 fiery horse for the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty hyal silver, the long ranger. The pioneers who first settled in the western United States faced danger constantly. Outlaws, hostile Indians and the forces of nature combined to make their lives full of hardship. But in the mass crowd of the planes they had one friend and a lie who was always ready to help them. It was his strength, courage, resourcefulness, above all his knowledge of the country which made possible the winning of the west. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From all of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse silver. The lone ranger rides again. Come on, silver! We're heading for Mount Crater! Indians charged down upon the tiny group of cabins clustered to the face of the foothills just for a swift mountain stream. Its source and the snow-covered heights of Mount Crater met the planes. The settlers had had warning of the attack, however, and had taken refuge in the dirtiest of their dwellings. The men, firing from windows and narrow slots, cutting the logs for this purpose, was back attack after attack. The women attended the wounded, reloaded the weapons as rapidly as they were emptied. The children, frightened and uncomprehending, huddled together for protection in the center of the single large room. But at length, a man who'd been siding along his rifle dropped the gun and leaped to his feet. They're riding off! They've had a belly full of fighting! Folks are clearing out! They're high-tailin', showin' up! Headin' back for the hill! We showed'em! How many's wounded? Twenty. Nobody bad hurt, though. Pete, there's the worst. Got a narrow clean through the show. But we sure showed'em we get played, didn't we, Ma? Didn't we show'em, though? I don't reckon they look first. Just take it laying down, son. Who's game to chase after them redskins? Who ride along? We got them on the run. Now let's whip them good. I'll go! Brought your do nothin' in the car. But Fritz is right, Ma. Why shouldn't we go after him? Ask Joe. But Ma... I wish you wouldn't, honey. You've got a wife to look after. Stay at home and save your scalp, or she won't be a wife for the widow. Oh, I don't. Grewed up and married and still boast for petticoats, eh? Hank there. I bet Hank'll be willing to ride. Hey, Hank. For sure, Fritz. You want me to, I'll go. See? Hank, you got no mind to your own, Hank. You always have to agree with every fool notion Fritz gives. Sharks, Hank, and me, we're pards. Ain't that so, Hank? Oh, gosh, Fritz. Sure. Sure, we're pards. But we'll forget about the engines if that's the way everybody feels. We can go to... Hey, here comes a horseman. Who? Hey, do you know who? Dog on a feed man! How about it? Should I invite the dog? Sure, why not? There's a dozen of us. Howdy. You met a brush with Indians. We did. Just a second, stranger. What that mask for? You running from the law? I'm not. You're sport a mask for your own amusement, eh? That sounds real convincing. We look simple to you. I don't ask you to believe me. Well, in that case, Mr. we won't. Come on, Fritz. Stranger, what's your business here? We're in partial outlaws. You want grub, pay for it, and get on. You want a place to hide, we can't help you. We're a law-abiding folks. I want neither. Well, as you... I came here looking for a certain man. I don't know his name, but I have his description. This fellow here fits it. Me? Right. My handle's Fritz Janssen. What business you got with me? You've been prospecting on the East Slope of Mount Crater. Well? You camped in the valley about halfway up. The Indians call it the Valley of the Great Spirit. That so? The valley I'm speaking of has a large rock balance just above the entrance to it. Uh-huh. I recollect it. What is this, anyhow? You give me a geography lesson, or just tip me off? You know where I've been. How long has this settlement been here? We come here eight months ago. Why? Eight months. Then you're not to blame. You probably didn't realize that the valley has always been sacred to the red men of the district. To them, the rock at its entrance represents a great spirit. No Indian has ever set foot in that valley. For a white man to do so is even greater sacrilege. What is this you're trying to tell us? The word is, stay out of that valley. You will if you're wise. That's what prompted this attack. They were paying you back. They waited us because I made camp in a valley that don't even belong to them. It sounds foolish to you, naturally. It wouldn't if you understood Indians. You want to know something, stranger? Well, I think you're lying. Careful, don't be misled by this mask. I came here to help you. I came here as fast as I could after I've been told by a friend what the Indians planned and why. I've told you the truth. Now you know the situation. From now on, what you do is your own responsibility. Yeah? Well, Mr. I know the real reason for you coming, and you've wasted your time. Well, well, act as you please. Wait, stranger. Let him go. He ain't fooling nobody but himself. You're refused mine, my best friend. Now learn the truth of what I told you the hard way. That sure son of a horse is drinking right here. He might have been my best friend. You're always too willing to shoot off your mouth. You don't know the mask man was lying. I'd say this is something we ought to look into. I was shooting off my mouth, was I? All right, folks, I'll tell you something. There's gold in that valley. Honest. Did you really find gold, Fritz? You bet I did. Gold's all well and good, but what's there got to do with the mask man's warning? Why wouldn't he want that gold for himself? Taking us for green horns, wouldn't he give us that story, figuring us to swallow it? Injured, sir. I'm betting there wasn't a word of truth on the whole thing. He was masked. He must have been a crook. Fritz, you're right. If there's gold in that valley, he knows about it. And if he knows about it, he'd want it. Them regskins attacked it from plain cussing us, just like they would anywhere else. Now look, fellas. I'll tell you what I think of that mask arm raised warning. Just this. I'm going back to the valley. I'm getting my share of that gold. Anybody wants to come along, he'll get his share too. Now what do you say? Gold. Funny, that beats farm and all the pieces. Rod, I wish you wouldn't go. You'd want me to stay at home? I'd rather. What honey? Gold means cash. It means I can buy you things. Maybe I can get enough to build us a real fancy house. Well, if there's gold to be had, we might even be able to go back east for a trip in style, just like it was millionaires. How would you like that? I don't want a big house or trip east, Rod. All I want is to have you safe. Oh, Chuck, there ain't no danger. Ma'am, you let your husband come with me and I'll send him back rich. Rich? Mention gold to a pack of men and they clean those what since they ever had. Do what you please. But I'm telling you this, maybe the masked man was an outlaw, but to go again is warning without first finding out is just plain foolishness. After the lone ranger had left the settlement, he rejoined Tonto. Well, I told them, Tonto. What them thing? I doubt that they believed me. The fellow we'd heard was in the valley seemed to think I had some motive of my own for warning them. When I left, I said that from now on they were responsible for whatever happened to them. That's right. But we can't leave it at that, Tonto. Not when there are innocent women and children who may suffer because of the foolhardiness of their menfolk. And what we do? We arrive at Spotted Wolf's camp. There are danger, him on war path. He's never been a particular enemy of the whites. Him make war now. Because whites enter the valley. Perhaps we can make him see the whites don't realize the seriousness of what they've done. It wouldn't hurt to point out that trouble in the district will mean the arrival of troops. Maybe he'll listen. Where's his village? Tech Hill Trail. How far? Three-day ride. And come on, Tonto. We can make a good start before nightfall. Get him up, Scott! Oh, silver! While the masked man and Tonto rode for the Indian village, plans were made at the settlement for an expedition to the valley. More than a dozen men had signified their willingness to make the journey in search of gold. Provisions were laid out. Hopes were high. But the women did not echo the enthusiasm of their menfolk. Rod, are you really set to make this trip? Won't you change your mind? Now, Joan, honey, don't you worry. Everything'll be all right. No, you're sorry I've been with him, Joan. He's just like his pa was. The more he's in the wrong, the stubborner he gets. Just leave him be and come in and help me with these vittles. I'll help you. I don't see why you're so dead set again the trip, Mom. You know as well as I do why. Even so, I wouldn't say so much of it was anybody but Fritz Jensen put you up to it. What you gotta get him? He's all good, that's what. I can see it in his eyes and don't tell me that's foolishness either because I know what I'm talking about. Here, Joan, set this pan on the stove. Mom, are you local? Set the table, too, if you want, honey. No, I ain't local. Thirty years ago, I knew a fellow just like him. Had that same mean look in his eyes, he did. Try his best to make me say yes to him, but I wouldn't. I got hitched to your pa instead. And he turned out bad? He saved his money. He got to be president of the bank, a deacon in the church, and the folks all warned him to run for Congress. But just because I was wrong in that time, don't mean I'm wrong again. Oh, you're the limit. You don't have to pay more attention to what we think, Rod. It's you the only... Who is it? Howdy, folks. Oh, hello. Good evening. Howdy, Fritz. Evening, Hank. Good for you. Me and Hank are just seeing who's going for sure tomorrow morning, and who ain't. We can count on you, can't we, Rod? Well, you sure can. Fine, glad to hear it. Fritz, Jensen, you men are just acting like a bunch of dad-rodded idiots. Where do we come west for? To hunt for gold? We did not. We come here because it was free land to be had, and now you've gone and got everybody stirred up. Shucks, ma'am. Don't nobody have to come along. Don't want to. Try and make him stay at home. Don't you let my body, you Fritz. You ain't near as mad as you sound. How do you know how mad I am? Well, I won't stay to start a fight, folks. Remember, Rod, we start a setup. Come along, Hank. I'll be there. Night. Well, Hank, that's the last of them. They're all coming. Gosh, Fritz, why wouldn't they with all that gold to be had? There's gold, all right. I sure find it, too, Hank. But maybe they won't keep it. Huh? Well, Fritz, what do you mean? Maybe after they've found it something will happen so it'll all belong to us. Gosh, I don't savvy. You will, Hank. You will. But if you repeat what I just said, I'll cut your tongue off at your throat. Understand? Oh, yeah. Yeah, sure. See that you do. It was at night on the third day that the Lone Ranger and Tonto reached their destination. They drew their horses to a stop outside the circle of life, cast by the campfire, and looked upon a strange scene. A medicine man, outlined by the flames, stood erect in the center of the village. Around him was gathered the entire tribe. As the medicine man chanted, the tribe listened in silence. But each time as he finished, his listeners solemnly repeated his words. What is it, Tonto? Them make prayer. You understand them? Ah. Them pray to great spirit. Yes. Tell great spirit, it's not fault of red men that pale face go in valley. What more? Tell great spirit, then kill pale face. The sacrifice? Ah. The sacrifice because white center of the valley on Mount Crater? Ah. Bad time for us to enter the village, Kimosabe. Keep bad. There's no use in waiting. Come on, Silver. Get him up. Come on, boys. The curtain falls on the first act of our thrilling Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. The Lone Ranger and Tonto determined to prevent trouble between the whites and the red men, arrived at spotted wolf's village at a time when the entire tribe was gathered together to chant a prayer to the great spirit. The sudden appearance of the two horsemen, the chant stopped suddenly. A warlike shout rang out and... Hey, honey! Doctor, ma'am. Oh, oh, ma'am, oh. Tell them we're friends. That's a cool. Okay, ma'am. Come on, come on. Come on, come on. No, no, no, no. Not a sailor. Not a. Ma'am. How coolt. What does he say, Tonto? Him got son name white bear. Yes. Son speak pale face, tongue good. Him come is a fine-looking fellow. Ma'am, with mask, why are you right here? White men not welcome in village my father spotted wolf. We come as friends, white bear. White men not friends my people. I am your friend. If I were not, would I have ridden into your village without protection? If you speak with straight tongue, my people not harm you. White bear, recently the braves of your tribe attacked the white man's settlement near the hills. He was attacked because one man entered the valley that you have named the valley of the great spirit. Is it the red man's justice that all white men are to be held to blame for the guilt of one? What one white man do others will do. Where did you learn to speak the language of my people so well? I am the son of great chief man with mask. My father would have me know many things. My father sent me to a white man's school. Then you should know that the whites do not understand the ways and customs of the red men. One entered the valley that you hold sacred. He did so without realizing it would offend your people. Man with mask, the elders of my people have met in council. Yes. They have spoken these things and they make their decision. And that? If white men again enter valley of great spirit, valley which even red men not enter, white men who do must pay for what they do. You will tell your people what I tell you. I will, white bear. They refuse once to listen to me. Perhaps this time I can convince them. That would be well, man with mask. Fritz Jensen had already led his party to the valley on Mount Crater and had pointed out to his companions the rich deposits of Placer Gold. He had noticed on his earlier visit there. For two days the men from the settlement had busy themselves panning the dust. But on the evening of the second day, Fritz called Hank to one side. What is it, Fritz? Over here a little more. Yeah, this will do. Something on your mind? Yeah, there's something on my mind. What? Look, Hank, recollect the last night before we started here. Recollect what I told you that night. Well, I sort of... About these fellas that come with us getting the gold, but not keeping it. Oh, sure. I was wondering about that. What I meant, eh? Yeah. You noticed the blasting part I brought along? Uh-huh, sure, Fritz. That was in case we run into a vein of ore beside this Placer dust, wasn't it? That's what I said. Huh? What you said? Look up above there. Right above the entrance to the valley. That big rock there at the mask man said the redskins thought that you heap up. Looks like it's just about ready to topple over, don't it? Don't let it looks for you. That rock's there to stay if something don't happen to it. Like a bad storm, you mean? Or a charge of blasting powder. Blasting powder? Well, what's... Wait! You're in this with me, Savvy. Oh, gosh, Fritz, we're pods, ain't we? That's what I've been thinking on. Well, how would you like to have all the gold that's going to be found here just to split between the two of us? Steal it, you mean? Sure. You got a way to do it? You'll take another three days working hard like we've been to get the last of the gold panned out. All told, there ought to be about 10,000 in the stuff. About that, I reckon. That gold will be packed under horses. Sure. Well, Hank, what would you say if when the time come to start, I told the boys I'd lead the pack horses. What if I told them to start on ahead? Then when they got just about as far as the way out of the valley, that rock above there should happen to topple over on them. I ain't sure I get what you're driving at, Fritz. Mentioned I had blasting powder tonight. Yeah, but we... And of course, I brought along a considerable length of fuse. Long enough to light down here in the valley and set off a blast under the rock. You mean you're figuring to plant that powder again in the rock and set it off? Yes, sir. But, Fritz, that'd be murder. 10,000 in gold is worth having in it. Look, Fritz, listen, listen to me. I do almost anything you ask. We've always been podged. You know we have. But to kill, to kill without giving them a chance. You won't do it? Oh, I can. That's just what you think. Thank you, listen to me. Oh, I can't. There ain't you or nobody else going to get in my way. You're welcome to share if you help. You don't help, you won't share. Oh, no way. But the night before we head back for home, I'm setting that blast in. Oh, no, Fritz. If you open your mouth or do just one thing to spoil my scheme, I'll fix you if I have to hang for it. Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger returning to the settlement learned that a dozen men had entered the Forbidden Valley. He rejoined Tonto, and together they raced to the valley to warn the prospectors of their peril. Come on, silver! We've got the dismount crater before the Indians attack higher than stills! In the valley itself, the men had panned out the last of the gold. Plans were made to depart early in the morning, and the preceding night, they went to bed early. But when all were asleep, Fritz Jensen left his blankets with powder and fuse made his way stuffly to the huge rock, overhanging the entrance of the valley. There, working swiftly, he planted the powder and departed. But no sooner had he left than a second figure emerged from the shadows. I can't let him do it. He'd kill me if I told the fellas what he schemed. But anyhow, I can change the powder without his knowing it. What was that? Hank. Is that you, Fritz? Is it? I never meant any harm. I'm not Fritz, Hank. What? I never saw you when you went through that patch of moonlight. Yes, what are you up to? I... You're masked! You're the masked man I've seen before! The following morning, the camp was a stirred dawn. Gold and supplies were loaded on the horses. Saddles were cinched out. Then, when the time came for departure... It's ready yet, Fritz? I'll be ready in a couple seconds. Why don't you fellas go on ahead? Well... Me and Hank will catch up with you with the pack horses. Won't we, Hank? Yeah. Yeah, we'll catch up all right. Well, if you fellas don't mind, the rest of you ready to go? Then we'll ride on ahead. Fritz and Hank will come after. Make it fast. Will you, Fritz? Sure, sure. We won't be a minute. Well, we'll see you. Come on, fellas! You still figure on going through with it, Fritz? You think I wasn't? Give me our matches. I... Give them to me, you hear? Take them. That's better. Maybe I'll give you a share after all. Stay right there. You... You're gonna like the fuse now? Sure I am. Got it. Times will catch them just when they get beneath the rock. You shouldn't ought to do it, Fritz. You shouldn't. I thought when the time come, you'd change your mind. There she is. I think a couple of minutes or so for the fuse to burn down. They are a killer. You're a killer after all. Now don't go getting upset, Hank. Come on, Silver! What the... You're coming with me, Fritz! I... Cross the saddle with him! Hurry, old fellow! Hurry! Go! Let me down. Come on, Silver! You sell a giant of plastic powder to kill those men ahead, Fritz! Well, if they die, you die with them! Come on, boy! Come on! It was only a matter of seconds before the great strides of Silver brought the masked man and Fritz even with the party Fritz had sent on ahead. The men stared at the lone ranger in amazement when he signaled them to a halt. Hey, what is this? Make this fella, let me go. Make him out of the saddle, Fritz! There you are. Now walk ahead. Walk. Stand beneath that rock there. Oh, no, wait. I have to persuade you with lead. Oh, I get killed. I'd rather you shoot me. But don't make me... What's Fritz talking about? I'll tell you exactly what I learned from Hank. This fella stayed behind with the pack horses and the gold on purpose. He fixed blasting powder beneath that rock there so you'd be killed and the gold his. You're crazy. You can't... Wait, Rod! I'll bet the masked man knows what he's talking about. If he ain't telling the truth, what's Fritz is scared of? Fritz has been acting awful funny lately. You really think... If Fritz is willing to stand beneath that rock, it'll prove he didn't plant the powder there. But if he won't... You ain't gonna get me killed? Hey, he's running back up the alley. No, come back here! I ain't gonna be killed. Just pull! We changed the powder! You'll get killed if you go in that direction. Come back to here, me! Come back! It's time to go off any second now, stranger. Still roll, boy. We'll have the chances. We'll have to go out of here. Jump! Tonto obeying the lone ranger's orders had intercepted the Indians. They knew would ride to the valley the moment they'd learned that it had again been invaded by whites. Explosion had scarcely died away when Tonto led White Bear to where the bewildered settlers sat on their mounts, staring back at the result of the tremendous blast. Here, White Bear! Man with mask! Paleface, enter valley of great spirit! But the great spirit has spoken and punished White Bear. Huh? What... what do you mean? One man persuaded these men to follow him here. That man is dead. Killed by the valley itself. See? Look there where the side of the valley is caved in. He was punished for his crime. And now the valley is blocked so that no man, either white or red, can ever enter it again. That true! Forget what has happened. Let these men go. Your man of two has made the guilty man pay. These others were guilty also. They would have been made to pay too. Man of two, very great. He also is just these white men of your race may go in peace. Good. Manikte! Manikte, Kimosami! I hope the day comes. We meet White Bear again, Tata. Huh? Stranger, I... I still don't savvy all the time. You've had a lucky escape, but it's easily explained. I told you the truth when I said the valley was sacred to the Indians. When I learned you were here, I came to persuade you to leave. But Fritz, I... Tata and I entered the valley carefully last night because of the danger of Indians being near. We entered so carefully, and we saw Fritz lay a charge of powder beneath that rock above us there. I learned the truth from Hank and changed the position of the powder so the blast would close the valley for all time. And the rest, you know. So it was Fritz's own fear that killed him. He run from the blast, he figured was going to go off and got his like he was going to fix us. Well, all that happened was he saved us the trouble of a hangin'. Hello, Silver! Oh, you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.