A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-yo silver. The Lone Ranger. This 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. Come on, Silver. Let's go, big fellow. Are you, Silver? Jed Webster and his younger brother Tex inherited an extensive well-stocked ranch when their father died. But in less than three years, the brothers quickly ran through most of the inheritance. They were scorned by their neighbors as unworthy of respect and found themselves deeply involved in debt. Finally, on order from the court, Tex and Jed were forced to sell either the land and buildings or the last 500 head of cattle. Well, Tex, at least we're square with the world. We sure made a mess of things. Maybe we should have sold the cattle and kept the land in-house. We couldn't have held down to it. No cattle, we couldn't have paid the taxes. Yeah, now we have the cattle and no way to feed it. We can sell the livestock and have a little cash. I can't even sell the critters for a fair price, especially with the ranchers around here hating us for the way we squandered Pa's fortune. Besides, the cattle is too scrawny. And we can fatten it up and then sell out, but not to the ranchers out here. Well, we fatten the cattle. The open range is gone. Well, we find free grass and water. Ever hear of the Rainbow Hills? Rainbow Hills? Of course I have. A long way northwest of here. What about them? There's some of the finest grazing land in all of Texas up there. Plenty of water, grass, waste, hide. Now, hold on, Jed. You know the Rainbow Hills are in Indian country and protected by treaty. We try to run our herd in there, we'd mix with plenty of trouble. I know about the treaty. It says the Indians are going to have the Rainbow Hills so long as they keep the peace. If they break the peace or go on the war path for any reason, Rainbow Hills will be thrown open for grazing. Ah, the Indians won't break the peace. Chief White Fox will see to that. I think I know how to make them break the treaty. Ah, look, you're caught in trouble, Jed. There's soldiers at Fort Madison. They keep an eye on the Rainbow Hills. You better not mix with the Army. Suppose gold was found in the hills. It started stampeding there that the Army couldn't stop. The Redskins would go on a war path and that would break the treaty. What makes you think there's gold to be found there? I never heard of a strike in the hills. Neither did I. But leave it to me. And Pa's watch chain. There's going to be a gold strike in the Rainbow Hills stakes. Hey, what are you talking about? Look, there's a town called Smokyville a few miles off the reservation. Tomorrow we'll round up a trail crew and start pushing our herd in that direction. It was about a month later that the lone ranger and his Indian friend Toto topped the crest of a low ridge that overlooked the parched and sun-baked valley of Smok Creek. Below they saw a herd of cattle grazing on the sparse grass along the banks of the shallow little stream. The masked man signaled a halt. Oh, shout, Mopeler. Teddy, I wonder where that herd is headed, Toto. Well, maybe it belonged to a rancher who owned land here. I doubt it. This land couldn't support a herd, even a small one. That right. Not much grass grow here. That herd's on the move. Beside the chuck wagon, there are two supply wagons. Maybe rancher drive herd to Smokyville. Sell herd there. Smokyville isn't a cattle market. It's a timber town. I think I'll question the trail, boss. All right, let's go. Come on, Silver. Get him up, Scout. At the trail camp, Jed Webster and his brother Tex were giving final instructions to their top hand before riding into town. Now, we should be back here by morning. You and the boys keep the herd quiet. And if anybody has questions, just tell them we're driving to California. All right, Jed. Hurry back. The herd's hungry and restless, and the crew's not big enough to stop the stampede if it gets started. In a couple of days or so, it'll be feeding on the fat of the land. Tex and I will get the ball to roll in the minute we get to town. And by daybreak, it's my bet that the engine treaty won't be worth that paper it was written on. Hey, Jed. Look. There's a couple of hombres riding in here. Yeah, one's an engine. The other's wearing a mask. Now, let me do the talking. You'll be ready for trouble if they start anything. All right, Al Hoosh. What do you want? I only want to ask a question. Then ask it and get out of here. Where are you driving this herd? I don't discuss my business with mass critters and redskins. Very well. But let me warn you, Jed. Stay clear of the Rainbow Hills. It's Indian country. And it's protected by government treaty. Hey, how'd you know my name? You're Jed Webster from Pecos County, aren't you? You didn't answer my question. How'd you know my name? By the brand on the cattle. And also by that watch chain swinging across your vest. The watch chain? It was your father's, wasn't it? Yes, but... Your father was more or less famous for the watch chain that held a row of nuggets of pure gold. As a matter of fact, because of that chain, many people call him Nuggets Webster. I'd heard that you inherited the chain with its row of gold nuggets when your father died. You seem to know a lot, don't you? Well, I make it my business to know things. Well, let me tell you, mister. Keep your nose out of my business. The herd is California bound. And if you have ideas or raiding it, you'd better forget them. Now, clear out of here. All right, let's go, Tullo. Come on, Silver. Come on, Scound. Hey, what do you make of him, Jed? I can't figure it, Tex. He seems to know plenty about us, but I never saw him before. No, neither did I, but... But what? There's something familiar about him. As far as I'm concerned, he's an owl hoot. Looking for information that doesn't concern him. Joe, while Tex's an eye in town, keep an eye out for him. Tell the other boys to do the same. Shoot him down if he comes back. I sure will, Jed. Let's go, Tex. That's right. Come on, boy, let's go. Get him. Get him. You think him tell truth? I don't know, Tullo. We'll find out. We watch him? Yes. But first, we'll ride over to that woods, make camp, and fix a meal. Then you'll have to go into town for supplies. Town of Smokey Bell? That's right. And while you're in town, you might see if there's a letter from Dan Reed. It'll be addressed to you as usual. Nah, me no. Get back by sundown if possible. Then we'll find a place where we can watch the Webster herd and make sure Jed told the truth. We'll see if he's driving it to California. Come on, Silver. Get him up, Scout. Meanwhile, Jed and Tex Webster had gone to the town of Smokeyville and drawn in their horses at the hitch rail in front of the hotel. Tex, you go in the hotel and rent out a room while I tie the horses. I'll wait for you. Why do we want a room, Jed? I'm not leaving town until I know my scheme has worked as I planned it. It may take a few hours. And from the hotel, we can watch developments. Yeah, I guess you're right. But, hey, get that watch chain out of sight, Jed. You don't want anyone to see it. Oh, I almost forgot. Well, let me yank off a couple of nuggets. There. Now hurry up and register. Then we'll head for the Lone Pine Cafe down the street. I'll be right back, Jed. The town of Smokeyville was in timber country. And many of the people were supported by working the sawmill. The mill had shut down that day and many timber cutters were out of work. A number of them had gone to the Lone Pine Cafe to discuss their troubles with a bartender. Well, the layoff is going to hit the town mighty hard. I reckon you boys will be moving on to another camp now, eh? We'll have to. No money to be made around here. Yeah, this town's going to be deader than a doornail now the mill's closed down. Pardon me, gents. Let a thirsty man to the bar, if you don't mind. If he's up. Come on, Tex. Howdy, gents. What'll it be? Refreshments for the house. Step up to the bar, folks. Refreshments are free. Aren't you the same two fellas who came through here about a week ago? Oh, sure. We thought you'd remember us. I do. And as I recall, you didn't have ten dollars between you. Now you're ordering refreshments for the house. Right you are, barkeep. The wheel of fortune spins rapidly, sometimes. Well, I'm not popping a cork until I see the color of your money. You hear that, folks? He wants to see the color of our money. Very well. He shall see it. Take a look at that. It's yellow. Golden yellow. That's the color of our money. Gold nugget. Big as a buzzard's eye. Yeah, and there's more where that came from. Um, now, mister, do you service or don't you? All right. Name your poison, Jim. Step up. Step up. During the half hour that followed, the unemployed lumberjacks accepted without question the unexpected hospitality of the two Webster brothers. Then, convinced that his plan was working, Jed Webster said... All right, barkeep. How much do we owe you? Thirty dollars. Over and above the one gold nugget. Very well. Here's another nugget. I'll weigh it up and give you your change in cash. Oh, never mind the change. Let my friends here drink up the change. Hey! Hey! Well, my friends, we must leave you now. Come on, Tex. Hey, mister, just where'd you get that for? You know, my old father used to say, never look a gift horse in the mouth, my friend. Isn't it enough that you enjoy the fruits of our work and luck? Come on, Tex. Come on. You sure got their curiosity aroused, Jim. Now everything depends on that barkeeper's memory. But I'm betting he hasn't forgotten the questions we asked when we dropped in a week ago. Oh, he remembered us all right. Now we'll go to the hotel room and wait developments. The gold rush hasn't started in 30 minutes. I miss my guess. Hey, when you started buying drinks, the news spread fast. Just look at this street. Completely deserted. No, it's not. Huh? Look yonder beside our horses. Hey, Redskin. The same Redskin who was with the mass crater. What's he up to? He's looking over our horses. Must have recognized them by the brains. Uh-oh, he sees us. Hey, just a minute, Redskin. I want to talk to you. Why are you prowling around our horses? Me not bother your horses. Me have horse. There. See? That's a horse he was riding, Jed. It's my horse, all right. Yeah, but you were looking at ours. I want to know what you and your mass friend are up to. Start walking. Why are you draw a gun on me? Hey, what's the idea, Jed? I'm taking him up the back stairs to our room. I'll sweat the truth out of him. Now get going, Injun. Meanwhile, several of the unemployed lumbermen in the cafe were curious about the men who paid for drinks with nuggets of pure virgin gold. By the keep, you say those two fellas were in here about a week ago? Yeah, Bill. And they had to pay for their drinks with small change. I, uh, I know they bought the drinks only so they could ask questions. Questions about what? About the Rainbow Hills, Jack. What? The Rainbow Hills. That must be where they found the gold. I'm for going after some of that gold for myself. There's nothing to lose now that we're out of jobs. Now, wait a minute. Don't forget that's Indian country. You'll run into plenty of trouble. I'm not afraid of Injun. Man, it's more than Indians. You'll have the army after you if you go into the Rainbow Hills. Our troopers won't shoot if there's enough of us. How about it, men? Let's round up some wagons and teams. We can reach the Rainbow Hills come sunup. All right, buddy. Come on. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger adventure. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue. When Tonto drew rain at the hitch rail in front of the hotel, his horse was alongside the horses of Jed and Tex Webster. The Webster brothers immediately accused Tonto of spying on their activities and marched him at gunpoint up the back stairs to their hotel room. Take his gun, Tex. His knife, too. Yeah, right. All right, put him down the chair and see what's sticking in his belt. He looks like a letter. You not take that! Hey, let go of me, you! That got him. Nerve of him, trying to get rough. Jed, you hit him mighty hard. No, he's just stunned. He'll be all right. Yeah, but he can't give us any information while he's unconscious. Yeah, well, maybe we'll learn something from the letter. Let's see it. It's addressed to Tonto in care of the Smokyville Postmaster. Yeah. Hold it closer to the lane. Yeah, right. Let's see now. Dear Tonto, I'll meet you and the Lone Ranger in Tall Pond next Friday. Jed, the Lone Ranger. Great Scott, it's all clear now. I knew there was something familiar about that engine's name. I remember now. I've heard stories about Tonto and the Lone Ranger. That masked man we saw with Tonto. He was the Lone Ranger. And something else. I've heard stories about a kid named Dan who sometimes rides with the Lone Ranger and Tonto. Yeah, so have I. Oh, Tex, Tex, I don't like this. If the masked man learns we started a gold rush to the Rainbow Hills just so the engines would be stirred up and start a fight there to break the treaty, we'll wind up in jail or on a hangman's road. We told the Lone Ranger we were heading for California with our herd. If we do just what we told him we intended to do, there'll be no reason for him to connect us with the fake gold rush. But what about the redskin? He'll have the Lone Ranger on our trail before we can get the herd moving. Yeah, we can't kill him, even if we wanted to, which I don't. The masked man would run us down if it was the last thing he did. We've got to do something to keep Tonto from getting back to the masked man right away. Tie him up and leave him here. He'll be found tomorrow. Good idea. We'll tie him and gag him. Rip a sheet from that bed and we'll get busy. Hey, what's all that yelling? You should know, Tex. We started it. It's the gold rush getting underway. Gosh, it didn't take long. We'd better hurry with Tonto than get out of town. The Webster brothers hurriedly tied and gagged Tonto, then rushed from the hotel. The street was filled with men, horses, and wagons, ready to start for the Rainbow Hills. Jed and Tex were seized by a number of men. Hey, they're the men we want. Come on, you're going with us. Hey, show us where the gold is. Hang on to it. Let me go. Let me go where you can't do this. Take your hands off me. Let go of your head. Stop it. Take it easy, boys. We're not going to hurt you. We're taking you two along with us. Tell us where you found gold. No, no. Look, we won't jump your claim. Just show us the gold. We'll stake claims of our own. Come on, get on your horses, both of you. All right, boys, let's go. Come on, get up here. Get up, get up, get up. When darkness fell and Tonto did not return to camp, the lone ranger became concerned about his safety. He saddled the great horse, Silver, and rode rapidly along the trail to Smokyville. Arriving there, he rode boldly down the street. When he saw that the town, to all appearances, was completely deserted, except for one horse hitched at the rack in front of the hotel. That's Tonto's horse, Scout. Hose over, ho. One choir in the hotel. Easy, steady, big fellow. The aged hotel clerk was dozing in his chair behind the desk when the lone ranger entered, but he woke with a start when the masked man touched him on the shoulder. Oh, wake up. Hey, your mask. I'll not harm you. Now, take it easy. First a gold rush, now a masked owl hoot. Gold rush? Yep. Someone struck gold in the Rainbow Hills. The whole town's moved out. If I wasn't so old, I'd have gone too. Was there an Indian in here tonight? Hmm. Hey, yes, come to think of it, there was. Just a few minutes before the gold rush started. He came in, got a letter. You see, this is the post office as well as the hotel. Yes, I know that. His horse is still hitched at the rack. Do you have any idea where he might be? No, but come to think of it, a funny thing happened just as the rush started. Oh, what was it? Well, there were two fellows named Webster registered here. Well, when the rush started, they'd come running through the lobby and drop this envelope. It's the same one I gave to the Redskin just before the rush started. You see, it says Tonto. Yes, I'll take that. You say they came from their room? Yep, they did. I yelled at them, they dropped something, but they paid me no heed. All right, show me to their room. The Lone Ranger followed the old clerk to a room on the second floor. Here's the Webster's room. Tonto. Holy smoke. I'll take the gag out of your mouth, Tonto. It's the same engine who got the letter. What's he doing here tied and gagged? There you are, Tonto. Now you can talk. Now, me glad you find me, Kimosabe. Tell me what happened while I cut these ropes. Well, Webster brothers see me at hitch rail. Them draw guns and bring me here. Them take Dan's letter. Me fight. Them hit me on head. What about Dan's letter? What did Dan say? Well, him say he meet us next Friday in Tall Pine. Good. Glad you had a chance to read it. You're lucky you weren't hurt. Yeah, I'm plenty lucky. We go get them now? No, Tonto. We'll attend to them later. Right now, we have more important business than the Webster brothers. And what's that? Someone has discovered gold in the Rainbow Hills. A rush has started. But Indians in Rainbow Hills. White men can't go there. That's the point. The Indians will fight to keep the white men off their land. And as soon as the Indians start fighting, the treaty will have been violated. We must prevent that fight. Maybe we go to Fort Madison, get soldiers. No, there isn't time. If anything is to be done, we'll have to do it alone. All right, come with me, Tonto. Meanwhile, the Caval Cave moved through the moonlit night. The gold seekers relaxed their vigilance as they neared the forbidden Rainbow Hills. Jet Webster was quick to observe this fact. Tex, they've forgotten about us. It's our one chance to make a bolt for us. And we'd better. We're within two miles of the hills now. They find out we tricked them, they'll string us up. That's right. Then let's go. Come on, get up, get up. Come back here. They're running away. Come back or we'll fire. I'll stop them. After them, men. Get them. Get them. Come on. Get them. The Lone Ranger and Tonto had cut down much of the lead and were not far behind the townsmen when Jet and Tex made their break for freedom. Oh, hello, hello. Is that gunfire, Tonto? Ah, me hear it. Maybe Indians shoot miners. I can't believe it. They're shooting just over the ridge. It's all of two miles from the Indian reservation in the Rainbow Hills. Isn't that right? Listen, someone's riding this way. Ah. Moon bright. Maybe we see them. There they are. Two riders. And what we do, Kimosabe? We'll stop them. They must know something about the shooting. Horses. Hey! The Redskin. And look, the Lone Ranger. Them Webster fellas. Honest, mister. We didn't know who the Redskin was when we mixed with him. When we found out he was the engine that travels with you, we cleared out. If we'd know... We heard gunfire beyond the ridge. What did it mean? We ran into a bunch of outlaws. They tried to hold us up. I don't believe you. Those men are prospectors. We've been trailing them. Ah, we're telling the truth. Kimosabe, here come many riders. Oh, let us go. We didn't hurt the Indians. We've got to get back to our herd. That's right, mister. You're not going anywhere. I want to know what part you played in this gold rock. We didn't have a thing to do with it. Oh, hear that, men. Come on. Here, go. Get an injurer with him. Keep him covered. Find out what this is all about. I'll get your hands up the lot of you. Oh, don't shoot. You masked man, get your hands up. There's no need for that. I'd be a fool to reach for a gun with a dozen trained on me. You're right about that. How do I have been trailing you from Smokyville? Trailing us? What for? I think you've been fooled. What are you talking about? Where did you learn gold had been found in the Rainbow Hills? Why, from these two miners here. We didn't tell him we found gold. You showed her to us. You bought drinks for the lot of us. With nuggets as big as buzzard eyes. I thought you had a hand in this, Jed. You started a gold rush so these men would invade the Rainbow Hills. And cause the Indians to fight and break the treaty. And he can't prove it. Don't believe him. I think I can prove it. Easy, steady big fellow. All right, dismount, Jed. I'll not do it. I said get off. Where's your watch chain? My watch chain? Yes, here it is. Strike a match, Toto. What are you doing? Hey, just look at that watch chain. It's loaded with nuggets. And two of them are missing. That must be the two they spent at the bar in Smokyville. No doubt about that. These men are not miners. Then who in Thunder are they? Cattlemen from Pecos County. They recently lost their ranch through gambling and other vices. They had nothing left from their father's estate except a herd of cattle and these nuggets. They need open range for the cattle. They knew if the Indian treaty could be broken, the Rainbow Hills would be thrown open for grazing. So they moved their herd up this way to Smoky Creek. It's there right now. Then they tricked you into believing they had found gold in the Rainbow Hills. We are a lynch. Stop, stop, Jed, stop, I said. Haven't you learned enough tonight not to take the law into your own hands? What do you mean by that? You almost broke an Indian treaty. You'd have had the army to deal with if you'd done so. Don't make another mistake. You'll have the law to deal with if you do. What'll we do with them? I think you've all learned a lesson, including the Websters. So far, no damage has been done. They'll be glad to clear out of the country. We sure will. Take them to their herd on Smoky Creek. Head them toward California and see if they cross the state line. We'll see to that. I'll say. After what we did, I suppose you think we owe plenty for what you've done for Tex and me. I didn't do it for you, Jed. I did it in memory of your father, Nuggets Webster. One of the finest men Texas ever knew. You were right, mister. You'll do well to follow his example from now on. All right, get him out of tunnel. Easy, steady. Easy, fella. Come on, sir. Get up, stop. What do you know about that masked man, Webster? And Powell, he said that he was the square-shooting man in all the West. And the toughest. I was sure right about that. That masked man's the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger? The Lone Ranger. This is a feature of The Lone Ranger, Incorporated, 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.
