With the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty, Hi-oh, silver, the Lone Ranger. At the close of the Civil War, government troops were sent to the western United States to put down the Indian uprisings and protect the honest settlers from the bands of outlaws that roamed the new territory. But officers and men were untrained in frontier warfare, and their task might have proved too much for them if it had not been for the masked rider of the plains. It was his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness, his knowledge of the country, that blazed the trail for justice and finally made possible the winning of the West. 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 Little Osage! It's going to be trouble! On the stock gate of an army outpost, deep in the lonely Kansas territory, the bugler blew retreat. The color guard lowered the flag as the notes rang out, and the setting sun cast a last gleam on the waving banner. The bugle call ended. A cannon fired the evening salute. Sunset, Captain. All present and accounted for. Very good, Lieutenant. Prepare to close the stockade gates. In this country, come sunset, it's wise to allow no one through the gates after sundown. Yes, sir. But as the lieutenant headed toward the stockade to get the gates closed, a herd of cattle moved out of the woods beyond the fort and headed toward the outpost. Hey! The fort! Go close them gates! We're coming in! We in time, Larkin? Well, just to find your horse. As soon as I see, we got ten men riding in there. The boys are ready to start shooting as soon as we get inside. I'll give you the signal by firing the first shot. We ain't in yet. Hey! The fort! We got to come in! Fire! Larkin from upriver! Indian rousting me out! We got to save my cattle! Amen, fast, Mr. Nishin' dog! Yes, siree! Get a few longhorns on the prod! We got any, Larkin? Yeah! Look at the darkness and the dust. These stairs are raising. Makes it hard to spot the boys. That's right, we figure. Get your guns ready. We're going into the fort. Get up there! Come on, you want to report to get critters! Inside! Hurry up, I'm up! Game in! We're coming, Mr. Nishin! Get up there! You can't see your dust, mister! Is that all of them? Yep, reckon we made it. You close the gates, then. Hey, can't you calm them cattle down? They're dropping all over everything. Still on the prod, I reckon. They're driving them so hard, they're nervous. Hey, you ain't got many soldiers here, have you, mister? No more than a dozen, but... Who's in charge of this herd? Get these steers under control. They're riding all over the place. Yes, sir, Captain. First, I'll do this. What the... A gun? All right, Bulger, start shooting. We got them by surprise. Get those soldiers! Shoot them down! It's an attack! Captain, let's... No! No, you don't, Captain. What is thunder? You've wounded the lieutenant. Yeah, don't reach for your side-out, Captain. We're taking over this fort, Savvy. We're taking it over right now. Several days later, a rider pushed a worn and lathered horse along the trail a hundred miles south of the captured army outpost. Two men watched from a nearby bluff. One of them wore a mask under his wide-brimmed Stetson. After a moment, he turned to his companion and... That looks like trouble, Tonto. Oh. Him ride plenty far. Both horse and rider worn out, covered with dust. They're coming from off-river, Kimasabi. That way Larkin go, huh? No one would push his horse that fast unless he were in desperate need of help. You think we'd better deal ourselves in? Oh. All right, Kimasabi. Tonto, look. Cutting toward the horse and rider. Somebody shoot. That man needs help before those attackers get him. Come on, Silver. Get him up, scouts. This way. Cut down the slope. We go fast. Help. Turn your horse and turn us. Here, guns, Kimasabi. Drive those men off. Drive the reins, Kimasabi. Let them go. We've got to care for this man first. Huh? Him fall to ground. Steady, Silver. Here. You all right? Are you hurt? Him not hurt. Tonto. Uh-huh. Tonto, this isn't a man. It's a woman. Thank you kindly, mister. If it hadn't have been for you, an injured bulger would have got me before I could spread the news. Larkin captured the outpost. Surprised the garrison took it over. Wounded my husband, Lieutenant Summers. Locked him in the guardhouse. I waited my chance and I got away. I figured maybe if I could get word to the army fort, the big fort, they could go and arrest Larkin's band. What for? Bad men take outposts. Me not savvy, Dad. I think I know the reason. It's the fur trappers. Isn't that so, Mrs. Summers? Mister, you've got a bullseye on that guess. It sure is. Uh-huh. At this time of year, the fur trappers come out of the northwest, heading for the Mississippi. Uh-huh. That's right. They sell fur skin at Big River. They pass right by that army outpost. Larkin plans to dress his men in uniforms and take the trappers by surprise. Those furs are worth plenty of cash. That's it. Tonto. Uh-huh. You stay here with Mrs. Summers. Take care of her. Uh-huh. Me do it. Here, Silver. Silver can get there in no time. You rest up. We'll be back. Adios. Adios, Kimasabi. Adios, mask man. Adios. Bring them as fast as you can. We've got to take the outpost. If the soldiers can be brought Silver and I'll bring them. Now, come on, Silver, old boy. I'll Silver away. I've been riding all day. Where's the commanding officer? We let you in the fort, Carson, because you were alone, even though it's full dark outside. But hold on a minute. Well? Well, I didn't notice before. Mister, the army doesn't pow-wow with outlaws. I'm no outlaw. You're wearing a mask. I've told you I'm no outlaw. Would I ride straight into your fort if I were? No, I reckon not. Still, I don't... There's no time for delay. The commanding officer must see me. He's got to send out a rescue party at once. Rescue party for what? The outpost on the Little Osage. It's been seized by Larkin's outlaws. The Little Osage outpost? Mister, I got friends out there. Lieutenant Summers, he was... Summers is wounded. The detail is imprisoned. Now, will you take me to your commanding officer? There's no time for delay. Mister, I regret to say that we can't send out a rescue party. By whose authority do you say that? It so happens I'm in command here. You? By your stripes, you're a lieutenant, not a captain. The captain's out with a troop on an expedition against the Crippled Creek Sioux Indians. I've been left in charge. Mister, I hate to say it, but I'm strict orders not to do anything. You can't spare any men? We've got just enough men to man the fort. We can't ride out. I'd give my right arm to help Summers in the outpost, but orders are orders. If you're going to save the outpost, mister, you'll have to do it yourself. There's a horse coming from the fort. That can't be the masked man. Oh, that friend. But it's barely sunrise. He couldn't have reached the fort and back. Silver run plenty fast. That him all right. Himo Sabe! Himo Sabe! Mask man, you been to the fort? There and back, Mrs. Summers. But it's no use. But where are the soldiers? Where are the men to rouse those skunks out of the outpost? That's what I'm trying to tell you, Mrs. Summers. The main force is out after marauding redskins. Only a handful remain. And they have strict orders to stay at Fort Carsey. Mister, then they're lost. My husband and those fur trappers, all of them are lost. Not yet. Huh? Taro and I will head for the little Osage outpost, Mrs. Summers. Get scout, Kimo Sabe. Uh-uh. We ride. Taro. Mister, you can't. Just you two against that band of coyotes? We haven't got more chance than a day-old colt. We're taking that chance, Mrs. Summers. As for you, it's not far to Fort Carsey. Your horse is rested. You can go there. No. What? I said no, mister. I calculate you're plum loco trying to rescue the outpost on your own, but then I'm loco, too. Mrs. Summers, you can't come with us. There might be danger. My husband's in danger right now, mister. That's all I care about. Well, well, perhaps you're right. Send Mrs. Summers' horse, Taro. We're heading for the outpost. Well, Lieutenant Summers, it sure strikes me funny to hear you making threats. Markin, how long do you think you can get away with seizing the outpost? Take it easy, Summers. You've got a wounded arm. There'll be a rescue party from Fort Carsey. That's enough. You're going back in the guardhouse for the rest of them soldiers. I prefer it. Oh, no. First, you've got to tell me what I want to know. I refuse. You'll answer me, Savvy. Now, what's more, when does the fur trappers come past here? When are they tricking them skins to the big river? Well, horses won't drag that out of me, Larkin. Aye, aye, aye. Go ahead. Use a whip. Use anything. I still tell you nothing. Tough as a catamount, ain't you? I'm a soldier. And when my wife reaches Fort Carsey, they'll come a-running, eh? Well, I mean... You needn't pull up, Summers. I know about your wife sneaking out of here, eh? Huh? Thought you let something slip, eh? Sure, she skipped. Headed right for the fort. But I sent Bulger and one of the boys after him. I don't believe it. That much you don't. You didn't catch her? What difference is that? Yeah, Summers. Yeah, come to think of it, we did catch her. You're just saying that. Yeah. I'm saying it's true. I'm saying we did catch her. I'm giving you one more chance. Tell me what I want to know, or... Or what? Well, you wouldn't want nothing to happen to your wife, would you? I don't believe you captured her. What is she? Oh, no, no, you don't, Summers. We got her and you're going to tell us. If you don't, maybe you'll never see her again. I... I... Of course, if you want to gamble that I ain't telling a straight story, that you'll look at. Oh, no. No, I... I can't take a chance. For Betty's sake, I can't. Sure not. Now, when's the fur trapper's due? Speak up. Well, it'll be around. Well, what's eating you? Give me the answer. Yeah. Yes, sir. What are you staring at? What's out of that window? I... What? An arrow! Come whizzing in through the window. Hey, give me that. You're welcome, Larkin. A piece of paper fastened to the arrow, huh? You don't have to read it, Larkin. I already saw it. So you're trying to fool me, huh? I don't, Savvy. You told me you captured my wife. Well, now, I won't tell you about the fur trappers because you haven't got my wife. That note says she's free. Understand? Free. Hey, if I knew who wrote that note and shut it in here, I... I assume a couple hours ago, it was him who sent that arrow with the note. Him. The Larkin. Oh, I can't sleep from wondering about that. What's that? Summers. The window. Who is it? Careful. Keep your voice down. Who are you? You read my note? You're the Lone Ranger. My wife. She is safe? She's outside the stockade. We've camped back in the woods. You... You got over the stockade in the dark? There's little time. I'll have to get away before I'm discovered. Summers, one of the fur trappers is due to arrive. Day after tomorrow about? I didn't tell, Larkin. Day after tomorrow? Not much time, then. Not much time? Mister, what about Fort Cossie? What about the garrison? No use, Summers. The entire troop, except for a detail, is out hunting the Sioux. Oh. Begin the savvy. You'll have to play a lone hand, eh? Summers, how many soldiers are in the guardhouse with you? Six is all that'll lift. Six. Larkin has ten men. All expert shots. Yeah. It can still be done, Summers. I have a plan. But that plan won't work unless I can depend on you. Kimisabe. Toto, what's wrong? Keep trouble. You come past. Trouble? Engine, you mean that... Toto, Larkin's men didn't find the rope over the stockade. That's right. They find rope. They... Hey, Larkin! There's no... Listen. There's no... What we do, get away from the guardhouse, Kimisabe. It's dark. Thank heaven for that. Our only chance to get away is to make sure that darkness protects us. This way. Get a light. Start around. Watch the gates of the fence. If you see any stranger, shoot or kill. It's on duration. The Lone Ranger ain't got a chance. 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. Larkin's band of desperadoes had surprised and overpowered the tiny army outpost on the Little Osage. With rescue from the distant army fort impossible, the Lone Ranger and Toto scale the stockade at night to contact the few remaining soldiers in prison in their own guardhouse. But the rope used to scale the stockade was discovered. With drawn guns, the outlaws hunted for the Lone Ranger and Toto. Get back, Kimisabe. They're coming close. Back into the corner. Bring them lights! We'll head for the gate first. Come on now, fellas. Close. We see guns shining light. Tell them we've got to get over that wall and soon we won't stand a chance that they locate us. Get plenty bad. Have you had another rope? We've not got rope. We can climb a stockade on the side up to the firing platforms. It's more than a 20-foot drop over. You hear? They come this way. Toto, wait here for me. Huh? I won't be a minute. I've got to go back to the guardhouse and tell Summers the plan we decided on. What good plan? We not get out. I won't get another chance to tell them. Stay here. They come too close before I return. Don't wait for me. Get over the wall any way you can. We go now. They come. Understand, Kimisabe, don't wait for me. No. Plan's in trouble. Toto not leave. Do as I say, Toto. If anything goes wrong, try to get away. I'll be back. No. Toto not leave. Friend in danger. Toto wait. I'm gone a long time. Him... Now I got you. Don't move, Injun. Are you... Sure. Snuck up along the timbers. Keep your hands high while I raise a shout for Larkin. Pretty slick tossing a loop over the stockade, ain't you? Well, pretty soon that rope will be tossed around your neck, Savvy. Hey, Larkin! I got back just in time, Kimisabe. Toto, do you come? Say nothing. You hit him good. Roger. Roger, what did you say? Him here. We've got to run for it, Toto. Quick, follow me. Let it go. After him. Now, up the ladder. We jump. They can't get on the other side. What we do? We knock that rope. Toto is silver. He's right below us. Jump. Jump for the saddle. Shoot. They're gone over. Shoot. Steady, sir. They're going to go now. Get the masked man. He's gone. Jump. He was out. Here I come. If he left, I had a horse. Hold your fire. I took on that white horse. They're gone and we can't stop him. Where's the masked man gone to now? He'll be back soon. When I heard all those shots the night before last, I figured you were goners, both of them. Oh, bullets come plenty close. And then you come riding out of the darkness on that white horse. I tell you, it sure made me feel a lot better. A friend got a plan. It's mighty hard, though, waiting with my husband and the stockade wounded. Oh, him better now. Him not hurt bad. Oh, you and the masked man have been saying that. Are you sure you aren't saying it just to make me feel better? Oh, Tonto, tell truth. I'm sorry for doubting you, Injun. It's just that I... Ah, you wonder why we wait, huh? If we could have gotten the soldiers from Fort Carsey, it would have been easy. Now, you not worry. Land of Goshen, what's the masked man waiting for if he has a plan? Why doesn't he... What? What's that? Must be the masked man. You get back. Maybe it's bad man. You get back. Tonto, see. Injun, the camp's well hidden. You don't think... Better be ready. Here's the rifle. Yeah, you get back. Other side. Higher. I sure hope it isn't Larkin's men. You come far enough. You stop. It's all right, Kimo Sabe. Oh, I'm glad to see you were on guard, Tonto. Me do like you say. Masked man, where have you been? What'd you find out? Mrs. Summers, the fur trappers are coming down the little old sage. They'll be at the outpost before noon. That's where you've been. You've seen their campfire. I saw them. Then you warned them that Larkin is going to drug out some. You told them about... I told them nothing. I didn't go near those campfires. You didn't? But, Missy, you... You forget, Mrs. Summers. I wear a mask. Do you think they'd believe a masked man? They'd more likely regard me as an outlaw. But you're the lone ranger. The fur trappers don't know that, Mrs. Summers. Mr. Somebody's got to warn them. You, Mrs. Summers. Me? Your horse is here. They'll listen to you, surely. Yes, I reckon so, but... Tonto and I will ride with you part of the way. But we'll have to leave you before sunup. We want to carry out our plan. Hi, Savvy. You want me to tell the fur trappers to stay shy of the outpost? No. No, I want them to go right ahead as if they suspected nothing. Mister, if they do that... They'll run into a trap? Well, won't they? I hope not, Mrs. Summers. You tell them about Larkin. Tell them to head straight for the outpost. Tell them to be ready for anything. Because once Larkin learns that the fur trappers are getting near, we'll have to move fast. Too fast for explanations. Woman gone plenty long now. Why we wait? Keep watching, Kimasabi. Sun already up in the sky. We're hidden by the trees, Tonto. We can see the outpost from here. No preparations made yet. That means I haven't learned about the fur trappers. I must have men out watching for them. We wait for that? For that and something else. Tonto, Larkin's one chance of surprising the fur trappers is to make it appear that everything is all right inside the army outpost. He's savvy, that. That means Larkin will have to use soldiers' uniforms for his men. He'll have to keep the stockade gate open in the daytime. So the fur trappers will see that everything is in order. And where will Larkin get those uniforms? Only one answer, Kimasabi. The soldiers in the guardhouse. What do you mean? Before the fur trappers arrive, Larkin will open the guardhouse to get the uniforms from the prisoners. When that happens, we start moving. Oh, now me savvy, good. And we'll have to go at top speed to get into the outpost before Larkin realizes what we're doing. We'll have to get in fast and get to the soldiers while the guardhouse is still open. That's plenty hard to do. It's the only chance to capture these outlaws. Summer knows of the plan. He's ready for it. It may work, and then again it... Listen. Kim, come fast. He's going to pass right by us. How to sound, Silver? Stay quiet, Scout. Look, Kimasabi, it's Bulger. Ah. He's got news. We stopped him. No, Tata. Now we're letting him go right on by. Right into the post. We're going to wait. Open the trail. It's the fur trappers. I got to tell Larkin. Open the gates. It's Bulger. I got news. I thought I told you to watch the little Osage trail. What are you doing back here? I seen them, Larkin. Huh? I seen the fur trappers. Spied on their camp just after dawn. I took a good look and left Pronto. I tailed back to tell you. You seen them, huh? They got mountains of skins. Beaver and muskrat and fox and otter. Enough to make us all rich. Shut up, you old breeze. Shut up. We ain't got them first yet. We will have soon, Larkin. Easy as rolling off along. Yeah. There's been some things I don't like. For example, that mast gem in the engine. We ain't seen hiding their hair up. I don't like it. Shucks, Larkin. You're a plum roco about them, too. I tell you I don't like it. Well, why fret over the past? They tried to get the soldiers and they missed. I'll bet they're still traveling high, wide, and handsome after the scare we give them. Yeah, maybe so. We ain't seen any sign of them around. Never you want. I tell you they're gone and we can forget them. I reckon we might as well. Now you're talking my lingo. How are we going to work it? Like I told you. Now listen close, you gents. How soon do you figure the traps will get here, Bulger? Round midday, Larkin. Kino. Couldn't be better. We'll wait till we see them come into sight. Postmen on the stockade to watch. As soon as we spot them, we'll get to the guardhouse and grab those pretty uniforms. Them trappers sure are due for a surprise. It's almost noon, Kemosabe. From here we can see the outpost. Look right down into it. Huh. They watch from wall. Keeping well hidden. See anything up the trail? Huh. They're dust. Dust? Huh. Yes. Yes, Toto. The trappers. Look. Look at Fort. I see, yes. Larkin, Bozer, and the others. They spotted the dust just as we have. They're heading for the guardhouse. Own your horse. The gates are wide open. This is our chance. Them all dizzy. They're so busy getting ready, they may not look this way. We'll be inside the gates before they realize it. Come on, Sylvia. Get him up, Scout. It's a long ride. We've got to hurry. I'll Sylvia away. The trappers are coming, Larkin. We got the gates wide open. Get that guardhouse open, Bozer. Yeah. Yeah. This is a lock. Ah, you're jumping as a cricket. Give me that. I'll open it. You just keep your guns out. Stand around so none of them soldiers tries to make a play. This doggone lock is rusty as... Ah. Now the door. All right, you soldier boys. Step out, Prado. You won't get away with this, Larkin. Take off that uniform, Summers, and tell your men to do the same. If you weren't holding those guns... Do like you're told in no argument. There won't be no arguments. We're holding the guns. We're part of the United States Army, Larkin. You can't order us around like... I'm warning you right now. The soldier's from Fort Classy. He'll hunt you down like wolves after a rabbit. We don't know right this far, Summers. Before them soldiers get here, we'll have them furs and be out of here. We want them uniforms. We're taking them any way you like. But we aim to get them. Summers, I'm going to give you just one more chance. All right, all right. You'll do like you say. That's better. Peel them off, men. I'm about Summers' size. Reckon I'll be a lieutenant. You disgrace any uniform, you're snickin' no... Next time you make a statement like that, Summers, you'll get more than a slap in the face. You'll get a bullet. What, defender? It's a mass, men. Get those soldiers back to the gun house. It's too late for that. Come on, men. Here's a bullet for you, Summers. No, you don't. He's got the gun right out of my head. Use your guns. Get rid of them. It's you. Get off from the engine. Don't hit your kid. I surrender, mass man. Don't shoot. Don't shoot. The rest of you, drop those guns. Drop them. You'll get them buffaloed, mister. Them yellow coyotes can't stand up to you in a fair fight. Corporal, take over those sidearms. Yes, sir. You'll put them in the guardhouse, Summers? Yeah. Thanks to you and your engine partner, we got them where they belong. Come on, Locker. On your feet. Yes, you, lieutenant. I've got in the guardhouse. I'm going. Get them all in there. Summers, we took them by surprise. Yes, mister. But the credit for it belongs to you. And when the fur trappers get here, they'll learn all about it. Sure is good to know these outlaws won't ever wear the United States uniform. Look, Tutter. The trappers are celebrating at the outposts. Oh. Soldiers, too. Mrs. Summers and her husband were certainly glad to see each other again. Um, that's right. What's wrong? They stopped? Of course they stopped, Tutter. It's sunset. Listen. It's a retreat, Kimo Sabe. The end of the day, the flag is being lowered. The stars and stripes, Tutter. Our flag. Ah. Flag waving breeze. The stars and stripes. Yes, Kimo Sabe. Long may she wave. Come on, Sylvia. We've done our job. That flag will keep on waving. Come on. Get them up, Scout. Oh, Sylvia, away! You have just heard. It's a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.
