Every horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-yo silver, the Lone Ranger. The discovery of gold in the western United States attracted many criminals from the east. With no adequate law-enforcing agency on the frontier, they found it easy to jump claims and to rob the honest miners and prospectors. It was then that the masked rider of the plains started his great fight for justice. It was he who brought peace and security to the new territory. And without him, the winning of the West would never have been possible. 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. Adventure on the trail ahead. Hi-yo silver, away! Our story begins thousands of miles away from the western range country. A tall, three-masted schooner is beating her way around the horn, San Francisco bound. Spray lashes her decks. Wind whistles through the rigging. Two men have been washed overboard, lost forever. A third, Luke Ross, has been dashed from a cross-stay, lifted from the deck by young Johnny Thompson, and carried to his bunk in the focusle. Thank you, Johnny. But I'm done for. Fair done for. Don't say that, Luke. Oh, it ain't no use. I can feel it coming on. I've got a feeling all the time. I've never, never lived to see Frisco. Oh, now you will, Luke. Now, wait, Johnny. There's something. Yes? You've been a friend to me. About the only one aboard ship. I've only given you a hand now and then when you've needed it. When all the rest of them laughed at me for a landlubber. Listen, Johnny. There's something I've got to tell you before I'm through. A message to your folks? No. Take that. The folks are all gone. Johnny, it's a mine. A mine my brother Jake located the time he went west. Yes? That's why I signed up for the voyage, Johnny. To jump ship at Frisco and get to the other side of the mountains and work that mine myself. Gold? So much gold, there ain't no sand. Golly. Oh, Johnny. Under my blankets. There at the foot of my bunk. Look, lift them up and look under them. Sure. Is this what your map is? Yeah. It's a map. It tells just how to reach that place. It's way up in the hills. Jake said you'd never find it without you had the map to show you the way. I'd never find it? The map is yours, Johnny. For all you've done for me. No, you don't have to do this, Luke. Johnny. Don't argue. That paper. It'll tell you what... I can't. Where to go and all. Just a small place. Jake said a friend of his lived there. A friend? A prospector. Silas Hanson's the name. He'll guide you if you find him. Jake... Jake always wanted Si to have a share of the mine. You've got my word. The name of the town is Osage. Osage. Silas Hanson. Yes, I've got it. It's good to know you're going to get what I... I can. I... Look out. What? Behind. I'll fix it. I'll fix it. I'll fix it. You... Oh, me on. You wouldn't like a coach's arm, would you? Drop that knife. Sure, Governor. I never meant no arm. Quickly, I didn't. Get out. Sure, Governor. Sure. I never meant no arm. Luke. Luke. Luke, can't you hear me? Luke. Far from San Francisco, many months later, a riderless horse brought the Lone Ranger into the chain of events which had started at sea. The place was a small, well-hidden camp, many miles from the nearest town. The time was late afternoon. Scout! Scout, old fellow. Where's Tonto? What's happened to you, master? Hey, Silver. Silver, old boy. Something's happened to Tonto. We've got to find him. Steady, boy. Lead the way, Scout. We'll follow. Come on, Silver. The afternoon faded into night. In another camp many miles away, an Indian was bound securely to a tree, and a burly outlaw gun in hand glared at him. The two figures were lighted by the dancing flames of a small campfire. All right, Indian, talk. What was you doing sneaking around my camp? Tonto, not talk. I've seen you before someplace. Maybe someplace. Yeah. I got it. I've seen you riding across country with a mask, fella. Sure, that's it. Now, then, Indian, who was that mask, hombre? Tonto, not talk. No? Well, you will before I'm through with you. You wasn't spying on me for nothing. You and your mask part are up to some game. You'll not find out. There. The next will come closer. I was for talking now. Still stubborn, eh? Boy, bless your red skin out. Hey there, Baldy. Eh? Oh, it's you. Who's this hombre? He's the fella I was telling you about, Baldy. The one that was asking questions about you at the cafe. Eh? Get down from that horse. Now, bloom and saddledies. Ain't used to riding horseback, eh? Horses and saddles ain't for such as me, Governor. Blimey, they ain't. Forget it. You ain't crippled. Now, what's your business? What was you so blame-anxious to find out about me for? Why, it's like this, Governor. Hey, who's the ruddy savage? Never mind him. Right now, I'm a sight more interested in who you are. Me? Blimey's what they call me, Governor. Al Smithers is the name of the old lad he gave me. But I'm an answer to Limey. Late to the Betsy Ann out of Liverpool, British register. Oh, gone, Baldy. You ever hear a fella talk like him before? Hey, what's wrong with the way I talk to you? You ain't told me yet what you was asking questions for. Governor, how'd you like to make yourself a piece of change? Go on. I ain't no blooming mountain climber, see? So what I need is a couple of coals like yours to sort of show me the ropes. And, Governor, you can take the word of Al Smithers. It'll be worthwhile. What's the proposition? Well, I'll tell you, matey. Seems as if a fella named Jake Ross found a gold market. Jake Ross? Baldy, you heard about him. Recollect? He was a fella who kept bringing all that gold into town from somewhere in the hills. And nobody could ever find out where it come from. Yeah. Heard of him, eh? Then maybe he'll turn up with me, eh? Just say the word. Say he'll go half and half. And I'll tell you what he knows. You savvy with that mine's at? I don't, Governor. But I can show you the bucko as does. Well, is it a go? You're signing on? Blimey, if you can fix it for us to find where Jake Ross was getting his dust from, you just bet we'll go 50-50. Shake, matey. Sure. Now, who's this fella knows about the mine and where's he at? His name's Johnny Thompson. He was on the Betty Ann along with me. A bloomin' yank the mate Shang-Eyed will be put in at Baltimore. And right now, Governor, he's lying across for the place that's called outside. How would he know anything about a Jake's mine? He knows, don't you fear. He knows because he's got a map to the place. And, matey, that map was given by a cove named Luke Ross. Jake's brother as ever was. Well, I'll be... You hear that, Baldy? A map brought up by Jake himself, I'll bet you. That means the gold's as good as ours. Where's this fella at now? This Thompson, I'm brie. Told you he was heading for Osage, didn't I? How far out? Well, he was silent, Governor. He ought to be making a landfall before tomorrow night. What's he going to Osage for? Why, to look for... Oh, blimey. Hey, what's that? A mask fella. Don't slap, brother. What the? I've heard some interesting things, Baldy. How'd you know my name? I've been trailing you for quite a while. Are you... Reach for those guns, Ike, and I'll outdraw you. Yeah, well, I'll show you, then. Now drop those guns back in their holsters. You'll never complete that draw. Sure, stranger, sure. Just don't shoot. Hold still, fellow. I'll cut these ropes. There. Can you make it? Let me get loose now. Look here, stranger. The engine came sneaking around here, and I... Quiet. Quiet, I tell you... I want to give you a warning. Todd will bring up the horses. I left them in that grove back there. Todd will get them. Well, I haven't been able to get anything on you yet. I heard your talk just now, but I can't turn you over to the law for something you haven't done yet. Boydston, what have you got again, me? You're a crook same as me, or you wouldn't be wearing that mask. There ain't no reason for us to have trouble. Fact is, if you'd like to throw in with me and I can lie to you here, well... I'm not throwing in with you, and I'm warning you not to go through with your plans. Don't try to get that mine. There, now. Ain't you going it a bit, I ain't mighty? You ain't no bloomin' top to kill it. I've said enough. You understand me. Yeah, of course. Good. Goldie. Well? I'm going to find Thompson and let him know you're on his trail. You're so doggone anxious to get something on me. Why are you giving me this warning? Because I know your kind. Huh? You'll risk anything for gold, especially if you can get it dishonestly. Well, you've had your warning, and I don't expect you to heed it. I'll tell you this, however. When you make a slip, Tonto and I'll be there. You ready, Tonto? Be ready. Come on, show me. The meddling skunks. Who asked him to come butting in? Pauly, what are we going to do? Do? Well, one thing we ain't going to do is let that hombre scare us out of a fortune. But with him here and what we said... We'll find some way to take care of that. Blimey, I don't reckon you will like it, but you're going to have to do some more riding. We're breaking camp, clearing out and covering our trail. The Lone Ranger and Tonto returned to their camp and in the morning set out on the trail to Osage. It was not difficult to recognize Johnny Thompson when they overtook him. He was still wearing the ill-fitting shore clothes he had bought in San Francisco, and he was obviously unaccustomed to the saddle. That must be him, Tonto. We'll soon find out, at least. Come on, Tonto. Get him up, look out. Hello there. Him, hear you. But he's not stopping. Right up. Right up, your horse. Get up. Get up. Now stop him, Tonto. Come on, old fellow. Come on. Stay back. This isn't a hold-up. Hell, then. Pull, pull, Tonto. Pull back. Pull. I've got no money. And I just told you this isn't a hold-up. Then what are you stopping me? You know a man called Limey? What? Where'd you find out about him? Where is he? How'd you come to know him? He's somewhere behind you on the trail. And I happen to know he's following you for a map you have in your possession. I knew it. I knew he'd follow. You've got more than him to fear. Limey alone wouldn't last long in this country. But he's joined up with two crooks. He's told him about the map? He has. But what's this to you? The two men with him are Baldy Baker and a fellow called Ike. No one's ever heard his last name. I've suspected them to be outlaws for a long time. Now I'm sure of it. I warned you so you wouldn't be their next victim. That mask you wear? It doesn't prove I'm an outlaw. I have my own reason for wearing it. I'll just bet you have. You have that map with you? Where it is and what I've done with it is none of your business. Thompson, I'm trying to help you or I wouldn't have given you this information. You're an outlaw. You wouldn't be wearing that mask. You won't be convinced. Very well. Just how do you expect to get there? You're going to attempt the trail alone? I'll tell you how I'm going. Silas Hanson is taking me if I can find him. Silas Hanson is an honest man. Which is more than I can say for some others. Let him take you there, but don't trust anyone else. Never fear. Osage is still quite a few miles ahead. Get going. You aren't even going to search me? I said get going. Well, I'll be switched. You are a funny pair of crooks. Get up. Get up there. Fine outlaw? They probably covered the tracks pretty well after the warning I gave them. That doesn't matter, however. If it had, I would have said nothing. You got plans? There's one thing certain. If Baldy and Ike and Limey do try anything, they'll have to show themselves to Johnny and Silas Hanson. That's right. And if we follow Johnny when he leaves Osage, we'll be on hand whenever those crooks act. Whether Johnny believes us outlaws or not, Tonto, he's going to be protected. Isn't that good? And we're going to give him that protection. Come on, Tonto. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story, Johnny Thompson rode on to Osage, made inquiries in town, and learned that old Silas Hanson still lived there. He lost no time introducing himself and telling the purpose of his visit. Silas and his daughter Linda made the young man welcome. And when Johnny had finished his story, Silas said, Now this here mask fellow you met up with, just what'd he look like? You recollect? Oh, he was tall. Tall on me, even. Broad-shouldered. Held himself right straight in the saddle. What kind of a horse was he riding? Gosh, Mr. Hanson, I'd never forget that horse if I lived to be a hundred. A white horse? White. Say, how'd you guess it? Is that mask man a well-known outlaw around here? Oh, that must be. Hold on, honey. Wait till we make sure. You said there was a redskin with him? Did you hear the redskin's name by any chance? No, can't say as I did. Oh, wait. I did hear the mask man call out something or other just before he grabbed my reins. Yeah? It was Pronto or Montel or something like that. I just don't... Pronto? Sure, Pronto, that's it. Oh, Pa, it was. And Johnny, you went and mistook that fellow for an outlaw. Golly, that's the best yet. I did something wrong? Pa, you mustn't make fun of him. He's a stranger in the way. He couldn't have heard of the Lone Ranger before. Lone Ranger? Shuck, son, that fellow ain't not only not a crook, but he's the one hombre in these parts that crooks steer clear of. Forgotten a notion who he is. I'm afraid I don't understand. Well, you see, Johnny... Oh, here now, honey. You can't be calling this young fellow by his first name already. He most likely won't care for it. Oh, but... Well, I don't mind. You see, nobody knows who the Lone Ranger is, where he came from, his name, nothing. But he's done more to build up the West than any other man alive. He's quite a fellow, all right. But ain't you taken in a whole heap of territory, honey? Well, he has, Pa. You know he has. I think he's wonderful. I'll bet he'd be mighty proud to hear you say that, Miss Linda. He wouldn't even know I was alive. Doggone, how many men do you want on your string, anyhow? First, you're making eyes at Johnny here. Then you go to talking about the masked fellow like a lovesick girl. I wasn't either making eyes at Johnny. Uh, you'll go with me into the mountains then, Mr. Hanson? Sure will. We leave Huston in the morning. Get up before dawn, reach the hills before night comes. That's great. You seem mighty anxious to get away. Ho, ho, ho. But don't you see, Linda? Uh, Miss Linda, if we find that gold, then I can get back real quick and... And? Oh, nothing. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. You young folks got me deep. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Silas and Johnny left several hours before dawn the following day. It was two hours later when three shadowy figures approached the handsome place. Linda, having seen her father and Johnny off, had remained up and was busy in her kitchen. From this valley, they tell me you're living. I shall wish your bright eyes and sweet smile. Oh, they tell me... Yes? I've got a message for you, Miss. One moment. You have a message? Yeah, we come... Oh, blimey. Ain't she a looker, though? Oh! Now, what's wrong, Miss? Give you a fright, did I? You... You're the man, Limey. Heard to me, eh, Duchess? Quickie, if I ain't a man for the ladies to hear about. I'll be late in half an hour. Get out of here. Get out. Miss, that's just what we aim to do. But you can get into your riding clothes first, because you're going with it. Unaware that Limey and his newfound friends had seized Linda, Silas and Johnny continued their journey. The mountain air was keen, the sun warm, their horses fresh and willing. Johnny, to whom the West was a new experience, was enthusiastic, and Silas laughed at the young man's high spirits. Well, Johnny, kind of caught into this here country, don't you? Mr. Hanson. Silas to you, Johnny. I keep forgetting. Silas, this country is grand. Uh-huh. Sort of think so, myself. Golly, I wouldn't want to go back east again, even if I hadn't met... Huh? Met who? Uh, no one, Silas. It's like I said, I keep forgetting. Their way led into more rugged country. They reached Timberline and continued beyond, where even the sure-footed packhorses found the trail difficult. Silas and Johnny were not the first to climb the mountain that morning, however. High above them rode a masked man and an Indian. Come on, Silver. They must be making for that pass up ahead, Tano. That only way, trail, go. We'll go through it first. Wait until we're sure they're coming, then ride on again. Come on, old fellow. Come on, Silas. Three men and a girl followed Silas at a safe distance. The girl's face was worn and anxious. Of the men, one was heavyset with a head that shone ball when he removed his stetson. One keeping to the saddle with obvious difficulty was thin, furtive, and wizened. The third was somber, hawk-faced, sullen. He raised his hand and pointed to the trail before them with... This is just about where Jake Ross used to lose one in fellas that followed him, Baldy. How do you know them fellas in front of us ain't gonna do the same? Jake weren't the same proposition as these fellas. He couldn't be followed because he was the best fella on the trail in these parts. Silas ain't so bad, but he's getting old. The other fella's just a tenderfoot. I hope they lose you. I hope with all my heart they do. Dodgers, you're a game sport. Blimey if you ain't. But your friend's playing a losing game. Oh, the blasted horse. The blooming Hannibal likes to make me ache. Yes, he does. Blimey if he don't. Still deeper into the mountains, rode Silas and Johnny, following the clear markings of the map. At first, they were constantly on the watch for Baldy and Ike. But as they approached their destination, they forgot everything but the gold mine. One day, shortly before noon, Johnny shouted, Silas, there it is. Just like the map says, see? A big rock carved out to look like a pillar. That spring trickling out from the top. The cave just beyond. Come on, Silas, hurry. Get up, get up. Tired as they were, the two men were far too eager to explore their find to take the time to rest. All that day, their picks dug at the gleaming sides of the cave. That night, they slept. But at dawn, they returned to their task. Hour after hour, they swung their picks until finally Silas called a halt. That's enough for now. Johnny, drop that pick of you in before you wear yourself up. The gold will keep. Silas, ain't it wonderful? Gold. Did you ever see anything like it? Mm-mm. Golly, I never had a thrill like this in my whole life. I'll bet you never. But it's a fact that it's the richest claim I ever seen. No wonder Jake kept it secret. This is a kind of a claim that men will murder for. You're right, Silas. What, Limey? That begins good to see an old ship, mate. Ain't you glad to see me, matey? You followed us. What'd you expect? We ain't got nothing again owning a gold mine ourselves, have we, Limey? Ha-ha. Kirky, where are you? Up with your hands. I reckon, pal. You're covered. And if you're shoots us, Governor, what'll be happening to the duchess? What's that? What Limey's trying to say is maybe if you shot us, it wouldn't go so good for your girl, Linda. Linda? Thought that would fit you. Sure, we followed you. We brought Linda along. Right now, she's in a place you won't ever find. We'd like to guard her. You skunk. I'd like to... Is it now? Silas, I reckon we hold the whip hand. Always supposing you'd like to see your girl again. Now, how's it for a trade? A trade? Sure. The mine for the girl. Do it, Silas. Go on, do it. We can't let nothing happen to Linda. I don't give a hoot for my share of the gold alongside her. Not so fast. Huh? This mine ain't never been claimed. We let you go and you'll break your necks getting the town to file on it. No, siree. You ain't getting away with nothing like that. But we're not going to do that. What you're going to do before we give you back the girl or let her go, you signed the paper. And when you got here, you found we'd stake the claim ahead of you. That way, if you try any funny business, we'll have the evidence to show you're just claim-jumpers. Slick, ain't you? Ain't no more way around. We, we've got to do it, Silas. We've got no choice. Yeah. Fly nothing. Hey, that's a max man. Silas, your daughter's free. We trained these crooks and took her away from Mike. You don't have to sign anything. Come on, silver. The man's brother, he's got the girl. Oh, I'd like to cut his blaster throat. Yes, I would. Come on, we're going to find out what happened, Ike. How they got the girl. Hurry up, line up, line up, line up. That must have been the Lone Ranger. But where'd he go? What did he do with Linda? Why did he bring her here? You come, let's count off. The Redskins. You come. Baldy and his companion raced to the spot where they had left Ike and Linda. When they arrived, they could scarcely believe their eyes. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. She's still here. What's the matter, Baldy? Have you seen a mask color around this camp at any time? Gosh, no. Have you? I've seen no one. Then what in blazes was he up to? He's got me beat for fair, mighty. What's this all about? Why, why we had old Silas and a young fella just where we wanted them. All ready to sign the paper and glad of the chance. When that mask fella showed up and yelled that he'd found the girl and got her loose. The fella's loco. Then watch his game, eh? What's the blight you're up to? This should show your story. Come on, Silver. Up with your hands, all of you. You won't get away with this. Don't make a mistake, Baldy. Reach. What blazes? You wanted to know why I said Linda wasn't your prisoner. It was to make you lead me here, and you did. Let's rush him, Baldy. We're three to his one. You're not three to my one now. The bastard ruddy savage is coming. Oh, oh, Paul. Hold there. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh, oh. Linda, you're all right, honey. They haven't harmed you. I'm so glad you came, Johnny. Doggone Johnny. Just quit looking at her and untie them ropes. We'll clear out. Just let us go, and we won't bother you no more. We'll clear out. Well, Devon, Governor, cross me blooming out and hope you die. I ain't a chap who's going to bother you no more. That's quite true. You won't. Wait. Listen. Can't we make a deal? Stranger, can't we? You remember what I told you the first time we met? I guess, but I... I said I knew you'd try for the gold in spite of my warning. And I said that when you did, when you made a slip, Tonto and I would act. Please. That's enough. Silas. Yeah? Tonto will stay with you and Johnny to guard these men. The three of you should have no trouble. Shucks. Not now that you've given us the upper hand on them. And I'll head for town and bring the law. But here, you don't have to trouble yourself no more for us. You just... Are you still... Wait. Look at him go, will you? Talks like a blooming toff and rides like his ruddy majesty dragoons. Now, why didn't you girls tell me the blighter wasn't human? Blimey, mates, he ain't. Don't still roll for us. There's a Texas ranger threatened with blackmail. We must help him. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.
