Fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-yo silver. The Lone Ranger was the first great industry in the western United States. But the lives and property of the ranchers were in constant danger from outlaws and hostile Indians. It was not until the masked rider of the plains started his fight for justice that cattle rustlers were driven from the range country and the West became safe for honest men and women. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse, Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. Cut himself to the Rio Grande! Sam Curdy's cattle were grazing peacefully on the buffalo grass that covered the rangeland. They were Texas longhorns, sleek and well-fed, just about the best cattle in the territory. It was late at night and the herd was watched by only two range riders. That you, Regan? Yeah, Jeff. Pretty quiet tonight, ain't they? Get around the other side of the herd, Regan. I'm riding this side. I thought I saw a light flickering over this way. Come over to ask if you saw it. I ain't seen nothing. It was right up that there bluff behind you. I figured that maybe... Now get back to where you belong. I'm just going to tell you about... I ain't seen nothing and there ain't nothing. Regan, suppose them cattle takes a notion of wander right where you're supposed to be. Jeff, I wouldn't have come unless I figured them cattle wasn't in no danger of stampeding. I never can tell. Now get. All right, I'm sloping. Doggone curious, that fellow. Watch up there, you piss. This ain't all night for wandering. Come on there, get down. I reckon he don't suspect nothing. Come on, horse. Up the hill. Steady now. Worcester. Worcester. Right here, Ed. Well, he's seen a light. You ought to be more careful, Worcester. Forget it. We got business to attend to. The sooner we stampede Curtie's cattle past rock gulf, the sooner the boys can cut out a couple of hundred head for rustling. Already any time you say, Worcester. No shooting and no yelling, Savvy. It's going to be easy getting them steers on the prod. Ain't it? I got something right here in my saddlebag. Huh? We use this. There won't be no need for us to shoot or raise a holler. Hey, that smells like wolf. Yeah, Jeff. It's wolf scent, all right. Got it from an engine. Oh, man. There. Steady, you coyote. There you see. Your horse got the smell of wolf. Just figure what'll happen when them longhorns start to get it. Yeah. You hear him? The wind's carrying the scent toward him already. That's a right smart idea, Worcester. Yeah. Jeff, you take this here, Sack. I got another one. Now we'll just head for the cattle. The closer we get, the wilder they'll get. They'll stampede without us making a sound. If this doggone horse don't run away first. Come on. Let them cattle get the smell of wolves. They're moving. Swing that sack toward them. Spread the wolves scent. They're getting it. Faster. Get up. Pretty slick scheme, ain't it? Regan won't know what makes them so nervous. Come on. Keep going. Get back there. You action plum loco. What's that to be scared of? Get back. Back, you ordinary longhorns. What's making you act up? What the? Ain't no use. I can't turn them back. Here they come. Come on, horse. We got to run for it. Get traveling, horse. It's a stampede. I got to ride for my life. It's a stampede. They're heading this way. That's right. We go fast. How to wait. Huh? Kemosabe, there's a rider out in front of the stampede. Ah, me hear him. He sounds tired, Tato. Come along. We've got to see if he needs help. Get him out, scowl. Come on, silver. Head for the stampede. Hello. Him not hear you. Look, Tato. The moon's coming out through the clouds. Ah. Him plenty close. Faster, silver. Faster. Hello. Take till I got to ride you down. Over this way. I can't. Look. Him fall down. This one's at a gopher hole. Come on, Tato. Get set. Swing up behind me. Him ready. Give me a hand. Get out. Hang on. You'll never make a can, Dumbledore. Better let me go and save yourself. Keep your hold. Faster, Kemosabe. Then I'll come fast. Come on, silver. Run for your life, old boy. Get away. All right with them cattle, Jeff? Yonder's a ranch, Worcester. Reckon I'd better ramble. The boys cut out a full 200 head. Chasing the brand on them by now. You figure Regan got away? He had them longhorns right behind him, sure enough. Maybe they stampeded over him. Don't make no difference anyways. We had the cattle cut out while he was still riding in front of the stampede. You better head back for the boys. Yeah. I'll ride up to the ranch and give Sam Curdy the sad news. Yeah. Sad for him. Make it look good, Jeff. Sure. Sam won't suspect a thing. Not a thing. Soon as we get them cars across the border, you'll get your divvy. Adios. Adios, Worcester. Come on, horse. Pull leather. Make it look good. Yeah. Hey, Sam. Sam Curdy. Hey, Sam. Wake up. Turn out. It's me. It's Jeff. Sam, where in Tarnation are you? Where's Sam? Jeff, is that you? Yeah, there's trouble. Where's Sam? Well, he's asleep, of course. What on earth is it? Then roust him out. We got to get going. Who's that making such a ruckus? Where's it going? Jeff. Something going wrong with the steers? Trouble, Sam. How come you're here? You ought to be out range riding. The herd broke loose. What? The stampede? They went on the prod. Plum loco. Got going, and I couldn't stop him. Stay right here. I'll pull on my boots and get right out. Jeff. Yes, Sam? How come you're alone? What about Regan? Regan was on the other side of the herd, Mrs. Curdy. The cattle stampede had a straight firm. Oh, you think something happened to him? I don't know. I couldn't see. There's plenty of dust, and the moon went under a cloud. I sure hope Regan got clear. Them longhorns got plenty sharp hoofs. Send me things more. I'm riding out with Jeff. Oh, look for young Regan, Sam. This way, Jeff. Grab me horse out of the corral. Better make it two, Sam. Hmm? Well, my horse is plumb tuckered out. Sure, I clean forgot. Sure, your horse must be wore out. Riding after stampeding cattle ain't no picnic. And then pouring for the ranch at a gallop. Sure, you put that coyote into the corral, and we'll get us fresh horses. Shed that saddle and give me your rope. As soon as we get horses, as soon as we can take after them longhorns. Sky's getting light. Them cattle sure covered plenty of ground. Went way past rod gulch, Sam. Hey, you hear that? The cattle. Yeah. Must be right past this clump of mesquite. That is Regan. Hey, Regan, that you? Mr. Curdy. Hey, come on, Jeff. That's him. Mr. Ashore, I'm glad to see you. These here local steers have been rambling all night. Jeff, you figure what's starting? Well, nearly an idea, Regan. Just got to bellin' and millin' around, and off they took. Glad to see you're safe, son. They come mighty near getting caught, Mr. Curdy. But a fellow... And as for the herd, it looks... Hey. Huh? Jeff, Regan. There's something wrong. That herd looks heaps smaller than it ought to be. Well, Sam, I don't think... Looks like plenty is missin'. I wonder if something... Gosh, Mr. Curdy, they sure do look thinned out, now that you mention it. Rustlers. Now, Sam... Rustlers, I tell ya. That's what it must be. And by granny, I got a good idea where they're headed. Where? Rock Belch. It's the only spot they could've cut out any cattle. Well, maybe they strayed off. Strayed nothin'. Couple hundred head. I tell ya, them cattle was cut off deliberate. And I tell ya, it's rock gulch where it was done. Get your horse, Regan. My horse is lame, Mr. Curdy. Step smackin' her gopher hole. Lame, huh? All right, then you stay here and keep your eyes on the herd. I don't reckon they'll go on the prod again. They plumb water or frazzled. Nevertheless, you stay. Jeff, we're headin' for rock gulch. Well, if you say so, but I know nothin'. Rock gulch leads right to the ford across the Rio Grande. Right smack into Mexico. It's Rustlers, I tell ya, and we're headin' after them. Come on, boy. They are, Kemosabe. Oh. Rustler. Across the Rio Grande into Mexico. Them change brand now. Keep load, Hunter. That's right. The sun's coming up. I don't want them to see us over the top of this hill. Tall fella, boss, huh? Remember what he looks like, Hunter. Now back to the horses. How many cattle in there? At least 200 head, Hunter. We go back, cross Rio Grande now? This is Mexican territory, Hunter. Nothing we can do here would be within the law. Boss Rustler, not Mexican. He'll cross the border again soon, Hunter. That's the time to trap him. You think maybe... Yes. Him fella we help in Stampede. Regan? Maybe him, Rustler, too. No, Hunter. I'm sure Regan has nothing to do with it. Plenty of cowhens rustle their own cattle. Regan was running ahead of that Stampede. He couldn't be in with the Rustlers. Regan mentioned another rider. Uh-huh. A rider who should have been with that herd. And yet he wasn't. A cowhend named Jeff. Steady, Silver. Oh, that's good. We'll head back across the river into Texas territory. Curtie's cattle have been rustled. Now I want to find out where Jeff is and what he knows about it. All right, Silver. Back for him. Get him up. Let's go. Here's a marked tail. Look at Jeff. Yes, Sam. Doggone ordinary cattle-stealing rustlers. They cut out them prime heads and moved them right across the Rio. Reckon that's what started the Stampede. Sure, Russell's that butt. I'll pull up. Ain't no use chasing them into Mexican territory. Just two of us ain't enough to put up a fight. It's a doggone shame, Sam. You sure you didn't see anyone last night, Jeff? Well, Larry, you're sold. It beats me how they started the Stampede without shouting and yelling. Must be them same rustlers that have been taking cattle off every ranch in this section. Dad read them. If I had a posse of men around, I'd... What's that? Hoofs. Come from the other side of the river. Hey, where are you going? Behind you, sir, Cactus. They ain't seen us yet. What are you figuring on doing? Get your shooting iron. Must be a couple of them rustlers coming back. We'll give them a warm welcome. But, Sam... They're coming down the slope now. That can't be... Well, one of them hombres is wearing a mask. Yeah, a mask man in the engine. Ain't nobody wears a mask unless he's up in a something ordinary. Yeah, I thought it was... Hmm? Nothing. Nothing, Sam. Reckon you're right. Them's the rustlers showing off. I'll fight now. Either come across the river. We can get her easy. Don't shoot. But, Sam, I'm safe. You want these hombres in my own way. Just keep your guns out, ready to shoot if they don't stop. Close in. All right, you sneaking coyotes. Reach for the sky. Steady, Seward. Don't make no play for your guns. This ain't no ambush, mister. You and the engine are rustlers, that's what. And you know what that means. Come sundown, you'll be swinging at the end of a rope, ready for the buzzards. George, 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. When the Lone Ranger and Tonto returned to the Texas side of the Rio Grande after following the rustlers, they were ambushed by Curdley and his foreman, Jeff. Curdley, certain that the masked man and the Indian were rustlers, locked them up at his ranch and headed for the town to get the sheriff. Miss Curdley, now don't you fret. Them two armies are locked up good and tight, and there ain't no way for them to get out. Oh, it's sure taking Sam a long time to fetch a sheriff. That's a right smart piece to town. Ought to be back around sunset. I sure wish you took them into town instead of leaving them here on the ranch. Not less likely they can get away here. Hey, Jeff. Regan, what are you doing here? I told you to stay with them steers. I brought my horse in the corral, Jeff. Got to get another one that ain't lean. Well, get it and get back. Sure, sure. Sandy's riding. They heard on him. Say, what's this he was saying about Sam and you catching up a couple of them rustlers? Yeah, Regan. We got them locked up waiting for the posse. And I wish we didn't. Shucks, don't figure there'd be any trouble. Get your horse and get moving, Regan. Gosh, Jeff, you don't have to get... You'll hear me, get. All right, all right. Oh, I most forgot. What? Met Worcester over near the ranch line. Said he'd like to see you, but just spare him a minute. Oh, Worcester, huh? Are you going, Jeff? Yeah, sure. Now, don't worry about them two hombres, ma'am. They ain't getting out. I'll see Worcester and I'll be right back. Keep your shirt on, Worcester. Regan just told me you wanted to see me. What about those two hombres? You heard? Boated to my place. Met Sammy on his way to ride Sam's herd. We ain't got a thing to worry us none. Yeah? Sure not. That mass gent in the engine will be swinging as soon as the sheriff gets here. What about them head we rustled? Who is the busy changing brands? Have them sold at the same place in Mexico? Yeah, another couple of days they'll be moved along. Yeah, sure nobody's suspicions as us doing the wrestling? Positive, Worcester. Mighty convenient them two was captured. They didn't put up no fight either. Had me plumb worried. For a second while me and Sam was waiting, I figured it might be you coming back across the river. I ain't that foolish, Jeff. Well, I reckon I'll head back for my ranch. Uh, where'd Sam put them two hombres? See the house right down below us? Yeah. The back end. You can see it from here. The feed shed. Oh, yeah. Good thing Sam Curdy put bars on that shed. Yeah, done it to keep bombers from getting in and stealing feed last winter. Uh, I wonder how that masked man likes his jib. The window came to Sammy. See those two men near the ranch line? Oh, me, Sam. Him? Yes, Toto. The man on the black horse. Him, Rustler. The one we saw on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. Toto, look. Coming from the ranch house. Regan. You mean to tell me Curdy put you two in here? Forget that. But, Mr. I told you not to mention that Toto and I helped you last night. You haven't told anyone. No, like you said, mister, I kept shut up about it. But this here is different. Never mind that, Regan. Who are those two men? Huh? Up there on the hill. Well, that's Jeff, mister. Top end here. The other fella's Worcester. What about him? Regan, that man Worcester is a rustler who stole Curdy's cattle. What? You sure what you're saying? Toto and I saw him on the Mexican side. That's right. Well, I'll be doggone. Mister, I better go to town and get Curdy. Him and the sheriff. Wait. Huh? And getting the sheriff will do no good, Regan. And Worcester hasn't been suspected before. Why should they take my word now? Yeah, yeah. I hadn't figured that. What do you want me to do? Can you get back here tonight? I reckon so. As soon as it turns dark, come here. Make sure you do it before Curdy returns with the sheriff. Here. I'll tell you the rest later. But don't forget, Toto and I must be gone before the sheriff arrives. Where you got him, Sam? Well, I brought the sheriff and the posse, Gene. There ain't been no trouble. Land sakes, I've been waiting and waiting. Sam, there's been a heap of trouble. Well, them two prisoners are gone. What's that? Soon as it got dark. Curdy, I thought you said you had them safe. It ain't possible, Sheriff. Gene, you're loco. I ain't loco. You can look for yourself. The door's wide open. I crave your tears. And the silver horse and the paint are gone from the corral, ain't they? Well, whodunit. They couldn't have got out by themselves. I don't know, Sam, but they got... Hold on there, Sam. I'll tell you whodunit. What's that, Jeff? I saw it, Sam. It was Regan. Regan? You're a cowhand, Sam? Jeff, are you sure? Sure as I'm standing here. Regan opened the door, gave them their guns, and got their horses. I couldn't do nothing. It being three again won, I reckon Regan is as crooked as they are. Tarnation. I never figured it out. Never mind the palaver, Curdy. Speak up, Jeff. Which way'd they head? Well, if you're looking for them, Sheriff, you might as well give up right now. They hightailed out of here in an all-fired hurry. By this time, they're clear across the Rio Grande into Mexico, where the law can't touch them. Rio Grande. Keep traveling. And cross the fort. Misty, you haven't told me yet what you aim to do. Keep on. We'll discuss that on the other side. Pull up. Reign your horse. Now, Regan, here's where we part company. Yeah? Those rustled cattle are a mile ahead. Tonto and I saw them early this morning. Ah, one mile. Now, tell me once more, Regan, just where is Worcester's ranch? Well, it's right over that way. There's another fort across the Rio Grande there? Yep, leads right to his place. Very well. Now, I want you to turn around and head back for Curdy's place. Take it at a trot. I don't want you to get there too soon. But, mister, the sheriff and the whole posse is there. I know that, Regan. I want you to tell Sam Curdy that Worcester has rustled his cattle. I want you to convince that posse to go to Worcester's ranch. But the cattle ain't there. They will be. Huh? They'll be there by the time the posse arrives. You do your part and don't let anything stop you. And Tonto and I'll do ours. Adios. Come on, Silver. We're going after those stolen cattle. Get them up, Scal. Oh, go on. Look at that fellow right. I don't know how he aims to move them cattle, but I reckon he's one fella that gets things done. Well, I reckon I better start moseying too. Come on, horse. I hope a masked man don't run into more than he can handle. I'll... We're out behind the rustlers now, Tonto. Uh-uh. What do we do? There are four men guarding those cattle. We saw them before. That's right. The torches? Um, you got them. We're going to light those torches and stampede the cattle right back across the Rio Grande. Right to Worcester's ranch. Pull up. They're rustlers. Maybe they shoot, huh? They're not expecting anything, Tonto. We'll be on them before they're ready. Uh-huh. As those cattle start, we'll make sure they don't stop this side of Worcester's place. Now light the torches. Here, one. That's it. I'll take one and you take the other. He's your other hand for your gun. Leave the reins on Scout's neck. We can guide Silver and Scout with the knees. Now ride. Come on, Silver. Get them up, Scout. Shoot into the air, Tonto. Stampede them. Ready. Fortin' thunder. Regan. Sam, Sheriff. Get the posse riding. The masked man says the stolen cattle at Worcester's place. What's that? Sam, grab him. Didn't Jeff tell you it was Regan? Let the masked man in the engine escape? Let go of me. Sure, I helped him get away. But it wasn't them done the rustling. Regan, talk and talk fast. I'm doing it. Sam, listen. That masked man in the engine saved my life last night. They saved me from the stampede with my horse here to go for a hole. They couldn't have done that and been doing the rustling at the same time. Speak your peace. I let them get away on account of they had a plan to get the rustlers. Which same you say as Worcester? Yeah, Worcester and Jeff. Regan, you sure sound straight. But I won't swallow that until I hear from Jeff. He's my top hand. He wouldn't do no rustling. Jeff? Hey, Jeff. Well, I reckon he ain't here. I seen him around before. Sam. Huh? Sam, I just now recollect. After you and the sheriff come up here with a posse, you've seen Jeff leave. You did? Didn't strike me at the time, but he acted mighty secret about it. And what's more, he headed his horse for Worcester's place. Going mighty fast, too, like he was in an all-fired hurry. Sam, you gotta come with me. This ain't no time for talk. I don't save you if what you say is all correct. It is correct. But you can save it. Sheriff, the horse is outside all saddled and ready. Call out your posse. We're heading for Worcester's ranch. Throw it up, boys! Get your horses! Yeah, boy. Yeah, boy. Don't sound so funny to me, Jeff. What did Regan let him get away for? And he went with him. No, don't get head up, Worcester. That's what I told the posse. I didn't see them gents escape, Savvy. But you said that you... Oh, I figured as long as the masked man, the engine was gone, and Regan weren't around to deny it, why, it wouldn't do no harm to put him in a bad light, Savvy. Besides, maybe it's better for us. The posse didn't find them two. Might have been some embarrassing questions. You're right smart, hombre, Jeff. This way, Sam and the sheriff, and everybody figures, them are the rustlers. They got away, so that's all there is to it. Reckon it's best this way, huh? I sloped over to tell you, Worcester. Ain't got no reason to worry about it. Jeff. Look, Worcester, that sounds like cattle. Yeah. I haven't had any cattle near the house. And where'd they come from? I don't like this, Jeff. Come on. What the... Worcester, them are Sam Curty's cattle. I thought you had them across the Rio Grande. Sure, sure I did. Them's the cattle we rustled. How'd they get back here? I don't know. All right, Worcester, grab for the sky. Stand right where you are. Curty. Jeff, it's Curty and the sheriff. Where's my gun? Try that again, and my bullet won't be in at your gun, Jeff. The masked man. Mister, you sure can shoot. He hit his gun before he had down the holster. Now, Worcester, if you've got an alibi, you better start spouting. Them, there's my cattle. Last night they had my brand on them, and now they've got yours. How come? Well, I... That is a... Nothing to say, huh? How about you, Jeff? You got anything to say? Sam, you don't think I had anything to do with this. You don't think I rustled your cattle, do you? Jeff, I don't think so. I know so. And you know how I know? Because me and the sheriff and the whole doggone posse listened right here outside this door while you and Worcester was talking. We heard every word. Sheriff, you can take these hombres to the calaboose. Sam, I sure will. And as for you, Regan, from now on, you're a foreman. Me, Mr. Cuddy? Yeah, you. You're top hand savvy. I gotta thank somebody, don't I? And doggone his hide that there masked man don't stay around for nothing. Not even for a thank you. The story you've just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.
