 The daring and resourceful mask writer 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. Some out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the Great Horse Silver. The lone ranger rides in. When old John Cameron was forced to go east because of his health, he left Murph's Saunders in charge of the Great Circle Bar Ranch. And then six months later, Murph died. All of Sunset County wondered who his successor would be. Joe Kendall, who had handled Murph's paperwork, or Happy Eight's performance. The odds favored Joe because of his youth. But suddenly a startling announcement came from the east. Cameron had hired a stranger to the county. A young cattleman called Bill Adams. Adams had conferred with Cameron in Baltimore, and was how on his way to take charge of the Circle Bar. All of Sunset County awaited his arrival with great expectations. The stage pooled as a present for a lot of passengers who were continuing on to the west would stay overnight. Bill Adams was just starting down the main street to the hotel when an Indian touched his arms. Tonto, is our friend anywhere around? Him camp out of town. I'd sure like to see him. Him want to talk to you. Mr. Cameron said he was riding him in care of the project. A mass friend gets leather. You hire horse at Liberty Stable, spend night at camp. That's a wonderful idea. Let's go. One ranger's camp was in the hills above the town. After they had eaten, the mass man, Tonto and Bill talked far into the night. I've got so many questions I don't know where to start. I think Tonto like it has the most of them. What about the ranch? It's in good condition. You'll have a good crew. I won't have trouble with any of them. Why should you? You know your business. Yeah, but there's Joe Kendall and Happy Yates. Didn't both of them expect to get my job? Oh, Happy not one big manager. He wants to stay foreman. And Kendall's already quit. Really? I don't have a sheriff. He's just been elected. Well, in a position like that, he can still cause trouble. You must know that you're going to have trouble with a lot of people, don't you? Why? Because you've been ordered to fence the Circle Bar range. Oh, Mr. Cameron told you. Yes, that's the main reason you felt you'd need our help. Do the ranchers have any idea about what I plan to do? Well, they'll find out soon enough. That's for sure. What do you think about it? I believe it's a wise move. The county isn't right for farming. That won't stop homesteaders from moving in. And after they find out they've made a mistake, the land won't be any good for range, either. True enough. The difficulty will be in making the ranchers face facts in the future. Making them realize that days of the open range are past. I know the time. Now they hate barbed wire. I don't know. I should be staying at the ranch. You may need our help. I guess so. I guess so. Do you think I ought to start wearing a gun? You've been getting along with that one. Yeah, but... Wearing a gun forced you to kill a man once. For self-defense, you had no choice. But when Majoria quit as you, you told me you'd never wear a gun again. I won't either. Still, I'm glad that you and Tano will be somewhere around for a while. Bill reached the ranch the following afternoon and called over hands into the ranch house that evening. Happy Yates, Mr. Gundog, who was named by constantly looking on the dark side of the ranch, stood beside him. Quiet down, boys. Quiet down. Boss has something to say. I'm glad to meet all of you. Tell me there isn't a finer crew in the whole west. Oh, no. Don't get your hopes up, boss. They're a mangy line. Quiet down, you boys. Listen. Well, I want you to file homestead claims on every inch of ground in this valley. Homestead claims? What for? I'll just hear me out. I know you're not farmers and you don't have to be. The law says that if you file claim to a section of land and build on it, the land is yours. You don't have to farm it. It can be used for grazing. I don't get it. You mean we're not going to live in the bunkhouse anymore? You'll have to live in your cabins. You'll still eat up here. And that isn't all, though. I was afraid it wasn't. We're going to build a fence all the way around the Circle Bar Range. You can't mean it, boss. We'll start as soon as you file your claims. A fence in Sunset County? A fence all the way around the Circle Bar Range. Miles! That fence must be built. If you want to be counted out happy, that's up to you. You can draw your time with a two-month bonus. I've been here five years. And I'd hate to lose you. But this goes for everybody. The job must be done. Any part of it, you'll have to draw your time and clear out. Really? I guess the man would like a little time to think about it. Sure. Any questions you have, I'll be glad to answer. Did old man Cameron give you the go-ahead on this? He sent me here to do it, happy. I can't understand it. Probably gone stark, staring mad. He's smarter than either you or I. That must mean the poor old cooch near and near. The doctor say he'll be back here in six months. He wants to be buried. Well, most likely me and the boys will be sticking by, son. We'll file the claims and we'll build our cabins. We'll build the fence. Then do you know what's going to happen? The Circle Bar Range will be safe. Yeah, but we won't. Our rancher friends will have something to say about that. We won't be living all together here. We'll be scattered all over the valley. They'll get us one by one while we're sleeping. Write my words, Bill. There won't be a mother's shallow life at the end of the year. Right, right. The following day, Tex Martin's daughter, June, rode over to the Circle Bar and invited Bill to a dance to be given in his honor on Saturday night. Bill accepted with pleasure, welcoming a chance to meet his new neighbors. But during the week, the Circle Bar crew filed homestead claims. And the news that the Circle Bar Range was to be fenced in spread like wildfire through the county. Bill was branded as a traitor. Saturday night came and he grew rain in front of the Martin Ranch. He found June waiting for him at the top of the steps. Good evening, June. Mr. Ed, I didn't think you'd come. We're having a party all right, but you'd better not stay. Well, I'm not welcome. It wouldn't be safe. You're mighty unpopular with the men inside. There'd be gunplay. I don't carry a gun. I'd like a chance to talk with the men. I don't like your arguments. They got them from happy. I might be able to explain a little better. What is there to explain? It's simple enough. Bill, I like you. You seem to be a nice hombre. But what you're doing is all wrong. No, June. You're asking for trouble and you'll get it. Your fence will never be built. And if you don't give up the idea why I... Oh, there's no more time to talk now. I hear Pa and Joe Kendall. They're coming outside. Kendall, sir? He's the worst of it all. Says he was elected to protect the rancher's interests and he aims to do it. I'm not breaking any law. What doesn't matter? Please, God. Oh, there he is now. Get out of here, Adam. There we are. There's only one way to deal with a fence built in Homestead and coyote. Over your gun. You're Joe Kendall. Yeah, the sheriff, aren't you? I'm not wearing my badge. This is man-to-man. Sorry, I can't oblige you. I don't carry a gun. We can fix that up. Give him one, boys. Thanks. Oh, yellow. Take off your gun belt and I'll answer that with my fists. That suits me. Hold my gun, Tex. You're... No, you can't. Wait a minute. Inside the house, Joe. This is no place for you. Oh, you've got to stop them. Inside. Come on, you poach. Come again. I'm ready. Hard fight between two evenly matched... Each man put as much punishment as he handed out. The time came when Bill saw an opening to the sheriff's jar and gambling put all he had into a right cross. Kendall dropped to the ground and Bill turned to face a circle of hostile faces. Now, does anybody... anybody else think I'm yellow? No. It'd be a lot better for you if you were. Give me a hand with Joe, boys. We'll take him inside. Give me an only lesson. Get out of here, Adams. All right. That's the way you want it. Good night. I told Bill that he would be camped in a wooded canyon to the north of the circle bar spread. It was there that Bill rode. Oh, oh, he's here. Right, Bill. Bring her here at this time of night. Can you see my face? Yes. You bound the fight. Yeah. I rode over to the Martin Ranch party. Sheriff Kendall and I put on the entertainment. They're all against me. You knew they would be. And I still know I'm right. My boy's being hurt. They're all living out on their claims now, and... well, what shall I do? Go ahead, Bill. You mean that? Yes. We'll keep a close watch on the sheriff and the ranchers. They'll do our best to give your men protection. That's a promise I wanted. The ranchers make no move for several days, and then one midnight, Tottle rode into camp. Well, that's pretty hard, Kimosabe. Ah, that big meetin' at Martin's ranch. Time to get close enough, hear what them say. What? Connect. Ranchers with bandanas over faces. They'll go to Happy's cabin. When? Maybe they're on wait now. All right, let's go. As the Lone Ranger and Tottle near the shack where Happy was living, they could see a cloud of dust to the south. The ranchers were only half a mile away. There was no light in the cabin, but the Lone Ranger and you, Happy, was inside. His bronc was grazing near the door. Easy, easy, easy. That's the bronc, Tottle. Put on your boots. Kendall and the ranchers are on their way here. Okay, I'll take your saddle. Horsesaddle, let me back. You can see him comin' all right, splittin' the wind. You remember I told you this. Hey, you're not from the ranch, you're a mess. Never mind that, I'm a friend of Bill's. Horsesaddle, ready? Horsesaddle, ready? Horsesaddle, ready? Horsesaddle, ready? Horsesaddle, ready? Horsesaddle, ready? Horsesaddle, ready? Horsesaddle, ready? Come behind them. Happy's cabin have been fired. The flames could be seen from the ranch house and from the Lone Ranger and his companion, Grecia. Bill and half a dozen men were already traveling up on the main corral. The masked man and the Indian are friends of mine. That's what they said. They saved my life so I didn't ask any more questions. How come, boss? The Indian's name is Tato. The masked man calls his horse Silver. Does that explain it? The Lone Ranger. the ranchers are out to get happy. I would have too if it hadn't been for the masked man and the Indian. This means that your men will have to sleep in the bunkhouse from now on, Bill. You bet. We'll round them up right away. Oh, fine, Sheriff. Leaving a bunch of nice writers. They were all wearing bandanas across their faces. I don't know if it was Kendall who talked him into this raid. In that price. And you all know why. Kendall had a personal grudge against Bill. Sure, he wanted his job. If you like nothing better, you didn't get rid of him. The building of the fence gives him his excuse. He don't scare us any more. I'm glad to hear it. We're sure how fast a fence can be built. Where will you build a hundred percent? We'll have to be on guard every minute. Bill, you'd better carry a rifle and a boot on yourself from now on. But I don't. It isn't the same as carrying a six gun. Your men are attacked during the day. You want to fight with them. Yeah. And don't ride alone. Day or night. Well, I made you a promise. I like when I return. Makes sense. All right, I promise. Will you see that he keeps it, Mr. Good enough. Maltese, watch out. But there were no more raids after that night. The ranchers were thoroughly ashamed of what they had done. And Kendall found it impossible to persuade them into any further violence. That was why he rode down to the southern end of the county one night. And there in the valley where the pines grew thick and tall, he met an old friend, an old friend and an outlaw who called himself Tombstone. There were over a dozen men in Tombstone's camp. Long time since you've paid us a visit, Joe. Yeah. Why now? What's happened to the long game you were playing with the ranchers? Oh, they're letting Adam go ahead with his plans. Not doing a thing to stop him. What about that raid last week? Nothing came of it. You still want to be the manager of the circle, boy, don't you? With Adam's out of the way, I would be. So you've come to see me. Yeah, we'll friend your best Tombstone. Well, I've never done business with a sheriff before. At least Badge don't mean anything to me. You know that. Maybe so. What's your idea? Just get rid of Adam's. If we were to take him prisoner, old man Cameron would pay healthy ransom. No, what's the sense of that? Dry gouching, that's all you have to do. And you'll pay me what? There's plenty. As soon as I get to be headman of the circle, boy, we'll leave a figure. Listen, now fix it so you can drive all 500 head a year. About? You sure you'd get the job with Adam's out of the way? I'm certain. That'd be worth a try. All right. When? Just leave everything to me. You'll find out when, when it happens. Three days later, Happy and Bill load along the boundary of the circle Bahrain toward a wooded arroyo. Get in guys, boss. I want to show you where to run the fence along here. May I be a promise to the mask man? I'm not alone. You're practically alone. I think I'm in mighty good company. See that draw? Yeah. Martin's coward used it in the water hole. We'll run the fence this side of it. Let's give Martin a break. Don't be fair. Look out, they're shooting from the door. Martiners have already fallen when the moon reins are in trouble, found Happy lying on the ground. Oh, he's very well. The call hand groaned and sat up as they drew rain beside him. Oh, my head. He's been wounded. Bullet creased scalp. What happened? Ambush. I was riding with Bill. Where is he? Where's Bill? He isn't here. Yeah, sure. They didn't kill him. Doesn't seem likely. He may have been taken prisoner. Who would do a thing like that? I don't know. I don't think the ranchers would. I'm sure they wouldn't. Don't don't expand it. How does any tracks around follow? Oh, there are plenty horses here. I'm head south. Any chance of following the trail? I don't know. They're rough country for some. Perhaps the best thing to do would be to report this to the sheriff. Handle? I think he's responsible. You might be able to find out if you talk to him. Maybe. And watch his reactions as you report the ambush. Yeah. And Bill's disappearance. Tell me, are you strong enough to ride? Ah, sure. Well, maybe hurt a little, but it gets better fast. Yeah, thanks. I don't know. You're a force near Waterhole. Come together. Here, let me help you up. There. I'll allow a ride with you. We'll wait outside the office. All right. All right, let's go. The lone ranger and tautel waited in the shadows of the building across the street from the sheriff's office when happy went inside to report the ambush. He came out again in less than 10 minutes and ran over to the masked man in the Indian. Well, that's funny. Really? Yeah. First he took it for granted that Bill was dead. I told him he disappeared. He almost went berserk. What did he say? That he was going to follow the trail himself. I said he might need a passing. Got a whole crew and ride with him. He said no. He was going alone. He'll bring him out of the office now. Yeah, there he goes. Straight out of town to the south. I'm just going to pick up the trail if he don't go out to Martin's draw. He doesn't have to follow any trail. He knows where he's going. Get that drink, Tullo. Mark the trail for us. You bring Posse? The ranchers. That's good. Come on out here. First stop will be at Martin's. Get him off the top. There's Tex and Julia in the porch. Who's that? He's happy. But the armory women. Keep in tact as he's mad. Don't go for your gun, Tex. This is a friend of mine. A friend? He is the armory you won't off with. The night that you tried to kill me. Right. Yeah. No, no, happy. We never meant to do that. It's scary, and that's all. We wouldn't have done that. You sound ashamed of what you've done, Tex. I guess maybe I am. But who are you? Happy told you, a friend. We've important business. You see, Happy and Bill were dry goats tonight. Did the ranchers have anything to do with it? Oh, my honor, no. Bill, did they kill him? We don't know. We're hoping he's been taken prisoner. Will you help us find him? Sure, and all my hands, too. But where are you going to start to look? We have a trail to follow. Let's make it fast. Sure, I'll hurry. The lone ranger led the Posse south. That was a mean one. It would have been impossible to follow the trail if it hadn't been for Tahoe's signs. At last, after two hours of hard riding, they saw Tahoe waiting for them on the edge of the forest. Oh, oh, oh. Hi, you. What's happy? Hi. The horses here. Crooks make camp in the middle of woods. How close can we get without being seen? The tree is plenty thick. You be careful when you get to edge the clearing. Maybe you hear them talk. Have you seen Bill? Uh, him prisoner. Wounded. From the sheriff. In there, too. In her fight with Tombstone. The leader of the outlaws? Ah. What's this about the sheriff? You'll find out, Jacks. Careful, everyone. Don't make a sound. It's the Father Tahoe. It was so dark in the forest that each man had to hang onto the belt of the man in front as they followed Tahoe. But at last, they saw a campfire flickering through the trees. Silently, they crept forward to the very edge of the clearing. Kendall and Tombstone were standing face to face with the other outlaws around them. Bill Adams lay on the ground beyond Tombstone, a bandage around his head. His hands tied behind his back. Who's stone will you listen to me? Put a bullet through him. Put a bullet through him and get it over with. Oh, shut up. But if you don't, I will. Go for your gun, and you'll be one sorry gent. I can outdraw you any day in the week. Now listen to me. Even if Adam's out of the way, I don't think you'll get the circle bar job. So we get in touch with Cameron, and find out what his manager's worth to him. Oh. The double cross, then. Yeah. Thanks for tipping us off. Thanks for telling us how valuable. Let him see. Oh, yeah, daddy. Not a chance. Quickly, Joe Drew his gun. The muscle pointed straight at Tombstone's heart. But not a trace of fear showed in the outlaws cold, gray eyes. If you see Tombstone, you were all about my draw. You pull that trigger, and you'll stop a half a dozen bullets. Your men might like a new leader. Yeah. This son-of-a-bitch right name is Kino Kenyon, boys. No, I'm from Merger, Missouri. What? Turn them over to the law, get her alive. You all get pardoned. Now wait a minute for that. You think they won't shoot now? You're safe as long as you don't try to interfere, Tombstone. It's Adam's time to guess. Well, I guess we won't stop you doing that. Let's stick to the original deal. All right. Stand aside. Now, Adam. Tombstone's right. You'd better shoot if I leave your hand. You probably will anyway. Oh, no, I'm going to. Oh, man! What? Open your hand! Oh, no! They're going to Tombstone. Hand me out of these ropes for the second VMI on a mission with your neck off. It will be. Now that we know who you really in. Kino Kenyon, how could we all have been so wrong? Does that mean you admit you were wrong about the circle bar fence there? No, sir. The end of the open range means the end of ranching. You talk about barbed wire as if it were a dagger in your back. That's a good way to put it. No, it isn't true. Tash, you admit that Sunset County is good range land, but that it would make poor farming country. Of course. That's why homesteaders will never bother us. And we don't need fences. Tell him what happened in Spring Valley, Bill. The ranchers there felt the same way you do, Tex. The homesteaders came anyway. They defiled claims. They tore up the side. They soon found they couldn't make a living there. Now the valley's been ruined for grazing. The same thing can happen in Sunset County, Tex. Think. Think about it. You must recognize your danger. Face it and defend yourself. That's the only way you can make your future safe. Come to Spring Valley. Go. Thanks, tunnel. You did a big call. Adios, sir. Adios, rest man. Recognize your danger. Face it. Defend yourself while there's still time, Tex. To make the future safe. Good advice, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah, and I'll go along with it too. Happy, who is that mask man? I told you, Tex. My friend, your friend, everybody's friend. He's the lone ranger. You're incorporated. Created by George W. Trenville. Produced by Trenville Campbell Enterprises. Directed by Fred Flower Day. And edited by Fran Striker. The part of the lone ranger is played by Brace Beemer.