 horse for the speed of light, a cloud of dust in a hearty high old silver, the Lone Ranger. The pioneers who traveled to the western United States by covered wagon faced many hardships. The rough trails, the burning heat, thirst, hunger, and worst of all, the outlaws who roamed the new territory and robbed and plundered at will. It was during this period that the masked rider of the plane started his fight for law and order. No greater champion of justice can be found in the pages of history. No one could match his courage and daring. Was he more than any other man who brought peace and security to the frontier? Return with us now of those thrilling days of yesteryear, from out of the past and the thundering hoofbeats of the Great Horse Silver, the Lone Ranger rides again. Sam Slocum with his wife and daughter were traveling along the prairie trail to their new home. They received a warning earlier in the day, but Sam refused to pay any attention to it and don't you believe a word of what he said, Sophie? No Serene, not a word of it. He didn't know what he was talking about, no how. Sam, you're this stubbornness man. You never believe nothing unless you want to. Get up! Get along with ya! Get along! Pa, I don't see why that man would have told us not to go in your showdown without no reason. He was just being grateful, given us that warning. He was doing us a good turn to pay us back for that slab of bacon we spared him. Pa, you know that so. Like fun it is. You and your maw both, you just like. Every fancy story a stranger makes up, you gotta swallow it whole. The first thing you gotta learn is that folks out here tell them tall stories just for the fun of it. They don't expect to be believed. If you do believe them, they just think you're green. You might have been telling the truth, Sam. What's there for us to be scared of, heading for showdown? Why, it was them two brothers he was telling us about. Them brothers, he said, were so awful hard to get along with. Now, what'd he say the names were? The Tobans, he said, Ma. Lige and Ape Tobans. Uh-huh, that's the name. Ah, what kind of a man you think I am? I ever give you reason to think I'd scare easy? But, Sam, if we should lose our cash. The 1,200 we still got left? Yes. Now, what makes you think we're real? Oh, I don't know. We're feeling. You and your crazy notions. But I ain't always wrong. And I feel it so strong I even dreamt it last night. That's what I thought. It's just dreaming. Ah, Ma, look. What is it, Tate, honey? The town, don't you see it? It's coming to sight. It sure has. There's showdown. Take a good look at it, folks. Because that's the town we're gonna live close by. So, let's get us along. Move, you critters. Start making tracks of all our climb down and boost you along with a tome a boot. Get up. Get up there. Showdown, the town Sam and his family had sighted in the distance was one of the most lawless in the territory. The Tobans, its leading citizens, made no pretence to honesty. Their word was law. And those who differed with them, paid for it. As a result, the Tobans did not hesitate to speak freely in public. The Sam and his family neared the town, lying, gendered the cafe, looking for his brother, Abe. Barkeep, where at his name? Over the corner table, Lodge. Oh, yeah. Yeah, I see him. Hey, Ruslan here. Golly, stranger. Lodge, you sure sore about something. You notice it? No, I didn't. I'm not acquainted with him. Huh? You don't know the Tobans? Say, you're a stranger here for fair. That's just like saying you never heard of the Apache kid, the Russian George, a wild-bill hickok. Golly, I thought everybody'd heard of them. I didn't say I hadn't heard of them. I said I wasn't acquainted with them. Oh, I do look angry. Having quite a conversation. Ain't they though? That's food I ordered. Yeah? You can put it at the table over there. All right. I believe I'll sit down. Hey, buying food or none. Forget about that card game last night. Let me cheat no ballie. Well, if he didn't see me, he ain't gonna complain none. All right, all right. But then you're mine. There's a Nestor and his wife and girl right in this way. You sure? You bet I am. I met up with them. Not only that, but I told them about you and me, the Toban brothers, and advised them as our showdown might not be a real healthy place warm to settle. You warned them off in person? I never told them my name. They didn't have no idea I was one of the Toban brothers. I was warning them again. Well, what's the use of getting so head up about a Nestor more or less? Sharks, maybe they're bringing cash with them. Maybe they got something we could use. They got more in cash. What do you mean? They got papers giving them title in that homestead north of town. Bored it, eh? Sure. Bored it from that fella who worked the land and got the deed for it. That one we'd run off a while back. And that means that Nestor holds title to the best part of our reign. Yeah? Well, he can't have it. That's just what I think. We ain't giving it up. I don't care if that Nestor bought the whole state. He's got to learn that a round showdown we're the law. We ain't to be crossed. Bigger on gunning for him? Eh, what'd you find out when you talked to him? He got any cash? A Reckon saw. How much? I don't know exactly, but it's a sizable amount. I made out for the barious slab of bacon from him so as to get him a talking. And he admitted he weren't hampered none for cash, which is a heap for a Nestor to say. He, uh, know how to play cards? I don't know. Well, if he does, we'll oblige him. Which same will save us the price of lead. And if he don't, we'll teach him. And charge him high for the lessons. Yeah. The lone ranger who'd come to show down wearing a disguise hurried back to the camp he shared with his faithful Indian companion, Tonto. He told him what he'd learned, from Tonto acting on the masked man's instructions, left camp and rode toward the Slocum's homestead. When the Indian returned, he brought new. Oh, oh, scout, oh, oh, fella. You look as though you've learned something, Kimosabe. Slocum. Slocum him make camp. I thought he'd be on his land by the time you got there. You kept close watch? Huh? Tonto watch him. See fella named Tobin come. One of the Tobins, huh? Which one, Lides? Oh, other fella. Aide. Him act like friend. The more of his crookedness. What'd he say? Ask Slocum, go cafe. Meet other men in town. Make friend there. No threats? He didn't tell the Slocums they'd have to move on? No, him not threatened. That means they're not going to use force. They're going to use trickery. Well, perhaps two can play at that game. Ah. Time the Tobins learned they can't run this country. More than that, it's time they paid for all the crimes they've committed in the past. Them plenty crooked. They've been so successful they make no attempt to conceal it. They must have known I could overhear them in the cafe. But they acted as though they didn't even notice me there. I am not care. There are no sheriffs in showdown. And a troop of soldiers that were sent out to the Indians are not far from here. I saw their camp. They must be on their way back to the fort. Not right. And all the Tobins in the world can't influence the soldiers. And you've got plan? I believe I have. You know, Sam Slocum isn't so far from my build. That's right. And you saw him today. Do you think you could get me a disguise so I could pass for him? Ah, Tonto get him. Get clothes like him wear too. Good. Both Aide and Lides have each seen Sam Slocum just once. I don't think they'll be likely to notice any slight difference. And if they don't, Tonto, they're going to meet with a surprise. The Slocums were delighted with their new home and went to work at once. Sam was chopping firewood when his wife called to him. There now, Sam, well, that ought to be enough kindling for now. No need to go tiring yourself out the first day. Sophie making kindling out here in the West is just as much of a choice it was back home. Just look around, though. Ain't this a humdinger of a place to settle? It's going to do first rate. Well, I should smile. When are you going to start building the house, Paul? I thought maybe at first we could just add onto the cab and the fellow that proved up on this place built. So tonight, as long as that fellow that dropped in was nice enough to invite me, I figured I'd take a run into town and sort of get acquainted. And when I get acquainted, I'm going to hire some of them town fellows to come out here and help with the building. Oh, then we'd be finished that much sooner. Sure thing. We're going to have us a real place. Build a wing right down to the creek so we all have water right beside the kitchen door. Oh, that'll be nice. And then maybe someday we can send east and get us a pump. And then we can have water right inside the house. Wouldn't that be first rate though? Sure would. We're going to have us a regular palace kind of. Sam, are you really set on going into showdown tonight? I reckon I am, Sophie. That fellow invited me. Said I'd meet up with all the important folks in town. Me and them Tobans, I suppose. Maybe they ain't so bad. Anyhow, I've got to go in some time. I might just as well be now as later. It'll be long, sir. Oh, now more. We'll be all right. Oh, that feeling I've had. There you go again, the dreamer. We're going to. Oh. What day was it? Hey, what? Hey, there. There. Oh, Sam. Don't be frightened. Where'd you come from? I know you have money, but I'm not interested in it. And I should prove you have nothing to fear and that I'm not an outlaw. Then what are you doing here? I'm bringing you a word of advice. Advice? Yes. If anything should come up, if for any reason you need help, don't go to showdown. Where else will we go? Beyond that far ridge in the valley, there's an encampment of soldiers. They'll be there until morning at least. You sound as though there's going to be trouble. I've warned you. Remember my warning. Here's over. Oh, that horror. Leap and lobster's. What a quitter. Oh, it's wonderful. It's wonderful. Steady, old fellow. Here. Stranger, wait. You haven't said why. You'll know why later. Come on, Silver. Come on. That evening, Sam Slocum prepared to ride into town. As he mounted and swung down the trail, however, he did not know that two shadowy figures astride two powerful horses were drawn up beside the trail, awaiting his approach. Sam should be long sinned. You wait. All right. You... You hear? Yes. Quiet now, Silver. No noise until we're ready. We'll stay out of sight unless something goes wrong, Kimusabe. I don't want Sam to have any reason to suspect I'm not the person I claim to be. Ah. I'll just stay back. Stay back and keep watch. Ah. Here he comes. When I've finished, right away alone, you'll be back to camp and wait for me there with the disguise I must put on. Don't go too bad. No! Oh, look. What's wrong with you? Let me go. I can't see what's going on. Get out of the saddle, Slocum. What's that blind for? Where's your coyote? Hold still. What are you doing? First I'm seeing to it. You're securely tied. No, wait. Look, go ahead. Why's that hold still? No one more loop? This is for the last time. Now then, that does it. Drug all you want. You won't get loose. I could only see you so as I could recognize you again. Get even. Now I'll see what you're carrying in your pockets. I ain't got nothing with me worth taking. I understand. I know differently. The man who invited you to tell us this afternoon suggested that you take your valuables there for safekeeping. Way to go. Here we are. My cash, all our cash. There should be something more. If you got it all, leave me alone. I've gone at you to pay for this. I'll find out who you are. And when I do, you sure wish you hadn't stole from Sam Slocum in his paper. Oh, no, no, not that. That's the deed to my homestead. I knew it was. That won't do you any good. No, you either, Slocum. And this should teach you a lesson. A lesson? Next time you're warned to stay clear of showdown, take that warning. But don't trust me. The Tobans don't want messes on their best range. Is that clear? The Tobans. And don't report this to the soldiers. Or you'll get worse next time. If I could just get my hands on you. You won't. Now repeat what I said. Don't trouble the Tobans again. And stay clear of the soldiers. Steady, boy. Here. You leaving me here like this? You'll be able to work for you, those ropes. Come on, boy. Come on. Certain falls on the first act of our thrilling Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scene, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. The Lone Ranger, having left Sam Slocum, bound and blindfolded on the trail to showdown, hurried back to his camp to rejoin Tonto. Oh, Silver. Oh, boy. You've got everything ready for the disguise, Kimosabe? Yeah, the disguise. Fine work. Now listen closely to me while I put it on. I'll have to get ready and talk at the same time. I've got to get to town as soon as I can. Now first, I want you to get back to the trail and make sure Sam is released. How to do that? The one he's free, make sure he goes to the soldiers. Let me hear you tell him not go there. As I figured, it was the surest way of getting him to do it. That's right. Hand me my guns, Tonto. Here. Your gun. Thanks. Now, note it all right. I may need them before I'm through. The totems are bad medicine. You take, keep, big chance. I'll buckle them on. How do I look? Am I getting the disguise right? Me fix them. Then you'll be all right. And take care, Tonto. The lightest mistake may mean failure in my life. In the cafe at Showdown, Abe and Lige Tobin impatiently waited for their victim. They sat at the table in the midst of a group of their cronies. The latter, aware of the plot to swindle Sam, were enjoying the thought of fun in store. What time did Phyllis say he'd show up anyhow? He's late already, Andy. Maybe he's getting a crooked deck fix to cheat Abe and Lige with. Better be mighty crooked. Just ordinary crooked wouldn't be enough, would it? Keep your mouth shut. Sorry, Abe. You don't figure anybody's warned them of our scheme, do you, Lige? We ain't kept it as quiet as we might have. Yeah, but who'd have the nerve to go against us? Nobody, I reckon. I don't savvy why you don't show up. Who's that coming? That's him. Howdy, slow, come on. We've been waiting for you. I was a little late. I reckon you've met my brother, Lige, here. Played sort of a joke on you, didn't I? Borrowing that slab of bacon off of you and warning you, getting my own self. Yes, say. What's the matter, Abe? Say I'm here. Somehow you look taller than when I seen you this afternoon. Yeah, that's so. A man looks different when he's working and when he's dressed for town. Put on your Sunday go-to-meeting way of talking, too, didn't you? You talk as calm as anybody when I've seen you before. Oh, shucks, you're among friends. You don't have to go to the door going formal-like. Thanks. Yeah, by the way, yes, I suggested there might be a good idea of you to bring your cash indeed to town so as it could be put in my safe. You do that? Well, I have them both with me. If you'd like to put them away now. Oh, there's no hurry about that. No hurry at all. Uh, care much for a card? Poker? Well, that's what me and Lige and the boys generally play. When we play at all. Which same ain't often. Well, I'd enjoy it. Well, then sit right down, friend. Sit right down. If you find us just a mite rusty at the game or not as slick with cards as you are, well, why, you won't get impatient and mad at us, will you? Of course not. Then, barkeep, bring us the chips and the cards. We're going to have a real sociable evening with our new friend. Uh-huh. A real sociable evening. The game in the cafe was played honestly enough during the greater part of the evening and all into the night. But one by one the players dropped out until only the Lone Ranger and Abe Pobin were pitted against each other. The Lone Ranger dropped his cards to the table and said, Having very good luck, Abe. That's a bad, that's a bad. Got any more cash? You're anxious to lose? I'm not anxious to lose. Just my joke, Sam. Shucks. Your luck's liable to turn most any minute now. Then my stack will start melting. Taking all the cash I brought with me. Yeah, sir. That's too bad. Abe, didn't Sam say something about bringing the deed to his place along with it? Yeah, so he did. Oh, I think it's worth much though. Well, I didn't suggest playing for it. Oh, go ahead, Abe. Be a good sport. Give Sam a chance at what you took from him. You're willing? If you are, well, I'll oblige you. Just lay it out on the table here. There you are. Uh, how much you figure it's worth? Play a thousand dollars against that deed or nothing. Then a thousand it is. There. A thousand even. One hand? One hand. And it's, uh... my turn to deal. Very well. Go ahead. Here they come. Playin' close, Abe. This is the one that counts. Biggest part of the night. Yeah, let me see what I got. I'll play in this hand just like the last one you know, Sam. Plain showdown. No drawin'. Who's me? What have you got? Yeah, let's see yours first. It doesn't amount to much. A low pair. And I got three of a kind. Three of a kind, fellas, to get a low pair. The cash and the deed is mine. Boys, this is just about the most profitable night of cards I ever spent. Sam. Yes? That homestead you're on is mine, startin' right now. You can bam-oose first thing in the morning. If I find you stayin' on, you'll get moved with lead. One moment. Eh? This game isn't quite over yet, Abe. You mean you still got more cash? I mean I'll just have a look at those cards up your sleeve. What the? These are your guns at your own risk. I'll out-throw any man in this room. I'll get him, boss. Got tonight. You're not hurt. Stand back, all of you. Every man in this room is covered. Don't shoot. I won't unless I have to. But I'm taking that deed back. And you have the wallet with the money, Abe. Hand it over. This is the same as a holdup. Not when you cheated to win. The wallet. Take it. I will. Don't follow me. You won't. Careful, Abe. He looks like he's just hankering to let fly. Don't come out here too fast. I may be waiting for you. Look, Crook. He's just about none my hand for life with that shot of his. He'll get fixed for this. There he goes. Now it's safe to follow. Come on. After him. He got the cash and the deed with guns. And that's just how we'll get him back. He'll get fixed for this. The lone ranger urged his horse to its greatest speed, rapidly outdistancing his pursuers. Once he stopped to get rid of his disguise and assume his mask once more, then he raced on. The eastern sky grew light, and shortly afterward, Kate and her mother were preparing breakfast. Sam was sitting near them. Sure a fine day, honey. A fine day. How can you sit there and say such a thing after you spent the whole night away from home the way you did? I'd think your conscience would be bothering you something terrible. If you've still got one. He doesn't bother me. Something upshores my bone days. Kate, you go look and see if your pa has still got that cash and the deed with him. Have you, pa? Sure thing. See him? He ain't had them long, but I got him. He's got them all right, Ma. Right, good thing he has. What's them Tobans like? They don't amount to much, honey. They're out and out crooks. You don't say. Yeah. Fact is, if there'd ever been any law around here, they'd have been in jail years ago, with plenty of years ahead of them yet. Oh, then we're lucky to... we're likely to have trouble with them, with them living so close by. Oh, maybe, but I ain't worrying. Sam, well, I declare, I've never seen you so funny acting before. You got me beat. Ma, there's some horsemen coming along the trail. And stakes in me and my old clothes. Look, one of them is the man we met in the trail yesterday, when we lent the bacon to. I reckon I better go meet him. Sam, well... I better you women folks keep back. Is there going to be fighting? Don't hurt to get ready. Kate, you go around back in the wagon and stay there. No, no, no. Now don't go there. What is it? What's back there you don't want seen? Sam, well, you're going to have to do a heap of explaining for this day's work. Now you are. Now just do what I say, honey. Stay right where you are. There's the dirty crook. Move, move, move, move, move. Oh, move, you thieves. Stand aside. You're all covered. Search this gun, Clyde. They may be. I think it's on them, all right. Then take it away from them. Come on, hurry up. Here's the cash. And the deed right along with it. Sam, well, they're stealing everything we've got. They ain't stealing. Now get off of this land. We ain't got no use for nesters. And especially we ain't got no use for nesters that tries to steal from us. Get and get Pronto. You can't make me get off land that's mine. I suppose you didn't lose the land, the cash to us last night. He can't deny it. I can, too. It was never near your place. They never lost nothing to you. You're a worse horse thief for trying to dodge out of the truth. Ma, they've took everything from Pa. Stop them. Stop them. Don't let them get away. They won't. Come on, Clyde. You're either Abe. Tell your man to keep his hand from that holster if he doesn't want to get ventilated. What the? Who are you? Lieutenant Pearson. That forward man? Sure thing, sir. More soldiers, Ma. Look, a half dozen of them. Don't arrest us. This here nester you want to get. He held me up last night. Rob me up. Last night, Abe, I told you before I was near your place. Is this man Rob you, Tobin? Where did it happen and at what time? At my cafe. It happened just before summer. That's all, Lieutenant. Pretty thin man. But I... I'm in a position to know your story can't be true. Because Sam was with us at the time you named. No. No, that can't be right. There's something wrong here. You can't... Yeah, there's something wrong, sure enough. And you and your brother are it. We ain't got it. The army's taken over now. You're all through. Hey, Blige. The soldiers must be lying. Sam... Get him up at that kind of talk. Sergeant. Yes, sir. These old men get on their horses. If they object, you'll know how to handle them. We're putting them under arrest and taking them to camp. I don't trust them in showdowns. I'll handle them, sir. It'll be a downright pleasure, sir. All right, Mount Pronto. Or I'll skin the ten off your faces with this shooting iron. We're mounting. Well, thanks for the favor, Lieutenant. You fixed things up fine. And thanks for the tip that these men would try this stunt. Yep. All right. All right. All right. Get him up. It's the same as I can shake you good. Could've been up to. How'd you happen to go where them soldiers was instead of to town? Why ain't you told me all the things you've had off your sleeve? I'd like to shake you. Oh, Sophie. Now, here comes a fella that can explain more about tonight, Kim. Oh, that same masked man. And a red skin, Pa. I see that everything worked out all right for you, Sam. Thanks to you, it did, stranger. Can't you tell me anything, Sam? Well, you're driving me plum wild. I don't think there's much to explain, Mrs. Luckham. You see, the Tobans simply made a mistake and a dirty. And that mistake brought them to justice. Look, it's like a thing I ever seen. And Sam loaned some money and a deed overnight to catch a couple of crooks. Stranger, I sure wish I could tell you how grateful I am. There's no need for that. Ready, Kimosabe? You ready? Get him up, Scout. Hello, Silver! You have just heard, it's a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.