 A horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hotty-hio silver! The Lone Ranger! General Mills, makers of Cheerios, the ready-to-eat oat cereal that gives you go-power, and Wheaties, the breakfast of champions, present by special recording, The Lone Ranger! Sheriff Sam is a boy of ten, he busts right in the robbers den, and gets his man because he knows! He's got go-power from Cheerios! Yes, he's got go-power! There he goes! He's feeling his Cheerios! Cheerios! Cheerios! That's Cheerios! The cereal shaped like little letter O's. And those O's stand for oats. The good grain Cheerios is made from. Every delicious spoonful of Cheerios and milk is real muscle building food. Each spoonful contains vitamins, minerals, and proteins your body needs. Yes, those good things in a Cheerios breakfast do good things for your body. Help you have healthy nerves, good red blood, strong bones, and muscles. You can see that Cheerios is made to give you real go-power. So make sure you have a Cheerios breakfast every day. Then you'll hear people say, He's feeling his Cheerios! With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful mask rider of the plains let the fight for law and order in the early western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse Silver! The lone ranger rides again! Come on, silly! Let's go big time! I am silly! Through smoke signals and friendly Indians, the lone ranger and Tonto learned that so chiefs resenting the army's presence in their territory had assembled a big war party to attack Fort Phillips. The masked man and his Indian companion were close to the trail between Fort Phillips and Fort Laramay. The air was filled with sleet that stung the horses and their riders. Tonto was expecting his face with one hand. Tonto peered ahead. He's something came of hobby. Looked like dead horse. It is. Wasn't it covered with snow? And there's something beside it. Draw rain, hose over hose. Easy, get a big floor. All right, we'll take a look. Easy scum, easy fellow. And the animal died in this storm. Tonto, this is a soldier. Help me pull him out of the snowdrift. Him? Not frozen. He's still alive. The snowdrift protected him. And what we do? Pull him beneath that tree. You do what you can for him while I build a windbreak and start a fire. A short time later, the lone ranger had a fire blazing behind a shield of evergreen branches. As a coffee pot simmered over the flames, Tonto continued his first aid to the soldier. Him coming too. Gotta get on. Gotta get word to Laramay. Tonto, hold his head. Here, soldier, drink this. Where's Laramay? Can't wait. You'll be all right. Where am I? Your eyelids have fallen, but you're with friends. We found you in the snow. Oh, I remember now I'm a horse curator. I was headed for Laramay. I gotta go on. What, you're hurrying? The Indians. They surrounded Fort Phillips. Sunder attack, I've got it. Steady, steady. Were you going for help? Yes, sir. I'm Corporal Gaines, First Cavalry. I'm one of four dispatch riders. Colonel Carr sent out. The Indians got the others. Can the fort hold out? Not for long. Last week, an epidemic of grip and pneumonia hit the garrison. Not bad. What's worse, the Colonel had to send half the able-bodied men to Laramay to get supplies for the sick. They're in Laramay now. How long wait from here? Were you headed there, Corporal? No, sir. My orders was to try to reach the telegraph station on the Oregon Trail. It has a wire connection with the Army post at Laramay, but now I've lost my horse. My friend and I will get you to the station. What? Why is it getting better? I can see now. You're masked. Don't, sir. Don't let my mask worry you. I've been of some service to the Army before. I know you're Colonel. You saved my life. I'm not grateful for that. Listen, get worse. There's a message in the right hand pocket of my blouse signed by the Colonel. What did you say? Get to the station, mister? I'll take the message, but you're coming with us. Help him to my saddle, Colonel. I'll get up behind him. Steady Silverfish. All right, come on, Corporal. There. Silver's carried double before. Colonel, you ride ahead and break the trail through the snow. Easy, steady, big fella. Easy, steady, big fella. Me's heavy. Get him up. Count. Come on, Silverfish. Besieged and assailed both by the elements and savages, Fort Phillips stood in the valley of the Powder River. As the two tribesmen some distance away on the surrounding hills, poured bullets into the stockade walls, Colonel Carr and his officers met at post-headquarters to discuss the desperate situation. The Colonel's face was haggard, his voice weary. Major Benton, I'm to blame for this. I shouldn't have sent that detachment to Fort Laramie. What else could you do? We had to have medicine, special food and more blankets for the city. We didn't suspect the Indians would become hostile. But doesn't excuse me. I'll be charged with losing this fort. You'll be dead tomorrow, sir. So will the rest of you. I don't suppose any of the dispatch riders got to go. I watched from the walls. There's a chance that the Corporal Gaines escaped the Indians. If so, do you think you could reach the telegraph office through the implicit? No, sir. I don't believe in miracles. Oh. Captain, how many men do we have under arms? Sixty-one, sir. I include officers, civilian teamsters and medical corpsmen. Some of them were never fired or left. We have plenty of arms in ammunition. Then give revolvers to the medical men and the patients in the hospital. Very well. Every man will be armed. Fight to the last ditch. As the men in Fort Phillips prepared for a last ditch stand, the lone ranger and tundle forged on through the blizzard and bitter cold with Corporal Gaines. It was after dark when they reached the Western Union office. Oh, sir. Open up. There's light inside. Yes. Hello there. Western Union. Anyone on duty? I am open door. Are you the telegraph operator? Yes. Corporal Gaines. He helped Corporal off-mort. Quite kind of easy. All right, easing down. I'll give you a hand. What's wrong with him? He nearly froze to death. Well, bring him inside where it's warm. That's a good operator. You have a more important job. Fort Phillips is under attack by Indians and can't hold out. Then where'd the Fort Lyramie at once? My tent. My connection with Fort Lyramie was broken an hour ago. The line is probably down because of the storm. I was afraid that might be the case. Hey, are you wearing a mask? Yes, but save your questions until later. Will you take care of the corporal? Sure thing. Cut it out right on to Fort Lyramie. You'll never make it in this storm. We're going to try. Well, I'll get this man inside and tie him out. You better come in. Operator, we have no time to lose. Easy. Set it up in front of us. Ready to go in front of us. Me ready. Come on. Meanwhile, the early darkness brought on by the winter storm had deepened the despair of the defenders of Fort Phillips. At post headquarters, Major Betton reported, Colonel, the Indians are still firing down at us from the surrounding hills. This fort should never have been built in a valley like this. I always said it was the wrong site. It was my hope, my last hope, that the blizzard and cold would drive the Indians away. A vain hope, Major. A stormy night like this will give them perfect cover for a mass assault. Probably come just before daybreak. The Indians aren't over the walls yet, Colonel Carr. Here's the lieutenant who's down the walls. What have you to report, Lieutenant? Bad news, Colonel. The snow is drifting high against the north and west walls of the stockade. The wind is... That's what I feared most of all. The drips. The wind is making them higher every minute. Unless the storm dies down, the snow will reach the top of the stockade tonight. It will make a natural ramp out there. And if the Indians have snowshoes... They'll charge up over the drips by hundreds. Drop down inside the fort. That'll be the end for us. Yes. The Sioux don't make prisoners of soldiers. But our wives... I've been thinking of that, Major. The savages will capture your wives. They'll torture them. The women will suffer untold horrors before death and their misery. I'd rather have my family die with me. Where are they? In the magazine with the other non-competence. That's the safest place for them. Thirty barrels of powder are stored there. They've been warned not to strike matches. I wasn't thinking of that. Sergeant O'Brien. Yes, sir. You're a good soldier. You always obey orders. Now, listen carefully. Yes, sir. Go to the magazine. Attach a fuse to one of the barrels. Gentlemen, I'm in command here. Sergeant, you remain in the magazine with matches ready. There'll be no more bugle calls until the Indians begin to drop into the fort. Then the trumpeter will sound the call of arms. Yes, sir. When you hear the bugle, light the fuse. No. And God have mercy on ourselves. Amen. And Sergeant. Yes, sir. If any man tries to keep you from carrying out this order, you're authorized to act in accordance with the Articles of War. Yes, sir. Colonel, you're not married. The rest of us are. That's why I'm able to give this order. I give it out of mercy. But I've taken a terrible responsibility upon myself. I'll answer for it at the judgment. We'll continue our lone ranger adventure in just a moment. All over the country in every direction. How you, how you do it is a question. And here's what the happy people have to say. It's all we need. And we do, do, do an OK. OK. Doing OK? You bet the champs in good old New York are. Listen. Now in New York, we wait for days to see a guy called Willie Mays, because Wheaties keep some leaping high to grab those line drives on the fly. And Yogi Berra's a Wheaties lad, whose batting style makes pitchers sad. No matter how they throw the ball, that Yogi belts it through the wall. And look, both Willie Mays and Yogi Berra turn to Wheaties for extra energy because there's a whole kernel of wheat in every Wheaties' flake. Wheaties, breakfast of champions. Keep on eating your Wheaties. And you, we do, do, do an OK. OK. All to continue. As Colonel Carr gave his fateful order of the day, the old Ranger and Tuttle guided their horses onto the ice that covered the Powder River. There, the relentless storm had a full sweep. The wind had shifted and was now at their backs. The river was free from snowdrifts, so they made better time. Come on! It was a night of revelry at post headquarters in Fort Laramay. In a brightly lighted room that ordinarily served as the officer's mess, the galants and beauties of the frontier were gathered. The guests of honor at the entertainment were the officers who had led the detachment from Fort Phillips. In the midst of the gaiety, the door opened. Chilling air swept the scene of merriment and a snow-covered figure crossed the threshold. It was the lone Ranger. Who's that? A stranger, General. The lone Ranger's mask was frozen to his face and so thickly coated with frost that no one noticed it at first. An aide stepped out to him. Where is the commanding officer? Right here. I am Brigadier General Towers. What's the meaning of this intrusion? A message for you from Fort Phillips. You mean you came all the way from Fort Phillips through the blizzard? Not quite, but that's very important, sir. The message is a matter of life and death. Here it is. Thank you. Let's see. That's from Colonel Carr. Good heavens. Fort Phillips is being attacked by Indians. Gentlemen, listen to this. Carr says he can't hold out without help. I'll return a bunch of my detachment. I'll go with you. Take every man we can spare from this garrison. Carpenter, go to the door. Sound boots and saddles. Yes, sir. On the double! The lone Ranger quickly told the general how the message had passed into his hands. Officers hurried to post of command as the trumpet blared at summons. Take this man to the hospital. He must be exhausted. I'm all right, General Towers. Wait. What's that on your face? A bandage or a mask? A mask, sir. Please don't ask for an explanation. Time is precious. I'd first like to report the condition of the trailer. Go ahead. That's information we must have. As briefly as possible, the lone Ranger gave the general essential information concerning the trail and the weather, and finished by suggesting... You'll find it easier to travel on the river ice as far as possible. The snow is not so deep there. Glad to hear it. Now I'll rejoin my Indian friend Toto. Your soldiers are looking after him and our horses. Wait. There must be something we can do for you. I want to start back to Fort Phillips as soon as possible. Yes, Colonel Carr doesn't know his message reached you. You're right. It takes time to organize the relief expedition. Meanwhile, anything may happen at Fort Phillips. That's true. Colonel Carr should be told that help is coming. My friend and I'll try to get through to the fort. If you make it tell the Colonel, we'll be there by morning. The lone Ranger and Toto left Fort Leroy after giving their horses time to be fed and rubbed down. They rode over the back trail they had followed, assured that a relief column would soon march along the same route. Though the cold remained intense, the blizzard was dying out, so their return to the Powder River District took less time than their previous trip. As they approached Fort Phillips and saw the fires on the high ground surrounding the valley, they drew rain. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. At the Indian from Hills, not far away. But no shots are being fired, Toto. The Indians must be getting ready for the big attack. We try to get past Indians. Yes, we must get past them. They ride to the Hills on the north side of the stockade and leave our horses. I think we'll be able to slip through the narrow pass on foot without being seen by the Indians. All right, let's go. Come on. Come on. Come on. It took a long time for the mask man and Toto to ride around the fires of the savages without being seen. But at last, they reached a sheltered place to leave their horses. Hold on. Hold on. Come on, Toto. Then on foot, they cautiously made their way through a gully between two of the Indian camps toward the north wall of the fort. At the fort, Colonel Carr and Major Benton were on the catwalk of the north wall. The Colonel was saying, I haven't heard a shot or a yell for an hour. The attack might begin at any moment. Colonel, look there. Someone's on the drift. Yes. Two men. They're crawling up. Shall I open fire? No. I'll stay here and watch them. You alert the boys in the corner blockhouse. Right. His revolver leveled. Colonel Carr crouched behind the top of the stockade until the crawling figures were only a few feet away. Then he challenged them. Halt! Who's there? Ben. This is important to me. You sound like a white man. Come on in. Don't make any false moves. I'm holding a gun on you. Colonel Carr, I know your voice. And who are you? You soon see we're letting ourselves down to the catwalk. Now, you see my face. Mask? You're... Yes, Colonel. I have good news for you. General Towers is coming with a relief expedition. Thank heaven. We were ready to die to the last man. The officer's families are in the magazine. I ordered it blown up if and when the Indians got into the fort. The sergeant is waiting to light the fuse from the bugler sound to arms. At that moment Major Benton ran back from the block house. Tuttle had descended to the catwalk a few yards away from the Colonel. And in the uncertain light of the breaking day the Major saw the Indian. He halted and raised his revolver. An Indian on the wall! Soldiers took the alarm to mean that the Indians were storming the fort. They began to fire blindly through loopholes into the semi-darkness. Indians south of the fort heard the gunfire and fought the attack had been started on the opposite side. They shouted war cries and opened fire as they advanced. Other savages followed suit and the attack became a reality. When the bugler sounded the call to arms Colonel Carr cried out to the low ranger But bugle the man in the powder magazine will light the fuse. That's not necessary now reinforcements coming you have a fighting chance. But the fuse is already lighted. There may be time to put it out. I'll try. The call to arms was repeated and in the underground powder chamber Sergeant O'Brien was a revolver in one hand as he watched the burning fuse. He glanced at the closed door to an inner room where the women awaited their doom. They had her and let them be taken by the savages. Sergeant dropped that fuse. Mask! Stands still on fire. The bugle call was a mistake. Reinforcements are coming. I don't believe you. I'll put it out. Stop with our shoes. You think your guns are threat at this time? I'll take it. With lightning speed the masked man gripped the sergeant's gun hand. Let's go. Gripping the gun and struggling with the sergeant the low ranger found the chance to swing his fist. He turned back while the masked man leaped to the fuse and pulled it out of the keg of powder. It burned harmlessly on the floor as the colonel rushed in shoving the fuse. It's all right, colonel. No danger now. Thank heaven you got here in time. Colonel, I tried to follow orders but the masked man... It's all right, Sergeant. Knowing that help was on the way the soldiers fought curiously their heavy gunfire slowed the Indian attack and then they came the reinforcements. The tide of battle changed quickly the Indians knew all hope of capturing the fort was gone and planned for their lives. As dawn lighted the victorious fort the colonel and several others stood with the low ranger and tanto near the open gate. The colonel said Thanks to you, sir what might have been one of the greatest tragedies of history has been averted. I don't ever glad to serve the army. You too will never be forgotten. Thank you, sir. Now, adios. Adios. Adios. Colonel, I'm a strong man. But in the hands of that masked man, I was helpless. Who in town nation is he? The masked man, Sergeant is the Lone Ranger. I'll kill you. A copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated is produced by Trandall Campbell Muir Incorporated. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beemer your announcer Fred Boy. Listen to the Lone Ranger brought to you by special recording Mondays through Fridays at this same time.