horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty, hi-yo, silver! The Lone Ranger pushed the frontier of the United States westward much faster than the forces of law and order could follow them. For many years, the masked rider of the plains was the only man to whom the settlers could turn in time of danger. But his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness were always on the side of right against might, and he blazed the trail for justice throughout the new territory. Return with us now to those thrilling days when the west was young. From out of the past come the thundering hoof-beach of the great horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, silver! We're heading for the hill country! Silver's waiting for us! Traveling, horse! There's a point of light way up ahead! Somebody's campfire! Keep traveling! Lift your hose, boy! A weary, foam-flecked horse, kept in a hard gallop by an equally weary rider, raised dust under the faint starlight glow that spread across the Texas panhandle. Apparently alone in the wide stretch of prairie, the man rode for a distant speck of light, a small campfire. The campfire cast red flickers on the silvery skin of a great white horse. Near him was another horse, a paint. Crouched beside the fire, nuzzled occasionally by the horses were two men. One was masked, the other an Indian. The firelight gleamed on their faces, slid over the silver-etched gun butts in the masked man's belt. Then... Hello? Huh? Have you noticed anything? Huh? We're in the Texas panhandle, wide open, wild country. Kemosabe. It's night time. Darkness all around us. Can you hear anything? We hear fire. We hear silver. Scout. At all. No, I mean sounds in the night. Sounds from the country around us. Oh. We hear nothing. Yes. Yes, Kemosabe. Why don't we hear anything? Why is it so quiet? There should be nightbirds, coyotes, all kinds of wildlife. Why, we haven't even heard a wolf howl. Oh, not right. I tell you, this country isn't empty. Those stories we heard about this section must be true. There must be people here. There must. People scare animals? Birds? There's no other reason for animals to leave. This country isn't what you'd call fertile, but still it isn't exactly a desert. Oh, it's a bad country. The animals send something we don't, Toto. We've been watching Scout and Silver. Uh-huh. Yet we haven't seen a living soul all day. Not for two days. Oh, it's bad country. Silver. In Stample. What is it, Silver? What is it? Is there anything? What matter? Toto. Huh? Scatter the fire. Quick. Pull the horses back out of sight. Back, Silver. This way. Come on, Scout. What's wrong, Kemosabe? Lie down, Silver. Down, boy. Toto. Make Scout get down to the ground. Down, Silver. Down, Scout. Down. And that's it. Now drop to the ground. Keep low, Toto. Oh. What for? You've got guns? Quiet. I saw something against the skyline. Just a flash. Something heading this way. What was that? I don't know, but we're taking no chances. Wait. Listen. That horse? Heading this way. Sounds worn out. As if he's been traveling fast. Get ready. No. Nobody in saddle. Yes, Toto. A horse without a rider. Saddled and bridled. Came out of the darkness without a rider. I... What matter? Feel the saddle, Toto. It's still warm. Someone was in this saddle not ten minutes ago. The reins are still around the horse's neck. Not dropped the way they should be. And... Toto. The reins are wet. Look. That stain. What did I run into? I can't see nothing. Where is this place? You and your coyote laughing. Who are you? What do you want with me? If I could see you, if I knew where you was, I'd wrestle the truth out here. Where? Hey. He's gone. You're the fool that was laughing. Hey. It's like water. Black water's trickling over rocks. Oh, I could use some of that water. Water. It's over this way. I can hear it. Water. Hey, water. Water. It's water. It's too in my hand. Oh. More water, Toto. We've not got much. He needs it. More water. That's what I needed. Water. Feeling better? Where's Dale? Early morning. I'm out on the plains. I could have swore it was in some dark place. It was a fellow that would laugh. I'm out on the plains. You're all right now, Johnson. We found you here. I wasn't dreaming. I heard that hombre laughing. Oh, I got a bump on my head bigger than an anthill. It was... Hey. How'd you know my name? We get horse. Huh? This is your horse, Johnson. Your name's on the saddle. Oh, yeah. Me look round up. Good idea, Toto. See if there's any sign around here. The engine's gone? He's taking a look around, Johnson. If you were taken someplace during the night, there ought to be prints. Some sort of prints. It was a kind of cave, I guess. Oh, I can still hear that laugh. When we brought your horse over the back trail, you were here. There's no sign that you'd ever left this spot. I think I'm loco, huh? Not that, but... Hey, wait a minute. You're... Oh! Careful. Your hand's cut. Yeah, it hurts. Last night, I recollect somebody taking a swipe at me in the dark with a sword or saber or something. You'll need care for that. Never mind my hands. I just now noticed. I guess it was kind of groggy. You're a man. What of it? Plenty, mister. Sure is plump, peculiar, you and that engine being Johnny on the spot. You needn't be suspicious of it. That's easy to say. This is mighty deserted country. I wake up and you got my horse. My horse! Easy, Johnson. What's the trouble? Get away. I'm looking for... For what? It was right here in my saddlebags. It... It's gone. Mister, where is it? Something's missing. You know doggone well it is, and you know what it is, too. I'm warning you, fork it over. You got the wrong slant, Johnson. Whatever's missing, I didn't take it. Then I say you did. You and that engine. This whole business, it was rigged up, and who else could have... What the... I'll be hogtied. An arrow. Painted red from tip to feathers. A scarlet arrow. Yeah. Scarlet arrow. You and that engine. Johnson. Let go of me. You... I'm getting out of here. The scarlet arrow. I'm getting out. Get up, boy. Come on. Get up. What's wrong, Kemosabe? Did you find any track, Tutter? No. No sign. What matter, Tutter? Him ride off like crazy man. This arrow, Tutter. Huh? This scarlet arrow landed right beside us. Scarlet arrow. How that bad? It must be. Johnson turned as white as a winter moon when he saw it. Get the horses. Scarlet arrow. Not plenty bad. Here, Silver. Here, boy. Come on, Tutter. Bring that arrow along. Bring that arrow. No. No, Kemosabe. Tutter not touch. What? You take arrow. Tutter not touch. Tutter, you're not superstitious about... All Indian story about scarlet arrow. It's bad medicine. Tutter not touch. Very well, Tutter. I'll take it myself. You know what arrow means. Never mind that now. You can tell me later. I want to find out why Johnson left in such a hurry and for where. Come on, Silver. On the trail. I tell you, it was the wickedest night I ever had in my life. This here masked man, the engine, and that laughing in the darkness. Oh, for land's sake, Johnson, hush your gabbing. You come busting in here panting and wired out as a baby antelope and talking fit to kill. I tell you... You already told us. You told us twice. Yeah, but you don't... Sarah is right, Johnson. Don't hear your story. Marty, you'll believe me, don't you? I reckon we got to. You should have kept going. But I didn't have the man. What's the difference? Yes. If you'd have got to the town, you could have filed a claim anyways. You know where this here land is situated. You could have drawn a map from memory. I guess I was kind of upset. Upset? Now, that masked man in the engine has most likely taken over this silver we found. Well, Charles, they came. They'll put the claim in first, won't they? Sarah, I tell you, I was scared. You know the stories about this here country? Oh. You know them, Marty? Yeah. Yeah, I know them. But I'm a mite disappointed in you nevertheless. Yes. Yeah? You come two in the morning, didn't you? There was your horse right there, wasn't there? Well, sure. Oh, the masked man in the engine says bull to you, and you run like a cotton. Now, wait, sir. I ain't gonna... I told you the worst part. Huh? There was something else that made me head this way. Now, don't go adding lies to what you already told, Johnson. You told about the dark and the laughing voice. It must have been that masked man laughing. Yeah. And you told about the water and the dark and about what happened after you'll wake up in the morning. Yeah. Only I ain't told you about the arrow. You told us all about... What did you say? The arrow. The scarlet arrow. No. It come hissing through the air. Lift right into the dirt beside me. Scarlet arrow. Scarlet from tip to feathers. Yeah, Marty. Like the story you was telling us about this here country. A lost mind that nobody ever seen. Years ago. A lost mind and how the engines killed everybody in it. Killed them with scarlet arrows. It's just a story. We ain't never seen that mine. That don't prove it ain't one. You must have run into it last night, Johnson. I didn't know what I'd run into last night, Marty. It can't be. It can't be. No. He's seen arrows, Harry. The scarlet arrow. Yeah. And for all I figure, the engine must have shot it. He was out of sight when it come flying through the air. The engine and a masked man sure sounds bad. We ain't going away from here, if that's what you're thinking. I ain't said so. You don't have to say it. Marty. Johnson. We can't go. Not now. We ain't got money or no place to head for. We come out here, we took a last chance, and we found silver. If we go now, we'll be nothing but folks without a home or a way to live. We can't go. I've seen it. Scarlet arrow say. Sari. Permis. What are you busting in for? Johnson was talking about a masked man and the engine. What about him? They're heading this way across the prairie, the two of them. They are, eh? Johnson, grab your gun. So that's the story behind the scarlet arrow, Tonto. Ah, that's right. Yet we saw no sign of any lost mine. No trace of any mining operations in that section at all. Story he pulled. If it happened that long ago, who do you think shot this arrow? It wasn't a ghost, Tonto. Oh, Tonto, not, no. Ah. These two shacks up ahead must be where Johnson came from. It's the only sign of human life we've seen since we left the town. Not long time ago. It looks very quiet. Ah. We're going to find out what this is all about, Tonto. We've got to win Johnson's confidence. Ah. And we leave Scout and Silver here with these other horses. Move, Silver. Hit. Ah. There's Johnson's horse. Steady, Scout. Strange that no one has come out, Tonto. They must have heard his coming. Ah. Maybe them not want us. We'll soon see. Hello? Nobody in. Maybe we... I can't understand it, Tonto. Stand right still, both of you. Mister, that shot was into the door. One move out of you or the engine, and we aim at you. Yeah, four guns all set to blast you to bits. And before we get through, you're going to wish we pull the trigger sooner. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story, with the muzzles of four guns pointed directly at them, the Lone Ranger touched the arm of his Indian companion. Don't reach for your guns, Tonto. It's your move, Johnson. Yeah, you're being smart. Harry, you can leave go of your gun now. Purvis and Johnson will handle this. Mister, you and that engine move inside the shack. The Lone Ranger and Tonto stepped across the threshold into the bare shack with its meager furnishings. Lined against the wall, their guns removed from their holsters, they faced the three grim-looking men and the troubled woman. You plan to kill us? Sure we do. You tried to sneak up... Just a moment. Huh? Before you do anything you'll be sorry for, can we talk to this woman alone? You think we're a problem, Loco? What do you want to talk with Shari for? You have a gun. No, you ain't gonna talk... All right, well, then. Let someone stay here. Let Johnson stay. I don't know. You got something special to tell me? Perhaps I have. It won't stay secret, mister. I'll tell Purvis and Marty as soon as you're through. At least give me the chance to talk with you. It's all right. Marty... Now, Shari, you should... It's all right. It's all right. Go on, Scat. You're being foolish, Shari. Them two... I'll watch to see they don't try nothing for us. Well, if you say so, Shari. Come on, Purvis. Oh, fire nonsense. You be careful, Tati. All right, mister. Speak your piece. And don't try nothing funny. I can see it's going to be hard to convince you that you're wrong about us. Marty hard. Tato and I came here to help you, Justin. You can help better by getting back again to the wall where you was. If you don't, I... Now, take it easy. Tato and I... Johnson, careful. He's got it. Now, Tato... Hey, come. Hold that door. Go up. That does it. Why? You grabbed the gun right out of his hand, Johnson. You let him get it. Sorry, I couldn't help it. What's going on in there? Don't try to come in. Marty, he's got us. He's got the gun. That's enough. Tato, take this gun. All right, me take it. Don't try to come in or you'll run into trouble. You better do like he says, Marty. He'll do it. So will Purvis. Now, suppose the three of us get down to facts. You're mighty slick, ain't you? Johnson, believe me. I'm as much in the dark as you are and just as innocent. Yeah, well, I don't believe you, see. No, but we're going to have a long talk. By the time I'm through, you will believe me. You'll have to. That's the answer. That's why Tato and I are here. Who we are doesn't matter. But you need help. Well, mister, we... We ain't much. We're sort of drifters. Old Marty is too old to be much used to anybody. Me? Just a woman without no folks. Johnson here. Why so? No, he ain't old. He's just a Roman cowhand looking for something to hang on to. And Purvis... What about Purvis? Well, we all sort of run into one another, kind of. Purvis, well, I guess he's got some secret sorrow in his past. He ain't talked much to us. He hasn't, huh? I see. I guess we've been living on hope for so long it don't seem real if we finally run into luck. But we've done it and we aim to keep our luck. We've got to. You found silver out here. We stumbled on it. You still think Tato and I stopped you last night, huh, Johnson? You think Tato shot that arrow? I don't know. Not now. If we lose that claim, we ain't got nothing left. That's the honest fact. Tato, open the door. Open the door, you... Go ahead, open it. Ah. Well, it's about time. Now be in Purvis... Just a moment. Careful, Marty. The Redskins got a gun. They're giving the gun back to Johnson. Ah. Me doing it. Your gun. Well, I don't figure this. You handed the gun over. Now you're right back where you were for. Are we? Would you shoot us now? Would we shoot you? Mister, after that stunt you pulled, grabbing Johnson's gun, we sure will. Just hold your horses there, Marty. The answer's no. Huh? That's right. I couldn't shoot him down. And no one else ain't going to. Purvis, I'm concerned. Him and the engine and he's aiming to help us. Well, I'm not doubtful, but I figure maybe he can help us. Somebody's got you. Well, I'll be gone. Just a moment. Don't go. Tato and I'll make camp near here tonight. There's one thing I haven't told you. Huh? What's that? I wanted Marty and Purvis to hear it, too. I know who stole that clay map from you, Johnson. Well, you do. Yes, I know. Who was it? Who was it? You'll get the answer tomorrow morning. Well, I'll be plumbed. Tomorrow morning and not before. All about the scarlet arrow and this lost mind. The whole thing. I can promise you that. All right, Tonto. Let's turn in. The fire will keep going, all right? Oh. White friend, tell Tonto. Yes? You sure you not make mistake? You sure who shoot error? Who stopped Johnson last night? Time for sleep, Kimasabi. Tomorrow we'll go straight to this lost mind. That's a promise I'm going to keep. Hank, where are you? Right here. How'd things go? Strike a light. Can't see nothing in here. Well, that better. When do I head for town and register the claim to that silver? Hank, maybe I should have let you go sooner. Huh? Yeah. You see, I figured if you waited a while, I could get them folks out of this section. Why have me shoot more of them errors, huh? That and other ways. We sure give Johnson plenty. All they needed was more of the same. Enough scares and they'd pull up and wander. Then you could step in and take that claim without nobody around to ask questions. What's going wrong? You seen that masked man in the engine? Sure, this morning when I shot that error. We got to take care of them, Hank. Huh? They're camping out near the shacks right now. The masked man stated he was going to tell who took that paper out of Johnson's saddlebags come morning. Oh. He knows, huh? You let something slip. I didn't let nothing slip. Nothing. It beats me. I didn't figure nobody could find the entrance to this old mine. You're wasting time, Hank. We got to get moving. For town? We head for town later. First, we go back and dust off that masked man in the engine. I gotcha. We start now. We can sneak up on him before dawn. We'll put a couple of bullets in him. Yeah, that ought to fix him good. Good and forever, Hank. They won't do any talking. Not when we get finished. No talking at all. Damn fire. We leave the horses here. Take off them spurs, you fool. It'll wake them up. Yeah. As soon as we get them, we ride off. Savvy? I'm to head for town and file on that claim? Yeah. I'll hold out new mine. I'll wait for you. All right. We'll go. Stop. That's them, huh? Yeah. Rolled up in the blankets. You take the one at the right. Pump bullets into them. From here, we can't miss. Got your gun? Both of them. All right. Pour it on them. Johnson! Sari, open the door. Open the... Marty, what's happened? Hank Daybreak. Marty, what's there? I heard shots. Yeah. Yeah. Shots. They come from where that masked man in the engine made their cab. Get me a shawl. I'll be right there. What do you think it was? Well, you'll see when we get there. Sounded like dozens of them. Brought me right out of a sound sleep. There's the campfire. Hey! I don't see nobody stirring. Kick up that fire. We got to look for them. Hey, mister! Injun! Wake them up, Marty. Hey, hey, you! Plant a ghost in a racket like that and wake the dead. They can't be... What's the matter? Johnson. There's bullet holes in them blankets, huh? Yeah, I tell you they're... Marty! Hey, Johnson! Where are they? What happened? Me and Johnson was just noticing, Sarah. There's bullet holes in them blankets. Will you take off the blankets so as we can see? He's dead. Let me see. Well, I'll be a coyote. They ain't here. The engine and the masked man ain't here. What kind of business is this? Blankets full of holes and nothing under the blankets but a couple of sticks of wood. You're not all here. Where's Purvis? Thanks a lie to give us a turn. What's been happening out here? How come this... Where's Purvis? Why, gosh, I don't know. Funny he ain't here. No, it isn't, Marty. I wanted to make sure, but I suspected him. Huh? Talon, I set a trap. We knew that whoever was behind this couldn't afford to let me live because I had said I knew him. Purvis done this? Purvis, yes. We used that wood to make it look as if we were in those blanket rules. Talon and I were watching from a little distance off. Purvis done it? Masked man, you mean he's behind this here whole scheme? He is. Otherwise, he'd be here with you. Why, that honorary pool, Kat. He meant the skinnest out of the claim. The man with him is heading for town to file that claim right now. Heading for town? Jumping Mavericks will never catch him. I think you will, Marty. Here, Silver. I'm going after that man myself. Silver can catch him in no time. As for Purvis... What about that sneaker rattler? Where is he? We learned that too, ma'am. Talon's trailing him. You get your horses. Pick up Talon's trail. He left it plain enough to follow. We sure will, mister. I'll join you as soon as I can, perhaps even before you get after Purvis, but don't wait. We're getting our horses right now. Come on, Silver. Come on, boy. Come on, Silver. Away. Sure is nice and cozy down here in this old mine. Ain't there a sign of it on the surface, unless you know how to duck under that overhang on the wall of the arroyo. Well, just got to sit back and wait for Hank to come back from town. What? Where'd that come from? Must have been an echo. He never heard it before, but that... What the? That weren't no echo. That sounded like Johnson. Tarnation. First Sari, then Johnson, and that was Marty. Marty. All three of them. They must have found the interest of the mine. They must... That's the era. The Scarlet Era. What am I doing standing in the light? I'm a clear target. That's better. Let them laugh. They can't see me. Let them laugh. Long as they're here, that means Hank is on his way to town. Who's that? Answer them. I don't get him. You stand staring at my son. I must be dreaming. Your voices. You sound like the masked man. The masked man and the engine. We are. You can't be. Me and Hank, we blasted you to bits. We shot you while you were sleeping. You think you did. Put on that light. I'm going crazy. Put on that... Light on now. Now you see us. Here. Here you're alive. Both here alive. You shouted nothing, Purvis. Where's Hank? You're asking about your partner. He never got to town, Purvis. He's tied up. Up above on the ground. He told you about this place. It wasn't necessary. Time to follow your trail easily. Oh, that's right. Where is that digit rat? Let me at him. Mister, you sure saved us from going hungry. You saved our claim. Marty. Sari, listen. You got to listen. We ought to string you up. Johnson's up above with your sneaking pine. It's who you ought to have. No, Marty. You promised you'd let the law take its own course with Purvis. You will keep that promise. Yeah, mister. We will. Say, Purvis, how'd it feel? Huh? What do you mean? We found where you made that laughing noise, so as it sounded downright spine shivering. We thought we'd give you a little tasty old medicine. And you didn't like it, did you? Not one single bit. Where you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.
