Escape [08-01-1948] – The Man Who Would Be King | Classic Adventure Radio Drama

Added: 2026-05-21

[00:00:00]Fed up with the everyday grind, tired out from the summer heat.

[00:00:06]Want to get away from it all? We offer you escape.

[00:00:16]Escape designed to free you from the four walls of today for a half hour of high adventure.

[00:00:24]You are making your painful way over the great India desert alone and dying of thirst while behind you pursuing you are the fanatical cafes who once bowed to you as king and now call for your life.

[00:00:47]Tonight we escape to India and two soldiers of fortune who pushed fate too far as Kipling told it in his famous story, The Man Who Would Be King.

[00:01:07]One Saturday night, it was my unpleasant duty to put the paper to bed alone. It was a pitchy black night, as stifling as a night can be in India and June. It was very still, save for the ticking of the clock above my desk, which seemed to shatter the black heat of the night as the hands crept toward 3:00 a.m.

[00:01:28]>> Hey, paycheck. You must.

[00:01:29]>> And then from the passage outside my door, I heard voices.

[00:01:34]Who's there?

[00:01:34]>> Only us.

[00:01:36]>> And who are you?

[00:01:37]>> Oh, so you don't remember us, eh?

[00:01:39]>> No, I can't see.

[00:01:40]>> How about the job per border, then? job per border >> and having the authorities turn us back for impersonating newspaper men.

[00:01:46]>> Newspaper.

[00:01:47]>> And then there was the train.

[00:01:48]>> Yeah. Off of which you had us thrown if I remember correct.

[00:01:52]>> Oh, wait. That flaming red hair. That bald head. Oh, Daniel Dravit and Peachy Connor.

[00:02:01]>> Well, what do you two want this time? If it's money, I haven't got it. And if it's a fight, it's too beastly hot.

[00:02:07]>> Yeah. Bless yourself easy, sir, because we have come asking for not to accept some information.

[00:02:12]>> We've been all over this country and we've concluded that injure isn't big enough for such as Daniel and me.

[00:02:17]>> So, we are going away to be kings.

[00:02:21]>> Kings in our own divine right.

[00:02:23]>> What?

[00:02:24]>> I We shall be kings.

[00:02:26]>> Yeah. We've signed a solemn contract, each to help the other, and neither of us to look at liquor or women until we have become kings.

[00:02:33]>> I've never heard of such a fantastic idea. Now well what do you want of me?

[00:02:37]>> Not but a look at such maps of Kafiristan as you might have about >> maps of Kafiristan.

[00:02:42]>> That's where we decided to go.

[00:02:44]>> Well, don't you realize that not one single Englishman has ever gone into the Kapiristan mountains and lived at Migan?

[00:02:50]You're a good deal more likely to become dead men than kings.

[00:02:53]>> I will.

[00:02:53]>> Anyway, I don't believe you have the slightest intention of traveling a mile outside of Delhi.

[00:02:58]>> Then you should come down to the Sarai marketplace in the morning down where the caravans leave for the north. Now look, look you two. I'm a newsman, not a nomad. Now why why should I come down to that filthy pest home?

[00:03:09]>> I'm not so sure that you're either.

[00:03:11]>> Well, what do you mean?

[00:03:12]>> You say you're a newsman, but here's the chance to see the start of the greatest story of all time. And you'd pass it up >> because you're too blasted lazy to get up that early in the morning. Come along, Det. Yeah, but if you should have a change of heart, come to the Sarai in the morning and see whether we be liars or not.

[00:03:34]>> And so they left those two lovable scoundrels. And I sat alone in my office thinking, the kings of Kafiristan, kings indeed.

[00:03:45]But then perhaps, just perhaps, they might pull it off, and it would be something to cable home. And so it was that the next morning I was making my way through the dirty milling crowds of the Sai marketplace.

[00:04:03]>> Oh thieves, robbers, liars, the blessings appear upon all pigs, dogs and perjurers who will take the protection.

[00:04:12]>> You should not laugh at him. The witless are under the protection of Allah.

[00:04:17]>> Quite so boy. Quite so. Who is the fellow anyway? A mad pri who has arrived only this morning from Amir.

[00:04:25]>> I see. I see >> you. Sahib, come look at my camels loaded with toys to please the eye of an army.

[00:04:34]>> Here now, now go about your business. I haven't any use for toys.

[00:04:37]>> These are wondrous toys indeed. Sahib, fit for a king of Kafiristan.

[00:04:43]>> What? My good lord. Daniel Dvit, >> quiet. Come along. I have two camels just beyond the wall here. The blessings of Pier Khan on the gracious Sahib consents to look at the poor toys of a priest from Ashmere over this way. Where's Conan? Here we are. Permit me to present my servant Azam.

[00:05:07]>> At your service, Governor.

[00:05:09]>> Well, I will.

[00:05:10]>> How do you like our disguises? Do they pass? If they fool this crowd in the Sarai, they're probably good enough to get you across the border and good enough to get you killed.

[00:05:18]>> Yeah, getting killed is no part of the contract Peach and me draw up. Although, um, perhaps killing fits in with our plans in a different sense. Feel around underneath the toys there in the camel bags.

[00:05:32]>> My good lord, the rifles.

[00:05:34]>> 20 brand new Leenfields with ammunition to match. And 20 good reasons to make your death certain any path of the hill tribes would kill his own mother to get a rifle.

[00:05:43]>> Now who would harm uh a poor mad priest?

[00:05:48]Allah protects me.

[00:05:50]>> Mad is right. And so was Lord Clive and Roads and Bonapart.

[00:05:57]Drive out the camels. PG. We have a long way to go before we become kings.

[00:06:07]As I stood and listened to the camel bells fade away in the distance, I wondered I wondered if it might not be a glorious thing to go to Capiristan and be a king.

[00:06:29]Three years pass in India much as they pass in any other land. It grows hot.

[00:06:34]Then the rains come and then they heat again. Some colonel at a hill station puts down an uprising. A new viceroy comes out from London. The paper duly records the death of a sultan in Raj Putana. And the trees in the courtyard grow a few feet taller.

[00:06:52]And finally time in its circle turned up another night much like the one 3 years before.

[00:06:59]Once again, I sat alone in the office, listening to the clock and waiting for some unimportant item to come over the wire from Europe.

[00:07:07]It was long after midnight when my office door slowly opened.

[00:07:13]Well, I say you might knock first, you know.

[00:07:19]>> Knock knock.

[00:07:23]>> Good lord, man. What's wrong? I I You don't know who I am, do you?

[00:07:29]>> No. No. I haven't the faintest idea.

[00:07:32]Have here. You'd better sit down, old fellow. You're in a bad way.

[00:07:36]>> Yes, sir. Thank you. It's all year I've been walking right here in this very office we settled in. You sitting right there and giving us the maps.

[00:07:50]And you've been sitting there ever since.

[00:07:53]3 years. No, no, no. Man couldn't change that much in 3 years. Well, you're not Peachy Conahan.

[00:08:03]>> Yes, I was the king of Kafiristan.

[00:08:06]Me and Daniel Trabet. Real crown kings.

[00:08:09]We was just as true as gospel.

[00:08:13]>> What in the name of heaven have they done to you, Peachy?

[00:08:16]>> P. Peachy.

[00:08:19]I knew Peachy Caran once. He's a king.

[00:08:23]with a a real golden crown on his head.

[00:08:25]So help me. He does.

[00:08:28]>> He's dead now.

[00:08:29]>> No, no, no, no, no. You're Peachy Kahan.

[00:08:32]You are. Now you must pull yourself together.

[00:08:34]>> Yes. Poor pull myself.

[00:08:37]You've got to keep looking into me eyes.

[00:08:40]Maybe everything won't go to pieces.

[00:08:41]>> All right. All All right. Now, tell me what happened, Pich.

[00:08:46]>> We left the caravan at Jagdala and we struck off into the OS alone. Yes. Go on.

[00:08:54]>> Weeks it was we traveled, Daniel and me.

[00:08:57]First there wasn't no roads and after a while no food, but there was always the drums.

[00:09:05]Sometimes there was close and sometimes farther off.

[00:09:11]Most of the time we could hear them somewhere.

[00:09:19]Move along there.

[00:09:23]>> Yeah. Now it's no place to be stopping up with you.

[00:09:26]>> I'm fearing it's no use, Daniel.

[00:09:28]>> What's got into them?

[00:09:29]>> Well, the poor beasts are done in and starve. Same as ourselves. They'll go no further.

[00:09:32]>> Then we'll go on with Adam. I've not come this far to die on the side of a mountain.

[00:09:37]>> Wait, look, Daniel, over the edge of them rocks. Well, >> oh men they are.

[00:09:44]>> Yes, there's a score or more of them.

[00:09:46]And one goes ahead of the rest >> in not but those errors. Break out a pair of the rifles, Pidgey.

[00:09:51]>> Right you are, Daniel.

[00:09:53]>> It's now that we start to become kings.

[00:09:56]>> Here. Here you are. And some cartridges, too.

[00:09:59]>> Easy now, Peachy. I'll drop the straggler at the rear first. Then we'll lay a few at their feet. No arm to the one in front. We may need him now.

[00:10:08]GOT HIM BY THE LAY ON PJ.

[00:10:11]>> HOLD IT, DANIEL. Look at him.

[00:10:14]>> Ah, flat on the blooming faces.

[00:10:16]>> It's their leader. He's coming out alone.

[00:10:18]>> Well and good. And we'll go part way to meet him, By. But keep your rifle by.

[00:10:22]>> Look at him, Daniel. He's as fair as us with yellow air.

[00:10:27]>> So he is part of the lost tribes. These people are.

[00:10:31]>> Stopped.

[00:10:32]>> I await your command. Oh, ye who speak with a voice of thunder. By the Lord, Eric Peachy, we're in luck. It's the old Afkan tongue he speaks. Speak up. Who are you and whence do you come?

[00:10:45]>> I am high priest and the chief of the village of Bashkai. A journey of only a few heartbeats.

[00:10:51]>> This Bashkai, how many people?

[00:10:54]>> They are number in the thousands.

[00:10:56]>> There are more villages in the hills.

[00:10:58]>> More than a man has fingers and toes.

[00:11:01]>> You hear that, Peachy? Here's our kingdom. Make to order. And you you're going to take us to Bashtai. Do you understand?

[00:11:09]>> I understand the voice of thunder that you speak.

[00:11:13]>> Oo, he's a smooth one, Peachy. He knows a thing or two. What's your name?

[00:11:18]>> Mazour Kagalor.

[00:11:21]>> That's too long. Hey, hey, we'll call him Peachy.

[00:11:24]>> He has the look about him of an old soldiering friend of ours. Billy Fish.

[00:11:30]>> So he does.

[00:11:32]and we bestow a name on you. From now on, you'll be Billy Fish. And put this on your drums. Tell them two kings have come out of the mountaintops. Two kings that speak in words of thunder, so the earth trembles.

[00:11:48]Tell them TWO KINGS HAVE COME TO KAFIRAN.

[00:12:02]at you, Peachy.

[00:12:03]>> Daniel, >> why are you sitting out here in the dark?

[00:12:07]>> I've been thinking man has to stop and think sometimes. Uh, >> about uh, anything special, Daniel?

[00:12:14]>> Look at him, Peachy. Look at that blinking campfires are gleaming in the dark. Like the jewels in the crown.

[00:12:20]>> Yes, Daniel. You done a fine job for sure. All 23 villages you joined together as one.

[00:12:26]>> It is the army you train to be. Thank it. 2,000 men with a fair knowledge of bear and arms.

[00:12:32]>> Some of them's a bit green added yet.

[00:12:33]>> Yeah, they're ours now. Every man, jack, woman, and child, we own them. Body and soul.

[00:12:39]>> Yes, we're kings now, Daniel. Not proper kings yet, but we will be.

[00:12:44]>> Yeah, sooner than you think, B.

[00:12:46]>> How's that?

[00:12:47]>> Now, Billy Fish told me something today that fear amazed me. These people know the craft.

[00:12:52]>> You mean they're Freemasons?

[00:12:55]>> Daniel, ain't possible.

[00:12:56]>> So, help me. It's gospel true. He give the grip and everything. It's old. The craft is older than the memory of men.

[00:13:04]And up here in the hills, they've been preserving it all these years. Why? Some of the high priests know up through the fellowcraft, but they don't know the third degree. You see it, Peachy. They don't know the third degree. But we do.

[00:13:20]>> And Daniel, what is it you're fixing to do? do.

[00:13:26]We're going to be proper kings. We got them going and coming now. I'm going to turn the whole country into one grand lodge. Raise some of the priests to the third degree. And for me, I'll be the grandmaster of Cavilistan.

[00:13:41]>> You ain't got the right to. We've never been officers in no lodge.

[00:13:44]>> Right. What's a king got to do with asking for a right?

[00:13:47]>> I'm against it, Daniel. It's no good to go fooling around with the craft. Ah, >> you talk like an old woman.

[00:13:54]The thing will work. I know it will.

[00:13:56]We'll make it a bloom and ceremony.

[00:13:58]Regular aprons with the symbols and the marks. All for us, Pety. The king's a cafe.

[00:14:17]Everything is prepared, master. And the priests and the people wait. Well, they haven't much longer, Billy. Yeah. Now, Peachy, how do you like my apron?

[00:14:27]>> It's a wondrous sight for fair, Daniel.

[00:14:30]>> Made a white almond skin it is. And the master's mark with emerald studed.

[00:14:34]>> The mark. You know the meaning of the mark.

[00:14:38]>> That I do. What's got into you, Billy?

[00:14:42]It is a thing that's passing strange, mustard.

[00:14:45]>> Yeah, strange and rubbish. Come along now. Ready, By?

[00:14:48]>> Right with you, Daniel. Then out we go onto the temple steps. And we'll give them what for. Knock their blinking eyes out. That's what we'll do.

[00:15:01]Look at them, Peachy. Right down on their blooming knees and yelling their fools all.

[00:15:06]>> It's a good thing to be a king, Daniel.

[00:15:08]>> The mark. Behold the mark. It >> is a sign the promised ones have come.

[00:15:14]>> Yeah. Now what's wrong with the priestly?

[00:15:16]>> They look like trouble, Daniel. No.

[00:15:19]Stand where you are, master. They recognize the mark.

[00:15:22]>> Yeah, that great stone in the floor. Why do they turn it over?

[00:15:25]>> Wait.

[00:15:30]It's the same.

[00:15:31]>> He bears the mark.

[00:15:33]>> The promise.

[00:15:34]>> Speak up, Billy. What's the meaning of it? See for yourself.

[00:15:38]Look, Daniel. Carved on the back of the stone. It is the master's mark. All right. And the same as the sign you wear. Only a few of the priests have known of the hidden mark on the stone.

[00:15:52]But what does it mean?

[00:15:53]>> The many who have doubted you are a god doubt no longer.

[00:15:58]>> And you, Billy, what do you think?

[00:16:02]>> I, Master, I think that now it is the time for these.

[00:16:08]>> Oo, Daniel.

[00:16:11]Golden crowns.

[00:16:12]>> Hey, how they glitter. Fit for the brow OF THE KING.

[00:16:15]>> IT'S WHAT WE CAME FOR. HERE. NOW, put them on. We'll crown ourselves in our own right.

[00:16:22]I'll listen to them. You know something, Peachy? We come here to be kings, and that we are all right. But blamed if we ain't a couple of blooming gods to boot with a million people bearing on their knees before us.

[00:16:51]Well enough, Peachy. So it was gods you became as well as kings. But then what happened? What became of Daniel Drabbit?

[00:16:59]>> Dra Drabbit.

[00:17:01]I knew Daniel Dravit once. He's a king now. Daniel is wears a golden crown.

[00:17:10]Connine was with him. Pich Pich try to pull yourself together now.

[00:17:14]>> Yes, I'll try.

[00:17:16]>> Good. Good. Now you became kings. You and Daniel. Kings of all Capiristan.

[00:17:21]>> Well, he was a fine figure. Daniel was with his red head wearing that golden crown and kept himself aloof from the people so to speak. When he walked out in front of the temple, they fed a crawled on their stomachs to worship him.

[00:17:36]>> Yes. But what happened, man?

[00:17:37]>> What happened?

[00:17:39]Well, I I figure mostly it was a winter coming up. The winds was starting up and clouds was blowing down from the north.

[00:17:51]Oh, it could blow beastly cold. That winter wind.

[00:18:03]Who's out there?

[00:18:06]That you, Billy?

[00:18:08]I can't found it anyway.

[00:18:12]>> Yeah. Now watch this. I >> I have brought you food, master.

[00:18:19]Stew of the wild sheep with curry and rice.

[00:18:24]>> Oh, up off your knees, girl. Bring it inside.

[00:18:27]>> Thank you, master.

[00:18:30]>> Place it there.

[00:18:36]Ah, nah.

[00:18:38]You're a well-favored wench.

[00:18:41]>> I do not understand.

[00:18:44]>> Why are you crawling on your knees?

[00:18:47]It >> is a fitting way to approach the god of Kafiran.

[00:18:51]>> What's your name, girl?

[00:18:54]>> Marum, you married?

[00:19:00]>> It has not yet been my happy fortune.

[00:19:03]Master, >> you afraid of me?

[00:19:07]>> You are a god.

[00:19:08]>> I mean, how do I seem to you?

[00:19:12]You find me pleasing or what?

[00:19:15]>> Your face is more wondrous than the noonday sun.

[00:19:21]And your look, the look of eagles.

[00:19:27]>> Well, ah, very well.

[00:19:31]You may leave now.

[00:19:33]>> Thank you, master.

[00:19:38]>> Maram Pidgey.

[00:19:43]Pidgey.

[00:19:44]>> Oh, was you calling me Daniel?

[00:19:47]>> Oh, the food's here, eh? Ah, good.

[00:19:50]>> Mark that wind outside.

[00:19:53]You know, winter's about due to strike and fill the passes with snow.

[00:19:58]There'd be little moving about a for spring.

[00:20:01]>> You're right, >> Pety.

[00:20:06]I decided to take a wife.

[00:20:09]>> But you can't do it, Daniel. We made a contract.

[00:20:11]>> That was till we was kings. Well, kings we've been these many months.

[00:20:15]>> It's no good. I tell you now, I'm against it.

[00:20:17]>> Against it. You was against using the craft, too. But look what it done for us.

[00:20:21]>> This is different. Billy Fish will tell you no. The same as I do.

[00:20:24]>> Billy Fish. Who's the king here? Him or me? My mind's made up. 3 days from now, I shall have me your wife. And you can put it on the drums and tell every blighter out there in the ills.

[00:20:39]The kingdom of Kafiran, it's going to have a queen.

[00:20:55]What's keeping her peachy? They should have brought her in half an hour ago.

[00:20:59]>> I don't know, Daniel.

[00:21:01]>> How about you, Billy Fish? You put him up to stall an off deliberate like.

[00:21:07]Certain preparations must be made.

[00:21:09]Master, >> she's across the court with some of the priests. Maybe they're trying to buck her up a bit. Daniel, she thinks she's going to die. You know.

[00:21:17]>> Ah, die indeed. Why?

[00:21:19]>> Master, it is against the laws of heaven for a woman to marry a god.

[00:21:23]>> I'm not a god. I'm a man. You know that by now, Billy.

[00:21:27]>> No, and I should not want to think so, master.

[00:21:31]But either way, this can mean only trouble.

[00:21:34]>> I beg you to reconsider. And I beg you to keep your mouth shut, Billy. I'm through waiting. I'm going over there to talk to the police.

[00:21:41]>> Master, please.

[00:21:42]>> Oh, we've got to go with him, Billy. I think it's going to mean trouble, but come on.

[00:21:47]>> How many men can you depend on?

[00:21:49]>> No more than 20 with rifles. Most of my men are in Boskai.

[00:21:52]>> Then what shall we do?

[00:21:54]>> We shall have to make a run for it. I fear we might be safe in Bashkai.

[00:21:58]>> Oh, now you bundling fools. Bring out the girl.

[00:22:03]Huh?

[00:22:04]Well, now that's better.

[00:22:07]Here, girl.

[00:22:09]This is no way for a bride to behave.

[00:22:13]A smile now.

[00:22:16]And give us a kiss.

[00:22:20]THE WITCH HAS BITTEN ME. BLOOD MASTER, DON'T LET THEM SEE THE BLOOD.

[00:22:23]>> LOOK, see the blood. IT'S NOT A GOD.

[00:22:26]IT'S EVERYBODY. ONLY A MAN.

[00:22:28]>> YOU BLASTED. WHAT IS THIS ROT?

[00:22:31]>> I said it. It's too late. Back, Daniel.

[00:22:33]THEY'RE COMING WITH NINE. THEY CAN'T DO THIS. I AM THE KING.

[00:22:36]>> YOU MUST RUN FOR IT, MASTER. COME ON, DANIEL. Come on.

[00:22:50]Gone founded heathens. I'll come back.

[00:22:53]I'll come back and beat the blasted edge in. That's what I'll do.

[00:22:57]>> Yes, Daniel. Yeah, we'll be back. All right.

[00:23:00]>> How much further, Billy? Only a short way beyond this ridge, master.

[00:23:03]>> Well, so far so good. Huh? At least them blooming drums has stopped.

[00:23:10]>> Well, we're at the top, Daniel.

[00:23:12]>> Yeah, and our right good climates been.

[00:23:16]Wait. Huh?

[00:23:18]>> Look, it seems the drums have come before us, master.

[00:23:24]Cut off.

[00:23:26]No less than a thousand of them.

[00:23:29]standing there quiet like with them wicked long knives in their hands.

[00:23:34]>> There'll be no getting past them, Daniel.

[00:23:37]>> No, we're done for.

[00:23:42]Go back, Billy Fish. Take your man away with you. Go with him, PG. It's me they want. I did it. Me, the king.

[00:23:51]>> No, Dan. I'm sticking with you. Billy Fish, you clear out. I am your friend. I stay with you.

[00:24:02]>> You're a good man, Billy.

[00:24:04]>> They're coming now, Daniel.

[00:24:07]>> PG, >> forget it, Daniel. I'll forgive you.

[00:24:11]Freely, fully.

[00:24:14]>> Then let them come. There be one thing they can't change, Peachy. We've been kings. Kings in our own right. Kings of old Cavistan.

[00:24:49]Yes.

[00:24:51]He sliced open poor Billy fish like a blooming earring did in the snow and the rocks.

[00:24:57]>> Oh, good lord man. But you, Peachy, you got away from them.

[00:25:03]>> Got away from him, did I? Oh, no.

[00:25:07]They strung me out on a tree. I drove nails right through me hands. Did you see? Look. See?

[00:25:14]But I fooled him. All right. Cuz the morning come and I I wasn't dead.

[00:25:21]And then I made them think I'd I'd lost me senses and they was afraid to arm me because I was protected by Allah.

[00:25:33]They cut me down then and after a while they let me go. You poor devil.

[00:25:42]What of Draven? What happened to Daniel?

[00:25:45]>> Daniel?

[00:25:48]Daniel's a king.

[00:25:50]He wears a golden crown.

[00:25:51]>> No, no. Now, now what happened to him?

[00:25:55]>> He's never left me.

[00:25:57]All them long months walking on the road back, he kept me safe.

[00:26:04]The mountains, they danced at night, but Daniel held up his hand and Peachy came along bent double. I never let go of Daniel's hand.

[00:26:14]He's with me now. here in this bundle.

[00:26:18]You knew old Daniel sir that was a monoquence.

[00:26:22]Look at him now.

[00:26:35]Well, now you've seen that we was really kings. I'll be on my way.

[00:26:42]You pardon me, sir?

[00:27:08]I let him go. There was little else to do. He was only hours away from his death.

[00:27:14]I sat there and stared at the bundle he had left lying on my desk. Stared as the pale shafts of dawn struck fire in the red beard, stared at the golden crown sitting too large and heavy upon the wrinkled mummified head of Daniel Drabbit, the man who would be king.

[00:27:42]Escape is produced and directed by Norman McDonald.

[00:27:55]Tonight we have brought you The Man Who Would Be King by Ruggard Kipling, adapted for radio by Les Crutchfield with editorial supervision by John Dunl.

[00:28:05]Featured in tonight's cast were Ben Wright and Wilms Herbert with John Der, Peggy Weber, and Jack Kruin. Special music by Ivan Ditmars.

[00:28:18]Next week, you are trapped in the dark streets of a French town with only two remaining avenues of escape. The workshop of a fearsome knife maker or the arms of a dangerous woman. While behind you, hunting you through the dark night, swirls a mob of men eager for your capture.

[00:28:49]Next week, we escape with Vincent Starret's strange story, The Fugitive.

[00:28:55]Good night then until this same time next week when once again we offer you escape.

[00:29:10]This is CBS, the Colombia Broadcasting System.