 With his faithful Indian companion Toto, 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 that come down to us through the generation, 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 come the thundering hoof-feets of the great horse Silver, the lone Ranger rides again. The way from St. Louis, the people in the wagon train have been busy making plans for the new homes on the rich western frontier, but now the hard shift to the rugged country were increasing. The trail for Eagle Pass was a hard one, it was less good nature joking, a good deal more grumbling. Up in the lead wagon, young Mrs. Austin sat on the driver's seat holding the reins loosely, watching the trail ahead, and the walls on each side of the pass. Beside the wagon, walked her husband Jim. Come on there you lazy critters, get up there! Why don't you climb up here and ride it, spell Jim? Ah walk, the horses got all they can pull out all of me. Pass your rifle up here then. Nope. Ain't it awful heavy Jim? Sure it's heavy. Heavier and slim. He's just as heavy for the horses, just for me. What's that at the head? The end of Eagle Pass. Grains up there in the open country someplace, scouting the head for trouble. Do you think we're running to trouble Jim? Maybe. Maybe not. Don't tell him. Get up there you no good throw bait. Get up! I wish we had oxen instead of horses. Oxen are pretty slow, ain't they? Sure they're slow, but they're stout, stout in any team of horses. They keep going after horses fall down. I wouldn't trade one good yoke of oxen for all the horses in this whole outfit. Try to tell the rest of them to back and pray to Lewis, but they wouldn't listen. It's a tall-fired hurry. Jim, up there on the side of the ravine. I see them. Red skim. They're on both sides of us. In the oil! Whip up the horses. Get out of this trap. Come on now! Now we've got to fight it out. Jim, I'm afraid. Oh my, I reckon. I'm afraid we're going to have to change our plans about that new home of ours. Oh Jim! Here, you take the pistol. That stick pull us in and we need it to save one. We're given the cavalry outpost on Reed Crossing, ragged, half-starved and exhausted. Captain Joe Kenneson tried to question the man while the soldiers brought him clean clothing and food. How many in the wagon train? Six wagons, Captain. 27 people. Where from? St. Louis. Left their first week of May. Could I have some more beans? Certainly. What's your name, mister? You don't look like a greenhorn in this country. My name's Crane, Cheyenne Crane. I was guiding and scouting the party. Oh. I left that morning, rode beyond the pass scouting for engine signs. I heard the shooting in the pass and engines didn't leave nobody alive. Clean them all out? Yeah. Without a single engine, it hit. Incredible. Well you see, the engines was at the top of the pass on both sides. They was barricaded by rocks and things. They'd just fire down until they got everyone. They moved in and set the wagons on fire. We've been hearing of a number of Indian raids. Do you know what tribe made the attack? Well, I couldn't rightly say. They spotted me when I was riding back and chased me till dark. I lost my horse and been on foot ever since. You were going after them, Redskins, Captain? We certainly are, Crane. But, uh... What? We're not familiar with that country. Would you care to go along as our guide? Care to go? I'm a raring to go. And if there's any man in this country who can take you direct to them red and red devils? I'm no man. Good. You get some rest, Crane. My men will get you an outfit. I sure need one. And we'll march in the morning. That evening, in the nearby town of Crystal Springs, the story of the attack on the wagon train was told again and again. The impending raid on the Indians by Captain Tennyson's cavalry was also discussed. I've always said, and I still say, the only good engines are that engine. Well, it turns out there was 27 people in that party, ever one of them slaughtered, just like cattle. Them red devils would get a taste of their own medicine when the soldiers catch up with them. I sure hope they find the ones who've done it. Oh, they'll find them all right. Cheyenne Crane's gonna lead them soldiers right up the engine country. I reckon ain't a man in the West knows the planes better than old Cheyenne. Oh, man, that fellow's a trackin' fool. Oh, the stalwart Indian, standing in the shadows at the river camp, recognized the distant cry of his friend, the lone ranger, and listened to the thundering hoof-beats. The great horse, Silver, drew closer. Oh, Silver, oh boy, oh! Say, big fella, hey! Cheyenne, keep me company. Cheyenne, Toto, you come plenty fast in town. Settle your horse, or I'll tell you what happened. You bring bad news? Toto, snooze of bloodshed and death to many of your people. And mine. See, just Rene told me these things, Toto. Rene speaks the truth. Indian attack, wagon train, then not my people. My people good. Then not make war on white man. But the soldiers won't know your people from the other red men. Soldiers will ride to avenge the death of those pioneers. For many years, my people live in peace. Now, their land has been invaded by other Indians who have no honor. They're not warriors, they're killers. Ah, soldiers ride tomorrow? Well, Rene said they'd march at daybreak. Marching in formation, it'll take the soldiers all five days to reach your people. Toto, not take five days. Oh, you can be there a day after tomorrow. Now your people, they're being blamed for the crimes of the Indians who murder women and children. Indians who are cowards and fight from ambush. Ah. Tell them to move their village far to the north to leave no sign. Uh, you stay here, Kimasabi? Yes, Toto. The Indians who ambush the wagon trains must be made to pay. That's right. So go and warn your people. When you return, go to Jesse Rene in Crystal Springs. He'll tell you where to find me. Uh, be ready. Good luck, you, Toto. Get him up, scoundrel! At the end of the fifth day, the United States' cowardly detachment, regiment of colors flying in the breeze, rain to a weary stop, far from their outposts. Over! Ah, they've given us the slip, Crane. There hasn't been a soul in this village for at least two days. Crane, if I can share with you, Captain, not unless somebody got here ahead of us and tipped them off. How many tribes in this country? Well, now I don't rightly know. Several, I expect. I was going to say, well, these are the men who are after, all right? Otherwise, the entire village wouldn't have moved so suddenly. Not at this time of the year. Well, look over here, sir. This will give you the proof if you need any. What is it? You can see how they left the village. Scan it in 40 directions. Never last one of them trailing brush to cover their sign. If they do show that they was expecting it... It does, all right. Come on. We're going to search the territory anyway. We've come this far. Sergeant, divide your men into scouting bodies. A few days later, in the town of Crystal Springs. You hear the news? Them soldiers just got back to their outpost. They did 12-day march up the ancient country and back. Yeah, I heard about it. Never once lay dyes on a red skin. Something mighty fishy going on, jazz me. Them red devils sure know how to van moose when the troops go after them. Look, John, comes one of them now. Pusky red skin. Pusky looking fellow, ain't he? Hadn't ought to even be allowed to come into these frontier towns to trade. For all we know, they might be spies. Spies? How do you mean? They come into these towns to snoop around and find out all about wagon trains going through. What they're carrying, how they're defended, and everything. Say, I'll bet you're right. Then they scoot back into the hills and wait in man-bush for them. Hold it. What do you want, engine? Don't you know this ain't healthy country for red skin? Uh, where am I? Just rainy colors. What do you want with rainy? You won't tell him that, not you. What? Why, you prowlin' coyote. You get sassy with me, now bust your wide open. That's what I'll do. Uh, maybe. Maybe not. I'll show you your blastered red skin. Oh, you just want trouble, huh? No, give you trouble. Maybe you tell me where find rainy color, huh? What? Well, sure. That's his place right next to Liberty Stable, end of the street there. Uh, thanks. Where is that? Here, let me help you up, fella. Where'd he go? That red skin. Why, uh, I guess he sort of wanted to see Jess Rainey about something. There we go. Who's Yonder? Huh. You, uh, goin' after him? No, I ain't goin' after him. I'll take care of him and the others like him when the time comes. What do you do for a union? Uh, meet Tonto. Oh, yeah, huh? Well now, how would I be able to tell Tonto to open any other red skin? Uh, here. See? Other red men not carry silver bullets. And, uh, where'd you get this silver bullet? Uh, Tonto? Oh, from man who tell me to come here and see you. You tell Tonto where to find good friends. Yeah, uh, come on, Tonto. Your friend's camp is an hour's ride from here. I'll get a horse at the livery. No signs of other tribes near your village, Tonto. My people say that other red men live far to south, many mile away. I see. What do you make of it, Rainey? Well, don't add up. We know there's been more than one wagon train ambushed up in that country. We know that somebody's responsible for them killers. Yeah, we know that, yes. It doesn't mean that innocent Indians would suffer. What do you mean? I don't think the people we're after can be caught by chasing them. What? Well, and how? A trap works better. Well, how are you going to trap the murdering devils? I, by using the bait, they like best bait. You don't mean a wagon train, do you? Yes, I do mean a wagon train. This time, going to be different. Rainey, how many wagons can you get around Crystal Springs? I don't know. Eight or ten, I reckon. Maybe it does. Why? Well, don't get them. Don't try to get them, until you hear from me. But what are you... Right now, I'd like you to carry a message to the commanding office at the outpost on Reed Crossing. Will you do that? Sure I will. Of course I will. I'll leave the message delivered to you by a friend and Rainey. Yes? Be ready to get those wagons you mentioned. Anna will come to you when we're ready for them. Now, here, prepare a message for Captain Tennyson. 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. In the headquarters at the outpost, Captain Tennyson read the message delivered to him by just Rainey. There's another wagon train coming through. Poor devils. If they knew what lay ahead, they'd... Well, I suppose they've got their minds made up to go west. Big party? Ten wagons. Doesn't say how many people. Message says they've heard about the trouble in the Indian country. Wants to know if we'll provide safe escort for them. Won't no reskins attack a wagon train while the soldiers are with it? Question is, how far can you provide an escort? That's just it, Crane. If I could go all away with these people, they'd reach their destination without trouble. But I can't. Sooner or later, we have to leave them to their own resources. Then... Yeah. Then they'll have to mercy some Indian raiding party. This party coming through. Couple days, it says. Well, we'll give them their escort as far as Eagle Pass anyway. Maybe a little farther. Too bad you just can't send some soldiers with them all the way. Oh, that's impossible, Crane. Yeah, I know. How many soldiers you've given them? Ten wagons? Well, a dozen men ought to be enough. Well, I'd better start overhauling McGee. You going with us, Crane? Just in case them red devils should show up. I don't want to miss a chance of getting a crack at them. Good. Oh, in fact, I might trail out tomorrow and right up that way. See if I can find any sign of trouble ahead. The following night, old Jasper and he appeared again at the headquarters door of Captain Kenison. Oh, hello, Jasper. Come on in. Er, hurdy, Kevin. Any more news of that wagon train coming through? Er, yeah. That's what it came to see about. Oh, what now? Well, the fellow in charge, so to speak, he wants to talk for you. Well, where is he? We're the wagons a couple miles east of here. Why didn't he come with you? Er, I reckon he'll explain that, Captain. You want to come along? I'll take you to the wagon camp. Sounds funny. Didn't come with you. He's not afraid of Indians in this country, is he? Sir, I don't reckon he is. Don't reckon he's afraid of Indians or anyone else? Come on, we'll go talk to him. The wagons with their high canvas covered tops, silhouetted against the night, appear to be deserted. When Captain Kenison and Jasper and he rode up and stopped. Oh, there. Er, where is everybody? Looks like the place is deserted. Almost, Captain. Not quite. What do you mean, Renny? The drivers had brought them out. I sent them back to town. What about the others? Where's the man you said was in charge? Er, aren't any others, Captain. And at the moment I'm the man in charge of the wagons. What? A mask man. Just Renny knows me, sir. Well, Captain, I'll vouch for this man. I'll ask you kindly to hear what he has to say. I'll wait. You don't need to dismount, Captain. What in the name of heaven? Er, here's a little bit. Come here, boy. You've come this far, sir. Would you mind riding a couple of miles more with Renny and me? Then what's all this confounded mystery about? Captain, I understand you've only recently arrived in this part of the country. Well, one of it. There are some things a newcomer can be told. Some things that have to be proved. At least a little bit. I'd like to prove what I'm going to tell you. Better ride with me. Renny, what the devil do you mean by bringing me out here for this kind of nonsense? Just what do you mean? Why would you, Captain? I wouldn't call it nonsense. I thought I was a little more sure. Captain, we can talk as we ride. Would you come with us? Yes, I will. And if you're up to some trick, believe me, you'll pay for it. Come on, boy. I still want to know what's the idea of all those empty wagons. The idea, as you call it, belongs to the Westman. I reckon he can explain it to you all, right? But I've got a detachment of troopers ready to escort this train westward in the morning. Good. Good. What's good about it? You think I'm going to send my men out with a bunch of empty wagons? No, sir. How about sending a few, just a few soldiers out with ten wagons loaded with your troopers? Now, what are you talking about? All day yesterday and today, there's been much talk in Crystal Springs about a train of ten wagons heading westward. There have been rumors the effect that these wagons carry a great wealth of rifles and ammunition. Any other valuables? Well, do they? Wagons are completely empty, sir. So, you mean empty souls, they can provide more space for soldiers? Is that it? I've been in this country for several years, Captain. Long enough to know that the kind of men you're after will be caught better in a trap than in an open chase. Those murdering red devils. We made a five-day march to their village, but they'd skipped out. Somebody must have got word to them who were after them. Do you blame me for that? I sent them the warning. You? Well, I've all a confounded gall. Because I know them to be a peaceful tribe. And you wouldn't have been helping the cause of white settlers by killing off a friendly tribe. Peaceful, huh? Friendly, my grandmother. The white men are coming west, Captain. They can use the friendship of the Indians to good advantage. I can't understand you. Your own people, white people, murdered like so many cattle. And you got the nerve to prattle about redskins being peaceful and friendly. Granny will tell you that there are many peaceful and friendly Indians in this country. Yes, the mass man has turned you two, Captain. Ain't no sense in killing our friends. How is he? Why? What's your purpose in sending out these wagons loaded with soldiers? Do you think there's another ambush ahead? Yes, sir, I do. And a great deal of talk about the valuables in the wagon train. The men we're after here of it don't think they'll pass up the chance to make a rich haul. You keep talking about the men we're after. You haven't once mentioned Indians. Do you think Indians are the only ones who commit robbery and murder? Listen, mister, you don't know what you're talking about. No white man would be so... We don't call them white men out here, Captain. Well, you, Mr. Masked Man, tell me straight just what you're driving at. Well, as I said before, I'd rather show you. Aye, talo! Aye, talo! A secret camp. We'll dig in this amount here, and then we'll take care of the horses, Captain. Who? Who? Who? That's way, sir. Hello, Jim. How are you? Better. The whole heat better. Thanks to you and Tando. Why, who's this man? Another survivor of the wagon train that was ambushed recently, Captain. What? I thought Crane was the only man to come through that alive. Apparently, that's what Crane thought, too. Jim, will you tell the Captain your story? I left me for dead along with the rest. I come to and wandered around half crazy. I reckon for a couple of days. The Lone Ranger found me. Brought me here. Him and the Indian, then taken care of him. Wait just a minute. You call this man a Lone Ranger? Of course, did you know? I brought the Captain here so that you could tell him about the man who attacked your party, Jim. Not men. A bunch of killin' renegades. The Indian. Posing it. You mean to say they were white men? You care to call them white. At least, they weren't Indians. Then Cheyenne Crane lied. He said he saw Redskins. He also told you the attack took place two days beyond Eagle Pass, didn't he, Captain? Yes. Another lie. Crane rode ahead that morning to scout the pass. When we rode into it, they were waitin' for us. Well, Captain, when Crane found out there was another wagon train coming through, he volunteered to go ahead and scout the country for us. He left this morning early. Now I know why. Another bunch of wagons to be ambushed? Oh, Jim, this time a bunch of wagons to trap the ambushers. But the women, the women and kids, Captain, there won't be any along. When those budgers make their attack at Eagle Pass, they'll find a dozen wagons full of our soldiers. Smaller than willing to give them a fight. Good. It's the Lone Ranger's idea, and I'm gonna see that it works. Jim, you'll be all right here for the night. Tomorrow, Renny will send the wagon out to take you to town. Well, right now, I'd better get to town and start them drivers back to the wagons, huh? Right. Tell them to hitch up and drive to the fort. We want to get started for Eagle Pass before daylight. Two days later at the pass, a thousand rough-looking men awaited restlessly. Maybe you got your information all mixed up, Crane. Maybe there ain't no wagons comin' through at all. I tell you there, please, the dozen of them carryin' all kinds of new rifles and equipment. They're on their way here right now. Well, maybe. Maybe they are. No, maybe about it. According to my figure, they ought to make it here sometime this m... Look. Look, Arthur. Look at that dust cloud rising up. It takes wagons to make a cloud dust like that and lots of wagons. They're comin'. Come on, let's get into these engine clothes. I could ride out and meet them. Tell them everything's fine out this way. No, you stay here with us. They're making good time. I ought to be here inside of an hour. Well, anyway, I told them I'd scout ahead, and if I'd seen any sign of engines, I'd ride back and meet them. Remember, you tens? There might be anywheres up to a dozen soldiers with this outfit according to Crane here. We take them first. The wagon Crane came closer. The men hiding in the rocks could plainly see the uniforms of a half a dozen cavalrymen. On the far side of the wagons, the Lone Ranger, Tonto, and Captain Kenneson rode closer together, hidden from view of the ambushers. And inside every wagon, a dozen expert riflemen waited intensely, watching through tiny people for the first appearance of the attackers. Almost there, Captain. Right. On the open fire, they'll follow with a charge. That's how to kill the soldier escort first thing. Yeah, better have those men drop back. Sergeant, have the guard drop back to the rear of the wagons. You men in the wagons, on the alert now. Here it comes. Come on, Tonto. Let's go. You'd never caught up with us if that masked man hadn't lied about things. He was the one that started that rumor about a wagon load of new rifles coming through. I don't see how you figure that was a lie, Crane. There was a wagon load of rifles, wasn't there? Course you didn't know there'd be a fighting man in back of every rifle, did you? It is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.