A fiery horse with the speed of light, the cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-ho, Silver, the Lone Ranger. In companion Tonto, the masked rider of the plains, led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. The stories of his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness, have come down to us through the generations. 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. Silver, the Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, Silver. There's danger on the trail ahead. Come on, Silver. A short distance from where a rough plank bridge crossed the Snake Bend River, the embers of a banked campfire made a soft glow in the clearing. A small boy of seven was sleeping under a warm blanket with his head pillowed on a saddle roll. Suddenly, for no reason at all, he was wide awake. At first, he sensed rather than heard the low voices of the three men who were seated on the other side of the campfire. There was neither moon nor stars to relieve the deep shadows of the night. And he wondered why the three men were not asleep. Gradually, their voices became more distinct. We'll hear hoofbeats on the bridge. That'll be time enough to move. Ain't that right, Black? Yeah, that gives us plenty of time. What about the kid? He's sleeping. Better take a look, Foster. He's your young'un. Well, sleeping awake and the boy will be here when we get back. That young'un has got spunk. I'm doggone proud of that boy. He's gonna have the best of everything. Wait, wait. Now, quiet a minute. You hear that? Sounds like the stage. It's on the bridge. That's it, boys. Come on, Foster. Come on, Slim. It's time to move out. Go ahead. I'll catch you. I just want to be sure Bobby has the blankets over him. You're awake, huh, son? Now, you go back to sleep. Where are you going? Well, it's the business we came here to take care of. I won't be gone long. You stay here till I get back. Don't you move from those blankets. Understand? Yes, sir. I understand, Pa. Come on, Foster. I'm coming. I'm with you. Get up there. Get on, boys. Get on. Come on, Pa. Hurry's back here. I wonder what the business is. He said he was proud of me. I can still hear him riding. He sure is a fine rider. Shoot him. It's gunplay. Oh, Pa. Pa, get him. I, I, I've got to. Who's that? Who's signing any tricks? Pa, Pa, where are you? Take it easy, youngster. Who are you? Get up. Let's see what you look like. No, you leave me alone. Pa told me to stay here. Aye, Savvy. Toss some brush in the fire, boys, so as we can see. Well, what's your name, son? Bob Foster. Where's my Pa? Foster? Yes. Who are you? Well, look here, son. You'll have to come with us. Your Pa had to, well, he had to go away. But where is my Pa? Where is he? Where's my Pa? Bob, where is he? Bob Foster's life was shadowed by that burning question for 10 years. He grew from a little fellow to a boy of 17. His life had been one shared with a score of others in the home for homeless boys. He felt bitter toward the stranger who had brought him there. Only Pa knew I was in this orphanage. He'd come and get me in a hurry. I wonder who that is. Oh, Miss Betty. Bob, hello. Oh, golly, but it's great to see you. Sit down. Jiminy, it's been about a year since the last time you were here. I know it, Bob. It's a long way to come from the ranch. How are things at that ranch? Oh, fine. You've had my letters? Oh, sure. And I could just about see all those acres of cattle in the big house in the mountains. I've never seen a mountain, except in pictures. But you've grown. Well, you're a man. You haven't changed. Except maybe to get prettier. Oh, a chivalrous man. Say, how'd you like the books I sent you? Oh, great. But I like the stories you wrote better. Stories? About that lone ranger. Oh, Bob, will you hear all of the things I can tell you about him? And maybe when you come out with us, you'll see him. Then I'm still going to go to the ranch? Of course you are. Father's going to bring you there on the day you're 18 years old. Oh, I'm sure looking forward to it. I... What do you want to say, Bob? Well, look, I... I hope you're not going to be cross, but... Well, all the fellas see you come here every year, and... And they read the books you send me. And they keep... Well, they keep asking me who you are. Yes? And I... I told them you were my girl. Oh! Bob, I'm eight years older than you. I know that, but... Oh, it's all right. I think that's the sweetest compliment I've ever been paid. You're not in love with this lone ranger you wrote me about, are you? Well, Bob, I... Of course not, Bob. There's something else. Yes? Well, I felt all along that you and your father could tell me something about my pa. Oh. If I could only find the men who took me out of the woods that night... Well, how much do you remember about that night? Well, not very much. Pa and his friends, their names were Slim and Black, he went out of camp, and there was a gunfight. Then another man came and carried me away. I don't remember much about him, but... I do remember that in the morning I was in a stagecoach with a nice lady. And she brought me here and left me. Well, look, Bob, I think my father can tell you something about your father. When you come out to the ranch. Now, I... I must go. Here's some more books. Oh, but Miss Betty, you've only been here in a miniature... All right, Bob. And it won't be long before you're sent for. Well, all right. Goodbye. Goodbye, Miss Betty. Just leaving, miss? Oh, yes, sir. Good day, then. Good day. Goodbye. Foster, two of your relatives, uncles, I think, are in my office. My uncles? Didn't know you had any, but they're here. Well, never mind bringing him. We're here. Oh. Stand aside, Craven. We'll talk to Foster here. Yes. Yes, of course. Well, your uncles of mine... Well, son, you've grown considerable since the last time we saw you, hasn't you, Blackie? Why, sure enough. Blackie! And are you slim? Yeah, sure. How'd you know? Well, you can tell me. You know where Pa is. You were with him. That's why we're here, Bob. We spent ten years trying to find you. The owner of Polcott that ran off with you that night sure had done a complete job of hiding you. Well, we trailed you down at last. Now, we're taking you with us. Oh, gee, that'll be swell. You've got a job to do, son. A mighty big job. You've got to get your birth right, and we're here to see that you do it. My birth right? Let me look you over. I wonder if you've got spunk enough to go after what's rightfully yours. You bet I have. Maybe he's too young, Slim. I don't know. Now, wait. Before we go any further, what about my dad? Bob, the dirty double-crossing coyote that you've got to get is a man that murdered your old man. Murdered him? Yeah, and got away with it. And has one of the richest ranches in the West. The West? Is that where we're going? If you've got the spunk. I'll show you I've got spunk. Just get me out of here. I'd planned to go to the West. A man named Mr. Drake got interested in me. Ooh. Drake. I don't know much about him except that he's willing to give me a job on his ranch when I'm 18. His daughter, Miss Betty, has been here a few times. She writes letters and sends me books. Oh, I see. Blackie, what do you think? How'd Drake find out about you? Oh, I don't know. I guess he sort of knows Mr. Craven, the superintendent. You're planning to go on to the Drake Ranch? Yeah. That was his daughter that just left here. Mm-hmm. It was, huh? It'll be all right, Bob. I know the Drake Ranch. You do? Yep. Now, you go there just as you plan and keep your mouth shut. Don't say a word about your father to anyone, Savvy. All right. It's right near where we'd take you anyway. Now, we'll let you know when everything's ready. And then you can come with us from the Drake place to where you'll get your father's killer and your own birthright. For 10 years, I've wondered about Paul. If I could get the one who murdered him, what, uh, what would you do? I'd kill him. A few weeks later, Bob Foster was living on the Drake Ranch. It was the most pleasant life he'd ever known. He found new thrills every day as he raced a wiry Mustang pony over the lush fields and rolling plains. Oh, boy. Oh, boy. That's enough, boy. We'll rest a while. How about it? And then we'll... Hey, wait a minute. There's two men coming up the side trail. I wonder who they are. Oh, boy. Oh, boy. Oh, boy. Oh, boy. Oh, boy. Howdy, Bob. Oh, look at them shafts. The kids are real fun. Oh, Blackie, Slim, what are you doing out here? Oh, I had some business out this way, so we figured we'd look you up. How do you like living on a range? Oh, it's great. I'd like to live here the rest of my life. There's no reason why you can't. Well, Mr. Drake might not let me stay. If you're a smart kid, Mr. Drake won't have nothing to say about it. What do you mean? Bob, your pa was shot down in cold blood. You'd like to find the man who shot him, wouldn't you? Of course I would. You'd kill him? I figure that's my duty. Well, you're right. It just happens that Blackie and me know who that hombre is. Who? Another thing we know is that he owns a ranch that by rights belongs to you. Belongs to me? Well, he originally bought the ranch with money he got for killing your pa. Tell me who he is. We'll do better than that, kid. We'll point him out. When? Where? Blackie and me are living in town at the hotel. Well, can you come in and see us about a whole nine o'clock tonight? Well, sure I can, but who is this man who killed my pa? He'll be there at the hotel. Then so will I. Good, good. We'll be waiting for you. Come on, Blackie. Get up there. See you tonight, kid. Get up there. Oh, come on. Yeah. I'll see you tonight. For several minutes after Slim and Blackie had ridden away, Bob Foster sat motionless astride his Mustang. He was confused by what Slim had told him. There were so many questions for which there seemed to be no answer. And before he could consider them further, a faint sound reached his ears. He saw a figure riding down a distant hill, a man in black on a horse that gleamed in the brilliant sun like burnished silver. He stared at the flying, luxuriant mane and tail of the powerful stallion, watched the approach of the horse and rider down the hill straight toward a narrow chasm. Then the white horse launched itself in a mighty leap that carried easily across the gap. He heard the hoof beats pounding the turf with rhythmic power. He saw then that the rider wore a mask. An outlaw. Whoa! Whoa, silver! Whoa! I thought I'd find you at the ranch house. Huh? Find me? You're Bob Foster, aren't you? How'd you know? I, uh... You look just like your father. My fa... Oh, so you're the... Bob, those two men who just rode away, who are they? It's a good thing I haven't got a gun. Who are those men? It's none of your business. But they're uncles of mine. Uncles? They came to tell me where I could find the man who killed my pa. And how I could get what rightfully belongs to me. Maybe, maybe a ranch as big as this one. The man who killed your father, huh? I guess they didn't know you were right behind them. But I ain't afraid of you. I see. You think I'm the one... Why'd you recognize me so quick? Suppose you find this man, Bob. What are you going to do? If I had a gun, I'd show you. I think those uncles of yours will bear watching. I don't know your name, but remember this. The next time I see you, I'm going to shoot instead of talk. And when will that next time be, Bob? I'll be carrying a gun from now on. And I'll be riding into town tonight. So will I, Bob. I'll meet you there. Come on, Silver. You mean you'll really be there? I'll sit in there! Hey! 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. After his talk with Bob Foster, the Lone Ranger guided Silver across a wide slope, through a rock-strewn gully, and rained up sharply at the edge of a cottonwood grove. Ho, Silver! Ho! Ho! It was the prearranged meeting place of the masked man and his faithful Indian companion, Tonto. You're right, hon. Yes, Tonto. Tonto, I think our suspicions are right about those two men who came in on the stage. They go to Drake Ranch? No. They talked to the boy, Bob Foster, and then headed back for town. Why'd they do that? I don't know. They've told the boy they'll show him the man who killed his father. Oh, that's plenty bad. Make young boy kill. Tonto, I want you to pick up the trail of those two men. Ah. Come, Scout. If possible, find out who they are and why they're here. And meet me back at the same place by suntown. Ah. Tonto, do it. You, you wait here? No, I'm going to the Drake Ranch to talk to Betty and her father. Ah. Get him up, Scalm. Hold, Silver! Then, Betty, I rode away to meet Tonto. Why did Bob get this idea of avenging his father's death? I haven't the slightest idea. Have you told him his father was an outlaw? Not yet. We thought it best to wait until he's a little older. Evidently, you've waited too long. Betty, do you know who these men are who claim to be his uncles? Bob has no living relatives. Father investigated that thoroughly. Your father thinks a lot of the boy, doesn't he? Well, we both do. He's the son and brother we've always wanted. And why haven't you told him the truth about his real father? Because, well, Dad's just a little ashamed to tell him. He's afraid Bob will hate him when he finds out it was Sheriff Charles Drake who killed Bill Foster, the outlaw. He's no longer the sheriff and there's really no... Nothing for your father to be ashamed of. When he was sheriff, he shot Foster in the line of duty because he resisted arrest. It'd be pretty complicated to explain it to an 18-year-old boy. Yes, I suppose it would. But now he has to be told. By the way, Betty, where is your father now? Well, he went into town early this morning. Some sort of business appointment. Will he be back before nightfall? I don't know. Why? The two men who were talking to Bob may know the truth about his father. I can see no other reason why he should be so bitter. Well, when Dad comes back from town, I'll explain that he must tell Bob. Yes, that would be best. Oh, by the way, does the boy have a gun? Yes. He wanted to carry a pistol like the other cowboys, so we gave him one. He doesn't have it with him. Where is it? Well, right over there, lying on the table. Do you mind if I examine it? Of course not. I'll get it for you. Here. No, thanks. Just look at these cartridges for a moment. There. Now I must be going. Well, don't you want to wait and talk to Dad? No, I think Tonto's waiting for me now. We may have to move fast. What do you mean? Miss Betty, I'll talk to your father in town. Adios. But the Lone Ranger didn't find Tonto waiting for him when he returned to the grove of cottonwood trees. At that moment, the stoical Indian was crouched beneath an open window that was part of a room where three men were in earnest conversation. Well, it's this way, Mr. Drake. Me and my friend represent a group of eastern businessmen who want to invest in a range property. You want to sell your place, then we want to buy it. At what price? You name it. Fifty thousand dollars. Fifty thousand? Ain't that pretty steep, Mr. Drake? My spread's worth it. You know anything about ranch land? You'll agree with me. Eh? What do you say, Blackie? Oh, I'm in favor of buying it. Give the man some money. Now, wait a minute. You know we don't carry around that much cash. How about an option, Mr. Drake? Just for a few days until we can get money from the east. Well, yes, I guess that'll be all right. Good, good. And here's five hundred dollars to bring the agreement. And here's the option already drawn up. You seem to have been pretty sure I'd sell. We knew we could meet your price. Here. Here's Santa right here. Oh, well, I, uh... What's the matter? Isn't the option all right? Oh, yes, of course. But I... Oh, very well. Give me the pen. There. And here's your money. We'll take up the option within the next two or three days. Now, uh, what do you say we have a drink to celebrate? Oh, no, thanks. I have some other business in town. May take several hours. I'll expect to see you at the ranch before the end of the week. We'll be there. Well, good day, gentlemen. Goodbye. Blackie. Yeah? Follow him and don't lose him. I'll be on the lookout for the kid. Well, you gotta... I'll take care of everything. You just be sure Drake doesn't get out of town without us knowing it. Tano, where have you been? Me too, like you say. Me listen long time. Listen to what? Where? Two crook. They meet Mr. Drake. Sit down in room, talk. Time to hear everything. So those two men are friends of Drake? No, not friends. They buy ranch. Drake sell. What's that? Buy ranch. But them not have money enough. Drake give them options for $500. Tano, there's something wrong somewhere. I've got to talk to Mr. Drake. Do you know where he is now? No, Tano, find him. Come on, we're going to ride. Here, Silver. Come on, Silver. Get him up, Scout. When they reached the outskirts of town, the Lone Ranger sent Tano on ahead to find Mr. Drake. A few minutes later, the Indian returned. Come on, Scout. Open a hole. Him and Hotel. Rest there in room. All right. I'll go ahead and you follow. Now wait for me outside. Come on, Silver. Get him up, Scout. Within the next few minutes, a masked man dismounted and slipped quietly into the rear entrance of a small hotel. Following Tano's instructions, he went to the second floor and tapped lightly on a closed door. Who is it? Who do you? The mask. The Lone Ranger. I'm sorry if I disturbed you, Mr. Drake. But there are several things I must know. Why, sure. What is it? You just gave an option for the sale of your ranch to two men. That's right. They agreed to buy it for $50,000. They don't have that much cash, so I signed a three-day option for $500. Do you mind telling me why you want to sell your place? I've got to. Why? Nobody around here knows it, I guess, but my spread is mortgaged to the hilt. Banks give me one more week to raise some money. I see. Now there's one other question. Why haven't you told Bob Foster about his father and how he was killed? Oh, I couldn't. I haven't got the heart. The heart? Well, if you want to know the truth, I'm selfish. I think the world and all of that Foster boy, just like my own son, I want him to like me. And I'm afraid if I tell him that I'm the one who shot his pa... Yes, I understand. And under different circumstances, I might agree with you. Well, what do you mean? Unless I'm mistaken, Mr. Drake, you're going to have some callers pretty soon. I want you to do exactly as I tell you. I'll listen. Bring it down, kid. Sure. I've got it right here. Now, where is he? You mean the Albre who killed your pa? Well, you said he was here, right here in town. He is, kid. And we're heading right for him. Where? The hotel. Bill, here it is. Quiet now. You can go right up these back steps. Yeah, but how are we going to get here? What do I do with you? Get your gun out and bust right in. We'll be with you. Yeah, but I don't... Go on. This is the chance you've been waiting for. Yes. It is. Oh, Mr. Drake. Hello, Bob. I didn't expect you. Well, I must be in the wrong room. No, you're not, kid. That's the man you want. Ask him. Ask me what, Bob? My uncles, Blackie and Slim, they say you're the man who shot my pa. Are you? Do you have to keep that gun pointed right at me, Bob? Are they telling the truth? Did you kill my pa? Yes, son. I killed him. You did? And now you want to kill me. Is that it? I don't know. I swore that's what I'd do if I ever found you, but I didn't think it'd be you. Give him some of his own medicine, kid. Well, this is really a surprise. I didn't expect you. It's the last time you'll see me, Drake, so it don't make no difference. Give it to him, Bob. No, I... I can't. Mr. Drake has been too good to me. Mr. Drake is the farmer to kill your pa. He's an ex-lawman who took the bounty for that killing and bought the ranch he's living on now. No, I... I can't. I can't do it. If you don't plug him, I will, and I think I'll... Oh! Wait. You grabbed my arm. You made me shoot. Never mind. He's done for. That's all that matters. That's why it made folks curious. We better get out of here. Oh, yeah. I'm going to the sheriff and tell him that you're going to do nothing but come with us out to Drake's ranch. We got a little business out there. After that, you can go to the law if you want to. If you want to hang for murder. But I didn't do it. Try telling that story to a little arm. Come on, kid. Blackie and me have got an option to pick up. Where's Dad? I didn't know there was anyone with you. Yeah. Ain't you going to introduce us, kid? Miss Betty, I... What's wrong? Go on, kid. Tell her. Mr. Drake. He's dead. Dead? And I killed him. What? Oh, Bob. That's right, miss. The kid gunned your old man. Did a real good job, too. Oh, no. Well, all me and my partner want to do is take up our option. What option? By the ranch here. For $5,000 and I've got the cash right with me. An option to buy this ranch for $5,000? That's impossible. It's worth ten times that much. Here's the option. Ain't that your old man's handwriting? Yes, but... Well, then sign this bill as sale and then you and the kid can bail us. What do you mean? Get out. But his spread belongs to Blackie and me now. I wouldn't be too sure of that, Slim. Neither would I. But, Dad! Mr. Drake! Alive! You can't be... Yes, I can. You'd better hand back that option that you've ordered from $50,000 to $5,000. Won't do you any good now except send you and Blackie back to jail. Why, you... Oh, my arm... You're not hurt. I just shot your gun away. Put up your hands, both of you. Dad, I don't understand. I'll explain everything later, Betty. I thought I had to sell the ranch, but the bank has given me more time in the mortgage, so I won't have to sell even for $50,000. Yeah, but Mr. Drake, I... I shot you. I know, Bob. There were only blanks in your gun. Blanks? But how? I put them there this afternoon, Bob. You still hate me, son. I did kill your father, yes. But he was an outlaw and I shot him in the line of duty. Oh, no, Mr. Drake. I don't hate you. I guess I never did. I'm sorry. Awful sorry, Mr. Drake. I wonder if you could kind of forget that Mr. Drake and call me Dad. Could you, son? Why, sure. I'll be mighty proud to... Dad. Well, my Indian friend is waiting for me. Will you take charge of these outlaws, Mr. Drake, and turn them over to the sheriff? It'll be a pleasure. Adios, my friends. Oh, wait, you can't... Come on, see, Miss Betty. I think I understand now. It was he who made all this possible. Yeah, but how? Because he's the man I've told you about. The Lone Ranger. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of The Lone Ranger Incorporated.
