 A force with a speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hardy high old silver, the lone rangers. At the time of the Indian uprisings, shortly after the Civil War, government troops were sent to the western United States. But the commanding officers were untrained in the methods of Indians and hold attachments might have been wiped out if it had not been for the masked rider of the planes. It was his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness and above all his knowledge of the country that made it possible for the army to restore peace to the frontier. Return with us now to those thrilling days when the west was young. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver. The lone ranger rides again. Come on, Silver! To long this matter on the war path, we've got to hurry! A war party of Indians, their bodies glistening with oil, war paint streaking their chests and faces, dense at the edge of a clearing that surrounded a sturdy blockhouse. They were careful not to get too close to the rifle that gleamed from narrow slits and the peel logs. Occasionally one brave would yell, rush forward and let fly an arrow, then dart back to shelter. Inside the blockhouse, Captain Kilburn turned to his second in command, Lieutenant Barlow, and... Tavanna's working his braves up to a pitch, Barlow. Yes, sir. I don't like it. Those arrows are getting to be a nuisance. I... look out, Barlow! Thanks, Captain Kilburn. If you hadn't pulled me away... Can't have an arrow take a man, Barlow. We need everyone. Stay away from those culuses. We could get them if they come up to loose their arrows, sir. No, this is an army post. We have orders not to fight the Indians. They're asking for it. We won't fight unless we have to. If that money arrives, we'll be able to pay to on this tribe. It's overdue already. I can't understand it. Clayton should have arrived two days ago. The money's in payment for the land the Indians sold to the government. That's right. We hope to avoid bloodshed that way. It's cheaper sometimes to pay for it than to fight for it. Tawanda was agreeable, but he isn't now. He thinks the government doesn't mean to keep its word. Another brave coming up. I see you, you stout and red-skinned! Here's this for you! Run back! Hey! You knocked my gun down! The garrison was told not to fire. I missed him anyway. It's ticklish enough as it is. One more incident like that, and you go under guard. Sir! And address me as Captain. Understand? No, hold on there. I ain't no soldier. That's apparent. A soldier has more regard for the safety of all. My business is trading. I ain't getting out. Go ahead. If you want your scout to dangle from some brave's belt, that's your business. But what you do inside this blockhouse is my business. Captain! What is it, Barlow? That shot must have done it, Captain. You're attacking? Coming up now. You did this run back. We'll tend to you later. Barlow. Yes, sir? Come along down below. You men all primed and loaded? Yes, Captain. We'll give them what's worth. You're going to fire until you hear the cannon go off. That's the signal. Remember, no firing until the cannon goes off. This way, Barlow. Is the cannon outside, Captain? Yes. Facing the gates to the stockade. Here we are. I'll handle this myself. Give me that fuse. Barlow, get those gates open. Yes, sir. Fire to there, Brady! Captain! Unfold the gate! That's it! Swing them open! Open the gate! Hurry! Look at them come. They'll see the open gates any moment. I hate to use shrapnel, but the sooner we get them, the better. Shrapnel? They'll bunch up for the gate. But shrapnel certainly will rip them pieces. Look, lad, I hate this as much as you do. But I know Indians. Unless they're beaten back strongly and at once, why, they'll just make it that much harder. This way, a few Indians get killed and it's all over. Otherwise, our men get killed one by one. The Indians get killed the same way. This is better. Much better for all. They see the gates. Not yet. They're coming as hard as they can run. Yes, I'll let them get close. Very close. Captain, they stopped. So they have. I don't understand it. They're looking off toward the woods, sir. This doesn't make sense. Oh, Silver! Captain, look! It's a man on a horse. Look at that horse! Hey, that there's the lone ranger. The lone ranger. That's right, Captain. Grunbeck is right. And look, the Indians are drawing back. Right, Barlow. Man those gates. Yes, sir. As soon as he's inside, swing them chef. Can't take any chances with those Indians. Swing those gates when they give the command! Come on, Silver! Wonder what intonation the lone ranger's doing here. I don't know Grunbeck, but he's surprised to wander's braves out of attacking. For that, I'm thankful. Close the gates! Oh, Silver! Oh, boy! Silly, Silver. Captain Kilburn? Yes. You're the lone ranger. Glad I got here in time, Captain. Come on, those braves were starting an attack. They won't attack. Not for a while. Yeah? They can't tell about savages. Who are you? Me? My name's Grunbeck, mister. I'm a trader. And I know engines. We've got to be ready. Ah, Indians don't usually attack when there's another method open. I think you can parley with them, Captain Kilburn. I hope so. One moment. How did you know my name? Oh, my Indian companion. And I found a man on the trail, Captain. A man named Clayton. Clayton. He was supposed to bring the treaty money. He was dead, Captain. I see. I was afraid of that. He carried this army order. It rest to you. It referred to money. Poor Clayton. The money was gone, huh? All of it. We rode here as fast as we could. It was apparent there'd be trouble brewing. I told you. I told you that means it was boiling. They're going to grab us all. They're going to kill us. Quiet. We'll be dead. We'll be dead. I said quiet. I don't think they'll attack, but don't try to scare the whole garrison. Captain. Captain Kilburn. What is it, Barlow? Indians, Captain. Chief Tawanda's coming toward the fort. He's making the sign of peace. Maybe we can talk our way out of this. White man, hear voice of my tribe. I am their chief. I tell them make war. They make war. I told you, Kilburn. Run back another word out of you and this fort won't be responsible. We'll toss you outside. Discrete for yourself. Where is money? Great White Father promised. You saw me right up, Tawanda? You come on horse that ride like wind. Tawanda, he think maybe so you bring money. That's why I stopped Braves. Where money? Tawanda, the great White Father is... Captain. Yes? You mind if I talk to Tawanda? I wish you would. Any man in the west will listen to the Lone Ranger. That's more than I can say for myself. Thanks. Chief Tawanda. Chief Tawanda, listen to Lone Ranger. Tawanda, that money was on its way here. A messenger named Clayton was bringing it. You've seen the dispatch he carried. Chief Tawanda, not read White Man's writing. Clayton was dry gauze, Tawanda. That money was stolen. Maybe so. Are you willing to plunge your whole tribe into a border war? No one has tried to cheat you. Think, Tawanda. You want your scores to raise the death chant in your village? That's true. Always death chant, follow chant of war. For Tawanda's tribe, what money it is. One more week, Tawanda. Give us a week and we'll get it here. You listen. You fake braves wait week too long. Four days. A courier might make it east and back in four days. No. Four days. Too long. Then we power out no more. I go now. Soon we come. We fight. We'll have safe conduct from the fourth. And when you return, you'll get a much warmer reception. I'm sorry. One moment. Tawanda, will you hold off your braves for two days? Two days. You get the money before the third setup. Will you go back to your teepees? You're crazy, man. There isn't a horse that could make that trip in two days. I'm not so sure. Even your horse, it's too much. Captain, I don't know whether Silver can make it. But he can if any horse can. At least we can try. Well, Tawanda? Marshman, you bring money before third setup for Tawanda's sound war cry. There, Tawanda will wait. The hood of the owl. That's the signal. I better answer back. This way. Tarn nation, you give me a scare. White man walk like local buffalo. I didn't hear a sound. Tawanda, you cover ground like fog grown. Not even a twig snap. Quick, come back. My braves, they miss me soon. You make talk now. Sure, Tawanda. Sure. You got the money you took off that courier? Here, money. Sure is one hefty load. Tawanda, no want money. Yeah. I can't save you, Tawanda. You owe me fix it so you can drag out that courier and get the money. But you don't want none of it for yourself. Tawanda, want no money. Sure, sure. All you want is to drive them soldiers out of your range, huh? Tawanda, want this land for red man. If soldiers go, no white man dare come again. Well, like I keep telling you, you can't stop them, Tawanda. It's like the waves of the sea. They're coming west and you can't stop them. Tawanda, not like that talk. Yeah, don't know what fur I'm sticking my neck out. You don't listen anyway. But say, if you feel that way about white men, how come you're using me to help you? Some time, Wolf. Make friend with coyote. That's rich. So I'm the coyote, huh? Kind of scavenger, huh? Well, you can call me anything you've a mind to. So long as I get this. Grandbac. Yeah? This lowl ranger. You think he returned before a third son up? That reminds me. What fur did you agree to wait, Tawanda? Because lowl ranger would be here. That's not good. My braves know of him. You mean they'd be scared to attack a fort while the lowl ranger was inside? They would attack, but still afraid. So you want them out of the way? Even coyote has nibble brain. Yeah. Yeah, maybe you're right. Besides, we get some more money, huh? Tawanda, ask you question. Can the ranger get back here in two days? Well, chief, I don't know. Don't seem possible, not even when he's riding that horse silver. But he's got to come back along the trail. I calculate if Clayton was dragged out, the same thing might happen to the lowl ranger. You speak wise words. My tribe, wait. I'll see he don't get back in time, Tawanda. You can pin your eagle feather on that. Good. You come now. You and Tawanda talk more. Come this way. Lowl ranger must not return. That's bad. Me go to Fort Pronto, 10 loan ranger. That's bad. I hope you know what you're doing, Mask Man. You have the dispatch and the carry, Captain. Right here. It's addressed to Major Decker. Good. I hope he's able to get the money together. The less delay there is at the other end, the better. It's a tough trip. Think you can make it in time? I'll answer you better when I get back. If you're late, this fort will be a smoking ruin. You can count on silver, Captain. That's Mask Man. Sure you don't want an escort? That makes silver slow down? No, Captain. Now if you want me back on time. Yes, yes. I'd forgotten that. Going alone is our only chance. Here, Silver. Steady, boy. Well, good luck. You can open the gates, Captain. We're ready. Open those gates. Silver, it's up to you. Those long lengths of years will have to cover plenty of ground. That's the spirit, Silver. Goodbye, Captain. Go on, Silver, boy. Close the gates. Where have you been? Who's that with you? We're alone, Ranger. Your Tata was Indian friend. He mentioned you'd be living later. Not right. When we find that man, Ranger Him-Right had to warn Fort. He said you were to wait for him here. No wait. Me here. Bad news. Me find Ranger. You won't find him now. He's gone. You couldn't catch him with a bullet. 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. Now to continue our story. As the Lone Ranger went away into the darkness, Tonto told Captain Kilburn of the plot he'd overheard. Well, I'll be hanged. So Tawanda means to make war, huh? He's going to have the Lone Ranger ambushed. Him and White Trader. Grunback. That mealy mouse scavenger. So he's the one who's responsible for Clayton's death. And I let that jackal stay in the stockade. Let him eat meals off army food under the flag of the country. Talk doesn't do any good. What do we do? Do you know where this ambush is scheduled to take place, Tonto? I may not hear that. We come fast. If you'd got here before the Lone Ranger left, we might have figured out something. As it is, there's more than a hundred miles of country. The Lone Ranger might be ambushed anywhere. If the Captain will put me in charge of a detail, we're going to take the Lone Ranger. Oh, we go on trail? We can cover some part of the trail anyway. Perhaps we could uncover that ambush before the Lone Ranger runs into it on his way back. That's a fine idea, Barlow. Except for one thing. You won't have to look over this stockade to know what's on the other side. Tawanda's campfires ring the fort in a complete circle. He let the Lone Ranger get out to make it appear he was agreeing with his bargain. That's right. But he's letting no one else out. No, we can't do a thing. It's all up to the Lone Ranger. That's it, Silver. Eat up these long miles. It's up to you, old fellow. Look ahead, Silver. Water. That's what we need. Water. Go ahead. Right into it. That is good, doesn't it, boy? Not too much. There's a long way to go. Well done. Good boy. Let's get going again. That boy hit the trail, Silver. We're heading to Fort Monroe and Major Decker. Hello, Silver! Looks like that fella's coming this way. Major Decker! Hey, he's calling Major Decker. Hanlon, what's all the fuss? What's going on? I'm making the Major's pardon, sir. That fella out there, heading across the prairie. Oh, fine horse. Fine. Look at him travel. Well, I did clear. He's calling me. Major's right. Should I hold again on him, sir? No need of that, Hanlon. Just stand by. Yes, sir. Good fellow, Silver. You? Me to me, Smith, sir. Feed me water this horse. Cool him off. Where's Major Decker? I'm Major Decker. Who are you? You're Mass. I am. I'm a dispatch from Captain Kilburn. Should I care for the horse, Major? Yes, yes. Go ahead, Hanlon. Now, sir, will you explain why Captain Kilburn would trust a masked man to bring a dispatch? You'll read this. It'll give you the answer. According to this, you've ridden a hundred and twenty miles since... Perhaps more. A lone ranger, huh? Well, I didn't realize. Glad to know you. It's a much... If the Major will finish the dispatch... Huh? Oh, oh, yes. Request, Major, to gather money. Well, I'd like to start back as soon as possible, Major. Yes, yes, of course. Of course Kilburn must have the money for Tawanda. I'll get it for you at once and... Hold on. You mean to say you were going back? Silver and I, yes. What? Why, you just came in? I'll send someone else. Freshman, fresh horse. Major, do you think any other horse but Silver could possibly get back to the Fort in time to prevent the Indian attack? Oh, now you're right. No other horse could. Then suppose you get that money, Major. Soon as Silver's rested, we're going back. They must be already worried at the Fort. One more day. Less than twenty-four hours until Tawanda attacks. Who is it? Lieutenant Barlow, sir. Hello. Come in. Captain, I... Close the door first. The men are nervous enough already. I can see by your face it's bad news. Bad news, Captain? Well, I don't know. It might be for that Indian friend of the Lone Rangers. As far as the Fort's concerned, it's just one less defender in case of attack. What? You're talking about Tato? He's gone, Captain. Gone? You're sure? He left as soon as it got dark. One of the sentries saw him scale the wall. Did Tawanda's braves... Not, Captain. The shadows were getting longer. He slipped into the woods. That's the last that was seen of him. Going to help the Lone Ranger? Yes, sir. Well, he's a good man. I hope he gets through. If he can only locate the Lone Ranger before he reaches the ambush. Yes, sir. But there's too many ifs, Captain. Too many ifs all together. What's that noise, Selby? You want to warn the Lone Ranger? He ain't nowhere as insightful as that. Let's talk and more watching, Selby. He's going to come this way? No other way for him to go, unless he jumps the ravine. Yeah. If he could do that, it would cut off maybe five miles on the way to the fort. Well, forget it. Nobody ain't jumped the cliff and nobody's going to. Besides, the Lone Ranger ain't got no idea what planet had dried us from. You'll ride that horse right plum in front of us. Make your shots count. We can't miss. Tawanda figured the Lone Ranger wouldn't be getting back in time, but I wasn't taking no chances. What about that money of the Lone Ranger's carry? You'll get your share, Selby. All we got to do is sit right here and wait for the Lone Ranger to come along. You'll pay us that money. He won't even know it. He'll be dead. Run back. Look there, up ahead. I can't see nothing. It ain't light yet by a couple of hours. Way up ahead there. It's getting like just enough in the east to make out something coming over the ridge. You see it? Outline against the sky. I don't. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Looks like a horse and rider. You think it's him? Who else? Selby, who else? Just sit back and aim your rifle. The bank's going to open mighty soon. Come on, Silver. We're going to make it, Silver. That light behind us is the sun. It's coming fast, but we'll beat it to the port. Keep those legs pounding. Silver, what was that? That sounds like him, Silver. Selby, you. I'm glad to see you. I left you at the port. What are you doing here? You're right for ambush. An ambush? Who would? Run back. Him and Towanda. Lay back. I see. Run back and Towanda. You came out here to warn me. Not right. Me sneak out at night, go around ambush. Up ahead? There. Tell a good friend, if you hadn't come out to warn me, I'd have ridden straight for it. But now... I see you. A shot. Still too dark for accurate firing, but... You ain't getting through here, Mass Man. How's this? Towanda, can we go back the way you got here? No good. It must not be too far. All the way around, eh? And there's only one thing to do. We can't afford a delay. Towanda, we've got to rush them. Me ready. Right now, while the light is still too poor for them to get an accurate shot. Ready? We go. Come on, Silver. Get on, scoundrel. Come on. Shoot. Shoot. They're charging. Fire, Towanda. Shoot. We've got to get them. Stop your guns. Wake you up. Where's your under? This is the way you ambush Clayton, isn't it? It was Towanda done, Clayton. And not me. They're both guilty. Where are your horses? And they see them that way. What are you going to do? We're taking you back to the fort. When the Indians learn exactly how they've been fooled by their chief, they'll deal with Towanda. And the army will deal with you. Got us over a barrel, ain't ya? All right, but it took you plenty long to get us. Well? It's a full five mile from here to the fort. By the time you get there, Towanda will have started the fight already. You can't save the fort now. That's true. Sure is true, engine. Back there in the east, the sun's coming up almost any minute. You got us, but you ain't saving them soldiers. You may be wrong, Runback. Towanda. Keep these men with you. Take them to the fort as fast as you can. Guard them every minute. What good is that going to do ya? You can't get there. I'm not going with you, Towanda. There's only one possible way to reach the fort on time. If I jump the ravine, I can save three miles at least. Huh? No. You'll not try it. Jump the ravine. Mass man, you're crazy. You can save that left, Runback. You may need it. But you can't. No one ever jumped that ravine before. You're plumb loco. Remember, Towanda. Silver, him tired. Maybe Skulk... Skulk could never make the leap, Towanda. I'm not sure Silver can, but we're going to try. I can jump it right here. It doesn't narrow as spot as any. Silver will need plenty of space to get a run. You miss other side. You die. No, he won't fail, Kimus Abbey. Come, Silver. Back as far as we can get. Looks like the end of the Lone Ranger. End I. You die, too. All right, Silver, old fellow. Over the ravine. Here he comes. Help, Silver! Well, I'll be... be made it. There's the sun, Captain. It looks like the Lone Ranger failed. Towanda's braves are getting ready. We haven't a chance. The whole garrison. You know Indians, Barlow. They'll wipe us out to the last man. We'll take a few with us, Captain. I hope we take Towanda. He's the bloodthirsty one. One man. One man who has power and misuses it. And his whole tribe suffers. They don't want to fight. They don't want to do that. They're starting. Leave the gates open. We'll give them a charge of shrapnel as soon as they get... Hey! Stop! Come on, Silver! Captain, it... it can't be! Don't fight! It is. It's the Lone Ranger. Come on, Lieutenant. The garrison's saved. Come on! Steady, Silver. Captain Kilburn. Ranger, have you brought the money? Here it is in my saddlebags. Where's Towanda? Towanda here. You didn't expect to get this money, did you? Braves, hear me. You know me. I want to tell you your leader, Towanda, is a traitor. Easy mess, man. That's hard for them to swallow. And that's so hard, Lieutenant. There must be many who've guessed the truth already. Only they haven't dared to speak. Towanda, you and Grunbach ambushed Clayton. You took the money. What man with mass speak truth? Towanda ambushed Soldier Clayton, but Towanda not want money. Braves, listen to me. Towanda, your chief speaks the truth now. But only because he knows that if the Lone Ranger lives, then Grunbach must be captured. Grunbach is captured. He's being brought here now. Your chief has betrayed your tribe. Protect me, help me! Look to us for help, Towanda. You brought this on yourself. No, no! Do not kill your chief! They're sure taking him in hand. You think they'll kill him, Captain? No, Barlow, but they will banish him. From now on, we'll have no trouble from that tribe. Yes, the Lone Ranger Indian part is bringing Grunbach in, Captain. Well, let's ask the Ranger. Well, didn't you notice, Captain? He left while you were looking at Towanda. He's going to help the Indian. And look at that horse. He's still going strong. I've just heard the copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger incorporated.