 A cloud of dust in the heart of Ohio Silver, the Lone Ranger. No richer grazing lands could be found in the United States than the broad plains of Texas. But the cattlemen were confronted by many difficulties in getting their herds to market, hostile Indians, rustlers, and the dangers of the trail itself. It was not until the Lone Ranger started his great fight for justice that the honest ranchers could face the future unafraid. It was his strength and courage that made possible the winning of the West. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beach to the Great Horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. For several hours a gang of men has been digging around the supports of the bridge across the Black River. Then strong ropes were attached to the timbers and hitched to a dozen draft horses. Got the ground all loose. It shouldn't be more than the horses can manage. We'll see. Maybe we'll have to dig a might more. They're all hitched now. Who's got the bull whip? Here. Stand back. Now give me a room. The supports came a little chank. And hitched the horses now. We've done our job. Look at the bridge. Look at her floating right downstream. Keep on going. She'll go right past Turner's ranch. And he'll know we've done our job before we can get back to tell him. Yep. Turner will be down right glad to see the ruins of the bridge. Now all we gotta do is take the horses back and help Boss Turner collect cash. Come on, boys. Let's get going. Got a look. What's that coming down Black River? That looked like part of bridge. I thought the bridge was built to stand any kind of floodwater. That is the bridge. I'm going out there and have a look at it. Here, Silver. You're going water? Yes. We'll see if we can drag those remains to shore. Here. Take one end of this rope. It's the tree. Yes. I'll take the other end and tie it to the bridge. We'll at least anchor it. Come on, boy. That's it, Silver. Right in. That's it, boy. Come on. Swim for it, fellow. We're nearly there. We're about it all. Back now, Silver. That's the way. Is it holding? Yeah, the bridge away. What happened to it? That bridge has always been important to the cattlemen west of here. That's right. Well, if there's no bridge, the cattlemen will have a hard time getting their livestock to the market. Huh. Unless there's a Turner ranch, there's a bridge of his own there. He won't let the cattlemen use his bridge. It'll be cut off from the market. I wonder if by any chance Buck Turner had a hand in the destruction of the bridge. Another thing to worry about now, boys. Not unless the cattlemen find out that me and the others uprooted the bridge, and then there'll be a plenty for us to worry about. How they find out? They can't prove it, no matter how much they suspect. Yeah, maybe you're right, Turner. I sure as thunder hope so. You ever see me wrong? Well, no. All right, then. All we gotta do now is to sit by our bridge and collect the two bits ahead for every stair that's brought across. Turner. Well? You say there ain't no risk. Sure, no. That ain't going to affect you when it comes to squaring up with me and the boys, is it? Sure not. I made a deal, didn't I? Yeah, you made one. I promised that I'd split half of you and your two pals. Every time a head of cattle crosses my bridge, I give half the two bits to you. I wouldn't want you to forget that part of the deal. Of course I wouldn't forget it. And me and the boys were saying we'd feel a sight more comfortable if we could be around here and help come. You wouldn't do. It'll never do, Jack. You're too well known around. I'd shuck anyone to see Jack Harper and his two pals working on my ranch would know there was something wrong. It'd be too much for anyone to think you three worked for Calhann Pay. You want we should hang around town, is that it? That's it. All right, then. Besides, you'll hear all the talk if you're in town. And there'll be plenty of talk when it's found that everyone has to pay me to move his kettle. There'll be plenty of talk around town. Why, it's the dog-gornest thing ever. I seen the bridge was down. Then I went to the Turner spread to have to use his bridge. And what do you think that Maverick wanted? I know what he wanted, Carvel. Two bits ahead to cross. Yeah, and me with 5,000 head. I didn't have the cash. Now what'd you do? I didn't cross, that's all. I don't reckon there's a chance of Ford in the stream. Not a chance, Bates. Hey, boys, all of you. What is it, boys? Listen, everyone, this cafe, I've got things to say. Fire away, Carvel. How many of you men have found out about the Turner bridge? How many of you can afford to pay two bits ahead to cross your cattle? I say it's highway robbery. Why, they ain't a man of us can pay that cash and come out even when we sell our stock. And we can't keep the stock? There ain't passed you enough to carry through another year. Boys, we've got to do something. Reveal the bridge. That'd take too long. The market wouldn't wait that long. It's moved the cattle now or not at all. Boys, Turner's all has been scheming for himself instead of for the good of everyone. That's right, Carvel. If any of us own the bridge, we tell the rest to go on and use her. That's the way folks have got to live in this part of the country. Not Turner, though. I say make him let us cross our livestock. We'll gang up and make it. Hold on, Carvel. All right, Sheriff. I'm glad you heard me. I heard the last of what you said, Carvel. Well? It won't do. What do you mean it won't do? I mean the Turner owns the land and the bridge. And no man can trespass on his property without his permission. Dad, rather chair if you're in cahoots with Turner. No fine cahoots with no man, Bates. You know better to say that than look at things as we do. I look at things as the law says. I admit the Turner's a pole cat if he won't help the rest of the out. But if he wants to be one, that's his privilege. That's why this country is what it is. A man can be as big as he wants or just as small. The law will protect him as long as he don't break no laws. I wouldn't put it past him to torn down the government bridge. That calls for proof. What a way to do. I ain't a cattle man. We can't go around the river. It'd take weeks of travel. And Ford? Not when she's as high as it is now. Then I guess you'll have to pay what Turner wants or wait till the bridge is rebuilt. We can't do that either. Do without marketing this season. And we'll all go broke. This will be a ghost town. Everyone will have to leave here. Always you got an ugly problem on your hands and I'm down right sorry about it. But I'm warning you. If I have to do so, I'll send for Texas Rangers to keep you off Turner's land unless he gives permission to let you on. Cattlemen were helpless. It was impossible for most of them to pay what Turner demanded. The others refused to sacrifice the principal at stake. Tonho reported the men's attitude to the Lone Ranger and nothing will make those men change their minds, Tonho. Not right. They'll never pay Turner for the use of his bridge. They'll kill their cattle first. Cattlemen will all die for food and soon. I wonder if there isn't some way. It's certain that the bridge never went out without help. I'm fairly sure that Turner had a hand in helping it. You prove that? I don't know how. Well, count a fine pack of men near Old Bridge. Yes, there were men there. But how can we prove it? Even if we did find the men and found they were hired by Turner, it wouldn't bring the cattle across Turner's bridge. And that's the thing that has to be done first. Wait, what is it? Someone come this way. I'll stay with the horses so they won't make any sound. They're heading toward the Turner Ranch. Now, whoever that rider was, he's crossed the bridge. I'm going as close as I can on foot and see who went there. It ain't right. We've done our work. We want our pay. We've made an agreement, Jack, and I stand by it. I'll pay you half of what's paid to me. But hang it all the way things stand now. There's nothing to be paid to you. All right. And you get nothing. Now, that ain't right. All our work, nothing for it. Maybe you think it was easy working on the bridge. What about me? I think it's easy for me to sit here by the bridge all the time. Well, your men take turns with you, though. Even so. I've got to keep all the jobs so there's no cattle that can come across while there's no one here. Yeah, but the other boys, they want pay, too. Tell them what I told you. And look, tell them not to worry. I've been checking up on things. There ain't no way but for them in to pay me. They won't. I ain't worried, man, Jack. As sure as I can be. They're saying right now that they'll kill off their stock sooner than pay what I demand. But they'll think better of it. First thing you know, one rancher will bring his cattle across, then another. And once it's started, it'll keep on. There's many fools. They're cussing stubborn and setting their ways. You wait and see. Inside the next week, they'll be cattle moving over our bridge. Still, the boys to wait and be patient. We'll come out on top and just wait and see. I heard enough. I know who Turner had smashed the bridge. Who that? Jack Harper. He's never been known to work, but always has plenty of money. He's one of the men. There were two others who worked with him. What do now? We'll settle up. I'll tell you while we ride. You find way, get cattle over. I think so. We'll be there soon. We're moving in a minute. I want to talk to Ben Carville. He's one of the main cattlemen. We can get him to help us. We may be known. Oh, I know enough about him to feel sure that I can persuade him to do what I want. Here, come follow back again. Let him come. I'm ready for him now. The first step in our plan is to capture Jack Harper. I'll meet you at our own camp. Come on, Silver. Hurry, old boy. I want to speak to you. Who are you? Come on, Silver. Rain up there, Harper. I'm that man. We met before. Miss Four Times. You've only got two shots left. Your gun's empty, Harper. You want to fall, eh? No, no, no. Not the rope. Oh, oh. What do you want? What do you want of me? There's something we're going to talk over, Harper. A matter of a bridge that you rip down. I don't know nothing about any bridge. No, we'll see about that. You're coming with me. We'll get the rest of you gang later on. No, no, wait. Hold on. You can't prove a thing. There ain't a thing. I'm not concerned with trying to prove anything. Well, what do you want? Harper, I'm not going to say another word about you wrecking a bridge. You can put your mind at rest on that score. All I want of you is your company for a few days. After that, I think matters will adjust themselves. 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. After the Lone Ranger captured Harper, he rode into town under cover of darkness and waited outside the cafe. Finally, the door swung open and two men stepped into the street. I ain't waiting no longer. We'll see Harper tomorrow. Yeah, that'll be time. One minute. What the? Huh? Walk straight ahead and get to the saddle. What's this, Matt? Keep your voices down. I don't want to rope and gag you, too. Say, what do you mean? Ouch! Move along. All right, all right. Stop caught in us with them guns. I don't want any trouble with you. If I have to go back without you, I won't promise that Jack Harper will be in good health. I know who this is now. Mount up. No use agifying now. We'll get the chance later. We'll see about that. Start. Well, I did sleep later this morning, Sarri. There's nothing to get up for. Oh, what a way to talk. Eat your breakfast, Ben Carvel, and start thinking what to do about the cattle. I never see you lick before. No, Sarri. Biggest rancher in this county, and you're beat by a Swindlin scheme and crook like Turner. It ain't that he's beat me, sir. It's the dog on law that's beat me. While the sheriff's ready to call in Texas Rangers if he has to. The fine thing. If I had my way, we'd go and hug Ty Turner and then take the livestock across the bridge. Ten years ago, that's what had been done. But now, shucks, there's laws. Well, then find some other way. What if you do have to pay two bits a head for cattle? Pay it, you'll still come out of shade ahead. No, we'll taint that. That'd be better than going broke or something. Sarri, I can afford the two bits a head. I got the cash, but a lot of men don't have. They'd think I was a fine breed of pole cat to market my cattle when they're stuck with theirs. They haven't got the cash? No. And if they try to get Turner to take cattle instead of cash, he'll swindle them something fierce. No, he won't. What's that? I came to see you, Carvel. Who the damn him? Eat your breakfast. I'll talk while you're doing it. This is going to be a busy day. What's you talking about? Who are you? Now, one thing at a time. I'm getting at the problem of cattle. You'll have to move yours today. As if I wouldn't give my lord teeth to do that. Maybe you've got notions of where I might move it to. Now, who are you? Should you move it? East, of course, to the railroad, to market. You want to sell, don't you? Does a fish want to swim? Of all the fool questions, of course I want to sell. But I'm hanged about pay, Turner. Yes, you will. Is that a threat? By ginger, if it is, then the law will be on my side for a change. Go on, threaten me. I'm not going to threaten you. I'm just going to tell you why you're moving cattle. Can't be done. By ginger, maybe you got something there. You hear that, Sarah? Well, it sounds like it might work. It will work, and we're starting it right now. Man, your breakfast. Feed it to the hog. This is my busy day. I got cattle to move. Hang, peat, slim, snap to it. We're moving east today. Come on, saddle up. Don't ask questions. Get things going. We can't sell while the cattle's on this side of Black River. Now hurry up. Move that cattle. Thousand one, thousand two, two thousand nine hundred and ninety nine, and three thousand. Three thousand head even. Is that what you can't trouble? That's right. At two bits a head turner, I figured comes about $750. Right. Now where's the cash? I'll take it to a seat if you don't mind. Don't mind at all. You ain't right in the herd. No, my boys can handle it without me. There's the receipt. I don't see why everyone feels empty or angry for charging for my bridge, Carvel. Let's not get talking on that. Because we cashed to build a bridge. It was worthwhile, wasn't it? You got to use a land on the other side for nothing. Even so... Don't know all I got to say is just this. Out here, men stand by one another. When a man's in trouble, all the others help him out. That's how we get along. Where I come from, men pay for what they want. Maybe so. It's all how you look at it. I'll head back now. I suppose you won't charge me for going back across your bridge. Nope. Have that crossing on me. It's along, Carvel. Hey, by the way, you might tell the rest that they don't cross this week. I'm doubling the price on them. I'll tell them. I got a notion they'll be crossing them. Come on now, get up. That bet, $750, as easy as rolling off a log. Red skin coming. Where do you think you're going, Red Skin? We come here. You got cash. Hey, sure I get cash. What about it? Half go to Harper Connick. Where is he? In St. Tonto. You at Tonto? Uh, you give cash plenty quick. Oh, hold on. Don't be so quick about things. How do I know I said you? You not give a tarp or get mad. You give a... Hey, did he tell you they're rough about it? Put that gun away. Half a cash. All right, all right. I'll give it to you. But you better be doggone sure that Harper gets it. I'm good. Get him off the couch. Ingers camp not far from the bridge. Jack Harper and his competitors were being held prisoners. But neither the masked man or Tonto were on hand to guard them. I'm getting loose, boys. I think I'll get the ropes off. Sooner or better. Sooner or better is right. I don't like the way that lonely Ingers treating us. It's a trouble. If he'd come out with an open thread or tell us point blank what's on his mind, but he won't. Just keeps us here saying almost nothing about the reason. How are you coming, Jack? We got a call on Tonto. We'll call on him all right enough. I'm getting loose. Good thing our horses are still here. Yeah. It's a good thing. I'm getting them. One hand free. Great work, Jack. Where's the other hand? Now, you have the all loose and no time. I got a knife here. Hurry it up. The red skin or the lone range might come back. Hold still now. Here's your hands. Now get your own knife out and cut your feet loose. Do a thing. Here. Now you're loose. That does it. I don't spoil it all by being too eager. Let's look around for it. I'll get our shooting lines. The lone ranger left them here by the tree. Right. You fetch the horses. I'll get them. I don't see no sign of the lone ranger. Here's guns. Swell. Now let him show himself. I'd like that chance to drill that critter. We got scores to settle with him now, and when we do, we'll settle them for keeps. Here's the horses. No use waiting longer. Let's get going. We got to see Turner. I heard cattle crossing that bridge, and that means we got cash coming to us. Let's go get it. And shoot the lone ranger on the way. I just hope we see him. Come on. Three outlaws found Turner in the living room of his ranch house. You've come, Turner. Hey. Oh, hello, Jake. Heard cattle crossing the bridge. Sure. There was a carvel stuck. Nice lot of it. It sounded like it. Now what about our cash? Your cash? You know what I'm talking about? Hey, give it to the Indian. What Indian? Oh, Lon Harper, what are you trying to put over on me? You got your half of the cash. What? Yeah, local, Turner. You sent a red skin to collect. He done nothing of the sort. We're here to collect it now, and we want a prono. Hand it over. Half of what you got from carvel. Well, you double crossing. No, Joe, you ain't backing down on us. Hold on. What that red skin looked like? Big critter dressed in buckskin, riding the paid horse. That's him, Jack. Did you get his name? Was it Torno? Yeah. That's a friend of the Lone Ranger. I see it now. The Lone Ranger had his hog tied. He held us so that he could collect the cash from you. What did you give the cash to the red skin for? Well, are you looking for us? Quit the view. Don't go for a gun, Harper. You'll cover it. You and that red skin. I'll see you get out of the room. How'd you get a course where a bridge? By just telling the guard there that we had cash for Jack Harper. Here, cash. Just a minute. Before we hand this over, I must know exactly what it's for. It's, uh, Harper's. Fine is right. Turn her over to me. For what? None of your business. Ah, well, then we'll take it with us. You can't do that to us. Unless we know just why this cash is being paid to Jack Harper and his men, it will not be paid. All right, all right. I'll tell you why. Jack, don't do it. No, it's all right. Right no one here but your own men, and they know all about things. If you've got to know Mr. Lone Ranger, it's the payers for pulling down the bridge. That's a good point. Now, let them try and prove that. We'll believe it without proof. I guess your own admission is proof enough, Harper. Yeah? Well, go on and make someone believe what I said. I'll hand that money over and make it. Not so fast. Sure. Happened to I heard that confession. Yes, and so did I. What is this? Every kettleman from the west side of Black River's here. You bet we are. It's a frame up. You can't touch us. We deny everything. We've been framed. You'll cost to save a lot of breath by saving what you've got until you come to trial. You're trespassing. You've come on my land without a ward. They say it legal. If you know the laws. Yep, Turner. I know the laws, and I enforce them as I see them. Then you can't come here without a ward. Let me see your ward. Oh, I reckon we got a right to be here. Oh, no, you ain't. You ain't paid to cross my private bridge. No, we ain't paid no toll. Then you can't come here. You see, Turner? Carvel paid it for us. Part of that case that there's been so much talk about was for us. That's a lie. Carvel paid for his cattle and the men to handle it. And we was all some of the men. Are you? You and Bates? All of us. You didn't notice us when we crossed the 3,000 head of cattle, but we crossed all the same. The fact that we're here sure proves you. The whole thing was framed. Well, Harper, I reckon you were right on that score. It was the lone ranger's idea that worked out slick. You'll catch it away with it. Now, Turner, if I had my say, I'd throw the four of you in jail. But that wouldn't do the folks that owns the cattle no good. The way I figure the law and the way the lone ranger figures it is that sometimes a crook can do better out in the jail than he can in. Now, being as you and these men arrange to tear the bridge down, it's up to you to see that it's rebuilt. Meanwhile, you'll have to let the cattle and use your bridge. And you won't make no toll charges on it. It'll cause me plenty of tears to fix that bridge. Well, of course. If you'd sooner go to jail, the government will pay for fixing it. As for Carville's money, I'll see that he gets that back. What's your choice? Jail or the bridge? There is no choice. That's the way we figured, Turner. Least wise, that's how the lone ranger figured. The lone ranger. Where's he at? Looks like he slipped out. I'll get him. This is twice he's got the best of me. I'll get square. It's twice, Harper, that you've escaped the jail for him. You might not be lucky again. Hyrule Silver Hoey! Just heard of a copyrighted feature of the lone ranger incorporated.