 A fiery horse for the 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 pioneers faced many dangers. Hostile Indians, outlaw bands, and worst of all, the forces of nature. Drows, tornadoes, floods, and plagues combined to fill the settler's lives with hardship. But one of the first things they learned was that the masked rider of the plains with all his strength and courage, with all his great knowledge of the country, would do everything in his power to help them. 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 thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again! Hello Silver! We're heading for the hills! How does winning for us help? Nine-year-old Eric Blake and his twin sister Celia watched closely while their father stood at the gate of the corral in conversation with his foreman. Inside the corral were horses of all ages and conditions. Some were old, some were young, some were wild, some were broken, some were handsome and spirited, while others were obvious scrubs. All, however, came one by one under the scrutiny of Dennis Blake and the man on his side. And whenever his father raised a hand to point out a particular animal, Eric held his breath in fear. Finally, Celia whispered to him. Eric? Eric! Huh? Is, is Paul gonna sell all the horses? Uh-uh. Isn't he? No, just the ones he thinks ain't much good. Toby's good? He sure is. Then, then why are you afraid he's gonna sell Toby? I don't know. See who he was? He didn't say nothing. Then why do you... Shh! What's the matter? Paul was pointing again. I wanted to see which horse he meant. Was it, was it... Uh-uh. Oh, Eric. Oh, Celia, now what do you want? Who's Paul selling the horses to? He told Zeke he was selling them to Mr. Blackman. I heard him. Mr. Blackman? That's what he said. But he can't. Mr. Blackman's mean to horses. He, he beats them. I know it. But he can't sell them to... Can't you keep quiet, Celia? If Paul sees us here, he'll make us go in the house. I, I wasn't speaking loud. Well, don't. Just keep still. Look. Huh? See? Paul and Zeke are walking towards the pump. Can you walk real quiet like a red skin without making a sound? I guess I can walk as quiet as you can. Then come on. Follow me. Maybe we can get close enough to hear what I say. Go on, Mr. Blake. I think I could stand one, Zeke. Well, just a second. Smile you good. I think I'll take a little swig myself. He wouldn't taste good mixed with tobacco. Well, Mr. Blake, that makes about a dozen we've culled out. How many horses Blackman say he wanted to buy? Fifteen. Oh. You don't much like the idea of my selling to him, do you, Zeke? Well, it ain't for me to say nothing, Mr. Blake. You're the boss. Well, I can guess what you're thinking, and I'm not sure I blame you. But it can't be helped. I can use the money, and this has given me the opportunity to get rid of my scrubs. I've been wanting to cull these fellas out for quite a while. Uh-huh. If I'm going to raise horses, I'll have to start with good sound stock. Oh, sure. How about that bay there? What do you think of him? I rode him to the other day, short-winded. Then you'll make 13. Mark, you're down. All right, got it. Two more now. It's getting hard to make a choice. Um... There's Adam. Yeah? Uh, me and his pison. One of these days, he's going to turn killer. Oh, it looks good. Mm-hmm. But problem dangerous to have around. You take my word on it. All right, that's 14. Now, let's see. Um... Look, boss. Yeah? Um, why don't you tell Blackman he can have 14, but that's all. Hmm? How about it? Just tell him you've got these to spare, but you'd better hang on to the rest of what you've got. What you laughing for? Zeke, you're as easy to see through as glass. Shucks, boss. All I said was... I know what you said, and I know what you meant. You're trying to keep me from selling Toby. Oh, boss, you wouldn't do that, would you? Why shouldn't I? But, gosh, the youngins. Mr. Blake, you ain't got no idea how much store they set on their, their horse. Well, golly, he's their pet. That'll be enough, Zeke. But I... Sell Toby. You'll round out the 15. I promise delivery tomorrow. You know which ones are to go, so cut them out first thing in the morning. Well, if you say so... Oh, you can't. You can't sell Toby. What? Hey, what's this? I heard what you said, Pa. You can't sell Toby. You can. He's my horse, and I won't let you sell Toby. Here, now, hold on. You can't. You can't. Eric. Oh, please, Pa. Quiet. But I... Did you hear me, Eric? I said quiet. Now, stop crying. I didn't mean to cry, Pa, but you probably someday I could have a horse for all my own. Me and Phil, you hoped that it'd be Toby, and now you're gonna sell him. If I made you a promise son, I'll keep it. But you're still too young to have your own horse. I'm going on ten. Which isn't old enough. No, son, you'll have to wait. And besides... Huh? When I do give you a horse of your own, he'll be a good one. A horse you'll be proud of. Toby's worthless. He ain't neither. I like him. We won't discuss it. Oh, but Pa... You're going to argue? Sorry. That's better. All right, see, come along. There's some things I want to show you. What do you want? I'm awful sorry, Eric. Well, you just needn't be. But I heard what Pa... They can sell Toby if they want, but I'll get him back. You wait and see if I don't. The following day, after delivering the 15 horses to Blackman, Zeke returned and reigned in his horse before the Blake Ranch House. Oh, boy! Oh, yeah! Oh, oh, oh! Come in. Oh, it's you Zeke. Step in. Didn't expect you back so early. Get the horse at the Blackman all right? No trouble with him at all, Mr. Blake. And there's the cash. He paid right up. Count it, will you? Yes, I think I'd better. Daniel? Daniel? Wife's calling your boss. Oh, excuse me. And? Dennis, I... Oh, sorry. I didn't know you were busy. It's all right. What was it? Hello, Dee. How do you, ma'am? Dennis, have you seen the children? I've been looking everywhere for them. Have you seen them, Zeke? Sorry, ma'am, but I just know a good bank from Blackman's place. Dennis? No, no, I haven't. How long have they been gone? I haven't seen them around since right after breakfast. They weren't home at noon? No. Oh, that's funny. Why, I'm worried. Oh, now I don't think that's necessary. But where could they have gotten to? I know those two almost anyplace. But, Dennis, don't you... Now, now, honey, listen. It's still a long time before sundown, and they're probably just out somewhere playing. But I think... Just as soon as I realize they're hungry, they'll be coming home. But what if they don't? They always have, haven't they? Well, they'll be along. If they aren't in an hour or so, remind me, and I'll find them for you. Well, you think they're safe? Of course they are. Well, Zeke, you'll count this and make sure there's been no mistake. Dennis Blake was wrong. At that very moment, Eric and his sister Celia were on a desperate mission. The two broken-hearted children were determined to rescue their beloved pet, Tobi. There's Tobi, Celia. See? Look through the bushes there. Eric, I'm scared. Oh, wow. If we take Tobi back... Well... It'll be the same as stealing. Mr. Blackmon could send us to jail. I ain't afraid. Eric, let's go back. Please, I'm so tired and I'm awful hungry. Yeah, they're coward. Eric Blake, I'm no such thing. Then prove the truth. How? Help me catch Tobi. But I don't... Then you are a coward. Who do you want me to do? See that rock there? Uh-huh. Well, you stand atop it and watch for Mr. Blackmon while I climb the fence. In the meantime, not far from Blackmon's ranch, a masked man astride a great white stallion and an Indian mauling a powerful paint rode into view. The masked man gazed anxiously at the sky. Celia, huh? Pull up. Oh, scout. What's the matter? We're just looking at that sky to the east there. Plenty of clouds. Rain clouds. That's right. With the wind from that direction, I think we're due for a storm. Let's cut over toward those hills. Not get water? I'd rather not stop at Blackmon's place. But it rains, there'll be no need to. Every dry pool in the district will be full of water and running over. Listen to that. Tondo, here. Miss Abby, I've got an idea. It's not only going to rain. It's going to be a storm to remember. Come on. We'll find cover and... What's that? That's humble. Didn't that sound like a child? Where? Tondo. That's coming from beyond Blackmon's ranch. That's right. Let's go. Come on. Hurry, old fellow. Hurry. Let Eric go. Let him go. Get back. Sing! Give me a little horse seat. I'll kick you. I'll give you a lesson you won't never forget. You stand still. Leave my brother go. You little wild cat. Kick me again you dirty... Just drop that gun. I'll show you what happened. You'll risk... my hands! You're not hurt, but I should have shot the kill. My hand! Yes, my hand! Keep still. You can't! I'll take more of the same. You? Now then, what's your name? My name's Eric Blakeman. Eric... Well then, young fella, you'd better tell me what this is all about. But first, we're going in that shed where you won't be soaked. 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. While the storm raged outside, and the rancher Blackman stood by, the masked man listened to the children's story. When they'd finished... Well, Blackman, if I were you, I'd forget about this. Let the children have their horse. Blast it, Tainters! It's mine! I paid for it! Let them have, Toby. Now return home with them and explain to their father. If he understands, I'm sure he'll return the money you paid. Gee, Mask Man, will you talk to Pa? Will you really? Of course I will, Eric. Oh, that'll be fine. How do I know he'll pay any attention to a Mask Man? You don't. Well, then, why do you? Well, in the first place, Dennis Blake is no thief. You should know that. You're bound to either get the cash back or the horse. And in the second place... Huh? ... if you have any idea of refusing, I'll start an again where I left off a while back. A man with striket child deserves far more than what I've given you. Boy, I didn't know how things was. How could I? Then you let them have the horse? I guess so. Good. Yippie! Hear that seal, yes! You hear it? Oh, my! Where is Toby? He's right outside by the corral. Then I'm going to put you to a board and get you home. It's going to be dark when we get there. And if I'm not mistaken, your parents are worried right now. I've got to look for the children. It's so dark in this stormy... Honey, Zeke and I have already been out. It was so dark we couldn't see a thing. We came back for these lanterns. We did, ma'am. And... and you found no trace of them at all? No, Edna. But this time we will if we have to search till sun up. Zeke, take that lantern and come along. Right. Then I'm coming too. Then take that other lantern, honey. Yes. And let's go. Zeke, you hunt through those drawers past the corral. Right. Edna, you search all the buildings. Oh, hurry, Dennis. I'll circle to the west and we'll meet here at the house in an hour. All right. Come on. We'll be all right, mister. I must follow them. They will be there in a jiffy. Come on, sir. Find them. There are your trace. What do you find? Nothing. Nothing at all. Come on. We'll go inside and see if Edna's seen anything. She ain't seen anything. I've been in the house already. She isn't. But she should have been back 15 minutes ago, at least. What was that? Edna, something's happened. Zeke, that came from the direction of the bunk house. Come on. I'm coming. Edna, honey. What's wrong? Answer me, Edna. Where are you? What's happened? Boss, look. What? They're by the edge of the building. It's her. She's fallen. Edna. Quick, Zeke, your lamp. Shine it this way. Oh, gosh, Mr. Blake, what's happened to her? She slipped, Zeke, and hit her head against this log. Oh, she hurt bad. I'm very much afraid she is. Oh, gawry. Hey! Who's that? I don't know. She ain't got somebody riding his way? I can't see through this storm. Four tears. It's a fellow on a white horse. Boss, that's the young ones on Toby. Hello, ma'am. Open, open. Open. Hello. How are we? Quiet. Mask, ma'am. What's happened here? I'll answer no questions now. We can save that for later. My wife's been seriously injured. I'll ask you to help me carry her to the house. Of course. Zeke, saddle up and ride for town. Bring Doc Wheeler back as quick as you can. Stranger, what do you think? Edna, she's seriously injured. I'm sorry, I told Tata not to come with me. She needs help as quickly as she can get it. Do you think... I mean, will she die? If she doesn't get medical attention, I wouldn't want to say. Oh, but if Zeke brings the doc to here quickly enough, she should be in no real danger. But he's got to hurry. He's got to. I'm sure he will. All of that worthless, no-good horse. Toby? He's responsible for this. If the children hadn't gone for him, this wouldn't have happened. I'll have him shot the minute it's daylight. Are you being fair, Dennis? I wish I'd shot him in the first place. The horse is to blame. It was only because circumstances ordered things that way. I still say that... I'm not sure you're not more to blame for this than anyone or anything. What's that? You refuse to allow for the love children can hold for their pets. You were not only thoughtless, you were cruel when you saw Toby. It's a lie. That's not so. I think it is. I'll tell you it isn't. Zeke! You made the trip already. Zeke was Doc Wheeler. Is he outside? Did he come here? Boss, I'm sorry. What do you mean? He ain't got no idea how it's been storming. The bridge is down. The river's a raging flood. The bridge? Down? Boss, the river can't be crossed. We're cut off from down. But that means we can't get a doctor. That means maybe my wife will die. Boss, if there was anything I could do, I... I'll try it. Huh? Try what? To swim the river on silver. Dennis, don't give up hope. If it can be done, sir, we'll do it. Hey, don't be a local agent. Come back here. Come back. Boss, he's gone. What you let him do it for? It's the same as suicide. Why didn't you call him back? I couldn't call him back, Zeke. I couldn't. Oh, boy. Oh, there. The bridge is down. We can swim this river, old fella. It's going to be the battle of our lives. I... I... I... What? Help! Help! Silver, it's Eric. He and his horse are caught in the river. Come on, old fella. Get in the water, old boy. We're coming, Eric. Hold on! Oh, boss. It looks to me like she's getting paler all the time. Zeke, she is. She must have help. Maybe the Masked Man will make it. I'll wait till the sun up, Zeke. Uh-huh. And then if he hasn't returned, I'll try it myself. What's this, Rock? The Masked Man. If I'd had it, I'd just been done in. What did you try a thing like this for? Didn't you know you were risking your life? The odds were a thousand to one against you? I couldn't help the Masked Man. I just had to try. It was my fault and Toby's. And I wanted to do what I could. We leave Toby here to rest till we get back. Get back? You and I are going on to town for Dr. Wheeler, Eric. Uh-huh. On our return, we'll have the river to swim again. Come on. Help with him! Into the saddle. Is he getting up, Zeke? Did you tell him you'd have to stay with his mother till I got back? Boss, I, uh... I, uh... Well? Now, I don't want you to get excited. Zeke, what is it? I, uh... For heaven's sake, man, can't you talk? Boss, Eric ain't in his room. He's already up? He ain't never been to bed. What? His sister's in there crying. She told me the whole thing. Boss, when you blame Toby for your wife's being hurt, that young man slipped out of the house and saddled his horse. But what for? You won't get mad if I tell you? If you don't tell me what he's done, I will get... Wait, boss. Now, wait and I'll tell you. He rolled out to cross the river to get the dock. No. He did, I tell you. But he couldn't make it. I am... Zeke, if he tried that, he'll drown just as sure as we're standing here. Boss, it's awful. There ain't no use pretending different. Oh, as if I hadn't had enough already. Well, I'll saddle up. No, Zeke, you'll stay with Edna. It's my place to go. I should have gone before. Well, if you say so. Look at her, Zeke. She's scarcely breathing. Yeah. Eric gone. Maybe drowned. And if she can live till I get back, it'll be a miracle. Well, I'll gain nothing standing here. Somebody's stopping outside, boss. Maybe some of the boys. I'll send them along with you. Yeah, they may be able to help. See, don't you fellas know better than to come into the boss's house without knocking? You... Holy smoke! The Mask Man, and Eric, and Doc Wheeler. Dennis, let me have a look here. Where did you come? Pa, Pa, the Mask Man done it. He got across, and on top of that, he saved me from drowning. Did we get here in time? Doctor, you think that everything will be... One moment. Dennis, she'll be all right. But I wouldn't have answered for her if I'd been delayed another hour. She'll live. Yes, Dennis, she'll live. Mask Man, I owe you everything. If it hadn't been for what you've done, what you've risked... Dennis, I'm going to tell you something. What? When I first arrived at the river, it seemed impossible to cross. I'm not even sure I would have attempted it. If Eric here on Toby hadn't had the courage to make the attempt before me. If you were thanking me, remember that you owe them at least as much. Eric. Yeah, Pa? I'm so proud of you, son. I just don't know what to say. But Toby Pa, can I keep them? Can I? Eric, from this day on, Toby will be yours. And he'll live off the fat of the land. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.