 a fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver, a lone ranger. Raising was the first great industry in the western United States, but the ranchers faced many difficulties. Chief among these was the threat of rustling by organized bands of outlaws. They terrorized the range country and the local sheriffs were powerless against them until the mask right of the plane started his fight for justice. It was only through his strength and courage that peace and security were finally brought to the frontier. Returning with us out of those thrilling days when the west was young, come out of the past come the thundering hoops beats the great horse silver, the lone ranger rides again. In the sun and the perspiration streamed down their faces and backs, two broad-shouldered young men, huge logs they had brought from the nearby forest, into lanes which could be fitted into the half-competed cabin beside which they worked. Both appeared to be in their 20s, although there was perhaps five years difference in age between them. They looked to be brothers and were. At last, by unspoken agreement, they stopped working. The elder brother grinned and, but this here is what I call just plain hardly. Oh, Chuck's figure just soft. I reckon I am at that. How are you feeling? I've got a few aches and pains. Never figure six months in a calibou. It's selfless, so would you. Forget that. What's the matter, bud? I say something wrong. Just lay off that calibou stuff. Made nobody around to hear us and make any difference if there was. Say, what is this? You ain't ashamed to be in jail, are you? Well, ain't you? Nope. Not as long as I know I've never done what they claimed I did. Well, I can't look at it that way. Hey, now, kid, get yourself straightened out. Sakes alive. You don't figure being called rustlers makes us rustlers, do you? No. But... For the matter of it, they weren't so doggone sure of themselves. If they had been, it wouldn't have been any six months in jail for us, you can bet. It'd have been the room. I don't know. It's just the idea that... Sure, I guess that's savvy. But bud, look at it this way. They call us rustlers in jail. All right, we serve the terms. We know we ain't guilty, but just the same that's all behind us. We're here in Wyoming where nobody knows us from Adam. All right, a couple more days and we'll have the cabin finished. A couple of weeks and we'll get ourselves some cows and register us a brand. Any couple of years and we'll be a pair of ranchers with cash to rattle in our jeans. Yeah. We're starting all over again, get it? Nothing for us to be down in the mouth about. We ought to be yelled into let off steam. Sure, Fred. Things are going to be fine. Yeah, you're tooting they are. Wait, I'll tell you what? You know what's really wrong with you? Oh, what? We've been working too hard. Ain't circulated around none to get acquainted. Sure, that's what's the matter. Now, how does this sound? Finish the cabin and we go to town, eh? We bend our elbows at the care fair might and make us some friends. And we'll start getting acquainted before then, eh? Look there. Somebody coming. Ah, there he's waving. Well, dog gone. First neighbor to call on us. Hi there, friend. Howdy. Light and sad. Oh, mind if we do. Whoa, hold him up. You're just telling my brother here you're the first fellow from around here to come calling. I'd be glad to see you. Thanks. I heard a couple young fellows have bought this piece. You figured a raise cattle? Sure thing. Fine. Ready room for all of us. I didn't stop by just to pass the time of day, though. Figured maybe you and your brother might be interested in coming to the meeting tonight. Think you would? Huh? What meeting? Oh, sorry. I forgot you wouldn't have heard of it. A ranchers meeting. Right important business. Of course you ain't got no cattle yet, but you will have. That makes it all right for you to be there again. And what's up? Been in trouble. Russell isn't. Oh. Jailed their leader a week ago, but now this skunk struck back. We got to decide what to do. Struck back? Ain't anything I care to talk about much, friend, but if you don't learn it from me and you learn it from somebody else, I got my boy. I'm sorry to hear that. You mean killed him? Nope, but they will if we don't turn poke loose. Leased ways, that's what they've threatened. I reckon they meant it all right. So now you see why the meeting. There's ain't much we can say, but if there's anything we can do, you just call on us. We'll be there with bells on. Thanks, friend. Jim's just about the age of your brother there. Don't need to tell you what he means to him. But where they got him? In their hideout, wherever that is. You don't know? Just in some place in them badlands to the north, which don't help much. No, I reckon it wouldn't. That covers a heap of territory. Well, look here, you don't mean to hold out again, do you? Yeah, I mean, after all, if all you got to do to get your boy back is to let this fellow poke go, I... That's something I can't talk over with you. Now, don't get me wrong. Hate that I don't trust you. It's just that that's what the meeting is called to decide. Oh, sure. Well, that reminds me, I need to introduce myself. My hand was Tom Patrick. Got the first place below you after you get me on the path. We've seen it. I'm glad to know we have. I'm Fred Vance, and this is Bud. Did you see Vance? Sure, why? From Montana. Uh-huh, but how'd you guess? You low-down pool catcher. Hold on, mister. You're making a war talk. What in blazes got into you? You're a pair of dirty wrestlers. What the... You're in with the rest of that rotten gang. And I wish that you didn't have to stand here and lick me, and let you take me in. Why, you crazy... Bud, let me do the talking. Now then, mister, suppose you explain yourself. You mean to deny you serve time for wrestling? We serve time, yeah. We never rustle nobody's beef, though. And what I'm craving to know is how you knew about it. I'll tell you. I'm waiting. We know your gang ain't been here long. We wrote to every share if we could locate for the name of fellas that were let out of jail the past six months that have been sent there for wrestling. We got the names of a couple dozen and yours among them. Now listen, Patrick, we can explain. I can't prove you're in with the others, but... Wait! But I know you are, and that's enough. So let me warn you. Clear out. Clear out and make it proper. Or stop late. Oh, wait. Won't you listen? That's my last word. Get up, boy. Get up. Oh, fool. I wouldn't get no something like this had happened. And just when we figured we was starting again clean. So we're supposed to clear out. Looks like we'll have to. Yeah, well, the place is with them. We're honest and we're here to stay. They want us to move. They'll have to make us. The meeting of the ranchers took place at night in Tom Patrick's home. His parlor was crowded with booted and spurred men, with grim expressions told the serious nature of their purpose. Friends, we all know what we're here for. But before we get down to business, I think you'd better know about something else that's come up. What is it, Tom? Today I called on them two young fillers you've likely heard about that had been building a cabin up above me here. Is that right? I've been meaning to write up that way myself. Any of you men heard the names yet? No. Well, I can tell you, it's Vance. They're the same two brothers the Montana Sheriff wrote us about. I know, Vance. Now hold on. I give them their marching orders. In with a gang or not, we don't want fillers with their kind of record sitting in this district. I reckon and to stand the way things are, they say be that. I don't figure they'll waste much time making tracks. If they don't go... They will, peaceable or otherwise. Well, that's by the way. We can attend to them fillers any time. But our other business can't wait. Look here, Tom. Yeah. I talked quite a few of the men before I come here. I've told them what I think's the right thing to do, and they all agree. There was. To trade in Polk for Jim. If we go with the Sheriff, he can't turn us down. He'll do what we say. You're to let Polk go, knowing he's the brains of the outfit. We're not thinking of him, Tom. We're thinking of your boy's life. With Polk loose, you'll be losing cows as fast as you was before. It'll take the chance. Oh, you won't. I got my own idea how this should be handled. I don't see anything in it. It'll keep you from agreeing. What have you got in mind? Well, first, Polk stays in jail. Now wait. Then we pick a half dozen fellas from among us to go into the badlands to find a hideout of them crooks. Tom, I don't like it. I didn't figure you would. If anything should go wrong, it'll mean Jim will be killed. Then we'll see to it, nothing does go wrong. No fellas, there ain't no use arguing. I know you're trying to save me. I know you let Polk and it does not. Well, there's like him go loose for a Jim's sake if I was to ask you. Why of course not. But I ain't asking you, there won't. I've named the plan. That's the way it'll have to be. Now let's talk this over and decide who's to go. Less than an hour later that same night, the masked man who had been listening outside the Patrick ranch house expressed his opinion of Tom Patrick's plan to Tonto. Tell him Tom Patrick means well, but he's making a mistake. I doubt that he's convinced those wrestlers meted when they said his son would die if Polk wasn't released. You tell him about hideout. No, I was going to but I heard something that changed my mind. What that? Fred Vance and his brother want nothing but a chance to settle here and make an honest living. Those ranchers have discovered their identity. They determined to drive them from the district. Not bad. Under the circumstances, perhaps they're not to blame. Nevertheless, those young fellas deserve a chance to make good. I know nothing about their guilt or innocence back in Montana beyond the fact the evidence against them was slim. Not right. I do know that whatever punishment they may have deserved, they received it when they spent that time in jail. And they're not connected with the gang operating here. We both know that. I meant to tell those ranchers that we'd already located the wrestler's hideout. What we do? I'm going to keep that knowledge to ourselves for a while. Jim Patrick won't suffer by it. We may be able to help Fred and Bud Vance. Oh, do that. I'll tell you what we're riding. Cold Scout. Here's Scouts. Here's over. Where are we riding? Fred and his brother made a camp near the cabin they're building. We are calling on them tonight. Come on. Get them up, Scouts. Come on. Fred and Bud Vance unable to sleep. Sad beside the campfire they had built, staring gloomily into its plane. Fred, what are you thinking about? The same thing you are, Rick. Ranchers knowin' about us? Sure, whatever. Still figure on stayin' here and fightin' it out? Don't you want to? I sure hate to run. That's the way I figure. But just the same. I don't know what just the two of us can do again in the whole county. Blast it all, Fred. I'll bet this is the way it's always gonna be, no matter where we go. Sooner or later somebody's gonna ride by that recognizes this. Then we gotta pull stakes again. Which is just why I ain't for leavin' there. Huh? What would we gain, by the way, if it's gonna happen again any place else we go? Shelks, we gotta stand and fight for our rights sometime. What's the matter with doin' it here and now? I suppose you're right. Of course I am. We keep on buildin' the cabin. You're doggone right, but our guns handy all the time. Uh-huh. And if them ranchers want to give a try at chasin' us away, we'll show them our couple of brothers by the name of Vance can put up a scrap. Come on, cheer up, kid. At least ways it ain't likely to get dull for us around here. One way of lookin' at it. The best way, you can believe it. Hey, hear that? Horses. What in here? Get back here and the brushin' out of the light. Get your gun ready. What do you figure it is? Enemies. How do you know that? Because we ain't got no friends around here. Watch for them now. They'll show up first to top that rise. Uh-huh. Fire over their heads. Yeah. And if they don't pull up, then let them have it. 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. We'll continue our story. The Lone Ranger and Tonto unaware that Fred and Bodd had mistaken them for enemies, urged their mouths toward the gleam of the brothers' campfire. Come on, so let's go. What the? Empire. Right up there. Put down those guns. Where? Out of the center. Oh, there's so much going on. Opener, opener, opener, opener, opener, opener. They're in that brush. Ah, me see them. Is that a mask? One more from you, Chet. And we'll finish the job. Guess what? Now, put me guns. Don't pull me. You know we're not hurt. Guess what's the idea of opening fire on a ship? We know who sent you. And we ain't runnin' savvy. You thought we were sent by the Rangers? Well, you were, weren't you? No. Boddy. Who came here hoping to help you not fight you? Expect us to swallow that. It happens to be true. You can't do it. And if you get the sense to listen, we'll prove it. The masked man spoke rapidly. When he had finished, Fred stepped forward and held out his hand. Strangely, I reckon when you shot at the feller, and apologies, he don't mean much. But so be it, you're willing to take mine. You've got it. We hold no grudges. What Fred says goes for me, too. I told you what I want you to do. It's dangerous, and I can't guarantee you'll be accepted by the Rangers afterwards. Nevertheless, I think it's worth trying. What do you say? We'll do it. Right. Good. If all goes as it should, you won't regret it. It was the following night that the six men selected by the ranchers rode toward the Badlands. Tom Patrick, the father of the man they hoped to find and rescue, was their leader. And then I figured this is the best place to head in here. Give us the most cover. If they keep and watch, which they likely are, any place else, we'd likely be saddened. Shucks, Tom, you're the boss. We ain't going to question anything you decide. Good enough. Now, when we're in the bay, we're going to be in the bay. Now, when we're in the Badlands, we'll keep riding till we reach them buttes. We know there's no place for a hideout this item. It's no use our wasting time looking, but from the buttes on, we'll have to go careful and make sure we don't overlook nothing. We stay on horseback? Yeah. Then what? Do we separate or keep bunch? We ain't separating. If we could signal each other, it'd be fine. We could cover that much more territory. But any signal one of us made that the rest could see could be seen by them wrestlers just as well. Yeah, that's so. What's that up ahead? Central Rock. When we're past it, we're in the Badlands for fear. Wonder how long this going to take us? There's no saying. Maybe a day, maybe a week, maybe a month. That's why we're packing so much grub. Ain't no way of telling. I got a notion about this, fellas. Yes, Tom? I don't figure they're in the Badlands so deep. If they was, they'd waste too much time getting back and forth. My notion is, they're close to the edge, but in the spot easy to overlook. Wouldn't be surprised if you were right. That'd explain why they could make raids on a beef so often. Uh-huh. Well, this is Central Rock. Keep your horses into your left. That's all Malpite's straight ahead. Tom, maybe a week. Don't you follow that. There's that. Go rain and reach. Don't take your time about it, neither. Oh, man. Oh, oh, oh. Mask man and the Redskins. Yeah, them two vances, too. What's the meaning of this? It means you're not entering the Badlands. What? Out of the saddle, all of you. You can't get away. Come on, Tom. Nothing we can do. The skunks got us covered. You there. Talking to me? I was just getting to the point where I was more and half convinced you and your brother was on the square. And you pull a stud like this. What about it? What about it? Are these proves you're one of the gang? I think so. Well, maybe later on, Patrick, you'll find out difference. That's enough, Tom. Bud, I think you're going to be able to guard these fellows without letting them get away. Don't you worry about me, Mr. They'll still be here when you get back all right. What do you think you're going to do with this? Tom, I'm going to tell you something, although you most likely won't believe me. Yeah. We're preventing you from making the search for the hideout of the rustlers, only because you know you'd be sure to make a mistake. You have no idea where to look. You'd be discovered before you got anywhere near it. What are you getting at? Just this. Bud will keep you here so you can't meddle. Town of Fred and I will find your son and return him to you safely. You're lying. I told you you wouldn't believe me. Where should I? Well, as Fred said, you'll learn that later. You're all right, Bud. You betcha. Then we'll leave you. Town of Fred. We're ready any time you want. Ah, come on, Sylvia. Get up! Come on, there, boy! Come on, come on, come on! Two hours later, many miles inside the boundary of the Badlands, a lone ranger signaled his two companions to stop. Now what? Here's where we parked company. Yeah? As I told you, Town of and I have already located the hideout. It's not far. Jim Patrick is being held inside a cave at the rear of their camp. Town of knows how it can be reached. Ah, let me show you. You follow Town to do exactly as he directs. And you? What'll you be doing? I'm riding directly into the camp. And don't worry about me. They're not likely to fire at a masked man who's alone. And then? You release Jim while I hold their attention, and see to it you don't fail. We'll do our best. Not right. Then on your way. Get them up! Get up! Get up, there, boy! All right, silver old fellow. Now it's up to us. Come on, old fellow! Come on! In the absence of their leader Polk, the outlaw known as Dutch Nolan had assumed command of the band of rustlers who made their headquarters in the Badlands. The camp occupied a strip of rocky land open on three sides, but backed by a cliff, the face of which revealed the shadowed entrance to a cave. The rustlers a moment before relaxed and at their ease, now stood tensely alert, their hands on the butts of their guns, their eyes fixed upon the masked figure mounted upon a white horse. They slowly rode toward them. Dutch! Right here, Mr. Keep coming and careful. You don't make no moves for them guns you're wearing. You have a dozen men here, Dutch. You think I'd be fool enough to take them on single-handed? Who are you? Oh, post over. Does that matter? How'd you find us? Known about this spot for quite a while. Yeah, you come alone? Did your guard report anyone with me? No. Then it looks as though I didn't. Smooth talker, huh? What's that mask mean? You want to join up? I don't. Then what's your game? You've sent terms to the ranches. On the jail poke, you captured young Patrick. You've told them he dies unless poke is set free. That right? That's right. What is this? They send you? Perhaps. They're going to let poke go? I doubt it. Oh, they figure we didn't mean what we said, huh? Well, either they follow orders or they find out different. Dutch, let me give you some advice. Yeah? You'll never secure poke's release. If you injure Jim Patrick, you'll be hunted down. You and every man here. Sooner or later, you'll be caught. And when you are, you'll hang. Say, is that all you come here for? To try and throw a scare at us? Not quite. Now, cut out the pullover. What's the rest of it? I think you'll learn in a moment. Learned enough. Mister, you're up to something. What in thunder is it? What do you think? If you're trying to... Yeah? You and your gang have been so suspicious of me. You watched me every moment I've been here. Think we're going to let you get away with anything? I already have. What if... Look behind you. Look at that ridge back there. What the... Dutch, he picked ya. There goes Patrick. While that fellow talked to you, they got him out of the cave. There's two fellas with him. After him. Bring him down. Come on, Silver. Hurry, old fella. Hey! Dutch, you idiot. First you let Patrick get away because you're watching the mask color. Then you let the mask army go clear because you're watching Patrick. Shoot him, German! This can complete Dutch. If Polk gets loose and hears about this, I wouldn't be in your boots for all the cows in the county. On the edge of the Badlands, where Bud Vance had been left to stand guard overcome Patrick and his fellow ranchers, all was not going so well. You fellas ain't going to get away. I got my orders from the mask man and I'm obeying him. You ain't budging. No. Yeah? Hey, watch out! Don't move! You! Forgot me, didn't ya? All right, fellas. Take his gun. No use going to the Badlands now. His parts have warned the gang. But we can make this ombre pain, we will. Come on, heist him on his horse, and let's get back to town. It was dawn when Tom Patrick and his fellow ranchers entered town with their prisoner. As words spread of what had happened, an angry crowd gathered in front of the cafe where they had stopped. This con go ought to be strung up. Come on, Tom, hand him over. We'll have a necktie party. What are we waiting for? He's back! Don't nobody touch him. We've got to make him talk. He'll talk all right before we get through with him. Wait, listen, I know, rustler. I was trying to help you. Can't you believe me? You was telling us that a four. And it still sounds thin. Better forget that story. He ain't going to save you. Shut up! You don't deceive it, but I'll see to it you get a chance to save your neck if you tell us what we want to know. Honest, I just... Where's that hideout? I don't know, I tell you. I ain't a rustler. You've got to believe me. Tell us where the hideout is and we'll give you a 24-hour hit start. It's a heap more important to me to save Jim than it is to hang you. How can I tell you what I don't know? He won't talk, Tom. We're just wasting good time. Come on, let's take him out to the oak where we strung up that stage robber. Maybe he'll talk when he sees we mean business. I'll hold on a minute. You heard him. You'll get hung as sure as you was born. You still figure to stay stubborn? Won't you believe me? That's enough. All right, men. He's yours. Take the poor man. Come on, come on, come on, come on. Jim, that's my boy with him. Jim, hi, Jim. You got him. What's going on here? All right, we've found him. Well, these fellas saved my life. You should have seen them trick those coyotes back there. The masked fellow rides right into their camp while Tondo and Fred here sneaked back to the cave where I was tied and got me loose. Tom, that gang is finished. Your son is free. You still have poke and jail, and you can go after them with a free hand. Your son here can lead you. He was in their camp long enough to know all of their plans. He is prepared. Fred and Bud here that you thought rustlers risked their lives to save your sons. See to it, you don't forget that. Forget it. That's exactly what I'm thinking of. Look here, you two. Yeah? Yesterday I was all for driving you out. But now if you fellas try to leave this county, very golly, I'll drag you back. You're just the kind of hers this district needs. I've just heard as a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.