A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-o-silver, the Lone Ranger. Faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains, led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. 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. I'll do this. Let's go, big fellow. I'll do this. Jim Paul, in charge of laying the Union Pacific Railroad tracks into the west, had aged perceptibly in a few weeks. His troubles had begun with an Indian attack on a grading train near Cheyenne, and after that the obstacles were multiplied. Time after time, bands of Indians swept down to attack the railroad workers, tear up the track, burn buildings, kill stock, and tear down telegraph wires. Despite all this, Paul and his track-laying gangs fought valiantly to maintain the schedule. They met each attack with matter-of-fact courage, and when it was repulsed, put down their rifles and picked up their tools. It wasn't savage Indians that worried Paul. It was a far more sinister danger, a menace that worked secretly to plot against the railroad's progress. If I could only put my finger on it. I know how you feel, Jim. It's hard to fight something you can't see. It was a caboose bounce, a train composed only of an engine and a caboose that moved westward on new rails. One man rode with Jim Paul. He sat near the pot-bellied stove in the caboose. His face was disguised, and his clothing was that of a trainman. There was nothing about him to indicate that he was the Lone Ranger. Do you know anything about this plot that you haven't told me? Well, I know that powerful interests are opposed to the railroad. It could be politicians and more, she didn't. Oh, it could be, yes. It might also be an organization of cattlemen who don't want civilization to break up the open range. There must be a lot of money in back of the outage. I'm sure there is. You talked to a couple of men while you were in Julesburg. I talked to a very good friend of mine there. A man who knows this part of the country as well as anyone. Do I know him? No, I don't think so. His name is Enwall. Charles Enwall. Did you learn anything from him? I wish you hadn't asked me that. Why? I don't want to alarm you, Jim. A warning may mean nothing. What warning? A man named Fabian went through Julesburg the other day. He was way to the end of track. He flashed a big roll of money. Who's Fabian? He's a confidence man and a schemer. We've had a lot of that kind. Hangers on who move with the end of track community and try to take the pay away from the railroad crews. They don't wear me. My boys can take care of themselves. Very well. But wait. There's something else about Fabian. What is it? Let's wait and see how things work out. Tell me. I must know. Fabian asked questions about you. What kind of questions? He wanted to know if you had a family with you. The end of track. Just my daughter and, of course, old Gabby Norton. I consider him a member of the family. Oh, I'm not concerned with Gabby Norton. It's Mary. Mary. You think this man, Fabian, will try to hit me through my daughter? Worrying about it won't help, Jim. There's nothing we can do before we reach the end of track. I don't see how crooks can do anything now. Well, General Stevenson has detailed soldiers to help protect our work. Yes, I know. Mr. Sam, I want to get there as fast as possible. I'm going to speak to the engineer. That high wheeler can get more speed out of this old coffee pot. I wish we had a glory hunter like Gallagher at the throttle. The buildings at the end of track were, for the most part, light in weight, so they could be periodically loaded onto flat cars and moved westward as the track advanced. There were houses, shops, and cafes. It was in one of the cafes that the man named Fabian sought out Slim Northcott at a corner table. Mind if I'll sit down? Great, Scott. It's you, Fabian. Right. Sit down, sit down. When did you get here? This morning. Did you hear what happened to Greg? Yes. News travels fast along the railroad. Telegraph's a wonderful thing. Greg owed me money, too. I understand he'd been captured before he was killed. Yeah. They had him tied up in the caboose during the Indian attack. Stray bullet got him. Hmm. Does anyone suspect that you were working with Greg? No. In that case, you can work with me. So far, it's been pretty unlucky for the ones that oppose the railroad. I know. And I can tell you why. You can? Yeah. Why? You may not believe this, but it's true. I know it's true. I got it straight. There's a critter that's working with Powell. He's called the Lone Ranger. Lone Ranger. I don't see nothing to laugh about. Lone Ranger. I've heard a lot of stories about him. He's overrated. He is, huh? Far overrated. And even if he weren't, he could do little against the plan I have in mind. What's your plan? Have you noticed this community? Noticed that? What do you mean? The community at the end of track. The buildings and tents and everything that's in them. Chairs, tables, bar and liquor in this cafe. The barbershop across the street and everything in there. In the restaurant next door. Store with its stock of clothing, smokes, blankets, everything. What about it? It would take a great many trips on tracks that are already taxed to capacity to replace everything that's here. In fact, I doubt if the settlement could be replaced without a great deal of trouble and delay. Get to the point, Fabian. What are you driving at? The destruction of this community. Huh? Complete and total destruction by fire. Why, you could never get away with it. No. Haven't you noticed all the soldiers around town? You can thank that Lone Ranger for him. It's through him they were brought here. There could be twice as many soldiers. That wouldn't interfere with my plans. He will count me out. I don't care what I do as long as the cash is good and the risk isn't too great. There's very little risk in my plan. As near as I can see it's suicide. I'm not setting fire to any town. No, sir. Not with the Lone Ranger and the United States Army around. The Indians are going to start the fire. Red Eagle and the Cheyennes? Not a chance, Fabian. They've been mighty subdued since the Army drove them off and Greg got killed. They'll not be subdued when we finish with them. Now listen, Slim. I'll outline my scheme and you can decide whether or not there's too much danger for you. Jim Powell has a daughter. Yeah. Name's Mary. What about her? They have a house here, haven't they? They've got a house and a caretaker by the name of Gabby Norton. Gabby watches over that girl like a brood hen over chicks. Only time Gabby's not around is when Mary's with her sweetheart, Bill McGuire. Now, Fabian, go on. Tell me the rest. Are you through thinking of obstacles? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I'm ready to listen to you. There we are. And here's what we're going to do. Slim Northcott listened attentively to their plans as Fabian outlined them. Then nodded slowly as Fabian pointed out two men who sat at a table across the room. Men who had already been lined up to help. It was about a half an hour later when Northcott rapped on the door of Powell's house. Come in. Come in. Make yourself talk. Oh. Looks like I'm not the one you're expecting. Well, being as it's time for Noonday Chuck, I figured Bill McGuire'd be coming around. Maybe he will. Can't tell. But what's on your mind, stranger? You didn't rap on the door to hear about Bill McGuire. You must be Gabby Norton. That I am. Yes, sir. Norton's my own name and Gabby's the one I earned. But I don't run off at the mouth like I used to. I, uh, I hope Miss Powell's here. Oh, you do, do you? Well, now look here, stranger. If you've got any ideas about Spock and Mary Powell, you just gotta... I've got a message from her father. You don't say. What is it, Gabby? Oh, how do you do? You Miss Powell? Yes. I was just telling Norton I have a message from your father. Oh. Has anything happened? Is there something wrong? Where is he? Here's the message. Let me read it first. I'll take it, Gabby. He wants you and Norton to meet him. At Windy Gulch. Windy Gulch? What in tarnation's he doing there? That's pretty far south of the tracks. He sure is. According to this message, we're to go with you. Yes, ma'am. I got some horses saddled and ready. You better start right away. My dad ratted. I was fixing dinner. It's most all cooked and ready to set out on the table. I'm sorry. There won't be any time for that. Oh, dad ratted all. Dad sent for us, Gabby. We better go. Yes, I reckon so. I'll just set the vittles off the fire. I'll be ready in just a moment. I'll be waiting with the horses. How long is it going to take us to get to Windy Gulch? A couple of hours to do it. I don't know why in tarnation Paul wants me to go along. Fact is, I don't know why he wants either of us. It's downright mysterious, that's what it is. Let me look at that note again. You don't need to look at that note. Now get aboard those horses and let's get traveling. Mister, don't you rush me. I want to see that note. Come on up. Oh, God. Hey, see here, mister. Do what you're told. It goes for you, too, Mary. Get aboard that horse. I don't think I can. Do as you're told or I'll put a bullet right through this old man. No, no. Don't shoot me. Wait. Wait, don't shoot. And do as I say. Now I know there's something wrong. Powell didn't send that note to tell me. Now listen, you. All right, all right. I'm getting aboard. Don't wave that gun so handy. Well, I'm in the saddle. Now what do we do? I said we was going to Windy Gulch in a minute. Now get going. Get up, boys. Get up. Get up. Soon after Mary and old Gabby rode south from the town, the man called Fabian approached the house. Two men were at his heels. Boys, you know exactly what you're to do. I gave you your instructions. Yeah, we know. We're going to make this place look like Indians have been here. Better close the door. Right. Now then. Just a minute. I wonder where they keep the flower. Oh, it looks like a flower sack in that ledge. We'll soon know. Flower? Yeah. I'll stand here holding it. Just the girl might have been. Let's see. She was startled by seeing a couple of Indians at the door. She dropped the sack like this. Hey, look at it. It spilled all over the floor. You two will leave a lot of footprints of those moccasins you're wearing. I'll leave this Indian feather on the floor. There was further evidence that Indians came here. Oh, pretty slick, Fabian. Pretty slick of you. Next, we want to make this room look like there's been a struggle. I'll spill this table and the dishes that are on it. Hurry up, boys. Smash things up. This place has got to look like Gabby and the girl put up a fight to avoid capture by the Indians. There's just one trouble, Fabian. They say that Slim Northcott... Don't worry. They won't get a chance to tell anything. Now go on. Smash things up. Right. Take it over. Smash it. 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. The short train of engine and caboose came to a halt. The Lone Ranger still wearing his disguise as a railroad man. And Jim Paul stepped from the car to see all work stopped. The workmen clutched rifles instead of tools. Bill McGuire, the foreman, hurried toward Paul, his tan face flushed with anger. Bill. Bill, what is it? What's the matter? You're just in time, boss. We've got to get horses for all the men. We've got to get Stevenson and the troopers and head north for the Indians. Why? Why? They'll tell you why. All right. They sneaked into town and captured Mary. Captured Mary? Yeah. I went to the house for dinner just like we planned. You should see the place, boss. It looked like a cyclone had struck me. I'm going to see you, Frank. No, I'll go with you, boss. You boys go get horses and be ready to ride. I'll be with you in a few minutes. Oh, McGuire. How do you know it was Indians who came to the house? Here. This feather, this is one reason. Let me see it. That's an eagle feather, all right. And that's not all. A sack of flour was spilled on the floor. There's moccasin' footprints all over it. I hope you didn't walk in and disturb the evidence. I didn't need it. You can see everything from the doorway. Mister, you said something about a man named Fabian. Yes. He made inquiries about you. I think he's the one in back of this. Fabian? I don't think the Indians had anything to do with it. Well, I think they did. You'd better wait, Bill. See what this man has to say. I have a friend named Toto. I know. I know all about him. What of it? He's still with Red Eagle's people. Yes. Hasn't Red Eagle learned that Toto's on our side? No. If Red Eagle had sent men to capture Mary, Toto would have given warning. Furthermore, Red Eagle knows better than to send any Indians into town. Red Eagle hates every one of us after that last skirmish. That may be true. But he won't come here while the soldiers are around. Mr. Powell, I'll go ahead with the train boys. You see the general and have him follow the troopers. We'll show that Red Eagle a thing or two. Let's examine the house first. Here's the house. Good. The door's wide open. Just so I'll lift it. Look inside. You can see the flowers spill all over the floor and marks in footprints. I'll wait here at the door. Don't add any more footprints to those already there. Gabby Norton's gone, too. Was he with Mary? Yeah. Look how the place is wrecked. There must have been an awful struggle. I doubt it. You can doubt it all you want. I don't. Mary was captured by Indians. The feather in those marks and prints prove it. Just a minute, Bill. Just a minute. Nothing. I'm getting a horse and we're going gunning for Redskins. But wait. Look at the footprints again. Those footprints prove that this is a frame of it. You can save that for someone else. I'm on my way. Wait a minute, Bill. Wait a minute. Listen to me. Let go of my arm. Let go of you here. My girl's been carried off by Indians. But she hasn't. It's not Indians. The last time. I'm telling you. Let me go. Bill, why don't you listen? This man... I don't care who this man is. I'm not trusting anyone. Now let me go. Why, McGuire? I hate to knock him out, but he's all wrong. You saw that room, Jim. Yes, but... There was supposed to have been a terrific struggle. If that was true, there would be footprints of Mary's shoes, as well as those of the moccasins. That's so. We go riding after Red Eagle's people. We'll do exactly what the plotters warned us to do. That's why I had to stop McGuire. But Mary, where is she? What's happened to her, Norton? That's what we've got to find out. I think... Oh, look, Jim. Here comes Tonto. Sure enough. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Be glad you're here. Tonto, have you come for Red Eagle? That right. Jim planned to make attack on town. Attack the town? He wouldn't dare. White man come. Make powwow. Red Eagle, listen. Who is it? Me not know. What did they talk about, Tonto? White man say everyone leave town. Look for Red Eagle Indians in Valley to North. We would have left town if you hadn't stopped us. Go on, Tonto. Red Eagle, tell all Indians, spread out, circle through hills, close in on town when no one here. Oh, McGuire's coming too. Yes. Now, perhaps you'll listen to us. You can tell him what you've just learned, Jim. But you... Your daughter must be found. Tonto, we think Mary and Gabby Norton have been captured and taken from the house. Tell you the footprints in the house. Oh, Miss Ivy. While you're doing that, I'll get silver and gather this disguise. Bill, wake up. Listen to me. Oh. Oh. What hit me? I did, Bill. I had to do it. Now, get to your feet and listen to what Jim has to tell you. You needn't go out after Red Eagle. He's coming here to you. The Lone Ranger went on foot to his well-concealed camp at the edge of town. Working quickly, he removed the disguise from his face and threw off the clothing of a railroad man. He stuffed this into a saddlebag, then hurriedly got into his own clothes, fixed his mask across his eyes, and buckled on his gun belt. Then he saddled the great horse, Silver. Now we're ready, Silver. Well, Tonto's found a trail. Send you, big fella. One, Silver. Oh, Silver. Oh, my. Oh. Give us, Abby. Yes. Look here. Tonto found plenty of tracks. Here's your big fella. What have you found, Tonto? Plenty of tracks here in back of Fowl House. Hoof marks. That right. How many horses? Me see five. They've got my daughter. They've got it. Take it easy, Jim. All the horses are shod. That right. And we may be sure that Indians had nothing to do with this in spite of the moccasin' footprints. Feller who wear moccasin' come here from house. Yes, so I see. Over here, tracks made by girl. Not up. We're going to follow this trail. I'm going with you. I've got my horse already. Very well. Easy, big fella. Get him out, Scout. In the meantime, Bill McGuire and Jim Paul had discussed plans. Then they had talked to General Stevenson in charge of the soldiers in the town. While Paul set out with the Lone Ranger and Tonto, the foreman rejoined the railroad workers who were ready with horses and weapons. All right, quiet down, boys. Quiet down and listen to me. The plans have been changed. I've already talked to General Stevenson. He says we can take Tonto's word for what's to happen. We're going to do the same as the soldiers. We're going to start north, but instead of going after the Indians, we're going to spread out and drift back here. We're going to give those redskins the biggest surprise they ever had. What about Mary Powell? Don't the redskins have her? No. She's been captured by white men. How about going after them? No, our job is to defend the town. Mary's trail is being followed by the Lone Ranger. Following the trail left by Slim Northcott and the two who had helped him capture Mary and Gabby Norton was at first quite easy. The Lone Ranger made good time as he traveled south with Tonto and Jim Powell following. Then the ground became more broken, and there were places where hard rock made it almost impossible to follow the tracks. But the three pushed on in the general direction of Windy Gulch. Slim Northcott had told the truth about one thing. He had taken Mary and old Gabby to Windy Gulch. See that they're well-tied, boys. Get ropes around their feet as well as their hands. Whatever you say, Slim. Dad, Rad, there's no point in tying our feet. We couldn't travel anywhere without a horse. Shut up, Norton. You might as well kill us now and be done with it. Mary, I don't want to kill you. Slim Northcott, you can't do anything else, and you know it. If I get free to tell my father about this trick, he'll kill you. And if he doesn't, Bill McGuire will. And if he don't, by Juniper, I will. With all the honorary downright snakes, you're the lowest. What do you expect to gain by this? That's my affair. You can't keep us here indefinitely. I won't have to keep you long. Before sundown, the whole community at the end of track will be in flames. Carter, I don't believe it. You don't have to believe it. This plan's worked out mighty careful. Everyone in town is going to be out hunting the Indians for capturing you and Gabby. And while they're out, the Indians will come into town. Now, how do you say we are playing? There's no use struggling. You can't get out of those ropes. I reckon that'll hold her feet. How are you coming? I got the old man tied. We'll leave him right here, boys. Leave him here? Yeah. Go back to town and see how things work out. If there's a slip-up somewhere and Fabian and we get captured, we can let Powell know that these two will starve to death. If anything happens to us. Hold them as hostage, huh? Yeah. Good idea. Now, get your horses. We'll go back and see if there's any town left at the end of track. Right. There we are. What? Look, there. The masked man. Got him. Take him, fellow. This is a showdown. We'll teach you. Take that. Now, wait. Wait a minute. For what? Oh, hit him again. All right. Oh, wait. He's going to knock it right off his feet. Don't hit me. Don't hit me. Why not? Wait. Let me fix him. No, no. Take it. They've done it. Jumping juniper. They've done it. Look at them, Mary. All three of them stretched out as cold as mackerel. Mary. Mary, are you all right? I will be as soon as you cut these roofs. Here's a lie. Let me loose. Let me loose. So as I can fight if one of them polecats comes to. Let me fix. Dad. Yeah. Dad, they're going to burn the town. Northcott told me about the plot. We know about it, honey. Bill McGuire's handling things in town. Don't you worry. He will handle them. In town, the Indians were taken completely by surprise. They had crept in to find the community practically deserted, then had spread out to apply torches to the flimsy buildings, but that was as far as they had gone. At a signal, railroad men and soldiers opened fire from strategic points of ambush. Red Eagle and his savages found themselves surrounded. There was no escape. The defenders closed in and used their guns as clubs. The fighting was hand to hand, but the battle was short. Foolish! Foolish! Red Eagle shrilled a cry to his men. They threw down their tomahawks and knives and held out their hands in a gesture of surrender. That does it, boys! That does it! Ah, we licked them! We beat them to a very well! Now, Red Eagle, you and your men have made trouble for us for the last time. We're going to have an understatement. Me double-crossed. Yeah? I suppose that's how it seems to you. There, fella! Huh? Let me get him! Wait! Let me show you! You trick, Red Eagle! Give me a hand, boys! Cut me a hole, this red skin! Get back there, Red Eagle! Get back! Now, stand still or we'll drill you. La Majo! La Majo! You, Fabian, stand still! So you're the critter that went to Red Eagle with a plan to wipe out the town. Wait! Listen! Let me explain. That ending's all wrong. He's got me mixed up! That funny hands! Mr. Powell! I just got here. What about Mary? Where's Mary? She's over yonder with Gabby and some of the men. They're guarding the critters that took him away. Northcott talked! He named Fabian as the one who planned the whole idea of burning the town. That dirty double-crossing coyote! With both Northcott and Red Eagle naming you, Fabian, it looks like we got a plenty of... Boys! We're gonna have a packed jail. And by thunder, I'll bet all the tea in China, one of the prisoners will tell who's back of this plan to wreck our railroad. We'll find a way to make him talk, boss. If we don't find a way, we've got a friend who will. We got the Lone Ranger. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated. The Lone Ranger The Lone Ranger
