 with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty high old silver, the lone ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tato, the mask rider of the planes led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. The stories of his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness have come down to us through the generations, and 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 and the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver, the lone ranger rides again. Less than half a day of life remained for Montana Blizzard and Kid Kerry. They were the last members of a gang with a crime record that included dozen murders and the $500,000 Wells Fargo Express robbery. As the carpenters put the finishing touches on a double-trapped gallows in the jail yard, Blizzard sat on his bunk, swung his legs and wolf-horse hair with the deafness of an old rage rider. Kid Kerry walked about restlessly. Sit down, kid. You make me nervous. I make you nervous. With that hammering going on outside? You act like a fellow who's really going to get hung. Yeah, suppose things don't turn out right. Suppose that... Don't suppose. Think about the fun we'll have after we dig up that silver bullion the bunch took from Wells Fargo. Well, I ain't so sure we'll ever find it. You helped bury it before the gang split up that day? Yeah, but that was months ago. The posse had chased us into a part of the Badlands nobody ever saw before. I don't know how I got out of those cusset hills and canyons. Well, I know exactly where the stuff is. How's that? Coming out of a map moan trail. Studied the landmarks, put down the distances and directions, and a pack of cigarette papers. Yeah, where are the papers now? They're inside a 45 cartridge in my gun belt. You'll never see that belt again, even if we don't swing. I'll be wearing it tonight, kid. Jeeler grabbed off my gun harness and colt when I got shot up and captured. It's hanging in the office and hasn't been touched. Hey, where's that little horsehair lariat? Coiled up inside my sleeve where I can reach it quick. How many Mexican hat bands did you have to make for that cusset jailer just to get hair enough for your rope? Enough. I had to keep him from getting suspicious. He's localed about souvenirs, but not so dumb about other things. Yeah, can't get him within arm's reach of our cell door when he's alone. Hey, he's coming back here from the office now. Then it's time to take him. Hello, boys. Chinaman's bringing your last big feed shortly. You can bring him out of what you get for these hat bands. Hold them out through the bars. I won't come closer. He must think we're dangerous, Blizzard. Oh, that's right. Nice handiwork. See, what's that other thing you got? Something else for you. A douche. A joker. You luked him, Blizzard. Just work him over here. Over here. I'll hold him right up against those bars. Gun and keys. Bash him with that gun, barrel kid. That'll hold him. Now, what's next? We'll go out through the office. I gotta have my gun on outfit. Then we'll grab a couple of horses from the jail's table. One night, two weeks later, Montana Blizzard and Kid Carrey rode into Red Ledge, 500 miles from the scene of their jailbreak. Behind them lay raided stores and corrals. Still far ahead of the pursuing posses, being well-mounted and well-armed. Kid, this is where I came out of the Badlands after we hid the silver. Where is this place, Blizzard? Ghost town? Almost. Must be a hundred buildings. The only sign Bryce lives here anymore. He's got that store where you see the light. You know him? Sure. I've got to see him. Pull up, kid. Oh, steady. This is the old liver's table. You put the nags in there and take it easy till I get back. You're gonna cut Bryce in on the deal? There ain't no way of getting out of it. We need supplies. A wagon or maybe a pack train. He's got them. I guess that would take the silver out a few bars at a time. You can't risk more than one trip. All along, the country will be breathing in our necks in a few days. That much building will be hard to sell. Simon Bryce will help us there, too. Storekeeper named his real game. He's sorting the worked-out mines around here, and he's got connections in Denver. Oh, hey, savvy. This barn looks like a safe place. After I get the horses put away, I grab a wicker, too. The following morning, the Lone Ranger's shorter provisions sent Dan Reed into Red Ledge from a camp in a nearby cedar break. Dan found Simon Bryce's store crowded with ranchers and cowhands. They broke off an excited conversation to eye the boy curiously while Bryce filled his order. Yeah, coffee, beans, bacon, and flour. Say, ain't you a strange in these parts, young fella? I'm with a party bound for Montana. You lose one of your people, did you? Nope, $8, $9, $9. Here comes Sheriff Mason now. Yeah, howdy, James. Howdy, Simon. Howdy. Well, it looks like Red Ledge is coming to life again. This makes your first killing since the mines played out. That's right, Sheriff. Yeah, what about this fellow who run into a bullet last night? Oh, he's out there in my freight wagon. I know, I looked at him. Anybody ever seen him before? I suppose you searched him, Simon? Yeah, all he was carrying was a six-gun outfit. Gun was loaded. No marks of any kind on the stuff. I noticed, then. As I get it, Simon, you heard the shot that killed him. Yeah, just as I was closing up. I ran out with my scatter gun, and there he was, right in front of what used to be the Plaza Saloon. Yeah, didn't see anybody else? No, but I heard horses. You know, I can't make out that dead man. He's got to ride his bow legs and wide hands, but he's bleached out like an ore miner. What are you going to do about him? Well, right now I'm going to have a chew. Whack me off about two bits worth plug. Oh, now don't expect me to crack that cartwheel, Sheriff. Ain't seen no small change since I set up here. Thanks. You'll have to take those cartridges for change. Won't need any more cartridges. I'll pay in 45. Rates five cents each? Fair enough. There you are. Five of them. Now, boys, suppose you try to pick up the killer's trail. Who's riding with you? Oh, almost forgot you, kid. And there's your stuff. It comes to just $9.75. Here's $10 a go. You'll have to take those $45 for change. I'll take them. As Dan headed his horse back to camp, Syme Bryce was started by a noise at the back of his store. He turned and reached for a sawed-off shotgun. Before he was able to lay hands on the weapon, the rear door crashed open. He found himself looking in the muzzle of Kid Kerry's six gun. Freeze, Bryce. Who are you? Why did you kill Montana Blizzard? Montana what? Don't play dumb or I'll give you what you gave him. Blizzard was my partner. I rode with him last night and I've been watching things today. So that's it. Blizzard told you about the silver. Maybe he told you he had a trail guide. Anyhow, you killed him to get it. I want it. Let's be sensible about this thing. Maybe we can get together. Yeah. How? You've got to have my help. You'll find that bullion, but you're running from the law. Now listen. I'm listening. Suppose I did kill Blizzard. He was an escaped convict. Him and Kid Kerry would have been hung. Heard that weeks ago. What? Are you? All right. I'm Kid Kerry. Kerry. Kerry, I didn't get that map or whatever it was, Blizzard Kerry. You're lying. No, so help me, I didn't. I went over his clothes, his hat, his boots, his belt. I saw his six gun, but there wasn't a sign of paper on him. Where's that gun belt now? I turned it over to the sheriff. Your mutton headed full. What do you mean? Nothing. Look here, if the paper is in that belt and I missed finding it, we'll get the thing back. But, huh, I saw the sheriff light out with a posse. He'll be back. There's a body to bury. While Bryce and Kerry plotted to recover Blizzard's gun belt, Dan reported to the Lone Ranger the happenings in Red Ledge. He told of Bryce it's method of making change and displayed the five cartridges. Keep them, Dan. They have no use to me. Potato? Uh, me here, Kimus Ali. Tom Mason, the sheriff of this county, is an old friend of ours. Uh, and him good man. He may need our help. Well, they've plenty hard to trail man in bad lands. Big posse, no good. We'll join him when he's alone. Uh, then where we go? To Red Ledge. We can manage to meet him without being seen. You want me to stay here? Yes, Dan. But if you find that you need anything, go to the store. Get him away. Come on. Get him up to the counter. On their arrival in Red Ledge, the Lone Ranger and Tonto dismounted and stationed themselves at a point among the deserted buildings. There they could watch both ends of the street from cover. They had no idea that a similar watch was being kept at the store. There, Bryce and the fugitive from the gallows peered from windows. The pair waited also for the return of Sheriff Mason. He's coming down the south trail now, kid. With a posse? No, he's alone. Then I'd better get set for him. Duck out the back way into the rear of the old saloon. The place ain't been locked for years. You can gun him from the front doorway. You sure we're the only two living men in town? We're as much alone as if we were out in the bad lands. All right, Bryce. Just don't try to put anything over on me with a sheriff. Right now, Kerry's thinking about a way to get rid of me. Well, Simon, the killer man had a clean getaway. Couldn't pick up his trail anywhere. Where's the posse? Like in all posse, the boys were as glad to quit as they were anxious to start. What are you going to do with the dead man? That's what I'm wondering. I'm not going to tow him back to the county seat. It's up to the county to take care of him. There's no fun for burying people. Anyhow, this is your town, Simon. You're the mayor, the marshal, the postmaster. The whole works. Meaning I've got to bury him? Well, I'd have to build a box. Blast the hole in the hill. Use my wagon. This ombre left some property. Sure. Gun and belt. Well, now you can have the outfit if it disposes of the remains decent and Christian-like. Oh, I see. I don't need his stuff, but maybe I could sell it. You'd ought to be worth a good $35. I won't haggle in a case like this. You give me his things and I'll tend to him. Might even put up a marker. There you are, Simon. I've got to be hitting the trail. Adios, Sheriff. There's so long. Don't take any empty cartridges. Empty cartridges. That's the answer. The map's even side one of these 45s. 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. Tonto and the Lone Ranger saw Sheriff Mason leave the store and prepare to hail him as he passed their hiding place. Then, suddenly, the masked man's hands flashed to his guns. Otto, the door of the old saloon across the street just moved. There's a man behind it. Huh? And him, that gun? Either he intends to fire on us or the sheriff. He'll not see us. He may make sheriff. Not that gun! Oh, oh, oh boy! Shoot gun from hand, Kimosabe. He does back into the building after him. Stop! You do finish our fire! Stop! Hold your fire, Sheriff Mason. We're friends. A mash man. What do you... Why, you're the... Well, I'll be... A man tried to ambush you from that doorway. Where did he go? Inside. You're right around to the rear and head him off. Get up there. Get up. Come on, Tonto, into the building. Empty. We're too late. Oh, Prince, him does show him. Come in. Go out. Back door. The back door's open. Did you see the fellow, Sheriff? No. He must have run out before he got back here. We'll search these vacant buildings. Kimosabe, look. Ma'am, come with shotgun. It's Sime Bryce, the storekeeper. Hey, what's the shooting about, Sheriff, eh? Well, who's the masked fellow with the Indian? Her friends are mine. In fact, he's just kept me from getting bushwhacked by some hombre who was hiding in this loon building. Probably the same fellow who killed the stranger last night. There's no doubt of it. He must have been in there all the time. Let's get out of the search, Sheriff. The search proceeded systematically, with Tonto leading the horses and watching the street, while the loon ranger and Sheriff Mason, guided by Sime Bryce, forced one door after another, only to find at their feet the undisturbed dust of years. At length, the party reached the old livery stable. Look at those hoop prints, Sheriff. Eh, they're fresh. Two horses left here. He had someone waiting for him. They rode right into the gulch, heading for the badlands. There was only one man. Eh, as the sign shows, he was leading the other horse. Tonto, get the horses. Here, Super. Count. You will have a hard time catching a man with half-hour start and extra horse, Sheriff. I don't know. He may be unarmed and out of provisions. Your masked friend should have shot the kill. You might have to bring him in dead at that. Better stay open late tonight, Sime. Eh, there'll be coffee waiting if you get back. Let it be, fella. I won't fool you. Get him up there. Bryce hurried back to his store and stripped Montana Blizzard's belt of cartridges. Working with a knife, he pried the lead out of one brass case after another, only to find that it contained nothing but powder. Only when the last of 25 cartridges failed to disclose the secret, did realization come to him that all of the 30 loops on the belt were full that morning. He recalled the Sheriff's purchase of tobacco, five cartridges worth, and the change he made for the strange boy. While he worked himself into a murderous frenzy, cursing the fate that had tricked him, Dan Reed toyed with the missing rounds of ammunition at the Lone Rangers camp. Hey, what was that? It sounded like a footstep. Yeah, it is something. Man, or some kind of big animal. If I can find Teller's extra gun here. I've got five shells. Drop that gun, Sprout. Hey, why should I? Who are you? Hey, let me take that loose rock. You what? You didn't get that cannon loaded. Give it here. It isn't mine to give. Now you can say I took it from you. Where are those cartridges you had? On the ground there, by your feet. Well, there's only five. You've got all of our. This bag. See for yourself. Not a cuss in cartridge. Say, when are the rest of your bunch be back? I don't know. Meaning they might be back any minute, huh? Look here, Sprout, you know I'm being chased. Who's after you? They don't figure anything. I just don't want another outfit on my trail. What are you going to do? What I can't do is leave you here to blab. Hand me that hunk of meat in those biscuits. That grub brought you bad luck. I smelled it in your fire a way off. There you are. Take it. Hey, come back here. I missed the pup. He ran just when I had my hands full. Get up, Victor. He's got a horse out there. And only two shots left. I'd better get back to my nags and cut a circle into red lynch. In his flight from camp, Dan took the most direct route to the ghost town. Where Sam Bryce's store seemed to him the one logical place in the strange and thinly populated area to seek refuge and spread an alarm. Twilight was thickening into night as he galloped. Finally arriving in town, he secured Victor the son of Silver to the hitching rail in front of the store. Oh, we made it, boy. Mr. Bryce, are you there? Who is it? What do you want? I'm looking for the sheriff. Oh, come on in. I'm lighting the lamp here. So it's you, is it? I was in here this morning. I gave you five cartridges for chains, didn't I? Yeah, you did. Maybe you want to spend them, eh? I told you, I'm here looking for the sheriff. He's out riding trail on an owl hoot. Now, uh, about those cartridges. What about them? You didn't try to shoot them, did you? I didn't. Well, they ain't any good. Not one in the whole box they came out of is any good. I'll give you five others or, uh, or two bits in trade. Ain't that fair? It would be if you weren't mistaken. Yeah? How's that? They didn't come out of a box. I'll give them to you, and I know they can be fired. I want those forty-fives. Hey. What are you pointing that gun at me for? Dig those cartridges out of your pocket and be quick about it. I haven't got them. You're lying. An outlaw held me up at our camp and took them away from me. That's why I want the sheriff. Stand still. I'm going to search you. Yeah. Elkstief. P-sized gold nuggets. Horseshoe nails. Is that all you've got? An outlaw took those cartridges. Won't you believe me? Cheat it again, and you're the fault of it all, you little pack rat. You're not talking sense. Nothing makes sense. Nothing! A half million and a billion gone, and you're to blame. What are you going to do? Take care of you. It's the last thing I ever do. When Kid Carrey's trail led to the camp where Dan was supposed to be waiting, Sheriff Mason, Tonto, and the Lone Ranger quickly learned that both the boy and his horse advantage. Then they headed for Red Ledge. Meanwhile, closest Dan stood to death at the hands of the Greek Grey storekeeper. He was first to hear the cautious footsteps outside the door. The sound seemed to restore Bryce to a major of sanity. He forced Dan to lie down under the counter, and he put his gun out of sight. Kid Carrey! It's me. I thought that... You thought the sheriff had chased me out into the Badlands, or I'd get plugged into dire starvation. What do you want? $45 and a sack of grub, and hurry it up. All right, all right. But see, did you hold up... I've held up a lot of people. You can call this a hold-up if you want to. Hey, Kid says... Kid says to you, get a move on. Let me explain. Yeah, you do have something to explain. A lot of empty cartridges and a pile of powder on the counter. You got that gun belt. The sheriff gave it to me. The right cartridge wasn't in the belt. You must have it. What? I mean it. Now look, Bryce, I haven't any time to fool with you. Talk straighter, that whale's Fargo bullion will stay where it is until doomsday. Look in your gun! You're looking at it now. And it's your last look. No, don't shoot! Now to get stocked up. Hey, horse, I've got to hurry. The counter heard the approaching horses and recognized Silver's roof beam. As Kid Kerry began snatching ammunition boxes from the shelves, Dan grasped the fugitive's legs, bringing him down with such force that he dropped the gun. Why, you... What's you and the papa tried to get once before? Here comes my friend. Let him come. I've got the gun again. Get up or I'll blow your wide open, all right? Drop that gun and turn the boy loose. Hey, hey, look who's talking. Listen, you and the mask, I'm giving the orders. Sure, go ahead. Guess you're the armbar who shot a gun out of my hand today. But this is different. Shoot! Get out of that door. I'm coming through behind this Dan boy. Stand back and hold fire, Sheriff. We're helpless. Now, Mr. Masked Man, hand over those fancy coats of yours. Don't do it. He's only got one shot left. One's enough for you, Sprout. He's Kid Kerry. He killed Sam Bryce. And Bryce, I guess, killed the man last night. Kerry and Bryce called him Blizzard. Is Sam Bryce dead? He's here behind the counter, Sheriff. He, Kerry, and Blizzard were mixed up in some kind of a scheme to dig up a lot of stolen bullion. Tell him, Dan boy, I don't mind. No, you can only hang once. You and Montana Blizzard were to have been hungry a couple of weeks ago. We put it off. Give me those guns, Masked Man. How do you want me to go about it? Unbuckle your belt and back up. What was loose? He showed me how it felt to have a gunshot from your hand. Maybe you can tell me how it feels to have your guns lifted. Don't give up your guns. Who threw that knife? My wrist. Take away, Dan. I'll kill you, you mass meddler. With that gun, you had your chance at misfire. It looks like I'm going to have a very tame prisoner. Where were you when you threw your knife? Me in store. Go and bank. Wait. Right time. The lone ranger took a long chance when he exposed his back to this outlaw in order to draw his attention from you, Dan. I saw Kid Kerry's trigger finger draw in and the gun hammer fall. Only one cartridge in a thousand, Miss Fires. See, Kerry and Bryce were talking about a cartridge that had something to do with where the train robber loot is hidden. I have Kerry's gun. I'll take a look at the shell. Don't look any different than any other defective cartridge. Fire at the lead, Sheriff. That bullet came out too easily. And what's that inside? A roll of cigarette paper. That sheriff was a cause of all the killing. It's Blizzard's trail route to the place where the loot is hidden. Blizzard engineered the Big Wells Fargo Express robbery. That's a half a million dollar cartridge. And even though it was loaded with paper, it killed two men and ascending another back to the hangman. It also left Red Lodge a deserted village. Ill fares the land to hastening ills of prey. Where wealth accumulates, men decay. Wells Fargo pay plenty for the recovery of that silver. You deserve the reward, Dan. Turn it in at the county, poor fun, Sheriff. Good boy, Dan. You're learning. Adios, Sheriff. Adios. Goodbye, friends. Very big fella. Come on, silver. Get him up. Silver! You have just heard as a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.