A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty, I owe silver, the Lone Ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the Lone Ranger rode through the length and breadth of the early western United States. From the hills of Wyoming to the Rio Grande, from Kansas to California, he led the fight for law and order. Against outlaws and hostile Indians, against confidence men and road agents, his strength and courage never faltered. His life was dedicated to the winning of the West, and nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. 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. Come on, Silver! We're heading for Porter's Gap! The sheriff needs help! Early one morning, the Lone Ranger and Tonto had rained up at the side of the trail on the outskirts of Porter's Gap. The sky was overclouded, and a mist hung low over the plain. In the distance, a single horse could be heard galloping toward the town and... The sheriff's coming, Tonto. Ah, him riding to town from ranch. And now we're going to find out of the stories we've heard it true. Ah. Come on, Silver. Get him up, Scout. Whatcha do? We'll just stop him for a moment and talk with him. You wear a mask. I know. A rain up, Sheriff! Tonto see badge. Rain up! Good morning, Sheriff. You're strangers around these parts, aren't you? That's right. We're looking for work. Can you use any hands at your ranch? No, your business? Just give us a try. Well, I guess we can use a few, Mon. The ranch is about two miles down the trail. Report to my foreman, and if he likes your looks, he'll put you to work. Thanks, Sheriff. Hey, wait a minute. What's your name? Come on, Silver. Get him up, Scout. Hold on now. What's the hurry? Come back here. Cut away from the trail, Tonto. Ah. Him follow us, maybe. I don't think so. We'll head to the clump of cottonwoods and make camp. Ah. We had the answer to our question. Him not see mask. And he was only a few feet away. If he had seen it, he'd never have offered me a job. Ah. Miss? Plenty thick. Not that thick. I'm sure of it now, Tonto. Sheriff Bradley is losing his sight. Ah. You got a plan? Not yet. I need more information. As soon as we've made camp, you can help me with the disguise. Then I'm going into town. Come on, Silver. Get him up, Scout. Late that afternoon, a tall, broad-shouldered stranger entered the combination cafe and general store in Porter's Gap. He gave the man behind the counter a list of supplies, and then sauntered across the room to the bar. The bartender hurried toward him. What can I do for you, stranger? I'm waiting for some supplies. Is Joe taking care of you yet? Yes, he's getting them together. And by the way, isn't Jim Bradley your sheriff here? Sure is. You heard of him? Who hasn't? Great old guy. Bought with Sam Houston at San Jacinto. Jim's one of the best. Is he anywhere around? You'll find him at his office. He don't drop in here much anymore, just on Saturdays now and then. But you ought to hear some of the stories he tells about the old days. There's a story going around about him now. What do you mean? He isn't as well as he used to be, is he? Jim's hale and hearty. Just as strong as he ever was. Can he see as well? That's enough of that. I'm only repeating what I've heard. Well, that kind of talk isn't popular around Porter's Gap. Jim's our sheriff and he's going to stay sheriff as long as he wants the job. You think a great deal of him, don't you? Every man in town feels the same way as I do. There isn't one of us he hasn't helped some time or other. But is it safe to have a man who can't see acting as your sheriff? Listen, mister, I don't know what business it is of yours. You're just a traveler drifting through. We got no real need for a sheriff in Porter's Gap. No bad engines. Jim drove the outlaws out of the district years ago. He won't come back either, not as long as he's alive. But if they know that the sheriff... Who's going to tell them? Am I the first traveler that's heard the story? Well... Haven't you been bothered by any drifters from the gold camps? Not yet, we haven't. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Who are those two men sitting over there in the corner? They aim to buy a spread and start raising cattle. I see. Anything else you want to know? Here's Joe with your grub and I got work to do. How much is it? I told him. Here. Now you... Now there's one more question. I warned you already, mister, that you... I think just as much of Jim Bradley as you do. But even if all of you feel safe... Isn't it dangerous for Jim himself? He rides in from his ranch every morning. He rides home every night. His horse knows the way. One accident would be enough. Yeah. I never thought about it like that before. Why should he want to stay on this sheriff when he knows that he isn't fit for the job? Doggone that young idiot. Why doesn't he come home? Why doesn't who come home? Young Bob, Jim's son. Old man just hanging on so we can hand the job over to him. Figures that the sheriff for Porter's Gap should always be a Bradley. And all of us figure the same way. Where is Bob? Well, we don't know. Led out a couple of years ago to see the world and none of us have heard from him since. Well, that explains everything. Except why the kid don't come home. He knows how the old man feels. Bob Bradley. You ever run across him? What does he look like? Well, a spitting image of the sheriff. Younger, of course. Good looking and husky. No. I've never met anyone who called himself Bob Bradley. Well, if you do, send him home. I will. Adios. So long, stranger. Where did you leave Silverton? In Wood. Outside town. I'll find him. Take a look through that open window. Uh-huh. See those two men sitting at that corner table? Uh-huh. Tonto, see him. I want you to keep an eye on them. Try to find out what their business is. Uh-huh. It's less than an hour before sunset. As soon as it gets dark, we'll break camp and head east. And where we go? Our first stop is the jail at San Marino. As the Lone Ranger started down the main street, Tonto edged closer to the open window. One swift look at the man inside. Then he turned and leaned against the building. Every word of their conversation reached him clearly. Poor his gap. Dead-eye Bradley. Not so loud. When we get through with them, they'll all be in the same boat. We'll steal them blind. Shut up. Where do we start? The express office? Uh, change my mind. Huh? Maybe we could pull a job on the express office and get away with it. Who's to stop us? But afterwards, we'd have to clear out. Why? When something like that happens, there'll be some changes made. The town will realize that it needs more protection than Bradley can give it. Yeah, that's so. But what of it? We've moved on before. You aren't able to settle down on it. Why not? It don't sound like you, Ransom. I've been sizing up your face. What's wrong with my face? Nothing. It's just it. To look at you, you'd think you was a square-shooting hombre that had ever... That ever knifed a partner in the back, huh? Somehow, I don't think that's funny. Ah, now, Ransom. You and me are parts. We'd better be. Otherwise, I might take a trip to San Marino. Ah. Don't you take a joke? Not that kind. Well, forget it. So I got an honest face. What about it? How would you like to be the next sheriff of Porter's Gap? Me? You. We could work out something pretty sweet. There's a Ringo kid, for instance. He'd pay plenty for a nice hideout with protection from the law. There's Trigger Benson and Porniel Smith. Yeah, but how can I be sheriff? The town's so sold on Bradley, you'd have to use blasting powder to get him loose from the job. Not if something happens. I can't stick up the express office and then run for sheriff. I'm glad you figured that out. What's on your mind? It's one job. Maybe we get a couple of thousand. A couple of thousand. It's either that or a steady income for a long, long time. Take your choice. That's easy. But how? We gotta make you a hero. Yeah. The express office is easier. Wait. The sheriff lives on his ranch about two miles outside the town. Yeah? Just at sunset every night, he locks up his office and rides out there. And the trail's straight. His horse knows a way. He just gives him his head and lets him ramble. Yeah, I know all that. There'll be a moon tonight. But there's plenty of cover on both sides of the trail. Especially close to town. You, uh, came to... Shut up. Lean over here closer. What do you think of this? The lone ranger had returned to camp and removed his disguise. He watched the sun disappear in the west. The sky turned to crimson and the great plain beyond the woods changed from green to purple. Then his keen ears caught the sound of approaching hoofs. And a moment later, Tonto raced into camp. Tonto. What's wrong? You... You come past. Here, Silver. Man called Ranson. Him want other fella be sheriff. What's that? Them bad. Is Sheriff Bradley in danger? Maybe so. Tonto not hear all them say. Where are you taking me? Meet sheriff on trail. Watch him. See him get home safe. When does he leave his office? Sun go down. Him leave now. Then we've got to hurry. Come on, sir. Get him up, scout. You're afraid they may try to kill him. That's right. I'll steal my home away. As the sheriff rode slowly out of town, the red glow was fading from the west. The moon, already high, silvered the sage and bathed the trail in light. Suddenly, the sheriff's horse jumped to one side and... Steady there, boy. You're no three-year-old. What are you jumping around like that for? Hey! Easy does it. The trail's rough enough without you cutting up shenanigans. Steady. Ow! Take a look around, Tonto. Him dead? Not yet. But we'll have to get him somewhere quickly. Are there any tracks beside the trail? That rifle shot we hear may be far away. Handy cover. Town's close, but I'm wearing a mask. You could take him in, Tonto. Men come from town. Yes. They must have heard the shot, too. That fellow bucked in front. If they find us here, we'll be accused of the shooting. That's right. We'll take him to his ranch. Do you want help? I can manage. Get his horse. Now across the saddle. Found a good horse. Come on. Get him off the town. Listen to me. The masked man and the injured carried him off. I've seen those two around here before. A masked man and a redskin just rode away. They shot the sheriff and took him prisoner. What are you going to do about it? Will you follow me? And come on. We're forming a posse. We'll bring him back dead or alive. Come on. Follow me. 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. Carrying the wounded sheriff, the Lone Ranger headed for his ranch. Tonto followed close behind. On the way, the lawman regained consciousness and... Where are you taking me? Home. We're almost there. What happened? What happened? Someone shot you. And we don't want to be seen by any of your men. So we're taking you to the ranch house. Mrs. Hannon. What? My foreman's wife. She's there cooking supper. That's all right. I heard you call your horse Silver. Yes. Are you the Lone Ranger? Don't try to talk. Am I done for? No. The bullet caught you in the shoulder. As soon as Tonto bandages it, you'll be all right. Tonto. Reign up, Kemosabe. Lift him down, Tonto. Let me do it. Easy. That's it. I'll carry him. Sheriff, who are you? It's all right, Miss Hannon. Amassed me in an engine. I'll get you. No. Close the door. You've been shot. They're outlaws. This is the Lone Ranger. We'll put you down here, Sheriff. No. We'll need some hot water and bandages, Mrs. Hannon. The Lone Ranger? Hurry, please. I sure will. Sheriff, we have much time. The men from town are following us. And they believe we shot you. I'll tell them who we are. I may not believe you, and there's work to be done. A man named Buck is out to get your job. What's that? You may think you're fooled people, but you haven't. Nearly everybody in this part of the country knows that you're, well, knows about the condition of your eyes. Yeah. Anything else you want? Tonto? Hmm. This good? Then they never said anything to me. They were willing to let you keep the job as long as you wanted it. Oh! Oh. Oh, you'll be better soon. But now that you've ridden into an ambush, they can't let you carry on any longer, for your own sake. You understand that, don't you? I suppose so. I was only hoping... I know what you were hoping, but we can't wait long. There's a friend of this man, Buck, who may have arranged to have shot you. What's his name? Ransom, but we have no proof. I've seen both of the men before around San Marino. That's where Tonto and I are heading now. San Marino? It's two days right. Silver and Scout can make in less time than that. You're coming back, then? No. We'll need three days for the work we have to do. But Buck is leading the posse that's out after us. He'll try to get himself appointed sheriff in your place tonight. If he succeeds, if he's the man I think he is, he'll bring in his own deputies. The town will have to fight to get rid of him. And it's done. We go now. It's up to you, Sheriff. Refuse to hand over your badge. Insist on an election. Do anything you can to give us three days. I'll do my best. That posse's getting close. I can hear him real plain. Let's go, Tonto. Good luck. Hurry. I don't know what you're trying to do, Masked Man, but I sure hope you do it. Steady, Silver. Then come plenty fast. Oh, Silver, come away! The lone ranger and Tonto raced into the night, the posse thundering after them. In less than half an hour, Silver and Scout had left the men of Porter's Gap far behind. Then on across the plains, a masked man and his Indian companion rode. All through the night, the little town of San Marino was bathed in sunlight. But no one was stirring when the masked man roused the sheriff from his bed and told him his story. Well, that's as much of a description as I can give you. Well, it's enough. You've been talking about Buck Winters and Ed Ransom. Bring him back here and I'll stick him in jail for 20 years. What's the charge? Robbery. That's all I need to know. There's a boy who called himself Chet Carlson. He was with them a lot about a year ago. Yeah, too much for his own good. I thought so at the time. This robbery Buck and Ransom are wanted for, we sent the kid to jail for. He's in jail now? No, but he was until a month ago. A breed that had been afraid to talk before gave us some new evidence. Buck and Ransom had left here? Yeah. Is Carlson in town? No. Do you know where he's gone? Durango, he said. Durango. Goodbye, Sheriff. The kid's all right. I'm sure of it. Where are you going now? Yes, Hunter. East to Durango. It's a long way, but we've got to find that boy and get him back to Porter's Gap in three days. I'll steal the back away. The cafe at Durango was crowded when young Chet Carlson entered. He forced a smile and took a step toward the long bar where cowboys and ranchers were lying too deep. But the smile faded from his lips and he turned aside to drop wearily into a chair. Slim Meredith had been watching him. He walked over to the boy and placed a hand on his shoulder. What's the matter, kid? No luck today? Nope. Nobody wants a jailbird for a hand. Ah, now that's no way to talk. We all know you were framed. Oh, sure. Well, if you can't find anything, it's just because there aren't any jobs. The Circle B took on two men today. It's too bad you didn't get there first. I was there yesterday. Well, it's no good, Slim. Durango's too close to San Marino. Hmm. Hey, you're going to Polstakes? Yep. You got any ideas? I got one. I'm going to Frisco and try my luck as a sailor. A sailor? Yeah. Ship out to China someplace. Well, you're crazy. Why, there's plenty of other places to go where you can still ride a horse. Reach for the ceiling. Everybody. A masked man and a ninja. Hold up. Over here, Carlson. Me? I haven't any time to waste. Move. You better do what he says. What do you want with me? You're going to take a little trip with me, Carlson. Don't any of the rest of you try to follow us. Outside. What's the idea? I don't know you. Get on your horse. Now, wait a minute. I've been in jail, but I'm no crook, see? I'm glad to hear it. Get on your horse. Where are you taking me? Home, Bradley. Bradley? That's what I said. Your father needs you. No, you got me wrong, mister. My name's Carlson. You're Bob Bradley, and your father's the sheriff of Porter's Gap. Oh, no. You're making a mistake. That's loco. My pa, a sheriff, will ask anybody in the cafe who I am. We waited here long enough. Start riding. Come on, Silver. You ride. Get up there. But you're wrong, I tell you. You're coming to Porter's Gap with us. There's an old man there who's waiting for his son. If he doesn't come soon, you'll never see him again. You mean... I meant what I said. If you aren't Bob Bradley, you look enough like him to fool even his father. You're going to take Bob's place. Cheryl Bradley's going to see his son once more before it's too late. Too late. We've got to hurry. I'm with you, masked man. Lead the way. I'll steal my away. Lone Ranger, Tonto, and the boy raced across country. Night became day. San Marino was circled and left behind. It only stopped for the water and rest of horses. At sunset, they reached the pass, less than ten miles from Porter's Gap. Their tunnel left them. The masked man and the boy rode on toward the sheriff's ranch. At last, they could see the buildings. Why'd the engine leave us? He headed straight for town from the past. What for? He had business there. That's the ranch house up ahead. I know. I mean, yeah. It's three days almost to the minute. What's that? Nothing. Now, let's get this straight again. I'll talk with the sheriff, but I don't have to see anyone else. That's up to you. And I'm not going to stay long. Rain up. We'll leave our horses here in the shadows. Is the sheriff real sick? I mean... You'll see for yourself in a minute. Wait. That's missing. There's a woman standing at the window. Come along. Dear, I kept your word. Has the sheriff kept his? Yes, the electric. Oh, you brought back Bob. Hello, ma'am. Oh, your paws are out here. Come in. Sheriff, it's Bob. The masked man brought Bob with him. Son. You tricked me. He didn't dine at all. I never said he was. Dine? I should say not. They put a bullet through me, but I'm feeling fine. I'm not going to stay. Nothing's the matter with me but my eyes. I can't see you so good, son. But I can feel your face, and I... Oh. I said if you didn't come soon, he'd never see you again. So... So that's what you meant. What's the difference? Why do I have to see when I got a pair of young eyes to see for me? I can't be sheriff anymore, son. But you will take my place, won't you? No, I... I can't. Why not? I can't stay here. I... I gotta keep moving. What for? This is your home. You've seen enough of the world by now, haven't you? You don't understand. What's that? Maybe the boys from the bunkhouse. And the men from town, Mrs. Hannon. I sent Tallow after them. We want Bob! Send him out! They're calling for you, son. They want you to take my place. I can't... I know what you're going to say, Bob. But this isn't the place to say it. Do you have nerve enough to step out on that porch and tell those men why you can't be their sheriff? Will you... You think I ought to? It's the only fair thing to do. All right. Come on, Pa. Take my arm. What's he mean, masked man? What can't he be? Hello, Bud. Hiya, shorty. Hello, everybody. Now, now, just a second. You made me feel awful proud coming out here to meet me, but... We want you for our sheriff, Bob. Now, now, wait, wait. I'm proud, but I... Well, I got no right to be. I can't take the job. Now, now, wait. You want a man like Paul for your sheriff. Somebody with a record that's as clean as a whistle. You're a chip off the old block. What more could we ask? No, no, no. No, man, I'm not. You know, I've been traveling with some mighty bad company since I left here. What's more, I just got out of jail a month ago. Now, what do you think of that? Bob. Well, I never did nothing crooked, Pa. I was framed, but just the same, I'm a jailbird. You give me your word you didn't do nothing crooked? Do nothing crooked? Well, sure, but I... That's enough for me. It's enough for us, too. How about it, boys? He's learned his lesson. I say he'll be a better man because of it. Do we still want him? There's your answer, Bob. Now, hold on. Have a look at this cub you're electing sheriff. It's Carlson. Pa, hand me your badge. What? Oh, sure. Here you are. I'm taking over. The first thing I'm going to do is put you two under arrest. Ah, you double-crossing rat. Give it to him. Right. Oh! That fellow over there in the shatter. He shot the gun right out of his hand. Stick him up, Ransom. I'm taking you and Buck back to town. You'll sleep in jail tonight. Tomorrow you'll start for San Marino. We'll take care of him for you, Bob. How do you like us, sir, boy? Good work, son. Oh, oh, oh. Boy, they'd have got me if it hadn't been for the masked man, Pa. Next time you'll be wearing your gun slung lower. I'll show you. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Pa, where is the masked man at? I want to thank him. Don't you know who he is? No, who he... Why, no. That was the Lone Ranger. Huh? And before you've been sheriff long, you'll find that when his work's done, he never waits for thanks. What you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.
