A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-yo 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! Come on Silver! Let's go big fellow! Are you still there? For weeks the weather had been dry and hot. The grass was parched. Even in the woods a few miles south of Batesville there was a great need of water. The Lone Ranger and Tonto were riding by night through that woods when they saw a flickering tongue of flame. At first they thought it was a campfire. Then they realized that the flames were licking at the door of an old hunter's cabin. Tonto, that's likely to start a forest fire. Yeah. Woods, plenty dry. Burn, plenty fast. We tried to put fire out? Yes. Maltzel! Maltz, count! As the masked man and his Indian companion neared the burning cabin, they saw two horsemen riding away. We'll find out about those horsemen later. Whoa, whoa, easy, silly. Easy, brother. Easy, brother. Fire just cartoned. I think we can beat it out. Use your blanket. The fire was mostly confined to a pile of dry twigs and leaves near the door. The building itself had barely started to burn. The Lone Ranger and Tonto were able to smother and stamp out the flames before much damage had been done. I think that's the last of it, Tonto. We'll examine these ashes for lingering sparks. Ah, blankets no good now. I'd rather lose a couple of blankets than see this forest destroyed. How do you think fires start? Looks as though someone gathered the leaves and brush intentionally to burn down this cabin. Well, two fellows we see right away. Probably. We go after them. Now wait. You hear that? Ah. Sounded like someone moaning. Ah, inside cabin. Come on. Help. Help. Don't kill me. Ah, someone here. Yes, I have a match. Over there. Feller on bunk. I'll light that candle on the table. Please. Please don't kill me. That man's hurt, Tonto. Let me take a look. Don't. Don't hit me again. Steady there. Take it easy. Tell them it's a trap. Yes, we'll tell them. Just tell us their names. Hit on head. That'd be bad. Do you think his skull is fractured? Let me think him need doctors. Oh, he's unconscious. I wonder what he meant. He said to tell them it's a trap. Tonto, those men who rode away must be the ones who hit him. Ah, and them set fire. You stay with this man. Do what you can for him. And listen carefully to anything he says. I'll go to Batesville and see if I can find a doctor. Dr. Jackson lived alone in a small house in the town of Batesville. He was reading beside an oil lamp when a rap sounded on the door. Just a moment. I'm coming. Are you the doctor? Yes, but he'll mask. Please come with me, doctor. There's an emergency case in the woods about four miles from here. One of your outlaw companions who stopped a bullet? No, no. I'm not an outlaw. I found an old man badly hurt. I think his skull is fractured. Could that be old Jeb? Well, he's in a shack. Someone struck him on the head, then tried to set fire to the place. The last man who served as doctor in Batesville was taken by outlaws to treat a wounded pal. He was killed, probably because he had learned too much about the crooks. Doctor, I have no outlaw, pal. Please believe me. And if you're telling the truth, why don't you bring the patient to town? Because I considered his condition too critical. He said something about a trap for someone. He may have some important information. Well, I... I don't know. We'll not argue any longer. Wait. You'll go with me, doctor. You can't come into my home like this. And this looks like your bag. Yes, yes, but... Do you want to take your own horse or ride double with me? Oh, one minute. If you're telling the truth, I'll go with you on one condition. What's that? We'll take the sheriff and his deputy with us. It might be a very good idea for the sheriff to hear what the old man has to say. Then you won't mind if the law goes with us? All I mind is the loss of time. Seconds may count in saving the life of that old man. The sheriff is only two doors away. The deputy's with him. I'll saddle your horse while you're getting them. The sheriff and his deputy knew old Jeb, who lived a hermit-like existence in the woods. Though they were somewhat skeptical about the mask man's story, they agreed to do as he asked. They rode directly behind the doctor and the lone ranger until they threw rain at the cabin. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. There's a light inside, sheriff. Oh, I see, doc. You and the mask man go ahead. We'll stand back and be ready with our guns in case this is some kind of a trick. Very well. Now, you'll find that... What's the matter, mister? Tonto's horse is gone. Who's Tonto? The friend I left with the old man. Are you fixing to change the story you told the doc? No, sheriff. I told the truth. Come inside. We're right behind you, mister, and watching every move. Doctor, there's your patient on the bunk. Yes, I see. But I don't see Tonto. There's a loft above the ceiling. Maybe he's hiding up there. Yeah, that ladder leads to the loft. Tonto. Take a look up above, deputy. Right. I was up there once when I came to visit Jeff. Doc? What about the old man? He's dead. Dead, eh? Yes, I... I don't understand this. How's that? The mask man told me he'd been struck on the head. That's what I thought. And you told me he was alive when you left here. He was. This man was shot through the head. Death must have been instantaneous. Get your hands up, mister. You needn't hold a gun on me. You lied to the doc. No. That man was alive when I left this cabin. With a bullet through the head? There was no bullet wound. There was evidence of a hard blow. I can see that, sheriff. Poor old fella must have been struck very high. You stand still, mister. Deputy? No one up here, sheriff. Come on down. I'm putting the mask man under arrest till he gives me some straight answers. Sheriff, my friend is gone. Something has... There's been a murder. I'm holding you as a material witness. Sheriff, let me tell you about two men who rode away. You'll have a chance to talk when you're in jail. Take his guns, deputy. And his mask. Right. We'll see if he's someone whose face is familiar from handbills. Sheriff, something has happened to Tonto, and I must find out what... Let me out! The Lone Ranger moved fast as the deputy stepped close. He grabbed the lawman, swung him around, and held him in an iron grip as a shield. Let me go! Let me go! With his free hand, the Lone Ranger drew a gun. You'll have to shoot through your deputy to get me, sheriff. But my arm, he's twisting it behind my back. He's busting my arm. Your arm will not be broken unless you try to get away. You're resisting arrest. Sheriff, I'm sure the men who tried to murder Jeb came back here to complete their work and captured my friend Tonto. I'm going to look for Tonto. I'll have a posse organized inside the hour. Do you do your job? I'll do what I consider mine. I'll drop your gun. Why, Thunder, I'll... Drop it or I'll smash it with a bullet. Doc, can't you do it? Leave out of this, doctor. Oh, my arm. Sheriff, don't shoot while he's holding me as a shield. Your gun, Sheriff. Sheriff, all right, Dad, Radditch. Last time a bullet hit my gun, it smashed my wrist. I don't want that to happen again. Thanks. Kick the gun toward me. That suit you? Yes. Now I'll return your deputy. Catch! Lone Ranger leaped through the door as soon as he had given the deputy a mighty shove against the sheriff. Both lawmen fell to the floor. The sheriff was scrambling to reach his gun. Sheriff, he's gone outside. Out of my way. Let me get that gun. Let me get that critter. I'll jail him for life. I hear him. He's riding away. I have my gun. Let me get a shot at him. Where is he, Sheriff? I'll drop him. Ah, save your powder. He was out of sight among the trees seconds after he hit the saddle. Ah, he almost busted my arm. He served you right for letting him grab you like that. Now let's get back to town. I'll swear on the posse and we'll start the manhunt. Tonto, as a prisoner, sat on the ground with his hands tied. He was in a clearing surrounded by half a dozen hard-faced men. The two who had captured him were talking to their leader. Now that he don't have to ride his horse, we'd better tie the Indians feet. That can wait, Lefty. Tell me why he's here. Hey, you see, Brady, me and Wendy stopped in an old shack on our way here. We thought the place was deserted, but, well, it wasn't. We fixed grub and talked about the plans to capture the new commissioner from Washington. Get to the point, Lefty. What's that got to do with bringing in this engine? Well, we talked for a spell. Then we heard a man sneezed in the loft above our heads. You mean your talk was overheard? Yeah. Why, you... It's all right, boss. It's all right. There's nothing to worry about. We got the critter who was hiding in the loft. This engine? No, it was an old man. Where's he? He's dead. We slugged him, left him out cold and set fire to the shack. Just then we heard two horsemen coming, so we hightailed. Who were the horsemen? This engine and another man. They put out the fire and went inside the shack. We left our horses and went back on foot so we could watch. In a minute or two, one of the men came out and rode away. We went in and captured this engine. Found the old man still alive, so we shot him. You should have done that in the first place. We figured on fixing it so it looked like he set the place on fire instead of murder. Well, why'd you bring the Indian here? Why didn't you kill him? Because, boss, we thought you'd want to question him. Maybe the old man told him and the man who rode away about our plans. Maybe so. Look, we can make this engine tell where to find his pal. Yeah, we'll do that. Engine, you heard what Lefty and Windy just said. I want to know about your pal who rode away from that shack in the woods. Me not talk. Oh, you're going to be stubborn, huh? You not make me talk. No? Well, this is just a start. Oh! Hey, boss, you slugged him so hard you knocked him out. Throw water on him. He'll learn we have fancy ways to make a man tell anything we want to know. Tonto regained consciousness without blinking an eye or moving a muscle. He lay on the ground with his hands tied behind his back, determined to stall for time as long as possible in the hope that the lone ranger might follow the trail of the men who had brought him to the camp. How long's that engine going to be unconscious? Ready? Must have hit him mighty hard. Try throwing more water on him. Now, wait a minute. Maybe he's bluffing. Why not shoot him and let it go as that? Because, Wendy, we have to learn about the man who was with him. If our plans are known, we'll be in trouble. Yeah, that's so. Would either of you know that man if you saw him again? No, I wouldn't. How about you, Lefty? I didn't get a good look at him on account of the trees. He rode a white horse. That's all I could be sure of. I wonder if he and the redskin know our plans. The old man was conscious and talking to the Indian when we busted into the shag. I don't know how much he had a chance to tell we could... Wait, wait. Huh? I think I saw the Indian's eyelids move. Yeah? Maybe he's conscious in playing possum. I'll find out. Cut his hands free. Yeah, I'll do it. I got a knife. Why do you want to free his hands, boss? I'll see if he can play possum while I twist his fingers. Yeah, he's free. Now bring his hands around to the front and rub them to restore circulation. After being tied, they're likely to be numb so as he wouldn't feel what's being done. I'll help you, Lefty. Yeah, all right. Now turn him over. Right. Here, that's it. Grab that hand, Wendy. Rub it and slap it till the color returns. All right. Whose horse is that? The Redskins. Sounds like he's worried about what's going to happen to his master. You want to fix him, boss, or you want me to do it? I'll do it. End clear. Hey, what... Who's that? Hey, where is he? He's over there among the trees. I'll shoot the first man who goes for a gun. He's over there. Team McClevey. This way, Tonto. Bring your guns. Where? The Indian. He was playing possum. Get that Indian. Right. Anyone else want gunplay? Tonto was on his feet. He grabbed his gun which lay nearby on the ground then leaped to the side of his horse. Don't let him get away. Stop him. Get his pal over there in the trees. His pal will shoot if we go for guns. Oh, my hand's smashed. Get him up, scum. Brady's men knew that if they drew guns they'd be shot just as lefty had been by the unseen man. In their moment of indecision, Tonto's paint horse reached the shelter of the trees. An instant later, a ringing voice was heard. Come on, sir. They're getting away. Now I'll try shooting. Hold your fire so you can see them. Get after them. 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. In the forest, it was a simple matter for the Lone Ranger and Tonto on their powerful horses to hopelessly out-distance Brady and his men. Presently, the masked man signaled a halt. Whoa, silver. Whoa, honey, big fella. We'll stop long enough to compare notes. What happened, Tonto? Soon after you leave for doctor, old man and Shaq get conscious. Him talk. Then two fellas run in with guns. Shoot, old man. Capture me. The sheriff and the deputy came along when I brought the doctor. When we found Jeb dead, the sheriff wanted to hold me for questioning. I had a bit of trouble breaking away. Then I traveled in a large circle looking for scouts' tracks. You'll find him? Yes, I was lucky. You and the men who captured you crossed a swampy clearing where the moon was bright. After I saw your trail in the mud, I had no trouble following it. Oh, what did old Jeb tell you? Well, him say him go up to attic to look for hole in roof. While I'm there, two fellas draw rain in front. Then dismount, go inside cabin, think no one there. Old man, overhear him talk. From the talk, Jeb knew the two men were crooks. That's right. Him plenty frayed. Then him sneeze. Crooks hear him. Then go to attic and grab old man, bring him downstairs. Old man struggled but it no good. Him hit hard on head. The crooks left him unconscious and planned to set fire to the cabin. They probably wanted him to be found dead with no bullet wounds to show that a murder had been committed. That's right. Crooks hear you and me come. Them run away. After you leave me alone with Jeb. That's when Crook come back. They must have been near enough to know that we put out the fire. Them come back, shoot Jeb, grab me. Me try to break way but me have no chance. Both crooks plenty strong. Otto, while you were there prisoner, did you learn any more about their plans? They all know all about plan now. Oh, tell me. Well, Crooks planned to capture a new commissioner who come from Washington. Commissioner Taggart? That's right. Him come west with Dodder to take charge of office. Yes, I read about it. Him come here on stagecoach. Crooks capture him. Hold Taggart and girl hostage. Hostage? Ah. Hold him till friends of Crooks release from jail. Otto, tell me everything you know and talk fast. The stage is due at daybreak. Meanwhile, a large number of men whom the sheriff had found in the cafe had been enlisted for the manhunt. They traveled in small groups. The sheriff, his deputy and two other men were moving slowly over broken country northeast of Batesville. It was nearly daybreak. Rain in, men. Stop here. Hold up. Hold up. Not much use going any farther. Sheriff. I hear something. Hoofs? Yeah, coming this way and fast. It comes more that way. Those couldn't be any of our men. They're traveling too fast. They must be just beyond that ridge. I wish it were daybreak. Presently, the lawmen saw the moonlit figures of two men on horseback come over the ridge. One of the horses was white. Then there was a familiar voice. Come on, you're not scum. That's the man I want. Hold on there. Raw rain, mister. Off in the name of the law. Yeah, they didn't even slow down. How about shooting at them instead of in the air? No, no, we have no cause to kill them, but there's plenty of cause to capture them. Come on, boys, let's get those two alive. Get up there. Come on. Get up. The lone ranger and tonto had only a flashing glimpse of the four men. There was no way of telling whether they were outlaws or lawmen, and it didn't matter. Come on, children. Let's count. The masked man knew that every second counted, but he hoped to stop the stagecoach before it reached the place where the Brady gang had planned to wait. The stagecoach from the east carried just two passengers. Commissioner Taggart from Washington was dozing on the bouncing seat. His 21-year-old daughter, Betty, was wide awake. Suddenly, the girl heard gunfire, shouts from outside, and yells from the guard and driver. Bring in. Stop that stage. It's a stick-up. If all in, Joe, we're covered. Hold. Hold there. Hold up. Don't fire and no one will be hurt. Dad. Dad, wake up. What's this? It's a hold-up. Hold your fire, mister. Our hands are up. Hold up, great Scott. That masked man. And an Indian. They rode alongside shooting. This is no robbery. I'm here to help you. You can help us best by leaving us alone. Keep your hands high. Hold the horses, Todd. Let me get that door open, Betty. I'll tell that highwayman the thing or two. All right. You listen to me, you bandit. I'm traveling as a representative of the United States government. That, sir, is why I stopped you. My name is Andrew Taggart. I'm the new commissioner. You dare harm my father and the whole army will be after you. Unless you listen, Mr. Taggart, the army may be called out to search for you and your daughter. What do you mean, sir? Keep an eye on that garden driver, Toto. See if they keep their hands up. Let me watch them. I asked you what you meant. That last remark... The queen here in town, six men will be waiting to stop the stage. They will capture you and your daughter. They plan to hold you as hostages until their pals are released from jail. Indeed. If you instruct the driver to leave the trail, men turn to approach Batesville from the south, you'll be quite safe. We would be if you were telling the truth. By cutting south, we might go right into a trap this man has set for us. Dad, the driver is right. Hey, horses coming this way. Can you see them from where you stand, Toto? Uh-huh. You see them. It's the sheriff. Good. I know his palomino horse. Sheriff, good, splendid. Now we shall see him. You'd better start running, mister. Looks like we'll have to meet the sheriff. There they are! Holster your gun, Toto. Give them no chance to say we started gunplay. Get your hands up. You're covered. High stuff. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Well, we meet again, Sheriff. Yes. And this time, I've caught you holding up the stagecoach. I stopped the stagecoach to warn Commissioner Taggart and his daughter of an ambush. You're the new commissioner? That's right, Sheriff. Your arrival was timely. This masked man was trying to persuade us to turn off the trail. And I'll tell you why, Sheriff. The Brady gang is waiting an ambush between here and Batesville. The Brady gang? You know of them? I sure do. Part of the gang was jailed. Six of the gang, including Brady himself, went free for lack of evidence. They planned to capture the new commissioner and his daughter and hold them as hostages until their pals are released. How do you know? Old Jeb overheard the plans. That's why he was shot. That's why Tonto was captured by the crooks. Tonto? Yes, that Indian. You said he was captured. How'd he get here? Lone Ranger. Saved me from gang. Lone Ranger? You? Yes, Sheriff. Sheriff, when I broke away from you in the cabin, I followed tracks to the gang's hideout. Why didn't you come back, find me, and take me to that hideout? You said Brady and his pals went free for lack of evidence. There is no more evidence against them now than there was at the trial. Furthermore, Sheriff, we had to move fast if we hoped to warn the commissioner before it was too late. Keep your hands up. I'm not trusting you yet. Sheriff, if he's the Lone Ranger... If he is, that's the point. I can say I'm the Lone Ranger. So can you, Deputy. Or anybody else who's caught wearing a mask. Yeah, but that white horse and the way it was traveling and the way that masked man handled us in old Jeb's cabin. Eh, not many men could have done that. Sheriff, you can easily prove whether or not I've told the truth. I'll submit to capture. I'll even surrender my guns if you'll act on a suggestion. You'll surrender the guns and your mask too if I say so. But let's hear your suggestion. At daybreak, the Brady gang was huddled behind the brush at one side of the stagecoach trail. The trail was blocked by a large tree that had been felled a short time previously. Boss, the stagecoach is coming. Get ready, boys. You think they'll be suspicious when they see that tree across the trail? That's an old trick. Suspicious or not, they can't go past until they move the tree. The stage will have to stop. I wish we had time to run down that engine and the man to help them escape. I'd like to make them pay for shooting my hand. Get ready. The stage will be here in a few seconds. I'll see. Now, as soon as the stagecoach stops, we show ourselves. And no gunplay unless the guard starts it. They stop. I can't see inside the stage. The curtains are drawn. We'll open them. Come on. Get your hands up. You're covered. Ice your hands and we'll shoot. Take your stick up. The six men leaped into view with guns ready. Suddenly, the drawn shades flew back. Guns appeared in the open windows. The door swung open and there were more men with guns. Oh, my leg! Taken by surprise, the outlaws were thrown off balance. The guard brought up his shotgun and fired both barrels. He fired low, spraying the legs of all six attackers with shot that bit like the sting of many hornets. In a matter of seconds, all fight was gone from the outlaws. Three lay on the ground with bullet wounds. The others staggered painfully from shotgun pellets and dropped their weapons. No one's getting clear. You're all under arrest. Don't shoot again. Don't shoot. You already got me in the leg. I'll hold you fire. I quit. Come on, boys. Looks like we got what was left of the Brady gang. The sheriff, two deputies, and a tall masked man stepped from the stage with guns held ready. The grinning guard held a double-barreled shotgun. Hey, I'm watching with the shotgun, Sheriff. No one better try a sudden move. Bring out your handcuffs, boys. Hold on, Sheriff. All right. Don't handcuff those crooks until they've moved that tree off the trail. Good idea, driver. You heard him, you polecats. You that aren't willing to start moving that tree there. Hey, that engine coming down the trail. Yes, Brady. He's the Indian your men captured. He's bringing my horse. Oh, boy, your mask. Don't think for a minute, Brady. That mask puts this man in your class. Oh, you must be the one who... That's right, Brady. And if you're wondering about the commissioner and his daughter, a deputy has taken them to town by the south trail on horses borrowed from the sheriff and his men. Oh, Scott. Oh, oh, Silver. You beat the law the last time, Brady, but now we've got your cool. The charge is murder. You can't prove that. I didn't kill anyone. The murder of old Jeb. No, I wasn't even there. Lefty and Wendy did that. You double-corser. You've thrown us to the hang. For that, Brady, we'll tell plenty about you. You'll all have a chance to talk. Meanwhile, jail's waiting for you for sticking up this stage. Tonto is here with my horse, Sheriff. Are you going to hold me any longer? Oh, I can't hold you any longer, mister, but Dad read it I'd like to hold you forever. I'd like to hold you as a lawman, but, well, you're sure free to travel when you're ready. Well, thanks. Maybe we'll meet again. Come on, Tonto. Easy, silly, big fella. Easy. Come on, Tonto. Let's go. That masked man. Boys, we'd better bandage the wounded while the others move that tree. Sheriff, there's no doubt of it now. The masked man really is the Lone Ranger. This is a feature of the Lone Ranger, Incorporated, created by George W. Trendle, produced by Trendle Campbell Enterprises, and directed by Charles D. Livingston. Tonight's drama was written 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. 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. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer. Brace Beamer.
