 It's Hopalong Cassidy With action and suspense out of the Old West comes the most famous hero of them all Hopalong Cassidy starring William Boyd The ring of the silver spurs heralds the most amazing man ever to ride the prairies of the early West Hopalong Cassidy This famous hero thrills his 60 million fans with action and dangerous adventure In the role of Hopalong Cassidy is the popular star of the motion picture series William Boyd and Appearance that laughable old character, California is Andy Clyde Now to our story coyotes creed Right in the range all day tanglin with mesquite and juniper and sagebrush can make a man look forward to hot grub and a Good night's sleep a copper and gold sunset is already fading in the sky Hopalong Cassidy and his sidekick California just turned their horses into the corral They're heading for the bar 20 ranch house when a horse and rider bear down on them at a fast gallon Is that one of the ranch hands heading this way California? He don't look familiar Smoky's coming like a tornado with a push me tail Hello there where you headed youngster your hop along Cassidy, aren't you mister? That's right, son Oh, that horses sure head up. You must rode a long way all the way from buckboard flats I'm Ricky Curtis Ricky Curtis. Hmm. Oh, you must be Richard Curtis's boy. Well, that's right I recollect your paw own that rich mine up in buckboard flats Got killed in an accident a few years back, didn't he yes My half-sister Ellen sent me to find you mr. Cassidy. She said if anybody could help us, it would be you Oh, what's the trouble Ricky? There's something funny going on that we can't figure out We're getting pretty desperate. Well, it's about you tell me about it. Well, it happened about six weeks ago The cattle have been stampede us so many times. We've had to put on extra hands at the ranch Several head of cattle have been poisoned to poison. How the waterholes I see go on Now something has come up about the old mime and property of dad's the gold crescent All right, I'd rather my sister gave you the details. We'll ride back to buckboard flats with you Ricky Oh, I'm not riding back. Not yet. I'm going on to Elkhorn tonight to see dad's lawyer And that is it if you'll stake me to a fresh horse Now you're right on up to the chuck wagon get some supper Fresh horse will be ready for you by the time you are. Oh, I certainly am obliged to you Your dad helped me out of a pretty bad hole just about the time you were born son I'd be a mighty poor sort of man if I missed this chance to repay me. Thanks, Mr. Cassidy. Get along smoky Well, California, yeah, we'll be hitting the trail tomorrow morning right after breakfast We'll be hitting the trail tonight right after seven. Oh, hey, I'm plum tuckered out I was figuring in a good snooze hop here. Let me have a look at you, California Yeah, you do need your beauty sleep pretty bad Well, I'll go ahead the buckboard flights and send you a postcard If you can wake up long enough to read it guess I'll go along to help you ride it. Hey, you can't spell worth a hoot We might off the main road hopping just a little detour California I suppose you wonder where we're going turn nation. No, not of its a secret It's a side trail it was short my ride. Oh, oh sure. Sure. I know it all the time Yeah, I'll bet you did you will rascal Look, there's a life-flying over there. I don't see nothing up here over there about where the Curtis mine should be Some sort of like just moonlight shining on the tin roof. Oh, that's funny That's a familiar sound you're familiar that's a cow just another California Oh, what's what's the matter hoppy? That's a coyote all right, but I've got a hunch it's like human coyote and it's coming from the Curtis mine Where's the Curtis ranch over there to the left? Yeah Hey hoppy. There's a fire over there. That's the ranch house, California. It's on fire. Holy smoke. Look at right. Let's go Hoppy in California approach the Curtis mine only to hear the imitated whale of a coyote But they are more alarmed by what they see in the direction of the Curtis ranch Angry flames lash at the wooden structure. I thought maybe Ricky was exaggerating about the trouble They had around the ranch speaking as a man who's just been shot at I'd say it would be mighty hard to exaggerate the Situation of course the fire could have been an accident looks like a start in the lean to yeah But it'll lead into the body the house in a minute. Come on boy Just a little farther now copper ain't like the looks of the fire hoppy. Yeah, I know that's some mighty good thing About writing this nag of mine. He don't mind nothing not even me We better leave the horses here Yeah, yeah, yes, so well, there's no organization. They'll never check it this way. You better take over hoppy Just a lean to where's an axe? All right, you fellas fill those buckets with sand did you change and hoppy? Yes, and what is too far away both sand? Yeah That's right, and you're Ellen Curtis Let's move over here where we can talk That was mighty hot That's a good thing the fire started to lean to off the kitchen. How did it happen? I don't know it's been trouble for months now this I don't understand it And you think it was done on purpose I don't know how else but how can we prove it all the ranch hands asleep in the bunkhouse? Nobody heard it But I couldn't get out in time to see who it was Oh, this is dad's old foreman. Mr. Luther. Mr. Cassidy. How do you do sir? I tried so hard to keep things going right at the ranch for miss Ellen's sake, but these awful things keep happening It's not your fault. Mr. Luther your hands can take turns standing guard so the fire doesn't break out again Yes, I'll tell them and you've both better get some sleep because starting tomorrow morning We got a little personal water wage and from the looks of things we have a pretty treacherous enemy Why we can't be stretched out in our bedrolls like decent folks are at the tower of the night stop complaining, California I want to take a look through the Curtis mine won't take a little while. Yeah a little while the whole journey I'll be gone. Guess I'll have to learn to sleep with my eyes open like a blast it out Here we are Sure as alone someplace. Yeah, I guess it's deserted. All right We better leave the horses here. Come on. Hey, I ain't going inside that mine I'm not scared. Are you know just careful. I ain't aiming to fall down. No champ There aren't any shafts and no tunnels just a big hole dug 10 or 1200 feet into the flank of the mountain You don't say this was a famous mine until it played out. They called it the glory. Oh coming Yeah, I'm coming, but I ain't convinced It's been a bannered a long time. I can understand why Edging along the side don't bump your head on those timbers. Don't stick out pretty far I'm sure glad I'll let a good clean life. Stop complaining. Where's your love of adventure? Probably nobody's explored these big ins since the mine closed down. Oh, yeah, then what's this where? What nice new carbide the lamp off some miners hat. Well, what do you know about that? No rust or nothing Something else interesting a nugget if that That's some nugget huh. Well, we've seen enough. I'll take this nugget along just in case Let's get out of here. It's me two more minutes and I'd have web wings like a bag Take it easy California, you'll come out beat first I'm out. It's a break. The sun's are coming up. Yeah sure feel good On the ground why they'd dry Gulch and barman dog. Somebody doesn't want us to leave this mine alive That's the barman up there in the ridge. I see him Too far away There he goes hoppy. Well, we scared him off anyway him and that pinter chores kid at all I wonder why he sure had the advantage up there on the ledge and plenty of rocks to hide behind That lead swing and Egypt must have been a human coyote We heard last night maybe when somebody goes to that much trouble to take in the welcome man I get curious enough to investigate. I Get more curious every minute. Oh, what do you make of it hoppy? That's one of two things. You know and Curtis is uncovered a new vein and is having the mind work or else what? Or somebody stealing or This is falling into a pattern California in a pretty ugly pattern Let's get the horses head for Ellen's ranch This is good coffee, Ellen Just what a couple of night owls need California night owls didn't you get any sleep? Well, as a matter of fact California, I went over to the Curtis mind. I have a look you went to the mine How long have you been working that champ in them that mine played out years ago after father died You haven't had somebody up there taking out or on a small scale. I just told you There's no or to take out. I Don't know what you're trying to say. Mr. Cassidy. That's all right forget it I guess we were just imagining things. Isn't that right, California? Imagine and what we Is is mr. Luther around no he isn't he's gone somewhere this early mr. Cassidy, it could I have some more coffee in miss Ellen? Oh, all right sounds like a visitor. I'll have a look Oh, it's Steve hope Good morning, Steve. Good morning, Ellen. I want to have a talk with you go on around to the front door. I'll be right there Excuse me, mr. Cassidy. I'll have to talk to him. He's been trying to buy the mine You go right ahead Ellen. We'll stay here and finish our breakfast. I won't be long There's a more coffee on the stone Go on a copy. Why did you tell her we imagine things first that miners hat and that golden nugget aimed imagine I'm down California Notice how upset she was when we talked about the oar. Yeah Well, there's something Ellen criticism telling us let's get over here near the door and see what we can hear California all come on. All right I've told you several times It's a good All right, but I won't wait much longer There's many more things happen like that fire last night. You're going to need the money think that over We better get back to the table California. Did you hear that hoppy? So mr. Steve holders trying to frighten her in the seven of mine. Yes, she comes Is is everything all right, Ellen Steve Holton impatient man, you know him Well, the name's familiar, but I can't just he and dad were partners when they first made the strike began to pay off and Steve wanted to sell out dad bought his share for $17,000 He must have kicked himself afterward. That's mine to do plenty of gold. Yes, it was a rich mine But that wasn't the only reason Steve was sorry You see he took off his overalls bought some store clothes and swore He'd never do another day's work again as long as he lived. Yeah, that's real living in two months He was broke. He came back to the Curtis mine this time looking for a job Went to work for $3 a day. He'd spent the whole $17,000 without leaving buck board flat Must have been some spree. Well easy come easy go with an awful sore head about it Finally went away. Now. He's back and wants to buy the mine. What does he want to buy it if they or played out? Why I don't really know Cineminal reasons he says how much did he offer? $5,000 That's a lot to pay for sentiment Who can that be? Well, it's Ricky Ricky. He's been hurt. Oh, wait a minute Ricky. I'll get you out of that saddle. Hello, Mr. Cassidy Take it easy son. Put your arm around my neck easy now. That's fine. Lean your weight against me. I'll try it He fainted. Oh, you take care of his horse. Be careful. No Bring him in here, Mr. Cassidy Take those pillars away. I want his head low. Is he hurt then? It looks like somebody's beat him up He'd be all right though. He's opening his eyes poor Ricky. This is terrible. Hello Ricky. You're pretty rough. Oh My head hurts what happened I Was ambushed ambushed on the way back from Elkhorn. How many of them were there? I Don't know three or four oh The pistol whipped me mr. Cassidy. Did you recognize any of them? No They they ambushed me from behind The tin for I'm sure Ricky has no idea who it could be was one of them writing a pinto a Pinto oh Yes, I think so I don't know. You better get some sleep now Ricky. We'll talk about this later. Yeah Here's a note of found pinned to Ricky's saddle blank. Let me see that Oh Them speak letters ain't the hobby. Oh, yeah, and they're big words too. Listen to this Ricky Curtis wasn't worth killing But a certain cowpoke named Cassidy is gonna catch a belly full of lead if he don't clear out a buckboard flance by sundown Early evening has turned the desert as cold and gray as a lead bullet Hop along in California trying to help Ellen Curtis solve the problems of violent happenings on a ranch Evidently they aren't paying much attention to that warning to get out of town for here. They are still in buckboard flats Buckboard flats hotel and bar. This is it California. I'm as thirsty as a camel. That's been eaten dried apples Oh Here's the optic of our search at the end of the bar y'all come on I just thought we was coming in for the fun. Wait here for me You're Steve Holt is right. You sure got the advantage stranger. My name is Cassidy hop along Cassidy Which on your mind whenever I can't figure out a player. I'd like to know who's be on the cards I got a few questions to put to you. Sorry. I don't know the answers You know the answer to this one. I want to know why you're so anxious to buy out the Curtis mine I reckon that's none of your business. Mr. Cassidy. I've made it my best way. You know the poor kind of When I see a man go for his gun is just reflex to knock it out of his hand three flight and that's what it was pick up He's gone California emptied That gun little fancy, maybe Well, hold here. You're keep it cheap if you don't want to lose a hand. You've won the first round Cassidy But there'll be another time and another round. You're pretty sure yourself. I got an advantage over you Cassidy I know the facts all the facts Now that's what California and I found in the mines So you see chef will need a posse to round up those gold rustlers Yeah, there's been a lot happening. All right, but the way you tell it there ain't enough evidence to convict anybody Somebody's guilty as a coyote in the chicken coop. Maybe yeah, maybe but who Steve Holt wants to buy the mine That ain't again the law. What about Ricky says he don't even know who beat him up and there's Ellen Curtis She had a mysterious fire on a ranch I can't say no posse out. You can't somebody dead to right You mean he has to have a gold nugget in one pocket and the deed to the mine on the other That's just about it. You catch him red-handed now sure come out and pick him up. That's mighty decent of your sheriff Good night night Fresh air Nice atmosphere in there in California to put it delicate. I didn't like the smell Looks like we'll have to get our own posse together Can you meet me at about an hour at the Curtis mine you mean Right We're gonna have to have a showdown with those high graders tonight. I know that I figured they work in the graveyard ship midnight About now that coyote word last night was there look out. Oh, you're right, but tonight You're gonna be the coyote, huh? Sure How do you need it to do a little practice now right now? I do a ball and calf better this has to be a coyote. Well You can do better than that I'll try it again over here We even popper believe that one And I get a bottle of sasperilla and mercedes bag. I'll oil up tonight before I let go Yeah, you know that led you by the mouth of mine where that varmint shot at it. Yeah, you hide out up there I get your hobby you can take care of the look out take care of the look out Yeah, hold that coyote how till they're in the mine working then start shooting I want enough shots to make them think there's a posse up there But where where will you be hopping? I got my position all staked out. I remember in an hour Everything depends on you and your coyotes how What do you want? This is my last night working this mine. I'm from the easy. Yeah me too Shoot yourself boys. It's all of it. Here's your money I ain't a hanker for no running with half a long cast today. Look out. Hosted anybody writes up your signal There's plenty of time to get out of here just to say my money That's the signal now somebody's coming. You're all the lights. I'm not easy in plan to stay on the site There's a posse out there. What's the matter with that look out? We're trapped in here. We're trapped To all the life we're done for it. We can see they cut it covered What's that? What's getting out? That's the first place. Get out of the oven and drop your car. That's not a long kit. Well, it places are your custody. It's the old cars. They're loose He's right in the car though. You're covered. Get out of this mind. We're going. I don't shoot don't shoot Keep your hands up and mark He's walking and don't try anything. You're not gonna take me that easy of it Or a gun will you Steve hope? California Glad to see you. Yeah, it's good to be out. I've been waiting on that hole for an hour. Take their guns and I'll rope and tie this fella We'll deliver him to the sheriff. All right. I'll take care of the rest of them Wait a minute coffee. We get another person a look out where is he tied up right over here? Stay quiet man. I got this gun ready. Why? Well, I'll be doggone hoppy. I had him tied Ropes cut yeah, and here's fresh footprints in the sand so in the confusion someone helped to look out get away Yeah, and when you hear who the lookout is you ain't gonna like it hoppy Ellen I can't bring you very good news. I'm afraid Steve Holt and four men were high-grading ore from the Curtis mine. Yes, but they weren't alone in it What do you mean the look out Michelle and that wasn't so dark that I couldn't see who twars There's no need pretend any longer Ellen. We may as well see Ricky now. No, Mr. Cassidy. You've stopped Steve Holt Can't you leave things alone? It's it's no use miss Ellen. Mr. Luther. I didn't hear you come a clean sweep is the only way You're all trying to trick me into saying something. I've been trying to protect Ricky, too I even sneaked up and cut him loose tonight, but it's all a futile effort No, I figure that Ricky became involved with Steve Holt and this dirty mess before he realized how serious it was Why in the world did he go to you? Mr. Cassidy, I guess he was scared and wanted to stop it But he didn't know how sometimes youngsters do foolish things and Ricky was always being greedy I guess deep in my heart. I suspected my brother But I didn't know what to do face the truth Ellen and go on from there Nothing's ever so bad. It can't be righted if you stand up to it square Ricky can be straight and down and after that he'll have a big job running the Curtis mine Let's get out of here hoppy a crying woman just makes jelly out of me inside. Yeah Goodbye Ellen. Mr. Luther. Goodbye, Mr. Cassidy Sure be good to see the bar 20 again there hoppy. I won't have to wait that long Feels good to be straddle topper again after riding an or car through a tunnel That's no job for a cow fucker, and I didn't like being a coyote neither I do a ball and chaff much better. Are you sure? Goodbye from hop along Cassidy and all the gang up far 20 way But be sure and be back with us when hoppy in California will again be riding out as usual into dangerous action and adventure Hop along Cassidy star and William Boyd is transcribed and produced in the West by Walker white Junior Coyotes Creed was written by Mel Godner All stories are based upon the characters created by Clarence E. Mulfer. This is a Commodore production