Beat of light, a twall of dust, and a hearty high old silver! The Lone Ranger! Nowhere in the pages of history can one find the 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! The most famous sportsman of his time. Young as he was, he had hunted big game in many lands. He had climbed mountain peaks on which no other man had ever set foot. The sable of fast horses which he maintained at his eastern home was beyond compare. But young Collingwood's great ambition had not been satisfied. He wanted to capture a fleet white stallion, which was reported to roll the plains, outrunning all pursuers and evading all traps. It was of this so-called phantom steed that he talked as he rode across the vast cross-hole spread in Texas. Accompanied by Dave Hilton, the ranch owner, and Hilton's daughter, Laura. Uh, Collingwood was saying, I'm sure there is or was such a horse. There's a basis of truth in all legends. Well, maybe so, Clint. You see, there's always fire with a smoke. But I'll bet my bottom dollar you'll never find your goose horse. Dave, the wild horse hunters I've hired to look for him say that he's wintering around Mesa Grandy. They're just stringing you. They want to keep their job. But Dave, you can't be sure of that. Washington Irving and Herman Melville believed there was a phantom steed and wrote about him. Yeah? Who are those fellas, Laura? Two great authors whose works I read in school back east. Ah, those right. And hunters are like professional horse hunters. They'll tell anything for money. What about the Mexicans and Indians around here? They believe in the horse. The vaqueros call him son of the wind. The Apache name for him is Thunderhoof. They're just plain superstition. Just the same, I'm going to find out what's behind so many stories. Well, that's your right, Clint. I'll help you all a chance, seeing as how you're going to be my son-in-law. But I sure hate to see you spending so much money and getting nothing back for the horse, Laura. You're a practical man, Dave. I suppose you think I've got too much imagination. Nope, nope. That's why I like you. So do I. Now, I've got a green team. It's about starting a big horse ranch. The country needs better saddle stock. And the days are coming when they'll need draft horses even worse. Yes, I can see that. Now, why don't you put some of your money to work building up the west? You could be raising the flesh and blood horses we need instead of chasing a ghost horse. Hey, we could be partners. The horse ranch of Hilton and Collingwood has now been found headed. Do you mean that, dear? Of course I do. But I don't like to give up hunting Thunderhoof just yet. Yes, I say be, son. A fellow's dreams die hard. Dave, you're a sympathetic man. He's a deer. Yes. Yes. Where in carnation do you figure to find those wild horse hunters of yours, huh? They had a camp in the cedar breaks along the Rio Rojo when I visited them before. Well, here's the river. Here's the brakes you're up, Steve. Get up. Come on, guys. As Clint Collingwood and his companions turned their horses upriver, a dozen hard-bitten men whom he had employed on their own word that they were professional wild horse hunters rose from a scanty meal at a camp in the cedar thicket. Two of them climbed into a chuck wagon which stood nearby ready to roll. Tex Harper, the leader of the opposite, called to them. Rusty, you and Hank had better cut straight across the range to the Crosso headquarters. I want some chuck back here by supper time. Right, boss. Tell Collingwood we want plenty of bacon and coffee. We're working for all we can get. Get up there. Come on. Here, Tex. That Collingwood fellow must be local. Hiring at horse thieves as mustangers and sending us to hunting a horse that don't exist. Well, but you better not talk out a turn when he's around. We've got to keep him thinking we're honest horse hunters and that there is such a critter as Thunderhoof. We need this job to hide behind him. Well, that's so. We're wanted. Wanted plenty bad for raiding that herd of army remounts. Sure was the wrong play for us. But it looks so easy. The army hasn't put the U.S. brand on those horses yet. Only a few soldiers on guard. Yeah, but we had to plug some of them. Now the whole army's after us. Yeah, that's not all. In order to get away, we had to turn loose every horse except that white stallion. Tex, we'd better get rid of him, too. Oh, there's a lot of white horses. He can't be traced. And how come you keep him hidden all the time? I don't want Collingwood to see him around camp. You know, as dumb as that Easterner is, he's bound to start wondering pretty soon why it's always us who see the ghost horse and never him. So what? Well, if he shows signs of giving up the hunt and firing us, we'll let him have a look at the army horse from way off. Anything that's white or looks like Thunderhoof to him. There's somebody's coming. Yeah, it's the Easterner. He's got the cross old boss and his gal with him. Howdy, folks. Hello, Tex. I promised to help him and his daughter along to see how things are going. I just sent Rusty and Hank to the ranch to see you. We're out of provision. We didn't meet them, but they won't have any trouble getting supplies at the ranch commentary. Did anyone see Thunderhoof today? No, ma'am. We've been busy building a horse trap down the river. I'm going to take a look around, so I'll be a guest. What's the high places, Laura? That's where Mustangs go to look for the area. Tex, I've been wondering why Thunderhoof is never seen in the company of other Mustangs. Well, sir, I reckon he's kind of a lone wolf. But we'll get him. You'll give us time enough. How big do you think he is? Oh, he's a good 17 hands high. And silver white. Nick! Dan! What? I see a big money horse. Get out of your glass. Where is he? I'm across the big mason there across the river. Yeah, but she... By thunder, she does see a horse. But he's no Mustang. He's got a saddle on. There's a man on the other side of him. Now he's stepping around in front. He's wearing a mask. A metal hood. Whoever he is, he has the finest horse I've ever seen. I wouldn't believe there was such a horse if I wasn't looking at him. Tex, take a look. I got my glasses on him. That must be Thunderhoof. He looks just like I always pictured him. Then why hasn't he been seen with a rider before? Well, that's easy to answer. Masked out who'd like him would ride at night, mostly. Let his horse graze in the daytime. There's another rider up there now. An Indian. I see him, but it's that white battalion I'm interested in. I'd give $10,000 for him. $10,000? Well, then, now the boys will get him for you. Hold on. I'm not hiring you to steal him. What is a stealin' to take something from an outlaw? That's you, Cleed. It's an old custom out here for a fellow who captures or kills an iron hoop to take his horse in gear, providing nobody else has got a better claim to it. Capture both the rider and horse, but don't harm either. If it turns out that I can claim the horse, you and your men will get the money. That suits me. We'll wait until they pull back from the edge of the mesa and then go after him. I'm going along. And so am I. Oh, no, Laura. It may be dangerous. Dangerous, but... Well, you listen to your dad, girl. You stand right here in camp and I stand with you. Unaware that they were under observation, the Lone Ranger and Tonto looked down from the mesa top and discussed the letter which had been forwarded to them by a certain padre several weeks before. In it, their old friend Colonel Grayling of the United States Cavalry had asked their help in apprehending the horse thieves responsible for a murderous raid on a government herd. The masked man was saying, I know that kind of a crime threatens the future of the whole West. The frontier must have the army and the army must have horses. That's right. Colonel Grayling is determined to make an example of the horse rustlers. He's moving his command into the Rojo Valley with the utmost secrecy. When did he say for us to meet him? Today. He wrote that he expected to reach the Cross-O-Rantz this afternoon. He'll establish headquarters there. Me not savvy. Why him come here? The horse thieves were headed in this direction when the first pursuit party lost the trail. This is Mustang country, so the colonel suspects that the thieves have assumed the guise of wild horse hunters. There may be plenty hunters around. How anybody know guilty fellas? He hopes to catch him in the possession of the one horse which wasn't recovered. The white horse the colonel had picked out for himself because he admires Silver so much. Him not buying a horse like Silver. No. He acknowledged it much. Said he would have been satisfied with it. In examining it, he naturally looked in his mouth. The horse had perfect teeth except for a slightly chipped front tooth. The chip was broken from the right corner of the upper middle tooth. Oh, that's a good way to know him. We must get back into the saddle easy. Where will you go now? Now that we've had a view of the country, we go back down to the valley and head toward the ranch house. Scouting those cedar brakes on the way. Mozilla, let's go! Meanwhile, Dave Hilton and Laura had walked to the edge of the thicket which concealed the camp, hoping to get a better view of the hunt. As Clint and the killers he had innocently hired disappeared at the base of the mesa, the rancher lowered his field glasses. They'll be lucky if they catch them, Ashman. Why do you say that? Well, the mesa is a big place, and it's getting on toward night. Look where the sun is. Oh, I see. Well, that must be the chuck wagon coming by. The horses are running. What the hell are you... Should we tell them where the men went? Don't wait, huh? I want to know what scared them. The horses are all gone except the white one we run. Maybe the gang pulled out and left it. They might have done that if they heard about the troopers leave us the ranch. Troopers at the ranch? What do they mean? We're getting out of the wagon. As the two horse thieves descended from the chuck wagon and continued their discussion of the whereabouts of their companions in crime, the lone ranger and Tahoe drew rain on the opposite side of the Rio Rojo. Whoa, Silver, whoa, easy city. The masked man pointed to the hoof-torn bank. Tahoe, a big party of horses crossed here a short time ago. Look at that trail. Ah, we see it. Where do you think them go? It appears that they headed for the west side of the mesa. Ah. Well, it's a good thing we come down the east side. Yes, we want to avoid being seen before we contact the cavalry. Where do we go now? The back trail of those riders may tell us something about them. So we'll cross here and go on. Monty! At that moment, Laura's horse went in. As Hank and Rusty stared into the cedars and drew their guns, the girl clutched her father's arm. It is. My horse has given us away. Look at this way. Let's find a better hiding place. No, no, no. We'll grin where they are and act as though we haven't heard them. Howdy, fellas. Well, this is the boss of the cross zone in shorty. You can put away your guns. How come you're out here? Why, we're waiting for a quick conning wood in the rest of the bunch. Where in town, H.R.D.? Oh, across the river, chasing a masked man on a big white horse. Laura and I were down on the bank watching him. Didn't you know we were here? Sure. We heard the chuck wagon. You heard more than that. You weren't 50 feet away. Well, what was it here? Don't try to run a bluff. You call troopers or you're asked to catch it. You're here to spy. Well, sure. I didn't call any soldiers. And I'm not a spy. I wouldn't have my daughter along if I was. You figured she'd keep us from suspicioning you. Well, you ornery horse thief. You can't say that about me. So you did hear it. Like a man, keep going. Then Laura, run. I can't hear it. I can't hear him. What do we do with the girl? You've got to remember where the rest of the boys are and take her alone. Well, listen, I've heard horses splashing in the river. Yeah, I don't hear anything. Come on. The fella isn't dead yet. Finish. Pull the girl away. No. No, don't do that. Come on. Get away from your old man. That's far enough, Rusty. Now I'll do a good job on you. Stop those guys. Look there. The mask man. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger adventure. Before the next exciting scene, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Gang of murderous horse thieves to capture a fabulous stallion called Thunderhoop. Mistaking silver for the legendary steed, Collingwood set out with most of the gang to capture the Lone Ranger and dismount. Meanwhile, the masked man and Tonto had reached the outlaw's camp, just in time to keep two of them from killing a wounded rancher, Dave Hilton. As the Lone Ranger commanded them to drop their guns, one outlaw yells, Run for the wagon, Rusty! Hey, there's an engine back of it. I'm dropping my gun. There goes mine. Tonto, pick up their guns and tie them. I'll carry the wounded man. Mr. They were going to shoot my father again. I know. He's not badly hurt. The bullet didn't penetrate his head. Here, I'll help you bandage him. Now, you fellas, put hands up. Sure, engine. Sure. Hank's right hand went up only as far as his shoulder. Then, with a swift movement born of long practice, he snatched out a keen-edge throwing knife, which he had carried in a sheath between his shoulder blades. Tonto leaped in the grapple with him, calling a warning. Watch out, keep coming! Grab the engine, Rusty! I've got hold of him! Get that masked man! The knife flashed out of Hank's hand. He had aimed at the Lone Ranger's side, but the masked man's reaction to danger was quick. As he jumped up from the crouching position he had taken in examining the wounded rancher, the blade struck his cartridge-filled gun belt with a clang. Seeing the knife fall harmlessly to the ground, the desperate outlaw rushed the Lone Ranger. He was snarling. You'll never take me alive. We'll see about that. Look, it's there! I'll show you something! Hit him again! All right! Oh, help me, Rusty! I can't! The engine's breaking my arm! Hold on to him, Tonto. I'll take care of this fellow. Like that! No! No! I'm done! Don't hit me anymore! Then lie there. You can be tied. You'll get down the same way, fellow. I'm on my knees! That's down! That's flat! Oh, that's better! There's a rope hanging on that wagon, Tonto. I'll watch these men while you get it. That's it, mister. Hang the horse. Dad! Dad, you've come to me! My skull's too thick for bullets. I've got an infernal headache. It'll cure me to see those buzzards get their necks stretched. No, we're not taking the law into our own hands. I only want to make sure they don't escape. After the two outlaws had been tied and loaded into the wagon, Dave Hilton and Laura related what had happened in the camp and explained why Clint Collingwood had crossed the river with the other horse thieves. The lone ranger waved aside their apologies for Collingwood and turned to Tonto. Tonto searched the ticket for that stolen horse the thieves mentioned before they discovered Mr. Hilton and his daughter. Bring in our horses. Ah, me's happy. We'd better get started for the ranch with those two bullcats. Then we can tell the soldiers about the others. If the cavalry attempts to capture the other outlaws while Collingwood is with them, then use him as a shield and the soldiers will shoot. But certainly the commanding officer wouldn't let them kill an innocent man. Colonel Grayling is prepared to sacrifice his own life from the lives of his troopers in the line of duty. He won't reckon Collingwood's life as being more valuable than that of a private in his regiment. I reckon he'd be right. Maybe I can find the gang and get him away while there's still time. You've been in enough danger, love. I like Clint, but you're my daughter. It was a few minutes later when Tonto reappeared. He was riding Scout and leading Silver and another white horse almost as big as the mighty stallion. Oh, Scout. Oh, Silver. Oh, fella. Where did you find him, Tonto? He'd stay down and gully. Keep hold of his picket rope and I'll take a look in his mouth. Steady, boy. Easy, steady. Huh? And what you're playing? The stolen army horse. There could be no doubt of it. You'll hang the lot of them. If they could be catching. Mr. Hilton, I'd like to use your satisfaction on this horse. You go ahead. I can ride in the chookway. Getting dark, you'd better start back to the ranch at once. You go with them, Tonto. Take their horses along. And what you do? I have a plan that may cause the outlaws to expose themselves to Colonel Grayling. Keep Silver and the stolen horse here. That sounds plenty dangerous. The risk is worth taking. What we tell, Colonel? Tell him to do nothing tonight except keep a strong force of men posted around the ranch buildings and corral. There, I've got the saddle grip tight. The stolen horse is ready to ride. Why do you think the thieves kept him? They didn't know he could be identified. For another thing, he could have been used as a ringer for Thunder Hoof if he wasn't seen too close. Here, Dad. Let me help you into the way. No, no, I'm making it all right. I'll drive. Adios. Adios. Get up there. Ranger rode the stolen horse into the gully where it had been concealed. There, he left Silver. The great stallion, sensing that his master was about to ride away on a strange horse, we need a protest. The masked man responded with a reassuring pass. No, I'm not giving you up for another horse, big fella. You wait here. Come on, stranger. We have work to do. Come on, get up. Get up, boy. It was up when the outlaws who had been hunting the masked man and his horse approached their camp, led by Tex and Clint Collingwood. Tex was saying, I don't know how that owl hoot gave us a slip. We sure tried hard enough to get his horse. He could have crossed the river while we were on the other side of the mason. Now, we're coming to the river. Camp's up this way. I don't suppose the Hilton's waited this long for me. Oh, likely not. I sure hope the chuck wagon's back. Better stay overnight with us, Mr. Collingwood. Maybe we can pick up the big stallions' trail in the morning. I don't know. Hey, look. Across the river. What? The masked man. Into the river, boys. Let's get it. Come on. Get up, you owl hoots. Don't try to hit him. Shot back. You heard my order. Come on. The Hiltons and Tonto had reached the crosshole with the prisoners. Finding Colonel Grayling quartered in the ranch house, they told him what the masked man had requested. He shook his gray head. No one man can bring in ten or twelve desperados. The masked man has a plan. Give him a chance. A chance to do what, Mr. Hilton? Let the gang escape? No, he's done his part and done it well. Now the army takes over. I'll use my whole regiment. To do what? Well, I'll have the river patrolled. I'll surround the cedar brakes and beat the brush till nothing that creeps, crawls, or walks can get away. But you'll get Clint Collingwood killed. I know, Mr. Collingwood. He put himself in danger and he'll have to take his chance. But, Colonel... Young lady, those horse thieves defied the army, stole government property, and killed good soldiers. They must be wiped out at all costs. Wait just an hour before you do anything like that. An hour? It's nine now. Well, you hide men here, Colonel, like my friends say. If nothing happened by ten, me go out with you. Me show you where outlaws got camped. Yep. All right, Tonto. I'll pose guards here and wait that long. But not a second longer. As the colonel made his decision, the lone ranger began to circle back toward the outlaw's camp. Some of his pursuers were shooting to kill, but the stolen army horse was fresher than theirs, enabling him to keep out of bullet range. Tex was shouting... He's cutting back, Butch. I'll hand him off. Come on, some of you. All right, come on. Get us there. Come with me. Put the spurs to your horses. Get up there. Get up there. Keep him out of the seat of brake. We're gaining a little. That horse isn't as fast as I thought. Just don't forget to promise. You'll be paid. Looks like Butch and this bunch are getting ahead of him. Don't pull it. You can't get away. Shoot him that time. His horse is going up. He's falling. There he goes. I told you not to shoot him. That's what's an accident. Get a rope ready. I'm making the loop. There's where the matchman fell. I don't see him. Forget about him. Watch me take back. Oh, it's not for a throw. You put the loop right over his head. Don't break his neck. Never mind. I'm taking it easy. I'll take the rope on him, and we can lead him between it. That's stopping him. Oh, he's pushing his voice. I see you got the horse. But where's the matchman? Somewhere behind him. Stop some lead. Let's go back and look for him. What for? We can't let him crawl away and die out here. Let him die if he isn't already dead. I'll go back alone. Suit yourself. What'll we do with the horse? Take him to the Cross Oak Corral. I'll see you later. Right. Get up. Come on. All right, boys. Let's go. The claws were in high spirits as they rolled through a cottonwood grove with a captured white horse and saw the lights of the Cross Oak Range just ahead. Butch was saying $10,000 for today's work. And no law to worry about it. There's these horse rougher and all, Holler. It's just the same. I wish Collingwood to come along with us. The masked man might have had enough life left to kill the dude. Then we'd be out of our money. Ah, quit, Stuart. The way that hombre fell, he didn't go far. Or live long. There's the corral. Let's pull up and lie. Oh, oh, oh, oh. Here he is. Go. Go. Collingwood's horse hunter. He wanted us to put this white stallion in the corral. Where is Collingwood? He'll be along a little while. Close him, man. Close him. We'll shoot you to the last man. Oh, we haven't done anything. Just armed the men. Sergeant, bring the ladders from the birth house. Come on, sir. You horse, do you see a masked man tonight? Masked man? What are you talking about? Don't lie. Only he could have sent you here. My friend, come now, Colonel. Yes, by thunder, there he is. Hey, look. The masked man. And look. Why, it's impossible. He's still riding his white horse. Hold it. Hold it. Hold it. Hold it. There's Collingwood with him. I see you've caught the gang, Colonel. Thanks to you. All right. But how did you manage to send them in? How are we going to prove them guilty? They brought the evidence with them. The evidence? There's the white horse that was stolen. You can identify him by his chipped tooth. White? Why, he let us test that critter. And he pretended that fall. We're just the same as hung ourselves. I don't understand this at all. Mr. Collingwood can explain later. I met him on the way here and told him what happened. Clint. Oh, Clint, thank heaven you're saying. I'm the better for what happened here. I've had my fill of hunting horses, especially ghost horses. The masked man has told me that the legend of Thunder Hoof started right after the Mexican War. So the horse died long ago if he ever actually existed. So there is no Thunder Hoof? No. But there is a silver, and he lives on. The masked man in Indian is gone. Gone? There was so much I wanted to ask them. I never heard of the leg. Why, we didn't even get a chance to thank them. And we sure owe them a lot. Yes, and so does the Army. But they want no thanks. They've dedicated themselves to the betterment of life in the West. In the achievement at that end, they find their reward. Colonel. Who is the masked man? He's almost a legendary figure himself. He's the Lone Ranger. Created by George W. Trendle. Produced by Trendle Campbell Enterprises. Directed by Charles D. Livingston. And edited by Fran Stryker. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer.
