feet of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-oh silver, the Lone Ranger. Faithful Indian 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. The Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, silver. There's danger on the trail ahead. I am silver. The trail between the base of a steep mountain and the quicksand was narrow. Tonto and Dan riding side by side were close together, traveling slowly. Look at Victor, Tonto. Seems to know there's quicksand right next to the trail. Ah, him no danger. He's keeping away from the edge. He's never seen quicksand, has he? I may not think so. How does he know it's dangerous? Oh, horse no many things him never taught. It's hard to understand, isn't it, Tonto? Take fire, for instance. Victor probably knows fire's dangerous, even though he's never been burned by it. That's right. Same way him know bad snake dangers. Golly, Victor's sure a smart horse. Hey, you think he knows we're gonna join the Lone Ranger in camp? Maybe him know. Now, Dan, you look. Look upside a mountain. Yeah? From here... Wait, rain up. What were you gonna say? Well, from here, you see wagon trail on top of the mountain. You see line of trees? Yeah. Trees border trail. So that's where the wagon trail runs, huh? Ah, that road to Barnesville. This trail makes shortcut. Oh. It's good trail to know. That's why me show it to you. You remember it? Yeah, sure, I remember. Might be handy to know a shortcut from Barnesville to where we... Wait, look. Hey, there's a wagon up there. Something's wrong. Wagon heavy loaded. Look at it come, Tonto. It'd be kindling wood. Tonto, if that thing had hit us, we'd have been done for. Dan, you do good job. You keep tight grip on Victor. Keep him from getting scared. Oh, sure. That was the thing to do, wasn't it? Ah. Now, watch wagon. See how quicksands suck it down. Oh, golly. But, Tonto, there weren't any horses hitched to it. That's right. That plenty strange. The wagon couldn't have started over the side of the hill by itself. If it had gone over through an accident, there'd have been horses. Dan, wait. Yeah? You see boxes on wagon? Sure. You see what boxes say? I can just about make out the writing. It says properly. Dan, get in close. Great day. Stay close to side of the hill. That shot was fired at us. That's right. Hit the rock. Someone on wagon trail. Shoot. You stay close to side of hill. Wait, Tonto, don't... Let me see who shoots. Tonto, that came closer. Well, there's some place on top. We may not see him yet. Yeah, but he can see you. He'll show himself for next shot. How to see him then. Why would only one want to shoot... Tonto! Fella, fall. Tonto, you fall in... Let me try to save him. Get him up, Scout! He's lost, Dan. Yeah. Tonto did his level best, but that would-be killer came downhill too far away. Tonto couldn't get to him in time. We pitch horses here. They're two fine horses, Tonto. Ah. At least they didn't slide down the hill into the quicksand. Tonto had me follow the trail alone, leading Scout. He went up the hill to look around and found the horses. Nothing else there, Tonto? No. No other sign. Tonto drive wagon long trails, stop near Swamp, unhitch horses. I see. Then give wagon shove. You don't know what the wagon held? Oh, yeah. Oh, you do? It held barrels and cases. They were labeled property of the United States Army. Oh, I see. They held powder and cartridges. Powder and cartridges. That sort of goods could be going to only one place. Where's that? Fort Carter. Oh. It's a few miles beyond Barnesville. Why a fellow send wagon into quicksand? That kimosabe remains to be learned. Oh. Was there any indication that more than one man was on the wagon? No. All right. Here, Silver. You saddle up? Yes. Steady there, boy. Dan, Tonto, we're going to divide forces. What can I do? Skirt south of Barnesville, Dan. Steady, Silver. South of Barnesville. Yes, sir. Now take this silver bullet. Here, catch. I have it. All right, due west. After you've crossed the bridge at Caney Creek, watch for a stockade on an unbroken plane. That's Fort Carter. Tell the guard at the gate to give this bullet to the commander. Well, do you know what the bullet means? Who sent it? Captain Martin's in command. He'll recognize the bullet. Ask him if he expected ammunition. If he did, tell him what you just told me and meet me here. Yes, sir. You make the fort before dark. Stay there tonight and I'll look for you here tomorrow night. Right. Now, on your way. Get up, Victor. Ah, what you want me to do? Wait. Let me watch Dan till he's out of sight. He's going, Kimo Sabi. Filling out. Ah. Him plenty fine boy. How did he conduct himself? Oh, him show good horsemanship. Victor ready to bolt when wagon come downhill. But Dan keep him under control. Good. Now, Tonto, Chief Thundercloud and his friendly Indians know all about things that happen around here. Ah. Him north of here. You could ride to him in a short time. And me savvy. You see, someone wanted to keep that ammunition from the army. They were ready to kill you and Dan, prevent their plan from being known. That can have just one meaning. Big things are happening. Ah. Let me go. Now. Get him up, Scout. Now, Silver. We'll see what we can learn in Barnesville. Saddy, big fella. Come on, Silver. The Lone Ranger rode toward town. He removed his mask and tucked it beneath his shirt. He drew a battered hat from a saddlebag and replaced his clean Stetson. With practice fingers, he affected a simple disguise that concealed his own clean-cut features. When he reined up before the store in Barnesville, he dismounted in the easy, careless way of a ranch hand. He sauntered toward the store, then suddenly... Captain Martin. What's Captain Martin doing here? We'll have to wait a little, stranger. I'm taking care of the captain right now. I don't mind waiting. We're all through, Jim. If that delivery hasn't come here, we'll just have to wait, that's all. Downright sorry, Captain Martin. I suppose it's real urgent, ain't it? Oh, no. It doesn't matter a bit. We have an ample supply of ammunition. I'll send word to the garrison as soon as it comes. Yes, sir, just as soon as I can. Thanks, Jim. Now, stranger, what can I do for you? Oh, here's a list of things I want. You'll get them together, I'll stop back. That's a sizable list. You got the cash to pay for them? You can take it out of this. All right. But I got to have time to sum it up. You want to wait? I'll get my change when I come back, Jim. Suit yourself. But you shouldn't be so trusting. You won't find many storekeepers as honest as I am. Oh, Captain. Yes? I'd like to speak to you. I'm in something of a hurry. My horse lost a shoe. I want to make sure the smith does a good job. I'll walk there, will you? Well, I... Come on, Silver. Follow along, boy. Wait. Yes, Captain Martin? You call that horse Silver. I sent a message to your garrison. A silver bullet. I didn't know you'd be here in town. I've never seen you unmasked. Well, there are times when I use a disguise. That's what I thought. The ammunition you're waiting for will never arrive. What? Are you sure? Yes, it's been destroyed. Exploded? Burned? No. Lost in quicksand. Oh, the fiends, the devils. They're cunning. They're treacherous. Who? Sitting crow. Not renegade. Is he nearby? Too near. He knows Barnesville is a wealthy community. He knows the people here made a lot of money in gold and spent it for jewels and liquor and silks that were brought from the east. He wants those things. Sitting crow. The half-breed Indian leader. He also knows that as long as Fort Carter stands, he can't attack the town. And he's the one who destroyed the ammunition. Must have been. He probably knew our supplies were low. Captain Martin, let me tell you just what happened. The Lone Ranger outlined briefly what had happened. Meanwhile, far out beyond the garrison, sitting crow, a half-breed, who had enlisted the aid of scores of renegade Indians, sat with his men around him in a valley. He addressed Butch Larson. You needn't be concerned, Larson. I made sure of the faction. How can you be sure that ammunition won't get to the fort? I know the man I paid to destroy it. All right for that, but what about the supplies on hand in the fort? You dead sure they ain't got much powder there? I'm sure. You better be. If we attack them troopers when they got a good supply, we'll get licked. I know what I talk about. Good enough. You know, sitting crow, the fact that your port engine makes you just the right sort for this kind of job. I know. You can get along with those savages you got lined up, and then at the same time, you can talk white man's lingo just as good as I can. We act soon. How soon? The sooner the better, that's what I say. Tonight. Tonight? Good, that's great. We must creep quietly up to the fort, get our men placed in ambush, then open fire. The plan is to draw as much fire from the troopers as we can. Make them spend their shots. I get it. And when they're out of ammunition, we can storm the place. I'll get the redskins ready right away. As soon as it gets dark, we move. When Dan learned that the commander, Captain Martin, was not in the garrison, he at first thought he'd start back at once to meet the Lone Ranger. Then he realized that the masked man wouldn't look for him until the following night. I might not even be in the camp. That's right, youngster. So you might just as well stay here till daybreak. I'll show you around the place. We have some mighty fine horses here. I should say you have. I saw some of them. I'll show you all of them. You know, Dan, I was just a little older than you when I joined the troopers. You were? Hey, you think I'm old enough to join? You're about 16? I'm 14. No. Is that so? You're big for your age. Here are the gates. These swing wide open when we have wagons or a lot of horses to move in or out, see? Yeah. There's a little door here for a man to use. Needs a little grease. Yeah. Dan. It's all right, guard. The order of Captain Martin, no one is to enter or leave. That's right. And between the two of us, kid, I don't like the things that darkness is concealing. What do you mean? Generally, the frogs and crickets over yonder make a lot of rumpus at this time of evening. Tonight, they've been silent. That means someone's near them. You know things, huh? You better keep a sharp watch, then. Kit! Arrow! Got me. Don't jerk it out. It might be barbed. Leave it there. Just shoulder inside. Hurry. Up under the guard! Kit, let me help you. Here, lean on me. I'm all right. We'll let the surgeon take it out. Here, I'll slap it off like this. Tonto showed me. Dan, you're all right. It's a doggone shame you had to be caught here. Because now, Dan, we're in for it. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger story. Before we continue with the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Darkness hid the outlaw Indians who surrounded the stockade at Fort Carter. In one of the barracks, Dan Reed sat beside his newly made friend, Kit, while spasmodic gunfire sounded outside. Don't be concerned about me, Dan. The cell phone has fixed the arrow wound up first rate. How long do you think those redskins will stay on the job? Hard to tell. If we had powder and cartridges, we'd doggone soon get rid of them, but we haven't. Oh, golly. There's some on the way, but no telling how long it'll be before it gets here. Kit, I'm afraid it won't get here at all. That's the reason the Lone Ranger sent me. Lone Ranger? Great Scott. You know him? He's my best friend. He sent me to tell Captain Martin about the ammunition being lost in quicksand. That accounts for it. For what? The redskins. I wondered if they'd come. Somehow they learned that we were low on ammunition. Is that why the cannon isn't being fired? Sure. There's enough powder to fire the cannon a half a dozen times, but that's all. I suppose the lieutenant will save it till the final rush of the redskins. No use throwing it away while they're scattered and in hiding like they are now. What Indians are they, Kit? Renegades. A breed by the name of Sittin' Crow whipped them in line. He wants to raid Barnesville, but he knows he don't dare while this garrison stands. He's got to wipe us out first. Well, he won't do it. I don't know. He's crafty. He'll deploy his men to draw our fire until we're out of ammunition. Then he'll storm us. Yeah, but the Lone Ranger can help. Dan, did you give me the true facts about being sent here by the Lone Ranger? Oh, of course I did. And if Captain Martin went to Barnesville, the chances are the Lone Ranger will see him there. I don't know. You don't know what? What even the Lone Ranger can do. Is there any ammunition in Barnesville? No. No place nearby where there is. Kit, where is it? Oh, there you are, Reed. Yes, sir. The lieutenant sent me. Yeah? You'll not be able to leave in the morning as you plan. Oh, but I got... We're surrounded by the redskins. It'd be death to try and leave here. But I've got to go. I'm going to meet my friend tomorrow night. Sorry. Those are orders. Yes, sir. No choice, Dan. Orders are orders. Where do things stand, Milt? Pretty bad. How long will the ammunition last? Not more than 24 hours at the present rate of fire. Orders are to fire only when a redskin is clearly seen. But they're tricky. I know they are. They're setting up dummies to draw our fire. They know about our lack of powder. If they didn't, they'd sure have suspected from the way we're firing and the fact that we're not using our cannon. Well, if I could only get word to the Lone Ranger. If only he knew about this. Hey, maybe Victor could get me through the redskins in the darkness, huh? No chance, Reed. Sorry. Well, maybe I could fasten a note to Victor's saddle. He'd race straight to Silver if I told him to. Forget it, Dan. But maybe the lieutenant would let Victor out. He didn't say anything about a horse leaving. Dan, here's what had happened. They'd kill your horse and get your note. Oh. Then they'd get not only us, but the Lone Ranger as well. You want to risk that? Golly, Kit. Kit, the Lone Ranger's just got to know about this. Unless he could make powder and bullets out of thin air, there'd be nothing he could do. Yeah, but Kit, you don't know the Lone Ranger. Braid and his companion crouched away from the gunfire, watching the occasional burst of rifle flame from the stockade. Larson, there's the answer. Sure it is, Sitting Crow. Those troopers would be blazing away like gold. Get out if they had the cartridges to spare. And if they had potter to spare, they'd use their cannon, huh? Right. It's just a matter of time, that's all. With daybreak, we make use of several schemes to draw their fire. Wait. What is it? You hear anything? A couple of horses coming this way. Come on. We'll sneak over to the bridge. Maybe troopers returning from town. If they are, we can drop. But my place is with my men. Captain, Dan Reed is in that fort. My friend, a boy of just 14. And I'm responsible for him. He's there because I sent him there. Yes? He's sharing the danger with your men. My own inclination is to try and reach his side, just as you want to join your men. But I feel the greatest chance for his rescue lies in joining Tonto and Chief Thundercloud. You're not a soldier. There are times when duty must be served, even though it means death. The garrison may fall if you don't do as I say. It doesn't alter things. I must try to reach the garrison. Come on, boy. Get up. Captain, that rock. Silver. They got him. He's fallen. Come on, boy. He's alive, Silver. We'll get him. Oh, steady, boy. Back. Oh. We'll make it, Martin. Up you come. You'll count your shots when your guns are empty. At that time, we'll be out of here. And we'll come back. Come on, big fellow. I'll be there. Oh. Riding like the wind, the Lone Ranger held the wounded captain with one hand while he guided Silver with the other. In the shelter of a small camp near Barnesville, he reined up. Ho, Silver. Ho, fellow. Ho, ho. Oh, me glad to see you. Toto, you're back sooner than I thought. What happened? They'll lift the fire and examine the captain's wound. Trouble has already started at the garrison. Oh. Here, ease him to the ground. Me take him now. It isn't bad. There. Me take a look at him, big fellow. I'll get some water. What about Thundercloud? Me see him. The troopers need help, Toto. You'll have to go back and tell Thundercloud. Ask him to send his braves to help fight the renegades. Thundercloud in Valley alone. All in other Indian gone. Gone? Ah. Few squaw and papoose in village. All brave, all hunter. Gone on big buffalo hunt. Not come back for many days. Then they'll be too late. I guess there's not much use fixing my wound. Let me fix it now. Keep me alive. The only survivor, because I wasn't with my men. I don't want to live. You've got to live, man. You will live. That wound isn't serious. Live for what? Captain, how long can your men hold out with the ammunition they now have? One attack, that's all. If the Indians attack, it'll be the end. They will attack. They will, unless your men have ammunition. Which they haven't. There's no place to find it. Kimasabi, I'll be back. Where are you going? I'll be back before daybreak. And, Captain, I'll need you. What a... You lie back. Me fix. Steady, big fella. Come on, Silver. Daybreak found the troopers inside the garrison, hollow-eyed and tired, after a night of constant readiness for the attack they knew would come. How much ammunition's left? Mighty little. Enough to give the skunks a few good volleys if they try to storm the fort. A few good volleys. Then it's hand to hand. That won't last long. We're way outnumbered. Kit, you man this cannon. There's powder for four shots. That's all. I'll handle it. Let me help, Kit. It's better than just sitting and waiting. Yeah, might as well. If you're knocked down by a bullet, Dan, you'll be better off than the men that survive for hand-to-hand fighting. What about the other guns? Each of the cannon has a share of the powder. When they've been fired a few times, we're at the mercy of the Redskins. Sitting Crow, in the hour just before dawn, had been gathering his men on a tightly packed mass, ready for the final instructions before the attack. He turned to Larson. Wait a few minutes more and fire the signal. Why do you wait, Sitting Crow? Until the sun is over the horizon. Then it will be in the trooper's eyes. You don't miss a trick. The snakes will probably come from out of the sun. We can look for an attack from the east. I reckon the lieutenant figured the same. He's got most of the cannon pointed that way. Guards, keep sharp watch from now on. Fire only when you see the target. Make every shot count. If we only had a good supply of cartridges. If we only had plenty of powder, these old cannon would tell those Redskins where to go. You wait, Kit. The Lone Ranger will do something. You can't make powder out of thin air. Silence fell as the sun rose in the eastern sky. There was silence that seemed grim. Impending doom hung like a shroud over the handful of brave men on the stockade. Sitting Crow and Larson had leers of anticipation on their evil faces as they saw the horde of savages beside fast ponies ready for the charge. Ah, you men. Hold that battering ram. You've been taught to use it. You men keep close to replace any that fall. Smash the stockade and get aside so the others can go through. Those troopers still have some ammunition sitting Crow. They'll use it fast when we attack him. Ready. We move in three minutes. Of course, Kit. Here's your son. Right. I suppose they'll storm the gate, huh? Probably all three of them. Some of the men heard them cutting trees in the night. That means battering rams. If only the Lone Ranger knew. The tension increasing as each moment passed, the troopers waited. Determined to give up their lives only after bitter fighting. And then, from far off, the sound of a ringing cry floated on the air. Dan, I heard something. Chip, I heard it too. I thought it was my imagination. Reed, I heard a shout. It's the Lone Ranger. No one else would call out that way. Let me look. Kit, look to the creek, the bridge. There he is on a wagon with tonneau. The captain is with them. They've barricaded themselves with barrels and boxes. They're coming here. Stand ready to throw open the gate. The wagon, drawn by the mighty scout and mightier silver, crossed the bridge as gunfire broke out of the ranks of the savages. The bullets spat against heavy cases and barrels on the wagon, without harm to the three men who rode. A cry of surprise broke from the lieutenant in the fort. Those are ammunition cases. I'm not a barrel. I knew we'd do it, Kit. Kit, I knew the Lone Ranger would come. Hold those gates wide open. Hold that hole. Hold that hole. Here's your command. Let him have it. Fire at will. Yippee. Dan, Dan, cut off that cannon. Fire off. Those rifles talk faster. The heavy and accurate gunfire pouring from the fort, the leaders of the savages knew there was no hope. Right away. Get out of here. I got the ammunition. I thought you'd prevent it. Something slipped up. Right. I cut this down too fast. Get up there. Come on, Dan. Cease firing. They're out of range now. Did you see them skedaddle, sir, when they realized we had plenty of powder and ammunition? Maybe we'd better break up those cases. We've spent all the stock we had on hand. Oh, golly, Kit, that cannon... Dan, out up. Otto, you and I are going to tell Chief Thundercloud what happened. Yes, sir. Captain Martin, what about the cases? Should we unload? No, Lieutenant. But give Tonto a hand in unhinging his horse. Detail the squad to return the wagon to the store in Barnesville. Yes, sir. It was a Lone Ranger's idea, and it worked. In a few days, we'll have Chief Thundercloud's men to help us round up those crooks that survived. Now they've committed a crime against the government. We can attack. Yes, sir. But the ammunition? Cases are filled with dirt and stones. No ammunition? None. But Sitting Crow thought there was. That's all that was necessary. Great guns. Out of Tonto. Ah. If they'd attacked instead of retreating, they'd have had us. Soldiers would have attacked. But those cowardly crooks are not soldiers. The Lone Ranger had them figured right. Men, I want to publicly acknowledge our deepest gratitude to the Lone Ranger. I'll sell them! Turd is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.
