 a fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty hyo-silver, the lone ranger. Gun law ruled the range country in the early days of the Western United States, and disputes over boundaries and water rights often led to range wars. It was the masked rider of the planes who put an end to them. He made the ranchers realize there was no justice in the law of force, and he blazed the trail for peace and security on the frontier. Return with us now those thrilling days when the West was young, and eventually at the end of every trail, the lone ranger rides again. A small herd of thirsty cattle were drinking at a pool the only water for scores of miles in a range burnt brown after a prolonged drought and... Miss Lewis, just look at them critters wrapping up. Mind the agonist though. Keep an eye out for Joel Greer, Hank. Yes, ma'am. You bet I will. If that's some shows up my... You'll do what? Watch them, Spade. I got him covered. Whoa, whoa, they're low. You were watching from behind those rocks. You're mistaken, ma'am. We rode up from behind them rocks. We'd have been there when you come up with them cows. They'd never gotten near that water. Reckon, you savour, you ain't putting nothing over on me. Get them critters moving. I won't. They've got to have water. Not mine. But there ain't no other. There ain't a drop for miles. This is the only water hole that ain't dried up. Which same happens to belong to me. Now, get them moving. Well, Miss Loomis, looks like we'd better do... Hank, don't you move. Joel Greer, you can't do this. I don't care whose water hole it is. Them cows are dying for lack of it. In times like these, you can't deny the cattle you're worrying about or yourselves. What do you mean? If you really gave a hoot about them critters, you'd sell them to me. Then they'd be welcome to drink whenever they're hankered to. I'd sell them for a fair price. Give you $5 a head. They're worth $30 now. When the railroad gets the branch line built, they'll be up to $40. Sure, maybe more. But them cows are going to get mighty thin before the railroad's here. Joel. Yeah? I'm just a woman. Just a woman that had to carry on when her brother died. Being a woman, I've always been for peace on the range. I wouldn't even let my punches carry guns if at times there weren't need for it in the course of their work. Well... But woman or not, I ain't going to stand for seeing my cows die of thirst. No, and I ain't going to sell at any such price as you just named. I'm not the only one to feel like that, Joel. There's Dave Walsh and the Logan Brothers and Kurt Schaefer. There's the ranches on the other side of the county line. There's all the folks that'll be wiped out if you don't come to turn. Only they won't be wiped out, Joel. Not of this sale. And not if you stop lead. Threats to blazes with you, now get. You there, start hustling them critters. Kurt takes his orders for me. He won't. Then we will, Spade. Fire over them critters' heads. That'll rouse them. Right, boss. Just left. Hey, my stetian! Who shot my stetian up? I did. Come on, tunnel. Why, you meddling... These cows stay here until they've had their fill. You can't... Look here. On your way. You can't. Come on, Spade. We'll meet again, mister. I won't dodge you. Get up. Come on, get up. That's Joel Greer, huh? Sure is, stranger. You sure upset him. That's a mighty fine-looking six-gun you're reloading there. I want to thank you. That's all right. But you shouldn't have done it. You've just made an enemy out of Joel just to help us the restrangers to you. Not entirely, Mrs. Loomis. You know my name? I've learned a lot about all the ranchers in this district since I heard of the draught here. Then you know what the situation is. I do. Since Cottonwood Creek dried up, this pool is the only water to be had. Well, this pool is spring-fed. I know that also. The fact may save your herds. I don't understand. You will later if Todd and I find what we've been looking for. Huh? What's that? You've been looking for something? What is it? Something that will make Joel Greer wish he'd been more neighborly. That's all I can tell you now. Come on, Todd. Who are you? We are not outlaws. Joel Greer and Spade rained in at Joel's ranch house after their meeting with the mask man. Then... Spade, don't settle and turn the horses into the corral. Sure, boss. Hey, ain't that the bankers' horses? Never mind about that. With that other horse, boss, who's is that? I said, never mind. After you turn these critters into the corral, go on back to the bunkhouse and tell the boys the seat of their guns. Maybe they'll be a ride in the four longs. Sure. Come along there. You kept me waiting. Couldn't be helped. This came from the water hole. Howdy, Kurt. Good afternoon, Joe. One of your men came to the bank and said you wished to see me. Yeah. Thanks for getting here so soon. I suppose it's about that matter we discussed the other day. That's right. Then I'm sorry. My answer's the same. What's that? I can see your point. If you could buy it five dollars ahead and sell it 40, you'd probably make a nice fortune. You ain't doubting me, are you? No, of course not. Unfortunately, however, some would be needed to purchase the stock you have in mind. It would mean buying herds now owned by a dozen ranchers. Your bank's got cash enough to swing the deal, ain't it? Oh, certainly. But I wouldn't feel justified in... Well... I mean, if your credit were better established, then perhaps a loan of that size... Hey, ain't you told him, Kurt? Thought I'd wait till you got here, Joe. Told me what? Maybe you don't feel like you don't own me that much cash, Mr. Squires. But, uh, you sure wouldn't turn down Kurt here, would you? But, uh, I thought... I'm back in Joel Squires. But I was told you were one of the ranchers who'd been refused permission to use Mr. Greer's water. Squires? Yes, Mr. Shaper. Do you think you could be told something without blabbering it afterwards? If you think I'd violate a confidential... Oh, no, you needn't get huffy. I'll take it that you won't talk, eh? If you leave here, forget all about me and Joel being in on this deal together. As far as you know, I stand to lose just as much of the other cattlemen around here, and I'm just as mad at Joel because of it. Of course, of course. And here's a proposition. Joel told me he wouldn't loan him any cash by himself. He'd come to me, you know, and I ain't again making a profit when it can be had. He's got the water hole, I got credit. We're thrown in together and splitting the profits 50-50. You, Squires, you'll be making a nice margin on a short-term note that's as good as gold. Savvy? Well, uh, with your signature on the note also, Mr. Shaper. You're me there, but that ain't to be blabber, neither. I understand perfectly. You see, Mr. Squires, Kurt's word goes a long ways with the other ranchers. As long as they figure he's stuck, just like they are, they'll listen to me if he advises selling at my price. But if they suspicion, him and me was in cahoots... I can see quite clearly you can depend on my discretion. Then you'll, uh, loan us the cash? It will be ready when you need it. I got a notion Joe will be needing it tonight. Yes. All the cattlemen have rounded up the herds and they're bringing them here, mine among them. They got to act fast, whether they sell or whether they try to take over the water hole by force. Them cows have got to have water. I see. There'll be a meeting at the loomis place this evening between me and Dave Walsh. They've already been talking to the cattlemen and advising them to sell. And there's a good half of them that figures that that's all they can do. I'm representing them and Dave is representing the bunch that wants to fight it out. It's been agreed that however me and Dave decided between ourselves, the others will agree to it. The money will be ready. And you, Joe, you better see to it your water hole is close guarded. It'll be rushed if they see the chance. I'll give an order from our man to be ready to fight. And recollect this, both of you. I ain't been here. I ain't in or nothing and I'm losing cash just like all the others. That's something you don't want to forget. Yeah, Mr. Schaefer, your name will never be mentioned. That evening, while herds from all over the drought stricken area were being driven toward the water hole, Kurt Schaefer met with Dave Walsh in the ranch house belonging to Mrs. Loomis. Dave said, Kurt, I can't figure you out. Ain't I made myself plain enough for you? Sure. Sure, I heard you say you didn't think there ought to be bloodshed over this. But you never used to be so anxious to keep the peace. I can recollect the early days out here when you'd rather fight than eat. What in blazes has come over you? Dave, them times is over. The law is here now and it's come to stay. Ah, the law. Never will be a time when guns won't come in handy. Law or no law, now's one of them. You ain't for fighting, are you, Mrs. Loomis? As a rule, I'm not. You see, Dave, she's... But this is one time I am. No, look, I... Kurt, the law says that water hole belongs to Joel Greer and he can keep us from using it if he so wishes. Well, laws are made for justice. Only like everything else, it's made a hard and fast rule. There's bound to be situations come up that the law never provided for. This is one of them. If there was plenty of water to be had on the range, then it would be justice for Joel to keep his water for itself. But when there ain't no other to be had, then it's only justice for him to share it. Good for you, Mrs. Loomis. All right. Say you take the law on your own hands. Say you get that water in spite of Joel's guards. The fact remains, you won't get it without killing some of his men. And when you're killed, I take what you ain't no right to have it smarter. Try and get out of that. I'll take my chances. And so the men that said the do as I decided. Dave, you're a fool. I can't... Dave! The mask, madam. What's a hay? Left leather and I shoot. Stranger, you'd better... Dave, come here. What? I said, come here. Are you... What do you want with me? You learn that soon enough. Keep to the side. Don't get between my guns and curts. Wait! Dave won't pay her... But listen. Him and me got to decide on something. Your decision will keep for half an hour. But I tell you... 30 minutes, Dave will be back. All right, Dave, outside. Last of course. Don't follow us. Why, the dirty... Stay here. Let that masked homie get away with this. He said Dave wouldn't be harmed, that he'd be back in half an hour. The word of a crook. But if you try to follow, Dave might be harmed. Stay here and wait. I'll kill the homie. Kurt Schaefer, knowing the importance of the decision that must be reached, wetted him patiently. His eyes were fixed upon the clock. And when 30 minutes had passed, he started toward the door. It opened before he could reach it and... Well, I'm back, folks. But where in blaze did I mask? I'm going to take you. What was his idea? What was he up to? He showed me where I was wrong, huh? Wrong? About fighting over the water hole amine. Dave, you haven't changed your mind, have you? I have, Miss Loomis. You're selling? You're selling for five dollars a head? Yep. Oh, no, you can't. Miss Loomis, you're promised to abide by our decision. I know, but... And if Dave says he's for selling, then we're agreed and the decision's been made. Dave. That's the way it is, Miss Loomis. The mask man's a blame for this. Well... I thought he was on our side. Please. Well, he's ruined us. That's what he's done. And I hope he recollects it till his dying day. We curtain pause on the first act of our Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. When Joel Greer was informed that the ranchers had agreed to sell upon his terms, it did not take him long to summon banker Squires and conclude the deal. Final two thousands of heads of cattle changed hands at night. The following day, Joel watched from a distance as his men drove the herds to the waterhole. Squires and Kurt Schafer sat their mouths beside him and... Well, that's just about the last of them. How does it feel to own near all the cattle from around here, Joel? I kind of like it. Well, the railroad gets here. Hope you don't need them to bother with a trail herd to reach the market. For every critter we decide to sell, we'll pocket a profit of more than $30. Yeah, you figure that loan you made is a safe one up now, Mr. Squires. I only wish every loan my bank mate was half as safe. But Joel Skeen, my credit in your cash squires would help with this deal across. But if it hadn't been for another fella, maybe we wouldn't have done so well. What other fella? The masked man. I don't quite understand. You don't? How about me? First time I met up with him, I was mad enough to drill him on sight. I figured he was again me for sure. Now he switches sides and, well, that'll be dog on what to make of it. I'd give a heap to know what he said today was last night. I can make a good guess. Yeah. He likely showed Dave the business and to them guns of his and told them to follow orders or else. But why? What's he got to gain by it? None of us hired him. If you want the answer to that, I'd suggest that you ask him personally, huh? Because if I'm not mistaken, that's him now. You're saying that? My garlic hurt, it is. Look over to the west. He's heading this way. Isn't that an Indian with him? Sure is. He was with the red skin when I seen him before. Say, huh? I got it. Got what? A reason for him siding with us. If you have, you've got me beat. Why, sure, it's his plane enough. He's a gunman, ain't he? He figured that if he gave us a hand, it'd be worth paying him for. Now he's coming to see if he can collect. But... But what? But that don't make sense. If that's what he had in mind, why didn't he hire himself out to us before? Because he'd gotten bad with you before he found out which side it would pay him to be on. So he had sense enough to savvy he'd have to prove he was on our side before we'd trust him. Well, maybe you're right. Here he comes. Let him do the talking. We'll see what he's got to say. Hi, stranger. Hey, friend. Well, after last night, you'd better wait. I may find you made a mistake. Mistake? Last night, I persuaded Dave Walz that he and the man he represented had better sell. That's what I meant. You own these herds now, Joel. Thanks to you. Saviour, thanks. You own the cattle. But what would your position be if you found you no longer had water for them? Well, a joke's a joke, stranger. A joke? Look towards that water hole. Who wanted... Why, have you... Hey, I was noticing. What's wrong over there? There's something up. Right over there. Something up. Right over in C. You bet I will. Come along, Kurt. Right. Get up there. Get up. Come on. Get along there. Come on. Wait. That's you, Squire. But I... You're riding the town. Look here. You're quiet. You'll ride the town with them. You have your instructions. See, they're carried out. How to do that. You can't give me orders. You have no right to tell me. On your way. I don't... If you don't do as Tata tells you, I'll attend to you myself. Get going. Take him along, Tata. You come. I asked you what would happen if you didn't have water for your cattle. Then you knew this was going to happen. I did. But I don't savvy. That spring always flowed. I never heard television stopping like this. That's the first time for everything. Do you want to know why the pool is drying up? Of course I do. Then follow me. Where to? You'll learn that soon enough. Come on, Silverman. Get up there. Get along there. Get along there. Get along there. Get along there. Get along there. Get along there. Get along there. Get along there. Get along there. And as they near the place, they saw a group of cattle men standing near some freshly turned earth. Then suddenly, Joel shouted, Water! They got water! Water in thunder. Or institutions that water coming from. There's date. Hold it, hold it. Our güç is long. Come Manager. What's going on here? You can see for yourself, can't ya? Thing turns a mack different now, Joel. Now we got the water and you got the cattle. Just yesterday, it was the other way around. But if you and fellas get this water, suppose you ask the mask man. Well? Your pool is fed by an underground stream, Joe. That one I spent more than a week trying to locate its course. Finally, we found it. You mean? I mean that the stream flowed here under land owned by Mrs. Loomis. These men built this tank, blocked the stream. And now, while your pool is dry, Mrs. Loomis has water on land, which she owns. You can't get away with this. Hey, just a second. Put this fella. What are you so head up about? Why, from the way you sound, the fellas think you were siding with Joe. Well, no, what I meant was this. This just ain't legal. No. You bet it ain't. I don't know what you can do about it. I'll do a plenty. You there. Yes? This is how you persuaded Dave to sell. You showed him where you could steal my water. You figured that after I bought, I'd just have to sell back again. You will. Eh? Well, that's just where you're wrong. You're heading someplace, Joe. Never you mind where I'm heading. Just get this straight. You think you got me beat? What you'll soon find out, you ain't. Get up there. Get up there. Guys, ain't Joe mad, though? He's fit to be tired. Owns all the cattle in the district, and ain't got a drop of water to give them. Joe hasn't given up. I don't know what he can do. He has gunmen, and he'll use them. Well, we're kind of handy with shooting the arms ourselves. Perhaps this can be settled without a fight. Yeah? You'll follow my lead. Say, stranger, after what you've done up to now, you just name it, and we'll do it. Then get to the saddle, all of you. Well, uh, well, fellas, I reckon I'll be run along. You know my opinion on fight. You stay with us, Kurt. But I... And I think before we're through, you'll find you'll have plenty to explain. All right, men, follow me. Come on, sir. Jules spurred his mount homeward, but it was evening when he reached his ranch. He sent Spade to round up his men, and when they'd been gathered together, he addressed them in the bunkhouse. You men got it straight? We're riding down on them fellas with guns of blaze, and we're tearing down that tank they built and seen to it. That stream runs just like it did before. What do you think you're doing? Well, what's wrong? Boss, that tank's on land belonging to Miss Loomis. Well, what of it? Oh, we don't mind fighting where we know the law's on our side, like guarding your pool. But this is different. What you want is us to grab something that ain't yours. Sure. That's it for me. You fellas ain't yeller than your fools. In the first place, you're just as much inside the law doing this as the other. That underground stream has always fed that water hole of mine. Any quarter is'll back me up in that. What they call prior usage. And it means that stream can't be changed to keep me from getting the water I've always had. I know, I know. And in the second place, if I don't get that water back, I'm ruined. I stand to make a fortune if I win. I lose everything I got if I don't. You think I'm going to just lay down? It's you that stands to profit by it, not us. Wait till I finish. Boys, I'm giving each one of you that rides tonight a bonus of $500. $500. Now that's talking. I could use something like that. Well, Leon, for $500 a piece, you bet we are, boys. Ain't that so, fellas? That's just what we'll do. Huh? Oh, it's you, Kurt. What are they coming, figuring on doing, huh? Come outside a second. I want to talk to you. Sure. Come on, fellas, you can stand a left. No, no, they're to stay where they are for a second. Well, what for? You'll know in just a second. All right, stay here, boys. You're writing sort of funny, Kurt. What's up? Just step outside here and close the door. Oh. All right, guard the windows. You'll let a man stir out of that bunkhouse. All right, baby. He wouldn't wait until... Honest, Joel, I couldn't help it. They made me call you out. Just so as they could trap my man. The first one of you to try to leave the bunkhouse will stop, lad. Tell them they're surrounded, Graham. I'll tell them. Don't try to bust out, fellas. You won't have a chance. You blasted him. David, we're going to have a showdown. That includes you, Kurt. What have I got to do with it? You bag Joel and he's scheme to buy cattle for a fifth of its value. But hadn't been for you, he could never put the scheme over it. That ain't so, though. That ain't so. Now, listen to me, fellas. You know what ain't so, don't you? Why, I sold my cattle for the same price you did. I lost just as much as anybody. The masked man says different, Kurt. And from the way you've been behaving, I got a dog on good suspicion he's right. No, listen. The banker refused Joel alone until you put your name with Joel's on a note. You pretended to sell your cattle at the same price as the other men. Just to convince them you were acting in good faith. You can't prove it. You can't prove a word of it. No? Salvo. You call me? Bring the banker here. You come. Oh, Kurt, Joel, don't blame me. The Indian forcemate. He said he'd shoot you, talk. He didn't have to talk. Salvo made him bring the note with your signature on it from the bank. Hand it here, Salvo. Here, no. Dave, take a look at that. Fasted around among the men. And that proves Kurt was in on it. Look at here, fellas. Kurt was just as bad as Joel was. It was nothing against the law. You can't do nothing to me, Fert. The law won't punish you. It can't. But you and Joel are going to get a dose of your own medicine. Joel, yeah? The situation is reversed. You have the cattle, but you haven't water. Either you sell those herds back to their original owners or your cattle dies. But they ain't got no right to take that water. I'll go to the law about it and make them give it back. You're right. I believe a court of law would decide in your favor. You see? But these men have no intention of releasing that water until a court decision is handed down. That might take months. And in the meantime, what will happen to your cows? You haven't a chance, Joel. Make terms and the water will be released. Hold out and you'll lose your cattle, while still being responsible for the loan that permitted you and Kirk to buy them. All right. I guess I ain't got no choice. You see it, don't you? Kirk, we got it, pal. I reckon. So, uh, well, we'll let you have the cows back for just what I paid you. Sure, that'll be all right. No, Dave. But I... They deserve punishment for what they've done. Give them $3 a head. They'll pay you $5. The difference will be your profits and their punishment. Oh, no, no, please. Dog on, stranger. That's an idea. Yep, that's just what we'll do. You fellas all agreed? Yes, but it'll break us. We won't be able to pay off all our loan at the bank. And that means I lose, too. Which is just what all three of you got coming. $3 a head is what it is. And own our gear, because it won't do you no good. Ha, ha, ha, ha. Swindle us, will you? Well, next time you try it, you'd better make Dernshaw that mask on braid around. I'll sell my heading for places. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.