 horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and the hearty high old silver, the Lone Ranger. To the Indians in the early days the Western United States, but agents who used their public office for private gain soon destroyed the red man's faith in the white man's word. A new crisis arose and the masked rat of the planes fought for justice on the side of the Indians. He broke the power of the politicians and restored peace and harmony to the frontier. Return with us now those thrilling days of yesteryear. Come out of the past and the thundering hoof beats of the Great Horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. A heavy-set man with shrewd eyes and a coarse-featured, roughly bearded face shouldered his way toward the bar in the cafe at Squaw City. The progress was watched with interest and when it became evident that he was making his way toward two men who stood in conversation at one end of the bar the room became silent. The elderly of the two men, hearing his approach, stopped talking and turned around. Looks like we got company Fred. Yes, Carver. Hey, that's him. I knew he'd be alone. All right. Just take it easy. Let me do the talking. Mm-hmm. Marston. Right. I'm Carver. Heard of me? I think so. I wasn't sure you had. But maybe that was why you hadn't looked me up. Should I have? You're the fellow heems to rent grease in land from the Indians, ain't you? I am. How many quiddes you're bringing here? Quite a few. Yeah? How much land will you need? I expect to rent a half a million acres. That much, eh? That'll cost you something. Reckon, it'll run you about twenty-five thousand dollars. That's what I expect to pay. Good. When do I get it? You don't. Eh? The money goes to Chief Standing Elf. Oh, sure. That's all right. Of course it goes to him. But I'm his agent. You give it to me and I give it to him. Nice of you. But this time I'll save you the trouble. I don't think so. No? You're a stranger around here, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Likely you ain't acquainted with how things stand. But nobody rents from the Indians, unless they do it through me. So I've been told. Oh, you knew that, eh? I've been told you've arranged the leashes for quite a few of the outfits in Indian territory. I've fixed all of them. But the Indians never see the money. What's that? I understand your game, Carver. I understand it perfectly. You take the money and then you call on the Indians and feed them rotgut whisky. By the time they're sober, they've signed over their land, leaving you a good ninety percent profit. Now just a second, Marshal. You'll hear me out. I know you've got a certain amount of influence with the authorities in Washington. I know you've got a gang of cutthroats and gunhands that'll do anything you tell them. And I know that up till now, the cattleman have been afraid to call your bluff. But I don't scare. I deal with Standing Elk my way, and for all of me, you can go to Blazers. So that's the way it is. Take it or leave it. I see. Made up your mind, eh? I have. No chance of you thinking it over, maybe deciding different. None in the world. Eh, they're too bad. Very glad I met you. Good night. So that's Carver, eh? I thought you said he was tough. Look, Marsden, you came to me and asked me to handle things for you. I said I wouldn't. I don't go back on my word. I'll ride out and see Standing Elk tomorrow. If I can, I'll get you at least. Well? But I'm beginning to wish we'd never met up. Why? What's wrong? Marsden, when Carver makes threats, he's dangerous enough. But he didn't threaten? Mm-hmm. That's what I mean. When he don't, watch out. A week later, just at dusk, a masked man on the Great White Stallion drew his mount to a halt in a small grove not far from Squaw City. He was met there by a man in the uniform of a major in the United States Army. For several minutes, the latter spoke earnestly while the masked man listened. Then, so that's why you sent Talo after me. When I saw him, I knew you were the only man who could handle this. Yes. I tell you you are. Don't you think we know at the fort what Carver is? Of course we do. We've known it for the past two years and we haven't been able to touch him. Why not? We've nothing on him. Arrest him for selling whiskey to the Indians. Yes. Who'll testify against him? The Indians? They're not going to cut off their source of supply. What's Carver done about Marsden? Nothing. You sure? As far as I can be sure of anything where he's concerned. Marsden got his lease? He did. Paid standing elk himself, huh? No, but he's going to. He's gone back to Texas. I understand he's just one of a group of cattlemen. He'll return with the money and his partners will follow with their cattle. I see. I suppose he'll pay standing elk and goon. Of course. Major, don't misunderstand me. I think as little of Carver as you do. I want him brought to justice as badly as you do. But so far you haven't told me a thing that could be used against him. He hasn't taken a step outside the law. But he will just as surely as I'm talking to you. Yes. He's got to. If Marsden challenges him and gets away with it, he's finished. He'll never bluff another cattleman into hiring him as an agent. This dirty game he's been playing will be ended. So far it's made him thousands. A man like Carver doesn't give up that kind of money without a fight. No, I imagine not. Well, will you help us? What measures are you taking? We're watching him as best we can, of course. But the fellow has influence, you know. We've got to be mighty careful. We'd like to make the arrest. But when we do, the evidence against him must be clear and binding. You think I can get that evidence, huh? I, well, naturally, I remember the time our quartermaster had been embezzling army funds. No one else could have trapped him as cleverly as you did. Very well, Major. You will help. I will. If I hesitated, it's because I don't like to see the army behave as though it were afraid of a few crooked politicians. We're not exactly proud of the situation. But there's only one class of people that can avoid politics in one form or another. Yes. Those like yourself, men who stand outside the law, either to aid it or fight it. Just one thing before I leave. And that. If I do this, if I see an opportunity to trap Carver, will you act if called upon? I will. You have my word on it. Good. I won't try to contact you at the post myself, of course. Any message from me will be sent through Tato. The guard will have orders to admit him at any time, day or night. When that's settled. You may, you may not hear from me soon, Major. But when you do, be ready for action. Come on, Silver. Come on. Hold this over. Hold it steady, boy. Tato. Get mounted, we ride. Here's count what we do. You know this fellow Carver. I mean, you know him. He is at the old Willard place. He and that gang of hangers on that's following him. Not right. Well, we're going to hot out of place suitable for a camp as close to there as possible. And we'll return here and pick up our gear. What matter? Carver's a crook, he must have been. Everyone in the district knows it. Looks as though we're the only ones who'll do anything about it. Come on. Two weeks went by and still Carver had not shown his hand. But late one afternoon, a horseman reigned in before Carver's headquarters, threw himself in the saddle, ran up the steps of the porch and knocked on the door. Come in. You, I bet. What's up? It came. The letter, Carver. The letter you said more than would write to Fred Baker. Oh, yeah, you saw it? Yeah, enough to make sure. Good work. Yeah. There's 50 dollars for you. You burned it. Thanks, Carver. Anything else you want? Because if there ain't, I'll be riding back to town. One moment. Yeah. Look bad. You just made yourself 50 dollars right easy. She done a good job when I take care of the boys that helped me. Now, how'd you like to take on another job that ain't a great deal harder and collect yourself still more cash? Gosh, I'd like it fine. I can trust you, can I? Sure can. Any objection to doing something that gets you in bed with the law if it's so happen you was caught? Would you back me up afterwards? Of course. Then why should I worry about the law with you on my side? What do you want? That letter. The one for Marsden? Just so. Baker will have it to home, you know. I know, but I still want it. You mean break in and get it? I'm not afraid of Baker and his wife, are you? Well, that depends. Yeah? It'll be easy enough to hold them up, and if they still got it, it'll be easy enough to make them hand over the letter. But it'd be a sense for them to identify me afterwards. Why, that ain't the kind of thing even you could cover up. Bet you got me wrong. Huh? I don't want you to hold them up. Nothing like it. I want you to get that letter without their knowing about it. Go there after they're asleep tonight. I can tell you just where Baker keeps his papers. The door won't be locked, ain't ever locked. All you got to do is sneak in there, help yourself and clear out. And afterwards, when you've delivered that letter to me... Yeah? You'll get two hundred. Four times what you earned just now. Two hundred? Is that a promise? Sure. Shucks, why didn't you say so right at the start? For that much cash, you had to steal the house and all. Late that night, Red Baker awoke suddenly from a sound sleep. He listened for a moment. Then... Jane. Jane, wake up. Is it morning? Oh, I... Well, I didn't listen. I'm sure I heard something to woke me up, but now I don't. See if you can hear anything. But what? Just listen. No, I don't. Somebody in the next room. Your gun's on the dresser. I got it. Stand where you are. Who's in here? Did you hear that? I don't know. He went out the door. Stay back. Get up, boy. Get up. Get up. Rain up or I'll shoot. You got away. Did you see him, Fred? Did he recognize you? I wouldn't swear to it. You mean... I've got a good notion who it was just the same. Who? Bat Ricketts. That fella I told you'd been hanging around the past week till I couldn't get rid of him. Oh. Every once in a while, he does some of Carver's dirty work. But... But what could he have been after? Not cares. That's for sure. Well, what we got wouldn't tempt nobody. Come on. Let's see what was took. That's Birdie's horse toward Carver's place. Come on, fella. Get a move on there. Get up, boy. Get up. But two shadowy figures were waiting to intercept him. You understand exactly what you're to do, Tyler. Make it savvy. Make it look like a common holder. Make it convincing. Take whatever of value he's carrying. Time to do it. Now remain out of sight. You shouldn't have any trouble with him. But if anything goes wrong, I'll be here to back. What's that? It's him. Right. Back shall be back, will fellow. Stand still, scoundrel. You stop! Don't shoot. You've got cash. I ain't got a dime, Redskin. I swear to you, I ain't got a dime. You stand still. Me searchin'. The curtain falls on the first act of our lone range of story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. That tried to explain the hold up to his employer and... Well, I tell you, it was just one of them things. That was either God against it or, well, it could have happened to anybody. But it had to happen to us. Would you know him again? Does he want to stand in Elk's engines? Couldn't tell. Why didn't you have the sense to give him the cash right off without makin' him search ya? Had I made it up to ya? That fool engine didn't want anything, but money. He took what ya handed him and glad to clear out. Oh, hey, hey, hey. Now he's got the cash and the letter. Ain't no worth the use to him that I'd give my right arm for it. What do you figure's in it that makes it so important? Well, that's the letter tells when and how Marsden's gonna get Stan and Elk's rent money to him. The 25,000? Of course. How do you know? Stands to reason, don't it? Marsden has to deliver it. Baker's the one that made the deal with Stan and Elk, ain't he? Marsden, they never even met the chief. At least he's got to tell Baker where to meet him. And there ain't no other way to find out? You think they'd talk with the engine territory to hide out for outlaws from a dozen states? What were you planning on? To get that cash. What do you think? Uh-huh. Makes Stan and Elk think Marsden was trying to cheat him. Can't you keep a lookout for Marsden? Yeah. He's likely to enter the engine territory anyways. There's just one thing sure. He won't come to Squaw City first. Gosh, I'm sorry, Carver. I didn't. Who's this? Huh? You followed? Did you let Baker see you? He, Carver. Inside with you. What the? Marsden! You let Paul wreck a red-skinned and I'll blast you. Hey, what is it? Carver. Hey, this is a red-skinned that held me up. Hey, I caught him right afterwards, Carver. I was close enough to see what had happened. I called this fellow here a couple of times, but he didn't hear me, so I followed him. Did the engine get a chance to hide anything he stole? He didn't. Yeah, give back what you took. You'll know. Hand it over. Oh, yeah, cash. That's mine. But there was a letter. Holding anything back, red-skinned? Um, yeah, a letter. That's it. I thought it belonged to this man. A bet? Oh, uh, it was for me, stranger. He, uh, he was just delivering it for a fella. Oh. Hey, look, stranger. You don't know it, but you've done me a real big favor. I might get make it right by you. But, uh, well, ain't it kind of a funny thing for a mask man to do? Handbag cash? What do you think? Oh, no offense, mister. No offense. I just couldn't help wondering. Uh-huh. Well, uh, well, that mask, I think. Well, you've got a reward coming in. You, uh, hold me. Hey. Making a break for it. Watch out. I'll get him. Missed. He's not going to escape me. Wait. That ombre ain't waiting for nobody. Let him go. We got the letter and he never waited for me to pay him. We don't care if he never comes back. Hold this a little bit. Hold it. Hold it. Who? Santa, you played your part perfectly. Uh-huh. I don't mean fooling plenty, huh? I didn't even suspect I fired over your head. Uh-huh. Well, back to camp, Santa. It won't be long now till the game's played out. Uh-huh. Get him up, Scout. Hyls! Hill! Fire! How away! Major Willis, commandant of the Army post, to short distance from Squaw City, had waited for word from the masked man. Finally, however... Knock, knock, knock. Well? The Redskins insist on seeing you, sir. Says his name is Tonto. Shall I send him on his way, sir? If you do, I'll have you thrown out of the Army. Bring him in here at once. Yes, sir. This way, Redskins. Uh-huh. Come in, Tonto. You, close the door. Don't let anyone interrupt us. Yes, sir. Tonto, what's been happening? Has your friend succeeded? Did you bring me a message? Uh-huh. Me bring message. Fine. Out with it, man. Uh-huh. You listen. Close. Two days after Tonto's interview with Major Willis, Carver stood beside his horse, giving orders to the group of men surrounding him. Shut up and listen! Go ahead, boss. Are you all armed and ready for anything? Yeah. Yes, sir. Did you prepare the hoods I ordered? Got mine right here, Carver. I had it, you fool. Huh? Put it under your shirt anywhere. Keep it out as subtle as needed. First, you do the same. All right. How soon do we start? Right away. You can mount it. I'll take the lead. We ride west, then south. It'll keep us clear of the travel trails. We can't afford to have anybody asking questions. Where do we find Marsden? He's entered the reservation by way of Willow Gultz in the north. We should cut his trail just after sundown. Yes, sir. Ready? Yes, sir. And come on. Get up, man. Come on. Carver and his band were not the only ones to ride out to meet Marsden's party. Young Fred Baker, Marsden's representative at Squassity, also rode across the Indian Territory to meet the rancher. Leaving before Carver, and following a more direct route, was afternoon when he first added Marsden's two covered wagons escorted by a half-dozen horseman. Hi there. Hi. Get up, boys. Get up. Marsden. Right here. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Howdy, Fred. Get your horse on back and climb up here with me. Marsden. I'll take your horse, mister. Oh, thanks. Oh, come on, boys. Look, Marsden, I got bad news. You can tell it up here in the wagon, just as well as you can down there, a foot, can't you? I think Carver knows where we are. Yeah? Somebody stole your letter from my house. I'm just about sure it was one of Carver's men, but there weren't no way of proving it. And you'd already left Texas. I couldn't get word to you. Oh, what about it? What about it? You can have it. Oh, what about it? What about it? You can ask that and own the way he feels. Why, he'll make a stab at the goal just as sure as you're born. You're worried about that? Aren't you? Why should I? Say, somebody tip you off already? Did you leave the goal somewhere? Nope. Got it right here in this wagon. Then what in blazes? Oh, shucks, young fella. You fret too easy. Let's go, man. Get up that. Come on. Get up. Get up. Night was falling when Carver saw Marsden's wagon silhouetted against the sky as they crawled along a distant ridge. Carver raised his hand and his men drew rain. There they are. You sure, Carver? It's them. Nobody else would be going in that direction. They're heading right for Stan and Elk's village. Now what? Get out your hoods. I feel like I'd smother in a jargon thing. Everybody got his face covered? No. Just remember this. Don't use names in front of them. No killing unless they put up a fight. If they do want to argue, shoot to kill. All right, come on. Get them out. Get up. Get up. Get up. Get up. Red Baker still shared the lead wagon's seat with Marsden, who held the reins. Get up there. Come on. Keep moving. How much farther to the village? Quite a ways here. Stan and Elk expecting us? Uh-huh. Will you get there for midnight? Oh, sure. Then we'll push on. Get up. Get up there. Yeah. Marsden. Huh? Somebody coming. Yeah? Twenty-time a night for horsemen. Eight engines, are they? I don't know. Wait. Right up. Right up. Cover her. Think so? All right, fellas. Pull up. Pull that boy. What are you doing? We ain't got a chance. We ought to run first. What's the use? Couldn't outrun him with wagons, could we? You're just going to hand over the gold? Well, we'll see. What do you fellas want? We're in a hurry. You just think you want to pull that boy. Okay. You've got hoods to cover your faces, huh? What's the idea? Shame to show yourself? It'll be enough of that. You've got 25,000 in gold with you. Don't try to deny it because we know it to be a fact. Just hand it over. Oh, you blasted the gold. Take it easy, Fred. Harry, walk over. Hold up, huh? What do you think? Just wanted to make sure. You're going to let him sit there and plav her all night, boss? He turns over the cash in just 30 seconds or he stops the lid. That sounds definite enough, but I don't... Don't be a fool, Marsden. These fellas mean business. We'd run for it. Maybe we'd have got away, but we didn't. There's nothing to do now but pay up. Well, maybe you're right. Glad to see you got the sense to admit it. That's the cash there in that box. It's your feet dropping to the ground. Tell your men not to get notions about slap and leather. Chucks, they won't box. Hey, who's that? Boss, we've got to clear out. Shut up, drive that box. Fill them fellas just so they get in range. Come on. Yeah, let them have it. Come on. Everyone of you is under arrest. Resist at your own risk. The soldiers within 30 covered wagon. There's a couple of dozen of them. Drop your gun. We can't run for it, boss. Some other fellas got us caught off. Hold on, hold on, hold on. Yes, and arrest them. You dirty, careful. Stand aside for a while. Before you watch, get down from that saddle and like a look at you without that hood. Hang on me. There. That was right. It's cover. Well, thought it might be you cover. Blast you. You'll pay for this trick. I'll show you. You can't frame me and get away with it. You framed yourself. And I think I can promise you, Carver, that you'll be well taken care of in the future. In jail. How'd you know we were here? It was laying for us. It wasn't your will to hide in them wagons. That was the masked man's idea. You're the fella caught that engine one night, eh? Hey, this is the very same red skin. Right. But what in the... I had to know what Marsden's plans were. I had to know in order to get in touch with them and warn the soldiers. And I wanted you to get that letter so that you'd go ahead with your scheme. And Talo and I arranged a way to do it without making you suspicious. If I could just have the chance to shoot it out with you... You won't. Just let me meet him face to face. Just give me an even start, not... And you'd be lucky to get out alive. I tell you... Because the man you challenged is the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger. Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello!