 A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty high old silver, the lone ranger with his faithful Indian companion Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the planes 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 and the thundering hoof beats of the great horse Silver, the lone ranger rides again. Tonto rode in to go for Bend, leading a white horse with a black star in its forehead. It was Victor, the horse that belonged to the lone ranger's 14-year-old nephew Dan Reeve. The Indian dismounted in front of the sheriff's office. As he tossed the reins about a hitch rail, he heard the voice of Sheriff Bates. How? What can I do for you? Well, meet Tonto, meet come wait for stagecoach. The stage from Marshall City? That's right. You expecting someone on eating? That's what I figured when I saw next to horse. Jay, that's mighty fine horse-flage. Ah, how soon stagecoach to get here? Oh, she'll be along in about an hour. You can sit there on the porch if you want to. Oh, that's good. Sheriff, Sheriff Bates. Well, hi there, Ben. And how are you, kid? Sheriff, we're so worried we don't know what to do. Yep, I reckon you are. But worrying won't help you folks any. Sheriff, you haven't had any word from Marshall City, have you? Not a thing, Ben. But I reckon we'll know everything when the stage gets in. Come on, you sit down on the porch and wait. I don't know what we'll do if we have to move. They're left, Lord, kid. You don't know that you'll have to move. Now, why not just postpone thinking about it until the man comes from the city? Sit down there, that's a comfortable chair. Thanks. Yeah, Ben, you take this chair. I don't see how there could have been a mistake in the survey of our land. Me and Kate have had that little range for 50 years. Yes, I know you have, Ben. John Rudd had any idea we were on his land? Why? Why, you should have said something a long time ago. He didn't want the land till we found there was coal on it. Well, coal makes that land mighty valuable, kid. The new railroad through Marshall City will pay handsome for it. Of course they will. That's why Rudd's after it. Ben, there's one thing you can be sure of. What's that? The surveyors who came here and looked the situation over are honest men. You needn't be afraid that Rudd has bribed them. They didn't tell you what they learned, did they? No. They took their measurements and went back to Marshall City. An engineer will bring the report from there. I suppose if it turns out that John Rudd owns the land, we'll have to get off. That's about the size of a kid. If we don't do it willingly, chef, then what? Kate is chef. I'd have to put you off. I'd have to use force if necessary. That's the law. Law, indeed. Where's the law that says a man is rich and grasping as John Rudd can take our land away from us? Kate, sometimes the law and justice are two different things. I wish that stage had come. It'll be long pretty soon. The Indian there is waiting for it too. That's so. Are you waiting to see the engineer? No. We wait for young friend. Him named Dan Reed. There were three passengers on the stage from Marshall City. Al Jackson and Dan Reed, the nephew of the Lone Ranger, sat on one seat. Facing them was a hard-faced man who hadn't spoken throughout the entire trip. Dan Reed held a small metallic object in his hand. He studied it carefully, then shook it and examined it again. What's the matter, Dan? I guess his compass isn't right. Compass? Let me see it. The needle is supposed to point to the north, but something's wrong. That's what most people say when they find that the compass doesn't agree with their own sense of direction. We'll take a look at it, Mr. Jackson. When we left Marshall City, we're supposed to be traveling due east to get to go for Ben. That's right. Well, I declare. You see what I mean, sir? According to the compass, we're traveling south. First time in my life I've known a compass to be wrong. I say there was a fork in the trail about two miles back. I recollect we took the southern branch of that fork. But I don't remember any turns. Neither do I. The road must have made one very big and slow turn. I was so glad you didn't notice it. Now we're going at right angles to the straight route. We are at the compasses, right? Compasses are generally a lot more reliable than watches. I'm going to stick my head out the window and ask the driver what this means. Sit still. What's that? I said sit still. But you found your tongue, huh? Well, I'm not sitting still for you. You heard me. Oh, God. That's right. If I have to use it, the driver won't even slow up when he hears the report. You mean to say you'd shoot me for trying to speak to the driver? You can talk to the driver all you want, but it won't get you nowhere. I can tell you anything that he'll tell you. The kid's compass is right. Yaw going south. But why? What's the idea? You'll find out soon enough. And if you do exactly as you're told, maybe neither one of you will get hurt. This is pretty high-handed. It's going to get even more high-handed, Mr. Jackson. Just to make sure you don't get hard to handle, you better hand over your gun. Like fun, I will. I'll help you take my gun out. Just make a link stop for that. Get back there, kid. Get back there. And I'll sit still. All right, Blackie? Sure. I could have handled the two of them without you stopping the stage. Oh, you've taken chances. How bad hurts Jackson? I just cracked him with a barrel of my gun. He'll be conscious before we get to the shack. I'll take his gun. How about you? You packing a shooting iron? No. I'll make sure. What are you going to take us? We're going to a little shack that's hit away so no one can ever find it. You mean that's where? Yeah. Landon Jackson's clothes and send him on to go for Ben. But, Blackie, what about this boy? He's just a passenger. Being such makes him a witness. I reckon he'll just have to take what comes. Now get back on the box and get the horses going. During the remainder of the journey, Dan Reed sat in the corner of the stage, eyes downcast, while Jackson recovered consciousness, but remained silent and motionless before the constant threat of Blackie's gun. The stagecoach made a number of turns and rattled over hard, packed ground before it finally came to a halt in front of a small cabin. Several horses stood at ground hips nearby. Well, here we are, Jackson. Get out. It looks like Rudd is here. That is almost here. Yeah. There he is by the door. Is Jackson with you? We got him, Mr. Rudd. Bring him inside. Slim Calhoun's waiting. Come on, Jackson. You too, Dan. Better do what they say, Dan. You won't help yourself by fighting. Take him right inside, Blackie. Calhoun's in there. You got Jackson, man. Who's the kid? He was a passenger. Name is Dan. Rudd, what sort of game are you playing? I don't like the report you're taking to town. You seem to know that Martin's title is clear. You've got no claim to this, Lane. I knew that when I first sent for the surveyors. Why? Our Slim Calhoun is going to become Al Jackson. He'll wear your clothes, carry your credentials, and go into town in your place. The report showing that you own the Martin land. Rod, you can't get away with it. Oh, yes, I can. I'll go into the next room. You'll find some clothes there. Put them on so Slim can use the outfit you're wearing. You too, Dan. That room's where the two of you will be kipped until we decide what to do with you. I wish there was some way I could get you out of this. Mr. Jackson, they're going to take your clothes here. I have an idea. An idea? Leave that door open. Don't try to sneak it out the window. We've got guards outside. Take off your belt and toss it over this way. Let Slim take my belt instead of yours. I'm sure one of my friends will see it. There's my belt. Now, stall, Mr. Jackson. Take as much time as you can. I've got to do something. Hurry up, then. Yeah, hurry up. I'm waiting for those clothes. I've got to get on to town. What's taking us so long, anyhow? Give me that shirt. This seems to me you're in an awful hurry. I am. Here you are, Slim, getting to this outfit. Right, boss. I'll go on ahead and get Sheriff Bates. He'll be with me to meet the stage. All right. Hey, where's the belt? What are you doing with it? Please, give me that belt. Wait, wait, not that one. Take this one. What for, kid? You're not going any place where you'll need a fancy silver buckle like this. Now, look here, Rudd. This is as pretty a belt as I've ever seen. I reckon I'll keep this when I get through with the rest of Jackson's clothes. I don't care what you do with it. I'll go on. I'll be in town waiting for it. When the stage came into view, the sheriff hurried from his office, followed by Ben Martin and his wife. John Rudd was waiting in the road. Well, as she comes, Martin, now we'll know the truth about that land of mine. It's not your land. It never has been your land, and it's not going to be now. How about it, Sheriff? Here there's no use talking about it until we hear what Mr. Jackson's got to say. I do hope that he's on that stage. Well, what's the Indian doing here? He's expecting the passenger from Marcia City. All right. Who are you expecting? Now, me wait for young Crans. Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, stay here, ho, ho. Hey, are you a new driver? Yeah, I'm substituting. Joe has took six. Any passengers from Marcia City? Government man from the land office, that's all. Who is here? Let him out, please, stay here. Ben, if he really goes against you, I don't want no disturbance. Just remember, it's the law. The money job is to enforce the law. Tension mounted as a small group watched the substitute driver open the door of a stage coach. Slim Calhoun, posing as the government man, stepped out boldly. He eyed the sheriff and advanced. Before he could speak, Tonto broke in. You only one on stage? Yeah. What about it, Redskill? You're not C-Boy on stage? No. I'm traveling alone from Marcia City. Mr. What's the answer? Put that survey show. Who owns the land that my house is on? And, uh, who are you? Name is Martin, Ben Martin. My name is Rudd. I think you have a report on some disputed property. Oh, uh, yeah, yes, sir. My report is for the sheriff. He'll let me. Here you are, sheriff. This is the official report on the survey just completed. Yeah. What's it say? Tell us, sheriff. Tell us. I can't wait any longer. Ben, Kate. According to this, there was a mistake made in the original survey of the property. Mistake, sir, as I knew it. Your property starts about a quarter of a mile east of the present boundary. That means we lose our house. And lose that coal we found. We lose everything. It's tough. That's your leg and she. It's downright tough. And it's not justice, but dead ready. It's the law. Get on the tone. 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. Tonto couldn't understand why Dan Reed wasn't on board the stage from Marshall City. Then suddenly the Indians saw a brilliant silver belt buckle worn by the man who called himself Al Jackson. He leaped to the back of his horse, grabbed the bridle of the white horse, and set out from gopher bend at top speed. Get him up, stop. The Lone Ranger had been camped in a small gully not far from town. He heard the familiar hoof beats and rose to meet his Indian friend and Dan Reed. He was surprised to see that Dan's horse was riderless. Hostel, hopala, hopala. Tonto, wasn't Dan on the stage? No. No, he'm not on board. They're plenty trouble. Oh, what kind of trouble? Well, me talk while you get saddle on Silver. Right. See you there soon. In as few words as possible, the Indian told about the claim to Martin's land, the arrival of the government agent, and the decision. But, Tonto, that decision can't stand. It's not legal. And how about that? If Martin's been on that land all these years, he can stay there. They can't make him move. Him move just the same. But that's not main thing. Oh, tell me the rest. Well, long time ago, me make fancy belt and give it to Dan. Yes, I remember that belt, said he Silver. Dan wears it all the time. Him not wear it now. Belt worn by color from Marshall City. Al Jackson. Am I right? You must be mistaken, Tonto. Dan would never part with his belt. You saw one like it. No. Me see same belt. Me, no. Then we're going to town right away. We'll talk to Jackson. Not good, you steady boy. There. Now we're ready, Silver. Come on, Tonto. He's a big fella. Get him out of town. Come on, Silver. There was a meeting in the Sheriff's office. John Rudd was smooth and suave as he tried to appear magnanimous. I intend to be generous with you, Martin. Ben Martin and his wife were pale and drawn. They looked as if the bottom had fallen out of their world. Licked. Nothing left after all these years. Why, you have your house? Our house. But according to Mr. Jackson, we don't own the land it stands on. Yes, that's true. And it would be an expensive proposition to move that house. So here's how I can help you. I'll pay you handsomely for the house. Let's say $2,000. Well, that's a lot more in a cost to build it. I want to be generous. With that money, you can leave this vicinity and settle somewhere else. Yes, but we still own land here. Land, John, isn't worth much. I'll give you $500 for the land. I don't know what to say. What do you think of it, Sheriff? Yeah, dad, reddit, I don't know what to say. It seems to me you should be able to keep what you've got, including the coal that you found in the ground. Why don't you get yourselves a lawyer to find out about things? Of course, there is liberty to do that if they choose, but my offer isn't going to stand indefinitely. Lawyers cost plenty of money, too. It's up to you, Martin. If you want to fight this through the courts, why? I don't want to fight it. I've gone it. I don't know what to do. You've had my proposition. I have a document all drawn up, a bill of sale, and I have the cash. Ditch, what's this? Don't shoot. What, the man? That's the power. Now, hold on, man. Get out of the way, Sheriff. Don't interfere with us. I'll see you here. I'll go for you, too. Why do you? I'll show you. Be quiet. If anyone wants gunplay, I'm ready. Ah, you, she here. Come to the door, Tom. Come on. Can you watch them? Sheriff, all I want is a chance to talk to this man. Mr. Jackson? Yes. I'll put my guns away. They'll be handy if anyone tries to draw. See here. Who are you? What do you want? That belt. No, no, no, wait. And still I'll help myself. But wait, wait. This belt... Where did you get it? I've had it for years. That's a lie. Belt belongs to a young friend of mine. Where is he? I don't know what you're talking about. Where is he? I don't know, I tell you. I don't know anything about a friend of yours. I... I did stretch the truth. I bought that belt from a... from a red skin over in Marshall City. There you go, Mr. Don't make a move. Steady, Sheriff. Steady is right. I'm holding again on you now. And I'm policing you under arrest until I find out who you are. You got the drop on me, Sheriff, because I was looking at something that's been written on the inside of this belt. I'm going to investigate it right now. You're not going anywhere. I'm leaving, Sheriff. Tighten your trigger finger and I'll draw. Hey, wait. Come back here. He's got the way. Don't let him go. No tighter, Sheriff. But listen, wait a minute. I'll be back. Right now. Pull your blockhead. Why didn't you shoot? Now, let him get away. Er, gonna... After all, you can't shoot a man for taking a belt. Come on, move it. The Lone Ranger's sharp eyes had seen small symbols written on the inside of Dan Reed's belt. Without stopping to explain to Tonto, he set out on a fast pace with the Indian following leading Victor. They maintained this pace toward the setting sun until they reached a place where a little-used trail angled in from the south. Hold it. Hold it. Boom. Hold still. Hold on. Hold on. Oh. What happened? Why we traveled so fast? Because of this belt, Tonto. Oh, a damn belt. Yes. I think he's tried to give us directions. Now, look here. He's drawn a couple of lines to indicate the trail. An arrow points to this branching road. Down here, he has a compass direction. Use south to a dead pine tree. We'll go there. And there are other directions. First, we'll find the dead pine tree. Well, here's a pine tree. The compass bearing says south. Southwest. How far? Falling water. That means the waterfall. One, two, three. Hold still. Hey, here you go, fella. It's had a good thing, damn given structure. We could never find tracks on ground like this. What next direction on Pelt? Set it left, silver. Set it, boy. Easy. Do west. Then we go that way. Straight into the setting sun. One, two, three. It is no use struggling, Dan. Road ropes are tight, so you're not going to get loose. I found that out. You might just as well take it easy until the boss comes back. Then what are you going to do with us? That's after Mr. Rudd. He won't dare let us go. Well, if I was in his boots, I know darned well, I wouldn't turn you free to make trouble. On the other hand, Rudd's no killer. What's more, he's plenty smart. Maybe he's smart enough to know us some way so you can't make trouble for him. I doubt that. He'll be in trouble no matter what he does. I... What's the matter? Nothing. Nothing. Nothing's the matter. Everything's all right. Huh? Dan, why are you saying that? You'll see. What do you know? Why are you talking that way? For a kid as tight, hand and foot, you got a mighty smart look on your face. Maybe I have. Maybe I've got reason for it. Yeah? I tried to tell your pal Calhoun that he should take this belt instead of my fancy one. I was telling him the truth for his own good. What's that? He took my belt and there were some directions on it. Directions? That's right. What the... Man, who are you? You've got him. I don't think you'll feel like any more fighting. My shoulder... My shoulder's... The gunplay was on your idea. We saw your belt, Dan. That's the reason we're here. Let me just a minute. Dan, who is this mask man? Who's the Indian? A man by the name of Rudd Plandis. He did? Yeah. The mask man's a friend of mine. Then they must be all right. All right. You bet they're all right. My name's Jackson. Al Jackson from Marshall City. I was on my way to go for Ben. We're going there as soon as possible. Otto, give Dan a knife so he can cut Jackson's rope. Ah, here, Dan. Thanks. I'll have you free in just a second, Mr. Jackson. Do something for that man's wound, Otto. Ah, let me fix him. I'm up and leave him here. How are we going to get to go for Ben? We saw one horse outside. It's blackies. You can use that one. Right. Victor's waiting for you, Dan. Victor? Oh, golly, that's great. Mr. Jackson, you can see why I felt pretty confident a few minutes ago. I saw a tunnel with the window and I knew we'd be out of here in no time. The sooner, the better. I'm sure looking forward to telling John Rudd a few things. We'll go on ahead, Tutto. You can follow when you finish dressing that wound and tying blackie. Uh-uh, me follow. There's Victor. Hello there, Victor. Gosh, it sure is good to see you. There's a horse for you, Jackson. Right. Can you make the saddle all right? Yeah. Good. Follow me, Dan. One, two, then. Come on, Mr. Jackson. After the surprising visit of the masked man, the meeting in the sheriff's office broke up. It was several hours later when John Rudd, accompanied by Slim Calhoun, went to the small home of Ben and Kate Martin. I thought I'd give you one more chance to leave here peacefully and take some cash along with you. I suppose it's the best thing for us, Kate. We've got no money to fight a man like Mr. Rudd. You couldn't beat this case in court. You'd be foolish to try. I still don't understand how the survey could have been wrong all these years. You don't have to understand that, Martin, or you've got to understand, is this your paper? Now, this tells you that your house is on land belonging to John Rudd. And you've got to get off. Now, here's a bill of sale all ready for your signature. When you and Kate sign that, you get the cash. Now, where shall I sign? Right here. Ben, I hear someone stopping. I'll see who it is. But here, sign right here. That's the second, Mr. Rudd. What? The masked man again. Now, sit here. That's a good easy. I'll do the jogging. The shirt. I've learned a few things since the last time we were together. Get your hands up, Calhoun. My name is Jackson. Did you hear that, Jackson? He's a double twisted liar. Where did you come from? In the cabin where you left me. You too, Rudd. Get him up. You're under arrest. Sarah, if I don't serve him. That man that posed as Jackson is an impostor. His real name is Slim Calhoun. This is Al Jackson. That's not true. That's not true enough, Rudd. He had some credentials you didn't find. He established his identity and so did that masked man. I know what I'm talking about. That report about the land belonging to Rudd is a lie. A lie? You mean that? I mean, you own this land and all that's on it, including the cold. Oh, Ben. That masked man will back what I say. He knows the true facts. He just went out. He stepped out the door a second ago. Who is he? Why did he take the belt off that man? The belt is what brought him to the rescue, Mrs. Martin. As to who he is, the best I can tell you is that he's the Lone Ranger. It is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.