 Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous trails, fighting the many enemies of nature. This is the job of the guardian of the forest, Ranger Bill, pouring rain, freezing cold, blistering heat, snow, floods, bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions. Yes, all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done. There are many diseases that human beings can contract. Some are dangerous to others, and we call these contagious diseases. Now most diseases today can be treated and cured by the wonder-drugs of modern miracle medicine. In fact, vaccines are given now so that we need never get these dreaded diseases. There's one disease that is mental and emotional. That's pretty hard to cure, and there isn't any drug available to cure it. The cure for this disease can come only with the Lord's help and strong mental discipline. Our story today is built around this common mental condition. It's called the Cruel Man. Oh, still and take what's coming to you, you miserable, old good-naked. Now teach you to fuck me. Now break your will or you're back. Try to get away. I'll show you you ungrateful cult. I'll show you who's boss around here. Stop whimpering your ordinary cult. From now on you'll remember that I'm boss around here. The man who whipped that cult within an inch of his life is Basil Roscombe. He has an uncontrollable temper that can become an insane rage at the drop of a hat. No one on the Big Mesa likes Basil, and they have as little to do with him as possible. They call him the Cruel Man. Boy, it sure is hot up here on a Big Mesa today. But sure it is, honey. Must be in the high nineties. You better find a shady spot and rest your horses. Ha, you said it. Hop on over there by Muscrat Crack. I'm with you, boy. Lead the way. Basil, girl. It sure is funny to see you ride Tony. I've been used to seeing you ride Matilda all these years. Sure too bad she had to break her leg. Yep, it seems peculiar to you how do you think it feels for me? Tony is a good horse, but someday I'm going to get me another horse for myself. I don't blame you. Oh, say, this shade sure feels good. I think I'll just use my salad for a pillow and take a snooze. Yep, me too, young fella. And old sons are burning mighty hot right now. Oh, you said it. Basil, be quiet. Enjoy the shade. Push down the cricket you want. It'll make you feel nice and cool. Here, Tony, hush up, will you? You can go stand in the creek, too. Yes, I told you to cut the... Hey, say, she didn't winny. Ha, ha, look at her. Staten air in the creek and eating grass from the bank. Huh? Tony's doing the same thing. Hey, that winny isn't coming from our horses, Stumpy. It sure isn't. We better find the horse. It's calling for help. Yep, and it's a young horse, too. Let's find it, Sonny, before we're too late. I'm gonna hurt you. Nobody else is, neither. I'm sorry. Nobody's gonna hurt you. I'm just taking it easy. Boy, somebody sure worked this yearling over real good. Boy, what kind of a guy... Careful now, Sonny. Harsh words ain't gonna help this cold nun. I guess you're right. I guess we'd better start passing him up. I'm gonna get him out of this boiling hot sun and over by the creek. Oh, how? He's in bad shape. I'll cut a couple of big pine boughs, make a skid, pull him over to the creek with our horses. Yeah, that should work. He's not full grown. I'll get my axe and cut some big pine branches. Good boy. I'll saddle our bass and Tony and get him over here. Right. There's one thing more, Sonny. Oh, did I forget something? Nope. Just keep your eyes open. The man that did this is liable to return to finish the job. Oh. Yep. If a man hates an animal enough to beat him this bad, he'll come back to finish the job. When he does, we'll be waiting for him. How much more germ killer we got left in that bottle, Henry? Not much. Maybe enough for one more bass and a fresh water. Yeah, let me see. I guess that'll do it if we may get stretched a little. You want me to ride to the nearest ranch and get some more antiseptic? Nope. You stay with the cold and I'll go. Well, okay. If you say so. Say, I don't like the tone of your voice. You've got something on your mind. The nearest ranch is basil rascals. Sure, I know that. Say, you don't think he beat this cult so badly, do you? Yep. I do think so. Look at the brand on his portrait-er. What the box be? That's basil's brand. It ain't George Washington, sonny. Here, that'll hold his youngster for a while. Now you make sure he don't try to get up when I'm gone. Okay, I'll watch him close. You keep one eye on the cold and the other eye on the range. Just in case basil shows up when I'm gone. You just stay right where you are. Listen, youngster, you don't tell me what to do. You're on my range and that's my cult. And you're the one that almost beat it to death, too. What business is any yours? It's my animal. My orders are to keep you away from that cult and that's just what I'm going to do. Who else is with you? There's only one more, boss. There's another horse tracks here. It's going away from here. Looks like it's heading for your ranch house. Probably going to get help for that stupid cult. Okay, Henry, get away from the vermin. I'm taking what's mine. That's what you think. You move toward this horse and you get a broken leg. Russian, boys. That's my cult and I aim to get him right now. Yeah, you tell him, boss. We're with you. Let's take the cult and beat it. Come on. You better think it over, boys. The old timer's a dead shot. We're not about to let you have the cult. Here I'll be sure you don't reach for your rifle. You need to get it to your thick hair that you're not going to get the cult. That's what you think, you old fossil. Maybe I won't get it now, but you won't get it off my range. The cult now gets you for this. You're on my range and you're stealing my horse. You see, it is how these men ain't going to behave. We'll tie him to that tree over there until we can get away with the cult. We're all set, Stumpy. This pine branch skid ought to last a hundred miles. Good boy. Now, Basil, if you boys work at these knots, you'll be able to get them loose, saying about an hour and a half. You'll be sorry for this, Stumpy Jenkins. You're the most sorryest man that ever walked. You quit hollering. You're going to roll you out in the sun like you did to that poor horse. I ain't got much use for a man like you, Basil. So don't push me around with your mouth. I'll just as soon give you a whipping right here and now. But it wouldn't be the Christian thing to do. I could take you to town and push you in the cooler. But you'd only be the worst when you got out. Go on, home old man. Stop nagging me with your sermons. You've got a terrible disease, Mr. A terrible disease. Someday that temper of yours is going to get you into some real trouble. Well, that's my worry, not yours. I'm still going to get my horse back. I hope Basil and his two cowboys are loose by now, old timer. I didn't want them to get loose. I had to tie it a different knot so they couldn't get out on New Year's Day. I know what you mean. Tying them up was better than risking a shooting scrape, wasn't it, Bill? Well, now, Basil's the kind of man that'll nurse a grudge a long time and feed it with his fiery range. We haven't heard the last of him. You ain't telling me a thing, sonny. In my eyes, if he's almost burned holes in his head there's a field with hate and anger and revenge. He's got a nasty disease, that man. That's the second time you called Basil's temper a disease, dumpy. How do you figure that? Well, you're better with the long-handled words than I am. Well, pal, a person with a fiery temper does have a disease of the emotions and mind. But it's not only a disease. When a man loses his temper over nothing more than selfishness, it's sin, and it's wrong. Once his temper gets beyond the point where he can control it, it goes wild, and usually the person involved loses all self-control and either remembers what he did or said during the spell. Kind of like a drunk man, eh? It's a good simile. How can he stop being like that? Well, first of all, the Lord certainly can help him. Of course, if he's not a Christian then he could do well to accept the Lord's Savior thereby taking the first step to overcoming this sinful life. Then with the Lord's help he can refuse to let himself become excited. Things he knows will make him angry, he should avoid. It takes a great deal of mental and self-discipline, Henry, and it's always wise to seek medical help from a doctor who could give some valuable help. It certainly is, Bill. Where'd you come from? You must have hiled the hinges on the door, eh? Either there, or you're paid for your shoes and they don't squeak any more. Oh, poor flat-feet are killing me, Stumpy. And what I'm about to do to you is killing me too. What do you mean? What you're about to do to me? I have in me pocket a warrant for your arrest for hearth-stealing and trespassing on private property. What? Here it is, signed by Basil Raskum. I thought so. Well, come on, old-timer. We'll get down to see the sheriff and post bail. I've had to serve a lot of warrants in my day. However, this is one of the few times I'd just as soon serve it on myself. The first case is Basil Raskum versus Stumpy Jenkins. Stumpy Jenkins, you are accused of hearth-stealing and trespassing on private property. How do you plead? Guilty or not guilty? Not guilty, Your Honor. That's a bold-faced life. I've ever had one. Bailiff! Bailiff, clear the courtroom at once if another outburst like this occurs. Basil, if you don't control yourself in this court of law, I'll cite you for contempt. Do you understand? Yeah, Your Honor. Stumpy Jenkins, take the stand. Yes, sir. You solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so up your guard. I affirm to tell the truth as a Christian. Very well. Mr. Jenkins, you are charged with hearth-stealing. Is that true? Yep. In a way, I suppose it is, since it didn't pay for the coat and he's wearing Basil's brand. Then why do you plead not guilty to the charge? Your Honor, I was helping a yearling horse that was beaten near to death with a whip and the person that beat him came back to finish him off. We had to stand him off at Waffle Point or he'd have killed a poor animal for sure. Then I brought the wounded horse back here to town for safe keeping in the ranger's tables. That's very interesting, but we must remember one thing. We are here to determine whether or not you are guilty of hearth-stealing, not the fact that a person or persons beat the horse and treated it cruelly. I understand that, John. What I'm saying is that there are special circumstances that force me to steal the coat. If you want to put it that way, I'd say I took the coat into protective custody, which would be a true picture. Have you claimed this horse as your own? No, sir. Would you return the horse to its owner after it's recovered? No, sir. Not unless I could be sure that anything wouldn't happen all over again. I see. If why didn't you arrest the person responsible for beating the coat and treating it so cruelly? I was more concerned about the animal, Your Honor. You see, it had been left out in the boiling hot sun. Is that so? Yes, sir. I'd like to invite the judge to see the horse at the ranger's tables. Thank you. I'll accept that invitation. The court is recessed. Very good. Easy, boy. Easy now. We're not going to hurt you. Take a look, Judge. Great Scott, you weren't joking when you said this coat had been severely beaten. It ain't very pretty, is it, Your Honor? The poor animal must be in considerable pain. Ain't no. I gave him a sedative. That's why his reactions aren't too sharp. Will he recover? Yes, sir. Fortunately, no bones are broken and no tendons or muscles cut beyond repair in a vital spot. The man that did this must be powerful. Yep. Powerful and very cruel, Your Honor. Basil Raskham, I'm throwing this case out of court. Stumpy Jenkins acted perfectly within his right as a federal officer and as a human being. That, sir, is more than I can say for you. Although you are not on trial, I strongly suggest that you seek medical and spiritual help to control your temper and your meanness before you do come to trial in this court for a charge far more serious. He's healing pretty quickly, don't you think, Stumpy? Yep, sure is. Must have been in a pinker condition. He's sure more relaxed since we've had him. Yeah, wouldn't you be if you figured now you're getting love and kind treatment instead of being whipped? Yeah, you said it. Good morning, gentlemen. Good morning, Judge. What brings you around so bright and early? There's been several days now since I've seen the horse. I'm interested to see how he's recovering. Well, come on in. Take a look for yourself. He's healing fine. You men certainly know your stuff, but his dressings are expertly done. Ranger asked to know how to take care of his horse, sir. His life can depend on it. All range be rangers. Stumpy, there's one thing that bothers me. What's that, Your Honor? Why don't you arrest Basil Raskham for cruelty to animals? Well, sir, it's his way. If I pinched him, that'll only make his cruelty to this horse in particular justifiable in his own mind. He might just take out his feelings on another poor animal. What you say is quite true. The way I look at it, Judge, is that it's my duty as an officer and as a Christian to try to teach the man the error of his ways without using the strong arm of the law, if I possibly can. That's why I tied him to a tree the other day. Yes, I heard about that. No doubt you did. I was determined that he wouldn't get the cold. I was also determined to keep him from doing anything foolish while he was in one of his rage and fits. You see, if he'd have come after us and started shooting, I would have had to fire at him because I not only had the wounded cold, but I had Henry with me. You're a wise man, Stumpy, but good officer. Well, you can see trouble before it starts and you'll prevent it's happening. Well, Judge, I don't hate the man for what he's done to this cold. I feel sorry for him and pity him because he's got a weakness that leads him into wrongdoing. Yes, I agree with you. I wish I knew some way to cure him of these raging fits before he makes a fatal mistake. So do I. A man as cruel and hot-tempered as he is hate himself as well as everything and everybody around him. Yes, that's what worries me. You haven't heard the last of this yet by any means. Bill, have you seen Stumpy? No, have you, Henry? No, and his horse is gone. Tony, I mean. Huh? It is. Well, where'd he go? They wouldn't tell us. I have a good idea. He wouldn't go out to Basil's ranch alone. I'm not so sure about that. I know he's packing a roll of bills. You mean he's going to try and buy the cold? Sure. He's taken a real liking to the youngster and vice versa. I'll saddle Storm and we'll ride like the wind. Instead of a bill of sale, the old timer's lively to get a ticket for a ride to the hospital. We'll cut through the dry gulch, which leads us close to Basil's ranch house. Right. You go ahead. The best can't keep up with Storm for long. I was thinking the same thing, especially in this heat. I'm going on ahead. Hey, watch yourself. I will. Come on, Storm boy. Let's travel. I don't like to run you in this heat. This is an emergency. Give it all you got, Storm. In position, Basil. There ain't no fair proposition. You can make stumpy Jenkins. Now get off my land before I stick my boys on you. Don't be a fool, Basil. Unless I miss my gas, that cloud of dust moving this way like a bowl of lightning is built. And there's more right behind him. Don't start nothing foolish. Yeah. Well, you get out of here. We ain't got nothing to talk about. Okay. If that's the way you want it. But it might not be in such a generous... You all right, old timer? I'm just trying to talk Basil into selling his coal to me for a fair price. I'm telling you, for the last time I'm not selling, and that's final. I heard you the first time. Pleased to pass up this offer. I want the coal back, and I'm gonna get him. Basil, I've kept out of this so far. But now I'm budding into it. Take none of your affair, so shut up. You're going to make one too many threats one of these days, and you'll be in trouble. Real trouble like you've never had before. Now, you know that I don't like being pushed around, so don't try and push me too far. If I were you, Mr. I'd go and see a doctor and a minister and try to get that insane temper of yours under control. I don't need no doctor, and I sure don't need a minister. Let me say something else. The lords helped men with worse afflictions in your temper, and he's cured them of it. There's not one thing that's impossible with the lords. That's all. That's right. You'd better get your Bible and start reading it, tough guy. It's getting so that very few people around here have any use for you. I heard about the tantrum you threw in the general store last week. I've also heard about you abusing your men as well as your animals. Yeah, that's my business. Not when you become a menace to everything that walks and breathes. Let me set you straight. I'm one person you don't scare. Not a little bit. It's a good thing the old timers are Christian or you'd be in jail right now. In fact, the judge is as stumpy why he doesn't arrest you. What am I supposed to do? Basil, I feel sorry for you because you can help yourself and you refuse to do it. You'll give God and a doctor a chance to help you and you'll become a human being. Until such time, you'll not get the cold back. We'll keep him in protective custody because he's a symbol of your first serious defeat. You'll probably kill him if you get close enough. We'll just see that you don't. We tried being nice to you and shown you Christian love but you played a strong hand against us. Just keep on and you'll find out how strong the law plays is stronger than yours. Yep, it sure is. Use your head, Sonny, and do the right thing. Get right with the Lord and then see a doctor. And if you want some help getting right with the Lord, you know where to find us. Well, good day, sir. Let's go, Bill. Do you think Basil will behave himself now? Nope. Don't say that. I can rightly say that, Henry. This kind of man is too often don't give in until he's too late, which I hope doesn't happen in this case. I don't want it to happen, either. That's right, fellas. I've been thinking about Basil. How to approach him about accepting the Lord. That's a tough one. I'll say. He's always on the muscle. Well, let's forget about him for the time being locked up in head performance, getting nigh into my bedtime. Ah, mine too. Then I'll start locking up. About walking home, huh? Such a nice evening. Sounds fine with me. Me too. I'll go check on the cold and make sure he's all tucked in for the night. And I'll lock the stable doors just in case. Crap, such old wallets. They're all butting it for you. You making that cold, Basil? Keep an eye on him, Al. Well, I get the cold and we'll get out of here. Sherlock, don't try nothing foolish, old timer. I don't want to have to hit an old man like you. I'll show you how old I am if I get half a chance. Man's a good fit there. He wants to see the bill of sale again. Maybe he can. He's sure looking at it all right. Can he talk to old timer to thank you for buying him from Basil? Nope. He can't talk yet. Not with words, that is. But he sure can with actions. He sure can talk with actions, all right, old friend. He's showing his appreciation for the love and good care you're giving him. I'm sure glad Basil came and offered to sell him to you. I wonder what made him change his mind. I wonder too. Maybe he's decided that being a cruel man ain't such a good idea after all. Well, see you next week for more adventure with...