horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty, hi-oh, silver! The Lone Ranger! In companion Tonto, the mask 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. The Lone Ranger rides again! Come on, Silver! We're heading for Tumbleweed! Late one afternoon, two men sat on their horses in the shadows of a Judas tree near the trail that wound through the hills from the Crazy W Ranch toward the distant town of Tumbleweed. They were leaning forward, watching through the narrowed eyes as a string of halted horses trotted down the trail below them. One of the men fingered the trigger for Winchester held across to Saddlehorn. Well, it's a crazy W-string drum, Bo. You had it correct. I always get correct information, Fletcher. Nice pass of the horse, Fletcher. That's wrong, for instance. We can get a fancy price for him over to Tucson. I reckon we will, provided you don't miss your aim. There's only one man herding him along. Don't miss a shot like that. It's easier than shooting a trapped wolf. Just say when. He won't see us till he's close. Let him amble a mite nearer. You're the top man. When he drops, we'll round up the horses and head for Lost Valley, Savvy. You know, same as always. In the valley, we change brands, do a little color changing on the horses that need it, and then sell them for plenty. I'll accept that strawberry your own. I got other plans for him. Yeah? Yeah. Special plans. Get set, Fletcher. Anytime. Think we better be getting back to the Lone Ranger in Tonto, Victor? I guess you're right. Time we were heading back for camp. Hey, Victor, are those buzzards? Gee willikers, they are. They are buzzards. Two of them circling around the far side of that hill. Come on, Victor, we'll see what's the trouble. Come on, boy, get up there. That's it, Victor. Just as fast as you can gallop. There, now we can see what... Hey, golly, it's a man. He's lying right plum in the middle of the trail. Oh, oh, boy. Hey, mister. Mister, can I help you? Dry gulched by ornery horse thieves. Here, take a swallow of this water. The youngster. How'd you come to locate me? I reckon I know what's up when I see buzzards circling around. The horses? Just my own horse, mister. That's all. Here. That's no use. I can't lift you up. I'm not strong enough. Gosh, what am I gonna do? Oh, be, sonny. Just leave me be. I'll get help. Don't worry, mister. Here. There's my water bottle. Easy, boy. Don't worry, mister. I'll get the Lone Ranger and Tonto. They'll know what to do. It's not far, and I'll bring them back in less than half an hour. Get up, boy. Come on, Victor. There's a spot yonder, just around the hill. You still had enough to see? Huh? You see him. Oh, Silver, hold on, Victor. Stay on your horse, Dan. Yes, sir. How is he, Tonto? Can we take care of him here? Bullet already take care of him another way, Kimo Sabe. This man, dead. Rod. Rod Sartell. Oh, just a second, Abby. I'm just finishing up washing. It sure is a fine thing when a fellow's wife won't even give him time enough to get washed up for supper. At that door, the way you can dish out the vittal is I reckon I'm the luckiest gent this side of the pearly gates. I tell you, when I smell that cooking, it's all I can do to stop to get washed up. Look at that sunset, Rod. Huh? It's right pretty, isn't it? Yep. It sure is. What's that got to do with supper? Nothing. I was just thinking. I like it here, don't you? Uh-huh. I'm mighty glad we settled near Tumbleweed. They're such nice neighbors. Yep, and I'm making a living as a horse wrangler. Oh, this here's good country for horses, Abby. Good pasture land, good wintering, and plenty of wild broncos around Lost Valley for me to corral and train for sale. Rod, I wish you wouldn't go out to Lost Valley. That's dangerous country. Oh, shucks. I'll only go there twice a year at the most, and it's worth the risk. Now, what say? Let's get that supper where it'll do the most good, huh? Or two! Hold on there! Say, looks like we got company. Isn't that the sheriff? Sure is. Oh, oh, oh, oh! Hold on there! Howdy! Howdy, gents! I don't know if we've got enough vittles to feed all of you, but we can sure make a stab at it. Come on inside. I'll tell this isn't a social call. Huh? Oh, say, what's eating at you, gents? You got faces longer than Snake River. You got any explanation? You better speak it out pronto. I don't savvy, Sheriff. Explaining about what? If my husband's done anything, I reckon there must be something mighty unimportant. Red never broke a law knowingly in all his born days. Sortell, yesterday afternoon, Matt Crowley, herd man with a crazy W, was heading for tumbleweed with a remuda of horses. Last night, an engine came into town bringing Matt's body. Huh? Matt Crowley was dry ghost, Sortell, by a murderer and a horse thief. There's nothing worse than a murdering horse thief. Oh, poor Matt. Who did it, Sheriff? You sure look innocent, Sortell. Give it to him straight, Sheriff. Reckon I will. No sense beating around the bush. Trot off that cayuse. Here, Sheriff. Sortell, this is one of the horses stole from that string. There's been an attempt made to change his color. You notice? Whoever did it didn't do such a good job. Looks like he stopped in the middle. Furthermore, the crazy W brand on this horse was changed with a running iron. It was changed to a saw T. A saw T? That's our brand. You know where we found him, Sortell? Down near the creek, tethered in a patch of mesquite on your property. Now what do you got to say? Sheriff, are you accusing me of murdering Matt Crowley and stealing the crazy W horses? Where's the rest of them? You're plum loco, Sheriff. I never stole a horse in my life. Facts are against you, Sortell. You better say adios to your wife. You're heading for the calaboose. Never mind that, Sheriff. We got a rope handy. Let's save the expense to string him up on the nearest tree right now. Wait a minute. There'll be plenty of time for that after the trial's over. Come along, Sortell. Oh, Rod. Rod. Rod. Oh, Scout. Oh, fella. Oh, fella. Well, did you have a nice ride, Dan? Oh, gosh. Gee willikins, we... Yeah. What's the matter, son? Otto, you didn't let him run into any trouble. No trouble for Dan, but he'd much trouble for horse thief. He isn't a horse thief, Toto. He doesn't look like one. Ha, ha, ha. Sometime, best-looking apple all rotten inside, Dan. Yeah, but I still... Well, Toto's right, Dan. You can't judge a man by the way he looks. You judge him by the way he acts. But honest to Pete, the man they put in jail has got a wife. And he looked... Well, he just wouldn't, that's all. They find one horse on the land. Only one, Toto? What about the rest? Not at all, just one. Did he confess? Gosh, no. He kept yelling he was innocent. You could hear him clear outside the jail. Oh, what's this man's name, Toto? His name's Rod Sautel. His wife's gone back to their cabin. She's just crying her eyes out. Toto knows where the cabin is. Oh, gosh. He just have to do something. You make it sound pretty urgent. You stay here in camp. Get to bed early. We'll be back as soon as we can. Carly, can't I go with you? Remember, Dan, you're only a youngster. Here, Silver. You're perfectly safe here, Dan. Just stay near the fire. Yeah, I will. Steady, big fella. All right, Toto, lead the way. We'll talk to Sautel. Get him up. Come. Come on. Sautel. Who's that? The window. Your mask. Keep your voice down. Do you want to get out of jail, Sautel? Do I want to get... Listen, stranger, you don't think I like it here. What concern is it of yours? I got this barred window open. You could get away. Say, hold on there. There's something wrong about this setup. Don't be a fool. Oh, no, I'm not loco. You're masked. You won't tell me who you are. Not just yet. But you're offering to help me break jail. Yeah. Why? Well, you're innocent, aren't you? Sure I am. I'm not breaking jail, mister. I'm staying right here. Oh? Yeah. Because I savvy what you're up to. It's you that stole those horses and dry gulch mat. You pretend to be helping me, but you know, blame will that if I break out of this calaboose, that'll be proof positive that I'm guilty as far as the sheriff's concerned. And he'll take after me with a posse and they won't wait for a trial this time or shoot me down like a jackrabbit. No, sir, I stay right here. Good for you. And what's more, I'm calling the sheriff. What's that you said? Good for you, Sautel. I was just testing you. If you'd been guilty, you'd have jumped at the chance for escape. What? You mean... I mean I'm with you all the way. I want to help you. Now, tell me all you know. I don't reckon there's much to tell, mister. I was framed, there's no doubt of that. But doggone if I know who did it or... Just start talking, Sautel. Talk fast. The sheriff's up front. He may hear us. There's no time to waste. Tell me what you do, where you go, everything you can think of. I tell you, though, Fletcher, I'd feel a heap more sure of my ground. We found the rest of those crazy W horses. Sautel's guilty, Sheriff. Well, all we've got is that roan horse. Well, then he got rid of the rest of them, that's all. Doggone it, it makes me a boy when I think what he did to poor Matt Crowley. You pay for it, Fletcher. Never you doubt it. I reckon I'll turn in. Sorry to chase you out, Fletcher. Oh, Sheriff, that's all right. Time I was leaving anyways. I'd sure like to serve on the jury that convict Sautel. I'd hang him high on him. And once more, Sheriff, look yonder. Hmm? Along the wall to the rear of the jailhouse. Gee, Hossifat, there's someone at the cell window. Must be a part of Sautel. Follow me and use your guns. We'll corner the varmint, whoever he is. Hold her out of my... Sheriff, he's reaching for his guns. Blast him down! 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. ...to continue our story. When the Lone Ranger went into Tumbleweed to talk through the cell window with Rod Sautel, he was seen by the sheriff who opened fire immediately. The shots brought men who piled out of the gambling hall in the Cattlemen's Hotel up the street. In a matter of seconds, the Lone Ranger was ringed by a circle of flashing guns. Only the darkness and his masterful aim kept the townsman from rushing him. Mask man! Mask man! Sautel, get back from the window. A bullet might hit you. Look out across the street! I see him! Mister, you're the best hand with a six-gun I ever saw. But it's plumb suicide to stay here. You can't hold him back forever. Yes, I know it, Sautel. Well, then Van Moose, mister. Where's your horse? That's the trouble. He's way up on the bluff. Oh, then I reckon you're licked, mister. Perhaps. At least you've given me some ideas to work on. I didn't tell you a thing that mattered. Maybe not. Surrender, we'll finish you for good. Stand back! Keep your distance! What in tarnation are we waiting for? Ten against one. I say rush him! Aye! Hey, what's that? Sounds like horses. Aye! This way! Here's Silver! Count! Here's Silver! We hear shooting! Ready, boy? Adios, Sautel. Don't worry. Ride, mister! Ride! In and out again. Caught me by surprise. I was waiting. Bullets are gone. Sautel, who was that masked army? What did he want? He came to help me, Sheriff. And I haven't any idea who he is. I'm silver! Oh, it was a heap of shooting, Trumbo. That masked hombre in the engine got cleaned away. Oh, it feels good to get those boots off. I wonder who that masked gent was. I don't know. But I reckon the Sheriff will find out, maybe. Find out who? Oh, when him and the posse take up the trail in the morning. What's that? Are they gonna trail those two? That's right. Well, I don't save him. Sheriff seemed to think it wouldn't be any use. I changed his mind, Fletcher. I told him that masked gent must be Sautel's parred. I said if the Sheriff can track him down, he'll find those missing horses. Why, that's loco, Trumbo. Well, he knows where them horses are, except... Yeah, yeah, sure it's loco. But with the Sheriff out of town, it'll be easy to bust into that jail, won't it? Hmm? Don't you get it, Fletcher? A lot of the men are just itching to string Sautel up without bothering about a trial. When the posse goes, the Sheriff won't be here to put up an argument. He'll leave a deputy, that's all. I reckon it'll be easy for us to stir up a lynch mob. When the Sheriff gets back, Sautel will be dead. Just a moment, Todd, up steady. Are you awake? Yeah, I'm awake. I heard you and Todd are right into camp. Did you have any trouble? Oh, a little, Dan. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if a posse pulled in here a little after dawn. What's that? Don't be alarmed. Todd and I left a plane trail on purpose. We want them to get here. We want them to follow us. Gosh, I don't exactly understand. Don't explain, Dan. Todd and I are riding on now, but here's something for you to give the Sheriff in the morning. After you see the Sheriff, I want you to ride to Tumbleweed and I'll just keep your eyes open. Understand? Yes, sir. Whatever you say. Careful, all right. The trail led here straight as a string. Say, mister, are you the Sheriff? Well, I'll be... You're hiding behind the trees, huh, youngster? Yes, sir. Wasn't rightly sure it was you. Son, you sound like you expected me. I did. Because I'm supposed to give you this. Hmm. Well, I'll be done... What is it, Sheriff? It's a note. A note and... and a silver bullet. Gents, follow me. We're heading for Lost Valley. Come on. None of the horses slip away, Tonto. Can't waste time roping them again. They all on string, like you say. Kimasabi, how you know we find crazy W horses in Lost Valley? Sartell say that? Well, Sartell mentioned Lost Valley, Tonto. He had no idea the horses would be here. Oh. Sartell's innocent. He had nothing to do with that murder or the theft of these horses. How you know? Last night when I talked to him, he mentioned that he went to Lost Valley once in a while to hunt wild horses. Then I suddenly remembered that we'd seen last time we passed there. Huh? Oh, now, Tom, remember. We see men brand of ten, maybe twenty horses. That long time ago. Yes, we went no closer. Apparently, those men we saw almost a year ago were the horse thieves. Oh, too bad we not know that before this, huh? We had no reason to suspect it then. It was almost a year ago. Last night, Sartell said that Lost Valley was deserted. No one ever went there. Yet we saw those men. Oh, me savvy. Horse thieves take care and nobody see them. Is that right? Yes, but we were lucky. Toto, those horse thieves have been operating for years. No one suspected it. But Kimo Sabe, why horse thieves try to make Sartell look like murder, huh? Oh, it's simple, Toto. Sartell knew horses. While most people never came near Lost Valley, Sartell made regular trips to it as part of his business. They realized that sooner or later, Sartell would stumble on the truth. So they decided to make him look like a murderer. He'd be convicted and hanged and their secret would be safe. Bad men, clever like Fox. Look up ahead, Toto. That posse. They must have the message I left with Dan. They're not reaching for their guns. He hopes so. Hello. Howdy, Mr. Howdy. Mister, I'm sure glad none of our bullets hit you last night. Why didn't you shout out you was a lone ranger? There wasn't much time for shouting, Sheriff. You were too busy shooting. Reckon that so. I see you got the missing horses. Yes, they were in Lost Valley. Ah, we find Corral hidden in cave. Yep, those are the crazy W critters right enough. Was it Sartell, mass man? Sartell? Yeah. Is that where he hid the horses? You're still on the wrong track, Sheriff. Sartell had nothing to do with it. Kept saying so and he was telling the truth. Well, then who in tarnation are the horse thieves? We found no one with the horses, Sheriff, but they gave us the answer. The horses did? Yes, that's right. Mister, I never heard of a talking horse. Horses don't talk but banding irons do. Here, take a look at this lead horse. The crazy W brand has been changed. There's a new brand in this place. Well, I'll be doggone. Do you recognize the new brand? I'll say I do. We all know it, don't we, boys? That brand belongs to the... Kimosabe, that Dan, and him ride plenty fast. Got Victor at full gallop. Something's wrong. Come on, Silver. Get him out. Let's go. Oh, Silver, back, boy. Whoa, whoa. Whoa, Victor, whoa, boy. I just came from Tumbleweed. Sartell. Sartell are getting... Daddy, Dan, take it easy. Let's have it, boy. What's going on in Tumbleweed? They're getting set to lynch rod Sartell. Quiet, everyone. You're sure, Dan? Oh, sure, shoot, and I saw him. A man named Trumbo and one named Fletcher. They worked up a lynch mob. They wouldn't dare do it. Oh, yes, they would, Sheriff. If you're out of town, they won't have much trouble getting Sartell out of jail, will they? Hannah, you're right. There's just one deputy on guard there. When I left, Mrs. Sartell was there. She was begging and pleading with him, but I don't reckon she can hold him off very long. Those no-account saddle bums are like a bunch of sheep. Yes, Sheriff. Now follow the leader like sheep. Any leader. There's only one thing to do. Be in time. Perhaps not. But Tonto and I will be there before you. Huh? Silver and Scout are faster than your horses. We'll go on ahead. Just the two of you? You're heading for trouble, mister. Chance we'll have to take. We can't let Sartell die for a crime he didn't commit. Come after us. We will as fast as we can. Good. Come on, Tonto. Hit the trail. Hit him up, Scout! Hold on, Silver! Keno, here we are. This cottonwood is just right. Give me that rope, Fletcher. Yeah, here you are, Trumbo. Noose is all ready. I'll just throw it over that branch. All right, somebody... Harvey, make that rope secure. Maybe we're being a mite hasty, Trumbo. Sure. Never mind the sheriff. This necktie party goes through. We've wasted enough time as it is. Tie that rope. Yeah, it's fine. Now, I'll just drop the noose over your head, Sartell. All set. You want me to take the gag off of him, Trumbo? No. Why listen to any last words? Leave him bound in gag. We'll just slap the horse and when the critter rides out from under Sartell, that'll be the... Hey, what the... It's the masked man, Fletcher. Slap that horse. Slap him and get in his... No, you don't. Hold, Silver. Hold, boy. Hold. Did you see that? The masked man cut the rope with one shot. Oh, Scalph. Hold. Now, listen to me, you men. Sartell is innocent. These two are the gilly ones, Fletcher and Trumbo. Why, you... Throw that light back in his teeth, Fletcher. Wait for your guns, mister. Oh! Well, I'll be doggone. Never saw such shooting in all my life. Hato, make sure no one else draws a gun. I'm going to untie Sartell's steady big fella. Me watch him plenty close. There you are, Sartell. That better? Thanks. I sure thought I was on my last trip. Mister, you with the mask. Well? We don't aim to start anything. Not against a couple of gunfighters like you and your engine part, but who are you and what's this about? The sheriff can answer all of you. Here he comes now. You'll notice he's got the stolen crazy W horses. Oh! I see you got here in time, masked man. Just in time, sheriff. Here are your prisoners, Fletcher and Trumbo. I'm turning them over to you. Thanks. I'll see they get what they deserve. Sheriff. Sheriff, what's it all about? I'll tell you what it's about, you donkey-eared, lame-brained sheep. The whole thing was a frame-up. These two coyotes right here are the real horse thieves, and the brands on these horses prove it. Just look at their faces. That'll prove it, too. Sartell's innocent. If you'd have hanged him, I'd never been able to hold my head up again or face his wife. The same goes for you gents. Lynching. You're just plumb lucky you didn't get a chance to go through with it. Sheriff. Sheriff, we're ashamed of ourselves, and we're mighty grateful you found the real varmints. I found them. You lop-eared polecats. I had nothing to do with it. I didn't solve anything. There's the gent who did all the work right over yonder. It was the Lone Ranger. You have just heard it's a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger, Incorporated. Thank you.
