 By special recording, General Mills, makers of Wheaties, breakfast of champions, and Cheerios, the Oats cereal ready to eat, presents The Lone Ranger! Fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hot he-hi-yo silver! The Lone Ranger! With his faithful Indian companion total, the daring and resourceful mask rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. 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! Now here's the Lone Ranger. You'll hear it said that someone was born to the saddle. That means he's a mighty good rider. But remember, like anyone else, he had to learn to ride. He probably took many spills doing it. He's good because he practiced. Road every time he had a chance. In anything, not just riding. The winners are the fellows who train. Champions are made, not born. I'll agree, Lone Ranger, but is there anything besides practice a person can do to help his training? Absolutely! Eat the right foods. I'd like to pass along something the old pioneers knew. Wheat is one of the best all-around foods you can find for staying power and energy. Today's champions agree with the pioneers about wheat, Lone Ranger. Champions choose wheaties. There's a whole kernel of wheat in every wheatie's flake. Champions are made, not born. Get on your way with wheaties. Breakfast of champions. The Lone Ranger and Toto were riding south at twilight when they saw signs of an impending storm. They camped in a cave and soon after dark, heard distant thunder. It's going to rain hard before morning, Toto. I'm glad we found this cave. It saved us building shelter. This dog is moving this way. He must have been. Can you hear something? It sounds like railroad trains. That's what it is. We're near the new tracks of the Union Pacific. But men still work in tracks. They're working at the end of line, some distance west of here. That train's probably carrying supplies. Setting near the mouth of the cave, the masked man and his Indian friend listened to the train and the intermittent thunder. They heard the engine labor on a long uphill climb. They heard it moving slower and slower as it approached the crest. And then it stopped. It was the threat of sudden death, not lack of power that stopped the train, a short distance below the crest of the hill. The engineer and fireman stood in the cab with their hands raised and faced two men with guns. The gunman's faces were concealed by red bandanas through which eye holes had been cut. You engineer, keep your hands high until the fireman's tied. You make a fast move, I'll blow your head off. If you spout pins are after the payroll cash, you're due for disappointment. Don't tell me it's not on this. Being on the train is one thing, but getting it off is something different. That'll hold your hands. Can I gag him, boys? That's not necessary, but try the feet. Then you stay here in the cabin, guard him while I go see if the boys need help in getting the cash. They'll need more help and you can give them. You'll find that out. A few minutes later, Pete Larson, the leader of the outlaws, entered the caboose of the supply train and found the guard tightly bound, lying on the floor beside two iron strongboxes. Three members of the gang looked at their leader helplessly and one said, Boss, cash is in these boxes, but we can't get it. Why not? They were locked in Omaha and can't be opened until they reach the paymaster at the end of track. He's the only one who has a key. A bullet should smash the locks. We tried it. When? I didn't hear a gunshot. I'm fine, twice just a few minutes ago. I reckon my gun was muffled in this car. It was a rumble of thunder as you find it. And we'll take the boxes with us and use blast and powder on them. The lone ranger and tunnel were waiting to hear the train resume its westward journey. Train whistle. It should be starting now. I wonder why the engineer is telling the whistle. Maybe him signal other railroad men. That whistle can't be heard as far as the end of track. A three time whistle sound. Yes, and three gunshots is a signal for help. Maybe three train whistle means same thing. The Montado has had all the horses and found out. Huh? Come on, son of a gun, scout! In a few minutes, the lone ranger and tunnel rode out of the cave and headed south toward the new tracks of the Union Pacific. Meanwhile, several miles beyond the tracks, Larson watched his four companions bury the strong boxes in a hole. They had made by loosening the dirt with hunting knives and scooping it out by hand. We should have shovels for this kind of work. You're doing all right. Push the rest of the dirt over the boxes. I hate to leave all the cash buried here. We leave it here until the hull of blue over the robbery dies down. Then we'll come back with blast and powder and get the cash. The lone ranger and tunnel drew rain beside the halted locomotive and climbed into the cave. The red glow from the open fire box revealed the engineer and fireman tightly bound. The engineer exclaimed, Mask! God, the same preservers! How many crooks are there? They're not crooks. Hold still while I cut the ropes. Free that man, tunnel. Tell me what happened. When we were moving slow on the upgrade, five men rode alongside. Their faces were covered and they held guns on us. I had to stop the train or we'd have both been killed. And when we stopped, two of the crooks came into this engine cabin tightest. The others went after the payroll money. It was the cash for the boys at the end of the track. Yeah, your ankles are free. Thanks. They've got to see if the guard was killed. Oh, my feet are asleep. They'll be all right in a minute. Minor asleep, too. Try stumping them. Do you know if the outlaws got the money? Yeah. We saw them riding south with the heavy strong boxes slung across the back of one of the horses. Do they have an extra horse? No. One of the crooks rode double. I waited a while and I got the whistle card in my teeth and gave the signal for help. I didn't know that it would be heard and understood, but it was all I could do. He'll better know. Uh-huh. They reckon so. Seems like pins and needles sticking in my feet, but... Thank you, Mark. And let's see about the guard. When released, the guard told about the crooks' futile effort to open the strong boxes. But beyond that, he added nothing to the Lone Rangers' knowledge of the robbery. In a short time, the supply train was once more underway. While a chugged westward toward the end of track, the Lone Ranger and Tuttle rode south. They could see the trail of the outlaws during the brief intervals when the moon appeared between the gathering storm clouds. Presently, they reached the place where the strong boxes were buried. Here they saw boot prints as well as hoof prints. Woo-hoo-hoo! Easy, Scotty. Easy, Scotty. I hope you lost this amount here, Kim and Sally. Easy city big club. I wonder why? Hope the moon stays uncovered for a few minutes. Kim and Sally, here are plenty of boot marks. Look like men's stamped feet, like coloring the engine. These men didn't stamp because their feet were numb. Thought all this ground had been recently turned over. Take away some of the dirt with your knife. Uh-huh. You think something buried here? Yes. Something is buried. My knife just struck at a couple of inches below the surface. Sounds like iron. Might be the strong boxes. In a few moments, the boxes were exposed and found to be securely locked. Help me push the dirt back, Toto. Uh-huh. We'll leave them buried until after we've talked to Sheriff Tompkins. Him, Frank? Yes. We'll offer to help him catch the train robbers by using these boxes to bait a trap. Black clouds covered the moon, and the masked man and Toto finished burying the boxes in inky darkness. Then... rain came and a crowd burst. In an instant, the lone ranger and Toto were drenched to the skin. Rain washed out tracks. The thieves were heading south. I think they went to Brentville, the only nearby town. Why do you think they went to town? They'd been going to a hideout. They'd have taken the strong boxes with them. They wouldn't dare carry them into a community where people might see so they buried them. Oh. Sheriff Tompkins lived in Brentville. That's where we're going. Easy, sir. Easy, sir. Easy, sir. Easy, sir. Come on, Toto. The sheriff lived alone in a small house near the edge of town. He was an early riser and habitually prepared and ate his breakfast before daybreak. The morning after the storm was no exception. He was frying eggs and bacon when someone wrapped on the back door. Hey, Scamene. Good morning, Sheriff. Phew. By due to problem, glad to see you. It's been a long time since we last met. I'm glad to see you, Sheriff. In your saddle shed, rubbing down our horses, we took the liberty of putting them there. You did the right thing. If as wet as you, they need a rub down, you'll find my clues in the bedroom. Help yourself. They'll be too small for you, but they'll be dry. While you're changing, I'll put more eggs and bacon on the stove. Just a minute, Sheriff. There was a train robbery last night. A supply train. Five thieves stole the payroll money for the workers at the end of track. Tell me about it while we eat. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger adventure. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Get on your way. Get on your way. Get on your way with weedies. Champions are made, not born. That's true. For any of us, practice makes perfect. And practice made pretty Betty shallow, figure skating star of the Ships, Sads, and Johnson Ice Follies. As a little girl on figure skates, Betty practiced her figure eights. She used a leap to glide to spin. And to help her on to win, she'd really spoon her weedies in. Now Betty twirls on flashing blade. Weedies helped her make the grade. Sure, Betty shallow grew up on weedies, started at the age of eight. Sure keeps a girl up on her toes. There's a whole kernel of wheat in every weedies' flake. Now watch Betty twirl away. Hey, hey, hey! She's on her way, on her way. She's on her way, on her way. She's on her way, with weedies. Cause Champions are made, not born. Yes, sir. Get on your way, get on your way. Get on your way with weedies. Breakfast of Champions. Now to continue. While the Lone Ranger and Toto joined the sheriff in a hearty breakfast, the mask man told about the robbery and the finding of the strong boxes and suggested a plan to trap the thieves. First of all, we'll need cooperation from the railroad officials to spread word that the stolen money is of a special nature. Special nature? Yes, new paper money and large denominations or new gold double eagles. That should be easy to arrange. The railroad men will do anything I ask when I tell them the cash you save. What's the rest of your plan? We'll need a few large bills or gold coins depending on what is supposedly stolen. The banker will cooperate. Then I'll try to get a job sweeping floors, washing dishes. Well, when Kim and Sabi wear disguise him look like old man. I'll establish myself as an old man who's flat broke. Then I'll suddenly flash money and gold coins or large bills. I see, you want the thieves to think you found the cash they buried, is that it? Yes. If those thieves are in town as I think, they'll surely spend time in the cafe. And hear about your sudden wealth. That's right. Then their logical move would be to go where they buried the strong boxes to see if they'd been disturbed. Right. It's a good plan, and I'm for it. Sunrise found the sheriff in the stable with the Lone Ranger and Toto. The three men were saddling their horses. Thanks, Silver, with you, Toto. My guns and clothes are in the saddlebags. Ah, you get old clothes and makeup? Yes, I'm ready to put on disguise. Sheriff, it'll likely be after dark when you return to the meeting with the railroad men. Yes, I reckon so. It's a long ride to the end of track. By then, I hope to be a swamper in the cafe. Sure, drop in to see it. That evening, Sheriff Tompkins entered the cafe and sought her to one end of the bar. Yet not the slightest suspicion that the bartender was the leader of the train robbers. He spoke cordially. Now, is everything gone, Larsing? All the same as usual, Sheriff. I see you've got a new swamper. When did he start working? The boss hired him this morning. The old galoot was willing to work for meals and a place to sleep. Was he here last night? I don't know. It was my night off. Well, I reckon I'll question him. I'm always suspicious of men who show up in town just after a robbery. Robbery? What robbery, Sheriff? The train robbery last night. The crooks stole the Union Pacific strongboxes filled with payroll money. Don't say it. What's the swamper's name? We call him Joe, but you can't accuse that old man of being a train robber. I just want to talk to him. As he approached the man with a broom, the sheriff found it hard to believe that the swamper who looked so old and feeble was actually the lone ranger. You speaking to me, mister? Yes, I want to talk to you. Did you see the railroad men? Yes, everything you said. The word's going out that the strongboxes held double eagles. And I'll need a few of them. I got some from the bank. I'm dropping them into the pocket of your coat. With the robbery, I'll be all over town by tomorrow night. And tomorrow night I'll start spending double eagles. Instead of sleeping on the bunk provided for his use in the storeroom, the lone ranger left the cafe when his work was finished. He made sure no one saw him go to the sheriff's table, where he spent the night and the following day. It was the middle of the evening when the lone ranger entered the cafe. He still posed as an old man, but his humble manner had given way to a jaunty swagger. When he stepped to the bar, Larson frowned and said, Well, it's high time you showed up. The boss is mighty sore. Well, let him get sore. And don't give me any sassy talk because I'm here as a customer. Customer? You got any money? What do you call this? Double eagles. Change it for silver dollars. I aim to try my luck in the gaming room. Where'd you get $20? I don't see it as any of your business. The lone ranger seemed to be well supplied with double eagles in a community where that particular type of gold coin was rarely seen. Presently, as he stood at one of the game tables, Larson tapped him on the shoulder. Hold your bed, Joe. Larson, you're supposed to be behind the bar. Better go back and put your apron on. Someone wants to talk to you in the back room. I'm busy. Better come with me. All right. Keep the game going, gents. It'll be right back. The door ain't going in. Where are those two men? Go on in. Hey, you need to shove me. You get more in this shove if you don't answer questions. Who's that man? We're asking the questions. You listen to me, Joe. You spent around $100 in gold in the past half hour. Where'd you get your cash? The man gave it to me. That's where I got it. Who? That reddit. I'm not answering any more questions unless I know who's asking them. If you're alone, show me a badge of credentials. Try to be smart, eh? Well, you better get this straight. Let go of the front of my shirt. You talk or we'll get rough with you. Where'd you get that gold? I told you a man gave it. Who is it? I'll talk to the sheriff. You talk to us. Let me get him, Jake. He'll talk after I break his head with a gun. Larson, you can't let him treat me like this. No. Well, guess again, Joe. You named the man who gave you the gold or we'll beat you to within an inch of your life. And I'll start with a barrel of this gun. You guess again. The lone ranger grabbed Trigg's gun with his right hand while his left jabbed Larson in the stomach. No. He wrenched free from Jake's grip on his shirt and swung the gun in a blow that sent the outlaw sprawling. He dropped low and charged against Trigg who fell back against the table. At the same instant, the lone ranger fired at the single light in the room which was hung from the ceiling in the darkness and confusion. While the three outlaws were helplessly off-balance, the lone ranger leaped through the window. Outside, he ran to the hit trail and leaped to the back of a strong horse he had brought from the sheriff's table. Get up. Come on up. He was far down the street by the time Larson, Jake and Trigg reached the front of the cafe. There he goes, heading out of town. Hold your fire, Jake. He stole our gold. You can't hit him at that distance. We were too slow getting through that window. But it made better time if we'd gone through the cafe. We then never got through the crowd. Everyone had stopped us, asked what was going on in the back room. Well, we got to get that old gal out. He found the strong boxes and busted them open. Maybe not. Maybe he told the truth. Maybe he did get that gold from someone else. Well, then someone else found the buried boxes. Jake, go to the hotel, get Blaze and Gimp while Trigg and I saddle some horses. Are we going after that umbra? First, we'll see if the strong boxes were disturbed. If there's we left them, then we needn't bother about the critter. What if the cash is gone? In that case, we'll hunt down that old geezer if it's the last thing we do. In less than a quarter of an hour, the five thieves were riding north, retracing the route they had traveled on the night of the robbery. In due time, they reached the place where the strong boxes were buried and grew rainwater. They dismounted in the small clearing surrounded by dense underbrush. Larson handed one of the men a spade. Here, Jake, start digging. Right. The ground seems undisturbed, Larson. Yeah, it looks smooth enough. I don't think anyone would bother about filling the hole after that. We'll have to fill in the hole after finding the money. Larson, the spade struck one of the boxes. Fair away, the dirt. Let's have a look at it. As far as I can see, it's just as we left it after bringing it off the train. Hey, what's wrong with that? Talking, you're all covered. Sheriff, they're behind the brush. Put your hands up over here. Let him have it. No! Sheriff, not here alone. Oh, my God. Anyone else want to bullet in the arm like Larson got? Oh, not me. My hands are up. So am I. Take your guns and cut their hands, boys. Try any tricks we're covering you. Put your hands high. Larson, they had us surrounded. We've been waiting for you, crooks. We've heard enough to convict you of robbing the Union Pacific. Larson, you want to know where? You look like Joe, but your voice is different. Did you think I was really as old as I sounded? Not when you started throwing your weight around. I was about to answer your question, Larson. You want to know who gave me the double egos? It was the Sheriff. You and the Sheriff. You and the Sheriff were in cahoots. You made us think that gold was found. With the tricks of ringers here. And he'd make that rope so tight. All right. Sheriff, I'm sorry. I lost the five gold coins. That's all right. It was expense money. And I reckon the Union Pacific will figure it was a muddy low price to pay for the capture of fine-travel robbers. Railroads muddy indebted to you, mister. The nation will someday be indebted to the railroad. Trains will do much to bring civilization to the west. He must have a silver over yonder. All right, Todd, over through here. We'll meet again, Sheriff. As you were hoped so. Thanks for everything, mister. Hey, is that ombre a railroad detective? Nope. He acted like an old man. But he isn't. And he isn't as weak and feeble as he pretended. He's strong as an ox. He's not a detective. He's not old and he's not feeble. What's more, he didn't show you his own face. You saw him. He was wind of the skies. Really? He wears a mask. He's a low ranger. Ving Doris is 13. And she is a diving queen. She can do a flip because she knows. Want go power? You'll get it from Cheerios. That's right. The delicious O-shaped cereal does good things for your body when you have it every morning in a big bowl of milk. Here's why. Every spoonful of Cheerios and milk contains vitamins, minerals and proteins your body needs. So a Cheerios breakfast helps give you healthy nerves, good red blood, strong bones and muscles. Enjoy Cheerios every breakfast. Then you'll hear. She's feeling her Cheerios. A copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated is created by George W. Trendle. Produced by Trendle Campbell Muir Incorporated. Directed by Charles D. Livingston. And edited by Fran Stryker. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer. Your announcer, Fred Foy. Lone Ranger is brought to you by General Mills every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at this same time. Be sure to listen. This recorded program has come to you from Detroit. This is ABC Radio Network.