! Please don't let him drown! Is he all right? He's all right, ma'am. I'll bring him in to the ladder. Thank you. Junior, are you all right? Sure, Mom. I'm okay. But I didn't fall in. I was pulled. Pulled? Young man, I should whip you for lying, but I'm too happy to have you safe to punish you now. I'm not lying, Mother. Honest. Well, we'll talk about that later. May I butt into this family squabble? Oh, I'm sorry. I almost forgot to thank you for saving my son. Thank you very much for your help. That's quite all right, ma'am. I don't think the boy's lying about being pulled into the water. You think he was actually pulled into the water? Yes, ma'am, I do. Well, did you see it happen? No, but if you look at the end of his fishing line, you'll notice it has been bitten and torn off. Why, Land 6, you're right. The hook and the bait is gone. What could have done it? I don't know, but that's been awful strong because it's a very heavy line. More like the kind used for deep sea fishing. It is. My grandpa gave it to me. He used to be a deep sea fisher. That's what I thought. I wouldn't let the boy near the water until this monster is caught or destroyed. Do you mean that it's dangerous to swim in Blue Lake? Oh, I wouldn't say that, ma'am, but I wouldn't want to take the chance. Well, what can we do about it? I'd report this to the Rangers if I were you, ma'am, right away. Well, we certainly shall. And if they won't do anything about it, well, then we'll pack up and leave for another resort where it's safe for children to be near the water. You want to see me, Pop? Yep, I sure do, Benjamin. You'd better put your thinking cap on and do something quick about this monster. Well, maybe we should say about the environment in the lake that's causing all this ruckus. The folks are beginning to talk, huh? They ain't only talking, but they are setting their minds to action. Oh, what kind of action? Well, they're going to pack up and move right sudden like, unless you do something about this. I was afraid of that. What do you think I should do? Why, I'd call in the Rangers to quicken and make your head swim. I thought of doing that, but then again, I thought they might think I was crazy. Well, you take a tip from me and call Bill Jefferson. He ain't never laughed at anybody calling for help yet. And fine old Bill, he ain't about to start now. Ranger headquarters. Stumby, this is Ben Stout. How are you? I'm Fitz the Fiddle. How's yourself? Well, not so good right now. I've got problems. Oh? Big or little? Big. And I'd like you fellas to help me. Well, sure, Ben. We'd be glad to. That's fine. Is Bill there? No, but he'll be here in a second hour and we'll come out to see you. Thanks, old timer. I'll be waiting for you. Bye. So long, young fella. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think this one's gonna be a corker. Well, that's the whole story up to date, Bill. This is turning into a first-class mystery, Ben. You said it. And it's gonna be an expensive one too for me if these folks start leaving because they're afraid of the lake and what's in it. Yeah, you're right, young fella. It could be bad for you, all right. What are we gonna do about it, Bill? Well, the first thing I'd like to do is carefully go over what's happened and see if we can gather some common facts. That sounds like a good idea. You mind if I noise it around that you fellas are hot on the job? No, of course not, Ben. Go right ahead. Perhaps it'll stem the panic and your paying guests will stay until this is over. Then they can enjoy their vacation. Thanks. I'll spread the word around right away. Okay, and we'll get busy talking to the folks involved in this and take a look around. Let's go, old timer. Look, here's the spot. It was right about here where we noticed the fish were gone from the stringer. How do you know? Did you mark an X on the side of the boat? I didn't think the old timer could let that one go by. That's all right, Stumpy. The thing is, I marked the location by landmarks on the opposite shores. That's how I know we're close to the general area. Well, I don't see any footprints in the water to tell us what kind of a farmer it was that swiped the fish. You see, he's hopeless when he gets like this. No cure for it, you know. So I understand. Too bad he's such a nice fellow, too. No, see here, you young whippersnappers. I never did see the sense in coming out here in the boat, anyhow. What's it going to tell you? Well, he's got a point there, all right, don't you think, Amos? Sure has, Gus. I thought it might help to return to the scene of the crime and reenact the whole thing. Unless I'm sadly mistaken, this is about the same general area the rest of the fishermen complained of about losing their catch off the stringer. Hey, now, that rings a bell, sonny. I think you're right. Maybe you've got something there. I don't know yet, Amos, but I'm sure going to make a long mental note of it. Let's go back to the pier. Be careful, Bill, it's bumpy. The thing might still be in here. Oh, don't you fret none about that, sonny. Oh, Betsy here will take care of anything big or small in short order. Yeah, the old timer's a dead shot. Where's the scrub pine under which you found your iron club and the ball, Hank? Right ahead, Bill. I guess there isn't much to see. One can never tell. Let's look around, Stumpy. Yeah, that's what I was figuring on doing. See anything yet? Oh, a few things. Look here, Bill, going that way toward the creek. Mm-hmm. The creek runs into the lake, and the golf course is between the place where the fellas usually fish and the swimming pier where the boy was pulled into the water. We're getting a pattern, young fella. Yeah, and how? What's the good word, fellas? Is it a dinosaur? Nope, nor a walrus, neither. He's just the clown of Blue Lake. We've got some ideas about the troublemaker, but we'd like to check out a few more details before we commit ourselves. Let's go back to the lodge. Are you real rangers? We sure are, Junior. Genuine and real. Boy, wait till I tell a gang back home that I talk to real forest rangers. Junior, don't be taking up these gentlemen's time with so much foolish talk. They've more important things to do. Not right now, we haven't, ma'am. Your son is very important to us. Boy, oh boy. Did you hear that, Mother? Yes, I heard the ranger. Now, suppose you tell us how you got pulled into the drink. I mean, the lake. Well, I was sitting here with my pole, fishing, and all of a sudden there was a big yank on the line, and I was in the lake. Have you got the pole and line here? Sure. I saved it special when I heard you was coming. This is it. Mm-hmm. The line's been cut all right. Junior, did you notice anything special in the water just before you were pulled off the pier? No, sir. Nothing. Well, thanks very much for your help, son. Goodbye, ma'am. Goodbye, and I certainly hope you catch whatever you're looking for so that the lake will be safe again. So do we hope we can catch it. Thanks again. Goodbye. Are you thinking what I'm thinking, sonny? I guess I am, Stumpy. The culprit can be only one thing. Let's go back to the lodge and talk with Ben about it. It's awful nice of you to come and tell the folks what you found out, Bill. It'll help me, too. I'm glad to do it. Perhaps we better get started, huh? Yes, of course. Please now quiet down, folks. I'm sure most of you know our Chief Forest Ranger, Bill Jefferson, by sight if not personally. He'd like to talk to you for a while. Bill? Thank you, Ben. Folks, Stumpy and I have carefully gone over this scary mystery plaguing Blue Lake, and we've come up with the fact that the culprit involved is a turtle. What kind of a turtle, and how big? A snapping turtle, Hank, and he's a whopper. Maybe two or two and a half feet across. How about that? Sounds logical, and by the dent in my five iron, I'd say you hit the nail on the head. Could a snapping turtle be that powerful? Yes, he could. This one's a big fellow, old as the hills, and he's got a pair of jaws that could take a man's hand off without any trouble. I know you're right, Bill, but what are you going to do about it? That's the same question that I had in mind. Turtle is dangerous, almost like having an alligator around. Well, Stumpy and I are going to trap the old boy and pack him out of here, lock, stock, and barrel. Well, now that you know what the danger is, I'm sure you'll all rest easier. We'll have the rascal in short order because we know pretty well where he goes and comes. Hey, Bill, why not shoot this turtle and be done with him? He's dangerous anyhow. Well, Gus, our job is to help all forest life, above water and under the water. You know, the Lord created all living things and put them here for a purpose. We may have to kill the turtle, but only as a last resort. But I feel quite sure that we can capture him all right and move him to some uninhabited area where he can live out his natural life. Now, that'll be fine, Bill. I don't care what you do, just as long as you get results. Oh, Bill, get results, all right, Ben. You folks just bide your time another day or two and we'll have old Moss back on his way. Bill, I think we'd do better carrying a big soup kettle out here and putting the old Moss back right into it, grab him by the tail and kerplunk. I'll admit that he's wearing my patience pretty thin too, old friend, but we've got to try our best to give him a break. Three times now in a day and a half he's given us a slip. I'm getting tired of it. No, he's a sly old rascal, all right. We'll get him yet. That's what they all say, but they never have. Patience, old friend, patience. Never had to wait this long for a bowl of soup in my life. There he is, Bill, right close to that log. Yeah, yeah, I see him. I've got the net all ready. Now let the canoe glide over to him and I'll slip the net right under him so when he dives he'll go into the net. Okay. Look at the size of him, would you? Like a big rock. He must have eyes in the back of his head. How did he know he was right behind him? We didn't make a sound. I don't know, old timer. Perhaps he's got Bill in radar. Yeah, he must have. Probably read one of them there do-it-yourself books. You might be right, you know. Well, let's go back to the pier and take a break. Perhaps we can think of some more foolproof way to snag him next time. I'm sorry you fellas had such a bad time of it. That old fox must know all the tricks of the trade on how to live to be 500 years old. I'll say he knows them. I guess the only thing left to do is shoot the poor fella. Oh, not really. Yeah. Can't afford a monkey around with him any longer. First thing we know he'll bite off some child's fingers or hand. Get old Betsy, Stompy, and we'll push off in the canoe. Yep. That's about the only answer, I guess. We've tried all the baits and traps we know exist for this sort of thing. You know, I kind of feel sorry he has to go this way. There's something fine and majestic about a turtle his age. I don't mean to go poetic, but I sort of got attached to him. Although I wouldn't want to try to pat his head. I understand, Ben. We feel the same way. Yep. And I'll get old Betsy out of the car and be back in a minute or two. Say, have you noticed that boat's drifting aim us? Yeah, I thought we were changing position. Look, the anchor rope's loose. We must have lost it. Lost it in nothing. Look what's hanging on the end, that crazy old turtle. Never mind the turtle. We'd better get this motor going. We're drifting faster. We could go over the dam maybe. Oh, don't worry. I wish we'd brought an oar. At least I get the pleasure of trying to give that turtle a bang on the head. Oh, come on. Now I do wish we'd brought our oars. Oh, maybe I'd better yell. Hey, there's Bill Jefferson on the shore. Hey, Bill! Ben! We need some help! Hey, Bill! Ben! Hey, look over there close to the dam. Great Scott, those men can't get their motor going. And they're being sucked right toward the gate. Stumpy, we'll run along the shore to the gate. There isn't time for anything else. We'll try to pull them out of the boat before it goes through the gate. Come on! There's a small catwalk over the top of the sluice gate. We'll lay on that and we'll have to be able to grab them as they go by in the boat and swing them up to safety. I hope so. We ain't gonna have much time to do any planning. Right. Give it all you've got. We'll make it just in a nick of time. Keep trying, Amos. Maybe it'll start yet. Get ready to lock arms, fellows! Oh, forget the motor, Amos. We're getting closer to the dam. Ready to jump? Don't miss. Here we go. Hey, Phil, look, we're trawling out to the end of the anchor line. It's old Mossback. He's going over the gates and down the other side. He isn't strong enough to buck the current. Bill, Stumpy, I want to thank you for getting rid of old Mossback. We didn't get rid of him, Ben. He got rid of himself. Oh, now you know that ain't so. You fellas were breathing down the back of his neck all the time. Yeah, we sure were, young feller. The clown of Blue Lake outclowned himself. Now he's taking a fast trip down the river and he won't be back for a long time, if ever. Well, how'd you like that for a change? We don't often battle turtles, much less run them out of town. But that's the way things go sometimes. However, I'm glad we didn't have to shoot the old veteran of Blue Lake, just because he was getting ornery and full of tricks. Well, see you next week for more Adventure with Ranger Bill. Howdy, this is Stumpy Jenkins, Ranger Bill's old sidekick, as I guess you all know. Just adding a little extra word of thanks for getting yourself in on the program today. Always glad to have you along. And I hope you invite your friends, too, for we sure got lots of adventures to tell you about. And we don't want you to miss any of them. So you make sure to be there by your radio every week. Don't lose out on our next story.