A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty, Hi, oh, silver, the Lone Ranger. From the hills of Wyoming to the mountains of Mexico, the Lone Ranger led the fight for law and order in the western United States. Whenever men gathered around the campfire, stories were told of his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days when the West was young. 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 the Rio Grande. There's going to be trouble. Tonto, hi-oh, silver, away! The Lone Ranger and Tonto had found shelter from the storm in a cave less than a quarter of a mile from the Rio Grande. Suddenly, from somewhere between the cave and the river, several shots rang out. 30, silver. Tonto, did you hear that? Ah, someone shoot? Yes, and where they're shooting, there's generally trouble. Wait here. I'm going out and find out what the shooting means. You stay. Tonto, go. I'd rather go myself, as soon as I got my gun belt on. I'll go on foot. Horses' hoops make too much noise. Hunter put out campfire? No, let the fire burn. If someone comes here, I'll be outside. Let them talk and we might learn more about the shooting. I'll not be far away. Sounded as if the shots came from the south. Hard to tell, though. When the masked man reached the edge of the woods, he stopped. The sound of running feet reached him, and then the hard breathing of someone on the verge of exhaustion. One minute. Oh, wait. Stay here. Let me go. Let me go. Who fired those shots? None of your business. Please, let me go. Very well. I'll let you go. Where do you think you're going? Away from here. Away from here. Oh, what a trip. Oh, what a joke. Let me go. That's not a real young lady. There, now. Take it easy. You come. Are you hurt? No. There's a shelter within 20 yards of here. You can see the light of the campfire. Let me help you there. Who are you, anyway? You don't talk like one of the Bascom gang. I'm not one of the Bascom gang. You're cold, aren't you? Rose. Don't try to talk until you're warm. Meanwhile, please don't be afraid. We're almost at the cave. Me come. Help me. The girl's exhausted, Tonto. Get some blankets ready and put some food on the fire to get warm. It's cold. Are you sure you didn't hurt yourself when you fell? No, but the ground was soft. I'd sooner have hurt myself on the hard ground than spill on that mud hole. Look at me. That's the spirit. When you're concerned about your appearance, it's a sign you're getting over your fear. How'd you know I was afraid? Why would you run so blindly into a woods on a night like this if you weren't? I suppose that's true. Are those shots? Were they fired at you? Yes. By whom? Look here, stranger. I don't see that it's any of your business. I don't know who you are, and I have work to do. Work? That's just what I said. Me got food on fire. Ready plenty quick now. Thanks for the invitation, but I'm not staying here long enough to eat. Where are you? Quiet. Let me listen. Do you hear anyone? No. Oh, I guess it's all right then. They didn't come after me. Thanks for giving me the chance to catch my breath, stranger. Now I've got to go. You are a peculiar girl. And you're masked. I forgot about being masked. Please don't misjudge me for wearing it. I have no time to form any opinion on you, so the mask doesn't matter a bit. Here's your blanket. Thanks for the use of the fire. You aren't leaving until the rain lets up. Why not? Can't get any wetter than I am. Hardly, but you can get a lot drier. Now sit down. I'm armed, mister. Oh, I see you are. I'm armed, and I know how to use this gun. Please don't force me to use it. I like your style so far and hate like the dickens to double-cross you, but I've got to do it. Double-cross me? That's what I said. I've got to blame you for something I've done. It's the only way I know of. I've been blamed for a lot of things, and I'm quite used to it. If it will help you to accuse me of anything you've done, go right ahead. But won't you tell me what... I'd like to tell you honestly, I would, but I can't. I can't even tell you my name. You mentioned the Bascom gang. I shouldn't even have said that much. Thanks for everything. Contra will get her. Wait, Tana, let her go. I'm going to follow as soon as she's had a little lead. That girl's in trouble. She's terrified. There's something about her face that was familiar. I wonder where I've seen her, or someone who looked like her. A Tonto member lawman. Him look like her. Tano, that's right. Now listen to me, Kimo Sabe. I'm going to follow her. You come along about half an hour behind me. If I get into a trap of some sort, I'll count on your help. If there's anything to tell you, I'll leave a message. Jed Bascom stood at his desk in the living room of the cabin. Two men who bore the stamps of outlaws watched him as he examined the contents of the desk. I guess I scared the crook away before he got anything. You sure of that, Bascom? Can't take no chances on having some of the things in your desk get out. I'm checking once more to make sure. I'm glad you didn't drill the critter. Any idea who it was to try to rob you? No. Jed, you all right? Don't I look it? Where have you been, Marvie? Bed, of course. Heard the shooting and ducked. Who was it, lawman? I reckon so. Went to go. Figured the best thing for me to do was stay in hiding until I learned more of what was going on here. Went into your mind to come with a gun and see if I needed help, would it? Listen, Bascom. I told you when I married you that I was willing to let you go on with your smuggling and all that sort of thing as long as I had all the pretty clothes and cash I wanted. I also told you I wasn't going to live here with any misunderstanding. I ain't to get into no gunfights. Listen, if the law catches up with you, it's your worry, not mine. I didn't say I'd marry you and you could count on me to be the loyal woman that'd stick with you through thick and thin. Get that straight. I got it straight. I ain't said nothing about it. All right, then. Don't throw it up at me if I don't come shooting when I hear gunplay. What happened? Well, a prowler came here. I heard him and come into this room. Then I reckon he heard me. He ducked. Get away, young. He didn't get nothing, though, ma'am. Don't matter if he did or not. It's a sign he knows where to look for evidence again, you polecat. Now, look here, Miss Baskin. Even if you are Jed's wife, you ain't the right to tell... I've got the right to say what I like, and if you don't like what I say, get out. That goes for you, too, Jed Baskin. Where's the girl? I don't know. I don't see her from one day to the next. You mean to say she's slept through all that shooting? Maybe she's hiding, too. Maybe. I'll go see. Well, you're at it. I doubt how much longer she's going to have to stay here with us. I will. I'm tired of her being here, same as you are. Hey, you, wake up. You I'm talking at. Wake up. What's the matter? Set yourself up in that bed. I hankered to have a few words with you. Oh, it's you, Miss Baskin. What time is it? It ain't getting up time yet. Where was you doing the shooting? Shooting? You mean to say you didn't hear no gunfire a while ago? I might have, but I guess I thought I'd been dreaming. There's something wrong? I don't know. But shooting, gunplay, what's it all about? Nothing that concerns you. Hmm. How's that ankle of yours? It's getting better, thank you. Seems like it's been healing a long time now. Odd that a spill from a horse would hurt you so. I'll be able to travel another couple of days. I'm sure of it, Miss Baskin. All right, then. I'll count on that. I'm dreadfully sorry that I put you and your husband to so much inconvenience. Never mind being sorry. Well, you figure I'm going when you leave here. Well, when I fell for my horse, I was on my way to El Paso. Hmm. Relatives there? Good friends, not relatives. I see. You didn't hear no shooting, huh? Well, I... There's something about you that strikes me odd. What do you mean? Seems like I've seen you before somewhere. What relatives you got? None. Let me get that lamp and have another look at your face. Oh, but I... But what? Don't you like to be looked at? Well, I... That is... That bothered me ever since I first set eyes on you. There. Now, look at me. That light hurts my eyes. You'll get used to it in a minute. Draw your hair back from your face. Like this? Uh-huh. I wish I could remember where I seen a face like yours. You said you didn't have no relatives? None living. I'm sure I've never seen you before. You said your name was Wakefield, didn't you? Yes. First name? Abby. Hmm. Don't ring familiar no way. Miss Bascombe, I think I know where... I know where you may have seen. Just wait a minute, Abby Wakefield. Let me see what this means. Your riding clothes, wet and mud-soaked. How'd they get that way? Well, I... First rain since you've come here has been tonight, ain't it? Well, yes. You've been out of this house. Mud there on the window. That's how you got back in again, ain't it? Oh, I... I know you'll think I'm crazy. Go on, talk, Miss Abby. Let me hear what your story is. You got such a bad, hurt ankle that you can't hardly stand on it. But here's your riding clothes and your boots. I know you were anxious for me to leave, so I... I dressed and tried to leave. Mm-hmm. Spill in the mud and come back, huh? Yes, uh... Spill in the mud, come back. Had the boots on. Thought your ankle was swelled so you couldn't get them on. Let me see that ankle. Oh, you be still. Let me have a look. Just as I thought. Ain't no sign of a hurt ankle. Put your hands up, Martha Basko. Got a gun, huh? And I'll use it. Now I say, Abby. Now I know how you look familiar. It's your father. You got the same chin as he had. Your right name's Abby Watkins, and your old man was John Watkins, the lawman. That's right. And he was murdered. Do you know who killed him? I got notions about that, but ain't seen what they are. He was trying to run down a pack of smugglers. The pack was led by Jed Basko. Mm-hmm. Paul came here, and that's the last anyone saw of him alive. He was found dead. Made to look as if he'd fallen over a ravine on his horse. But I know different. I'm here to get the evidence that my pa was after when he died. You're a downright ambitious girl, ain't you? In case you're wondering about it, I'm the one who searched through Jed's desk tonight, and I'm the one he fired at in the dark. Now that you got the drop on me, what you figure I'm doing? Shoot me, and Jed and his pals will come here on the run. Don't shoot me, and I'll tell Jed who you are. Yeah, I know. You haven't got the whip hand that you think you have, Abby. You're in a bad spot, and you can't win. Now, if you'll take my advice, you'll just take up them clothes, put up that gun, and get out of the window. Travel fast and keep on going. You'll have a couple minutes start, and if you pick the right horse, that'll be enough. I came here to get evidenced against Jed Basko. I'm not leaving without that evidence. Tell me some more. Maybe you know how you'll get it and get away with it. Hey, Martha, open this door. Open it up. Tell him to go away. Fast your hands and drop that gun. Good work, Squint. Watch her. Come on in, Jed. I got her covered, boss. What's she doing, Murphy? Holding a gun and making threats. I found out who she is. Here, mister, take a good look. That's the girl, all right. So, stand up, Abby Watkins. I know who you are now. You. Yes, Abby. I remembered where I'd seen that cleft chin before. Your father had one like it. Playing to hurt and coming here to get evidence on me. That's what you was doing, Jed. Good thing I had Squint go around outside and cover her through the window. All right, Bascom. You know the truth. You've got me. Thanks to that man. Yes, Abby. Thanks to me. And for a little while, I liked your style. Well, go on. Who's going to be the one to shoot 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. When the smugglers learned Abby Watkins' real identity through the Lone Ranger, the girl turned on the masked man. And I thought you were a real man. You told me you weren't a crook in spite of your mask. Did I tell you that? Yes. So she's Abby Watkins, eh? Now, what do you know about that? More than that, Jed. Her ankle ain't hurt at all. And take a look at these riding clothes. She was the one that tried to search through your desk tonight. Well, this is all mighty interesting. Mighty interesting. All right, Bascom. You've got me. Why don't you shoot me? Plenty of time for that, Abby. More, sir. Who is this hombre, anyhow? Yes, stranger. Who are you? If I wasn't on your side, do you think I'd come here and warn you about this girl? It don't seem so. That ain't telling who he is, though. You'll keep out of this, Murphy. Me and you have a lot to talk about, stranger. Yes, we have. I reckon you had got to join up with me, huh? I guess almost any man would be glad of the chance to join an outfit that's as powerful as yours, Bascom. If he didn't care about staying inside the law. Good. Good enough. I like the way you wear them guns. You look like a man that can handle them real good. I'll manage them if there's need to. Good. Now then, Bascom, I want the chance to talk to this girl. For what? There's nothing to talk about. That's where you're wrong, Abby. There's a lot to talk about. Well, I've nothing to say. Bascom, I came here to get some information from her. That's the reason I've been trailing her. The fact that you've been helped is just incidental. What do you mean? My main purpose is to find out about some friends of mine. And I think she'll be able to give me the information. Go on, talk to her. Alone. Well, we'll leave you be. One other thing. Have you someplace you can hold her captive? Yeah. I don't know. We don't generally keep prisoners here. We, uh... Cyclone cellar or something like that. We got the cellar, boss. Ain't no way of getting there, save from the trap door. We could lock her there. That'll do fine. Put her down there and I'll talk to her later. You... Come on, girl. It's down cellar for you. That masked man needn't think I'll talk to him. My lips are sealed and I don't care what's done. I know my life's as good as gone. There isn't anything you can say or promise that'll make me give the slightest bit of information. But get this, all of you. Shut her up. You better hear me. Because these are the last words I'll ever say. You're all headed for a downfall. Law's getting harder and harder to beat all the time. You can kill some men, like my father. Some people like me. But just as sure there's a blue sky overhead, every last one of you will end up on the rope of a hangman. Oh, where's that cellar? I'm ready. This way. She sure is a spooky girl, isn't she? Oh, gosh, boss. Ain't it a shame a girl like that has got to be so doggone foolish and reckless? Hey, stranger, how about taking off that mask now that you're with friends? I'm not sure yet that I am with friends. Well, it'll make you sure. I'll have to know you better than decide for myself. What was that? Trapdoor to the cellar being shed. Squidge, you take care of the outside door. Right enough, boss. I'll tend to it right away. Well, Bascom, now that we're alone... Yeah. Me and you can come to a sort of understanding, can't we? Just how big an outfit do you have? Big enough. How big? I ain't saying nothing about that. But you can be sure I got all the men I need unless... Unless I can get a man that's special, like what you seem to be. What sort of working arrangement you got in mind? Percentage. Ah. Maybe it could be worked out. You keep records of some sort, don't you? Maybe. I'll have to look them over. Now? Oh, not right now. I wouldn't expect you to show me your records until we know each other. I just wanted to find out if I was talking to a good businessman. You won't find none, Betty. That's all I wanted to know, for the time being. Now, what about you? What about me? How do I know what to count on in you? Where are you from? What have you done? And, uh, what in tarnation do you look like? There's plenty of time for that. I think I'll have a talk with the girl now. Well, help yourself. Where's that trap door? This way. What did you want to talk to her about? If it was anything I wanted you to know, I'd talk in front of you. Don't give out much information to you. Do you want someone who tells all he knows to be a member of your gang? That's right. Take now, but you've got the right answer for everything, ain't you? This is it. Open it. You want me to lock it when you get down there? That doesn't matter. There's a couple of cantors on the table at the foot of the stairs. You got matches? Yes. You needn't think I'll give you any information? All right, Baskin, you can shut the door now. Right, just tell her when you want to come on. Abby, please listen for a moment. You double-crossed him. Wait. I didn't tell him who you were until his wife had found out about you. I won't listen. Martha Baskin had you and you know it. You held a gun on her, but she told you that you were in a spot. You couldn't keep her covered forever and you couldn't shoot her. She knew you were Abby Watkins. I won't listen to a thing. Abby, I'm here to help you. Won't you try to understand? I'm fine, help you. What'd you say? I want to help you. I'm here because you're certain to be killed by the Baskin gang. And they won't let you get away from here alive now that they know who you are. They already knew you before I spoke. How did you know? I heard the conversation between you and Martha. You did? I came from the woods shortly after you left me. I heard Martha when she found out who you were. I left word for Tonto and gave him instructions. Instructions? We've got to count on him to carry through a part of my plan. But you told Baskin who I was. Before I did that, I realized that nothing could be lost by telling him who you were. Much can be gained because now he thinks I'm as crooked as he is. What did Baskin do? He sent Squint around the outside of the house to get the drop on you through the window. Then he wrapped on the door. Oh, but now we... Now we have only to wait until Tonto does his part. I think we'll be safe here. I hope so. That's the chance we must take. Safe? Safe from what? Just wait, Abby. Tonto should be here in a few minutes now. Upstairs in the cabin, Jed discussed the probability of the Lone Ranger joining the gang. That all will be real handy for us, Squint. I already know of a couple of ways to make first-rate use of them. Huh? What's the matter? The newcomer that you don't even know the face of comes here, and you're all filled up with ideas as to how valuable he'll be. Why not? What's the matter with us men that have been with you right along? So that's what's wrangling you, Squint. Now don't go get yourself jealous of the new man. Why not? You wouldn't want the job I got in mind for him. What's more, I wouldn't want you to have that job. I figure you're too valuable to use up the way I got in mind for the Nash man. Huh? The same goes for the rest of the boys. What do you got in mind? That girl has got to have something happen, ain't she? We can't let her go free to tell what she's suspicions about us, can we? Wouldn't be good sense to do so. All right, then. She's got to meet up with trouble of a real dangerous nature and maybe be found dead in a few days. The law will be right anxious to get the one that killed her. Huh? Ain't that so? Oh, sure. Especially with her being the daughter of a lawman. Well? Just this. The law ain't going to arrest him, but he'll hang a man for the murder. Now, that's where the Nash man comes in. What's the matter? Do you smell smoke? I ain't noticed. Likely food burning. Now, what's the matter with my scheme? The scheme being to fix it so the Nash man is the one to hang? Sounds all right to me. It is all right. Now, do you see what the job I got for him is? You might have told me about it in the first place. You doggone idiot. Worried that old Jed was going to let his own men down. Why, I do smell smoke. Something's burning for sure. Seems to be over this way. Jed! Tender houses are fire. Look at that smoke. The flames. Martha, what's done it? Get our things out of there. This house will go up like tender. Get water for it. Faster. The houses are fire. Water. Get some water. Water won't help. Look at the start. Them flames got these swings. The west wings and flames, too. We got to get out of here. Them in the cell. Never mind them. Come with me, Squid. Get my clothes. What about my clothes? Take what you can carry and get out. Oh, my clothes. Thanks a lot. I've got to get my pretty clothes. Here, Squid. Give me a hand. The smoke is getting bad. The smoke won't hurt you. Come on. My cash and my records. I've got to get them out. This place is going fast. The roof will get out in a minute. Here, take what records are on the desk. Take this box, Squid. Take it and then come this way. There's more that's got to be saved. You come too, Slim. Hurry. The smoke. Never mind the smoke. Never mind it. Get over here. My secret hand, please. My eyes burn in the smoke. This is it. Grab a hold. This section of the wall. Grab a hold. Yes, Squid. Take a hold here. You got it. Yeah, yeah. I got it. I got it. Pull. Now, throw it aside. That does it. Now, take these things. Here, Squid. Hold out your arms. Jack. Jack, you better get out of here. Get yourself out. We'll be all right. Hurry it up, boss. Slim. Take these bundles. You've got to save them. I got them. You've got to save yourself. Get to the outside. Hey, what is this? The door is fastened. Who done this? It's fastened from the outside. Open this door. Get this door open. While the smoke billowed in dense clouds through the cabin, the three men fought to get the door open. They were half blinded. And the roar of the flames crept closer every minute. Then the lone ranger's voice rang out. Come this way. I'll show you how to get out. I can't see. Who's this? If you want to get out of this fire trap, come with me. I can't see you. Come on. This way. Stop whoring me. I don't want to. Come on, then. You're all right. Just keep moving. The back door is right ahead. Step through it and you'll be outside where it's safe. This is it. Boys, we're all right, though. My eyes is watering so I can hardly see, but it's a mess, man. Straight ahead, man. Your horses are there. Now, juking that old cellar. Hey, there's the girl, too. Yes, I'm here, but no thanks to you, man. We'd have died in that cellar if Tonto hadn't opened the outside door. Who? Hey, Tonto. Take those bundles from them, Tonto. That's the evidence the law wants. The law? What is that about the law? What do you think? You polkets have been hiding the evidence against this gang too cleverly for the law to find. It took a trick to get you. What's this about a trick? Baskin, the only way to make you show the records you kept so carefully was to make you save them from the fire. You mean that... Tonto started this fire to smoke you all out. Hey, my gun is gone. Mine, too. I took your guns while you were fighting your way through the smoke. Tonto, you'll need no weapons in jail. Tricked. We've been tricked. I ain't gonna go down with you, Jed Bascom. I'm gonna save my own neck. Goodbye, for a king. Get up. Get up. A woman's cape. Let her go, Tonto. These men are the ones the law wants. And now the law will have them. The greatest wish of my father's been fulfilled. Thanks to you, masked men. The West must be rid of men like these, Abby. Yep. Tonto, keep your guns on them while I ride into town for the sheriff. Goodbye, masked men. Adios. I owe silver away. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.
