 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver, the Lone Ranger. German signed with the Indians in the early days of the Western United States did not end the trouble between the red men and the white settlers. Some of the government agents tried to cheat the Indians, and as a result they came to regard all white men as their enemies. Open warfare might have been the result if the masked rider of the planes had not exposed the crooked officials and made possible a better understanding and a mutual trust between the two races. Return with us now to those thrilling days when the West was young and adventure lay at the end of every trail. The Lone Ranger rides again. The story begins in the little town of Red Bank. Len Pike, the storekeeper, was busy in front of his shop when he looked up to see a tall stranger walking by. Hi, stranger. Give me a hand here, will you? I'd be glad to. You need help? Just hold down the top of this packing case, mister, while I nail it, and I'll show you a blodge. Of course. Hold it tight and it won't take me more than a couple of seconds. Better put another in here, I reckon. There. Yes, that does it all right. Thank you, stranger. Looks like you're moving out, leaving town, are you? That's what I'm doing. Hey, you don't want to buy a store real cheap, do you? Yeah, let me see. Yep, I could let you have the whole blame thing, lock, stock and barrel. Buildings, supplies and goodwill for 500 cash down. I'm afraid I wouldn't be interested, but it sounds like a bargain. You sure you don't want to buy? I've said I didn't. Ah, shucks. Being a stranger, not knowing any better, I figured maybe you might give me 500. Well, no hard feelings. I should think of that price. You could find at least a dozen buyers. I don't know who they'd be. What's wrong? You mean to say you don't know? I just now reached town. I'm waiting to meet a friend. And nobody's told you about the engines? And the railroad deciding not to build this far? What about the Indians? Blasted red skins. And the critters that are making all the trouble. The government gives them a reservation. Gives them schooling and grub. Makes a treaty with them to keep the peace. And now they're putting on paint and getting ready to go on the warpath. There must be some reason. Them savages don't need reasons. They just ain't satisfied less than they're collecting white folk scouts. But what's that got to do with the railroad? They sent word they're stopping construction to Salisbury. I don't understand. I thought they planned to reach Red Bank before winter set in. That's what we all thought. That's why we come here and paid top prices on everything. Figuring on getting it back when the railroad reached us. Mr. for making cash and making it fast, there ain't nothing to equal keep and store in a town that's at the end of the rail, but you can't... Wait. Is it the Indian trouble that's made the railroad decide to stop at Salisbury? It ain't nothing else. Word came last week. That they wouldn't send their crews into country where they was likely to have to fight off engines. And that means we don't get the railroad for another year anyhow. Maybe not even then. Red Eagle is chief of the Indian tribe near here, isn't he? And he's a murder environment. I've never heard that he made war on the whites. But he's going, stranger. He's going to. And I'm just hoping to have an eye and clear these parts when he bust loose. It doesn't seem possible Red Eagle would lead his braves on the warpath without a reason. If he's got one, then it's a reason I don't know nothing about. Here comes a fella who could tell you if anyone could. Yes. It's Jake Duffy. He's an agent. And right now it was trouble likely to pop. I wouldn't be in his boots for all the beaver in the mountains. Ah, there Jake. We're just talking about you. Whoa, boy, whoa, whoa. Talking about me? Uh-huh. A stranger here was wondering what's got into the engines. I said, if anybody saved the environments, it was you. Do you have any idea what's made them put on war paint? You better have. Yes. They're just a pack of sneaking killers. All they signed a treaty with the government for was to get what they could. Rest away, Redskins. Then when they got all they wanted, they break their word and go back on the treaty. You really believe that? Listen, stranger, what I don't know about engines ain't worth knowing. And I can tell you straight out, there ain't a one can be trusted. I've always said that and always will. Well, that explains a lot. You're the Indian agent. To the Indians, you represent the government. But if you've made your attitude as plain to them as you have to us, it's not surprising there's been trouble. Just what do you mean by that? I don't say your attitude could have been enough to send Red Eagle on the warpath, but I do say if there's been misunderstandings, your attitude would only make them worse. Sympathizing with Redskins, huh? Well, I... Say, where are you going? I have to leave you. But think over what I said and act accordingly. The Lone Ranger had planned to meet Tato in town, but changed his mind when he learned the feeling of the townspeople against Indians. Still wearing his disguise, he hurried to the place where he had hidden Silver. Steady, old fellow. Wait. There's Tato coming down the trail now. We've got to head him off before he reaches town or there may be trouble. Come on, old fellow! Hurry, boy! Tato! Tato! Silver! What... what happened? Well, I told you to meet me in Red Bank. I didn't know the situation. What that? They're bitter against the Redskins, Tato. And they saw you. You might be attacked. Why them do that? They've had word that the railroad isn't going to build a Red Bank this year. They stand to lose everything they've invested here. And they blame it on the Indians. No, that's not right. But they say Red Eagle is going to be ready to go on the warpath. That's why the railroad won't build. Tato, you and I are going to get to the bottom of this. We're going to ride to the Indian Village and have a talk with Red Eagle. Come. Get him up, Scott! Normally, a journey of three days, the racing hooves of Silver and Scout carried their masters with inside of the Indian Village in less than two. As the masked man and Tato approached, they could see the braves dancing and hear their rising chants. There, Red Eagle. Do you know him? Oh, him good friend, Tato. They look angry, Tato. Few white men, him not like that. Full scout. Full scout. Full scout. Full scout. Full scout. Tato, Manikti, Duma. Tato, Tanto. Ni to la quine. Why, Tanto, bring pale face to Village of Red Eagle. Oh, him good friend, all Indian. Him good friend, Tanto. Him friend? Huh? I'd like to be your friend, Red Eagle. I've heard many good things about you. Why you come here? Red Eagle, they tell me in the white man's town that you're making ready to go on the war path. Do they speak the truth? That's true. But why? You smoked the pipe of peace with a white man. You gave your word to the great white father in Washington that you would stay on your reservation. Me give word, me keep word. Great white father give word, not keep word. You mean that the white man broke the treaty first? No, that's right. But how? Pale face killed Buffalo. Once many Buffalo here. Now Buffalo gone. White father say him give Indian cow. Take place, Buffalo. But him not do that. You haven't been getting your beef rations? Get only half. What white father promise? Your beef rations were short once. It could easily have been because of a mistake. Not only one time, it happened many times. Wait. Tell your brave to take off their war paint. Tell them to forget the war dance. I believe I can help you. If I do, it'll save the lives of both red men and whites. What tanto say? White friend with mask speak crew. You do what him tell you. Maybe him not help. Then you'll have to take what action you think best. But until then, give me a chance to try. Red eagle think man with mask speak with straight tongue. Now you hear red eagle. Yes. Brave want to fight. Me not hold them back for long. But red eagle give word. Them not go on war path till time cattle come. Very well. Now where do your cattle come from? What range supplies it? Cow got marked like this. Me make mark on ground. Yes. You look. First, mark like this. Then, mark like this. I thought so for the bar in. The government buys cattle for the soldiers from that same outfit. It's beyond Salisbury. When will the next delivery be made? Maybe three, four weeks from now. That may give us time to learn what we wish. And we can stop at the railroad construction camp on the way. Red eagle, you'll wait only until the beef arrives. If white father not keep word, we go on war path. Then come, tanto. Red eagle will expect you to keep your word. Come on. The railroad construction camp for the Lone Ranger intended to stop faced a serious problem in obtaining food for the laborers who were stretching the glistening trail of steel across the continent. The buffalo had been driven off and the men were dependent on the ranches of the district for their food supply. We see Fred Bowen, the engineer in charge of the construction camp, speaking to Ed Scott, the owner of the Cross Am Ranch. Where's your money, Scott? Thanks, Mr. Bowen. That's for the cattle you delivered last week. We've got to have more. And if Cross Am won't supply it, we'll get it somewhere else. I don't know where. Well, there's a bar in. They're hard put to it to fill a contract they made with the government. You figure on them this hell you be if you're local. What do you think I'm going to do, work my men on half-rations? How long do you think I'd keep them? Well, I'm doing the best I can for you. I could get cattle somewhere else. Can you wait a week or so? I'll wait if you'll promise delivery. Mr. Bowen, you'll get delivery. Good. That's what I wanted to hear. Well, I don't know if I can tell you any more after that or not. We'll likely not need more. We're stopping construction at Salisbury, you know. Yes, so I heard. Well, I'd better be getting on for home. It's dark out already. But you get them cows, Mr. Bowen, don't you fear? Very well. Good night. Good night, Mr. Bowen. Ah, trouble. Trouble with the home office, trouble getting food, trouble with the Indians. Ah, what did I do with those reports? What the... I want to talk to you, Bowen. A mask man. But not an outlaw. Don't reach for that gun. What do you want? I came here to try to persuade you to follow your original plans to lay track as far as Red Bank. Hold on. I don't know who you are or anything about you. But if you're hired by the people in Red Bank to threaten me, you'll get nowhere. They didn't hire me and I'm not threatening you. Well, then I'll say this. We're as anxious to build a Red Bank as they are to have us. If we could be assured the Indians wouldn't make trouble, we'd carry out our plans. But I have had definite reports that Red Eagle is getting ready to go on a rampage. So there's no use discussing the matter. Red Eagle and his tribe face starvation. They've received no more than half of the beef promised by the government. That may well be... I was on my way to the bar and ranch to find out why the cattle weren't being delivered. Meaning that if Red Eagle gets his beef, he'll call off his braves? I have his word, he will. Who sells you your cattle? Ed Scott, the man who just left here. Scott, he sold you Cross M cattle? Cross M as his brand? A year ago, it was a circle Y. You know, Scott's reputation? If you knew how difficult it is to get food we need for the men, you'd realize we don't ask too many questions. Perhaps not. I doubt, however, that you'd buy stolen beef if you realized they were stolen. What do you mean? One moment. You say you're anxious to build a Red Bank if conditions warrant. If there's peace, you'll continue. Will you help me bring peace? I wouldn't hesitate, stranger, if I knew I could help. Then come with me. I'm going to show you something. When I've done that, I'll tell you how we can place the blame for the Indian trouble just where it belongs. The curtain falls 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. Shortly after the Lone Ranger told Fred Bowen he could show him what had become of the cattle promised to Red Eagle. The masked man said goodbye to the construction superintendent and rejoined Tonto, who had been waiting outside the camp. Not only talked to him, Kimosami, but learned enough to save us a trip to the bar end. Not good. The Lone will help trap the thieves. However, it can't be done for some time. And in the meanwhile, the people in Red Bank will desert the town unless they're stopped. We'll have to ride and ride it once. Here's Count. First to Red Bank again. We've got to stop those people leaving town. How we do that. We'll find a way. That isn't all, Tonto. After Red Bank, I must return here by the time Scott makes his next delivery of beef to the railroad camp. Can't him do that. In a week or so. And we ride. He passed. Yes. Ready, Tonto? Me ready. Come on, Silver. The Americans had scoured the countryside for every available wagon and had loaded them with their possessions. The wagons were lined up on the main street in the townspeople, knowing that Indians sell them a tack after nightfall. Planned to start their journey after dark. The men of Red Bank gathered in the cafe for the last time. Drink up, gents. Liquors are in the house. While they drunk up, we'll have to be left behind so don't hesitate none. I'll take your invite, Barkeep. Hey, you drinking more? Well. How about you, Jay? Lim, having to stay behind on account of I'm engine agent, I ain't so anxious to see the liquor got rid of. I sort of planned on taking what's left for myself. And all going glad somebody can get some good out of this. Does seem like a funny kind of celebration, don't it, Lim? Drinking to our hard luck. Can't be helped. Redskins are mean and the railroad won't build. There's nothing to do, but to pull stakes and start again from scratch. I'm mighty sorry to see you fellas leave. I'm sure we should didn't have to be like this. Thank you, Jake. We'll make out somehow. Me? I've got a little cash to tide me over, but some of the folks are gonna have pretty tough sledding. Uh-huh. Especially them with families and youngins. How soon you expect to be off? It's getting most dark enough, I reckon. It's just a little afterglow from the sun over to the west. I'd say by the time we have one more drink of peace and round up the women folks and do whatever is left to be done, it'll be most dark enough. Shucks, Liam. What's your hurry? You got the horses all hitched, ain't ya? Horses are hitched, wag is lined up, and everything loaded. But the farther we are from this part of the country and the closer to Salisbury, come morning, the better pleased I'll be. Which same I agree with. Fellas! Listen here. It's one more drink and then we're leaving. Is that all right? Yes. All right, boys. We didn't allow ourselves any too much time, Talop. We'll have to hurry of where to be finished before they come out. Don't hurry. The horses are all tied together. How soon will you be finished? Me? Tie one more wagon. The horses that each wagon are tied to the one in front? Uh-huh. That's right. And them tied good. As soon as you're ready, climb in this first wagon and drive off. The others will follow behind. Uh-huh. I can handle the saddle horses. Scout will follow along with us. Yeah. How can I walk through? Quickly, Talop. Into the wagon. They may be coming out. Me? You hurry. Steady, Silbert. All right, Talop. Get those wagons started. Get them up. Get them up there. Come on, will you. Get them up. All right, Silbert. Come on, boy. Hurry up. Somebody's seen the wagon. Come on. The wagons play some horses. Get in the saddle. Get out of the wagon. We can't. The horses are gone, too. Of all the blasts in there. What do we do? How do we get them back? Don't ask me. What in thunder can we do? There goes our horses, our wagons, and every blame thing we own. Every blame thing. But that means we can't get out of town. That's just what it means. Unless we walk. An appeller that wants to walk two-inch in country is welcome to it. But me, I'm staying here. And, fellows, I'd give ten years of my life just to get my hands on them for ten minutes. Oh, my God! The townspeople had no way of knowing that their horses, wagons, and possessions were taken to a valley no more than a half-mile distant. There, the masked man called a halt. Pull up, Tonto. Pull up. Oh, Silbert. Pull up. Pull up. Pull up. This is the only way we can keep them from leaving town, Tonto. But this means I'll have to go back to the railroad camp alone. You want Tonto to stay here? We're responsible for these things, Tonto. One of us should stay to guard them. That's right. I won't be able to ride back here before it's time for you to return the wagons. You'll know when it's time, however. The government cattle for the reservation will be going down the trail first. Me, no. Then things will happen fast after that. Red Eagle, as much as told us, he wouldn't be able to hold his braves back if the rations are short this next time. Him try, but Tonto afraid him not do that. Well, he'll hope our plan doesn't fail. That's something we'll know the next time we meet. Uh... Come on, Silver! The townspeople were completely isolated. Red Bank had never known a stagecoach service, and there were no ranches nearby. But several days later, the government cattle were driven to the town and on to the reservation. And the men who were riding the herd promised to bring the townspeople relief. The following morning, however, Lem bursant to stay with... Hey, fellas! Hey, fellas! All Ned's busted loose. The engines are on the warpath this time for sure. Really? Where'd you hear that? Anybody see him? Don't have to see him. Just step over to the door there and listen. What is it? You'll hear it all right. Just push back them doors. Now hush down and listen. My heaven's war drums. That means business. What in places has got into Red Eagle now? I was just beginning to think maybe he'd forgot all about putting on warbeat. There's Jake. He delivered cattle to him yesterday evening. Maybe he savies what it's about. Hey, Jake! Come here! There's gonna be a lot to let us know we're gonna lose our scalps. What I want to know is what's behind this. You're the Indian agent. You ought to have some idea. You can't figure old Red Eagle out. But you got it. He's just a cantankerous troublemaking heathen. You know what he had the nerve to say when he got his cows? What was that? Claim the government was cheating him. Said he was 300 cows short. So that's it. He wasn't right, was he, Jake? Of course he wasn't. He's bound for trouble and he aims to get it. That's all. Hey, look it. Here comes Frank. What's up? What's he running from? And us with no horses. Hey, folks. It'll hold us all. There ain't no better place to fight them off. Come on. You can hit something. Here they come. Stand ready. Wait a second. What's that? It ain't Indians. There's something else headed this way. A cattle. Sounds like a trail herd. Where'd they come from? What are they going... That's on the last floor. And headed this way. I'm going out there and see what this is all about. You can't leave me here. Look for yourself. They're pulled up when they've seen the cattle coming. Help me get this stuff out of the way. Oh, God. Nidget is riding straight for the Redskins. They'll shoot him down. The cattle. It looks like them fullers riding herd are taking them pretty straight on towards the reservation. Where'd they come from? Whose cattle is it? It's me. You know anything about this Jake? How should I? Now the Redskins are taking them cows over. Because they belong to the Indians. Who in place of you, mister? Bowen's my name. Your name is... See, you ain't the fella in charge of building the railroad, are you? I am. And you came here along to the Indians. The Mask Man and Red Eagle are coming. I believe the Mask Man will make things clear enough. All right, Red Eagle. There's nothing to fear from these people. Man with mask. You good friend. Me trust you. See, strange. One moment. You're wondering why Red Eagle is here as a friend after coming as an enemy. That ain't the hair for what we're wondering. The cows, the railroad fellas bought them. We're stolen from the Indians. That ain't so. The Indians got everything they had a right to. When I seen the brands on them critters, I just went by. It was Cross-M stuff. Government beef wears the bar inside. You know the explanation, Jake. I don't know nothing about it. The Indians were given a definite promise of a certain number of cows. They only received half of them, however. What's that? I mean that Ed Scott put his brand on the other half and sold them to the railroad. It's easy to make a bar-n into a Cross-M. That's why Scott chose that brand. Well, how could Ed Scott steal cows without Jake knowing of it? He couldn't. What? Ed Scott's partner in this. He stole the cattle. He reported to the government that the Indians received their full quarter. And the two of you shared the stolen profit. That's a blessed lie. Show us your wallet, Jake. Show you. Hurry. I'll do no such thing. Then we'll take it by force. Jake, if you ain't got nothing to hide, why don't you do like the mass palace heirs? Sure, all right. Sure I will. The cash I got in my wallet belongs to me. Nobody can prove I didn't come by honest. Jake, give your wallet to Lem here. To me? Yes. Take it, Lem. I'll give you the bills inside the wallet. But examine them and tell me if there isn't a small cross marked in two corners of each one of them. Just wait. I'll look. By golly, it's so. How could you know that? I knew because I marked those bills before I paid them to Ed Scott. I paid Scott that money for cross hem cattle. And when Scott received this money, I'd trail him until I saw him turn over half to Jake. No. No, listen to me, folks. You can't believe these fellows. Oh, and then I have Scott. He's talked and let me get this straight. Jake and Ed Scott stole Red Eagle's beef and Red Eagle started on the war path because of it. Is that right? His people face starvation, Lem. He isn't to be blamed. Well, I should smile, he ain't. If I was him, I'd have Jake's scalp. And Jake, it's because you're thieving that the railroad ain't going to build to here. Why, you... The railroad will be built, Lem. If Red Eagle can promise peace, I'll promise rails to Red Bank before winter sets in. What do you say, you hear that, fellas? This opens the way for an honest Indian agent to be appointed. There'll be no more trouble. There's just one thing wrong with all this. What's that, Lem? It's fine to have everything peaceful again and to know the railroad's going to be built. But some low-down crook stole all our stuff. They got every blame thing we own. Well, what's funny about that? If you take the men and go about a half mile south of town, I think you'll find your wagons and everything else it was taken. Is that the truth? Lem, the men you thought with fives are the men who did all this for you. Tonto and the Lone Ranger. Hello! Is it Bencher on the trail ahead? The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.