A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-yo silver. The Lone Ranger. Companion Tonto, the daring and resourceful mask 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. Hi-yo, Silver. The Lone Ranger and Tonto rode the trail toward Austin. The trail they were following was on a plateau that overlooked the plains. Suddenly, Tonto pointed to the plains below and spoke. Look, Kimasabi. Stagecrumb and cross-plane. Horses seem to be running wild, Tonto. Tonto, I'd use my binoculars. Whoa, Silver. Whoa, he said it out. Otto, there's no driver on the seat of that stage. We'll go down and try to head it off. Let's hurry. Come on, Silver. Come on, Scouts. At breakneck speed, the masked man and Indian urged their horses down a narrow trail to the plains. Then they galloped forward to intercept the runaway stagecoach. Come on, Silver. Come on, Scouts. As the careening stage approached, the Lone Ranger swung Silver around so that the great white stallion could run alongside the swaying vehicle. Gaging the distance, the Lone Ranger rode beside the stage. Then, rising in the saddle, he leaped, grasping a handbrail attached to the seat. Steady, Silver. Steady. Whoa, whoa there, whoa. Whoa, steady up, whoa. You all right, Kimasabi? Yes. We'll look inside the coach, Tonto. The coach is empty. Maybe it wasn't carrying any passengers. The driver and guard were both shot from the boot. Maybe that's right. What we do about the stagecoach? Turn it around and drive it back the way it came, Tonto. I'll ride ahead in case the driver and guard are lying wounded somewhere. All right, let's hurry. The Lone Ranger, riding ahead of the stage along the back trail, presently saw two men lying a few yards apart. He pulled to a stop and dismounted. Oh, easy, steady now. That poor chap is dead. Here's the driver. He's still breathing. Easy, fella, easy. Here's some water. Take it easy now. I'm done for. They got gold shipping from inside, coach. Who did it? Do you know? Yeah, the Hooders. You mean the outlaw gang known as the Hooders? Yeah. Yeah. I pulled the hood off the leader. We recognized him. So they shot us. Easy, easy. Tell me, who was the leader? What's his name? He was... He's... Rob. Rob. His name. What is it? Oh, there. Oh. Oh. Are you both shot, Kimotabi? They're both dead, Tonto. Oh, that's plenty bad. The driver managed to speak. He said the gang known as the Hooders robbed the stage of a gold shipment. That outlaw gang we came to find. That's right. The gang has a clever leader. The driver said he snatched the hood from the leader's head. That's why he and the guard were shot. They recognized the leader. Driver saying name a fellow who lead gang? He started to. He said, Rob, Rob. Then he died. Oh. They put the two bodies into the coach, Tonto. You drive the stage to town, explain to the sheriff. I'll wait for you nearby. Tonto drove the stagecoach back to town and pulled the horses to a stop in front of the sheriff's office. The sheriff and his deputy came out of the office and approached the stage. What's the meaning of this, Indian? How come you're bringing that stage here? That's the stage that left here a while ago, sheriff. That's right. Outlaw gang, hold up stage. Shoot driver and guard. Take gold. Hey, Dave, where are the driver and guard? Are they wounded bad? They're both dead. You find bodies in coach. Holy mackerel. Let's have a look, sheriff. Yeah, the Indian's right. They're both dead, all right. How do we know this engine didn't have something to do with the holdup? Yeah, that's right. Indian, you've got some explaining to do. Ah, and me ride trail with friends. See stagecoach running wild along plain. We stop horses and then ride back and find driver and guard. Yeah, but how do you know a gang held them up and did the killing and robbing? Driver's still alive. Him tell that before him die. Him say gang wear hoods to hide faces. By Jiminy the hooders. I reckon the Indian's telling the truth after all. Me tell truth. Me not bring backstage if me with gang. Yeah, that makes sense. All right, Indian, you can leave if you want to. We'll take care of these bodies and I'll start out with a posse. The lone ranger waited in a grove of cottonwoods just outside of town. Within a short time, Tonto returned. Oh, scout. Oh, fella. Easy, scout. Easy, fella. Did you have any trouble, Tonto? No, Kimo Sabe. Me tell sheriff what happened. Him say posse starts soon to hunt gang. We'll go back to the spot where we found the two men. Try to pick up the gang's trail. Here, Sylvie. Easy, fella. Easy. Easy, scout. Easy, fella. Monster. Monster. Let's go. Meantime in town, a crowd had gathered as the bodies were removed from the stagecoach and taken to the coroner's. Several men had gone into the sheriff's office to get the facts of the holdup and killing. One of them, known as Deal Robinson and who owned the local hotel and cafe, stood before the sheriff's desk, acting as spokesman for the crowd. He was saying... Sheriff, you say the stage and the bodies were brought into town by an Indian. Yep, that's what I said, Mr. Robinson, and that's the way it was. Hmm. It seems to me you should have held that Indian for questioning. Why'd you let him go? Because it stands to reason if he had anything to do with what happened, he wouldn't have come here with the bodies. I'd say it's just the thing a smart killer might do. Ah, Tommy Rot. That Indian couldn't have held up and killed the driver and guard and made off with a heavy box containing the gold ship and all by himself. Well, that's right. I agree with you on that. Good. I'm glad you do. But I do think he had help to do those things, Sheriff. And part of the plan was for him to bring back the stagecoach with the bodies and tell that story about the Hooders doing it. That outlaw gang that we call the Hooders is responsible for a lot of robberies and killings hereabouts, Mr. Robinson. Now, it's logical to believe that same gang did this job, like the Indian said. Ah, we're wasting time. I've got to get a posse together and see what can be done to trail that gang. Sheriff, I say trail that Indian and bring him back. Then force him to tell the truth and to tell where the person or persons who are helped him. Wait a minute. Hold on now. Are you trying to tell me how to run my office? Well, maybe I am at that. Remember, I have a lot of influence around here. And it wouldn't take much to get you replaced. Go ahead. But while I am, Sheriff, I'm not taking orders from you or anybody else. I'm going hunting for the Hooders. Deal Robinson left the Sheriff's office and walked rapidly down the street to his own office in the hotel. He motioned to two men who were lounging in the lobby, and a few minutes later, they came to his office. Come in. Come in. Well, I have a job for you and Rusty to do. All right. What is it, boss? Yeah. Anything you say. You both saw the Indian who drove the stage into town, didn't you? Yeah. We saw him when he drove past the hotel. That's right. Good. I tried to throw suspicion on that Indian, but the Sheriff wouldn't listen to me. He's determined to blame everything on the Hooders. Well, he isn't far from wrong at that. I don't see anything funny about that. Oh, stop worrying, boss. When we separated the creek, each of us covered his trail on the way back to the hotel. Sure. The Sheriff and the Posse never picked up our trail yet. Well, there's always a first time. And I don't like the way he talks to me. He as much has told me to mind my own business. Oh, forget it. There's nothing you can do about it. Yes, there is. He's leading that Posse out to where the holdup took place. Cal, I want you to head out of town right away and wait behind the rocks just across that narrow gorge. Wait for what? The Sheriff and Posse will ride the trail along the other side of the gorge. Use your rifle and pick him out of the saddle. Then head for the creek and cover your trail back here. You mean ambush the Sheriff? That's right. The Posse will have to ride back a mile to get across that gorge. That'll give you time for a getaway. All right. That's where you want it. What am I supposed to do? Rusty, I want you to start out right now and trail that Indian who brought in the stage. Find him and bring him back here to town. What do you want with him? We'll say he admitted having helped in robbing the stage and that he shot the Sheriff. I'll talk the townsmen into hanging that Indian. Then I'll talk them into appointing you Sheriff with Cal as deputy. From then on, we'll really run this town. Now both of you get going and make sure you both succeed. All right, Jim. Cal immediately left town and ten minutes later, the Sheriff and the Posse rode away. Meantime, the Lone Ranger and Toto had picked up the gang's trail at the scene of the stage holdup. They followed the tracks to the creek, then began a careful search to find out where they left the water. The Lone Ranger found the trail of one horse and signaled for Toto to join him at that spot. Toto rode to a stop where the masked man was waiting. Oh, Scalpo, fella. Oh. What's your pine, Kimosabe? The tracks of one horse, Toto. It's evident the members of the gang separated, leaving the creek at various points. Ah, that right. We follow the trail of this one. It should lead to the others eventually. But maybe it not trail of one of outlaws. That's possible. But you can see that the tracks are fairly fresh. It means, of course, since we've been searching downstream that the gang moved in the direction of town. That's right. We'll follow this trail and see where it goes. Come on, sir. Get him up, Scalpo. The hoof marks the Lone Ranger and Toto were following circled toward the narrow gorge of which Deal Robinson had spoken. As the two men approached the gorge, the tracks they were following crossed a smooth, rocky surface. They reined to a stop to study the ground. Oh, Scott. Oh, Scott. Oh, Scott. Oh, Scott. Oh, Scott. Cracks not turn off. Them go straight ahead. Oh, I see. We'll... Look, Toto. Over to the left near that boulder. Ah. Fellow on horse. Him seem to be watching trail across gorge. That's right. He's holding a rifle. Him not here to stop here. All right. Let's move closer. Come on, sir. Get him up, Scout. We'll stop here and watch him closer. Oh, come on, fella. Oh. Look, Kimasadi. Rider's coming up trail just across gorge. Looks like a posse. Ah. We see Sheriff riding in front. That man, Toto. He's aiming his rifle. Him wait till them get closer. Maybe try to shoot Sheriff. I'll stop him. Him drop rifle. Grab arm. I think I creased his arm. He's leaving now. We'll follow him, Toto. 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. The Lone Ranger and Toto had caught sight of the outlaw, Cal, as he was about to carry out Robinson's order to shoot the Sheriff. Acting quickly, the Lone Ranger fired at Cal, who, dropping his rifle and grabbing his arm a moment, glanced around, then hurriedly rode away. The Lone Ranger and Toto started out in pursuit. Meantime, across the narrow gorge, the Sheriff and the posse pulled to a halt. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I don't know what that shooting was about. Look, there goes somebody over there. Throw that at him. I thought that looked like Robinson's man, Cal Pittman, being chased by an Indian in a mass, Tom Brady. Yeah, did you see that paint horse Indian was riding? I bet he's the same one who brought in the stage. Maybe Robinson was right after all, Sheriff, about that Indian. I hate to admit it, but maybe the Indian did have something to do with that holdup. They headed toward town. Let's go the same way till we can pick up their trail. Come on, get up there. Cal rode directly to the hotel and reported what had happened to Deal Robinson. The Lone Ranger's bullet had creased his arm, and after the wound was attended to, Cal and Deal discussed the situation. I was just about to shoot the Sheriff, boss, when the masked man's bullet creased me. I got a quick look before I rode away, and I'm sure that Indian who brought in the stage was with him. What about the Sheriff and the posse? How'd they act? Well, they were yelling and throwing letters of left. Well, maybe it's just as well, Cal. If they saw the Indian en masse, Combray, they'll think I was right after all. Oh, here's Rusty. Sorry, boss. I lost the trail of that Indian. Oh, forget it. Things are turning my way without getting the Indian. Oh, what's the matter with your arm, Cal? And with the posse wing it? We'll tell you about that later. As you fellas go upstairs and join the others, I'm going to watch for the posse to come back and see what the Sheriff has to say now. Meanwhile, the lone ranger and Tonto had followed Cal to town. The sun was setting, and they rode in the shadows behind the buildings until they found Cal's horse hitched in a grove behind the hotel. They pulled to a stop and dismounted. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Easy, scout. Easy, pal. I'm going to leave horse here and go in back door hotel. He may be one of the outlaw gang, Tonto. It may be that they're hiding right in the hotel. Move Silver further back into the shadows, in case anyone else comes along. And then what we do? You go around front and watch for the posse to return. I'll wait here until it's dark. Then I'm going to go inside and try to locate that man. A short time later, the posse returned and drew rain in front of the Sheriff's office. I'll find out if Cal Pittman got back to town and have a talk with him about the men who were chasing him. And if the moon comes up bright, we'll try to locate them. Hey, Sheriff, here comes Cal now. Robinson's with him. Cal's got a bandage on his arm. His owl hoots must have winged him this afternoon. They've been waiting for you to get back, Sheriff. While you were out hunting for an outlaw gang, Cal was attacked by that Indian on the mask man. I told you that Indian was the one you should have trailed. I was lucky they didn't kill me, Sheriff. Yes, but what I want to know is what you were doing out there on the other side of the gorge. Well, frankly, I sent Cal and Rusty out separately to try to trail that Indian. I wanted to prove to you I was right, Sheriff. Yeah, I was trailing that redskin when they jumped me. I saw you and the posse across the gorge, but I knew you couldn't do anything to help them. Maybe you were right, Robinson, about that Indian. We saw him with a mask, Dombry, setting out after Cal. That's right. You mean they followed him? Yeah, look that way to us. Hey, Sheriff, look who just moved up on the edge of the crowd. That Indian. I found that that's him, all right. Cover that Indian, man, and bring him here. All right, come here. Wait. Me not do wrong. You're covered, Indian. Come here. Me not savvy. Why, you hold guns on me. Make him tell where his mask partner is, Sheriff. Sure, big sheriff. Remember, two men were killed on that stage, and Cal was wounded. You made a mistake in coming back here to town, Indian. Me not make mistakes. Where's that mask man? Where is he? Me not talk. By thunder, we ought to string him up right now. Hold on, Rob. Wait a minute. None of that kind of talk. I'll attend to this in my own way. So far, you've made a botch of the whole thing. If I hadn't sent my own men to hunt this Indian, the truth wouldn't have come out. Truth not out yet. You get inside, Indian, and be quick about it. I'm putting you behind bars until I get the facts. I'll get going. We ought to be caught. Deal Robinson and Cal watched as the sheriff took Tonto inside. Then, when the sheriff and his deputy were safely out of earshot, Deal turned to the group of curious onlookers and spoke. Hello, man. All of you are law-abiding citizens of this town. You, along with me and other businessmen here, deserve protection from vicious outlaw gangs that roam the territory. You all know what happened today. A gang known as the Hooders robbed the stage and killed two men. That Indian brought the stage back to town. I saw all along, and I told the sheriff so, that it was a brazen trick of the Indian to throw off suspicion. But did the sheriff listen to me? Did he? No. Of course he didn't. I put a lot of money and effort into helping this town grow. Yet I and you have to take that kind of talk from a man we put into office as sheriff to protect our homes and property. Because I felt I was right about not trusting that redskin, I sent my own man out to trail him, perhaps find that outlaw gang's hideout. Cal found the Indian with a mask, man. That's right. And when they found out I was trailing the Indian, they tried to kill me just like they killed the stage driver and the guard. I was lucky enough to get back to town to tell about it with only an arm move. The sheriff isn't doing his job right. No, he even sticks up for that redskin. No, no, no, wait. I'm not trying to turn you against the man who legally represents the law around here. But if he continues to neglect his duty and to refuse the advice of well-meaning citizens, then I say something will have to be done about it. That Indian wouldn't have been caught at all if Mr. Robinson hadn't insisted he had something to do with that stage robbery. Cal, I want credit only for what I do that's right. I'm beginning to think the Hooders gang is only something the sheriff himself imagines. As long as the sheriff is legally in office, it isn't for us ordinary citizens to try to force his hand. Of course, that Indian is guilty of robbery and murder. There's no doubt about that. However, the law must take its course, as far as I'm concerned. What are you men still hanging around down here for? What's going on? We've been getting a few facts, that's what. Yeah, Mr. Robinson was talking to us. So you're talking to him, Robinson. Well, what of it, Sheriff? I'm not breaking the law by talking to some of my friends on the street. That's right. And the sheriff better start finding a few crooks and killers before he tries to get tough with decent folks. Listen, Robinson, and you too, Cal. I don't know what kind of talking you've been doing out here, but if it has anything to do with that Indian, you... Slow down, Sheriff. Take it easy. Hey, you've become so touchy lately, you even think the woman's sewing circle is whispering behind your back. Maybe he's got reason to think that, boss. The way he sits around and don't find the hooders. Aye, Thunder, I should run both of you in for creating a disturbance. I told you once, Robinson, I'm telling you again. As long as I'm Sheriff, I'll do things my own way. I'll thank you to mind your own business. Now you men, move away from front of this jailhouse or I'll run you all in pronto. After darkness fell, the Lone Ranger, not knowing what had happened to Tonto, left the grove and cautiously made his way into the hotel through the back door. He moved along the dimly lit corridor, stopping momentarily to listen at each door. Suddenly, he heard steps and voices coming through from the lobby. He quickly moved into a cross hallway and flattened himself against the wall in the shadows. Who brought the stage to town is in jail. We'll make our next move. What'll that be? Good lynching party tonight. But the Sheriff is bad. Rusty, go upstairs and have the others come alive. They must mean Tonto's in jail. We'll have to do something about this. A short time later, the Sheriff and the Deputy were at the Sheriff's office talking. I sure don't like Robinson's attitude. Thinks he runs this town. Yeah, he certainly don't seem to like you, Sheriff. Don't move, you're covered. What's the... The mask, Hombrey. He came to get the engine out. Sheriff, I'm sorry to take this means, but I must talk to you without wasting time. In spite of those guns, mister, you're not taking that Indian away from this jail. Are you interested in catching the gang called the Hooders? Yeah, sure. Here's a silver bullet. That mean anything to you? Silver bullet, eh? That's right. I have more in my gun belt. Tonto and I came down this way to help find the Hooders. We saw the empty stage and Tonto brought it and the two bodies back here to you. Yeah, that Indian's name is Tonto? Right. You carry silver bullets. Say, you must be the Lone Ranger. I am. Great day. Put up your guns. You don't need them. Thanks, Sheriff. Tonto and I came upon a man with a rifle waiting to shoot you from ambush this afternoon. What? Yes. I wounded him and he rode away. Came here to town. That was Cal Pittman, Robinson's man. Say he was aiming to kill me? Yes. Bring Tonto out here. Then get a few men. If we hurry, I'm sure we can catch the Hooders with our leader. In Deal Robinson's office, Cal and Rusty, with three other men, listened as Robinson talked. Cal, you and Rusty keep on a cover tonight. I'll let Joe and Pete go to the cafe and arouse the men against that Indian. It'll be easy for a big lynching party to take them from jail and string them up. What good does that do us? I've accused the sheriff of making a lot of mistakes right along. After the lynching, I'll accuse him of not protecting his prisoner until we can locate the mask on break. What about that masked man? He still on the loose? Yes. After I get you appointed sheriff, Rusty, you can blame everything our hooded gang does on that masked man. And we'll be able to operate without any trouble from the law. The box of gold from the stage is in my closet over there. If you men do a good job tonight, we'll divvy up what's in that box in the morning. I'll get going to the cafe. All right. Don't move any of you. You're the sheriff and the deputies. What's the meaning of this? We heard everything that was said, Robinson. You're the leader of those Hooders. I'll settle you. Move! Now keep reaching the rest of you. Must have men posted at the window. Fight your way out, men! Go down fighting! No! They're through, sheriff. Yeah, they are. Search the place, men. Here's the box of gold in this closet. Yeah, and here are the Hoods they wore in the desk drawer. You have nothing on me. Shut up! Men like you are a disgrace. Like the masked man said, you keep the West from growing. Bring us a bad name out this way. You're all going to jail for the murder of the stage driver and the guard. What do you mean the masked man said that? What's he got to do with this? Well, he saved me from your bullet a minute ago when he shot through the window. That's twice today he saved my life. He and that Indian sure are a great pair of armory. Why should he help you? Who is he? Before you decided to plot against that Indian, Robinson, you should have found out that he was the one who rides with the Lone Ranger. Oh, my goodness. 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. The Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer.
