speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-yo silver, the Lone Ranger. The rich grazing land of Texas brought wealth to many of the early settlers, but the local sheriffs were unable to protect them from the outlaws who roamed the new territory. The honest ranchers' lives and property were in constant danger, until the masked rider of the plains started his great fight for justice. It was he more than any other man who put an end to the law of might makes right. It was the Lone Ranger who blazed the trail for peace and progress, and the memory of his deeds will remain as long as the memory of the early West itself. Return with us now, 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! Murph Morton is out of jail! There's going to be trouble! Everyone around Pecos called the owner of the Lazy J Ranch, Mustang Mag. Years of struggle against drought and famine, rustlers and Indians gave Mag the aggression of a man. Yet her rough manner concealed a soft heart. Her foreman, old Missouri, held his job only through Mag's generosity and... All in tarnation I ask of you, Missouri, is that you keep out from under Fortin. Dad Ratchie, you can't even do that. I can say a plenty about your feet covering so much territory, a man can't keep... What was that? Well, I... Never mind. If you have to poke around the house, go shave your face. And while you're at it, see if you can't curry that hair of yours. I declare your sight to see. You mean I gotta slick up? That's just what I mean. I got company coming from Pecos, and I do declare I'm ashamed to ever see you. Who's coming? Betsy Jane. When we was in town for the hearing on the land, right? She said she'd drive out here today. Why didn't you tell me so this morning? Thunder Ration, bet you Jane is quality. Why, I gotta get slick proper for her. It'd take half a day to get fixed with my boots greased, my shirt washed... That's why I didn't tell you. If you'd have known, you wouldn't have done lick work around here. Yucks, I ain't like Blazers to have her see me like this. Maggie just ain't right. It don't reflect credit on you. She's gotta think right well of the man you aim to marry. Who says so? Well, we're engaged, ain't we? Hmm, been that for ten years, according to your notions. Never said nothing about marrying, though. Now, there ain't no use rushing things. Seek saliva here a wagon. If that's Betsy Jane, you just gotta keep out of sight. If only you wouldn't keep things secret from me. It is, Betsy Jane. Now you get to the woodshed and see that you'll stay there till she's gone, until you're shaved and spruced up. Go on, now get. I'll let her in. Betsy Jane, welcome to the Lazy Jay. Hello, Aunt Meg. Get yourself down off in that rig and come on in here. My sakes, good to see you. Hey, lamb, you take the ladies' horses. Haven't seen your sister hearing, Aunt Meg. Oh, my gracious, but wasn't that an exciting day? Sure enough was, but come on inside. I'll have tea in a little while. There now, honey. Just set yourself down there. That's the best chair. Don't allow Missouri to sit on it. He's an old dear. Where is he? Chased him off to the woodshed to get some of the whiskers off his face. Wasn't it terrible that Mr. Morton couldn't be made to stay in jail? Oh, I don't know. Everyone knows he was guilty of murder, but there wasn't proof enough to hang him. I don't know what's hanging him, but it'll help things much. Has he caused any more trouble for you? I should say not. I reckon now he knows the laws on my side, he won't try no more of his cussed tricks. I wonder. Why should he? He's got most of the land around here now anyway. I'll get the tea kettle on. But he wants the Lazy Jay mighty bad. Your valley land has good water. Only way I get it now is to make me sell. And I won't sell. In fact, he's betcha Jane he's been right sociable since he got out of jail. He has? Sure thing. Dropped by the cold the other day. Really? I never known he was here, Meg. Why'd you tell me? Shut that door. He started shaving anyway. Yep. A goat could grow fat on what he grows on his face. But as I was saying, I guess Morton's buried the hatchet for keeps. Come to see if I didn't want to share the cattle train with him. And did you? Why not? I've got to have cattle cars to ship my stock to market. Yes, I know, but... I'll give him the cash for what cars I'll need and he's made the arrangements to get the train. All's I got to do is get my critters through Grant Pass to the railroad spur and run into the cars. Choo-choo does the rest. And his cattle will be on the same train? Yep. Aunt Meg, can you trust him? Nope. Can't trust no one. But I can make blame sure he don't get the chance to do no crooked trick. But suppose he sends the train back without giving you the chance to get loaded? The train won't leave till the 15th, but then it will be loaded. I've got to be. If I ain't, I won't sell my stock and then I would be up again it. Would you really? Sure. I ain't the grazing to carry them cows over another season. They're ready for market and they'll get there. I... What was you about to say? I wonder what Morton is up to. Why? He's been around town a bit hiring a lot of new hands. Luckily he needs them. But the men he's hiring ain't near as skilled in handling cattle as they are in handling six guns. Oh, I wouldn't be too suspicious of them, Betsy Jane. After all, ain't much else but gunslingers to be had around Pecos. All the good cow hands already got jobs. I hope you don't lose out, Aunt Meg. Morton has more tricks up his sleeve than a red fox. She's right, Meg. Dad rather bet she seems right. Missouri! Now you've got to listen. Morton ain't to be trusted. I never know you'd made a deal with him. You're all the time keeping things from me. Your hair ain't cold. No, and my shirt ain't washed but Morton is still a crook and you... Missouri! Now, Meg, put down that tea kettle. Don't you know that? Don't you dare... That man's a caution. Can you imagine Betsy Jane when he was a baby with a face like that? While Mustang Mag entertained her caller, the Lone Ranger and his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, headed toward the Morton Ranch. The point is, Tonto, Morton doesn't need more men than he already has to handle his stock. Him hire plenty more men. That's what we heard but we aren't sure. You'll find out? I'll ride alone after we get to the forks and see if the reports are true. Meanwhile, you go and call on Mustang Meg. She'll be glad to see you after the help you gave her before. Oh, you'll help? She knows you, though, Kimo Sabe, and you may be able to learn about her plans for shipping cattle. Oh. I'll meet you in camp tonight and we'll compare notes. You think Morton got scheme? I know Morton wants the lazy J and I know he isn't the type of man to be content until he gets it. Too bad him not hang. He had too much money and influence. I was afraid there wouldn't be proof enough to hang him. There, forkhead. Yes. You head for the lazy J. I'll go on to Morton's. Ah. And be careful when you go through Grant Pass. Valley's mighty narrow and there's a lot of rocks in the hills on each side. Any one of the Morton men would be glad of the chance to shoot you from ambush. On to Washington. Get him up, scum. Come on, Silver. Butch Newsome, the foreman of the extensive Morton Ranch, was standing near the corral as the lone ranger, unmasked but wearing a disguise, rode up. Hi there. Hi. Oh, boy. Oh. There, stranger. What's on your mind? A job. A job, huh? What makes you think the Morton spreads hiring? I heard in Pekos that you were. Where have you worked? I haven't done much wrangling, but I understand it isn't that you care about. Pack a brace of shooting irons, I see. Yes. Tied low, too. It means you might sometimes have to make a fast draw. That's right. Ain't particular just what sort of work you're called on to do? Suppose you tell me the details. Well, yeah, I can give you some of them. Mr. Morton's to meet all in new hands tonight in the bunkhouse. He'll tell you the rest of them. Well, well. Seems that he wants enough men to put into the hills on each side of Grand Pass and guard the pass. What for? Well, that's one of the things Morton himself will tell you. I see. All I can say is that he's right anxious to keep a certain herd from getting through the pass to the railroad spur. Oh? Plans to shoot the cattle down? Not exactly. Not if they can be stampeded. Maybe I'm talking too much, stranger. Maybe you'll go tell the sheriff about this, but it won't do you no good. You see, it'll be your word again mine and I ain't said a thing. I won't tell the sheriff anything. Why should I? I'm just mentioning that in case. I guess Morton is pretty friendly with the lawman and Pecos anyway, isn't he? I wouldn't say as to that. He beat that murder trial. Yeah. All right, stranger, just keep your hands above the shoulders. I've seen you coming, boss, and got your signal to say nothing. What's the matter? I said turn slow and let me have a look at you. Seems like I've seen that horse somewhere before. You must be Merton Morton. That's me. Looks like you got your face sort of fixed up in a disguise. Have I? See if they ain't loaded with bullets that are made of silver. Silver? Silver! Look out, boss. At him, boy. Watch this. No, you don't. Oh, my hand. I'll get you. Not so fast. Stop it. Stop it. He shot my gun. I'll shoot again. Oh, you missed him. Why didn't you drop him? I tried that, boss, but he knocked me down. I can't shoot in the ground like this. Get on your feet. What good are you, anyhow? If his horse hadn't knocked you to one side, I'd come... Or if he hadn't shot my gun away. I thought my hand was smashed. Josh, what's shooting? How much did you tell him? What did he want here? He was looking for a job. A job? He didn't want no job. He just came for information. What's he know? I didn't tell him much, boss. That's a man that spoiled my last chance at the lazy jail. He was? Yeah. Not the Lone Ranger? Yes, the Lone Ranger. Oh, if only you dropped him when you fired him. Gosh, I... No wonder he got his gun out so fast. As long as he's around here, I don't feel easy about things. What's there he can do? Reckon he can't do much? Not now. I ain't broke no laws that he can catch me for. I got friends as sheriff's deputies. If he goes to help Mag take her critters through the pass, he won't be able to do any more than any other waddy. And you aim to go ahead with the plans? Sure I do. You have all the new hands in the bunkhouse tonight. I'll be there and give them orders. And if you see the Lone Ranger again, shoot him on sight. I sure will. And see that you shoot to kill. That evening, ten newly hired gunmen met in the bunkhouse at the Morton Ranch. They were a hard, grim face pack, each man capable of murder. They were willing to take any kind of orders as long as they were paid. But they insisted on payment in full. You'll get paid, all right. That's all I want to be sure of, Morton. I've got all your names on this list. When do I get some money? How long do we wait? My foreman will pay you for one week now and you get three weeks paying a lump when the job is done. That's good pay for work that won't take more than a few days. You better outline the scheme. Butch here, my top hand, will show you places on each side of Grant Pass where you can hide and wait for the lazy Jay cattle to come through. You stampede the cattle, spread it out both ways from the pass so as it can't be loaded to the cattle car, Savvy. Meanwhile, the cars will be waiting. As soon as that cattle is stampeded bad, you come and help load my stock on the cars. I'll have the train held over one day. Then when it pulls out, lazy Jay's stock won't be on it. You see, Jen, the idea is to keep Mag from selling cattle. Then she'll have to sell her ranch. She won't be able to keep going. Now, I'll go down this list of your names and Butch will pay as agreed. What's that? Who fired that? Come on, come through the window. Get a light. Get the other light going. I'll have the light. Wait a minute. Hurry up. Don't let no one get out of here. What's that window? Keep an eye on the window. Don't let anyone get out. Shoot the first one of ties for the window. Oh, he's going out the door. Where's the light? The paper's gone. Where's that paper? Look. Look here. Quiet down. It's him again. He took that paper with your names and left the silver bullet to show he got it. It was the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger raced away from the ranch to meet Tonto, but Morton would not believe that any way could be found to spoil his plans. The next day, led by Butch and Morton himself, the newly hired gunman spread through the hills on each side of Grand Pass. Snake Eye, you drop out right here and stand by that block. Right, boss. You sure got a pack of nerve, boss. Why have I? Going right ahead with the plans. One man ain't gonna stop me. Reed! See, Junior. Stay behind that boulder. That's your post. See, amigo. How do you think stealing that list of names would stop us? He had the wrong hunch, Butch. How's that? Likely thought they was wanted by the law. Them names on the list weren't their own. Ain't a chance to get lawmen to come here. Maybe Mustang Mag will learn from him that we're here. Let her know. Maybe she won't run her cattle through the pass knowing we're here to shoot them down or stampede them. Of course she won't. If she don't send them through, she won't get them to the railroad and she won't sell them. That's so. Rest of you boys, there we are. Let old Mustang Mag watch her cattle die on her hands. This is the time we got her licked. Curtain falls in 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. Unaware that Morton's gunmen were guarding the pass, Mustang Mag sat astride a big chestnut mare supervising the roundup of her cattle. There, Sam. Lovely, Hank. Get them critters herded. We ain't got all year to get to the railroad. Hey! What's your trouble? Mag, there's gonna be trouble. What sort? Morton has showed his hand. He's in the hill. What hill? On each side of Grand Pass. All them two-gun coyotes he hired to spot it there. They're aiming to stop us from driving her through Grand Pass. What? Just so that she's skiing. That's what's been on his mind from the start. He can't do that. He sure can and is. Why that double-dealing poor cat? Missouri, if you're lying, I'll lambaste you within an inch of your life. It's true, so help me, Mag. How'd you know it's Morton? Well, they're his men. Is he there, Sam? I don't know as to that. It ain't likely, the poor cat. I see it now. You keep yourself in the clear and blame what happens on cow thieves that'll disappear before the law can touch you. Mag, there ain't but one thing to do. What's that? Go through the hill. Ah, yeah. A hated old fool, how? Just go. You can't get through Grand Pass. Can't get through the hills that much of shore. Why, it's all a saddlebroke horse can do to get through them hills and a herd of cattle wouldn't have a chance. But there ain't no other way. I'll leave the critters here and let them starve before I'll try the hills. Sharks, it couldn't be done. They'd stray and bust the legs and get lost and, ah, that can't be done. But you can't keep the stock here. There ain't Grayson to carry them. Then it's Grand Pass. You can't go through there with them crooks waiting. We got to. Maybe we'll lose the cattle, but we can get a shot at some of them crooks while we're doing it. Come on, boys. Keep moving. I aim to... High in the hills overlooking the valley ranch, the lone ranger in Tonto watched the roundup. She's going ahead with the roundup, Tonto. Uh-huh. I thought she would in spite of knowing about the men who were waiting. Hmm, her plenty brave. I didn't think it'd be necessary to take the time to ride down there and tell her to go ahead. Her not be ready for a long time. It'll be sundown before she's ready to move through Grand Pass. Ah. That gives us just enough time to reach the army post. But you say soldier, not help? They won't. At least I don't think they will unless they're made to help. Oh, why soldier, not help? They can't, Tonto. The station at the post has stopped Indian uprisings. The army men can't take part in cattle and land troubles. That isn't what the soldiers are there for. Oh. Now what you do? I'm going to take this list of names to Colonel Andrews. And what Tonto do? They're going to go with me and watch for a signal. We may have trouble with the guard at the fort. If so, we'll take care of them. I'll tell you more as we ride. Come on, Tonto. I'll steal my away. Riding hard, the Lone Ranger and Tonto headed for an army post several miles away. The masked men knew that it was hopeless to ask aid for Mustang Mag. They also knew that Tonto could be relied upon to carry out his part of their plan. Come on, Silver. Get him up and go. When the hills had been left behind, the two hard-riding men saw the flag above the distant garrison. There's old glory, Tonto. And I hate to fight the men who guard it, but it may have to be done. No, we fixed them. The Lone Ranger and Tonto finally arrived at the fort and brought their horses to a stop. Oh, oh, that's over. Oh, boy. The guard challenged them. Who goes there? I want to speak to your commander. Who's that man? I want to speak to Colonel Andrews. Get him, Tonto. Let me get him. Now, let me go. That's it. I'm sorry to have to do this, soldier, but this is one time the cavalry has to ride whether the commander wants it to or not. Fix him, Rope. I'm going to have to gag you, but I hope it won't be for long. There's an old woman who's going to pray for your welfare and safety every night when she hears the truth of this. All right, Tonto, to the saddle. Tonto, ready. You remember the part you have to play. With the guard's side, you'll have no trouble getting out of the garrison. It's a good thing the next sentry can't see this close to the gate. Now, let's speak to Colonel Andrews. Come on, boy. You watch Kimo Sabe for my signal. Who are you? Masked. What does this mean? I want to speak to you, sir. It's vital for the rights of a rancher beyond grand pass. Steady, Captain. Don't reach for a gun. Remove that mask and identify yourself. Let me hand you this list of names. I think you may find some men on there who are wanted by the law. For what? Various crimes around this part of the country. Horse stealing, cattle stealing, and murder. Why do you come here with this? Because I can show you where all those men can be found. You've been misinformed. The enforcement of law is in the hands of marshals and sheriffs. The law is helpless. Furthermore, I don't see any names on here that I recognize. I'm familiar with the names of most outlaws. Now, remove that mask. Captain. Yes, sir. Summon the outpost guard. I want to know how this man got in here. You needn't call your guard. I tied and gagged him. You what? He did his best to stop me. Consider yourself under arrest. Colonel Andrews, desperate measures were required. The owner of the Lazy J is trying to move cattle through Grant Pass. You're under arrest. The men whose names are on that list are in the hills intending to stampede the cattle. All the guards. Wait. Can't you understand, Colonel, that unless the very lives of people depended on your action, I wouldn't have risked attacking the guard and coming here like this. If you'll send troops to the fence... I've been more than patient. Put up your hands. Run to your guns. What are you doing? Melting in particular. Why'd you brush your hands across the window like that? Come up. Who's that? Stand back. I'm going out that door. Look out there. That Indian! Stop it! He's stealing the horses! Our horses! Come back here! Come back in here! Where's the guard? Here, Silver! There's a call, Jack. Get after him. You stand back! Four horses are sold. That Indian went right past the gate. Where's the guard? Move up! The soldiers were caught completely off guard by the daring of Tonto and the Lone Ranger. Before they recovered from their surprise, Tonto was already out in the open. The Lone Ranger soon caught up with him and... All right, Tonto! I'll lead two of those horses. Ah! We'll go past her. Yes, we'll make better time. We've got to keep ahead of army bullets. Get them up! Go! Come on, Silver! Show these horses how to run! Hi-oh, Silver! Away! These soldiers, however, lost no time in taking up the pursuit. A score of hard-riding men in uniform left the post determined to capture the masked man and the Indian and recover the four horses. Back in the valley, Mustang Mag had her round-up completed and was ready to begin the trip through Grand Pass. Missouri argued... I'd tell you, Mag, it's the same as suicide to try it. Why, them ornery cow-thee when coyotes will ruin your herd completely. Ain't no choice, Missouri. You got your shooting arms ready? I sure have. Well, as soon as I get my gun belt in place, we'll set out. You men ready? Ain't no need to point a wing-riding till we through Grand Pass. All we got to do is stop the herd and ride behind the critters. Pass is too narrow to let them spread. Most stubborn woman I ever see. Well, if you got to go, let's get started. It's just about sundown. All right, boys! Wait, Mag! Look what's coming through the path. Look at them horses traveling. Leaping June about six of them. And four are not no riders. No! Hold that, Silver. Hey, these are army horses. The soldiers are after us. The whole army? They'll get their horses when they get here. As soon as they ride in the valley, start your cattle through the path. Tonto and I leave the horses and break for the hills. But I don't say that. Is the army coming here? You crowd the path with your cattle, the troop can't get by. You'll have 20 soldiers ready to wipe out anyone who's charged trouble from the hills. But they'll can't steal him! Hail, Silver! When the troops arrived, they realized it was useless to follow the masked man into the hills and contented themselves with reclaiming their horses. Mustang mag followed orders and shortly after sunset, Morton and his men saw the herd coming toward the pass. Here comes the lazy J stock. Now the boys are like Morton. It's good they started tonight. I thought they would. It's best to get through the pass before dark and make the open plains by night when it ain't so hot. I'll pass the word to the boys to get ready to fire and stampede the herd. Wait! Troops! The cavalry! There's the men we saw right in. Right behind the lazy J outfit. Butch, we can't open fire now. Hey, Lord! Go, soldier! I'm on fire now. I don't take the risk, not for any money. Pass the word to the others. Tell them to sit tight. You'll all warn me. I give back what you pay. No fight, soldier. All right. Who's asking you to fight the soldiers? Come on. This scheme of yours ain't working out. Shut up. I can see, can't I? Me and the rest won't shoot down on me, men. How'd that woman get the troops to guard her cattle? She didn't blast it all. It's just that mask man, he done it. He took them horses into the valley and the soldiers chased them. Now the troops are trying to get out and they gotta stay behind that herd. Boss, that ain't the worst of it. What? She knows you double-crossed her. Mag? Yeah, she'll get to the cattle cars tomorrow and start the train east and your stock won't be aboard. That confounded woman. That mask man. What's the matter, Morton? What the? You're covered. Don't draw. The mask man. Where'd you come from? I just threw it up from behind to watch from your point of view. Well, Mustang Mag takes her cattle to the cars that are waiting. My cattle cars? Cars for the first cattle that get there. Too bad you wasted your time with Mag's affairs instead of attending to your own business. You done this, you schemer, bullshap. The last city got away. If only we had that hombre on our side. But doggone it, we ain't. An adventure on the trail. This is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.
