 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver, the Lone Ranger. In the early days of the western United States, the boys and girls who grew up in the new territory heard many stories about the masked rider of the planes. Courageous, daring, and resourceful, he championed the weak against the strong and brought law and order to a lawless frontier. It was he more than any other man who made possible the winning of the west. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thunning hoofbeats of the great horse Silver, the Lone Ranger rides again. The Lone Ranger and his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, sat their mounts beside the trail to Laramie. Their gaze was fixed upon the cloud of dust that marked a stagecoach approaching in the distance and that should be it, Tonto. They should have left last Thursday to a two-day trip by stage from Yellow Ghost to Warshow. Warshow, they'd catch this Laramie stage, another two-day trip. This is Monday. If something happened, it'll lay them there in it. Not right. Hello. Carefully as it goes by, Mrs. Clements is an elderly gray head woman. You've seen the marshal. Me, watch him. I won't be able to see as well as you. I want to stay behind this rock. I don't want the driver to think he's in for a hold of. Be careful. Here they come. Watch closely now. Them on stage. You sure? Uh-huh. You see Laman. Good. What do now? The stage will be in Laramie in 30 minutes. It won't be long after that before the law goes into action. We're riding to Blackie's place where we can keep an eye on things and see that they go as they should. This is one strata that Blackie won't escape the law. Come on! Get off, Scout! Come on! Half an hour later, in Laramie. Oh! Oh! Oh! No. You ain't. You're a wonder, ma'am. I reckon I must be more than 20 years younger than you, and yet I'm only... I can't think of rest until I see the man who killed John Hanged. Oh, sure. Sure. I'll save him. Maybe we'd better be getting out. There. Hey, give me your hand. I'll help you down. Thank you. There you are, ma'am. Oh, then. That must be the sheriff over there. Here, this way, ma'am. Sheriff! Howdy. Howdy, ma'am. I see you're wearing the United States Marshals badge, Mr. Your sheriff, Otis. Yes, ma'am. This is Mrs. Clements. A pleasure, ma'am. How do you do? I'm Marshal Cleary from Yellow Gulch. Yeah? Well, well. I've heard of you. What brings you to Laramie? Sheriff, my husband... Pardon, ma'am, but maybe it'd be better if I was to explain. Sheriff, Mrs. Clements is from Yellow Gulch, just like me. Last Wednesday, her husband... Well, her husband was killed. And I never heard of a more cowardly killing, Sheriff. The polecat never gave Mr. Clements a chance. All we got, Sheriff, is a description and a tip from a masked man that the fellow we want lives in a Laramie. So that's what brought you here, a masked man. Some crook gave you the tip, huh? I suppose he's an outlaw. Don't imagine he'd be a masked if he weren't. But anyhow, it's the only lead we got. Tell me what the killer looks like, and I'll tell you if he's around. And if he is, we'll get the polecat, whether he's a killer or not. Right. Describe the fellow, Mrs. Clements. Well, I'd say he was just under six feet, but he was stuck here. Just a second, ma'am. Billy. Huh? Come here. Well, me, sir? Uh-huh, you. Westman, wasn't you? Gee, I was just standing there. I wasn't doing nothing. Nothing but spreading your ears to the wind to pick up everything that was said. You savvy what happens to young fellas you rage that don't mind their own business. They get larynxed. Now that moves. I'm going. Better keep going, Billy, till you get home. And don't stop to spread anything you heard. That's a boy for you. All is underfoot. Nice looking, lads. Sure, Billy's all right. Feeling kind of sorry for the young one, with no maw or paw, and only Blackie to look after him. Not that he don't think the sun just about rises and sets on Blackie. Well, this ain't 10 in the business. We'd like to get it over with just as soon as possible. Sure. Ma'am, I want to hear the rest of what you've got to say. But I reckon this ain't the place for it. A little too public. Your office? It's just across the street and down the block. My arm, ma'am. This way, we'll have this settled and then jiffy. To a boy of Billy's age, the little he had overheard of the conversation between Sheriff Otis and Marshal Cleary was exciting news. He wrote as fast as he could toward his home, a small cabin about five miles south of Laramie. When he arrived there... Oh, Comanche! Oh, oh, oh, oh! Blackie! Gosh, you know what I heard just from Tom just now? Do you? I bet you'd never guess. Hold on, hold on there, young fella. But, but you know... Hold on. Whatever it is, you can tell it later. I've been waiting for you. Any notion why? Huh? It'd been nothing you've been wanting kind of special lately. That I've been. Oh, gee, Blackie! You don't mean to... Sure do, come on. Let you and me see if we can find something waiting for you out in bed, okay? Oh, golly! It is Blackie! You bought him! It's the house I seen at Mr. Whipple! Oh, boy, he's swell! Like him? Oh, gee, he's the swellest house I've ever seen. Did you really buy him for me, Blackie? Did you hide it? Uh-huh. He's yours for keeps. Just look at him! Hear that? He knows me already. Takes to you, don't he? Oh, Blackie, I, I... Oh, I don't know what to say. You've been so swell to me and... Me? Sharks kid, forget it. I ain't hardly done nothing. Least ways, nothing to all I'd like to. Was this what you went to your claim for, Blackie? Was it to buy the house for Mr. Whipple? Claim? Oh, yeah, yeah, that's what I had in mind. You ever gonna take me with you when you go? Won't you someday, Blackie? We'll talk it over some other time. It didn't you start to tell me about something happening in town? Oh, gosh, yes. I was near forgetting. Blackie, the sheriff's gonna jail a killer. Yeah? Come on, we better get back inside and start rustling up some grub, huh? Uh-huh. Now, what's this about the sheriff? Well, he was talking to a U.S. Marshal and some old lady. I was right there and heard him. Well, that sounds interesting. U.S. Marshal, huh? Sure, from a yellow goat. From yellow? Kid, did you say yellow goat? Well, sure, Blackie, what... Who was that there was after? You hear him say, did you? What's the matter, Blackie? Quick, did you hear him say or didn't you? Well, no, they didn't mention no name. What else did they say? What was the after this, fellow bird? You hear that? Gee, Blackie, you're hurting my arm. All right. Sorry, kid. You said I didn't notice that a hole in you. And go on, tell me about it. I'm kind of interested. Well, the Marshal was telling the sheriff that back in yellow goats, there was this old lady's husband and some skunk held him up. And then afterwards shot him in the back and... Well, you ain't listening, Blackie. I thought you said you was interested. Here, then, I just thought of something I meant to do and didn't. But... It's got to be tender to you. You go ahead and fix the grub. I'll be back later. But, Blackie, wait! Blackie! Get up there, get up. Get up, get up, get up. Gee, what got into him? When Blackie left his young friend, his destination was a remote clearing in a wood some distance from the cabin. There, leaving his mount saddle, he took refuge in a crudely built lean-to. All day, he remained in hiding. Then, just as dusk was beginning to fall... A horse. Whoever you are, rain up your cupboard. It's me, Blackie. It's Billy! Billy! Oh! What made you look for me here? Blackie, it was you I heard the Marshal talking about. Did they come to the cabin? Yeah. Gosh, kid, I don't know what to say. Let's not talk about it, Blackie. You've got to get going. They're on your trail. They are. I, I watched them. The Marshal can read sign real good. They'll be coming along most any time. You better leave. Yeah. That's so a rick and a bitter. Oh, look, kid. I guess I've smashed them, Zena. There wasn't no claim. Nope, there wasn't. It was all lies. You wasn't buying me things with gold, you'd payin'. It was with, with cash you'd stole. Oh, why'd you do it, Blackie? Why'd you have to? Everything was so swell. I was so happy and, and, and now I... Billy, just listen for a second. Then I'll clear out. Kid, first of all, I want you to know I don't mean to whitewash myself. I'm pretty bad. I always have been. I was a crook when I first found you. I always thought you was the swellest fellow there ever was. And all this time I felt like a dog for fooling you the way I have. What you see young when I, I kind of felt toward you like, well, I reckon like a man that feel toward his own son. No matter how bad he was, he wouldn't want his boy to know it. Nor he wouldn't want to give up his boy neither. Well, that's the way I've been. I guess I ought to be shot for it. Won't you go, Blackie? Please, I don't want him to catch you. Sure, I'll go. But before I go to you, you think maybe you could say you ain't mad at me? Well, I can't blame you, none only. Oh, gee, Blackie, I couldn't be mad at you in a million years. Oh, kid. But you gotta go. You just gotta. Here, boy. Blackie, you take my horse. He's the one you bought me in. He'll give you a better chance. I don't know. I'll go on, please. Well. And, and Blackie, I'm, I'm awful cold. If you just let me wear your hat and your coat. Cold? Why didn't you think it was? I'm, I'm shivering. Why, here, kid, take him. I just didn't think it was that cold. Thanks. Well, Billy, I reckon this is goodbye, all right? Goodbye, Blackie. And, kid. Yeah? You'll be hearing a lot of things about me. Bad things, most of the truth. But if they ever try to tell you I didn't mean to be square by you. Well, they'll be lying and don't you let them convince you different. Get up, get up there, get up. Marshall Cleary, sheriff orders and the deputy approach the woods. Suddenly. There he is. That's him. That's the totem hat he almost wears. And that's his horse. Trying to get away. Shoot him down. I got him. I knocked him from the saddle. Keep your guns handy in case he's tricking us. Get up, get up there. Come on, get up. Get up, boy. Get up, get up. Get up there. Get up there. We got your Blackie. Don't try nothing. Pull up. Pull up, pull up, pull up, pull up, pull up. Sheriff, it ain't him. We shot the wrong fella. The wrong fella. It's Billy. And he's hurt pretty bad. 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. How to continue our story. When the three lawmen discovered it was Billy they had shot, the deputy mounted his horse, and the sheriff and the Marshall carefully lifted the boy into his arms. The deputy was ordered to get him to a doctor as quickly as possible. When he had disappeared in the direction of town. Come on, Silver! Hear that? I thought I heard something. Hurry, old boy, hurry! Hold it. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Who is it? Can you make him out, Marshall? There's more than one. Wait till they get clear of the trees. Well, I'll see. Can you get one fellow masked? Yeah, but that's Blackie with them. Right there! Here's your prisoner, Marshall. Pull up there. Please, get your hands up, stranger. You and the engine both. No, you don't, Sheriff. We caught your man after you've gotten away from him. Take him. But you've got nothing untoward on me and you know it. And you don't hold us without a fight. Look here, mister. No masked fellow can tell me what it is. Just a second, Sheriff. Stranger. Well? It was a masked man that gave me the tip to come here. I was just wondering if maybe you warned him. It doesn't matter whether I am or not. Turning Blackie over to you, that's all that concerns you. Well, well, Blackie, talking won't get you free. The Marshal's told me all about you. You'll hang sky high. It had to happen some day. Eight dollars. Ah, I ought to know anybody low enough to let a kid like Billy get shot on the count of him. What's it about Billy? Hey, no. Please, answer me. They said Billy had been shot. If you scunked out that kid out... Well, I did. It couldn't be helped. Why are you... Listen to reason, man. How is we to know it was him in your coat and hat and on that horse? The horse? My coat and hat? Why, he must have been scheming it right then. He was. You ain't worth the powder to blow you to smithereens, Blackie. But that kid seemed to think for some fool reason he was all right. Least wise, he aimed for you to have a chance. He was willing to give his life to see that you did. Sheriff, how bad's Billy hurt? That's pretty bad. But he's on his way to the doctor now. Then take me to him. Let me see him. Sheriff, I'll do anything you ask. But just let me find out how the kid's gonna do. I don't know. I'm sorry. It's out of the question. You're going back to Yellow Gulch with me. But don't go to Marshal. No use hogging. We catch a stage going through the night. Now get moving. But I... On your way. You ride between us. Strangely, we're thanking you for your help. Forget it. Get up there. Get up there. Get up there. Where we going? To Laramie. From what the sheriff said, Billy's in danger of his life. I want to learn if he live. Get him up, scoundrel! Come on, silver! Come on! In Laramie, kindly old Dr. Ewing had taken young Billy into his own home and worked upon the youngster with all his skill. Billy's wounds were not serious. And yet when the sheriff called the next day to ask how the boy was doing... Hello there, Billy. I've got someone to see you. Howdy, young'un. Hello, Sheriff. Do you like talking for just a short while, son? Oh, I don't know. Here now, young'un. Where's all your pep? Golly, I never looked for the time when you wouldn't be full of spunk and ran to go. Sheriff. Huh? Blackie. What's gonna happen to Blackie? Why, uh, he... Billy, you shouldn't exert yourself. But I gotta know, Sheriff. What have they done with him? Why ain't he been allowed to come and see me? Ah, Billy. He's on his way to Yellow Ghosts with a monster. He wanted to see you the worst way, but it just couldn't be. They're gonna hang him. Oh, why don't you... They are gonna. They are. I know they are, but... But I tell you... Oh, they can't do that to Blackie. They can. The sheriff, you gotta keep... Why, son? Really, the sheriff's your friend. If he could do anything to help you, we would. But don't carry on so. Try to sleep, won't you, son? Uh, I can't sleep, Doc. I just can't. Don't you realize that if you don't, you won't get well? I don't wanna get well. I don't care what happens to me. Blackie, they're gonna hang him. I have to go out, Billy. But I won't be gone for long. And I want you to promise me something before I go. Promise you something? Whether you think you can sleep or not, really try to. It's the only thing that's going to help you. If you won't try it for yourself, then try it for my sake. What do you expect folks will think of me? If I lose a patient, as husky as you are. I'll try, Doc. There, that's better. Come on, Sheriff. Remember now, that's a promise. You see... It's the dog gone to sleep. He's not badly wounded, Sheriff. He is healthier than even you are. But he won't rest. He won't stop worrying about Blackie. And medicine can't save a life when the patient refuses to live. Twelve hours later, on the stage bound for Washoe, Mrs. Clemens, Marshall Cleary and Blackie were startled by the sound of firing. Yes, man! Pull up! Do you hear me? Pull up at once! Those are the men who helped us catch Blackie here. Hello there! What is it, stranger? The life of the boy was wounded. It depends on Blackie returning to Laramie. There's no time to waste. You've got to turn back at once. Turn back? Are you local? I said there's no time to waste. Then you go to places. I won't argue. One move and I shoot. Blackie, climb out here. You bet I will, mister. Get up behind me. You'll be tailed for this, stranger. You'll get yours, and that's a promise. Marshall, I don't want to oppose the law. But in a case like this, I have no choice. Ready, Blackie? Ready. Come on, come on, Stone! Come on! Blast him! Speak it and you do what I say! I think you hear him, Marshall! The Marshall's bullets had taken effect. Both the masked man and Blackie had been hit. And once beyond range, the lone ranger and tato reigned in their mouths. How, how bad you hurt? Don't mind me, Kimus, I'll be... Mine's a flesh wound. Cut me in the shoulder. Have a look at Blackie. Hey, I'm scared I'm doomed for, mister. Oh, and you've got heat that wounds. Then we can't go on. We will. I'll make it somehow. I've got to. Before I cash in my chips, I can do one decent thing to make up for all the bad I've done. That's to give Billy reason for living. It's a hard trip to Laramie. But just the same if it was twice as hard and twice as far I'd still last it out. Well, it's not talk. Let's travel. All right. Kill him! Get him, Stone! Get him! The next morning, Dr. Ewing hurried toward the front door of his home. Yes? Blackie! How was the boy? I'm afraid of you who come here. Doctor, look at Blackie. He's almost finished. Yet he came back here because he thought Billy needed him. Don't delay us because of my mask. Blackie! Good heavens, man. You rode here with a wound like that. Don't mind me, Doc. How's the kid? But you're in bad shape. Doc, don't waste time. I can't hold out much longer. So, miracle, you've lasted as long as you have. Blackie, the boy is delirious. I haven't been able to get him to sleep. But he certainly won't do him any good to see you like this. Blackie, you just leave that to me. Let's go in there, huh? Blackie, I don't know what to say. A minute ago, I hated you. But now... Well, come on. You too, stranger. Of course. Stay here, Tyler. The Marshal and the Sheriff come. Keep them out. Ah, how do I do it? Jeff, I feel good. Let me talk to him alone. Oh, Blackie. Just stay here. Yes. Come on, kiss me, Blackie. Kid. I can't hang you, Blackie. It's me, Kid. Oh, Blackie. It's Blackie. I don't care. Can't you hear me, Kid? I don't know what you did. It's me, Blackie. Come on, Blackie. I'll come back to you. Blackie. Shucks. You think there was anything in the world that could keep me from you when you was alien? Did you really think I wouldn't come back to you? Is it really you, Blackie? Is it? Sure is. But what they said you was going to hang. They said it... Someone said that about me. Well, of all the fool things. My kid. They won't hang me. I'll give you my word. Cross my heart. I've just been telling you things it ain't so. Honest, Blackie? Honest? Honest. And I'll tell you something else. Yeah? I've changed, young fella. I'm all through being a crook like I was. From now on, for as long as I live. Gee. Gee, Blackie. That's swell. I've been awful tired, but thinking of you and wondering what was going to happen. Ain't no need to wonder now. That's all over with. Now what you're going to do is get some rest. So you and me can be together again. Rest, kid? Sure, Blackie. Sure. You've done it. He's sleeping. It's the crisis. He'll live, Blackie. Don't. Don't wake him up. Stranger. Yes? Don't let him know too soon, will you? No, Blackie. And after I'm gone. If you could kind of look after him a bit. There's nobody here. He can turn to him. And you've been right kind. You have my word. I will. Thank you. Yes, Blackie? It's no use, Stranger. He can't answer you. He'll never answer anyone again. Sheriff. Your prisoner's inside. This blasted engine wouldn't let us by. By it's under this time, Blackie, won't get away. Not if I have to handcuff him. You're right. Where is he? You're right, Sheriff. He won't get away from you. But I'll tell you something else. Blackie will never hang. You have just heard. There's a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.