 the speed of light, the cloud of dust, and a hardy high old silver, the Lone Ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the masked 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 have come down to us through the generations, 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 hoofbeats of the great horse Silver, the Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, Silver! There's trouble on the trail ahead. Help, Silver! Down the long, curving slope on the stagecoach route between Big Horn and Mesquite, thundered a six-in-hand stage. The coach was painted scarf and carried the name Jarvis on each side, and high up in the jolting driver's seat, feet braced against the board, rifles snug in the scabbard under the seat. Repairs of brains held in his brown fists was Jim Jarvis himself. He narrowed his eyes and peered down through the heat haze at a little shack at the bottom of the slope. Hey, Miss Nellie! Miss Nellie! Don't shout at me, Jim Jarvis. Is there any way to talk to a passenger? Well, I've got a shout so you can hear me. We're almost at the halfway house. Too soon? Yes, sir. I told you we'd make good time. I'm glad I'm still alive. The trouble with you is you've been riding with a Nelson stagecoach. Now you're riding with a real stage line. God, Nelson's all right. Hey, Silver! He's a skunk and a coyote and a farmer. Besides, he's after my best girl. You're referring to me, Jim Jarvis? Yeah, I sure am, Miss Nellie. And let me tell you this. My stagecoach line is better than Bob Nelson's. And I'll make a better husband than Bob Nelson. You'll pick a fine time for caught me, Jim. That's the only time when Bob Nelson isn't around that I can't see and talk to. Jim, what's happening? Oh, David, there's another one. What are the wheels? I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. That's the only time when Bob Nelson isn't around that I can't see and talk to. Jim, what's happening? Oh, David, there's another one. What are the wheels, Halah? No. We gotta slow down. We'll smash the smotherings. Now, hold on, Miss Nellie. Hold on. Easy there, like it. Easy, boy. Easy. There you are. Well, so far as I guess I beat Jim Jarvis to halfway house this time, didn't I? He's coming the other way, Nelson. It's might longer. Yeah, but he isn't here yet. Maybe not, but you brought your stagecoach from Bighorn. That's 52 miles from Mesquite. It's 53 miles. Only one mile difference. Sure, but the trail's much tougher from Mesquite. Say, puzzles me, Nelson. Yeah? You two young fellas ought to be friends. Oh, I mean it. You're both about the same age. Nice young fellas, except you both got hair-trigger tempers. Why, you could join up, run a stage line together, make money that way. You came up with Jim Jarvis? Not on your life, Topaz. Well, there's not enough business for two stage lines. You didn't have any passengers, did you? Well, of course you didn't. It's about all you can do to keep your stagecoach in repair. Well, Jarvis isn't making any money either. Oh, well, I guess there's no sense trying to calm down a pair of wildcats, is there? Before I'm through, I'll run Jarvis out of business. Yeah, he says the same thing about you. Hey, what's that? First, Jim Jarvis. I told you he'd make good time. What's wrong with the stage? He's got a wheel missing. If he don't drag that team down, he'll turn a summer soldier sure as shooting. Rain him up, Jim. Keep their heads up. Go on a trip. Oh, that sure was a close call. That's right. Smart driving, Jim. What had happened? Halfway down the slope. The wheel just busted right loose. I hope Miss Nellie's all right. Miss Nellie, are you all right? It is a fail, Jim. Just give me a... Man, I never had such a wild ride in all my born days. You saved my life, Jim. All I had to have seen is I almost lost it. I wonder how I could have been so careless letting that wheel get loose enough to follow. Come on in the halfway house and have a drink, Jim. It's on me. I reckon you can use it, eh? And I've got something nice and cool for you, Miss Nellie. Oh, you go on ahead, Miss Nellie. I'll be right along. I want to look at this coach and see what happens. Don't be too long, Jim. Uh, Bob Nelson's inside. He just brought his stage in from big home. Nelson, huh? I'm not interested in that ombre. I'll be right along. You're a keynote. Beats me, Miss Nellie. Two nice young fellas like that ought to be friends. Oh, still there, Dusty. I want to see what happened. I don't want any Nelson to coyote. Competing against my stage nine when he knows there's only business enough for one. But before I'm through... That's funny. Looks like something happened to that wheel. I'm positive that pin wasn't bent. Well, I'll be... It looks like it was sawed. Almost in half sawed, and... So that's it. Somebody did it deliberate. Figured on killing me. And there's only one gen I know I could want to do that. Nelson. Bob, I just wish you and Jim would give up this silly argument and get to be friends. There's no sense to it at all. Well, I don't like him and never have, Miss Nellie. You're a no-use beating your head against a stone wall, Miss Nellie. They're both stubborn as mules and got timbers like Lobo Wolves. Bob, you didn't even come outside to help stop the stagecoach. Oh, I didn't know you were in it, Miss Nellie. But even so, you could have helped Jim Jarvis. Listen, as far as I'm concerned, the sooner he breaks his neck, the better. I knew you felt that way, Nelson, but I never figured it would be ordinary enough to try and kill me. Oh, it's you. Nelson, you made that wheel drop off my stagecoach. What'd you say? Your low-code, Jarvis. Jim, what are you saying? Miss Nellie, that was no accident. Somebody fixed my coat so the wheel would fall off. I got the proof right in my hand. Well, I'll be dog-gone. That's the pin that holds the wheel on. It's been sore almost in half. Hi, Jim. Whoever did that is no better than the murderer. Yeah. Did you hear that, Nelson? Jarvis, are you claiming I pulled a trick like that? There's nobody else I know I could have done it. Sure, I'm saying it. Well, I won't bother denying it. Bob, you didn't... Of course I didn't, Miss Nellie. But this polecat just as much as called me the kind of no-good armory who'd shoot somebody in the back. What he needs is a torque. You're wearing guns and so am I. With subtlest with bullets. Well, that suits me to a T. Jim, Bob. Get to one side, Miss Nellie. Topaz, you better get her out of here. Now, now, boys, listen now. Let's not have any more talk. Get out, Topaz. Oh, bullheaded. Bullheaded. It's no use, Miss Nellie. No, I won't let him fight. No use, I tell you. Come along, Miss. No use. No use. When two wildcats make up their minds to fight, you might just as well let him get over it. You come outside, Miss Nellie. I'll give you one chance, Jarvis. Take back what you said about me. Nobody would pull an ornery trick like that, but you, Nelson. Kino, that settles it. You earn a gun. And I'm gone. You'll never... Oh, my gun. This gun fights over before it starts. That's a mass man. I suppose you're a partner now. He's no partner of mine, Jarvis. Just stand still while I get my... We heard the shot. Jim, Jim did by... Oh, what happened? We're a mass scout law. Jim, you... Well, neither one of you is hurt. No, the only bullets came from the mass man's guns. Which one of you owns this stage is going to Mesquite? I do, mister. Good. I'm not traveling. Huh? I have a passenger for you, stage coach. Hello. The stage for Mesquite is leaving in a few minutes. Here's a driver. He's taking you there. But he's not savvy. He's not good on that stage. They're going there now, Kimosave. Let's scout Traylor Long beside the coach. You understand? Say, what's this all about? Are you two gents road agents? You'll find nothing worth stealing from my stage, coach. I can tell you that right now. Now, let's not argue. Talos in a hurry to get to Mesquite. Yeah? Why? So he can come back in a hurry. So that he... Well, of all the crazy reasons I have... Get moving, Nelson. And you come along, Prado. I reckon I've got to. Adios, Miss Nelly. I'll see you back in Big Horn. Adios, Bob. Adios, Nelson. Well, at least you'll get over your mad. Not me. I remember things. You hear that, Jarvis? I heard you, Nelson. I'll be waiting in Big Horn, too. Kino, when I get there, you'll be ready for a gunfight. That one won't be interrupted. Adios. Adios, Kimosabi. See you in Big Horn. Adios, Tando. In Big Horn. Now, what are you going to do, mister? Your stagecoach lost a wheel, didn't it? How did you know? I saw you on the slope. Jarvis, you get outside and start putting your wheel back on your stage. How can I? That wheel's halfway up the mountain. No, it isn't. Right outside. You see, we picked it up on the way here. You did? Well, now I... Never mind the thanks. Sooner you got your wheel back on, the sooner you head for Big Horn. Uh, but just a moment. Get up! Get up! All right. Nelson's headed for Mesquite. So there's no danger. You'll start that gunfight again. You can go now. Well, that depends. What do you aim to do? I, uh, am staying here. I'm going to talk to Miss Nellie and Topaz while you fix that wheel. You see, I'm curious to find out what this is all about. Now go ahead. And that's just about the whole story, Mask Man. I don't know why I should be talking to an outlaw so freely, but... Oh, so that's it. Stagecoach rivalry, huh? Nelson doesn't look like the kind of a youngster who'd pull a trick like that. Does he, Topaz? Well, it's hard to say, mister. Like Jarvis mentioned, who else would? Oh, Topaz, you know Bob wouldn't do a thing like that. You like Bob Nelson, Miss Nellie? I like him both. Oh, they're both such awfully nice boys. I declare it's a shame. But long as the fat's in the fire, neither one of them will ever back down now. Yeah, sure as the sunrise, they'll be gunning at each other from now on. Someday they'll let fly, and either one or both of them will go down with a bullet... Topaz. Oh, sorry, Miss Nellie. Doesn't there anyone else who might have cut that bolt in half? That's just his mess, man. I can't think of a single soul. Yeah, every sign points to Nelson. Sure is strange what a man's temper will get him into. Well, you can see there's nothing more for me to do here. You leave it? Yes. Yes, over. This is the most peculiar outlaw I ever met up with. You bust in here and stop a gunfight. You send one on one way, and make sure the second heads the other way. Don't even rob my cash box. Can't figure it out. Don't try it, Topaz. City boy. Oh, mister, that's the most beautiful horse I ever saw. Silver appreciates the compliment, Miss Nellie. I think so too. And don't worry too much. Perhaps I'll be around again when they try to shoot each other. Adios. Adios. Topaz, I don't know why, but somehow or other I have confidence in every word he says. I don't even think he's really an outlaw. Topaz, you haven't heard a word I've said, have you? I reckon I've been thinking, Miss Nellie. About Jim and Bob? About... Well, yeah, you might say so. Well, the wheels are all fixed and I'm ready. Say what happened to that masked ombre? He's gone, Jim. I guess we'd better head for Big Horn. Jim, you'll apologize to Bob Nelson, won't you? Not a chance, Miss Nellie. Nelson played me an ornery trick. The only way we'll settle it is with bullets. I'll meet him in Big Horn. Say, Jim... Yeah, Topaz? Oh, nothing. Nothing, I just wonder who that masked man is. 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. To our story. Halfway house, after all that excitement in the early afternoon, became quiet. The sun went down and a little later a man rode from the house and traveled a mile or so along the trail toward Big Horn. There he stopped. A second man walked his horse up beside him. In the darkness they talked quietly. Did it work out? No. I figured as much when I saw George's estate heading for Big Horn this afternoon. Did the wheel come off? Yeah. Was it that masked ombre? Seize me a herd shooting coming from that direction. It was him. Had it all figured out right, Smiles. I figured there was two mavericks that start trading bullets. One of them would be finished off and the other would have to skip out of the territory and go to jail. Who was that gent? I don't know. What about Jervis and Nelson? Still blazing mad at each other? Hoppin' mad. Well, that's something accomplished anyway. This time it didn't work. But maybe all it needs is to keep fighting the fires. Keep them plenty mad with each other. Nelson's doin' Big Horn tomorrow. What good will that do if Jervis isn't around? Jervis will be around. He'll have to lay over in Big Horn in a couple of days to get that wagon fixed up permanent, won't he? Calculate so? Well, that's not so bad after all. Yeah. In fact, it's pretty doggone good. This time maybe something ought to happen to Nelson's stage, yeah? Is that ever what I mean? But sure, that's it. Something happens to Nelson's stage. He sees Red and starts right out of Gunnerburg Jervis. The two of them meet in Big Horn We have no more competition in setting up our own stage, man. You forget. What about the Mask Man? That's just what I didn't forget. That Mask Man won't be able to stop it. Very serene, not this time. Oh? No. He might have stopped it over to Halfway House. That was different. Halfway House is out in the trail. There isn't a share from Marshall any kind of lawn he plays around. Or even neighbors for that money. But savvy this. It'll be a might different in Big Horn. Any jet that pokes his nose into that town wearing a mask will run smack into the lawn. Maybe he takes his mask off. I tell you, somehow or other, I get a sneaky feeling that Fuller is one jet who likes to keep his mask on. We'll fix him this time for good. And the Mask Man won't be able to stop it. Now here. I figure what made him do that is no reason why... You know, I guess I just imagined it. All right, now listen close. Here's what we're going to do to Nelson's stage when he gets to Big Horn tomorrow night. Teddy Silver's Teddy Woo. You made good time for Muskie Tutto. You're right alongside Nelson's stage. Ah, and him nice, Tuller. Him telling me all about what happened. Him not make we'll come off Jarvis' coach. That's my own feeling, Tutto. Eh, and Nelson is still angry? Oh, him plenty mad. Maybe Jarvis makes story up, huh? No, Tutto. After you left halfway house, I had time to study Jarvis, just as you studied Nelson. I'm convinced that both of them are as honest as a summer's day. Somebody else, chemo-subby. Perhaps I should have stayed at halfway house and talked to Topaz. Who, him? He runs that in. Oh, mean that's him. Well, that's right. He stayed outside the door. But wait, it's a long ride back from Muskie. Didn't you pass halfway house? Ah, me pass it. You didn't stop in? Ah, nobody in there. But what this fellow Topaz look like, huh? Tutto, you got something on your mind. That's right. What is it? Me here, two men on trail from halfway house to Big Horn. Me here and talk. They talk about Jarvis, Nelson. One of them was Topaz? Me not sure. You tell me what Topaz look like. And me tell you what me hear, huh? You think trouble for Jarvis? Trouble for them both. They didn't discuss what they planned to do? No. It's going to happen tomorrow night, right here near Big Horn, when Nelson's stage gets to town. That's right. There's one place where we can find out. Where's that? At halfway house, Tutto. Almost dawn, we should get there in a few hours before Nelson gets there with his stage. Tutto ready. Let's travel. Come on, Silver! The Lone Ranger took a shortcut instead of the regular trail, heading cross country, so as to reach halfway house by mid-morning. They galloped through the night and on across the rolling prairie, as the sun rose in the east and the shadows grew shorter. When they reached halfway house and dismounted, they found that their plans had gone wrong. Oh, Silver! Room empty. Take a look around the room, Tutto. Huh. Well, Tutto? Not there, either. Topaz! That's strange. Where can he be? I mean, not savvy. Look along the bar. Uh-huh. The door was unlocked. That wouldn't matter. Well, they locked doors out here anyway. He got here fast. It couldn't... What's this? Tutto. Uh-huh. Where do you get paper? Right here under the door. Must have fallen off after Topaz fastened it there. What notes say? Make yourself at home. I've gone to Big Horn. Topaz? Yes. Must be Topaz. So that's it. He didn't say anything like that when we listened last night. He changed his mind. He took his horse and then... No. Uh-huh. Come along. The corals on the south side of the house. Uh, what do you look for, King Masabi? There. Let me see horse in corral. That's just it, Tutto. Topaz went to Big Horn, but he didn't ride his horse. Maybe he got two horses, huh? I noticed that corral yesterday. That's the only horse he had. And if he didn't use his pony howdy head for Big Horn, he didn't walk. Uh-huh. Me, not savvy. Come on, back around in front. Use your eyes, King Masabi. And there's the stagecoach trail, and... Yes, look. There are the marks of a stagecoach and a team of horses. What were those marks made? Grim's still damp. That means they're only a few hours old. Tutto, Topaz took Nelson's stage. But Nelson himself... I don't care what he said. He must have changed his mind. Perhaps he was eager to get back to Big Horn to settle things with Jarvis. Perhaps he wanted to see Miss Nellie. Whatever his reasons were, he's already come and gone and Topaz with him. You realize what that means? Me savvy, that plenty bad. Unless we get to Big Horn as soon as the stage does, there'll be another accident. An accident plan just like the last one. Only this time to Nelson's stage. Ah, Nelson him think Jarvis get even. He'll look for Jarvis with gun, huh? We won't be around to stop them. Tutto, we've got to catch that stage. Count him plenty tiredly, big fella. Then follow King Masabi. Follow me as fast as you can. I can't wait for you this time, and he'd always be the silver he has. You ride like we in. Adios, King Masabi. Adios! Come on, silver! Keep bands, Count. Maybe stage near Big Horn already, huh? You chance comfortable? Sure are, Barb. Oh, Baz. Yeah, of course. You'll have to work it smooth. You'll get that kind of cool oil with you. Yeah. He's got Jarvis' name on it. Left at the halfway house a couple of weeks ago. Good. That'll make Nelson sure it's Jarvis trying to get even. The place we're getting at is right where Jarvis keeps his team and coach. Jarvis is sure to be there fixing that wheel. Yeah. We'll have that other seat soaked with oil as we get out. I'll let this shortlet diffuse a little behind us in a couple of seconds it'll start a fire. All Nelson will find a realist oil can with Jarvis' name on it, and nothing can keep it from shooting. Yep. Why do you slick way to get a stagecoach rude, isn't it, huh? Well, Jim, it's Bob Nelson. He's coming earlier than usual. Yeah, dropping off a couple of passengers. Nellie, do you reckon I ought to go up and... And apologize to Bob? Yeah. Yes, I do, Jim, right now. Jim. Yes? Bob Nelson doesn't love me. And I don't love him. I love you. And I'll marry you. Wait, Nellie. Nell, honey, you mean it. Of course I do, silly. Now go ahead and make up with Bob Nelson. He's really as nice a boy as I know. Next to you, of course. You wait right here. I'll make him the finest apology I ever made to anybody. A few moments later, Bob Nelson stood beside his lead horse, his eyes wide with amazement, and his fingers slowly releasing the gun he had reached for when Jim Jarvis hailed him. Neither he nor Jarvis noticed topaz and Morris as they stood close by, a crafty gleam in their eyes. Jarvis? You mean you're making me an apology? You can let go of that gun, Nelson. I take back all I said. Well, that's mighty nice. Oh, I'm sorry. I kicked over your can of coal oil, Jarvis. Huh? Yeah, it's yours. Got your name right on it. Hey, what the hell? Nelson, your stagecoach is on fire. Burn the stagecoach. The back seat's on fire. Let me get that. That's me. Look out. You'll be burned. Look out. I'm pulling out the seat. Look out. How did it burn where it is? I'm the coach now. Nelson, there was coal oil in that seat. Sister, you sure saved my stage that time? Coal oil. Did you say coal oil? Gosh, that's too bad, Nelson. Say, what are you staring at me for? So that's it. All that talk was just soft soap to cover up while that fire got started, wasn't it? You started that fire, Jarvis. This can's even got your name on it. All right, you double deal and crawl and rattles, and they reach for your guns. This time, nobody's going to stop me. No, you don't, Nelson. Let go of my arm. Jarvis had nothing to do with this. Any more than you had anything to do with his wheel dropping off. Then who did? These two men right beside you. Topaz and Morris. They did this to get rid of you both so they could start their own stage life. Hey, then, Topaz, shoot him. Shoot him before... No, you don't. Don't shoot. Don't shoot any more. Kino, if I give up, it's true. It was me and Morris. I give up. Let him in, big fella. Bob, Jim, keep your guns on them. Think you can see that they land in jail? Mr. We sure can. Then I'll be leaving. Oh, Mr. Wait a minute. I want to thank you. Yeah, we pulled. He's gone. Gosh, Bob. And all the time I thought it was you. Yeah, and I was ready to kill you for it. Jim, we've been a couple of local idiots. There's no sense in fighting each other. What do you say we join up and have one stage line for the two of us? Well, that's just what I was going to suggest, Bob. Jim, Jim, I was never so excited in my life. All that happened and all of a sudden, and now you two... Go easy. Let go of my arm. We still got to march these hombres off to jail. How about it, Bob? Do we do it together? Pardon her? We sure do. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.