 A fiery horse for the speed of light, the cloud of dust and a hardy high old silver, the Lone Ranger. With his faithful Indian companion Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the planes led the fight for law and order in the early west in United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. 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. Zeb Wilton had led a caravan of covered wagons from the east. When an especially desirable campsite was found, it had been Zeb who persuaded the others to remain and settle. The town that sprang up became known as Wiltonville and it was unlike any other western community. Zeb Wilton and his friends remained aloof to influences of the surrounding towns. They refused to adopt western habits and customs. They made their own laws and rules, generally dictated by old Zeb. And Nate Parker served as marshal to enforce those laws. Hold on there! Rain up! Rain up there and dismount. Say what? You got a badge or some sort of dirt? What's the badge mean, mister? Means just what you think it means. I'm the law in Wiltonville. Well, me and dirt are glad to meet you. Law. The name is Parker. Nate Parker. Do you two plan to stay in Wiltonville for any time? We might hang around for time. Ask Mr. Law, or I should say Parker. If you stay in town, you'll have to hand over those side arms. Side arms. Must mean our guns. That's right. Now hold on, Lomond. I don't hand over my shooting iron to no one. Take your choice, stranger. Hand it over or keep riding till you're past the town. It's a local ordinance. No side arms are allowed. Well, if that don't beat all of them... Remember now, I heard about this place, Wiltonville. Don't tolerate anyone but Easterners. Don't like strangers, and especially Western gents. What's the matter with you, anyhow? Sorry, gents. I don't make the rules just in for some. No guns allowed. What's Wilton got against Westerners? Well, at the start, he was just suspicious. Then cowhands began coming here on payday. When they found out he didn't want them to carry guns, they shot things up. They do it every so often. And every time they do it, Zeb gets more set in his ways. You let them bring guns into town? Well, 20 or 30 of them come at once. What can they do about it? I see. If you're going to ride right on through, you can keep your pistols. Well, we'll stop for a time. Here's my six gun. And yours over, Mix. But, Derek, they're over. I'm dry. I want to stop them rest. Well, all right then. Here you are. I'll have the weapons in my office, gents. Pick them up before you leave. Oh, boy, hold them. Come on, Mix. I see some other horsemen heading this way. You aim to take their guns, too? I do if they want to stop in town. Steady boy. Craziest thing ever heard of. Get up. Get up. Nate Parker wanted to dirk and Mix as they rode toward the center of town. Then he turned to appraise another pair of horsemen who approached. He saw that an Indian rode the paint horse and a tall white man rode the other. He didn't know that this was the lone ranger, wearing a disguise instead of the familiar mask. Hold on. Hold on. Ray left there. Hold on. Stay where you are. Are you so enthusiastic? You stop. Huh? Oh, yeah. So is he. I suppose you want our guns. A Marshal? My name is Parker. Nate Parker. And I... Oh, you said Marshal. Thanks. You're the lawman. You're a gun, Tuddo. There you are, Parker. Say, you seem to know the rules of Wiltonville. You're down as getting a reputation. Do you think Zepp Wilton will ever learn to appreciate the worse? Not while every cow hand in this part of the county comes here to make the welkin ring on payday. Perhaps they do it because they know it bothers Mr. Wilton. Sure gets under his skin. It's too bad he's so prejudiced. He tried to understand Worstener. He's been worse than ever since Jim Hawkins showed up. Who is Jim Hawkins? Young rancher. He's been trying to make love to Jay Wilton. That's Zepp's daughter. Oh. Trouble is Jim is a Westoner. That's one too many for Zepp. Well, we'll stop at your office for our guns when we're ready to leave town. And they'll be waiting for you. Well, say, why don't you call on Zepp? You don't talk like a cow hand. Better he be glad to know you. You'll see. Come on, Tuddo. No, no. Come on, Tuddo. Did you see where Dirk and Mick went? Ah, there. Down there under the Liberty's table. I want to know what they're up to. No, I want them. They've been smart, Tuddo. Oh, there's nothing against them. What if they know that Wilton acts as banker for the people who live in town? Him banker? Not exactly, Tuddo. He keeps everyone's cash in the safe in his store. There's probably enough money in that safe to make a worthwhile haul for Dirk and Mick's. They watch crook, huh? You keep an eye on them, Tuddo. Find a Wilton's store. I want to see what sort of a man he is. He should be taught to appreciate the West and the people who live here. Is this the Wilton them for him? Oh, Jim! Hello, Janie. Oh, by the thunder you look as pretty as a painted wagon. Jim, please, Jim. If my father finds you here, then... If he comes in, he'll sure shoot and find me here. Fact is, I came to town of purpose to see old Zeb. Oh, you shouldn't have. Oh, honey. Is that the way to welcome the man you're going to marry? We can't. We mustn't see each other anymore. Oh, Jane. I mean it. You've got to stay out of town. Father told me that if you ever came here again... Your pa's got some mighty twisted notions, honey. And I came to straighten him out. You can't. You can't reason with him. No one can. Oh, Jim, it's no use. Where is he? He's just gone to the shed and back. He'll be coming in here any minute if he finds you now. Honey, I'm going to tell the old cat a mount that you and I are aiming to get married. No, no. Well, that's true, isn't it? It'll never work, Jim. Never in the world. I think he's coming. Please go. He's in the back room. Hurry while there's a chance. After riding all the way from my ranch, I'm going to see him. Oh. Hello, Mr. Wilton. Eh? You. That's right. Orange. Jane, what did I tell you? Oh, Dan. Jane told me you wouldn't welcome me, but... well, I stuck around because I've got a few things to say. I won't hear him. Get him. Not just a minute, Mr. Wilton. Jane and I love each other. I'd have stopped Jane seeing you a long time ago if I'd known you was a rancher, a cowman. Now get out of my store. Dad, look. You keep quiet. Come on, Hawkins. Get out or I'll horse whip you. Don't you want to wait on that customer that just came in? I'll finish with you first. Why do you hate westerners? Let me get that horse whip. I'll show you. Jim, please go. He means it. I'll take it easy, honey. How are you going to get out of my store? I'll go and I've had a chance to talk to you. We don't see about that. Now you better give me that whip, you hot-headed old fool. I'll show you. That's enough. Just a minute. Just a minute. You'll let go of my arm. Let go of me to here. Daddy. This is none of your affairs. I'll handle my own fights, stranger. There'll be no fights. Let me have that whip. You'd better go, Jim. I came to talk to that old fool. It's too late to talk. Get out. Please, Jim, do as he's saying. If I get the chance, I'll beat you to within an inch of your life. I'll come back when he's gone. If he comes back, I'll... Let me go. All right, Wilton. You have to interfere. Who are you? You a friend of that no good common? I never saw him before. Why did you grab my arm? Why didn't you mind your own business? Dad, please. Whipping that ranch, it wouldn't help things, Wilton. Hey, you don't talk like a common. Are you from the East? Well, almost everyone around here came from the East. A few years ago, there was no one but Indians in this territory. Outside of this town, everyone's ham scam and worthless. They're always looking for trouble and totem guns and a hope of finding it. Wilton, those men conquered this country. Made it safe for you and your friends to live here. Ah. If you'd get acquainted with them... Well, I won't. They're gun-crazy galutes. They have to carry guns, Wilton. Many a time, they have to defend their cattle against thieves or wild animals. It's none of my affair what they do outside of town. They don't have to come here like a pack of savages whenever they get paid. Have you ever seen boys when school closes for the summer? They're not boys. They're grown men. You'd be surprised to know how young some of those cowboys are. You'd also be surprised to see how hard they work between payday... That's no reason for them to shoot up the town. I won't stand for it. You haven't been able to stop it, have you? Well, maybe not. But I'm dad blessed if I'd be friends with him and I sure as thunder won't have one of them caught my daughter. Very well, Wilton. We'll see. That settled. Now, Mr. what do you want? Nothing more. You come into the store for something, didn't you? Yes. Well, then why... I have what I came for. Did you find out? Ah, those two fell apart a gang. A gang, huh? Ah, come here, look down over. Further now. Then leave, go join the gang. That's our cue, my love. One silver. Let's go! It was an hour later when Dirk and Mick rained up on the dense woods where our gang was camped and waiting. What did you learn? What's that town like? Quiet down, boys. Those Dirk can tell you. Boys, that town's all that we heard it was. Got an old man for a sort of a marshal. His name's Nate Parker. He stands at the entrance of the town and disarms anyone that rides in. It is true that no one packs a gun in Wiltonville? True's un-standing here. I never believed it. It's likewise true that all the cash in town is kept in Zeb Wilton's store. How much is there? We couldn't find that out. But there must be a tidy sum. He's got the only strong box in town, you see, boys? Everyone has him take charge of their cash. Who'd you get the facts from? Are you sure they're too fast? Yeah, they're true enough, Baldi. We went to the livery stable, stalled around and we got acquainted with the old coot that runs the place. He told us everything. Yeah, the question is, how can we get that cash? I got it all worked out, boys. You see, when a bunch of cowhands from one of the ranches get paid off, they ride into town to celebrate. They visit the barbershop, then pack away a meal in the restaurant, then go to the cafe and stay there until they're broke. They know how old man Wilton feels about westerners, so they go all out to get under his hide. They ride into town at full speed, 10 or 15 strong, empty their guns in the air. The old mashel can't stop them. They keep their guns. Nothing anyone can do about it. Wilton knows that there'd be serious gunplay if he made a move against them, so he just sits tight and sweats it out until they're gone. He and everyone else have learned that the cowhands won't make serious trouble if they're left alone. What's that got to do with us? Boys, for once in your worthless lives, you're going to look like working men. What do you mean by that, Dorgie? You're going to ride into town like a dozen cowhands that you've just seen pay a day at the ranch where you work. I'd keep your six guns roaring in the air. Yell and whooper like you're out for a good time. Then what? While you're doing that, me and Mixo will open Zeb Wilton safe and get the cash. How do you open it? We can't persuade the old man or his daughter to open it. We'll help ourselves to some of the blessing powder in the store and blow it open. Oh, there'll be a howl. But you, man, it'll be the only ones with guns. No one will be in any position to interfere with our getaway. Ah, how's that sound? All right, I'm glad you like it. Now here's the detail. 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. A single oil lamp burned in the small house where Jim Hawkins lived alone. The light spilled over a book that Jim was reading when he was interrupted by a wrap on the door. Hmm. I wonder who that can be. Well, who are you? Hello, Hawkins. The mass. Let's close the door, shall we? See here, mister, what's the idea? How's your back? Huh? My back? Wilton gave you a pretty hard cut with that whip. You know about that? You showed fine self-control. A lot of people in your position would have knocked the old man down. Your voice is familiar. You heard me speak when I grabbed Wilton's arm. That's right, you're the one. What's that mask? What's the idea? It's, uh, sometimes more convenient. Out of the skies. Do you live in Wiltonville? No, but I'm interested in the town. See, it's the only place around here where the people aren't allowed to carry weapons. What about it? We'll go back to that in a minute. What are you going to do about the girl you love? What's it to you? If she won't marry you without her father's permission. Forget his permission, won't you? Get his permission. There's almost no chance of that either, is there? I can't even talk to him. He acts as banker for everyone in town, doesn't he? I guess so. And he has a lot of cash and he's safe. What about it, mister? It wouldn't be hard to get away with that cash. Why are you telling me that? I'm going to lay the cards face up. It's about time. I'm going to make a proposition. You can take it or leave it. Yeah? You know how the cowhands go to town on payday? I suppose that it does no more riding to town at sundown tomorrow. They yell and shout and shoot their guns and create a general disturbance. Well, that's going on. Someone breaks into Wilton's safe and gets a cash. And it develops with the men with the guns aren't cowboys at all. The members of the gang to cover me are... Well, to cover the escape of the safecracker. I mean, you're the safecracker? I didn't say so. But you've been doing some supposin'. What's it leading up to? Wilton might get shot trying to protect that money. That happened. He'd be out of your way, wouldn't he? You and Jane could get married. You said you were going to make a proposition. What's it worth to you to have Wilton out of your way? That's just what I thought you were leading up to, mister. Yes. The clients are all ready for you. Here it is. Hold it. You won't fight back with your fists, huh? You go for a gun instead. What did you expect me to do? Go on. Shoot me. You needn't be afraid. I'm not armed. I don't think it'll be necessary to shoot you. You're pretty well-informed, but I don't think you can interfere with my plans. Wilton's too stubborn to listen to anything you could tell him. Just try to go through with those plans and see what happens. Don't bluff, Hawkins. If you think I'm bluffing, you'll call me. Adios. Get me in spite of the fact I had two guns. It was great. Jim's all right. Is it a big fella? Come to the way. It was late the following afternoon when Dirk and Mick approached the town. There's the old man. Still on guard. I wonder if he sleeps there as his post. What do we do, Dirk? Rain up and be peaceful? Sure. Got to get into town. We'll lie low till we hear the boys approaching. That's far enough. Rain up. Oh, oh, oh. Howdy. You remember us? Oh, a few, Janice. You were here yesterday. That's right. Well, you know the rules. Here's my gun. Give them yours, Mick. Sure thing. We came to see Wilton on business. He's there, but the chances are he'll be in the middle of an argument. How's that? A young rancher that wants to marry his daughter just went over to see him. Figures to have a talk with them. No one to talk to ranchers. He horse whipped the young critter when he went there yesterday. I see. Maybe we better go to the cafe and wait a little while. Come on, Mick. It was a few minutes later when Tonto and the Lone Ranger unmasked but disguised as on the preceding day rode up to the town, Marshall. Well, hi there. So you two come back, eh? Bigfoot. Yes, Marshall. Well, you know the rules about guns. Yes, we know the rule, Marshall. But we're going to change it a bit. Huh? Instead of handing you our guns, you'll take yours. Hey. Why, let me go. Take that rope off. You'll pay for this. He'll gag you. Take it easy, Parker. It has to be done. Be quiet. Listen to me. Tonto's going to take you where you'll be safe until you're needed. Put me down, let me go. Put me down, I tell you. Let me go, Tonto. Let me go. You know what? I'll come. One silver. The Lone Ranger and Tonto headed in different directions to get out of sight in case anyone appeared on the road. The Lone Ranger rained up a short distance in the rear of Wilton's store, left silver at Ground Hitch and continued on foot. In the meantime, Jim Hawkins tried desperately to get old Zeb to listen to a warning. Now please listen to me. I won't tell you. I won't do it. I'm not here to talk about James. I don't care why you're here. You'll get out. Robbed. The man who came here yesterday, he saw me. He was masked. It's a robbery. I've done what I can. Are you here again? Look, there he is. That's the one. You're bothering Wilton again? Yes, I am. I'm trying to tell him you called me wearing a mask. You heard that, Hawkins. Come on. Run him out of town. Wilton, he's a killer. Look, he's wearing guns. Don't waste time struggling with you. That's it. Hit him again. It'll all be necessary. Come on, Hawkins. We've got the back door. Don't stay right where you are, James. Jim tried to tell you something. He tried to warn you. Tricks, that's all. I think he can win my favor. But that other man... He don't talk like a westerner. He had guns. He had two of them. Maybe I'll make him a marshal. Too bad. Guess you're Zeb Wilton, huh? That's right. Good. Don't try anything. Guns. Sneak guns, huh? What's the door makes? What's the idea? Open that safe and be quick about it. Zeb, why are you... I'll start shooting. Oh, dad, Jim tried to tell you. We've got no time to waste. We don't want to do any shooting. You don't dare. One shot would bring half the town here. What would half the town or the whole town do about it? We're the only ones with guns. That's all. Now move fast. There'll be a couple of murders. Then we'll bust the safe open. I'll open it. But, dad, everyone's money. Jane, no choice. As old Zeb crouched to dial the combination of his safe, he realized his utter helplessness. The whole town would be helpless against the two men in the store and the one who had gone out the rear door with Jim Hawkins. Those three men had guns. Yeah. Shredded open. Open her up. That's it. Now we'll help ourselves with the cash. Dad, listen to that. Common. Just be a payday in some range. Hey, Dirk, they're coming. Come here and give me a hand. Grab some of this folding money. Boys are right on time. Common might help us. They'll have guns. I wonder if we can count on them. Yes, dad. We can. I know we can count on them. Stand right there. I still got your coverage. Now, listen to me. You can't get out of town with that cash. You hear that noise? Those men will stop you. There are... There are friends. Well, that's where you're mistaken. Those are my pals. They're my gang and they're raising a ruckus so no one will hear you when we clear out. That often won't do no good. That all the rest of the cash makes... Look, all the men have stopped at the door. Dirk, those ain't our pals. Look at them dismounted at the hip rail. Those aren't our pals. Dirk, do you hear that? Cowboys. And they've all got guns. Hold it. You have to watch yourself. We're going out the back way. You two are going with us. The first sign of interference, we killed both of you. Grab a girl and make some fries. What the... I'll show you. How about you? You want one too? Oh, my God. It's all right, Jane. This man's on our side. Take your cash. Put it back in the safe. And you? Who are you? He's all right, Wilton. As soon as I got over being cracked on the chin, he told me he had to let things go far enough so there'd be a clean-cut case of thieving against these two. That's why he dragged me out. Jim, they might have killed him. Oh, no, not a chance, honey. The two of us are watching every move they made. Here's your gun, mister. Thanks for the loan of it. All right, Jim. I'll hog-tie these two. Wilton, last night, I made Jim think I'd be here to rob your safe. I also let him know that there would be a gang of crooks rushing into town as if they were cowboys on payday. But those men outside... Those are Jim's friends. They got them together and they way-laid the crooks. They're all hog-tied like these two are going to be. That's too tight. They left to work and fought a gang of crooks to help me. I'm sure they did. That's why I had to hit you, Jim. It wasn't much time. Well, that's all right. I had it coming. Didn't I hit you last night? You certainly did. How'd you know I'd have some of the boys way-laid the gang? Todd and I watched the trail to make sure of it before we came here. Sando? Yes, he'd been taking care of the marshal. The marshal? Where's that old galoot? Here he comes through the back door. What's going on here? There you are, Nate. Like Christmas presents waiting for you. That red-skinned, healthy prisoner. He kept me from interfering. This was a job for... ranchmen to handle. Oh, Jim. They helped me. Saved everyone's cash because they were neighbors. I wonder if I've been wrong. Dad, if you'll just give Jim a chance, you'll prove that you've been wrong. This is the West. These men are people you should know. Where's that tall man? He just went out the back door just after I come in. Who is he? Do you know who he is? Yeah, Tato told me about him. That's why I was willing to stay with the red-skinned without arguments. Is he a Westerner? The Lone Ranger? He sure as thunder is a Westerner. Jim. Yeah? Let's get to know each other. Your people and mine.