 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high of silver, the lone ranger. Coming to the plains of Texas and the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, the masked rider of the plains led the fight for law and order. But justice meant more to him than the letter of the law. He believed the great new country should be a land of opportunity, and every man who deserved a new start in life could depend on the lone ranger's help. 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. Two men stood beside the dying embers of a small campfire in a wild and desolate country just north of the desert. One was an Indian, the other a tall broad-shouldered masked man who listened thoughtfully to his companion. Finally, did you find out the fellow's name, Tyler? Uh, him named Douglas. And he's an Easterner? Not right. Well, there's a little question about it, Kimisabi. The man he described to you is Lynn Fowler. No matter what he called him, I suppose Lynn had another name when he lived in the East. This fellow Douglas knew him there before he came West. You didn't tell him we know Lynn, did you? No. Me no tell him. Good. If Douglas came to this district, it's because he's got some idea where Lynn's to be found. No doubt he'll ask others the same questions he's asked you. Sooner or later, someone will give him the information he wants. I'm glad you didn't. I'd rather know first just why Douglas is so anxious to hunt him out. Uh, him not to say. That's suspicious on the face of it. He were a friend, he wouldn't hesitate to say so. Not what me think. I wish I knew what to make of it. Plenty strange. I hate to think that Lynn was in trouble. There isn't a more popular man in the territory. He's done more fine, unselfish things than anyone will ever know. That's right. His friends would do anything for him. There's no one who's come into contact with him who isn't his friend. Of course we have no way of knowing what lies in his past. Who he was and what he did before he came West is a closed book. No, no. And no one would ask. All the West demands of any man is that once here he lives decently and honestly. It believes rightly. Whatever he did before is none of its affair. You think and crook long time ago? Lynn? I wouldn't believe it until I saw the absolute proof. He's just not that kind. We shouldn't jump at conclusions. Douglas might have any one of a dozen motives for hunting Lynn out. There's nothing to indicate just which brought him here. Not right. However, I mean to find out more. Here, old fellow. Your ride? That saddle silver while I waited for you. I intended to ride for supplies. Oh. But that can wait. First, I'd like to have a look at Douglas for myself. He says he spoke to you and the state stopped at Fort Benton to change horses. That's right. And I should be able to make it to the next station before they get there. Wait for me, Tata. I'll be back before moon ride. Oh, me wait. Come on, boy. Hurry, old fellow. Hurry! A couple days later, Lynn Fowler left the bank at Eureka. None of the powerful and spirited grain rode southwards in town. His destination was a prosperous ranch that he'd built up during the five years he had spent in the west. His wife was waiting for him in front of his ranch house. But as he reigned in, his mount started to fight for its head. Oh, boy. Oh, there. Oh, boy. Oh, there. Oh, Lynn. Careful. Oh, boy. Oh, there. Oh, there. Easy, old fellow. Easy. That's it, boy. There's nothing to cut up about, old fellow. Quiet, boy. Quiet. Oh, Lynn, I wish you'd give up riding in my vest just so many times. Shucks, honey. He doesn't mean any harm, just having his fun. Isn't that right, old fellow? He might kill you. Oh, I don't think so. Anyhow, I'll never get rid of him. I tell you, Jenny, you don't know the thrill there is in riding a horse no one else can top. Lynn, I won't. Say I'm forgetting the news. Jenny, I talked to the banker. Guess what he told me. Wait, Lynn, I... No, you don't, Jenny. If you've got news, it'll have to wait till I have finished mine. You know what he said? He told me I could borrow any amount I wanted at any time. But I... Now you hush. I told him how much I wanted and why. And he said he'd have it ready by the end of the week. Jenny, all that range I wanted is going to be ours. We'll own grays clear from the desert to the hills. There won't be another spread in seven counties to match it. But, Lynn, I've got to tell you... Come on, honey. You can tell me inside. Stand steady, old fella. I'll take care of you later. Jenny, we've got so much to be thankful for, I don't know how to put it in words. You... Well, you remember how it was when we came here. And now, could anyone have a finer home than we've got? But, Lynn, won't you please listen to me? Sure, honey. Go ahead. Guess I was so excited I had to talk first or bust. Now, what is it? I wanted to tell you I'm here. What? I've found you. Douglas. So you're not going to pretend you don't know me? How did you get here? Don't think you'll escape. I wasn't. I brought someone with me. All right, Marshal, step in here. This is your man. You identify him, Mr. Douglas? The Marshal. You're sure he's your man? It's him right enough. Arrest him. If he tries anything, you should know how to handle him. Oh, I can do that right now. Douglas, you... You actually mean you're going to have me arrested after all this time? That's exactly what I mean. Are you... You can't. I paid you back every penny I took with me. That was your mistake. What? If you hadn't, I'd never have known where you'd gone. I knew you'd gone west, only by the push mark on your letters. But you got your money. You got your money. What more can you want? Justice. But don't you see... We were partners. You took company funds that belonged to both of us equally and absconded. I had to have the money. That doesn't make you any less a thief. Douglas, I told you at the time I had to have money. I told you Jenny here was ill. How the doctor said the only thing that could save her life was to send her west. I explained that to you and you still refused. I had no choice. I couldn't let Jenny die. I don't believe that now anymore than I did that. You can't do anything. And don't threaten me. I'm not. I just meant that I... Then there's no use. I told you what would happen if Mr. Douglas ever found us. He hasn't one bit of mercy in him. I'm not a soft-hearted fool if that's what you mean. We'll shoot as soon as we can start at the better. I don't trust this fella for a moment. I'd suggest that you take him to jail at Eureka for the time so that he won't escape. Then we can head for capital tomorrow for his thing. Oh, no. But you have to... No, Douglas. We don't do no such fool thing as that. This fella's under arrest. Now get him to the capital and hold him there till he can be sent east for trial. But we ain't going into town with him. Why not? The minute we did it, it'd be all over the county. What of it? Douglas, I guess you wouldn't understand. You're off your home grounds. You see, this somebody's well-liked. I've heard of him. He's got a powerful lot of friends in these parts. And out here, when a man's got friends, they generally do something about it when they see he's in trouble. You mean they might try to rescue him? They might. Take him away from the law? Uh-huh. I never heard of such a thing. That's what I said. Hey, it's outrageous. Yeah, if it's that all right. But don't you try telling his friends that. It wouldn't be healthy. Then what on earth do you intend to do? Well, my opinion is we ought to get started right now. Now? Uh-huh. Then head south for the desert. We can reach the capital that way while dodging Eureka and staying out of sight. I know a way across the desert that ain't often took. It'll mean 10 or 12 days or four more across, but we can manage. We have to cross the desert. We have no choice. Oh, we'll make it all right. Excuse me. Yeah? In case you're worried, I'd better tell you that I am no more anxious for this to get out than you are. I'll admit I'm rather proud of the position I hold in this district. I wouldn't exactly enjoy having my friends know why I'm being taken. I think you're wise in choosing the desert route, Marshall. Jenny. Yes, dear. I'm going to ask you to say nothing of this to anyone, not even the crew. Explain that I've been called away suddenly on business. That will serve for the present. In the meantime, Douglas may change his mind about this. If he does, no harm will have been done. I'll say nothing, then. Nothing. Thank you. I wouldn't advise you to hope for anything like that, Father. I promise you, you'll stand trial. I'm not begging off. Do you know good if you did? You'll have to furnish this with supplies, Father. Very well. And a horse for Douglas. The one out back with mine, he rented in town. Take what you want. All I ask is that you don't prolong this. It's not very pleasant. Oh, dear. Don't cry, honey. But it isn't fair. It isn't. You've worked so hard and... and we've been so happy. Jenny, we have to face it. I'll go east, stand trial, and take whatever I'm given. When it's over, I'll come back and we'll try again. I'll be waiting for you, Lynn. I'll always be waiting. A masked figure on a great white stallion broke from the cover of the ranch house and raced across country. It was a lone ranger, and not until he had reached the secret camp where Donna was waiting did he draw rain. Oh, oh, there's silver. Oh, boy. Oh, there. All right. What matter? There's no time to explain everything now, but Lynn's been arrested. Oh, not bad. evidently, when Douglas started, he got in touch with the authorities at the Capitol. At any rate, the United States Marshal was at Eureka to meet him. Fowler had committed a crime in the east. He stole money. What I could hear, he had reason to. Since he came here, he's paid all of it back. I believe his behavior since he came west has earned him the right to a second chance. Douglas, however, doesn't see things that way. He's determined to make Lynn stand trial. You helping? I must, Kimosabe. He deserves it. Not what me think. It won't do us any good to talk to Douglas. He seems to be convinced that he's simply serving the ends of justice. I doubt that revenge enters into it. The man who reasons in that fashion is difficult to persuade. What do then? I gave it some thought while riding here. You got planned? I think I have. They're taking Lynn away at once. But this time they most likely started. The Marshal suggested crossing the desert to avoid meeting Lynn's friends. He claimed to know a seldom used trail. Oh. Lynn himself made his wife promise she'd tell no one why he's gone. In other words, outside of you and me, the Marshal, Douglas, Mrs. Fowler, and Lynn himself, now the person knows or is likely to know that Lynn's been arrested. Not a good thing. The plan I have in mind absolutely depends upon the call scout. Yes, scout. Where we go? We're picking up that trail and following. We find they get safely into the desert without their errand being known. Then what do? Then I think Lynn will stand a good chance to return to his wife and home. Let's charge against him, killed forever. Not heep good. Come. Get him up, scum. I am silver away. The moon was full at night. Fowler, Douglas, and the Marshal well mounted and leading two pack horses stopped at the edge of the desert. The first stage of their journey had been completed then. Well, there's the desert. Uh-huh. We had luck. Never run into a soul. You may not believe it, but I'm as pleased as you are. And not only because of any publicity I'd get. Douglas is doing what he thinks is right, though I know he's mistaken. You, Marshal, are just doing your duty. I wouldn't want either one of you to come to harm on my account. Glad you feel that way. Well, do we check here? No, we push on. In the dark? There's good light to see by. Well, there's no... Douglas in the desert, country traveling at night, it's just good sense. It'll save you what I mean come morning. We write on. What time is it? About 10. Well, I know a waterhole. We should reach a poor son up. Isn't that a trail over there? Uh-huh, but it ain't the one we're following. No. We hit off over that way. The trail of Redskins showed me once. And now I promise you something. Yes. We could take six months on it and never meet nobody. Come on, let's go. Get up. Get up. 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. Shortly after the Marshal, Douglas and Lynn Fowler had started across the desert. Two more horsemen reached the edge of the badlands. Hold this over. Hold this over. Hold this over. Now they go, Kimusabe. Uh-huh. Lucky for us, they'll have to travel at night. We'll make following them not much easier. Not right. They're cutting away from the regular trail. Them take all engine trail. You're acquainted with it? Uh-huh, me not. Fine. Then we can ride ahead of them or stay behind just as we choose. Uh-huh. How soon, you plan? A time for that'll be later. Oh. When they're about halfway across. When they've reached the middle of the desert and it's as far to return as to go on. Man, good idea. Then they have enough lead. Come, but hold Scout to a walk. Time to do it. Get him up, Scout. Come on. It was a strange procession that slowly made its way across the barren wasteland. In advance moving from waterhole to waterhole and traveling at night was a party led by the Marshal. Behind them, never far away, but never in sight. With a lone ranger and tanto. Just before dawn on the sixth day, the Marshal pointed to a rock formation that loomed up at the side of the trail and... There's a place I told you about. It's halfway across. There's caves there in the spring. You make camp there till nightfall again. Get up, boy. Get up. How's this, Marshal? Stop, Shelby. This'll do. Oh, boy. Get it, boy. We looked to the horses and fixed some grub. Time night is starving. After that, unroll your blankets and bed down anywhere. If you don't like these, there's more caves beyond. Just watch out for the rattles. And Fowler. Yeah? You stake out that horse of yours yourself. He's a killer, that critter is. I wouldn't go near him. You sound like Jenny. Come on, boy. We'll find you some more. That's the sound, boy. Tudda. Mm-hmm. See where they've tuttered their horses? In the shade of that rock wall there? Uh-huh. Can you see them? This is the time to act. The journey's half done. Today, they'll sleep soundly. That's right. You think you can handle those horses without being heard? Uh-huh. Don't do it. Then make ready. They've gone into the caves. They'll soon be asleep. Through the long hours of the desert day, Lynn, Douglas, and the marshals slept soundly. They had chosen a cave large enough for all three. It was not until the first shadows of evening began to streak the sand that any of them stirred. The marshals was the first. He set up in his blankets and rubbed at his eyes. Oh, that was some sleep. Even though I was so tired. Sleeping like logs. All right, there. Wake up, wake up. Get up, you two. You think he was going to sleep day and night? Getting dark again, huh? Won't be long. Then you can saddle the horses while me and Fahler rustle up some grub. They'll take the kinks out of you. Come on, Fahler. I'm as hungry again as I was this morning. All right. I'll find Ken. Wait. The horses, where are the horses? What are you talking about? Oh, my gosh. Come on. They broke their pickets. Looks like it. There's your mount, Fahler. But where's the rest? Hold it. What do we do? Can we kiss them again? It'd kill us trying. Now, look there. I guess you can't read sign, but they must have got away soon after we fell asleep. They've got a good many miles by now. You mean we've stranded the foot? Almost. There's my horse, of course. Yeah, and blame Lucky for us. He's here. Well, ain't nothing for it. Fahler, I'll have to take your horse and ride on for help while you, Fahler, stay here. You can't. Huh? If anyone goes for help, it'll have to be me. I'm the only one who can ride that horse. What? Carly. Douglas couldn't get near him. You wouldn't stay on his back thirty seconds, Marshall. So it's not a matter of choice unless it's a choice between my going or no one going. Marshall, you're safe, right? Can't you ride that animal? I don't know. You have to. You can't send Fahler. Don't you realize what that means? No one knows he's been arrested. He could ride out of here and never come back. Who'd know the difference? Of course I know. You said yourself no one fixed this trail once in six months. That's two and a half. And what chance would we have an escape of foot? None at all. You see, it would be left here to die. Douglas, you're talking like a fool. Am I? Am I? You think I don't realize you'd be free the rest of your life if we died? You're not a murderer. Oh, don't tell me. Who wouldn't kill if he knew it meant freedom? If he knew it would get rid of the only two middle-life who could send him to jail. I wouldn't. Save it. That doesn't go down. You won't talk me into suicide. Marshall, you're riding that horse. Well, it looks as if I'll have to try to ride him. I'm warning you against it, Marshall. Uh-huh. I can't say I'm real pleased about it. There ain't no choice. Get a hold of his bridle. Either I'll bust him or he'll bust me. The lone ranger and Tonto watch the contest from the cover of a rid. Marshall's first attempt was a complete failure. He remained on the back of the maddened horse, scarcely long enough to catch a second breath. But when he picked himself up from the ground, he tried again. Again he was thrown. The masked man spoke in low tones to his companion. Toto. This can't go on. We can't let the man kill himself. Well, what we do? I'll have to return the horses and find another way to help Lynn. You wait. Look, there. Tonto, I think it's over. I think the Marshall's quit. I wish we were close enough to hear what they're saying. Then make he big talk. Looks as though the Marshall's saying something that Douglas doesn't like at all. And him plenty mad. Tonto. What matter? Lynn's going to ride. Isn't that good? Quick, Kimosabe. Go back to scout. Follow him? I've got faith in them. I know we'll prove himself. But I want you to follow in case anything goes wrong. And what you do? I'll stay here. I'm responsible for this, Tonto. I can't let them come to harm. You have to be in the saddle when Lynn's ready to start. For several hours after Lynn Fowler's departure, Douglas unable to trust his temper kept an angry silence. Finally, however, he turned to the Marshall and cried to smile. Where's your bag? I would apologize. That's all right, Douglas. I know just how you feel. I would have been killed trying to ride that brood. Well, I won't deny. I'm some bruised up. Anything I can do to help? No, but guess not. Just have to let nature take its course, I reckon. I shouldn't have said several things I did, but when I saw Fowler leaving us, leaving us here to die. Awful certain about that, ain't you? Aren't you? No, but can't say as I am. In fact, he's Douglas. I have kind of took a shine to that ombre. I can savvy better now why folks always spoke so high of him. Some fellows would have called me everything they could have laid their tongue to for arresting him. But he won't like that. He savvied I had my duty to do and took it like a man. I wish I could be sure I'd behave that good if I was in his boots. He won't be back, though, Marshall. No? Under the circumstances, no man would return. We're stranded here, and this is where we stay until... Until, huh? Sorry, Marshall, forget it. If we haven't long to live, let's talk of something more pleasant. During the days it followed, the two men tried not to think of the future. Douglas was certain that Fowler would never return, and as time went on, even the Marshall became less optimistic. Finally, Douglas put his thoughts into words. Marshall, huh? If Fowler were coming back, shouldn't he... He'd be back by now? Yes. Well, he could have made it, maybe, but he would have had to make off for good time. No one might allow him another day or two. You said if he were coming, he'd be here by now, huh? Sure, but... I told you he wasn't coming, I told you. He'll never come. We're gonna die here. Here, here, here, Fowler, take it easy. That's no way to act. You're all upset. Come on, let's eat. We got supplies enough anyhow. Maybe you spot a grub or do you some good. Don, where do you think you're going? I'm leaving. Huh? You're going to set out to walk? What are the chances that... Let go, man! Stands to take your local fool? You wouldn't get five miles. See that son up there? He's a friar like egg. I'm going. You're not gonna stop me. Let go. Stay here the day after what you... You can't keep me from trying. Didn't you hear me? Let go! Let go, man! You're not gonna stop me! Yeah, I am. You idiot, I want... Come on, come on, come on! It's a mask, man! Oh! Oh, that's over! Oh, boy! Oh, boy! Look over the rise there, Marshal. Marshal, it's the horseman we saved. Well, I'll be... You came back. You came back, Marshal. Look, it's Lin. Salt is. Douglas? What do you think of Lin now? He gave up his freedom to bring you help. He came back. Even though you were certain, he wouldn't. That's the sheriff with him, Douglas. The sheriff and two of his deputies. You'll remember what Lin has done. Or I'll see that you're sorry for it. Hey, stranger, how come you're so well-informed? And they had masks. What do you got? Never mind that. But before I leave... Huh? You'll find the horses you lost about three miles due west of here. You can pick them up when you leave. Three miles from here, but... Oh! Oh, boy! Oh! Well... Well, Marshal? Looks as though we got here in good time. We're supplies together, man. Marshal, how'd this happen? Fowler told me your horse had just pulled stakes and lit out. Uh-huh. That's what we thought. Thought? But he said... Only now I'm beginning to wonder. Don't go on if I... Well, that reminds me. You're Douglas? I am, Sheriff. And I would have thanked you. No, don't bother. That'll keep. But Fowler here said you had something to tell me. He wasn't clear about it now. What did he mean? Hey, hey, hey. Go ahead, Douglas. Come back if I hadn't been able to take my medicine. Tell him the truth. Oh! Something wrong between you two? Well, Sheriff, I... I might as well tell you. It's like this when... Here's one moment. Huh? I don't know what Fowler told you, but whatever it was, there seems to have been some mistake. Oh! What did you say, Douglas? I think you heard me laden. I said there must have been some mistake. That's what I meant. There's no trouble. I hope... I hope we're going to be the best of friends. I've just heard as a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.