 horse of the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty, high-o silver, the Lone Ranger. When the United States established a new frontier, spreading its government over the new Western territory, it found it almost impossible to cope with the lawlessness that ran rampant. Heroes of justice were born in those hectic days, stalwart men whose deeds have been recorded in the written history of this great country. Most picturesque and colorful of all is the phantom figure of the planes who rode a strad of great white horse called silver. But it's returned to the west of old and thrilled to another exciting adventure. The Lone Ranger rides again. United States Marshal Dan Callaway had been appointed to temper the reckless methods of the Western law agencies and do away with the unfair trials existing in those days. In the first scene of our Lone Ranger drama, we find Steve Tucker, the sheriff of Grant County, in a heated argument with Callaway. I tell you Callaway, you're all wrong. All this new fangled dog-gone tomfool reviewers is just the thing the crooks around here profit by. Your old-style methods of punishing crooks was all right a time back, Tucker. But now, since the gold hills have brought so many folks, we need more law and order. Law and order is right. But I'm dad reddit if you'll get that same by making it easy for crooks to get away with thieving and murder. Who says we're making it easy? I do. Maybe are the U.S. Marshal, but you're still an idiot. According to law, a man's innocent till he's proved guilty. That means that we can know our critter is guilty just as well as we know our own name. But can't do nothing, unless we can prove it. That's right. Look at Slim Carter. That slick-haired, smooth-talking pole cat killed Bart Jones as sure as you're bored. Wasn't proved. He stole the food and money Pete Frisbee had saved up. He even spent that money. And still, he went free when he come to trial. He wasn't proved guilty, Tucker. And Sheriff, it's your job to get enough evidence to convince a jury. I just as much as seen Slim Carter kill old Bart. But you didn't see it, did you? I know he was guilty. Blasted old Calloway. It is up to him to prove he wasn't guilty. That's where you're wrong, Sheriff Tucker. Your methods are old-fashioned. Now take my advice and run the office like it should be run, or you'll have to be replaced. Why blast your hide? That dirty coyote- Hey, watch your speech. In the eyes of the law, Carter is as honest as you are. Yeah. He's free when he should have swung a month ago. Free to go and rob and kill some more. That skunk is laughing at the law. You seem pretty sure of yourself, Sheriff. I am. He can do just what a dog going well pleases the way you handle things. Zeke Merrill will tell you the same. Zeke Merrill? Yes. He's worth a heap of money. Owns a big gold claim in the hills. Zeke will tell you what sort of critter Slim Carter is. How's he know? Same as me. We was together when we heard what old Bart said before he died. If only he was alive, he'd tell a few things about Carter too. Well, there ain't no proof that Carter killed him. The word is Zeke Merrill and me ain't enough. No. Carter proved by witnesses that he was somewhere else. And that's all that's needed in the court of law. Listen, Callaway. You come with me. Where to? Zeke Merrill's house. I don't know if he'll be there or not. He might be out living in the shack at his claim like he does ever so often. But if he's to home, he'll tell you a few things about Slim Carter. I ain't interested in hearsay of it. Well, come along anyhow. Dad, Radit, something has to be done to put Carter where he belongs. If it ain't done, he'll clean out the whole Blametown. I ain't interested in hearsay, I tell you. Then I'll go get Zeke and fetch him to you. Blast a new-fangled way of doing things. Keep right, that's all. Keep right. Zeke Merrill was respected throughout the community for his honesty and fair dealing. We go to his home now and meet his daughter Nancy. Bizzily engaged, packing things into a trunk. While Slim Carter, the man discussed in the last scene, helps her. I don't understand Paul not coming here to bid his goodbye, Slim. He said he'd try hard to get down from his claim, Nancy, but he thinks he struck a new load and he's anxious to follow her. But he did say he was willing for us to get married. Oh, sure. Didn't I tell you what? Right. Yes. Wouldn't doubt my word, would you Nancy? Wait, if I doubt it, just, Slim, do you think I'd be fixing to marry you and take the next stage for the East? Sure, now. You're a great girl, honey. There's only one thing worries me, Slim. What's that, honey? Would you care as much for me if Paul wasn't so rich? Of course I would. What's his care she got to do with us? Well, likely we'll have it all someday. Money don't mean a thing to me. Oh, I'm glad to hear you say that. Hustle up now. Get that packing done. We'll sleep over the next town. Get married there. Why not here? No, I soon to do the thing sort of secret. I don't want a lot of noise making on the horse play when we take the stage. Perhaps that's Paul. Oh, I... I'll go see. You wait right here, Slim. Howdy, Miss Nancy. Is your pa at home? Oh, Sheriff Tucker. I'm glad to see you. Come on in. Where is he? He's at his claim. Shucks. I figure you don't see any. I'm sorry, but step in the other room. I'm just packing my things. Packing your things? Slim Carter and I are going to be married and take the next stage for the East. What's that? Slim Carter? Yes. Why? Why that dirty... Sheriff, don't you dare say anything against Slim. Father said it was all right for us to be married. Your pa said that? When? Slim rolled up to his claim to ask him. He said it would be all right. That's a downright lie. Where is that sneak? Right here. Well, you dirty... That's a fair share, Tucker. I've got your coverage. Slim, don't shoot. I won't unless the Sheriff aims to make some trouble for himself. You had it in for me ever since you failed to solve a couple of crimes. You tried to frame me for him, Tucker. Were you? Thanks to the U.S. Marshal, you didn't get away with it. You're a murderer and a crook. He isn't. He told me how he's been treated here. That's why he's leaving for the East. Nancy, do some straight thinking. That smooth talking horn toad has you believe in anything he wants to tell you. He's been misjudged. Just because he's from the East, you tried to frame him so you'd get credit for solving some crimes. Oh, of all the blessings... I'll watch your language, chef. Will you? Nancy and I are getting married and living on the next stage for the East. Well, by Gern, you ain't doing no such thing. You can't stop us. The heck I can't. You ain't leaving here till I see your father. I'll bring him here and then see what he's got to say. He won't come. He told Slim so. He'll come soon enough if he hears your fiction to marry that crook. Why don't you go and see him, Tucker? That's a smart idea. There, you see? Slim is on the level. There ain't nothing with less sense than a woman in love. By thunderation, Nancy, this polled cat sure enough got you believing black's white. You'd better leave here, chef, Tucker. I don't like the things you've said. You ain't heard nothing to what I'd like to say. Please go. I'll go. But by thunder, you just try leaving town till I get your old man here. You just try. I'll have the stage held till I get back with the East. Oh, hold on a minute, chef. I have something to say. You said too much. I don't suppose there's any sense, wasting time trying to convince you that I did see Zeke. No late. Well, I'll tell you what I'll do. Well? You wait until tomorrow morning. I'll write up to Zeke's claim with you. Zeke. You will? Sure, I will. What time? Well, I don't get up as early as you do. Let's plan a start at about nine o'clock. That's the middle of the day. I won't start it, Dawn. We'll leave at night. It'll be dark when we get there. What of it? We'll spend the night with Zeke and then start back the next morning. But, Slim, that'll mean we'll miss the stage. That's all right, honey. We can take the next one. I'd sooner wait a while and have a lot of trouble with this old fool. Old fool, huh? All right. We'll see Zeke Marrow. And if he says he's willing for you and his girl to marry, then by thunder I guess I am an old fool. I'll meet you at nine in the morning. The Lone Ranger and Tonto enter our story at this point. The famous masked man and his Indian companion were camped in the shelter of huge rocks high up in the gold hills. Their fire was too small to be noticed by a man who rode past them. Tonto, it's dangerous riding through these hills after dark. It's plenty bad. There are dozens of places on the trail where a single misstep would mean certain death. That's right. Those who know these hills don't travel after dark. Tonto, Gold, Warren, Ryder. Bye, Will. You stay here. Meet Ryder now. Yeah, now, Silver Old Boy. I guess you're pretty well fixed for the night. We'll start out a daybreak, Silver, and head for town to see about the new United States Marshal there. You wait! Look at what Ryder is, and I'd like to see him. But if you saw my mask, he might think it was a hole up and try to run for it. Oh, yeah! Tonto! Tonto! Have you been hit? Me all right. So why did he fire at you? I mean, I know. He tried stopping. And he shot at you. Him may be local. Did you see who it was? No, not see him. It went to dark. We've got to go after him. Steady, Silver. You ride trails? Yes, that man must be stopped. Hail danger. Silver can cover it. That man thought you were a high woman. It'll be our fault if he's hurt. Here, saddle. Sins up and hurry. The following morning, Sheriff Tucker stopped at the home of Carter, according to the arrangements made the night before. It had been agreed that Carter would accompany the Sheriff to Zeke Merrill's mine. You there, Carter? Sounds like he's sick or something. You ready to go? Sheriff, I... I'm a sick man. What are you doing here? I don't know what it is. I've been awake all night. First, a bad toothache, and I've got taken all over. So you're scheming to get out of heaven, Zeke Merrill, to tell the truth about you? No, no, it ain't that. I just ain't up to riding in the mountains today. Nice, Heavy. I wish I could. Look here, Tucker. Why aren't you right up there alone? Leave you here. Sure. You gonna ask Merrill if he didn't say it'd be all right for me to marry Nancy? I can guess his answer without riding up there. But you can't. He won't believe what I say. Turn right, I won't. Well, go ask him. And leave you here? Yeah. Then you hide there. Look while I'm going. I'll wait here. Did he get back? I'd give you my word on it. Your word ain't worth a hoop to me. I wouldn't trust you as far as I can throw a mountain. I tell you to find... You want water. Huh? Where'd you come from? Me travel long way. Me want water. Well, help yourself to water, Redskine. There's a spring east of the house. What matter, Fuller? Huh? You plenty sick. That's what he tells me, but I got my doubts. Him sick, Fuller. Me fixin'. Well, hold on. What is he mentionin'? Me look find out. Get away from here. I don't want no Redskine around me. Oh, you got fever. I ain't. Hold on, Carter. Some of these Redskins know more about doctrine than regular sobos. Oh, this Fuller plenty sick. Me stay here. Make him well. Look, and... See what you can do for him, engine. I'll go get a couple of men to stand guard here. I'll do what you say, Carter, and head for Merrill Shack. But I'll make blame sure you stay here and don't run off with Nancy when I ain't around. I'll be back tomorrow with some guards. You can't find it, Indian. I ain't no more sick than you are. Now, clear out of here. You not know, Tonto. I don't want to know yet. It plenty dark last night. You not see engine good. What do you mean? You not shoot straight. You miss. Get away from me. I didn't mean no harm last night. I didn't want to hurt you. You not hurt any Fuller, Gandy. No, don't use that knife. Don't. Tonto fix him, you, for all time. Listen, please, Indian, go away. Don't look at me like that. Well, now, Tonto fix him, you. You're just going to kill me. Help me. Help. The curtain falls on the first act of our thrilling Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Slim Carter, whose elopement with Nancy Merrill was prevented by the sheriff, had agreed to face Nancy's father the next morning. By that same night, he made a secret trip to Merrill's mine, meeting Tonto on the way and firing at him. When the sheriff called for Slim, the young man pretended to be too sick to make the journey. Tonto entered, and when the sheriff left, he remained behind to threaten Carter. Our next scene is in the sheriff's office. Tucker is strapping his guns on. Doggone sheriff, what are you doing back in the office? I'm here to get you. Strap on your shooting iron and come with me. To Zeke Merrill's claim? No, I've got to go on there alone. Slim Carter has took sick. Sick, eh? Too doggone bad, he can't be worse off. I reckon that's the only way that Polkett's crooked work will ever be stopped. I thought he was bluffing at first, just wanting to get out on a trip to Merrill's claim. But I guess he's really sick. Why? An engine came while I was there. He said Slim had the fever. Maybe it's the cussiness inside him, biling up. Anyhow, I ain't taking no chances. On what? Him pulling the wool over my eyes. I wouldn't put it past him to play sick, just to get me to go to see Zeke by myself and leave him to run off with Nancy as soon as my back is turned. Oh, I'm ready. What'll I do? Stay right with Slim Carter. Stand guard. So he can't leave, eh? Right. Come on now. Ah, Sheriff. Yeah? Look, I'm to stand guard on that quitter all day long, Anita. Yeah? Maybe all night if you don't get back by dark. Maybe. If it's dark when I'm at Merrill's place, I'll spend the night there sooner and make the mountain trail at night. Yeah. Now, what I was thinking of was this. Suppose, for instance, Slim Carter figured to try and bust away from me. Don't let him. Oh, I wouldn't let him. I was just thinking, suppose he did try and bust away. Maybe I'd have to use my fists or a gun butt to sort of keep him quiet. That'd be all right, wouldn't it? Hold on. If he tries to bust away, keep him quiet. I sure will. But don't get handy with your fists if he behaves himself. I can't tolerate that sort of rough house. Oh, no, Sheriff. I... Ah. Get up there. I wonder where the marshal is. The less I see of him, the better I like it. Dang, fool notions he has about enforcing the law give me the willies. Well, maybe someday he'll learn better. Hey, Sheriff, look yonder. Sheriff, Sheriff, help me. What for, Sam Hill? That's Slim Carter. And he don't run like a man that sounds sick with a fever. Sheriff, go over there and get me. What's the matter with you? Save me. Don't let that angel get me. He's like to kill me. What angel? He's got me mixed with someone else. He thinks I tried to kill him or something. He's got the wrong man. Seems like you got a way of always being mistook for someone else. You'll kill me if it has a chance. Gosh, wouldn't that be too bad? Make him go away. Look at the way he stands there, claring at me. He ain't the only one that looks at you with that sort of expression. Don't go away. You gotta stay in town. It's your duty to protect the citizen. Oh? Well, I'm not staying here. I'm going to Zeke's clave. Then make that red skin leave. Make him clear out. He's got as much right to be here as anyone. What's he done? Well, he ain't done nothing yet. And it's what he's going to do. You're a local. I ain't local. See, for yourself, he is standing, staring, waiting for his chance. Sam, you'd better ride along with me. I reckon there ain't no use you staying around town. You can't leave me. I'll go with you. Now you're showing sense. I'd sooner go and stay here with that red skin. All right, then. Get your horse and come along. That angel don't use the ways of white doctors, but he seems to have cured whatever you mighty sudden. Get your horse. We'll wait for you. I'll get same stuff. I'll be with you proud of him. Somehow, Sam, I like that red skin. Me, too. He's coming this way. Hi, engine. Oh. What did you do to that, Andre? Me talking to you? Sure. What do you want to talk about? Tell her, go to claim. Who went where? Tell her name, Slim. Go Merrill Place last night. He did? What did you go there for? Murder. Murder, leap and cactus. Mean to say he's killed Zeke Merrill? You come. We find out. We're heading there, Pronto. First, you hear Tonto talk. Your name, Tonto? That's right. You hear plan. Plan? Me scare bad color. You scared him all right enough, but what's the reason? And what's this about a murder? Tonto tell you. While Slim Carter was saddling his horse for the ride to Merrill's place, Tonto told Sheriff Tucker of the Lone Rangers plan. And the sheriff, his deputy Sam and Slim, proceeded to the gold hills. Slim was quiet for most of the trip, but toward sundown he grew more and more uneasy with each passing moment. Straight ahead and there's the shot, Sam. Yeah, won't be long before we get there now. Reckon we won't have long to wait for Grubb neither. Zeke will be fixing up some fiddles about the time we get there. Then I'm that hungry I could eat my boo. Yeah, me too. Not over you, Carter. You don't seem comfortable in that saddle. I'm all right. For your sake, Carter, I hope you told the truth about what Zeke said. Sure I did. Well, we get the truth first hand pretty quick now. I told it to you. Zeke Merrill agreed you could marry Nancy, huh? Sure, that's it. That don't sound like Zeke by darn. What you gonna ask him, ain't you? You think I'd have made you ride all the way up here if I didn't know what I was talking about? Ain't no tellin' what a critter like you will do, Carter. Ain't no figurein' out why you do the things you do, another. Ever ridden this trail before, Slim? Oh, me? Yeah, you. Oh, what made you think I have? Just asked him, that's all. That engine said you took a shot at him last night. You don't believe an engine, do you? Yet, and so I don't believe much of what anyone says, reckon there ain't no use anymore. A man has got to have cold facts to work on. If he looks at things like the new Marshall does, it don't matter a bit what a man believes. Sheriff, I'd like it to be better if you and the deputy went on alone. Went on alone? What do you mean? Just said. Oh, hold steady. I'll wait here for you. You go on and talk to Zeke and see just what he says. You're comin' along with us. Well, but hold on, Sheriff. You're a suspicious man. Got reasons to be. Well, if I was there, you might have a notion I was makin' Zeke agree to the marriage. If I ain't there, there won't be no interference. You can ask him anything you want to ask him. And where'd you be while I'm talkin' to him? I'll be right around. I ain't gonna run out on you. Maybe he's right, Sam. What do you think? Well, there ain't no harm in us goin' on alone. He can't get far. Even if he does try to get back to town, he won't make it in time to do him no good. I'll wait right here, Sheriff. When you finish talkin' to Zeke and found I'm on the level, you can just come to the door and wave to me. All right, you stay right here and see that you wait. Come on, Sam. Get up. Get up. I'll be right here, waitin'. You better be. Be here, I'm sure. You can't go back with me. Right in the next half hour, I'll see the end to all my troubles. Don't move. Like masks. Go ahead to the cabin, but go slowly. Oh. Oh, listen, mister, if it's cash, you want... I don't want cash. Get going. In the Zeke Merrill's cabin, Slim. Here, Silver. Who are you? Why should I go to Merrill's cabin? You'll find out when you get there. Now on your way. I won't do it. I ain't movin' a step near the cabin. Hurry. No. Well, let's talk it over. Put them guns down, stranger. Hurry. You made a mistake. You got the wrong man. I ain't who you think I am. You're Slim Carter. I won't go to that house. We'll see about that. Hey, let go. Let me go. Come on, Silver. If you're any good to yell like that, you'd come along peaceably. I wouldn't have had to rope you. Here we are. Just to make sure you stay where you put, I'll toss more coils of rope on you. Please, listen to me. Wait a minute, Miss Carter. What's going on out here? Here's someone to see you, Merrill. Carter, help me. Save me. It's got me wrong. Again? No, none of you. Draw your guns. I'm covering you. Of course there'd be good ideas. Put this man near your fire. Help me. Help me, sir. What for? All of you listen to what I have to say. Merrill, you and Sheriff Tucker, the only ones who know Slim Carter for what he really is. Let me out. It's life and death. It's hard here. Put that fire out. Listen to me. Shut up. We've got something more interesting to hear. Go on, stranger. What's the mask mean? Who is this man, Sheriff Tucker? Throw more wood on that fire. I'll attend to it. Both of you men knew Slim Carter was no good. He had to get rid of both of you so he could marry Nancy and inherit your money, Zeke. I'd like to see him try to marry Nancy. He was figuring on it. If you were killed, she'd believe his story that you gave permission for the marriage. If the sheriff was killed with you, there would be no obstacle left. That's what Slim Carter planned when he sent Sheriff Tucker here. I am the murderous. Why, you dirty, scheming, pole- I'll explain everything. I can explain it all. How do they explain it? Let's have more fire. It's cold here. Sam, more wood. Yes, sir. Oh, wait. Don't talk more wood on that fire. Build the fire high so it'll last till morning. We leave here and get the U.S. Marshal to come up and get Slim Carter. I hope you've got proof what you said, Mr. How did he plan to kill us? Let the Marshal find that out. Come with me. No, no, don't leave me. Don't leave me to die. You can't do it. It's the same as murder. Don't be comfortable, dear Carter. The ropes won't hurt unless you struggle. We'll be back before you need food. Let's go. Chief, you come on. You say so, Tucker. That's all the wood is on him. It'll do. No, not that wood. Don't leave me. Get out of here. Save me. What do you mean? I done it. I built a log with blasting powder. It's in the fire now. It'll blow up in about 70 minutes. Save me. Take me out of here. I don't want a chance. You admit filling a log with powder? I'm telling you. You can't even kill Zeke Merrill? I admit anything. Just take me out of here. Sending the sheriff here to die? Yes, yes. All right. That's all we need. Your confession will be enough. You needn't worry, Carter. I followed you last night. Saw you come here and fill that log with powder. And put it where Zeke Merrill would take it into the house for tonight's fire. You did. Well, I'll be. And you didn't tell me? Instead, I took the powder from the log. It's harmless. Tell them it's a town to learn more about Slim Carter. Now we got you, Slim, with your own confession. Frame me, huh? Frame me. Well, I deny it all. What's the word of a mask man? There ain't no proof of what you say. And you think the U.S. Marshal will believe you in preference to us? Well, I'll take my chances on that. Of all the dirty two-faced double-tide skunks. Well, we're witnesses to what you confess. Sure, and the two of you've been trying to jail me all along. Well, I'm glad there's law and order in this section that calls for proof. No, I'm timing. You overlook one thing, Carter. Well? You're counting on the leniency of the new Marshal. He's for law and order. He certainly is. And that's why Tonto brought him here to overhear all that you said. We hear him. Let's move on, he deads. Marshal. Did you hear this red-faced crook squealing when he thought his worthless hide was in danger? I sure did, Merrill. And it looked like Sheriff Tucker and I had better get together on the way we deal out justice. Carter, this is the time you stuck your neck right into the noose. Shucks, he didn't do it. The masked man and Tonto stuck his neck in for him. Oh! Sorry you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.