A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty. Hi-oh, Silver, the Lone Ranger. Whenever men gathered around the campfire in the early days of the western United States, stories were told of the masked rider of the plains. Astride his great horse, Silver, he rode through the new territory and the cause of justice. No man was ever known to beat him to the draw, and no man could match his courage and resourcefulness. And I'll return with us to thrilling days when the West was young and adventure lay at the end of every trail. The Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, Silver! We're heading for Roaring Gap! Red Barber's been seen there! Hi-oh, Silver! As our story opens, Sheriff Hawkins is tacking a notice on the wall of the cafe in Roaring Gap. The men of the town crowd around him. What's it say? Is it a reward notice? Wanted, dead or alive, Red Barber. Red Barber? $1,000 for him! $1,000! That's a big reward! It's worth every dime of it to get, Red Barber. Who is he, Sheriff? What's he done? Ask me what he ain't done, and I can tell you quicker. Hoss-stealing, murder, stage-robbing, rustling, swindling, kidnapping. There ain't a crime in the book he ain't been accused of. Land sakes! He's a two-gun man, and pies and fast with either hand. He ain't a fear to man or beast, and he can lick his weight in wildcats. Ain't he got no partners, Sheriff? In Area 1, he plays a lone wolf game, that hombre does. Where was he seen last, Sheriff? Clem Purdy claims he's seen him over to Calabash. And Luke Sewell thinks he's the one that busted open the safe in the express office over to Big Bend. Safe busted, too, eh? I told you, there ain't nothing he won't turn his hand to. I can't figure what he does with all he steals. Maybe he don't do nothing with it. What do you mean? Well, maybe he's one of these fellows that steals for the love of stealing, and for being known as the worst hombre in the state. Worst in the state, my eye. He's the worst in the whole doggone world, including Indians. Ah, here comes that old tightwad, Eben Lawler. Sheriff! Sheriff! What's on your mind, Ebenezer? What's all this, see, I hear about Red Barber being around these parts? Well, what'd you hear? Eppie Wadsworth come into my store tonight just as I was closing shop, and she tells me about you making mention of Red Barber. Well, we ain't sure he's around here. A reward notice about him just come in, that's all. Eppie, she got the idea it was Red Barber himself come on the stage. There was some mysterious acting stranger on it. Eppie Wadsworth never did get things straight. But this here stranger... I seen the stranger come into town myself. There was nothing mysterious about him, nothing at all. Well, he talks like an Easterner, don't have much to say. And he ain't been seen around here afore. But that don't make him mysterious, and don't make him Red Barber, not by a darn sight. I just hope Barber don't get the idea of robbing my store. If he'd hear it about it, he might try and rob it. It'd serve you right if he did, you stingy old weasel. What do you mean speaking to me like that? Ebenese a lawyer, you're the stingiest coyote I ever known. I ain't got a right to be, ain't I? I ain't Kithnerkin in the world to take care of me after I'm old and feeble. And I gotta lay aside my money to keep me in my old age. Well, you're doing that same right enough. Half starving your clerk, Billy Lamson, to do it. I pay Lamson for what he does. How much? That's my business and his. Sure, sure it is. And it's my business what I think of you. Now get out of here and leave us be. All right. But if I'm robbed, Sheriff, I'll remember what you said. Get. Good for you, Sheriff. Give the blame, Tio, just what he deserves. He's had it coming to him right now. He sure did. Now, boys, here's the reward notice. There's the description of Red Barber. Them of yous can't read it and get someone else to read it for you. Fetch him in, dead or alive. And I'll see you get your share of the reward money. May I have a look at that picture? Oh, sure. Sure thing, stranger. Step right up. Thank you. Say, ain't you the fellow that arrived on the air? Yes, I am. And you're the fellow Ebenezer was all head up about. Mysterious acting. Do you see anything mysterious about me? Shucks, no. Hmm. Red Barber, huh? Yep. Aim to stay around town, stranger? Perhaps for a time. Well, you will find this a downright congenial town. And one that's easy to get along in. Till you bust the law. I don't mind no celebrations on Saturday. I don't mind if the boys sling guns in the air once in a while. But just don't you steal. Don't try to hurt no one. Don't cheat at cards. And don't be a foreflusher. And you'll get along all right. Thank you, Sheriff. That's good advice. Sheriff, you were speaking to Bill Lampson that works for Ebenezer Lawler. Yeah. Ain't Bill got an ailing wife? That's what he has. Poor gal's downright sick. And needing doctor in bed. Should get taken to the coast where she can get some real doctor. Well, I was thinking maybe we ought to do something for Lampson. He's darn hard working and awful young. Ain't more than 20 of thereabouts. So blame Stive. You don't look more than 18. Ain't no wonder. The way that ornery coyote Ebenezer keeps him working from sunup till late at night. For hardly enough to buy Vittle. That so? Mark my words, boys. Billy's going to rebel some one of these days. That's what he's going to do. How do you mean, Sheriff? No man can stand seeing his wife ailing so. Not having the cash to do nothing about it. Well, I'd help him if I could. Look, Sheriff. Maybe between us we could get the money scraped up. No, it wouldn't do. Why not? I know that, boy. Trouble with Lampson is he's to blame proud. He wouldn't take our help. That's right. I'd try to make him borrow some cash for me. He wouldn't take a dime. Only thing we can do is to try and make old Ebenezer pay him more. Now, if we could only shame the old old cat into doing it, why... Fat chance of that. Hey, where's that stranger? I wanted to talk to him. He just went outside. Oh, drat it. And I didn't even get his name. How are you? Well, I hope to learn more about Red Barber. What you'll find out? Nothing just yet. The reward notice is posted. Notice got bullet holes? Well, Tonto, there's other reward notices. He's shot full of holes. So he's not far from here, though. That's right. I learned there's something else in the cafe, Tonto. What's that? It's about a man who needs help. Come on. We're going to a small cottage over yonder to see a fellow by the name of Lampson. His wife isn't well. What matter? He's struggling hard to support his wife. I want to see what he's like. We'll eat our horses. He doesn't live far. What we do for him? I don't know yet, Tonto. But if he's all I heard he is, I want to find a way to help him. We'll have a look inside his home. There, now, honey. Try to stop coughing. Billy, it's so that it's coughing. Here, take a drink of water, Nancy. Drink it, honey. It might help you some. I guess I'm past that coughing spell now. How was you today while I was working? I wasn't bad, Billy, honest. I didn't cough much. Oh, Billy, I wish there wasn't such a hindrance to you. Don't say that, Nancy. You ain't no trouble to me, honey. You're all I got in the world. You have to work so hard and do all the cooking and cleaning to boot and doctor me and I just lie here. I can't help a bit. Well, if only I could get well. You'll get well soon, Nancy. You will. Don't try to tell me that, Billy. I know better. Please don't try to lie to me that way. I know the truth now. I heard what the doctor told you. Oh, Nancy. He told you that I wouldn't live six months less than I got away from here. And you said you ought to send me to the coast to a good doctor he gave you the name of. But, honey, that's what I'm going to do. Oh, Billy. I can't let you die. You know that. You're going to the coast. And what's more, you're going on the morning stage. Oh, Billy, please, dear, don't say things like that. I know you can't do it. It's not possible. You don't have to lie to me. But I got it arranged. It's all arranged, Nan, and I'm going with you. The stage comes through at daybreak and you and me will be on it. Oh, Billy, you're serious. Of course I am. But how can we do it? If it's cash you're worrying about... You know it is. You ain't been able to save a thing out in what Mr. Lawler pays you. Maybe not, but I got the cash. Billy. I have. $500 cash money. I got it all. But where'd you get it? Now, don't you worry your head about that, honey. You just remember you ain't to worry about nothing at all. I got the money and we're leaving in the morning for the coast. No, we ain't, Billy. Billy, what do you mean? You got that money one of two ways, Billy. Either borrowed it or you stole it. I borrowed it. But you ain't to mind that, honey. Just remember you're going to get well. Billy, if you borrowed the money without no way of paying it back, it's the same as stealing. But, honey... It's mortgaging your life for mine, Billy, and I ain't going to let you do it. But, Nancy... I'd sooner lose my life than to have it saved by stolen money. Nancy, honey, you got to think of me, too. You're everything in the world to me. As long as I have you, I... I got something to keep me going. But if... If I was to lose you, I reckon I'd die my own self. Honey, here. Here, drink this water. Oh, Lord, I wish there was something I could do for you. Here. Yes. Let's get away from the window. Tonto, we must find a way to help that young couple. Come on, Silver. There must be something that can't be none to help them. That girl, plenty sick. The doctor's right. She can't live long in this climate. The fellas say him got money. Yes, Tonto. I wonder... You think maybe him robbed store? I'm afraid so, Tonto. His love for his wife may have forced him to steal. What we do now? I want to think. There must be some way. We look for Red Barber now? No, Tonto. We'll abandon the hunt for him for a while and see if anything... Tonto. Ah. Look. Yonder. A horseman. He was on the other side of the cottage. What him there for? It's too dark to tell. He must have heard what we did. We'll follow him. He might turn Lampson over to the law. Come on, Tonto. Get him up. Kyle Silver. Away. The Lone Ranger and Tonto followed the rider, but the night was dark, and when they lost his trail, it was impossible to pick it up again. It's no use, Tonto. He's gotten away from us. We spent enough time hunting for him. Him got plenty past horse. He must know the trails around here mighty well, too. Maybe we pine track when daylight comes. It's our only chance of locating him, and that's a slim chance. This hard ground isn't likely to show tracks. Wait. Hold, Scott. Hold, Silver. Hold. You hear? A horse. Maybe that him. If it is, he's coming back. That horse is heading this way. Not right. Wait. What is it, Tonto? That same horse. There it come. Now you see. Yes, and the girl's in the saddle now. Come on, Silver. Wait. I want to speak to you. Let go of that horse. Oh, let go. Just a minute, please. Hold that. Don't be afraid, young lady. I'm not going to rob you. Just let me ask you a couple of questions. No. No, I can't. I can't talk to nobody. That was part of my bargain. I'll lose this horse if I talk to anyone. We want to speak to you about the horse. No. No. Let me go. I can't talk to you. I can't talk to no one. I promised the fellow that'd give me this horse. I can't speak to nobody. Where is that fellow now? I don't know. Don't be afraid of my mask. I want to find the man who gave you that horse. And I want you to tell me why he gave it to you. He just said he wouldn't be needing it no more after tonight. That's strange. Hmm. It's plenty strange. What's that paper in your hand? Well, that's just... Looks to me like one of the notices telling him the reward for the capture red barber. Yeah. There's something written on the back of it. Oh, please, stranger. He, the fellow that, the fellow that gave me this and told me to take it to the sheriff and keep this horse for my own. He said if I got to the sheriff before 10 o'clock, he'd make me sorry for it. Do you know what this says? No, mister. I can't read. That man just scrawled it on there with a hunk of pencil and told me to get it to the sheriff, but not before 10 o'clock. Very well. You may take it home. But first, we'll see what it says. Before the next act of our Lone Ranger drama, please permit us to pause for just a few moments to continue our story. After he had read the strange message written by the man who had disappeared into the night, the Lone Ranger sent the girl to town where she delivered the note to the sheriff at the cafe. Hey, fellas. Listen here. Quiet down, won't you? I got some important information. What you got, sheriff? What's in that there paper, sheriff? Listen, you mavericks. We've got to get some riding and action aplenty before this year night's over. What's it all about? Let us in on it, sheriff. My gun's unlimbed right now. When do we start? Sure, mine too. Calm down. Calm down. Boys, I learned as how Red Barber's right here in town. Red Barber? Right here in town. He's here, and I know where to capture that coyote. Count me in on it. I'm with you. Let's rattle horses and get going. Sure. Now, first off, where's that girl going? Please, Mr. Sheriff. I didn't do nothing. You didn't say you did. What was said to you when you was given this year a paper? I was told to fetch it to you, but not before 10 o'clock. It ain't 10 yet. It ain't. It's only half past nine, girl. How come you showed up with it before you were supposed to? I can't tell time, sheriff. Boys, we can catch Red Barber as he robs Ebeneezo Lawler's store. He's aiming to rob it, and we'll get him red-handed. Come on, let's get to moving. All right, boys, let's go. My horse is outside. We'll get the reward. We'll all get some of it. Can't take chances with Red Barber. Shoot him on sight. $1,000 reward. Remember, boys, get him dead or alive. We'll get up there. Dead or alive. We'll get up there. Come on, come on, get up there. Bone Ranger and Tonto had already arrived at Lawler's store. They opened the door softly and found Red Barber crouching before the safe. Take it easy, Barber. You're covered. You. He got gun on you. Who are you? How'd you know I was here? We met the girl you gave that note to. First time in my life I ever done anything worthwhile, and it's got to be spoiled. Why did you send that message to the sheriff? It ain't none of your business. You lawmen are clean. We're not lawmen. Just my luck. I suppose you'll come here to clean out this safe yourself then. We came here to see you. You ain't lawmen then? No. Now look, there ain't nothing in this safe at all. You can come and see for yourself. Where did you put the money? That's for you or the law to find out, Savvy. Wasn't the safe already robbed when you came here? Go on, you try to find out. I ain't got nothing to say. You wanted the sheriff to come here and catch you, didn't you? No, I don't hanker to swing by the neck. That's what you'll do if you're caught. Don't I know that? You wanted the sheriff to come here, find that safe was empty, and blame you for the robbery. All right, if you know so much, there ain't nothing for me to say. Why did you do it, Red? Can't a man do one decent thing before he gets strung up? Look here, mister. You got me hands down, I admit that. You'll get the reward for capturing me. A thousand dollars. That's a lot of money. But will you do me one favor? What do you want me to do? I'm done for. I can Savvy that. But I want to be the one that's blamed for robbing this safe. You heard what was said in Bill Lamson's home, didn't you? How'd you know? I heard it, too. You did? Yes. All right, then. Look here, stranger. You talk like a good hombre. You know how bad Bill Lamson needs that cash. You know what it'll mean to him. Yes, I do, Red. You know, Ebenezer Lawler don't need it. He's got more money now than he can never spend. Perhaps he has. Then help me fix it so Bill Lamson can have the cash. It'll mean his wife can be saved. I'm willing to take the blame for it. I'm willing to hang for it if need be. Though I didn't figure on that. Lawmen come. They're coming now? It isn't ten o'clock yet. They're coming too soon. Ah, but it don't matter. You got me anyhow. Ain't a chance for me to get away. Tonto, bring up the horses. What are you going to do? You want to help Bill Lamson, Red? I sure enough do. We'll both help him. We'll see that he doesn't use stolen money to save his wife's life. But there ain't no way. There is a way. There are men pretty close. What are you going to do? Come on. You can ride my horse with me. There we go. You stay with us. Yep. Come on, Barbara. Get aboard my horse. I don't know who you are, stranger, but I'm trusting you. Hey, hey, hey, hey. Get up there. Come on. Get up there. Get up there. Come on. Come on now. There they are. Come on. Open up on him. Come on, fellas. We'll get him. Where was your sheriff? Come on. There they go, boys. Come on. They're heading away from Ebenezer's place. Drill him. Shoot him. Come on. Don't let him get away. One of those three is Red Barber. Never mind wasting your bullets. Just keep them in sight. They're traveling fast. They're getting further away all the time. Keep after them. You can't hit them at this distance. Come on, boys. Just keep them in sight as long as you can. That white horse is easy to see. Get up there. Come on. Come on. The Lone Ranger, Red Barber, and Tonto reached Lamson's house far ahead of the sheriff's posse. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Good Lord. Where's the money you stole, Bill Lamson? I don't know where to go. Tell me, it's true. Then they catch you. Speak up, you. Where is it? It's right here. Believe me, mister. He was going to take it back to the store. He's seen he'd done wrong in taking it. He was just fixing to take it back when you came in. It's a truth, mister. I was going to take it back. You can't take him away. No. No, Nancy. They catch me, and I've got to go. They won't believe what I say. We believe you. Mast. I didn't know this. Shut up. We ain't the time to waste and talk. You know me. No, I don't. I'm Red Barber, and I'll take that cash. And remember, I'm the one who stole it. Listen, Bill. There's $1,000 reward money for me, and you're the one who captured me. I don't say that. Go on, stranger. You get out in here. Get out while you can. And thanks for letting me leave this world with one good thing to my credit. They're coming for you, Red. Then you get out, pronto. There ain't no reason for you to get catched. Billy, I don't say this at all. What's it all about? Listen, kid. You need cash bad. Mighty bad. Come on. You're getting $1,000 reward for me, and it'll all be yours. You mean trade your life for $1,000? Yeah. And remember this kid? You wouldn't have got the chance to do it if I hadn't stole, and then most everything else a man can do, that's bad. Bill, he... But listen, mister. I can't... Shut up and listen. There's one thing you can't do. You'll come mighty close to stealing. You see where it fits me? Well, don't do it. Here, quick. Take this gun and hold it on me. I'll keep this one. Yeah, but I don't savvy... Never mind trying to savvy anything. Keep back again the wall there. We got your caps in there, Barber. Come on with your hands up. You won't get me alive. Come out, or we'll come after you. Come on, then. You keep back out in the line of fire now. Please, mister, we... Quiet now. Come on, if you think you're man enough. But I warn you, Sheriff, you better come in shooting. This is your last chance, Barber. You won't leave that house alive, if you don't, sir. Come on, try to get me. You can't get me. I'll show you. I still got one gun left. Good shooting, boys. Sheriff, you don't... Yes, we got you at last, Red. Pick him up, boys. Toad him outside. Sorry, Lampson. We're doing this in your place. We figured he'd hide out here, the coyote. He was fixing to drill us if we hadn't. Yeah, but you don't... Boys, here's the money he stole right here on the floor. Get him outside, boys. I got him. Come on, Red. Sorry, Lampson. We won't bother you no more. I'll be right glad to see you get that reward. For what, you ornery killer? Swing, Sheriff. Not me. I'm cashing in my checks fast. Put him down, boys. Sheriff, look at the gun I... Hey? Take a look. Why? There ain't no cartridges in it. I don't want to kill no more folks. But I wanted you to shoot me so... So as I couldn't swing. How come you give up shooting so sudden? Sheriff, is... Is Lampson going to get the reward? Yes, Red. Reckon he is. Look, Sheriff, he... He needs it. Ain't no doubt about that. It's a slick chance for us to force cash on him in spite of his pride. It sure is. So many of us, it wouldn't be hardly nothing if we're divided between us. You're right, Sheriff. Tell me, Sheriff, that... That you'll see Lampson get the reward. All right. I will. I'll see that he gets it. Sheriff, he... He don't know me. He never seen me. Never tell him that he's... I get it. Barber, you lived by the gun, but you're dying like a man. Now answer me one thing. Yeah? Yeah? Who was the fellas with you at that store? Answer me, Red. Who was he? What's he look like? He was a... Short. What you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated. What you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated. What you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.
