 a fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and the hearty Hio Silver, the Lone Ranger. No man did more to bring law and order to the early western United States than the masked rudder, the planes. He fought crime and criminals throughout the new territory, and whenever men gathered around the campfire, stories were told of his strength and courage. In time, Hio Silver came to be the battle cry of justice on 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. A crowd of cheering cowhands lined the rail of the corral at the X bar X ranch. Dusty Liggett, the newest member of the crew, had thrown his saddle on Satan, a powerful base stallion with a reputation of a killer. And now Dusty was riding the wildly plunging animal with the grace and ease of a master horseman. The only one of the group who did not share in the general enthusiasm was Ted Bassett, the foreman. He stood beside Mary North, the daughter of his employer, silent and disapproving. Oh Ted, he's wonderful. I never saw such riding. Look Ted, look, Satan just can't throw him. Yeah, I'm looking. Oh, for a second I thought, it's quitting. He's giving out. Oh, wasn't it grand? Oh, sure. Oh Ted, what's the matter? Matter? Nothing I know of. You look... by Ted, you look as though you're sorry Dusty rose, Satan. What's it to me? There's something wrong. What do you want me to do? Start hopping around, yelling my head off? Shucks, he ain't the best bronco buster I've seen. There's plenty can top him. Well, he's the best I've seen. Dusty? Oh Dusty, come here. He was a fella. Howdy miss. That's you with some horse, your poems. The knowers I ever saw is me. Dusty, I thought you were wonderful. Did you miss? It's mighty nice of you. I wanted to tell you that I... Just a second, Mary. Yes? Of course, I'm just a foreman here. But if I can butt in, do you mind my saying something? Well, of course not. Something troubling, you fella? Well, not exactly Dusty. I was just going to suggest that now the fun's over, maybe we could get some work done around this ranch. All right, Mr. North, paying you not to cover anything, but showing the boys how good you are, when you can't think nothing better to do. Well, don't go. Mad because I rode that horse, huh? You know the orders I gave you this morning? How about doing like you've been told? Ride to North Fens? Oh, sure, I guess I can. Well, bye, Miss Mary. Glad you like my ride, and even to some other folks around here didn't. Wait, Ted. I think you're hateful. You're acting this way just because Dusty did something you couldn't. You're just mean and jealous. Dusty, I want you to know I don't agree with Ted. I don't see any reason why you shouldn't have ridden Satan if you wanted to. Thanks, Miss. Like I pointed out, I'm still foreman. I answer to your call, Mary, not to you. Dusty, get going. Happy seeing you. Now, honey, you listen to me a second. Don't you dare call me that. Well, listen to me anyhow. If we're going to get hitched, I guess I got some rides. And how do you think it looks to the other fellas? You making so much over that armory every time you see him. I don't care. What, Mary? And if you had the idea we were ever going to be married, well, you can just forget it right now. So there. Hey. Don't you talk to me. Oh, wait, honey. Hey, cut it out, Ted. You're making a dog on you. Get out of yourself. Huh? Oh, hello, Max. You've got plenty to learn, fella. Yeah? Don't ever let a girl you're interested in see your jealous, even if you are. It's the worst thing you can do. You can take it from me as a fella at no. Dog gone and all, Max. What am I going to do? Just take it easy. Take it easy with a gen like that around? My dog gone and he can rope like a Mexican ride like a Texan and soft soap folks like he'd run a medicine show. Take it easy. I'd like to jump down that armory's throat. It was several weeks later that the lone ranger and his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, stopped a cow hand on the trail, not far from the ex-Barex ranch. The masked man was looking for information about an outlaw. Slim, good-looking blackhead fella, huh? That's right. What did you say his handle was? Long on the border, he's known as a real kid, but up this way, he's likely to call himself anything. He's a smooth talker, clever with horses, and as fast with his guns as any man you're likely to meet. You run across no one answering that description, huh? Shucks, no. And from the way you tell it, if I had a guess, I wouldn't have forgot it. I know he's somewhere in the district, but we lost his trail the other side of Calhoun. What's he wanted for? He isn't wanted. Huh? But I thought you said he... I said he's a crook and a murderer. As a matter of fact, it wouldn't be so easy to prove it on him. That's what Tonto and I hope to do when we find him. You wouldn't be looking for this gen for some other reason, would you? What do you mean? Well, don't take offense, stranger, when there's none meant, but I couldn't help kind of wondering. With you wearing that mask and all... Never mind the mask. Oh, it ain't none of my business. Well, if you can't tell us anything, we'll be writing on things anyhow. Oh, sure. That's all right. Hey, wait a minute. Yes? Just figured I'd better warn you, so you wouldn't make no mistake if you're dropped by the X bar X, please. Mistake? Don't go to taking Dusty Liggett with this fellow you're hunting. It may be causing some trouble. Dusty Liggett? Yeah, he's one of their top hands. And the answers, the description I gave you? Well, I guess it does. Then why didn't you tell me that before? Good, you said you were looking for a crook. He sure ain't one. He's just a cow hand, same as me. How long has he been in this district? Oh, I don't know. Maybe a month, maybe more. I see. Tonto, let's go. Tonto, let's go. Now, wait. Come on, so be it. Get him up, so be it. Hey, hold on. Well, King, none of my business. That masked fellow makes a mistake of getting that Dusty Liggett mad. Well, that's his funeral. Come on, Bronx, get up there. While the Lone Ranger and Tonto were riding toward the X bar X ranch, Ted Bassett was knocking at the ranch house door. Oh, hello, Ted. Howdy, ma'am. Johnny was just telling me I was wanted. Well, come in. He's just in the parlor, Ted. Oh, Andy, here's Ted to see you. Send me in. Go on, Ted. Thank you, ma'am. Howdy, Mr. North. Hello, Mary. Hello, there. Hello, Ted. Oh, you here, Dusty? Sure, why not? Ted, sit down. Now then, we're all here, so I can tell what I wanted you for. First, maybe you and Dusty seen that the sheriff was out here yesterday, Ted. That right, I've seen him. Well, he told me something. He just got a letter from the U.S. Marshal. The Marshal wrote there's reasonably the Rio Kid is somewhere in this district. What? Rio Kid? He's been seen? Well, all it's known is that he was heading this way. Now, I can tell you've heard of him. And if you have, there's no need of me explaining the kind of reputation that gents got. Well, I've heard he's poison. I guess so. But he's slick, too. Well, that's just the point. Wherever he shows up, there's either a killin' or a holdup or both. There's never any evidence against him, but it's always noted that trouble begins when he's around and ends when he's gone. So the sheriff wants us to watch out for him, huh? Yes, of course. But that ain't exactly why I called you here. No? You see, Mary's gonna have to take a trip. She's got to go over to Sage City for me. That's right, Mary. When you're leaving. Tomorrow, isn't it, Paul? Mm-hmm. First thing in the morning. That way, you can be at the Box W for a dark to stay the night and get into Sage City the next day. Uh, business, isn't it? I don't concern nobody but Mary and me. What I'm gettin' at is this. With the Rio Kid around, I don't want her makin' that trip alone. It'd be better for her to have somebody along for protection. I'm not afraid, Paul. I know you ain't, but I am. I savvy, boss. Well, I'll tell you, I don't see why I couldn't make the trip. We're not doin' anything now that I have to be here for. I can explain to Dusty what he should do in my place while I'm gone. That's what you want, and you won't have to worry for Mary at all. You're not going, Ted, huh? I just called you in so you don't understand why I was takin' away one of your men. I'm sendin' Dusty. Hey, boss, you can't do that. No, Ted. But you can. What's my place to look after Mary? If she needs any garden, I'm the one who should do it. Ted, now wait a minute. I don't see why I... I said wait. Well, I don't want you to be put out about this, Ted. But I think it's the way it ought to be done. We both want Mary to be just as safe as she can be, don't we? That's why I said you shouldn't. Now, Ted, to handle a boy's, you're the best man I got. But when it comes to guns or ridin' or ropin' or anything like that, you'll have to admit yourself that Dusty's got the edge on you. I ain't admitin' no such thing. Well, I can't help it. It's so. But he can't... And we're not here to argue about it. What I've decided goes. Now, just calm down and hear me out. But don't go on at all, boss. I'm telling you, you keep still. Sorry, boss, because I was sort of forgettin' myself. Better. Well, there ain't much more to say. Dusty, you'll be ready to leave in the mornin' by six. Right. And between now and then, keep this trip to yourself. That goes for you, too, Ted. All right. I won't say a word. And remember, Dusty, I'm dependent on you to see that Mary gets to Sage City, safe, no matter what happens. I am not warnin' you, because I don't trust you. If I didn't, I'd never send you with her in the first place. I'm just mentionnin' it, because I don't want you to get careless. Mr. North, Ms. Mary will have the safest trips she ever had anywhere in her whole life. Good. That's all, then. You can go now. Here, then, I'll be lookin' for you at six, Ms. Mary. I'll be all ready. Well, goodnight. Bye, Mary. See you later, judge. Bye. Paul, why didn't you tell him about the money? For the same reason I'm sendin' you with it instead of Dusty or Ted. Yes? They're good men. But you can never tell who'll talk and who won't. And with the real kid in the district, the less said, the better. You'll be carrying close to 10,000. That's every penny I got from that cattle buyer. Don't worry, Paul. Well, I'll be bound to worry some till you get back. I'll make the trip as quickly as I can. Sure, honey, I know you will. And if I figured there was any real danger, of course, I'd make the trip myself somehow, even if I am busy. Oh, I want to go. Well, get that money to the bank, then hustle back. And fellas, you should have seen Ted's face when the boss told him I was a better man than he was. He was fit to bust. I didn't dare look at him for fear he'd get to laugh and right in his face. So I just kept looking at the floor, waiting for Ted to take a swing at him. And if he had had a clue, and if he had, I'd have climbed all over him. But I reckon he didn't have the nerve. And then the old man said... Cousy, come out here. Yeah, what for? I got something to say to you that can be said outside the bunkhouse better than in. Or if you get a yellow streak as big as your mouth. Aim to find out? I reckon so. You fellas, stay right where you are. That's what you say, Ted. Come on. Go around here. You're a straw, boss. This will do. Now then, what was the idea telling them fellas about the trip tomorrow when the boss said not to? I didn't. Then what was your talking about? I reckon you heard enough to make a mighty close guess. I reckon I did. But I'm going to tell you something. Yeah? You've got yourself in good with Mary and the boss and the fellas working here. But I ain't so easy fool. In my opinion, nobody was ever as handy with a gun as you are for any honest reason. And nobody ever shot off of the mouse so much without somebody like me coming along and shutting for them. What's that mean? I'm going to give you the lick of your life. And then come again. You get it? Hey, what the hell, ladies? Hey! Let go! Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on! 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. The masked man and Tonto did not slow up until they had reached the cover of a small woods. Who? Who? Let's go. What do you want anyhow? Who are you? Don't slap, brother. I'll take that gun. Give me that back. You can have it when you leave. How about tell me what this is all about? You think I'm carrying cash worth stealing? I don't suppose you are. And what do you want? The most I'm hoping for is that you have sense enough to listen when someone wants to help you. Huh? Tonto and I were outside the house when North was talking to you and Dusty Ligget. We were still there when you had left. And he told his daughters he was carrying $10,000 to Sage City. What's that? Now then, are you ready to listen to what I have to say? You're after that $10,000? No. Well, what do you... I have an idea. The real kid will be. Huh? If you will, you can help me trap him. Mister, how do I know you ain't him? Look here. Take a look at the bullets in this gun. What? Go on, examine them. Well, I'll be switched. Well? Silver. Bullets are silver. You heard my horse answer to the name of Silver. You've seen those bullets. You mean to you? You... You mean you're the lone ranger? I think you've answered your own question. What's brought you here? The real kid. You're on his trail? I am. You know him? I do. Where is he? Well, I tell you that when you cooperate with me. What do you mean? We have to be careful. You must remember that no matter how much the law suspects, it is nothing on him. If we do no good to turn him over to the law, unless at the same time we gave the law evidence enough to hold him. How are you going to get that evidence? By giving the kid all the rope he asks for we're hoping that we can convert that rope into a noose. Yeah? Oh, mister, if you can do that, I'm for you. At the ranch, a search for Ted was being organized. But before the crew were ready to start, Mary Bassett saw the foreman coming toward the house on foot. Pa, there's Ted. I think he's all right. Hey, wait for me. Hurry. Hold on. Ted. Oh, Ted. Hi. Oh, Ted, you're safe. Oh, what had happened? Gosh, I thought I'd go crazy. You worried about me? Uh, well, I mean... I wonder if you know just what you do mean. Hi, boss. Ted, what happened? Who's that masked fella? What do you want? Oh, nothing special. Hey, Rob, yeah? Nope. Because you didn't have much cash on you, huh? You didn't even look to find out, boss. No? Then why on tongue did he write off with you like that? Look, boss, if you don't mind, that's something I'd rather explain later on. All right? I sure, I reckon so. You'll see why when you learn the whole thing. Can't tell me nothing now, huh? I just assumed weight. Well, it's all right if you think you know what you're doing, I guess. Excuse me. There's Pete. I want him to write out and tell the boys you're back. Sure. Ah, look here, Mary. Yes, Ted? When you come running out of the house just now, he didn't act to me like you'd change your mind any about getting hitched. I was excited. I didn't realize how it looked. Don't go on, Mary. Why can't everything be between us like it was before? I think it's... Please. Let's not discuss it. You're not trying to tell me you've really gone soft with that loud mouth, no good... Stop it! But gosh, Mary, can't you see that he... Can't you keep quiet when I ask you? The more you talk like that, the more you prove just how small and mean you are. But look... I... I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man alive. At daybreak the next morning, Mary's parents were saying goodbye to their daughter. Dusty Liggett was already waiting outside. You'll be careful, won't you, Mary? Of course, Mother. And daughter, don't say anything to Dusty about the cash you're carrying even after you get started. He might think it kind of funny we hadn't mentioned it before. Just say we had business to attend to there and as me and your ma couldn't get away, you were sent instead. I will, Pa. And if you do run across the real kid... Oh, don't even think of a dandy. Well, it never hurts to be prepared for the worst. If you do meet up with him, honey, just remember he's got no way of knowing you've got that cash with you. At least ways he shouldn't have. So if it's a hold-up and you turn over just what you'd be likely to carry, he won't think nothing of it. I'm keeping my money separate from the rest. A good idea. But if somehow he does know you've got the cash... Yes. Give it to him. I'd rather lose everything we've got than to have you come to harm. Now, don't you worry. Most likely we won't meet a soul on the way. Oh, I think I better get started. Dusty's waiting. There's Ted outside too. I'll go outside with you. But you keep in mind what I just said. I will. Goodbye, Ma. Goodbye, daughter. Morning, Ted. Morning, boss. Morning, Dusty. Good morning, ma'am. Good morning, Miss North. You got your horse all settled, Miss Mary. We're ready to start any time you want. And I'm ready right now. Come on. I'll take good care of her, boss. Thank you, Dusty. Goodbye. Now, remember, Dusty. Get up, boy. Get up. Well, Ted, I guess you and me can get to work. Hey, how come you've settled my horse? Mr. North, you and me are taking a ride. Huh? What for? You'll find that out when we get there. See, what's on your mind? You'll see. Aren't you acting kind of mysterious? Come on, boss. This is important. I mean it. Ted. Yeah? You've been acting funny ever since you rode away yesterday with that mask filler. This got something to do with him. I said you'll see when we get there. Come on. Go ahead. Lead the way. Get up. Get up. Get up. Get up. Ted led his employer out of sight of the ranch house, then turned down a broad gully and rode a short distance farther. Three horsemen were waiting around the bend. The lone ranger, Otto, and the sheriff. Sheriff? Oh, boy. Oh, boy. Hi, Andy. What a tunk of you doing here. The mask man roused me out of bed this morning and kind of hinted if I didn't come along peaceable, he'd blast me out of my boots. Well, I come. And with what he's told me since, I'm kind of glad I did. Now, how about letting me in on this, gents? You figure I can be told what's up? The mask man will tell you. Andy, we're after the real kid. Otto and I know who he is, where he is, and we believe we know where he'll strike next. The sheriff's alone to make the arrest, and you'll be a witness. Isn't that right? You telling the truth, sheriff? I reckon so. Know the mask man, do you? I mean, know him good enough so you take his word on this? I don't know him, but I'll take his word all right. Huh? Andy, this arm raised a lone ranger. Well, dog gone. Follow me. In the meantime, Mary North and Dusty Liggett made steady progress toward the Box W ranch, where they planned to stop for the night. But just as the light was fading from the western sky, Dusty cut away from the stage trail. We'll go this way, Miss Mary. Come on, boy. Come on. But Dusty, this isn't the trail to the Box W. I don't take the regular one, Miss. Middle getters there, and I figure it'll be safer. Get up, boy. Get up there. It ain't traveled so much. Now, don't you be scared. I know the way. But Dusty, I don't see why we should take this trail. We have such a little ways further to go. Well, the Box W can't be more than a couple of miles. You're worried? Well, I... You ain't doubting my judgment, are you? No, I... I didn't mean to do that. Well, then you just follow along and trust me. Your father puts in my care, and I aim to see you get to Sage City without nothing going wrong. Get up, boy. Get up there. Take a look, kids. I don't see if he followed the stage trail or turned off. You know something? Huh? This is the way my daughter and Dusty came. I'll bet anything the real kids follow them. Yeah, right on one thing, Andy. What's that? Wherever your daughter and Dusty are, you'll find the real kid not far away. Well, son of... I thought that would happen. Come on, let's get going. We're wasting time. Right. Come on, children. Come on. At first, Mary had only been puzzled by Dusty's choice of trails. But as it grew darker, she became alarmed. Dusty, are you sure you know where you're going? Now, Miss Mary, didn't I tell you not to worry? But I know the Box W shouldn't be this far. Yeah. All these trees, it's... It's so hard to see the trail. Then just follow me. But it's getting dark. Now, you do like I tell you. No, Dusty. Honestly, I think we should turn back. We can go back to the stage trail and reach the Box W that way. And then we'll be sure we're not lost. Ah, quit your joy. What did you say? I said, shut up. I'm getting tired of your whining. Dusty. You heard me. How dare you talk to me like that? What's gotten into you? Well, I don't see no good reason where I should keep on pretending no longer. Here, pull up there. Oh, boy. Oh. Dusty, what are you doing? You're going to hand over that cash you're carrying piece of bull, or are you going to make me take it away from you? Dusty, you... And quit calling me Dusty. What is nothing? Tell me what most folks do. Yes, the real kids. Oh, no. That's a good one, ain't it? Your pa's scared of the real kids so he sends you to town with his cash and sends me along to guard you. You... Sure. I ain't denying it. Hand over that cash. I ain't going to wait much longer. I haven't... No lie to me. I think I didn't hang around the house until I found out what you and your pa was planning. She actually the only reason I hired her to your pa in the first place was because I knew how much cash he had on hand. I'd just been waiting for a good chance to grab it. Here, get down on that saddle. Get down on that saddle. I tell you... No, please. Let go. Now, where's the cash? I tell you... Let's think and listen to you much longer. I think cause you're a woman, I'm scared to rob you. You're a little legit. When you've taken the chances I have in my time, something like this ain't going to faze you. Now, give me that cash. No. Why, you... Get away. Get back. I'll sew you a hand-saddle. What hand-saddle? What hand-saddle? You little dirty schemer. Let me handle a skunk. No, you don't. One step closer, and I'll blow you to blazes. Now get back. Get back, I tell you. Not that gun. Take it. Oh, my hand. You're not hurt. You deserve worse. Hold out your hands while I put the costume on. Oh, Sheriff, wait. I got a score to settle with this skunk. Let him and me settle it. Just stand aside and don't interfere. No, please, Ted. Huh? You...you might get hurt. By him? I'll break the pole-cat in two. Stay out of this, Ted. He's under arrest. The law can take over now. What were you fellas following us for? What were you doing here? We wanted to give you a chance to incriminate yourself, Dusty, and you took it. It was a mask man's idea. He said you'd try a stunt like this and give yourself a wave. We'd just let you. So you're the real kid, huh? Well, kid, you've been out smart and a lot of folks for quite a long spell, but you made a bad mistake when you went up again in the Lone Ranger. I'll steal your heart! Happy Routed Feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.