 Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous trails, showing rare courage in the face of disaster, in the air, on horseback, or in a screaming squad car. Ranger Bill, his mind alert, a ready smile, unswerving, loyal to his mission, and all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done. So the fellow says to the pilot, I want to thank you for them airplane rides. And the pilot, he says, what do you mean rides? He only took one. So the fellow says, that's right, my first and my last. You know, old timer, someday after I get back from San Francisco, I'm going to take you all over town and see how many places we stop at that you can think up a joke about. Yeah, it'd be fun. That looks like my plane is loading out there. I better get aboard. You take it easy, Bill. We won't see you back here safe and sound. You take good care of things while I'm gone, Stumpy. Don't let Henry get out of hand. Oh, if he gives me any trouble, I'll punish him with a little of my harmonica music. Well, have a good trip. Bring us back plenty of souvenirs. I wish this were a pleasure trip rather than a business trip, Stumpy. But I'm afraid we'll be pretty busy all the time there. You'd better run, Bill. Looks like that plane's gonna hold not very many more. Right. So long, Stumpy. Say goodbye to Henry for me. Tell him I'm sorry he couldn't have come out this morning. Captain speaking. We'll be flying at 10,000 feet here in San Francisco. A slight tailwind may get us there a bit ahead of schedule, but we'll be close to the schedule time. I beg your pardon? I said thank God. About arriving on time, I mean, even a little early. I need every minute that can be spared. Oh. Yes. You see, I'm a heart surgeon. Croft is the name. Immanuel Croft. Oh, yes. Mine is Bill Jefferson. Happy to meet you. Oh, and are you? Are you on your way to an operation, Dr. Croft? Yes. Unusual case. And wouldn't you know I'd have trouble making reservations? Everyone and his brother seems to be going someplace this weekend. It's essential that I get to San Francisco today. The patient is in such condition that to wait might be fatal. I see. You can be thankful for our day of fast-to-travel. I am indeed. Your uniform, some kind of police officer or something? Forest Ranger. Up here looking for forest fires, Mr. Jefferson? Not exactly. I am on a special assignment. You like your work? Very much. If you'll excuse a slight pun on your work, doctor, I feel very close to the heart of nature. I feel the same way exactly. And with a more definite reason, I can't disagree with you there. Sometimes I forget how really large and varied God's creation is. Here we are, you, a man of the forest and me, a man of the body, flying here among clouds of indescribable variety. I find it all, well, all very inspiring. I know. I do too. It's hard to think sometimes that a God of so great a creation could ever really care for any one of his creatures, isn't it? But he does. Are you a Christian, doctor? Yes, and I suspect you are too. Right. Makes a difference in a man. The way you can appreciate God's creation, you have some idea of how wonderful the creator is. When he's actually spoken to you. I should say so, Mr.... Just call me Bill, eh, doctor? Thank you. You know, sometimes after a few months of looking at nothing but the insides of people, it does a man good to get out into space like this and see something of the magnitude of God. And on the other hand, doctor, for someone like myself, who spends most of his time in the well-wide open spaces, I would imagine seeing the microscopic complexity and carefulness of God would be very refreshing. Unless you have a strong stomach, I don't suggest looking in on a hard operation. I suppose not. I'll just stick to leaves and small animals. The heavens declare the glory of the Lord. And the earth shows his candy work. Yes. Well, the light of the seat belt sign has gone off. Now we can relax. Yes. I'd forgotten we even had them on. We use them all the time on the highway and our cars. Oh, are they really a help? They're a bigger life saver than most people realize, doctor. You know, it's been estimated in research that over 60% of fatalities in road accidents could have been prevented by the use of seat belts. Why, just last July 4th, when over 400 people were killed, experts said that a good half of them might have been saved by seat belts. That's an impressive statistic, Bill. I know the AMA has recommended them. And there are a great many agencies and associations of two. But there's yet less than 1% of the drivers in this country own them. Well, I must admit that I don't have them. Never thought much about them, I guess. I guess I got a bit preachy on this after good night. But when you've looked at as many accidents as I have and realized that over half of the deaths or serious injuries that you've seen could have been avoided. Well, you can see why I'm so strong and elusive. I'm with you there, Ranger. I've been racing all my life, and I'd probably be dead by now if it weren't for them seat belts. Oh? Toby Crane's the name. I'm glad to meet you, Toby. My name is Bill Jefferson, and this is... I know who the doc is. Oh, do you? Sure. You possibly don't remember, doc, but I had my picture on the same page in the newspaper as you did. It was a while ago, but I thought at the time I was really coming up to be on the same page as a great doctor like yourself. I'm sorry, I don't remember. Oh, that's all right. Who would expect you to? You say that you're a racer, Toby? That's right. Only nothing like cars, so... I race sailboats. Everybody's always surprised when I tell them. I guess everybody thinks it's a rich man's sport, and I guess it is for most folks. I suppose that's true around the coast area. But back in Naughty Pine, we have sail races all summer. Very few of the contestants are what you'd call wealthy. Well, the big competition is only for them what's got the money, and those of us who crash that scent. Which aren't many. You're on your way to San Francisco to race, Mr. Gray. That's right. Tomorrow's the first thing. That pilot said some sweet words when he said we might be early. The more I have, the more time I have to get my ship in shape. Ship shape. Well, anyway, the more time I have, the better. This is a big one tomorrow. If I win it, I might even make a few pages closer to the front of the paper, Doc. I hate to leave you that way. I'll, uh, survive the experience. You know, when I was a kid, I used to think you big doctors were all just a bunch of stuffed shirts. But now that I'm moving around in your circles, I find you ain't such a bad bunch after all. You're, uh, pretty proud to be associating what the wealthier said, aren't you, Toby? Why not? You know what I was? I was a runny-nosed kid from the run-down part of town. My own father had to wait tables just to keep our family going. You're right, I'm proud. I'm up where the real people are. Maybe in your learning about people, you'll find out that there are real people in every straight-up society, Toby. What's that to me? I'm finding my element. You know, the trouble with flying is that you don't seem to be moving. At least on the ground, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you're getting to your destination. I know what you mean. But up here, we're moving a whole lot faster than on the ground, satisfaction or no. I know what you mean, Doc. I'm all anxious to get to San Francisco. Man, when that race runs tomorrow, a lot of hearts are gonna run high. If I don't get there soon, one heart may stop running altogether. Hey, that's funny. Huh? What's that? The light is on up front again. Oh, so it is. Awesome seatbelts. I guess I get a bit better to get back to my seat. See you later, Doc. What do you make of it, Bill? I don't know. This plane isn't scheduled to stop anywhere between here and San Francisco. Some of the other passengers are beginning to be disturbed. Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain again. I'm going to have to ask your cooperation. We're having some functional difficulty with the engines. We're going to have to make a forced landing. Now, please keep your seats. Do not panic. We're over ideal country in which to land, and I anticipate no difficulty whatsoever. They will be on its way soon after we land. Thank you. Engine trouble? Bill, this means we won't... I know, Doc. It looks as though you may not get to San Francisco today. In fact, there's no sure way of telling when any of us will get there. Ranger Jefferson, come in. As Stuart has said, you wanted to speak to me, Captain. By the way, we all appreciate that fine landing. Well, thanks. That's not the largest of our problems, though. The major difficulty here is that no one knows we're here. But I got the idea when you spoke over the intercom that you were probably radioing for help. That's all I could think of to say, actually. You see, the radio went dead about, oh, half an hour ago. The trouble all seems to be related, probably something in the electrical system. Well, if I can be of any help. Well, that's why I called you up here. I figured that, well, you being a Ranger and all, you might have some ideas on how to get out of this fix. Seems to me I'm always hearing about your kind of people getting out of tight spots. I'm afraid that's a little blown up. Well, it makes no matter. Any ideas? Aren't we on any regular route? I mean, do planes fly over this area regularly? Actually, it depends on wind conditions up there. But I'd say probably. And the obvious thing would be to somehow attract their attention. I played with that idea, Ranger, and came up with one trouble. Oh? The name of this airlines? White Airlines. Exactly. And our identifying marks? Oh, of course. Planes painted white. We probably don't even show up against this ground of snow. So, here we are, right back where we started from. No, not exactly. An idea? I'll need as many able-bodied men as around this flight to help me, but I think it can be done. What is it? Come on, let's get a crew together. Attention, team three! Keep it a straighter line! Straighter line! I've got to hand it to you, Bill. It's a great idea. I read about it somewhere, Captain. Having those men stand about a giant word help in the snow. You know, already you can see it taking shape from here. That's why I wanted to stand up here on top of the plane. I needed a vantage point from which to direct the lettering. By the size of that big help, I'd say you can see it at, oh, 10,000 feet easy. We've got lots of paper to do our writing on. Let's just hope a snowstorm or two strong wind doesn't come along and act as a big eraser. What are you planning to do after they get that big word stomped out? I'm going to sit inside the plane where it's warm and wait. I have one more little snow-stopping job to take care of first. Oh, seems to me that if the snow is packed down around the plane, we'd stand out in better relief. That way, whoever saw the big help in the snow would probably look closer and see the plane. That's a good idea. I don't know how those men out there are doing the work field, but standing up here on top of this plane is a mighty cold job. Yeah, I'll be glad to get back inside myself, even if it means that we just sit and wait. What time is it? Uh, a little past noon, Doctor. Still no sign of help. Well, I'm afraid not. Sometimes the ways of God are past finding out. But they're still the ways of God, Doctor. Why did this have to happen to me? Just when I was about to hit the top? You aren't out of the race yet, Toby. I might as well be. I'm stuck here in this beat-up plane. Well, I think you take advantage of the time. What doing? Giving a little thought to how shaky all this is that you're basing your life on. What? Toby, your whole dream castle could be shattered by a few mechanical difficulties on a plane. Sounds to me like you're on shaky ground. The way we figure, Bill, it's a good 50 miles to the nearest town, due west. Uh-huh. No sign of a road or highway out here. No sign of anything out here, except that giant word help. And our skid marks as we came in. That and a few sheets of tail suction that decided to peel off along the ground. I guess this plane was made to use wheels, huh? I don't see how you can be chipper at a time like this. Captain, I'm just trying to get an idea of a way to reach that town before nightfall. I have a feeling this plane will get pretty cold tonight. I wouldn't like to see any of us here when that happens. And too bad we don't have a sailboat like that crane fella back there is used to. The wind's in exactly the right direction to sail us right into town. Yeah, that would be swell, wouldn't it? Hey, wait a minute. Not only would that be good, that is good. Oh, no. We'll do it. Oh, no, please. I was counting on you to keep your head. I'm not as low-co as you think. Come on, we've got a boat to build. It might work, Bill. It just might work. It's got to work. We've got to do all we can to get Mr. Croft on his way to San Francisco. Yeah, me and my way too. I could still make that race. We've got to make this race first, Toby. Now, tell us what you need. We'll do the best we can. Who would have ever thought it? Building a sail sled on a ripped-off tail section. Man, it ought to slip across this snow like nobody's business. If it's good enough, maybe we could even start a new sport or something. I don't think it would be a very good idea, Toby. Why not? The airline companies would probably start complaining that they were running out of tail sections. Now, let's get to work. This sail sled is going to do us any good. We'll have to do it well and in a hurry. Well, Toby, you think you can sail this thing? Think? I know I can. With one addition to it, though. What's that? Sails. Well, here they are right on time. These are as many sheets as the stewardess could spare. Well, they ought to do it. Soon as we rig these things up, we'll be on our way. You might tell the doctor that we'll be ready to leave soon. He's already getting his things together. Everyone is watching from the plane windows. When we get to the nearest town, we'll send help right away. I think it's best if you stay here with the plane, Captain. Oh, I wouldn't leave it anyhow. What's funny? Oh, I was just thinking. Any other time this would happen, everybody would be scared and confused. But, you know, with the way you've kept things happening, everybody's been too fascinated to even think of being frightened. Well, you just keep them fascinated, Captain. And we'll have help out here in next to no time. Well, Toby, that's the first time I've heard you even mention anyone else since we boarded the plane hours ago. Yeah, I guess that's right. Well, this makeshift sail is just about in place. If the dock's coming, let's get them here. We ain't waiting around after it's strung. This is it. All I can say is thanks, Bill, and the rest of you. And, boy, I do hope you make it all right. There's a thousand things that could go wrong, but we ain't thinking about them. All set? All set here. I'm ready, too. Now, remember what I said about shifting your weight in case we should get hit by a crosswind and start to topple over. I'll do my best. Me, too. So long. Good luck. Let's get moving. Man, this is speed. Are you sure you can handle it? No, but I'm sure it's your turn to get it right. This is colder than today, Marthe. My wash on the land is probably free of stiff. I always like to see things like that. It actually looks like a whole lot of fellas kicking up their heels and having a wing ding. Aw, Hank, you're all of seeing things as is. You don't need my wash line to fire your imagination. How you talk. Me always seeing things. Why, I... Well, what's the matter, Hank? You look like you're seeing a ghost. I ain't sure what I'm seeing. Look, Marthe, what's that? Oh, dear. Get down the car, Marthe. Whatever it is, it's coming this way. There's some fellas on that thing, and one of them's got some sort of uniform on. Can't say. They're all bundled against the cold. Is one of them spaceships? It's stopping. Keep down and you keep quiet. At least speak our language. Howdy! Here goes. Did you want me for something? We're trying to find the nearest town. Can you tell us how to get there? Right down that way. Bye. We do look a little strange. Did he say how far away it is? No. I don't think he can be too far. Well, that makes you think so. We'll find out whether that car of his could make a very long trip and not be overheated even on a day like this. Well, anyhow, we've found a road to follow. Thank God. Bill, I'm beginning to feel hopeful again. So am I, Doctor. Let's go. Okay, Colonel. Goodbye, sir. Our rescue team is going right out to the plane with a bus. They'll all be safe and sound real soon. That's good to hear. Now I must set about the... I've already arranged for a plane to carry you to San Francisco, Doctor. It's only a few hundred miles from here, and the local ranger headquarters is happy to fly you there. Oh, you can come too, Toby. There's plenty of room. Oh, that's swell. It's really wonderful up here, Bill. I believe I'll be there in time to do that patient some good. At least I hope so. You guys, I can't figure you out. What's the matter, Toby? Well, you remember what you said back in the plane about me only talking about myself, I mean. Oh, I just slipped out, Toby. I'm sorry I said anything about it. No, I'm glad you did. I've been thinking the whole way here. You're right. All I ever talk about is myself. The funny thing that I just realized is that you guys never talk about yourselves. And when the whole thing's boiled down, you guys are the ones who people will think and look up to and all that. I think the problem you have, Toby, is at least in one way something along my line. Is there something wrong with my heart? You might say that. Ah, come on. Yes, I think there is something wrong there. I believe it's that it's heart. Heart? My heart? What are you talking about? We'll talk more about it on the way, Toby. Here comes the Ranger car to pick us up. I never heard of a heart, heart. So you see, Toby, you're setting your life's aims high, but just not high enough. It's making sense, Doc. No matter how much I make of myself, I can never make something that would please God. Oh, after all, one day we shall face and give an account of what we've done with this gift of life. Well, that kind of takes the wind out of my sails in more ways than one. The sails get completely empty, Toby. That's the time to ask God's forgiveness because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. When that forgiveness is granted, those sails of yours will be filled again, but with the Holy Spirit. A lot of times, boys and girls, we can mix up what is supposed to be the best that this life offers with the best that God, the giver of this life, offers. The Bible tells us many times that what God has for us is what is best for us. I hope you know what that means. Well, see you next week for more adventure with...