A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver. The Lone Ranger. The wagon trains which brought the pioneers into the western United States faced many dangers. The country was rough, the trails were poorly marked, and the Indians were hostile. But worst of all, outlaws found it easy to join the emigrants, and when the right moment presented itself, to rob the honest settlers of their money and property. The wagon train which started out from Pine City under the leadership of Asa Johnson faced this danger, and might never have reached its destination if it had not been for the masked rider of the plains. Return with us now to those thrilling days when the West was young. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, Silver! There's going to be trouble in Pine City! We've got to hurry! The sheriff's office in Pine City was in the front of the building which also housed the county jail. As our story opens, Duke Austin and his partner Shorty Fowler walk up the steps and... That's the sheriff's horse, sir, Shorty. I reckon he's in all right. If he ain't, we're... One side, Injun. Me not in way. Why, you know... Come on, Duke. We ain't here to start no fight with a redskin. We're here to talk to Billings. Make trouble, maybe the sheriff will change his mind. Well, remember this, Injun. Next time you see me, come and stay clear. I'm too not afraid. Come on. Howdy, Sheriff. You the fellow that Billings sent first? That's us. Come on in and shut the door. Can we see him? Not with guns, don't you, can't? Well, I see if you're carrying any spare shooting irons or knives or such. Sure. Go ahead, search us. Uh-huh. I don't find anything. We can talk to Billings alone, can't we? Why should you? Why... It's this way, Sheriff. That skunk held us up once back in the Dakotas. We'd like to find out what he done with the stuff he stole. Maybe he won't be so anxious to talk with the law, huh? All right, go ahead. Through that door there and down the hall. You'll find Billings in the third cell you come to. Thanks, Sheriff. Mind you ain't in there too long. Just a few minutes is all. Might have closed this door behind you, dude. Yeah. That must be where he is. Hey, Billings, you there? I sure am. Howdy, shorty. Oh, there, Duke. Yes, I'm glad to see you fellas. You sure got yourself in a mess, didn't you? Anybody around to hear what we say? I'm the only boarder the county's got. How in blazes do they get you, Billings? It's the first time I ever heard the law tripping you up. It wasn't the law blasted. No? It was a mask, fella. If I ever get my hands... A mask, fella. How'd it happen? You heard about me holding up the cafe last night, didn't you? We heard a little. Well, everything was going fine. I'd made the barkeep hand over the cash, and I threw some shots at the lamps to cover my getaway. Shut up, the light! Stand where you are! I'm clearing out! And the first one of you to stick your nose through this here door will get a taste of lead! Hold still there, fella. We're making cracks! Get up there! Get up there! What the? Get up! Get up there! Pull up there! Out of my way! Come on, Silverman! I'll show you! Take this back! I'll tell him! Pull up! Pull! Pull there! You wrote me! You're choking me! Let me loose! Let me loose, Blasher! Pull up! Pull up! Pull up! I've been on your trail, Billings. I got here too late to prevent that hold-up, but not too late to see that you're turned over to the law. Masked! Who are you? Get off that horse! No! Let me loose! Let me go! They're after me! Can't you hear them coming? Let me get out of here! I hear them! And I'm leaving you for them to get out of that saddle. You won't escape them on foot. But I can't... Quick, before I drag you out. That rope, I... We'll stay around you. Here, I'll take your horse. Hold that man! Don't leave me here! Come on, Silverman! Come on, boy! Wait! Come back! My horse! Open your head! Grab him, fella! Who's that? I give up! I give up! Don't shoot! Who's that? I'll break that throat away! I don't know, sir. But by heavens, I'll give ten years of my life to find out. You already have! Because if you don't spend the next ten years in jail, I'll swallow my boots. All right! Head for the jailhouse! Now, get going! Come on! All right, sir! I know where to go! So the masked fella tripped you up, Billings, without you even knowing who he is, huh? No, blast him! Well, what'd you want to see it for? And how'd you find out where we was? You fellas gotta get me out of here. No, you don't, Billings. None of that's for us. We joined up with a wagon train, and we're heading west. And we aim to steer clear of trouble. At least ways for a spell. But, Billings, you ain't said how you found us. I seen you when I was looking over the ground yesterday. Seen you a wagon, too. What made you fellas throw in with a bunch of greenhorn emigrants? Oh, just figured a change of scenery might be healthy. We're heading in the new country, Billings, and growing up with it. More likely you got some scheme to get them emigrants cash. Well, it's our business, and we're tending to it. Sorry we can't mix in with yours. Now, hold on, fellas. I'd help you out if you was up against it. Yeah? I can just see you're doing it. I hope you called in the wrong customers, Billings. Like Duke said, we're sorry, but it's just no dice. Come on, Shorty. We're wasting our time. Now, wait. I'll pay you cash. Huh? Cash? Well, now that's more like it. Thought you might mention something like that before you was through. How much cash? A hundred dollars. Shucks. Now I know we're wasting our time. Well, so long, Billings. We'll look you up when you get out. Two hundred. Now, why don't you come right out with your top price without all this fooling around? Give us five hundred apiece and it's a bargain. But we ain't taking a dollar less. It just ain't worth it to us. That'd be a thousand dollars. Uh-huh. What if I ain't got that much? Yeah, most likely you ain't. But that's nothing to us. Except it means you'll be staying here. All right. I'll give you a thousand. Five hundred apiece. Don't tell us you didn't have to give back what you stole from the cafe last night. I got the thousand. Hit away where I made camp. I left it behind just in case I ran into trouble. Good enough. Now all you got to do is tell us where the cash is hid. We'll go after it. And if we find it, then you're as good as out right now. Get me out first and then I'll take you there. No. You heard our terms. You blasted crooks. Ain't you a little mixed up? You're the crook. We're honest, fellas. You being behind bars and us outside proves it. You won't double-cross me if I tell you how to find the cash. Never heard of us double-crossing anybody yet, have you? All right. I'll tell you. But if you don't play square, I'll get even somehow. You'll see if I don't. That evening, two stealthy figures avoided the light thrown from the windows of the sheriff's office and stole toward the rear of the jail. So when they reached the barred window that marked Billings' cell, one of them quietly called out, Billings? Who's there? Keep your voice down, blast it. It's us, Duke and Shorty. So you didn't double-cross me? Of course we didn't. The sheriff's out front. Go around, pull a gun on him, and make him let me out. And we'll hightail. Nothing doing. You'll get yourself out. But what are you... Here, take this gun. Got it? Yeah. I'll holler for the sheriff. When he gets her, throw down on him. You make him let you out. But why knows you, fellas? We're doing enough as it is. We've got to get you out of town, don't we? I promised you would. Well, what chance of doing that will we have. There was no way to help you. We ain't going to have the law after us. You can bet on that. All I want is a horse. The mass fella took mine. You won't need no horse. We've got a better scheme. Yeah? You're going along with a wagon train when it pulls out in the morning. Now, look... You'll do like we say, Billings. We give you a horse and turn you loose, and the first thing we know, the law will have you back. You'll be telling who gave you that gun. Well, what you're going to do is travel with us, so we know you won't talk. Then how about them emigrants? How am I going to hide from them? Don't you worry your head about that. We'll hide you safe enough, right in our own wagon. Now, go ahead and do like we told you. Call the sheriff. Make him let you out, and then throw him in your cell and leave him there. Then join us back here, and we'll run for the wagons. Didn't you bring no horses with you at all? They'd leave a trail and make too much noise. Now, get going. All right. Wait out there for me. We'll be right out here, Billy. Sheriff! Hey, Sheriff! Come here! Hurry up, Sheriff! Hey, Sheriff! What's all the noise for? Come here. I want to show you something. Show me something? What's wrong? Just take a look at this, mister. I'm going to... You're right. You unlock this here door pronto, or I'm using that same. Where'd you get that? Shut up and do like I told you. I ain't bluffing. If you think I am, just call my bluff. You won't get away with it. I'll worry about that. What you've got to worry about is whether you can unlock this door before I pull the trigger. You've got to drop on me, but by thunder, I'll find out who gave you that gun, and when I do, he'll sit in jail alone with you. You'll have to catch us first. Now, get in there. Come on. Get in where I was. It's my turn. Now I'm locking you up. Why, you... I ain't got the time to argue with you. There. When I get out again, I'll have every man in town looking for you. When you get out, Sheriff. When you get out. Help! Help! Deputy! Ernie! Get out of here! Let me know! The sheriff's deputy heard the lawman's shouts and released him. Fosses were formed at once in every trail watch, while the town itself was searched thoroughly for the escaped outlaw. Even the wagon train camp just outside was investigated, but with no result. Tonto aided in the search, and then when morning came and still no trace of buildings was found, the faithful Indian returned to the camp he shared with a lone ranger. Whoa, scouts! Whoa! Whoa! I expected you back last night, Kimo Sabe. What kept you? Outlaw, fella. Get away. Broke jail? Huh. But how'd it happen? Where'd he get to? Who helped him? Him pull gun on lawmen. Make lawmen let him out. Yes? Who gave him the gun? Me not know that. Them not find outlaw. Whoever gave Billings a gun must have given him a horse, too. He's likely a long way from Pine City by now. And that not right? No? Him hide someplace. Him not ride way. Me look all round town. Not find trail. That doesn't mean he didn't ride out of town. He could easily have followed one of the well-traveled trails, and the prince of his horse would have been covered. Him not do that. How do you know? Lawmen ask fella ride to town on trail. Them not see him. Oh. Posse follow trail, too. Them not see him. Then he must be hidden in town. Perhaps for the man who gave him the gun. Hmm. Look everywhere. Him not in town. The wagon train? The search wagon train, too. Wagon train leave now, though. I don't understand that. He couldn't disappear into thin air. If Billings isn't in town, then he must have either found a horse somewhere and made his escape with it, or gone with a wagon train. Tonto, no. Him not take horse. But you said the wagon train was searched. Not right. This is bad. I was afraid Billings might do something like this. That's why I asked you to stay in town for the day and keep an eye on things. Tonto, see two feller, talk to outlaw. You did? When was that? Four, five hour, four sun go down. Them talk to outlaw in jail. What did they have to say? Me not hear. Me try, but not get close. I wonder who they were. Them from wagon train. Looked like bad feller. You're sure they were from the wagon train? Uh-huh. Did the sheriff investigate? Did he question them? Uh-huh. But him not find outlaw. Did you see anyone else call on Billings before his escape? No. At all. Billings was helped by someone. Is the sheriff still watching all the trails? Uh-huh. Him do that. I don't know in what way. But Tonto, I've got an idea that wagon train and the two men who called on Billings in jail had something to do with his disappearance. Here, Silver. We'll soon catch up with the emigrants. When we do, we'll stay out of sight until tonight. And I want you to point out the two men who talked to Billings when he was in jail. Did he, Silver? Huh? Tonto, do that. Come on, Tonto. Get him up. Go on. I'll steal. The curtain falls on the first act of our thrilling Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. In an effort to find and recapture the outlaw Billings, the Lone Ranger and Tonto followed the wagon train. That night, the emigrants made camp out on the prairie. Duke and Shorty walked from wagon to wagon, talking to various members of the party, among them Asa Johnson's leader. But finally, they returned to their own wagon, which had been placed at some distance from the others' end. Listen to them galoots. Here, sing them. We'll take care of them later on. We're safe enough so far. Ain't a fellow we talked to that suspicions we had anything to do with Billings getting clear. Yeah. All the good did the sheriff to search the wagons right before we pulled out this morning was to make old Asa up and mad at the law. Here we are. We're going to sleep inside the wagon, ain't we? That way we can... Up with your hands. What, Ben? Now call out. Tonto. No. Me here. A red skin. Keep still. Tonto, I want you to search the wagon yourself while I have a talk with these fellows. Tonto do that. Hey, look here. Stay away from that wagon. What do you think you're doing? You know who we're after. But what are you doing? I know you're Billings' friends. You've had something to do with his disappearance. That ain't so. No. It ain't, I tell you. The sheriff knows why we went to the jail to see that fellow. He robbed us one time. We were just trying to see if he'd tell us what he'd done with the stuff he stole from us. No. Now tell that red skin to stay clear of our wagon. He ain't got no right to interfere with us. He'll do as he's been told. But he ain't got no... The sheriff made a search, but he may have overlooked something. He didn't pass out nothing. We'll find out. Billings isn't here. We'll leave you alone. We're going to make certain, however. We'll show you you can't... Keep your hands up. Don't make another move like that. You'll pay for this. Better take it easy, Duke. Take your friend's advice. He's going to steal something. What if he's trying to get him? We're not outlaws. Then what are you wearing that mask for? That's my business. There's the engine coming back. Find any trace of him, Tonto? No. You may not find him. He looked everywhere? Uh-huh. There, you see? We told you. Now clear out and leave us alone. Very well. Come, Tonto. The next time you show up here, mister, and you and that engine part of yours, we'll be ready for you. That's a warning. You better mind. We probably won't be back. Billings isn't with you. That's all we're interested in. Good ridden. We ride to town now. Tonto, we're staying on the trail of this wagon train. Why we do that? I'm more convinced than ever that Billings is here somewhere. Each day saw the wagon train farther along the westward trail. Twice the immigrants stopped at water holes and replenished their water supply. But after the second time, the masked man raced back to his camp. Oh, Silver. Oh, boy. Oh, there. Tonto. Oh, no, no. What's the matter? I think I've discovered where Billings is. Oh, that's good. If I'm not mistaken, they chose not only the most natural hiding place, but the one place no one would think to look. Where's that? I'll show you tonight. It'd get dark soon. Yes. The wagon train is making camp now. They'll have their evening meal and then turn in early. And Tonto, as soon as the camp is quiet, we'll act. But the Lone Ranger did not know that at the same time he made his discovery, he himself had been seen by Duke. The outlaw rode back to his wagon and... Whoa, there. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa, there. You didn't find no game, huh, dude? I've seen plenty. Why didn't you shoot something, then? We need fresh meat, and here you come back with... Shut up and listen to me. What in blazes is ailing you? Where's Billings? In front of the wagon, under some blankets. Now, don't go to worrying about him. There ain't gonna be nobody nosing around here now. No? Well, that's just where you're wrong. Huh? Guess who I seen snooping around today. Snooping around? What are you talking about? The mask fella. You're loco. Loco, am I? You think I didn't, and you're the one that's loco. I was just drawing a bead on some buffalo when I seen that big white horse of his cut out from a gully and heading north. He said he was clearing out. Uh-huh, but he didn't. So you see what that means? He still suspicions us. Right. And as long as he keeps hanging around, we're likely to be caught. I'd give a heap to know who that fella is. Did he see you? I doubt it. I was laying down using a rock for a rifle rest. He wouldn't have seen me unless he'd knowed where to look. Then maybe... Yeah? Maybe we could find where he's made camp and get rid of him. Then we'd be... I got a better scheme. What's the matter with getting rid of him? There's plenty of matter with it. What about the red skin? How do we know we can handle the two of them fellas together? What's more, we don't even know if we can find their camp. Well, we... And if we did and got rid of both of them without no trouble, how do we know the law back in Pine City didn't put the mask fella up to following us? Then we'd be blamed for the killing. If you got a better idea, let's hear it. We won't get rid of the mask fella. We'll get rid of Billy. What? Keep your voice down, Yajit. Sure. Why not? What's the matter with that? Well, he paid us to get him clear. Uh-huh. And we got the cash, ain't we? He can't take it away from us. Yeah, but that... Look here. No matter what the mask fella's suspicions, nobody knows for sure that Billings is with us. Ain't that right? I reckon... Get rid of him and nobody will ask questions. Because nobody can prove he was with us. Duke, maybe you're right. You bet I am. We've got Billings' cash. There's nothing to be gained by keeping him alive. And with him out of the way, we're in the clear. But how... How'll we do it? Yeah. You leave that to me. I'll think of a way. I'll just... Say... Now what? Tomorrow. Tomorrow's when the wagon train has to follow that mountain trail. Yeah? What of it? I'll tell you what of it. I got a scheme all ready. Shorty, you just listen to this. Shorty, Duke, and Billings slept inside the wagon. The following morning, Shorty woke up just before sunrise and wakened Duke. Hey, Duke. What's the matter? Duke, wake up. What? Oh, morning. We'd better get Billings fixed, Duke. Camp will be astir in another half hour. Yeah. Hey, what are you doing? I'm going to wake Billings up so we can say goodbye, that's all. But, Duke... Don't you worry. Hey, there. Wake up, part. Come on, get the sleep out of your ride. Oh, uh... Oh, golly, is it morning already? The sun will be up before long. We're getting ready to leave. We ain't Billings, but you are. I... Say, what do you mean? I just waked you up so me and Shorty here could sort of say goodbye to you. Say goodbye? You and Shorty, I don't get this. You will, Billings, you will. You ain't planning on double-crossing me, are you? Now, whatever put a thing like that in your head, Billings? You are. You're up to something. Don't lie to me. Now, now, I'm... I paid you to help me escape. I'll give you cash. You can't... Now, don't take it so hard, Billings. Don't do... Don't double-cross me. I'm your part. Don't go to yelling. Shorty, you ain't turned on me. Flash it to me. Finish it up. Wait. No, please. Stay back, Duke. There. Is he out? He's out cold. Now, get me them ropes and a gag. Hurry up before he comes to again. And Shorty, by the time we've got to cross the hills today, we'll be in the clear. In the clear, Shorty. Gagged and bound, Billings was hastily concealed in the hiding place that had served him before. Not long after the camp awakened, the wagons were lined up and once more they were on their way. The trail led across a barrier of hills. On one side of the wagons, almost scraping the hubs of their wheels, rose a sheer cliff. On the other side, a canyon fell away for a thousand feet. We see Duke now as he climbs from the rear of the wagon to join Shorty on the seat. Get along there, you critters. Get along. Move over, Shorty. Yeah. You got it all fixed? It'll break off and fall into the canyon any minute now. I seen to that. What'd you do? Pulled out a couple of the nails holding the platform to the wagon. Just enough so with the weight of the barrel, it'll let go. And fall right into the canyon with Billings inside the barrel. Now you see why I told you to make sure our wagon was the last one in line today. You mean in case the barrel breaks when it hits the edge? Sure. This way there's no one behind us to see it. Slick enough. And when folks notice the water barrel's gone, we just tell them the platform was too weak to hold it. Nobody's going to think anything about a barrel being missing. It ought to be dropping right quick now. Get up there. Get up. Maybe I ought to go back there and take out a couple more nails. I thought it'd be... Wait. There she goes. Take a look. The barrel never even hit the side of the trail. And that's the last we'll see of Billings. Let's stop and see... Nothing doing. We'll keep right in line. Just as though we didn't think it was anything important. Hey, pull up. You got to stop. The wagon's ahead. They're stopping. Pull up before we run into them. Oh, there. Oh. Oh. Oh, up there. There's Aether walking this way. Howdy, Aether. What are we stopping for? Howdy, Duke. Hello there, Shorty. What's the matter? That's what I come to ask you. I've been riding with Dave just ahead of you there, and I thought I heard... Oh, I see what happened. Your water barrel broke away, huh? Yep. Took a tumble into the canyon. But that ain't nothing to trouble about. I think it is. What? That blasted mask, fella. Where'd you come from? I've been following behind you. Aether, I think it'd be worth your while to stop here until you sent a couple of men down into that canyon. What first, stranger? The water barrel that fell down there didn't contain water. Look here. You're crazy. Come on, Aether. Let's get moving. I'm sort of interested in what the mask hombre's got to say, Duke. Go on, stranger. I think you'd be interested to find out just what was in that barrel. Do as I say. Send someone down there to investigate. Won't hurt nothing, I reckon. I'll get there. Oh, there ain't no use in doing that. It's only an old girl. What do you get? What's the head up about, Shorty? You ain't done something wrong, have you? Why, of course not. But you ain't got nothing to fear if Dave goes down to have a look like the mask hombre says. So I just give Dave... But listen. Wait. Yeah? You ain't really gonna waste our time like this, are you? You ain't gonna be fooling up to stop here just on a mask man's say-so, are you? I reckon I am. Oh, no, you ain't. What are you... Oh, my hand! Slap leather, Shorty, and you'll get the same. My hands are raised. Now then, Acer, you believe what I told you? That I do, stranger. And I'm sorry I didn't take your word for it before. Sato! No. Me bring power. Well, I'll be... It's Billings! The man you thought you'd sent to his death in the canyon. But how'd he get free? How'd he get here? You knocked Billings out this morning and put him in that water barrel. The same hiding place you used to get him out of Pine City. But I didn't. It was the best hiding place you could have used. Nothing's more valuable to a wagon train than water. But look here, you... It never occurred to anyone that that barrel didn't contain water. And I didn't guess it myself until I noticed that twice you passed up water holes without filling it. Bless you, so that's how you guessed it. Right after you put Billings into the barrel this morning, Tonto and I took him out again and put in stones instead. But when I told Acer where Billings had been, he wouldn't believe it. That's why we had to make you think we were going to search for the barrel in the canyon. Your own fear confessed the truth. Tricked. Not only that, but since your attempt on his life, Billings has told what he knows of your plans. That you were staying with a wagon train only long enough to locate the money and valuables these people have. That's a lie. We never schemed no such thing. You can't take Billings' word for that. He double-cought it. Kill me, would you? Well, maybe I've got to go back to jail. But I'll see that you fellas go right along with me. I'm testifying to everything again here that I know. I am silver, old boy. There's a monster on the trail ahead. It is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.
