 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver, the Lone Ranger. Early settlers in the western United States faced many dangers and hardships, blazing heat and bitter cold, drought, floods, hostile Indians, and worst of all, the outlaws who defied the local sheriffs and terrorized whole districts. It was amassed rather the planes who drove them from the new territory. Daring and courageous, no matter what the odds against him, he brought law and order to a lawless frontier and finally made possible the winning of the west. 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. Come on, Silver! We're heading for Terracay Reef! A desperate battle is being fought at the Merrick Ranch. Dust at dusk, a band of outlaws have surrounded the house and inside, Mark Merrick, his wife and son and two cowhands have prepared to sell their lives dearly. For hours the fight went on. The three men and the boy crouched at windows, firing, loading, firing again until the barrels of their rifles were red hot. Still the circle of the dark figures continued to close in. Ada, more bullets quick. Come on, Bart. Here, take these. Thanks. Won't they stop when it gets dark? Honey, I don't know. Almost night now, but they ain't slacked up any. But Bart, what's it mean? Who are these men? Who sent them? Who they are, I couldn't say. Hired killers, I reckon. But who sent them and why? I guess you savaged just as well as I do. Stand aside, Ada. There's one of them skunks trying to sneak past the corrals. I gotta beat on him. Got him. Seem crawling back all the way there. There's one that give us all the trouble he's gonna for a while. Bart, it's terrible. Uh-huh, Ada, and it's war. If you don't shoot the other fellow, why he shoots you. I wish Klein was dead. If you don't wish it anymore, and I do. No, no, a lot of other folks. How can they let him live when he does such things? Can't never prove anything on him. He ain't out there. You can bet on that. He... watch out. There. Nope. When there's dirty work to be done, he can always find plenty of gun hands that'll do it for him for cash. He keeps clear. But one of these days... Yes. Well, one of these days, maybe there'll be a lynching party in that ombre's honor. Proof or no proof. Depends on how much folks will stand for. And if I still live through this, I'll be there. You mean that maybe... maybe you... That maybe I won't live through it? Well, honey, I'll tell you. This ain't no time for crying the fool anybody. Figure it out for yourself. There's anyhow twenty fellas out there. Even Count and you, there's just five of us. Anywhere you add that up, the sum ain't comfortable. Oh, but I don't want anything. Ada, it's Tony. Go see how bad herty is. Murder and killers. There! Take that, you sneak and coyote. That's for hitting Tony. Huh? Hey, young'un, get your head down. Yeah. There's no one here. What's the matter? Something happened where you was? No, Pa, listen. Huh? They've quit firing from out back for a while, and it's getting dark as anything. All right. All the more reason for staying on the job. They might sneak up from that way. No, please listen. It's our chance. Look, Pa, I could hop out the back window and maybe get away. Now, Jimmy, I know you could... Oh, please, Pa, you just got to listen. I know just how I could do it. Honest I do. I could call to the well, then make it from there to the trees by the smokehouse. You know you could... I could, Pa, I could. There's nothing to it. They got the horses way back out of range. I could steal one and be away before they knew it. Then I could bring back help. You have to have help, Pa. Please say I can. Please. Hey there. Yes, Pa. How's Tony? He didn't live, but... But he's out of the fighting? Oh, yes. You see, Pa, now there's just three of us to handle the guns. If help ain't brought, they could rush us anytime. What if you... Honest the young'un wants me to say he can sneak out for help. What do you think? Oh, Jimmy, no, you can't. Well, I can't, too. Yeah, I'm no kid no more. I bet I could do it like nothing. Oh, but you... Hey there, wait. Pa, you're not gonna allow... Honey, let's figure this out. When he first mentioned it to me, I felt just like you do. But he's just... But I think maybe the young'un's got something. We're sure to get... If we stay here and fight on like we have been doing. But if Jimmy can get through and bring help, we'll have a chance. I'll get you, Pa. He'll be on the gun stage all right. Don't you worry. Just... Just give me the chance. Well, if you don't, son, I... I ain't just sure you'll be any worse off than if you'd stayed behind. Oh. Yes, I... I reckon you can go. Gee. Oh, Jimmy. My boy. You mustn't. Oh, no. I'll be all right. If you're going, you better hurry, son. And don't say goodbye. That... That'd be bad luck. Oh, no. Clem, keep firing as fast as you can. We'll give the kid a chance even if we have to be drilled for. That same evening in Cherokee Ridge, the closest town to the Merrick Ranch, a lone masked man faced a tensely silent crowd in the cafe. One man was nursing a numbed hand while his gun smashed by a bullet, laid his feet. Another coward against the bar as the masked man called to him. That's Clem. Yes, Ginger? Come here. Who don't you? Don't I? Come here. What do you want with me, huh? What do you want? See that gun on the floor there? Uh-huh. That fella tried to draw on me. You saw what happened. Keep it in mind. You try that same thing, and maybe I won't aim for your gun. You understand me? I wasn't going to draw. I understand, wasn't I? See that you don't. And keep quiet. Yes, sir. I came here to tell you not to listen. Just a word of warning to the rest of you. You're not behind as long as you don't attempt to interfere. I'm on your side, but I don't suppose that matters. I happen to know that Clem has you so frightened you're afraid to call your souls your own. I don't expect help from you. Just don't try to help Clem. All right, Clem. Now for you. Who are you? That's something you will never find out. On the other hand, I know not only who you are, but what you are. You're a cowardous schemer and a crook. You're a bully who hires his dirty work done for him. Oh, wait, I... You had a ranch in Mexico until your neighbors there decided they'd stand for you no longer. I never had a ranch. You and your gang had waited another day to start for the border. You'd have been decorating ropes. But you were lucky. You saved your hides and got your cattle into the States. Then you came here. Listen, fellas. Everything this hombre's tongue is lies. I never was in Mexico. Nobody ever chased me out of nowhere. Oh, I'm lying. Am I... Don't let me go. I didn't mean it. Wait, sure I was in Mexico. Sure, now let me go. Very well. Be more careful what you say after this. You came here because you knew this district contained only small ranches. Too weak and too disorganized to oppose you. You murdered one sheriff. You've never allowed these people to elect another. But, sir... That's what. Nothing. You almost forgot yourself, didn't you? Were you going to claim that was a lie also? I never killed nobody. I heard that story, too. One of your men drilled the sheriff. Then, in order to make it appear he hadn't been acting on your instructions. You shot down that man in cold blood. You not only ordered the sheriff's murder, but double-crossed the man who obeyed that order. How can I say anything with you aiming that gun at me? I don't think these men will try anything now. I think they're too interested in what I'm saying. All right, clan. I'll put my gun away. Now, what have you to say? That in a fair fight I could bust you right open. Come and try it. You won't draw again? Not unless there's treachery. Take this. Missed you. Try again. Now, picture this time. You asked for it. Here's another. You there. Get your hand from that gun. That's better. Climb, get up on your feet. Get up, I said. Get up, I said. Good enough. I said I had enough. Don't have me again. Please don't. I'm bringing justice to this territory. I'm giving you a week to get out, one week. You'll dismiss your men. You'll leave your cattle behind. Most of them were stolen. You'll take just enough money to travel on, and you'll never attempt to come back. You can't do that to me. Stay beyond the week and find out. I'll tell you how about it. Tonto. You come quick. They're gunfight at ranch. Tonto, what ranch? Is this your work? Did you order an attack on Bart Merrick? No, I never. I don't know anything about it. He threatened him just last week. He was trying to organize a small ranchers against you. You told him to stop or take the consequence. No. He didn't stop. And this is the result. You can't prove it. You can't prove it. Quiet! Did you men hear what Tonto said? Well, how many of you are willing to ride to give Bart aid? No one? Isn't there a man here with the courage to ride? I see there isn't. I'm not sure I blame you. I know what you've suffered when you've tried opposing him before. But men, listen to me. Get in this fight or stay out. It doesn't matter. Climb through. And I'll finish him. Come, Kimosabe. We ride. Urging Silver and Scout to their greatest speed, the Lone Ranger and Tonto raced out of town and northward toward the Merrick spread. When they arrived, they had started late. When they finally reached their goal, the great dawn was breaking. The battle was over. Tonto, look there. This place must have been raked with bullets. From there, there's where someone was wounded. And we'll have a look inside. You'll look? What? There, a woman. I didn't see her. I heard you ride up. What did you call your horse? I'm here to call him Silver. You're the Lone Ranger. What's happened here? Climb's men attacked. You recognize them? You even swear they were his men? No, but they must have been. Wait. It's all right. I know you must have come to help us and I'm grateful. But now your help is needed. My son escaped from the house of United States Marshal Logan and De Posse. You said Logan? Yes, they got here just an hour ago. They drove off Climb's men, then left for town with my husband. The Marshal warned him to make out a statement. Mrs. Merrick. I could keep quiet about it, but I think it's best that I don't. What do you mean? The name of the United States Marshal for this district is not Logan, but Keller. And at this moment, he's at least 200 miles away. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. The Lone Ranger and his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, remained at the Merrick ranch house only a few minutes. Then they took to the saddle again. But in order to follow the trail of the outlaws, they were forced to ride very slowly. The ground here doesn't show their sign very plainly tender. All right. Good, but watch it closely. We lose that trail and have to hunt it again. We'll be wasting valuable time. You think Barton danger? I know he is. That's plenty bad. It's clear enough what must have happened, Kimosabi. When the boy tried to get away from the house, he must have been seen and captured and made to tell his errand. Which played right into that gang's hands. The fact they never attempted to rush the house, so they weren't anxious to take on necessary risks. Then prayed. They thought too much of their skins. Anyhow, Jimmy's capture gave them their opportunity. They must simply have waited through the night until enough time had elapsed to make it logical for Jimmy to have been able to reach and send back help if he'd gotten away. Then they chose men to pose as a posse. They chose men they knew wouldn't be recognized by the Merrick's. Not heaps smart. Too clever for Bart's safety, I'm afraid. They staged a fake battle and let it appear the so-called posse had driven them away. The Merrick's, of course, would never question the intentions of men who seem to be friends. Mrs. Merrick says that one man showed a Marshal's badge. It must have been stolen. That's right. So now both Jimmy and his father are their captives. What do you think him do, Klein? He can't permit them to live. But two good reasons. For now, Bart and the boy must know for certain that Klein was behind this. Enough so, I mean, to testify against him. Him never let him do that. No. But his second reason is just as important. What that? Bart tried to make him trouble. He warned Bart what would happen if he kept on. Bart did keep on. Now Klein has to keep his threat. If he doesn't, the other small ranchers of the district will lose their fear of him. They'll see that Klein can't always punish when he promises he will. Wait, Kimusabi. Look here. What manor? A stroke of luck, Tanner. They're heading up that valley. See how that trail goes? In the valley, they can't turn off. That's right. So there's no need for us to ride this slowly. Come. Here's our chance to gain on them. Get them up, Scout! Come on, old fella! Hurry, old fella! Hurry, boy! The man who had taken Bart Merrick and his son prisoner headed for the rugged country south of Cherokee Ridge. Finally, they drew rain inside a narrow, well-hidden canyon. That Klein was already there waiting for them. So you finally got here. We... Took you long enough. Wait a minute. I said, wait a minute. We hired out to do a job and we'd done it. Here's the fella you said you wanted and there's this kid. Now, what more do you want? We took a little longer first than we figured whether it's our business. Yeah. Yeah, you get down. Take your dirty hands off me. Shut up! You climbed down too, kid. You ain't tired. You leave my paw long. And if you don't want to get hurt, you'll keep shut. Well, are yours Klein? What do you want done with them? Just leave them to me. Sure. Oh, so that's it. Huh? What's so funny? There are yours. I've never noticed it before. That's why you're not feeling so good, huh? Who hit you? Any of your business. Put that fool Snickering. Ain't funny. Get back in your horse and ride back down the trail of ways. Somebody's got to keep guard. You want us to be found here? Who'd be looking for us? A mask man and a red skin, that's who. You heard me. Get back and keep watch. I have to tell you a million times over. All right, all right, don't get so heated up. Keep watch for a mask man and a red skin, huh? Klein, you know what I think. I don't know what you do. If you do, I don't care. I think it was one of them who gave you that shiner. Get up, boy, get up. You're smart. Well, bud, you're the gent figure he was going to get folks around here to join up to run me out. That's what I plan, Klein. Yeah. Well, it looks as if maybe those plans will just have to be put off for a spell. I think I'm savvy. Glad you do. It'll save me explaining. Why, you fool. Did you think I'd let anybody like you stand in my way? But I smash your kind before you get started. You can smash me. I'm going to. But, Klein, there's plenty others just like me. When I'm gone, there'll be somebody else to fight you. Do you think you can keep on killing and robbing and bullying folks? No. Not threatening. Just telling you what's bound to happen. It may be soon or it may be late. But there's no room for your kind in the West. And I hope for the good of everybody you learn that soon. All right. Now I'll tell you something. I'll boss this part of the country until the day I die. But if I don't, if somebody does get me, you won't be alive to know it. Murder again, huh? Call it anything you want. That's what it is. Maybe. But here's something to think about before I give these boys their orders to finish you off. Huh? When you go, your kid goes with you. Why, you rotten! Klein! Klein! Hey! Well, I told you to stay outside there and keep watch. They're coming! Whoa, whoa, whoa! He must have picked up our trail. I hardly got outside when I seen him. How far away are they? They ought to get here 10 to 15 minutes. I just caught sight of them way off there in the valley. See to your guns. There's cover just outside. Get out there. And when they ride up, blast them out of this saddle! All right. The lone ranger in Tonto rode toward the hideout where Bat had met his hired gunman unaware that they were heading for ambush. But when they were still some distance from the canyon, the masked man suddenly raised his hand in the signal to halt. Pull up, Tonto. Oh, oh boy. Why, stop. Come here. Step over here. Take a look at that. Oh, horseman here. And recently, so recently, Tonto, that these blades of grass are still bent over. They haven't had time to spring up again. Tonto, no one would be here unless he was a member of that gang. That's right. This country's almost deserted through here. If someone was at this place as recently as these signs indicate... What do you think? Look back the way we came. Huh? We rode through that valley. From here, most of the valley's in plain sight. You mean Pellar Seas? Right. What we do? I don't like this, Tonto. Have you saw us? You rode away to give warning. I've got an idea. They're waiting for us right now. For one moment. What matter? I think I have an idea, Tonto. I just thought of something. We pass back the trailer ways. Come, we're going back there. They're waiting for us, and we want to meet them. But we'll keep that appointment in our own way. Come on, Silver. Get them up, Scout. Come on, Silver. Concealed in the underbrush outside the canyon. Almost an hour. That great patient. Hey, come here. They've been there just about an hour. You said they went more than 10 or 15 minutes away. What's happened to them anyhow? Gosh, Klein, I don't know. You sure you've seen them? I'd all gone right. I did. Plain as day. Couldn't have made any mistake. And are you sure they didn't see you? How could they? That's what I'm asking. There's where I was, Klein. You can't see the place, but it's around that bend there. That was them, and that's all the farther away they was. Why don't they show up? There's only one answer to that I can think of. Yeah? They couldn't have had any notion they were seen. But they weren't so awful far behind us. Maybe they noticed they was getting mighty close on a trail. Now, if I was them in a case like that, I'd move mighty slow till I knew just what lay ahead of me. Maybe they got off their horses and coming afoot. Maybe. But if you don't believe I've seen them, what's the use of waiting here? Let's get on back to where Judd's gotten imprisoned. We'll wait a while longer. You're the boss. We can't take chances. Won't hurt us any. We'll give them another 30 minutes or so. Yeah, and here's something you can do. Look at them steers drifting this way. Yeah, I noticed them before. We'll move them on. Those hombres show up, they'll be coming from that direction. We don't want nothing in the way to stop our bullets. I'd like to show myself. Go on. Don't have to be noisy about it. Just get them head around. All right. All right, fellow get them there. They tricked us. Shoot them. Shoot them down. Shoot them down. Try not to get drilled or hammered. And tell your men to drop their guns. Stop fellas. Stop where you're coming. Tutto. Huh? I don't want these fellas while you get barking, Jimmy. Oh, wait. While you're there, Tutto. What do? Gather every rope on the saddles. We'll teach these fellas a lesson they'll never forget. Late in the afternoon when the citizens of Cherokee Ridge were on the side of a small herd of stampeding cattle, they raced into town from the north and plunged wildly down the town's main street. Behind the stairs are guns blazing the townspeople could make out an Indian and a mask man, both mounted on powerful stallions. But ahead of the band came two other mounted figures, Bart Merrick and his son Jimmy. Bart called the onlookers. They crowded into the street to watch. Hi folks, hi. Look what we're bringing you. We're bringing a parcel of grub. Bart, you local? What's going on here? Where'd them steers come from? Who's that mask man? Steady boy, Steady. Clem, that mask man's the lone ranger. What? That was the lone ranger in the cafe last night. Sure was. Now run your eyes over them steers coming this way. Hey, there's fellas tied to their backs. One of them's clives. A fellow tied to every steer in the bunch. Well folks, if you want this county cleaned up, just take a hand. Ain't no one of them armed and none of them's feelings are good after the ride they had. Go ahead, help yourselves. Come on, folks. What's there to be afraid of now? Come on. They've had a ride of them steers. Now we give them a ride on a ride. Jimmy, just look at them polecats. Spacially climbed there. Tied at the backs of a bunch of low-cold steers. It was the year they had so funny fights. There's some rides. It's just what they had at common. That wasn't the only reason the mask man done it, young'un. That mask armed very smart. He knows guns won't always lick crooks. And the law won't always either. But just get folks to laugh at them, and that's their finish every time. I've just heard as a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.