 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver, the lone ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains 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. Come out of the past come a thundering hoof beat to the great horse silver. The lone ranger rides again. Judd Wright, according to his own stories, had been a two-gun terror in his earlier days. As station agent for the Union Pacific Railroad in Frontier Town, he spent most of his time on the station platform telling of deeds of daring and valorous exploits with himself as the heroic figure. He was always delighted to see a stranger who had never heard his oft-told tales, so his leathery face lighted with interest as a buckboard approached carrying a man and a woman he had never seen before. The raw-boned woman holding the reins wore a man's hat at a jaunty angle, and the heavy gun was strapped around her generous hips. Whoa, whoa, there, holy fritters! Howdy, ma'am. Howdy, then. Welcome to Frontier Town. Now, let me give you a hand down from that there rig. I've been getting down from buckboards without no help for 40 years, and I can do so now. Stand side. Who's in charge of this here station? Well, you're looking at him, ma'am. Judd Wright's the name. Maybe you hear to me. Two-gun kid they used to call me. I didn't drive all this distance to hear about your past. No, ma'am. Come to find out why in Tarnation I can't get my freight. Your freight? Yep, from improving my ranch. I bought and paid for a lot of hardware to be shipped from the East. Water-pumping machinery and the like. Well, ma'am, if it's to come by Union Pacific... It's already come by Union Pacific. Here in this station somewhere. What's the name? Hornblow. Clare-Bell Hornblow. Whoa! So your Mrs. Hornblow? It's Miss Hornblow. Oh, hi. Well, I saw the gents sitting in the buck, boy. He's my hired man. Under Martin is the name. Well, your stuff's been here for four weeks. There it is. Them cases over yonder piled up on the platform. I've been wondering what to do about him. But why in Tarnation don't you deliver them? We don't freight except for railroad. What about Wells Fargo? Wells Fargo has regular routes, like their staves line, and yonder on the regular route. You've got to get freight and jake to tote that stuff to your place. Hmm, freight and jake, my. I had a letter from that Stephen High binder telling how much he wanted for a freight and job. I won't pay no such prices. There ain't no other way to freight your stuff. No, there ain't, huh? Thunder! I'm over here and have a look at these cases. Them cases, yonder. You mean to say that's all there is? Them cases is plenty heavy. Why, dawg, I figured too much jake to pin it was asking to move this freighter to be ten times as much. All right, thunder, you better brag enough plenty about your mules to reckon they could handle these cases. Why, sure, nothing to it. Well, that's where you're wrong, mister. Ah, baldy. I don't like to be called wrong. Ah, baldy, you see here. Now, thunder Martin is the best mule skinner in this part of the country, and there's not a man alive can out yell him when he gets going. Ah, gosh, cabal. He knows what a mule can do. Spend with him so much he thinks like they do. My thunder sometimes even looks like a jackass. Well, now I don't say you can't move these goods but mule train. Maybe it could be done, all right, if it wasn't for jake to pin it. What about jake to pin it? He won't stand for it. Now, let me get this straight, mister. You're telling me that if I aim to move this hardware with my pack mules, this here jake to pin it will try to argue the point. I reckon he will. Why, you hear that, Clair Bell? This trip's likely to turn out worthwhile. That's freighting jake over yonder. He's coming here. Now, you better be careful, mister, because jake to pin it handles all the freighting in this part of the country, and he don't tolerate interference. Well, I aim to mule freight that hardware, and I don't tolerate no interference either. Howdy, jake. Steady work. Over there, all right. Just rode over to see if you've heard anything new about that hardware for the horn blowout fit. I am the horn blowout fit. Oh, you are, eh? Howdy, ma'am. Save your howdies for Thunder Martin, who's gonna move my freight with mules. Oh, is that so? You know, there was a time once before when the critter had objections to what I aimed to do. What happened to him is sub-bottle. He's done no objecting since then. Now, what was you going to say? A couple of other men had ideas of handling freight out of Frontier Town. They had mighty bad luck. Yes, their mighty bad luck. Well, once in a while, my luck runs muddy, but I generally find the source of the trouble. And after that, things improve sudden. As I recollect, ma'am, your outfit's north, the flying arrow's village. That's right. Well, I don't hanker to handle a job like this. Maybe it would be better if your friend here freighted the hardware on mules. That's just what I aim to do. Of course, if the Indians attack you or something of the sort, you'll see why I made my price so high. Hey, a terrible... You go on to Ma Willard's Borden House and get yourself a place to sleep for a few days while I go back to the ranch and get my mules. Now, who's giving orders? Listen to me, you big ugly. I'm going to Ma Willard's Borden House and get myself a place to sleep for a couple of days while you go back to the ranch and get your mules. Adios. Well, I'll go along. Good luck to you, ma'am. I hope nothing happens to your hardware. Let's tell you that, boy. Well, I'd hate to be in your shoes, Mr. Well, it takes a full-grown man to fill my shoes, baldy. Well, freighting Jake's got a look in his eye. He'll make trouble for you. Well, trouble's like a hot potato. If someone tosses it my way, I'd grab a quick and toss her right back. Dan Reed, the 14-year-old nephew of the Lone Ranger, urged his horse Victor to full speed as he dashed from Frontier Town to a small camp not far from the old lookout tower. The masked man and Tonto looked up as Dan approached. They were on their feet when the boy reigned up. Hold, Victor, hold. Stand away. That's right. Howdy hard, Dan. Yes, Tonto. I have some news. It's about some of our best friends. Who do you think is in Frontier Town? It's Clara Balhornblow. Alone? Thunder Martin, not in town? No, but he... What happened, Thunder? Well, he'll be back, and there may be trouble. Yes, it generally is when Thunder Martin comes to town. He's gone back to the ranch to get his mules. He's going to move some freight from the Union Pacific Station. Thunder Martin? Yes. Some case is full of equipment for Clara Bell's ranch. Golly, I don't know what'll happen. Jake, the pinner handles all the freighting around here. I know it. And him make plenty trouble when other fellow interferes. Well, you see, he said I'm not afraid of anything. Well, you see, he set a price for moving Clara Bell's goods, and it was too high. The pinners are robber. Clara Bell wouldn't pay the price. Thunder's going to move the stuff with his mules, and Jake the pinner may make trouble. Why do you say that, Dan? Well, everyone in town is saying it. I heard at least three people say that Thunder had never delivered the cargo. Two men were willing to bet on it. Several men have tried to start a freighting business and competition to the pinner. Something has happened to every one of them. Accidents. Oh, golly. Tonto, do you know Jake the pinner when you see him? Uh-huh. Me know him. Then go into town with Dan. Keep an eye on the pinner and everyone he talks to. If the pinner is what I think he is, Thunder Martin will need help. Let me go right away. Come on, Tonto. We can probably find a pinner in Happy Jack's restaurant. He eats there every night. You ready, boy? Get ready. We'll be back soon. Adios. Adios. Give us a count. When Dan and Tonto reached Happy Jack's restaurant, they saw Jake the pinner and a man named Arden at a table near the window. The pinner had pushed back the remains of his meal and was using a pencil to make lines on the tablecloth. I'll show you exactly what I mean, Arden. I haven't said I'd take the job yet. You will when you see there's no risk. Now here, right where I'm putting this dot, is a town. Martin will leave here along the North Trail. Traveling North. Yeah. Now over here is where he has to go. This represents a hornblow range. Happy Jack won't like you marking off the tablecloth. I don't care what he likes. Now this is a range, as I said. All right. Go on from there. Now here, right about here, after Martin crosses Sagebrush Hollow, he has to go through a canyon. He'll stay in that canyon for about 15 miles. How do you know he'll take that route? Because it'll save him two days of travel. I see. Go ahead. You're into the canyon right about here. Now don't attack at once. Let him reach a point along, well, right about here. How far in is that, Depina? About four hours of travel. Go ahead. Over here near the canyon's bend is Flying Arrows Indian Village. I see. As soon as you attack, shoot Thunder Martin. Make it look like an Indian massacre. Then unload the mules. Throw the car going to the river. And be sure you'll pick up place where it's deep. Then what about the mules? Leave them. The Indians will find them. They'll be glad to get them. They'll serve as proof that the Indians were the attackers. Depina, that's all right. Give it a half a dozen men to help you. You think I'll need that many? Thunder Martin is big and tough. We'll take no chances. It was later the same day when Dan Reed and Tauno rejoined the Lone Ranger in camp. They unfolded a tablecloth they had borrowed from Happy Jack and showed markings that had been made by Jake Depina. Depina was talking to a man named Arden. While he talked, he drew this diagram on the tablecloth. Could you hear anything that was said? Not very much. Don't we hear word here and there? They mentioned Flying Arrow. This mark right here might represent Flying Arrow's village. Ah, that's right. This looks like the canyon here. Depina mentioned the canyon. Me here and say, shoot Thunder Martin. Make it look like Indian Massacre. So that's the plan. They're going to try to murder our friend and blame it on the Indians. Ah, Flying Arrow, good Indian. Nevertheless, Tauno, the people in Frontier Town will be quick to rise against your friends. There's any suspicion of Flying Arrow's people masquer the traveler? Not right. Golly, what are we going to do? I don't know. Thunder Martin might change his plans if he knew there was an ambush. No, he wouldn't, Dan. Thunder Martin would simply try to shoot his way through. Maybe him taking another man as guard. Maybe we could travel with him. If Thunder had a guard, he might get through. Those crooks might not attack. Unless he saw Thunder was traveling alone. They didn't attack. Thunder might get through. That wouldn't be the right solution. How's that? I'd like to find some way to expose Depina. To put him out of business. Make room for a freight line to operate at honest prices. Whoa. Wait. Put him to Dan. I think I have a plan. You have? If it works, it will expose Jake Depina for what he is. How do? We're going to need the help of Flying Arrow and his Indians. May I go tell them? No. They'll not even know they're helping us. 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. Now to continue our story. The Lone Ranger knew that Jake Depina planned to send Vic Arden and a number of other killers to ambush Thunder Mutton as he made his way with packed mules through the canyon. The masked man watched from a distance while Dan Reed helped load the mules at the Union Pacific Station. Clarabel was also on hand. Just stand aside Thunder and let me check them ropes and be sure you got the cargo tied on plenty tight. I looked it over, ma'am. It looks all right to me. You looked it over. You're a real old man. It ain't likely you'd know a diamond hitch from a diamond jubilee. That patch is tight, Clarabel. I reckon they'll do. I reckon you're just about set to start off. Yeah, that's right, Daniel. Being Clarabel are much obliged to you for helping. Well, I'm not worried about having the cargo come unhitched, Martin. There's things a lot worse that can happen between here and Miss Honbo Jane. Well, whenever comes, I reckon I can handle it. You can see trouble standing over yonder watching things. Depina. Ah, Clarabel, you come with me. I aim to talk to Freighton Jake. Me, too. Hey, there, you, Depina. Oh, you're determined to make a try, Heather, then? I'm shoving off Prado with these mules. You're likely to find out why my rates are high when Freighton has to be packed through the king. I just wanted you to get something straight, Depina. Clarabel here is going to stay here in Frontier Town for a few days, and Clarabel packs a 45. Which same I can use when called on. You see, it wouldn't be smart, Depina, for you to try to leave town for the next couple of days. I have no intention of leaving town. That being the case, there likely won't be no trouble on Thunder Martin's trail. The way you talk, one would suppose that you suspect I'd try to make trouble. We don't know as to that, Depina. All we know is this. If you leave town, me and some friends of mine will come hunting for you. Now, Thunder, you get started. All right, Clarabel. Come on, you long-eared flock-doodle-finish. Pick them up and lay them down. Now, get to Martin. We've got plenty of ground to cover, and I don't need to carry on the trail. Now, get up there. Come on. The Lone Ranger kept some distance ahead of Thunder Martin, crossing the Sage Brush Hollow and entering the long canyon that went close to Flying Arrow's Indian Village. He ran up near the mouth of the canyon and watched from a place of concealment. Get inside, ladders. Don't make me set no fires on your heels. I'll get along there. Get up. Thunder can certainly handle a mule team on Silver. The masked man waited in his hiding place. A quarter of an hour passed, then a half a dozen horsemen riding at a slow gate came along Thunder Martin's trail into the canyon. The garden. Those are the men that plan to kill our friend, now, Silver, setting up more easy. We'll ride ahead and tell Thunder what's in store for him. It's a big thought. One hundred. Riding along the rim of the canyon, the Lone Ranger went far ahead of the mule train, then made use of a perilous descent to the canyon's floor, for he waited until Thunder Martin arrived. Get along there, will you? Yeah. I want to speak to you, Thunder. My sakes alive. You sure turn up in unexpected places. Hey, what intonation are you doing here? Waiting for you. I was back in town. The fact is, he helped me load up the mules. I figured you was nearby, but I never looked toward beating you out here in the canyon. Thunder, listen to me. The pen is out to get you. That's when I had no good pull, cat. I, me and Clairville sure stopped his clock. No, you didn't. You know, mister, you're the only man alive that can contradict me directly like Wagner and get away with it. I said the pen is out to get you, Thunder. The pen is being watched in town by Clairville. If he leaves town, he'll have more trouble than he can handle. But the penner won't leave town. He won't need to. His killers will do his work for him. They're following you, and they're planning to catch up to you when you're about two-thirds of the way through this canyon. How many of them? Six or seven. Well, I got two shooting irons here, which, same, can account for 12 men without reloading. Thunder, you may get one or two of them, but the rest will get you more over. They'll use rifles. They're shooting before they come within pistol range. Now wait, I have a plan, Thunder. I'm going to tell you what it is and outline your part. Tonto had gone on ahead of the Lone Ranger through the canyon to the village of his friend Chief Flying Arrow. The Lone Ranger's friend had been warmly greeted and made the guest demoner at a feast. As Tonto and Flying Arrow squatted side by side on the ground at the edge of the village, Flying Arrow commented on the story Tonto had told. You plenty safe here, Tonto. You not worry about bad men who come this way. Maybe bad men make plenty trouble for all Indians. No bad men come here unless in great number. Indian live in peace. Indian not want war. Tonto paid little attention to what his friend was saying. His ears were tuned to catch a certain bird call, a signal telling him that it was time for the next move in the Lone Ranger's plan. You plenty welcome here. You stay as long as you can. Flying Arrow, glad. Wait, Flying Arrow. You may stand, Tonto. Where you go? Flying Arrow watched as Tonto disappeared behind a massive rock where his horse had been tethered. An instant later, he heard a frenzy scream. Flying Arrow, you have... Tonto! Tonto! Tonto's direction just in time to see his friend struggling in the coils of a roof was lifted bodily off the ground by a man on a snow-white stallion. Flying Arrow! Come on, boy! Get a horse! Get a horse! Jump up! Get him up! Get after Tonto! Confusion reigned in the Indian village. Flying Arrow was everywhere, hurrying his men to the backs of their horses. Then go that way! Right! Get Tonto! In a moment, the Indians were molded in the pursuit of Tonto and the one who carried him away. On the canyon floor, the lone ranger knew that Flying Arrow's people were in hot pursuit. They had been led to believe that the man who carried Tonto away from their village was an enemy. Come on, fill the way! The masked man had calculated carefully with full knowledge that his life might well depend on the speed of his horse. Presently, the masked man and Tonto saw Thunder Martin hold it in the canyon to water his mules at a narrow screen. Hold it! Hold it! Thunder, have you seen any sign of the Arden Gang? Not yet, but I've been keeping my eye, P.U. According to the map, they planned to close in on you about three miles north of here. All right, then, Warnery, poor cat. I think we'll blow their plans wide open. I'd stop here just like you said. Get your mules as close to the canyon wall as possible and keep them there till Flying Arrow's people pass. And come plenty quick. How far back are they? Not far. I can hear them. Well, after they pass, then what? Go on your way to Clarabelle's ranch. And Indian just round bend. Get on their way, then. Come on, silver! Over the hoof beats of the tireless silver, the lone ranger and Tonto can hear the yips and cries of the pursuing Indians. And in plain view, dead ahead, they saw Vic Arden and several well-armed horsemen. Arden and his men rained up when they saw the approaching white horse. Hey, Arden, what do you make of that white horse traveling this way? I don't know. That rider's amassed me. I can see. We'd better get ready to open fire. What? Thunder Martin is the man we want? That's an Indian riding behind the masked man. They're both traveling mighty fast. Let him go by. Hold it over! Whoa, easy! Keep right on going, mister. We don't aim to stop you. Arden, I want to talk to you. Boy, what's the idea of that mask? I once thought I would hit the ground. This is as far as you go with me. Be savvy. If you think that Indian... You keep out of this. I have a few words for Arden, and I'm going on my way. How do you know me? Your plans won't work. Plans? You can't close in on Thunder Martin. What do you mean by that? The minions are coming this way and riding hard. Perhaps the gang has abducted their friend. Gang? Their friend? What gang? You, your gang. Thunder Martin is far beyond those redskins. He's out of your reach. Those redskins sound downright unfriendly. You'd better forget Thunder Martin and think of your own necks. You'll have a hard fight on your hands if those Indians got you. Must be 50 of them. We didn't have no hand in capturing that redskin. Try to tell that to the Indian. Boss, if they see that masked man talking to us, they'll think he's one of us. That's just what they're supposed to think. Oh, are you? Don't go off. I'll show you. I warned you. I warned you. Boss. Boss, the redskins think we're fine with them. Arden, it's your party. You take it from here. I'm getting out of here. Come on, Thunder, get behind the saddle. Get that man. Get him. There'll be more broken arms if anyone turns a gun this way. Are you ready? Come on. Those redskins. We gotta fight or run. I can't fight. They're coming fast. I promise. There's too many for us to handle. I'm getting out of here. What about that mule skin? The old skin will be hanged. What about us? We're going to the factory. Get up. Get up. Get up. It was some time after dark when Vic Arden, his arm in a sling, Matt Freighton, Jake Dipena in a rear room of the Bright Lights Cafe, Dipena's face was livid with rage as he listened to the killer's recital. We had all we could do to get out of that canyon with our lives. I'm telling you, Dipena, those Indians were to kill us. What about the masked man in the Indian? I don't know what became of them. They cut off the east after they left the canyon. Who was the masked man? How do I know? You say you referred to our plan to get the mule skinner? He sure did. He seemed to know all about it. And you didn't get the mule skinner? How could we? You failed. Arden, you failed me. Now that he's gotten away with freighting his own supplies, others will try the same thing. Boss, wait. Listen to me. I don't tolerate failure. Listen, boss, wait a minute. I've got to bust an arm. What arm? I know bust an arm. I'm going to gun whip you with an inch of your life. No. When I give orders, I want them carried out. I don't know. Wait, boss. Listen to me. Hey, what the... Stand back, Dipena. We heard your conversation, Dipena. Heard enough to know that you hired this crook to go gunning for my mule skinner? Chief, wait a minute. Listen to me. Save it, Dipena. Save it for the judge. I'm taking you in. And if Arden and the rest of his gang know what's good for them, they won't hold back when they're questioned on the witness stand. It's a frame of those Indians. That mask man. That mask man couldn't have done a doggone thing to you, your killers, if you'd been on the level. But you weren't on the level. And being crooked, you're just the kind that's hunted by the Lone Ranger. This is a copyrighted feature originated by George W. Tremble and directed by Charles D. Livingston. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer. This story was written by Fran Striker.