 horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty high old silver, the Lone Ranger. Even after treaties had been signed with the Indians of the Western United States, there was a great deal of misunderstanding between the red men and the white settlers. The Indians felt they had been cheated and the settlers were unable to forget the massacres of an earlier day. It was only the courage and resourcefulness of the masked rider of the planes that prevented fresh outbreaks on the frontier. It was he more than any other man who brought peace and security to Indian and white men alike. Return with us now those thrilling days when the West was young and eventually at the end of every trail, the Lone Ranger rides again. At one moment, the mighty earth dam that had been built by the settlers to hold back the waters of the Lobo River stood as firm and solid as the neighboring hills. But at the next... The dam! The dam was first! And a scant half-hour later, some distance below the site of the dam, a masked man and an Indian raced towards the angry stream. Look ahead, Taddo. I miss him. Part of a roof torn from a house. And someone's on it. That's right. If it breaks up, they'll drown. Come on, Silver. Get a little out of the scout. Time's sending Silver into the river, Kimosabe. He go too. No! Follow us along the bank. Here! Make the end of this rope. He got him. Make your past around your saddle horn. The other end is past on my saddle. He's playing out as a swimmer. Gonna give the word, pull us towards shore. I don't do that. I think I can cut them all from here. River and he swims. Hey, Bart! Walls come home. Home. Into the water, old boy. Come on, old fellow. I'm gonna make it. Well, my good. Hang on. All right, boy. You can do it, fellow. Come on, boy. Grab the saddle. Help! Help! Help! I got a hole. You, there. Give me your hand. Now, hold on. You got a good grip. I guess so. And as soon as we start for the bank, slip into the water and swim alongside. Ready? Yeah. All right, saddle. Pull away! Pull away! As Silver struck out for shore and Scout pulled from the bank, the Lone Ranger held the woman across the saddle while her companion clutched the pommel. The river tore at them, but finally Silver's hoofs found solid footing and he clattered to dry ground. Give me your hand, dear, saddle. Just stretch out. I don't know how to thank you. Don't. How are you feeling? It's about all in. You've got a cat above your eye. It ain't nothing. Fix that cat for him, Tando. I can't do that. Now then, what's happened? The river looks as though the dam may have gone out. It did, stranger. It did. I hope I never see nothing like it again as long as I live. I reckon there ain't many besides me and Lem that could come through it alive. You mean it broke without warning and trapped the people in the settlement? Thanks to lame crow. What's that? His engines blowed up the dam. Ouch, engine. Doesn't that hurt? I mean, just clean wound. It's all right now. Say, you ain't one of lame crow's braves, are you? He isn't. What makes you think lame crow is responsible for the dam going out? Lame crow has always been mad about the whites using that water for irrigating. And engines were seen near the dam, just before it blew up. Impossible. But it's so strange. I have seen him myself. You couldn't have. But we did. In the first place, Tando and I left lame crow's camp early this morning. He's been on a hunting party in the hills. Every brave in his tribe was with him. But I've seen engines, I tell you. The dam was blowing up with blasting powder? Yes, so. Where would Indians get blasting powder and quantity sufficient for a job like that? I don't know, but they did all right. And that is no. Tando and I have known lame crow for years. It's true he didn't want the river dammed. He knew, however, that if he objected, it would be done anyhow. So when the government gave him money to give up his rights to the river, he accepted. Lame crow made a bargain, and he doesn't go back on his word. But in that case, I don't see why. I'm willing to wager white men blew up that dam. I tell you, I see. White men disguised as Indians. What would they have to gain? They couldn't do no looting. I'll bet when the dam went out, it even took the houses and cabins that was on the side of the hill. Have you ever heard of squint Maxon and his gang? I don't seem to recollect them. Lame, great day. You do so recollect them. Charlie Dunn was speaking to them just day before yesterday. Don't you recall the awful things he said they'd done? Gosh, I was forgetting. That granite bluff, they fired an entire forest. Then raided the town when the townspeople were out fighting the fire. That's one of the things Charlie was telling about. At Fremont, they stampeded a herd of cattle through the town and held up the bank during the confusion. But if it was them, stranger, I don't savvy what their purpose was. I said the whole settlement was clean wiped away. And 30 miles from here at Buffalo City, there's a garrison of soldiers. Yeah, but what's that? At the first word of this disaster, the soldiers will be on the scene to lend aid. What are you getting at? With the soldiers at the dam, Buffalo City will be unprotected. And at Buffalo City, there's a smelter that is thousands of dollars with a gold on hand. You don't mean to say it? I mean I know Lame Crow couldn't be responsible for this. I know Squid is somewhere in the district. And destroying the dam to draw the soldiers away from Buffalo City is just a kind of a tricky try. I must have gone ahead. Oh, gosh. I don't want to be looked badly hurt from your experience. Are you all right, Edna? I'm just tired and wet is all. Do you think you can make out all right if we left supplies for you and build a fire? Sure we could. What have you got in mind? Contano and I have many friends in the district. Yeah? The soldiers will likely leave town before we can warn them. But if Squid makes a try for that gold, he'll find himself in the middle of more trouble than he ever thought possible. Contano, I know there are supplies and build a fire for these folks. And then we're riding. The Lone Ranger and Contano race for Buffalo City. At each ranch they pass, they call for volunteers. Sandlep! Seed your guns! Squid makes it his raiding! It's the Lone Ranger! Sandlep men, follow us! Ride for Buffalo City! Ride! The Lone Ranger wants us! Follow the Lone Ranger! The Lone Ranger! Sandlep! But while a posse was forming, a column of desperate riders under the leadership of a short, thick-set man drove into Buffalo City and brought their mounts to a thundering stop in front of the smelter. He gets in our way, stops wet. All right, fellas, inside with you. The soldiers are going to get you for this. Shut up! Tets, break into the storeroom. Start packing the gold outside. Watch those we ain't surprised. Pal, hold guns on these fellas. They make them move growth. Well, it's working, Squid. You said it would, didn't you? If there ain't 20,000 in gold here, then they ain't a dollar. This'll be just about the richest hole we ever made. And it won't be the last. Keep moving now! We ain't got a hold, eh? Blasted fools. They didn't have me to tell them what to do. They'd be caught a dozen times over. You're slick, boss. I ain't get along. Well, I never would have thought of blowing up that dam to get the soldiers out of town. That was one of the neatest things you thought of yet. Yeah, and if we don't put plenty of miles between us and here by sundown, we'll find ourselves decorating ropes. Blasted quits torn! You steams! Help them fellas with that gold! Pete, you stuck lively or I'll see to it you wish you had. I'll prod them, boss. Hell, take sticks. Squid! Squid! There's horsemen! What the? Hey, don't try it. He'll take a look. We got a swear off. What? Look over there. Where are they? They know what here. The blazes with the gold. Get to your horses. Head south. We can. Put your head through. They're coming from every direction. They got the trail blocked. Look there. There. We're surrounded. Boss, we're trapped. Boys, get your guns ready. Give them what first. We can't do nothing but fight it out. And if they get us, we hang. Come on. Get him first of all. All right, start. Meanwhile, where the dam had once stood, the soldiers were rescuing what few survivors could be found and were giving them hasty first aid. One of the survivors, stronger than the rest, was telling his story to Captain Martin. It was the Indians, Captain. Just as sure as I'm standing here, it was them. They were seeing Captain. I'll bet Lame Crow was planning this for months. Take it easy, man. Take it easy. Captain, do you savvy what it means to see your friends get drowned right before your eyes? Do you savvy what it means to know you ain't got a home no more and all because of them dirty, snake-in redskins? They'll be dealt with. But when? Yes. Lieutenant Gray will stay here with part of my men. I've already given orders for the rest of my command to make ready to march. After Lame Crow? Right. Let me ride with you, Captain. Let me drill a couple of them murdering critters. This is a job for soldiers. But I won't... Don't worry about it. I assure you, Lame Crow will get the punishment he deserves. You'll likely just arrest him. I'll give him a chance to surrender, of course. That ain't good enough. I don't expect Lame Crow to surrender. He isn't the kind to give himself up willingly. And if he don't? We attack. If we let Lame Crow get away with something like this, it'll be the end of the Indian country to the other. I hope you wipe every last one of them out. Yes. The men are mounted and waiting, sir. You told Lieutenant Gray to remain and offer all possible aid? Yes, sir. And tell a bugler to blow double-time march as soon as I'm in the saddle? Right, sir. Well, I think you'll find Lame Crow will pay for what he's done. I'm sure hoping for it, Captain. Say, there's Lame Purdy. I figured him to be drowned. Hey, Lame! Hold up a second. Where's Edna? What's happened to you? Oh, there. Oh. I'll tell you about it later, Tom. What happened? You getting ready to head somewhere? We're riding at the Lame Crow. But he never done this. Huh? You crazy? What makes you say that? A mask man told me he didn't. On what grounds? Well, he said he was talking to Lame Crow, and he couldn't have been nowhere near the dam. He said it was just a trick pulled by a squint max. Nonsense. You're a local lamb. But the mask man said... I'm not interested in what Outlaw say. All the evidence points to Lame Crow. Now, wait, Captain. And if a mask man told you that, it's because he's a friend of the Indians. A renegade. He said he was a friend. If he's a crook or a renegade, then I am local. Now, look here. That fellow risked his life to save me and my wife. And if a crook would do that, then the breeds changed the heap since I last made up with one. Lame, that mask man must have pulled the wool over your eyes for a fact. But I'll tell you... I have no more time to talk. My horse, Lieutenant. Yes, sir? You're making a mistake. I can't prove it. But I'd be willing to take that mask fellow's word any time. You've got to believe me, Captain. I believe you're sincere. Well, then why don't you... I believe also you've allowed yourself to be tricked. Lame Crow must be made to pay, and at once. Very well, bugler. Captain! Wait, Captain! Yes, dog, go and eat your thing. You go and know what you're talking about. I hiked all the way to the bar, and to get a coyote to ride here. I knew this had happened. And after what the mask man done for me and Ed and Ed and Ed, after him telling us Lame Crow was a friend of his, I hoped to do him a favor back. To save the painted critters that blasted the dam. If the engine did it, then that mask fellow lied to me. But I'm telling you, Tom, I'd stake anything I got on that fellow's word. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. The cavalry with Captain Martin in the lead threaded the hills until finally a scout brought word that the camp of Lame Crow's hunting party was just beyond the next hill. Captain Martin raised a hand and signaled to halt. Men, you'll remain here. I'm riding ahead alone. If I don't return within 20 minutes, attack. But Captain, if Lame Crow takes you prisoner, he won't. Not if I enter his camp of my own free will to parlay with him. Begging your pardon, sir, but what good will it do? If I ride ahead with my entire troop, he'll be sure to resist. I may be able to persuade him to surrender peacefully to point out that he hasn't a chance. If I succeed, it will save useless bloodshed. I don't feel as though you should, sir. That's enough. Remember my orders. Attack if I'm not back in 20 minutes, but not before. Yes, sir. Climbing the hill, Captain Martin saw Lame Crow's camp below him. He proceeded without hesitation and as he drew closer, a stir of excitement ran through the camp. Lame Crow, a tall muscular Indian, stepped forward to greet his visitor. What message does white soldier bring Lame Crow? Lame Crow, my troop is just beyond the hill. I'm calling upon you to surrender. Lame Crow, not savvy. It's no good, chief. We know you destroyed the dam at Lobo River. What made you think you could get away with it? What you mean? You savvy well enough. You made a treaty with the government. You were paid to give up all rights to the river and leave the settlers alone. You signed the treaty, accepted the money, and broke your word. That's not true. You blew up the dam and wiped out the settlement. At least 30 persons were killed and those who lived through it testified that Indians were seen near the dam just before the explosion. There are no other Indian here but Lame Crow's people. That's exactly the point. There are no other Indians in this district but your tribe, so you have to be gilly. Lame Crow, take braves on hunting party. Braves, not near dam. You're going to stick to that? It truth. Then listen to me, Lame Crow. I don't believe it. But perhaps you can prove what you say at a trial. You and all your brave surrender. Now see that your trial is fair. My people never surrender. You have no choice. My troop is ready to attack. They make heap-bad mistake. The mistake is yours. And don't think you can avoid an attack by taking me prisoner. I left orders that if I don't return within 20 minutes they'd attack without me. Me not make you prisoner. Then surrender, Lame Crow. You want to be responsible for your braves who must die if there's a fight? You listen, Lame Crow. Well? One time, all land here belonged to Red Man. Red Man, hunt, ride, fight. Do what him want. Then White Man come. White Man take land, belong to Red Man. Sometime White Man pay. Sometime White Man steal. But all time White Man make promise him not keep. That has nothing to do with it. You wait. Maybe Red Man lose home. Maybe him lose land. But Red Man never lose freedom. If my people not free, them die. You say me surrender. Go to jail, wait trial. Lame Crow say Red Man never surrender. Then you'll fight? That's your last word? Lame Crow fight. Very well. It's your decision. I'll give you time to talk it over with your braves. You've got one hour, Lame Crow. Surrender within that time or take the consequences. Get out. Get out. Captain Martin returned to his troop and told them of the ultimatum he had delivered to Lame Crow. He had scarcely finished, however, when the lieutenant shouted... Captain. Yes? A horseman, sir, a masked man. Well, I'll be... You recall the masked man that settler told us about, sir? I want that man. Well, he's coming this way. Put him under arrest the moment he arrives. Yes, sir. He's got things to explain. Yes, sir. Rain up. Oh, come on, come on, come on. Captain. You're under arrest. One moment. Listen to me. I was heading for the dam from Buffalo City. He told me he reported the truth about the destruction of the dam, and you refused to believe him. He tried to tell me Lame Crow wasn't responsible. He wasn't, but I know... Captain, you allowed yourself to be tricked. You were drawn from Buffalo City, and in your absence, Squint Maxon struck. Ridiculous. The fellow wouldn't dare. He's taken bigger chances for smaller stakes in the past. How do you know so much? I knew what he was up to, and I heard about the dam. I knew Lame Crow couldn't have been responsible, so Squint had to be. I want... Once more, I can prove what I say. Then prove it. Tell him when I rode to Buffalo City, we called on friends and they followed. He was in town less than two hours after you left. He's now a prisoner. He and his whole gang. I've only your word for that. Then wait. For what? When I was told you set out to capture Lame Crow, I sent a friend back to town to see that Squint was brought here. That should be all the proof you'd need. You're a friend of Lame Crow. I am. And I think you're lying. Why would I? To give him a chance to escape. We wait because you ask us, and Lame Crow gives us a slip. Well, Mask Man, it didn't work. Don't be a fool. Take off this fellow's mask. Let's see what a renegade of white looks like. Hand back! Grab him! I won't do it! Hold him! Stand clear! Come on, Silver! Shoot that man down! Come on! I think I winged him. Look at that horse go. Heading for the Indians. Shall we follow, Captain? No. I gave Lame Crow one hour. And if we ride, you'll think we're attacking. Stay where you are. For the next time you see that masked renegade shoot to kill. The Lone Ranger, one arm scratched by a shot that had come dangerously close, pulled his mount to a sliding stop in Lame Crow's camp. Lame Crow! Oh, Lame Crow! I just escaped from the soldiers. Them say Lame Crow blow up damn. Them tack of Lame Crow not give up. And they will attack. But Lame Crow not guilty. I know you aren't, but they don't. They're convinced you're to blame. And nothing I could say would change their minds. So there's only one thing you can do. What that? Surrender. Lame Crow think you friend. I am your friend, Lame Crow. That's why I'm giving you this advice. Me not trust white man justice. Do as I say. Surrender. And your innocence will be proved. Me not do that. You must. All I want is some time. Give me two hours. And evidence will be here that will clear you. But without those two hours, white men and red men will die because of a mistake. You white man. Maybe you trick Lame Crow. You said I was your friend. But you white man, too. And I'll make a bargain with you, Lame Crow. What bargain? Captain Martin wouldn't trust me because he knew I was your friend. You won't trust me because you're afraid that because I'm white, I'd side with the soldiers. But my life is as valuable to me as yours is to you. You believe that, Lame Crow? Me believe. Then as chief and representative of your tribe, give yourself up to Captain Martin. Your braves can remain here. If he has you, the captain will be satisfied to wait a while before taking further action. Oh, I know you not trick me. If you surrender to Captain Martin, Lame Crow, I'll stay here as a hostage for your safety. Okay. Here are my guns. There. My guns are on the ground. I'm powerless. I'm your prisoner. Tell your braves to hold me. And if you do not return, if your innocence isn't proven, if I've tricked you, then they can take my life. You heap brave man. I don't want to see men die because of a mistake. Will you take me up on it, Lame Crow? You brave man. Me brave man. Lame Crow do. Good. Ride to the soldiers. Two hours delay is all I ask. And it's up to you to see that I get it. Lame Crow made his way alone to Captain Martin and surrender. In the meantime, the Lone Ranger was closely guarded by Lame Crow's braves. As a minutes passed, they kept up a low monotonous chant. The masked man spoke softly to the powerful white stallion that stood at his side. He'll turn out all right, old fellow. Time to get squint here in time. We can say bloodshed, old fellow. The risk is worth it. They should arrive any time now, Silver. As the braves guarded the Lone Ranger, so did the soldiers guard Lame Crow. Captain Martin, watch in the hand to mark the passage of time. Ten more minutes. I don't like this, Captain. No. I think those redskins are up to something. Sergeant reported they've made no attempt to escape. I know, sir, but you can't... I scarcely think they'd try anything when they're aware that Lame Crow's life is in our hands. Just the same, sir. Well? You don't believe this story about squint Maxon, do you, Captain? I'm a giver. Do you think the masked man told the truth? I wish I knew. He's a crook, sir. He must be. Perhaps. However, I can't understand why Lame Crow would be willing to surrender himself unless he had good reason to think his innocence would be proven. But we attack when the two hours are up, don't we, sir? Certainly. There's less than ten minutes, you say? Eight now. The man already. I'll give the command. Yes, sir. What's that? Horsemen. The Indians? I can't tell, sir. If the redskins are attacking, make ready to charge! The horse! At the sound of the bugle, the Indians broke off their chant, and the masked man leaped to his feet. That was a signal for action, Silver. Something's gone wrong. Hey, old fellow. Stand back. Wait until you see what happens. Them kill Lame Crow. Wait. You don't know whether your chief has been harmed or not. Them kill Lame Crow. You die. Stand back, I'll tell you. Whoa! He's safe. There's Captain Martin with him and Tattoe. There's squint Maxon. Now, I'll tell you. I'll tell you. I'll tell you. I'll tell you. I'll tell you. Captain Maxon. Now, you'll learn the truth about this affair. Tattoe, this way. I kill Lame Crow. Lame Crow. Here. Here, squint. Let me go, blaster. Let me go. Tattoe the saddle. Captain, wait. Here's the man you want. I know. I learned the truth when we rode into our lines just now. He's made a full confession. He didn't have to confess. His hull once is locked up back in Buffalo City, and they done the confession for him. I demand a trial. I got it up, but I can't get it up. You'll be tried, and then you'll hang. You and every one of your men. And if they do dodge the law, Captain, they might see too that they fall into the hands of Lame Crow. After squint's attempt to put the blame on the Indians, I think Lame Crow would like to deal out little justice of his own. Lame Crow, fix it. Don't worry, squint. You'll get just what you deserve, whether you get it from white men or red. Mask Man. Yes? Lame Crow told me what you did. Offered yourself as hostage to prevent an attack before Tano could arrive with squint. It was the only way to get the time we needed. Because I doubted your word. You can't blame yourself for that, sir. You thought you were right. I couldn't expect you to take the word of a Mask Man. I don't suppose... Yes? I mean, after what you've done, save me a blunder. My men and these braves are lives. I don't suppose you'd tell us who you are. We're your friends. I'm sorry, Captain. That's something I tell no one. But we don't... Do not know Mask Man. I don't. But I'd like to, Lame Crow. Mask Man. Yes? Him. Lone Ranger. I am Silver on Color. What you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.