 With his faithful Indian companion, Toto, the masked rider of the planes led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. The stories of his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness have come down to us through the generations, and 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. Doc was a strange man. A suspicious nature and an uncontrollable temper made it hard to know him well. His life's total of true friends could be counted on the fingers of one hand. The passing years had reduced this total. Two of his friends had died, and Dave Madison had moved from Cedar Point to take up the duties of sheriff in the county seat. Then a landslide in the nearby Gold Hills had taken the life of Murdoch's wife. In the five years that followed the tragedy, Murdoch lived for his daughter, his general store, and his violent temper. He knew that nearly everyone in town called him a madman, but he didn't mind that. Jesse understood him. Jesse became more like her mother every day. When she came under the store, the old man's eyes lighted with pleasure. Hello, Dad. What can I do then? Oh, Jesse. My sakes. The day ain't started until you get in. Oh, silly. You see me at breakfast? Yeah, and that fixes things right at the house. But the store ain't like it should be until you've been around. Oh, you. You sure it ain't too much for him to keep things tight even now? Of course not. We could get a smaller place. We've got more room than we need. We'll do nothing of the sort. The house means a lot to you. Yes, I reckon it does. Seems like a party of mine is still around there. Well, I guess I'm a sentimental old fool. You're an old dog. Stand right there a minute, Jesse, and let me look at you. You're getting more like your mother every day. Is that it? Well, that ain't what I was going to say, Jesse. No. You've got a special look about you this morning, honey. A special happy look. Uh-huh. Dad, I've got the biggest news in the world for you. Yeah? You know Ben Gilbert. Gilbert? That freckle-faced redhead? No, don't take that attitude down. He was in here a few weeks ago. Try to tell me I should get more modern in the stock of mine and supplies I carry. Is that all you've got against him? I told him if he didn't like the way I run my store he could stay out. Well, you're going to know him a lot there. And when you do, you're like him as much as I do. Hey, don't have to like him. I don't want to like him. You're lazy. Good for nothing. That's what he is. Checking around doing nothing. Oh, that's where you're wrong, Dad. He inherited a good mind up in the hill. Then why don't he go up there and work it? Don't be so angry. He couldn't work it until he had a clear title to it. He's going to start working it within the next few days. The title is clear now and all he needs is tools and powder and things. Jesse, don't you try to persuade me about Ben Gilbert. I don't want no part of him. You'll have to change your mind, Dad. I won't. You'll be in here to buy supplies and then you'll know. I won't sell to him. He don't like my stock so he can go elsewhere and that's final. I wouldn't sell to him if he paid 10 times the regular price. Dad, you can't refuse to sell to him. You have the only store nearby. They don't sell the things he needs at any other store on the county. Good, Dad will teach the young scamp. He can't get the things he needs unless you sell them to him. Good, I said good. I'm glad of it. If you don't change about Ben Gilbert, you won't have me. What say? What said you say? Jesse, wait up. You better say that again. Maybe I didn't hear it right. Dad, I've married Ben Gilbert. Dad, don't look like that. Please, Dad, don't look at me that way. You married without asking me. But, Dad, I... He, he stole it away from me. No, no, Dad, you're wrong. No, no, I've lost you. But you haven't. We have another member of the family, that's all. Please try to see it that way. Get out of here. My store. What good is it now? Why should I bother with the store? I got no one to spend money on. Dad, don't do that. No. I told Dad about us. He flew into a terrible rage. The worst I've ever seen. He threw Tim Goods all over the store and smashed his glass counter and smashed the door and window. Don't, don't occur, Mudgeon. He, he feels that you've stolen me away from him. Did you try to explain? There was no explaining anything to him, Ben. I don't know what we're going to do with him. We're not going to do anything with him. We're going to leave him alone. But, Ben... I was willing to live in his house for his sake. But I'm a lot better pleased to live here. But the poor old man... Ben, he, he does need me. He has no one. Jesse, you can't throw away your life. You'll have a long time to live. After your father's gone. Besides, Johnny, he's mad. No. No, Ben, not like you mean. Everyone says he's mad. Ben, I, I had hoped, I had hoped and prayed that things would turn out differently. I don't want to be made to choose between you and Dad. Well, that's what it boils down to, Jesse. I suppose you'll hate me more than everything else in the world. Yes. He'll try to hurt you. He'll stop at nothing to hurt you just as much as he can. He'll try to hurt you as deeply as he's been hurt. I can take care of myself, Jesse. Don't worry. Ben, what if it's you or my father? Well, that's the choice you have to make, dear. Your Dad or me. No, no. I mean, what if it's your life or his? What if the choice is up to you? Late afternoon of the same day brought Dan Reeves into the town of Cedar Point. He reigned up in front of the general's store to purchase supplies. As he dismounted, he noted with amazement the door and window were smashed. Inside it looked as if a cyclone had struck the place. Cans and boxes were scattered all over the floor. Furnishings were smashed in the oil lamps torn from the ceiling. They walked through the store. He heard a voice from the back room. This place ain't open for business. What happened here? Nothing that concerns you. Are you Mr. Murdoch? I don't know if I am. Oh, there you are. What's the matter with you? Don't you understand English? I told you to get. But Mr. Murdoch... I won't hear anyhow. I wanted to buy some supplies. My friends are camped a few miles out of town. I ain't in business no more. I'm packing a few things and then I'm clearing out. Oh, golly. That's too bad. Did someone wreck your store? Save your questions for some of them. Then they'll move to answer. Here, let me help you carry it. Thanks. I can use help. I'll take this then. Take it right out back. I'll shoot that door. All right. I'm loading the things onto my wagon. Do you have a team? Yeah, in the barn. We'll pack the next one soon. I can stick around and help you if you'd like. No, I... Maybe I could use some help. Get me away from here that much sooner. Tell you what, son. You help me load my wagon and you can take whatever goods you want. These are the lone rangers in a tonto where I was greatly surprised when Dan rode into camp at sundown empty-handed. Move it to safety. Whoa! Have a bag. Look, plenty empty, Dan. They are empty. Don't look. Did Murdoch take a dislike to you, Dan? What's the matter with that man? In pretty strange color. He sure is. His store was wrecked. Things were scattered all over the place and he was loading a wagon, getting ready to pull stakes. Something new? I helped him load up. Then he told me to help myself to anything I wanted. He wouldn't take any money, though, so I didn't take any supplies. Did he say why he was leaving? No. Did you ask him? Every time I asked a question, he told me to mind my own business. Who was he taking with him? A lot of tin food and rifles. All the rifles and ammunition in store. And all the blasting powder. Did you see him start? No, he wouldn't leave until I'd gone. We'd better ride into town, Tunnel. That's a good idea. We still need supplies and Dan's report will bear inspection. It's a door. Plenty mess. That's what I told you, Tunnel. Here's a pile of stuff I picked out. I left it here when Murdoch refused money for it. Murdoch seems to have left. His wagon's gone. The state will empty. He was all set to leave when I rode away. Yeah, what's this? Seems to have left a note. Oh, I didn't see that. Kimba Fubby, there's someone rain up outside. I think that girl is Murdoch's daughter. Maybe she'll know where the old man went and why. I wonder who's with her. Ben, just look at this door. Him named Ben. There's no point trying to talk to him, Cathy. Look at what he's done with this door. Now, you promised to try, Ben. I'll try. I... Oh! Mask! I didn't know there was anyone in here. We left our horses in back. What are you doing here, looting the place? Hardly there. Where's Mr. Murdoch? He, uh, seems to have gone away. You left a note addressed to Ben Gilbert. I'll take it. Is that your name? Of course it is. Mr. Murdoch is my father. This is Mr. Gilbert, my husband. Oh, there you are, Gilbert. Thanks. What does he say, Ben? Does he say where he's gone? Cathy, listen to this. When you read this, I'll be on my way to your Galcona gold mine with enough supplies to last me for months. Now that you've taken my daughter, you just try and get to your claim. You took the thing I love best. So I've done the same to you. Oh, Ben! So you own the Galcona? Yeah. The title is just clear to me. Jesse, do you think your father means what he says? Oh, yes, Ben. He means every word of it. Then he's got to be moved. I've got to work that mine. I've borrowed money on it to get the title cleared. If I don't get the cash out of it, I'll lose it. Ben, I'm writing a note. Yes. Here's the county seat and this to the sheriff. All right. There. There you are. Shall I take it right now? Yes, Dan. Stay with the sheriff. Go where he goes. We'll meet you later. All right. Did you tell the sheriff what had happened here? Yes, I thought he might be needed. On your determination to get the mine clashes with Murdock's determination to hold it, there's likely to be fireworks. 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. Darkness overtook the Lone Ranger in Toronto as they rode from Cedar Point in the ruins of Murdock's store heading for the Golconda Mine. They dismounted the foot of the hill and went up the dark trail leading their horses. The sheriff won't get here until morning, Tutto. Ben Gilbert planned to wait until morning, too. I'd like to talk to Murdock before they arrive. Maybe we can reach him before his defenses are set up. This trail is plenty dark. I know where the mine is located. Isn't that good? It's far up hill? No, King of Savi. It's about a quarter of the way. Hold it, Tutto. Rifle over that way. Plenty close by. Just a minute. Murdock, not come close. Maybe pull out plenty bad shot. Here, stood down. You'll find a cord across the trail near the ground. I touched it with my foot. That would fire rifle fast. I see it. He must that way. Yeah, I am. And Murdock, plenty close. Will you listen to me for one minute? No. We'll have to leave for the time being. Am I right? I remember this hill. I've been here before. Oh, you remember time. Are you going to reach the top from the other side by following a spring-fed stream? We go to top. Maybe we surprise Murdock by coming down from above, huh? That's one planet might succeed. Are you getting out? Yes, Murdock. We may be back. Long Ranger and Tutto spent the greater part of the night circling the wide base of the hill. Then they started the long climb to the summit to put the masked man's plan into effect. Then Gilbert started with a gold mine soon after daybreak. In the dim hope of prevailing upon her father, Jesse went with her husband. They left their horses at the bottom of the hill and started up the trail. They passed the place where the Lone Ranger's foot had fired the rifle. They didn't notice another cunningly concealed cord a few places ahead. Their eyes were fixed on the hillside above. You can see the tunnel from here, Jesse. I see it, Ben, but I don't see anything of Dad. He may have been bluffing in that note. No, he doesn't bluff. What the? Ben! That was a rifle. It was over there on the side of the trail. Look, up near the tunnel, there's Dad. There's no target! Dad! Please let us come up there. Who's with him? That's the boy we saw with the masked man. I mean the other man. Probably a deputy. Come on, Jesse. We'll go down the trail to meet him. Well, gone is Jesse. I don't know what to make of your dad. You can see him up there, Sheriff. He's watching him. I see him. He's threatened to shoot anyone who tries to get to him. Well, he'll do it, too. Sheriff, maybe we could sneak up at night. Oh, you can't do it, deputy. He's got alarms fixed up so he can't be surprised. We might get a party in Russia. That won't work either. He has a big supply of blasting powder. And about finishes, my ideas. I just think my old friend would do a local thing like this. Sheriff, do you think he'd shoot at you? If you went up there. He would, Jesse. Hey, I've got one more idea. Maybe we can starve him out. No, sir, you couldn't. What's that, then? He took enough food to last for a month. Dan should know. He helped Murdock pack his wagon. We can't wait for him to be starved out. I've got to get paid to earth in that line before the first of the month. The only thing I can see left is to go up there with our guns blazing. Oh, no. No, deputy Jackson. Not that. Well, Jesse. Yes, Sheriff Madison. The news in pig tears. He used to say, Uncle Dave, remember that? Yes. Remember how me and your dad were such good friends? How we used to sit by the hour playing checkers? Uh-huh. He'd get sore and blow off steam, and your ma and me would calm him down. I remember. And he sort of lost touch with Jim these past years. I never forgot the times we used to have. I reckon you know that I think most as much of him as you do. What about it, Sheriff? Uncle Dave. I want you to leave this to my judgment. But you just said... I want you to go on home and stay then until we come. Dan Reed will go with you. But I can't. There's no one now, Jesse. You won't... Oh, Sheriff. Come, dear. I'll help you do your horse. I'll go. I'll go, Ben, but I'm trusting you. I'm trusting you and the Sheriff. Stay there, boy. Now, remember that. Yes, dear. Here. Get up, boy. Well, you heard what she said, Sheriff. Ben, I swore to enforce the law. I look here, Sheriff. Jim Murdock has got to be moved. But none of them mean shooting him. Not that. I'd sooner lose a goldmine. Ain't for you to say, Ben. I'm sorry. If you shoot that man, you know what will mean to Jesse. She'll never forget that he was killed because of me. Son, let me tell you something. Jim Murdock has stolen the claim. It isn't as if he'd stolen it for himself. That don't matter. The law in this county is mighty strict about claim jumping. I've had to arrest a scorer man for it. When they resisted arrest, I had to shoot. I can't let Murdock get away with it because he's my friend. Maybe if you start up there, you can talk to him. He might listen to you. And I'm sure, hoping that'll be the case. Sheriff, let me go in your place. No, thanks, Deputy. This is my job. Maybe it's like ended the suffering of my life. It's like ended the suffering of a fine horse with a busted leg. Jim made himself. He's not the Jim I used to know. I'm going with you, Sheriff. Suit yourself about that, Ben. All three of it will go. I cannot better make sure my gun's in work in order. Murdock has watched in every movie we make. I expect he is. You two ready? I am. I'm going to ride or leave the horses here. I'll leave them here. I'll go on foot. Sheriff, if I thought talking would change your mind... It won't, Ben. It might as well save your breath. He's watching us. And I can see him. There's a cord of one of the signal rifles. Yeah. You can see them if you watch close. Jim don't need a signal now. He knows we're coming for him. I'll be there when I shoot. Oh, wait here a minute. Jim, I'm calling on you to surrender. If you don't, I'll have to start shooting. You better give up, Murdock. You heard, Ben. Arm, that's all. My gun arm. Murdock, hold it, Sheriff. Ben, what's the matter with you, Ben? Put that gun down. No, I came along in case things reach the point where you had to fire. Don't be a fool. You can't shoot with your left hand. I can do well enough at this distance. I'd soon let the old fool stay where he is and see him killed. Come on, we're going down. Am I getting sent? No, that's it. Good work, deputy. John, found you. If it hadn't been for this battle, I'd be... Get in here, Ben. I shall be your position, but the law is the law. Jesse will be glad to know that you tried. Yeah. Keep an eye on him, deputy. Right. This is your last chance, Murdock. Last thing about it. Got several kegs of it. You'll see the tunnels. Crazy fool. Let me try to rush them. Stay where you are, Ben. A true shot. Wait, hold your fire. Look about the tunnels. Huh? Water. There's a flood coming down. Oh, man. Look at that horseman. That's the mask man we met. The one that sent word to me. A tarn of water suddenly unleashed from the top of the mountain, gushed straight toward Jim Murdock. The old man turned from those below him. He saw the oncoming flood and stared at the spellbound. He either saw or heard the mask man who dashed him from one side on a white horse. Murdock left one wild cry of alarm before the water swept him. Doc, where'd you come from? What happened to Murdock? Water swept him off his feet. I turned him to dry ground. Is he dead? Oh, I think he struck his head when the water swept him off his feet. I'll put him down there. It still don't serve you where all that water came from. There's a stream running down the side of the mountain. There's a spring-fed lake at the top, deputy. Oh. The stream originally came down this side. Then Gilbert Sunker wanted to work his gold claim, so he dammed her up so it would flow down the other side. I suppose you busted the dam, huh? Yes, Sheriff. A sizable job. I don't know. I worked on it all night. We had to do something to keep Murdock's guns still. You did more than that. You kept his kegs a blast in powder from exploding. Sheriff, you'd better make a litter. Carry your friend home. He's regaining consciousness. Oh, thank goodness. Dad, speak to me. You're home, Dad. I wonder how he lacked when he learned he failed. Shoot me, Dave. Shoot me so I won't have to shoot you. Wake up, Jim. There'll be no more shooting. Dave, it's your move. I, uh... Where am I? Listen to me. You can't take our old catamount. Dave, I always told you that temple would get you into trouble. Don near made me shoot you. Dave, I was a fool. I remember now, you were a lawman. Been trying to save me. Where has been? Right here. I'm sorry I shot you. Oh, that's nothing. Dad, you mean that... I'm sorry, Jesse, for everything. Sorry? That's what you always said when you upset the checkerboard when you was losing the game. You don't know what it is to be sorry. That ratted her much in you. Dave, that sounds like old times. All that's wrong with you is that you're a lonesome old man. You need someone to keep you in line and it's a job for a two-fisted man, not for a girl like Jesse. Well, Dave, have you got any ideas? You're a dog gone right ahead. I'm quitting the sheriff to come back here and keep your horns cut short. Now hurry up and get well. There's a big mess to clean up at the store and I don't aim to do all. Copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporate.