 a fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust and the heart of Ohio silver, the lone ranger. The great natural resources of the early western United States offered the pioneers a chance at a new life, and the masked writer of the planes believed that every honest man had a right to this chance. He visioned the new country as a land of equal opportunity, and he fought for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness just as fiercely as he fought for law and order. 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. The lone ranger and his faithful Indian companion Tonto were headed toward Cottonwood. Their destination was not the town itself, but a tiny cottage about a mile from the outskirts. As they drew near, they cut away from the trail and approached the cottage from the rear. That's the widow Ridgely's place, Kimosabi. Uh-huh. Looks as if she hasn't had much luck with her garden this year. Everything seems to be just about burned up. Not bad. Poor woman. She hasn't had an easy time of it. Uh-huh. When her husband died, he left her practically penniless. She was well along in years even then, and in bad health in the bargain. On top of everything, she had too much pride to let people know how poor she was. He almost starved to death before Sam Otis found out about it. Him? Good fellow. A fine man, Tonto. He must have provided for her for five or six years. That's right. He wasn't any too well off himself. If he had been, I'm sure that when he'd died, his will would have made some provision for her. Uh-huh. But he didn't die on the stand. That's why I wanted to see her. Sorry I didn't learn about the situation sooner. What we do? Well, first of all, we'll see how she's making out. Uh-huh. If she's already found help, that'll be fine. But if she hasn't, well, we're going to do something to see that she doesn't suffer from want. Who's that there? Where? There, young fella, round the front. The young woman? Well, talking with Mrs. Ridgely. Tonto, this way. Come on, Silver. Uh-huh. Get him up, Scout. We'll get out of sight. No use alarming them, but the sight of a masked man when there's no need. Yeah, this'll do, Kimus. Pull up. Oh, Silver. Oh, oh, oh. Quiet, Silver. Tonto, those young people were dressed like Easterners. Not right. Wait. What matter? I overheard a bit of their conversation just then, Tonto. It sounded like something we should hear. Move the horses a little closer. The ports will protect us. You're so kind. I wish I knew how to thank you for all you've done, but I reckon it just ain't got the words for it. I declare a most crying. You think I'm awful silly? Mrs. Ridgely, my brother and I think you're one of the bravest women we know. Oh, sure. But will your promise is one thing? After you and your sister bringing me them heapin' baskets of grub and payin' my rent to the bank and everything, young man, you can ask me anything you like. Then do this. Don't tell anyone what we've done. Oh, but Lansay says, Mrs. Ridgely, that means it. There's no need to let it be known. Well, is it anyone's business but our own? If friends help each other out? This isn't charity, you know. You're in trouble and we like you. Maybe someday we'll be in trouble and you can help us. What could a poor body like me do? It isn't what you can do. It's what you would do if you could. Oh, but I think it's a promise. Now mind you don't go back on it. My what can a body do with a pair like you? Well, Dot, we better be getting along. Yes. Mr. Murdock, wait. Yes? I just thought maybe I can help you a little. You won't take offense at anything a poor widow might say, would you? Why, of course not. What is it, Mrs. Ridgely? Well, of course I know you're both from the east and ain't neither one of you been in these parts long, so naturally you wouldn't be so good acquainted with things in the way. I believe I know what you're going to say. People don't like me here. They think I'm a coward. Oh, but Jane, it's just the things that are much strange to you yet, that's all. I came here and brought Dot because Mr. Thornton promised to make me express agent. Now every time I ask him about it, he puts me off. Half the time when I see him, Job munches along. I think Mr. Thornton's just trying to find a polite way to tell me I'm not the man for the job and he's going to give it to Job instead. Well, if that's the way he wants it, let him. Don't talk that way, Jack. You know what you ought to do, young man? What? The next time Job tries to bully you, you just up and give him the lick and he's been asking for it. I've known Job much since he was knee-high to a toad. He's just a sneak and a yellow bully, that's what. Stand up to him and he'll crawl. And if you do... Yes. Your brother'll get that job. Mark my words if you don't. Ain't no man Mr. Thornton likes so much as a fighter. I've never had a fight in my life. Oh. I serve him in, folks, young fella. Fighting ain't something that has to be taught. When the time comes for it to take to it natural. Just like a duck takes the water. Well, well, I'll do my best. But you just better. I'm afraid my best won't be good enough. You... You hear that? I heard it, Tyler, and I don't like it. Ah. I ran across Job Munch and Pecos. You know, fella? He's a cheap bully. The thief when he thinks he can get away with it. The one man in the world I'd never put in a position of trust. Ah. What do you think of young fella? That fellow Mrs. Ridgely calls Jack Murdock. I think the thanks to him, Mrs. Ridgely, is once more secure. Not right. He deserves more than a refusal when he's come all this way for a job. Ah. We look into this, Kimosabe. That's a good idea. And if he needs help, he'll get it. Come on, son. Get him up, Scarlet. Come on, little fella. Come on. No, no more barkeep. That'll be enough. I have to get back to the office. I have things to do. Mr. Thornton. Oh, hello, young fellow. Looking for me, were you? Yes, I... Sorry, Jack, but I was just telling the barkeep here. I've got work at the office. See me later, huh? Now, if you'll excuse me. No. What is it? Look here, Mr. Thornton. You've got to listen. Oh, I do. Do I? Yes, you do. You've got to tell me what you're going to do about that job at the office. Am I going to get it? You promise me I would, but since then you've just been putting me off. In one moment. Well? I don't hire any man out of hand. First, I've got to know something about him. I have to have time to size him up. Now, how long have you been here? Just two weeks, but... There you see. Two weeks. No time at all. You will have to be patient, young man. But you didn't tell me all this in your letter. Well... When I was in the East, you wrote me to come right out. Just the same as said, when I got here, the job would be mine. Didn't say anything then about Paul, about waving to size me up. There was a reason for that. What reason? I knew your father. Well, I'd expected to find you more like him than you are. I won't see. You disappointed me, but I will say that I'm not at all certain you're fitted for the work. Maybe I'm wrong. It'll take time to tell. And I'm just to wait? Unless you prefer to look elsewhere for employment. You're under no obligation to me, you know. I see. Jack, I know just how you feel. But believe me, I can't tell you anything else. But, Mr. Thorne, there's no use discussing it any further. I'm busy. Good day. Good day. We'll talk this over again some other time. Barkeep. You not drink. Oh, hello, Redskin. What was that you said? You not drink. You heat man. Fire water. No good. Say, what do you care what I do? You good fellow. You not drink. I don't see why I can't. All right, Redskin, you win. That's waiting outside. Yes, I was kind of forgetting myself. Redskin. What matter? Nothing. I just wanted to ask you your name, mind? Me name Tonto. Tonto, huh? Well, Tonto, thanks. I guess if you hadn't been here, I might have made a prime fool of myself. You offer reservation. What the hell? My sister. That was my sister. Hey, let me through. Out of my way. Dad. Dad, what's wrong? What was it, Dodger? Oh. Brother, miss. He came running to the rescue. He ain't running no more. Fact is, when he seen me, kind of looked like he slowed down a heap. You mean? Dad, what happened? Shucks, all I did was say hello to your sister here, and she started yelling like somebody had pulled a gun on her. There ain't no women around here that are afraid of Job Munch. Most of them like me to talk to him. It isn't true, Jack. He grabbed me. What if it did? It was just joking, my. You snake. What's that? Probably just a little closer to your size. So that's it, huh? Too little to get in fights, huh? You hear that, fellas? Didn't I always tell you the pilgrim weren't yelling? He's just too small to stick up for himself, that's all. He ain't yelling. He's just a little might. Jack, Jack, do something. Don't let him make fun of you like that. Make him take that back. I... I want to take it back, huh? All right, young fella. Here I am. Go on and make me take it back. There's... There's no need to fight about this. I just promise not to annoy my sister. You hear that, fellas? I'm to promise not to bother the girl here. Me. I'm to promise. Why, shucks, any girl would be pleased to have a real man like me pay her some attention. Ain't that so, miss? Come on, help me, sir. Ain't you kind of pleased for me to say howdy when you come walking by? Ain't you now? You... Just aren't worth to tell you how low you are. And you, Jack... I'm ashamed of you. I'm going home. No, don't you come with me. I just can't stand to see you. Dad, wait. Young fella, you want some advice? Well, get out of town. All right, fellas, come on inside. The drinks are on me! So, Jack, back down when Job challenged him, huh? Ah, that's right. He has no more backbone than that. He might as well turn around and go back east right now. Oh, that'd be a bad thing. Why, him help with a woman. Him go, what her do. That's right, Kimosabe. A man who's willing to do a kindness but doesn't boast about it afterwards has something good in him. Jack and his sister live in that place just beyond the widows. We're paying them a call. You've got plans? Yes, Kimosabe. And if it doesn't work, nothing will. Ready? Hello, still! Get in the car! Dad. Jack, I'm glad you came home. I've been so sorry for what I said. I didn't mean Jack. I've been ashamed of myself ever since. You didn't say anything that wasn't true. No, Jack, you're not a coward. How could anyone be expected to fight a great big bully like Joe Munch? After what he did, probably any man in town would have, if you'd been their sister. I bet they wouldn't. It's no use, daughter. I know now that I am a coward. For a while I hoped it was just like Mrs. Ridgely said, not being used to things, not understanding how... Jack, what is it? Dad, look there. Coming up the trail. A mask, man. The curtain falls on the first act of the drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. How to continue our story. Lone Ranger and Tato raced up to the home shared by Jack and his sister and reigned in their great mouths before the door. Oh, oh, listen, man. Oh, come on. Come along. All right, Tato, take him. Get him! You saddle, son. You know what to do with him. I don't do it. What do you do? Don't you dare take my brother. Jack! Jack! Let my brother go. He'll not be harmed. You... Inside an hour he'll be released. You cook! In the house. You and I are going to have a talk. As the Lone Ranger explained the reason for his actions, the girl's hostility disappeared. Then the masked man went on to explain the plan he had in mind. Now do you understand why I had to get your brother out of the way? Oh, yes. Do you see that the plan I've suggested is the only thing that offers a hope of winning the respect of Thornton and the townspeople for Jack? I... I wonder... You wonder what? If Jack... If Jack will really... Do as I have told you, we will. Yes. Can you doubt it? I don't want to. I'm sure he will. You're his sister. You should have as much faith in him as I have. Oh, I do believe in him. Then you'll try it. I will. Good. Who? Oh, it's Otto. Back already? Uh-huh. Miss Murlock's agreed to our plan. Uh-huh. That hit good. Where's Jack? Him not far. Him... Walk. Him get here soon. Then we'll be going. And that, when your brother gets here? Yes. Convincing that all's well. Masked man, I will. That's all right, daughter. I suppose it is, but just the same. I don't understand. Why, the masked man and Tonto came here? Yes. I think you will in time, Jack. In fact, I'm sure you will. That same afternoon, the masked man and Tonto rode into town. They rained up in the shadow of a building near the cafe and waited until Joe Munch came out. Then they started after him. The masked man leaned forward to adjusted Lariat. And that moment, Joe disappeared. And so, Joe, the moment he got Tonto, which way did he go? Him walk that way. Towards the livery stable? Uh-huh. And he's likely getting his horse. He's circling towards the side. Uh-huh. That's where he is. He's been in there long enough to saddle up. Not right. So keep your eyes open. You'll be leaving anytime. Get him, boy. Get on it. There he is. Don't shout. Hurry, old boy. Hold on there. Wait. Get him on. Get him on. I'm that man. Don't use that, Quirt. What? That's the bridal tunnel. Come on, meet Tonto. Come on, meet Tonto. You're coming with us. Come on. Get him on, Tonto. There was an unwilling captive. The lone ranger and Tonto raced out of town. They did not draw rain until they had reached their camp several miles away. Here's Camp Tonto. Rain up. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. What? You mean Scar, of course. What are the names that I use? Scar who? What is this? You're trying to work some game? Well, all I asked is who you think I am. You're Scar Bowen. Well, I'll be... Sorry to spoil your fun, mister, but you just made a mistake. You and the Redskinned here got the wrong jank. That story won't go down. I don't know this hombre, Scar Bowen. You're nuts. And I don't know why you warn him. But I can tell you this. I ain't him. him and I can prove it expect us to swallow that you ever see this here's scar ombre you're acquainted with him personal no but I don't know then that accounts for it just had a description of man perhaps but then you look here at these go ahead mr. look what's that you aren't blind or your letters of course take a look at him and see what's written on the front this one's addressed to Job munch and look at the others are all the same yes I see the air yeah what do you got to say to that and it looks as if Tyler and I made a mistake sure did well you got any objections and we're riding back to town now yes I have but you just now admitted I want the armory was after which doesn't all of the fact that we permit you to ride to town you won't waste time reporting this to the law I want stranger honest I want you can go gosh mr. thanks but you walk on your way hey listen you don't know what you're saying but I only want some lead thrown your way all right all right I'll go I'll go don't shoot stranger don't shoot and keep going him him heap mad and we fooled him completely did you get something that'll serve me get this his bandana let me have a look at it fine Kimus Abbey it's got his initials huh that's why tanto take it walking Job won't reach town for at least four hours that's right that suits our purpose perfectly Kimus Abbey he won't be there until dark four hours later Jack and mr. Thornton we're riding toward the boys home and there's no use you're coming to our place mr. Thornton Jack I think there is but I can't make you see sense so I'm going to talk to your sister maybe she can persuade you to go back east you wouldn't want me to very well then she can tell me so herself honest mr. Thornton isn't there any chance at all for me to get that job I've made up my mind Jack no but and we're really wasting our time discussing it now here we are oh oh boy oh well what's the matter I thought you said your sister was at home why she is but doesn't look at the doors open she isn't in the parlor at any rate Jack what come on hurry someone's been here all right just take a look at this room why wait it's all torn up torn up looks like it was hit by a tornado dad where are you dad dad can you hear me dad if you're here answer me looks to me as if there's been a fight here or struggle but I don't understand that wait what is it have you ever seen this before mr. Thornton have you a bandana yes but where would the initials on it or jm joe munch joe he came here broke in most likely fought with my sister Jack sound incredible incredible we're going back to town come on when I find that skunk without duty him will seem impossible meanwhile Joe but returned to town and headed straight for the cafe weary and foot sore he expected sympathy but when he told the story of his abduction the man around the bar seemed to find it more funny than tragic the cafe rock with laughter look like you've been walking for a week Joe how do you like hiking there and laugh if you like if I ever run across that masked man again I'm gonna gun whip that gentle a friend there he is what the easy jack take it easy after all you don't know for sure now wait take your hand up my arm job where's my sister hey is everybody local today you broke into our house when my sister was alone there what did you do with it hey now where have you been all this evening father I was set a foot out in the country and had to walk back to town did anyone see you Joe well reckon not mr. Thornton you see and you can't prove your wind at our place what and blazes do I care about proving anything to you for I'll show you oh yeah take this oh hey I'll break you into not tonight you won't job I'm gonna give you the thrashing of your life you stand up and take it and come on I'll move back to give the two men more room that first surprise the sudden change in the boy turned to admiration they took the offensive and kept it latter but much faster he seemed to avoid the hammer like blows and dope great fist for the fraction of an inch it was a battle of a wild cat in the mountain lion and the crowd shudder their encouragement I'll make you wish you haven't stay away from here get out what if you've been in a fight Jack what's wrong but the house it was just torn up I found Job's bandana there I keep still about all that your sister will explain later mask man come on tell her let's get out of here before hold on there don't Jack they know what they're doing but don't even mention them you heard what he said I'll explain later everything's all right mr. Thornton but that's as right now she she'd rather not talk oh oh of course you were you understand don't you I'm not sure I understand that miss but Jack I do understand this I made a mistake about you young fellow a mistake I thought you were well to be frank a coward I say I was wrong all I ask is that you never lose your temper with me I'm sorry about that mr. Thornton sorry why are you young idiot don't you realize that just one you a job what of course I want to fight her in this office Jack and it certainly looks to me as if you're the man he's that all right I've never seen anybody go to a local man Jack that's wonderful hey guys stop isn't it and and huh and so were you I've heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated