 Very Horth for the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hockey-high old silver! The Lone Ranger! Before this exciting adventure, a word from our sponsor, General Mills, makers of Cheerios, the ready-to-eat old cereal that gives you go-power, and Wheaties, the breakfast of champions, present by special recording, The Lone Ranger! Hello, friends. This is the Lone Ranger. I'd like you to listen to something. You know, that's right. People in various parts of the country have different accents, perhaps a dress a little differently, but the ones with plenty of drive, the go-getters, have one thing in common. They're careful about their diet. They see to it that they eat a good, honest breakfast every day, and a breakfast built around wheat couldn't be better for you. Wheat is real man food, so bear in mind. With his faithful Indian companion cuddle, the daring and resourceful masquerader 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 Fort Silver! The Lone Ranger rides again! The commanding officer at Fort Stockton walked the floor in his headquarters office as he talked to his aide Captain Elmore. Captain Elmore? The situation is grave. Very grave indeed. The massacre of our detachment of the Coupes is the last straw. Colonel Lyford, what more can we do? Even the couriers we've sent asking for reinforcements have been intercepted, and the Pony Express can't get through. That's just it, Captain. We couldn't hold this fort against those Indians if they decide to attack. The only thing I see to do is abandon the fort before it's too late. Abandon the fort? But sir, have you forgotten the settlers who've moved inside the stockade for safety? We couldn't leave them to that fate at the hands of those Apaches. That's true. That's true. The settlers do present a problem. By heaven, we must get word down to Fort Lancaster somehow. The Apaches must have spies everywhere. They seem to know every move we make. Colonel, why not let me try to get through? It's our only chance of survival, but make you think you might succeed where all others have failed so far? I know this territory well, and I know the ways of the Indians. What do you say, sir? Well, all right, Captain. Start out at once. Try to reach Fort Lancaster. We'll have to keep our eyes open, Colonel. From all reports, this is a territory in which the Apaches are on the warpath. And right, Kimakami. Them say Apaches make many raids, kill plenty people. From what we've heard, those raids are playing the same leaders behind them all. Their purpose seems to be to get horses, guns, and ammunition. Maybe that's right. Kimisabe, clouded dust, come over rise and distance. Someone's coming this way. Turn off into the Arroyo until he passes. Come on, tell me. Easy, boy. Easy, easy, now. Devils passed by in a moment. Better him not see us. Here he comes now. Him come and over rise. What? Him wear a uniform. An army officer. But look, Hano, there's a feather in each cap. Ah, eagle feather. Why him wear that? That's what I'd like to know. Must be riding from Fort Stockton. Ah. The Guest Army regulations for an officer to wear anything in his uniform. That's the official insignia and decorations. Hano, let's trail that man for a short time. His life's in danger in this territory. Stop here, Hano. And turn off the trail. We see other host print. Looks like Mark's the Indian Cornish Kimusami. He must have taken him prisoner. Oh, it's not like a patchy on Warpath. They prisoner. Them kill from ambush. Strain them, not kill officer. Because he is an officer. They may hold him as a hostage. Maybe that's right. What we do now, Kimusami? Their trail leads toward the foothills. We'll follow it. All right, let's go. Come on, sir. Get off the couch. For some time, Captain Elmore rolled into the hills through the tour of Patchy's. Finally, they entered a secluded valley, and the captain realized he had reached the Apache's camp. They rolled to the center of the camp, and pulled rain before the chief's wigwam. The captain stood beside his horse, weaving. Then the chief, in full regalia, came from the wigwam, accompanied by a man in the uniform of a Mexican officer. Good afternoon, Major Fernando. Oh, I welcome you, Captain Elmore. Chief White Deer is my friend from Forstau. Oh. Chief White Deer, welcome, friend of Great One. Thanks to the eagle feather you gave me, Major. I was able to get here safely. Of course, I'm eagle. The chief had ordered all his braids, not to harm those who were the eagle feather. You bring news for us? Yes. Good. We are anxious to know conditions there, senor. The Colonel has only about 50 troopers. He's been unable to get to Patchy's through to either Fort Davis or Fort Lancaster. Well, well, well, yeah. Go on, Captain. He wanted to abandon the fort and take the men to Lancaster, but I persuaded him he should remain to protect the few settlers within the stockings. Ah, you have done well, amigo. And soon your reward will be great. Fort Stockton must be the first to fall, and then Fort Lancaster. Ah, that's not right. Once they are in our hands, Fort Quithman, Lytton, and Davis will fall easily, since they will be cut off from the east and are closer to the fort. Then what will happen, Major? Ah, amigo. The American nation will think all this is just an Indian uprising. They will not realize until I move in my rebel soldiers from the mountains across the border that I, once Fernando, have moved in in conquer the entire territory between the Pecos River and the Rio Grande. Ah, the Greek one will rule land justly and treat Apache as brothers. But of course, of course. When do you plan to send the Apaches against Fort Stockton? At dawn tomorrow, perhaps. Then before the news reaches Fort Lancaster, we shall strike there. Have Apache Braves ready to attack. Gee, that is good. Now, let us go into the rig to discuss the plans in this case. The Long Ranger and Toto follow the trail of the captain and the two Apaches through the foothills. Toto noticed many Indian signs along the way, but he and the Long Ranger managed to reach a ridge overlooking the valley without mishap. They rained to a halt in a grove. Oh, there's a boat down here. Look, Kimus Ali, Indians have picked Camp Valley. I'll use my binoculars. What do you see? The officer we saw wearing the eagle feathers with the chief. No matter what seems to be a Mexican officer's uniform. Oh, that's not good. Now they're going into the chief's wigworm. The officer we saw coming from the direction of Fort Stockton must be a traitor. There are hundreds of Indians in that encampment, Toto. The troopers must be told about them. Maybe Apaches watch trail to Fort. Not be easy. Get through. That Mexican officer may be the leader I spoke of earlier today who plans the attacks. Maybe that's true. You can say that Apaches are probably watching the trail to Fort Stockton. You know, the wonderful Lancaster. It's strange. Officer rides trail from Fort. Not be hurt. That's true, unless... unless what, Kimus Ali? Unless there was something known to all the braves which would indicate that he was not to be harmed. Maybe quick, uh, shooted uniform from ambush for him to get close enough to see face. Yes, but there was something different from other men in uniforms. The eagle feather he wore in his cap. Oh, that's right. Maybe eagle feather, worn by a white man, mean Apaches not shoot him. I think we've hit it. Toto, don't you usually carry an extra feather or two in your saddlebag? We have eagle feather. Here, you take them. Good. We're right. The eagle feather should guarantee my safety on the trail to Fort Stockton. Toto, you head for Fort Lancaster until the commandant there about the apachean captain. Me tell him. Adios, Toto. I'll wait at Fort Stockton for you to return. We'll continue our lone ranger adventure in just a moment. Jenny is ten, and is she good? She'd skip rope champs of the neighborhood. She's so quick because she knows that makes sense. Try Cheerios, the wonderful old cereal that's shaped like a little leperole, and you'll agree. You'll like that delicious toasted old flavor, and Cheerios is ready to eat. Just pour out a big bowlful. Add good fresh milk, dig in, and start getting your goal power because a Cheerios breakfast is full of vitamins, proteins, and minerals, and those are the good things you need to help build red blood, healthy bodies, and strong muscles. So enjoy your breakfast every day with delicious Cheerios and milk and get that good goal power. Then folks will say... He's feeling her Cheerios. Now to continue. After seeing the apache camp, the lone ranger and Toto separated. The Indians started for Fort Lancaster while the masked man headed for Fort Stockton. It was dusk when the corporal of the guard knocked on the door of the colonel's office. Come in. All right. Thanks. Great day. I've never been so glad to see anyone as I am to see you, my friend. Hello, Colonel. I couldn't... Colonel, sir, the mask... I know all about a couple. Man is a good friend of mine. You and the guards may leave now. Yes. No matter how you go through, no one from here has been able to make it. But sit down. Thanks, Colonel. I'm worried about the situation here. I've only 50 men. The apaches knew that. They'd surely attack. I'm sure they do know by now, Colonel. That might be. They seem to know every move we've made recently. What if Captain Elmore gets through to Fort Lancaster? Captain Elmore? Yes. Came here a couple of months ago with my aide. He knows this territory well. I see. And he left for Fort Lancaster earlier today. That's right. Took it as fast. Colonel Darby. Colonel Darby won't receive it, sir. What makes you say that? Do you think he was ambushed by apaches? After all, if you managed to get through... He wasn't ambushed. I wasn't either. And I believe it was because of this eagle feather here. Yes. I noticed when you removed that feather from your hat. What does that have to do with your getting through? You might say this is the son of a traitor. Traitor? Come now, my friend. No one can ever say that you're a traitor. I'm talking about Captain Elmore, Colonel. What? I saw him on the trail. He wore an eagle feather on his hat. He rode for some distance without harm. And he met two apaches. What happened? They led him to the Apache encampment. How don't I trail them? Through my binoculars, I saw the captain talking to the chief and to a Mexican officer. Great day. My own aide, a dirty traitor. That seems to be it. I had the feeling those apaches had a military man telling them what to do. That Mexican officer must be the man. The fact that your aide went to the Apache camp today might mean that time is near to take the fort. Then you think that they may attack at dawn? I think it's possible, sir. I'll alert the men to do all they can to be ready. What are you going to do? Give you what help I'm able to give, Colonel. If Tonneau gets through, we have a chance. If he doesn't, well, we'll go down fighting together. That night in the chief's wigwam, Major Fernando was talking to Captain Elmore and Chief White Deer. It is arranged, Captain, that we attack at dawn. Ah, apaches take fort. Fort is strong, but with only 50 men and a few planetary settlers to defend it, it shouldn't be long before the apaches take it. There is a bitter strategy in which you will take part. What's that? Since we have much more to do before we take the territory, it is necessary that we lose as few braves as possible. That's logical, Major. I knew you would agree with your captain. Now, here is the part you play. At dawn, we shall be hidden just over the ridge in front of the fort. When I get the signal, you ought to gallop toward the fort pursued by three or four braves who will shoot arrows over your head or to the side so as not to hit you. But why do you want me to do that? Do you not see, amigo? The guards at the fort will think you have returned and that you are being attacked by a few Indians. They will open the gates to let you in. Then the big attack will take place. All right. I'll see you both in the morning. Can I see? May watch close. Real face, Captain, have much fear. Maybe him not follow plan. I do not intend to give him a chance, my dear. Yes, sir, this work was, you know, too much about our future plans so he does not take the chances that he might drop, no? No. It's better him die. That is really my plan. He let you pick braves to follow him. Braves who will not miss, if, my dear. Before the pale-faced captain reaches gate of forth, the arrows of a pocky braves will silence his lips forever. Meantime, during the night, there was great activity inside the fort as everyone made ready for the expected attack. Dawn found the Colonel and the lone ranger standing on a ramp part near the big gates, looking out over the slope that stretched up to the ridge beyond. The Colonel spoke. Everything out there seems peaceful enough? I've seen that way before, Colonel, when an attack was about to begin. Yes, so will I. Well, the sun's just over the horizon. Anything is going to happen. It should start soon. I was hoping that one of the men from Fort Landcast would arrive before daylight. I don't like to dash your hopes, my friend, but, well, look, someone galloping towards the fort. Several Indians are following him, Colonel. Look. Great day, that's Captain Elmore. Let's get down to the gates. Quickly, the Colonel and the masked man went down the ladders to an opening in the stockade near the gates from which they could watch. Well, the shooting arrows had him. Dive him back, man! Use your guns! The Indians are turning back. Look, the Captain has been hit by an arrow. He's following him, his horse. Fall on a short distance from the gate. I must bring that man in. Now your men are covered with gunfire. Then, come on, the men! The Indians will be talking about the killer in a minute. As the Colonel and the men watched intensely, the loon ranger ran with his heavy burden toward the open gate. Another minute and he'd be inside. Then he stumbled and fell. He stumbled. He'd come off. Close the gates before her crew lay first. Look! Troopers before the Lancaster! As the loon ranger fairly realized that it meant death, grabbing his gun, he raised on his elbows and emptied them with a uniform figure and a few apaches who had just moved within range. At that moment, the loon ranger, too, heard the welcome sound of the bugle. Follow, follow the troopers. Heaven is safe for another moment, the masked man lay watching as the troopers moved in and fought the apaches, whose only thought now seemed to be to get away. Men poured through the open gates of the fort. As the Colonel and some of the men came running toward him, the loon ranger stood up. I can't! I can't! Are you all right? Yes, thanks, Colonel. She's a commoner. The Fort Lancaster riding this way. We'll all go into the fort. Bring Captain Ilmore inside, men! Later in the quarters, which the Colonel and the Captain had shared, several men stood around the cot on which Captain Ilmore lay. They listened intently as the Captain spoke weakly. I'm done for, Colonel. They plan to kill me. I know that now. You will be all right, Captain. No, no. Anyhow, it's better this way. I don't deserve to live. It was a traitor to my country. I know. My mask friend knew. He... He knew? Yes. He was clever enough to figure out the meaning of the eagle feather. He saw you wearing it. But... Though he knew he... It risked his life to save me. You're a brave man, men. They're just one, Captain. That's right, Colonel Davi. But... Why did he do it? Because he had branded you as a traitor in my presence. He felt you should have a chance to vindicate yourself, if possible. I... I never knew any man could be that fine. What of Major Fernando? The Masked Man wounded him. The Major confessed everything and will pay for his crimes. The Apaches will be punished along with their chief. I... I'm sorry... about everything. Sorry too late, Captain. An officer who betrays his trust becomes a traitor to his country, deserves neither sympathy nor forgiveness. I agree, Colonel. A man who tried to save your life, who risked arrows and bullets for you, was willing to believe that he might have been mistaken. It's hard for such as he to concede that any American could be a traitor to these great United States. Tell me, Colonel. Who is he? Who is... the... the captain is dead, Colonel. And he didn't have the satisfaction of knowing that the great American who risked his life for him is Balone Ranger. Balone Ranger brought to you by Special Recording Mondays through Fridays at this same time.