 Fiery horse with a speed of light, the cloud of dust and a hearty hyal silver, the Lone Ranger. Music During the years of unrest that followed the Civil War, a powerful secret organization called the Legion of the Black Arrow sprang up in the western United States. Its members were to be found everywhere, defying the law, or using the law for their own purposes, working toward the ultimate goal of revolt and the foundation of a despotic empire. It was the masked rider of the planes who led the fight against this band of outlaws and traitors, and for once his great strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness were taxed to the utmost in the cause of democracy. 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. One silver from the Pale of the Black Arrow, Hail Silver! Music One night, while a coyote howled from a ridge and the pale stars glittered over the western plains, two men squatted on their heels beside a buffalo-chip fire. Under their weather-beaten stetsons, their eyes were cold and sharp as they watched each other, and the holsters of their six guns were strapped tight to their thighs, a sure sign that neither man trusted the other. You'd as soon kill me as look at me, Slater. I know that for a fact. You're not exactly far from me either, Purdy. If you were lost on the plains and up to your neck in quicksanding, and I had a rope to pull you out, I'd throw it the other way and laugh. We understand each other. You and me are business partners, nothing more. It suits me down to the ground. Do we get this deal run off? It's a true savvy. Aye, savvy. As much as I dislike you, I long for cash. That's what we're after. You know, just so you understand. Then get busy. Start explaining. There's a twig right beside you. Yeah. At least Mark's a course of the Yellow Dog River. Like this, Wonder of North. Yeah? Can you make it out? Fire's bright enough. Now this is us, right here. How far to the Yellow Dog River? Oh, 40, 50 miles. Now, the trail bends past the blockhouse, goes up the right bank of the Yellow Dog, maybe 30 miles. Go on. And this is it, Slater. I don't know this spot. This is it. This is where we get that cash. No, I'm mistaken, Purdy. I'm counting you out. That's where I get the cash. Yeah, Purdy, my six guns. You took your eyes off me when you started scratching in the ground. You didn't even hear my gun slide out of the holster's purdy, but you can hear this. Slater, don't shoot! Hello, is the campfire up ahead? Ah, policy horse can sight fire. Where we've been following was made by two riders. Where's the second horse? I don't know. Something looks wrong there, Kimosami. What's that horse nuzzling? That dark shape beside the fire. It looks like, hello. That looks like man. That man all right. Oh, him dead. Yes, at a close range. In the looks of the fire, it must have happened at least six hours ago. That's right. He wasn't alone, Tonto. Here are the marks of another man's boots. Another man's murder. Take a look at that horse. Check his left-hand shoe. Tonto, do that. Steady. You not kick Tonto, pony. Give Tonto a hold. And good horse. Kimosami, that same horse we follow for a long time, but never see. Him got broken toe and left back shoe. This man, Purdy. Yes, the man we learned about from the mysterious girl, Tonto. We've gotten here too late. Ah, him not talking anymore. Him never talk. Before he was shot, he used a twig to draw this in the dirt. Can you see it? No, not clear enough to see. No, he fell across it. Most of the lines were rubbed out. That was a map, Kimosami. Not do any good now. No. He had only... What matter? What you stare at? Tonto, he's left arm. He's flung out with a hand close to the fire. Look at his wrist. Tattoo mark on wrist. Marker, black carer. Howdy, soldier. All right to wander into the black house. I'm looking for a planesman by the name of Dicker. Had a rendezvous with him at this garrison. Straight ahead, mister. That's him talking to Captain Wainwright. Thanks, soldier. Hold on to your scalp. Tell you the truth, Captain. I wouldn't give you a dead man's hand for your garrison here. You got 50 soldiers and never last one of them is ready to desert. You're entitled to your opinion, Dicker. But remember where you are. Captain, Captain Wainwright. Well, who's the pretty-looking lady? He rode in with the last wagon train. Sure is a humdinger. Captain Wainwright. Excuse me, Dicker. Yes, mister? I reckon you didn't notice me standing here. You've been expecting me along, Dicker? What? Slater. So you got here at last. Road all night and half the day. And I'll get my horse and see what about Purdy? Get your horse and we'll discuss it later. It's better not to talk here. Well, Slater, we're out of sight of the blockhouse. Captain Wainwright, you ain't on the best of terms, are you? Forget that. Always got a suspicions. Which same are not far from the truth, eh? We didn't come out to talk about that. I want to know about Purdy. Dicker is my sorrowful duty to inform you that the black arrow has won less member. He's dead? Dead, but not buried. I didn't wait to attend to that. You're not hurt. Purdy was light-handed with his chuken irons. I drew when he wasn't looking. You're a cold-blooded hombre, Slater. So are you, Dicker. A matter of strict facts, those most of us black arrow men. Purdy tried to get away with that army payroll all by himself, instead of handing over to the black arrow. So I was sent after him. And I got him. A short story with a sudden end to him. Gino, Slater, where's the army cash? I haven't got it. What? Black in your reins, Dicker. You're getting red in the face. That's black arrow money now. Slater, if you try a trick like Purdy, you'll end like Purdy. Yeah, by whose guns? My guns. Keep your boots on, Dicker. I'm not trying nothing. Then explain and do it pronto. I said I took care of Purdy. Only Purdy didn't have the army cash on him. He hid it away. Where? That's what took me so long. I had to find him. Then I had to persuade him. Where is it? Last night he finally drew me a map. The cash is buried up north, Dicker. There's a certain spot on the bank of the Yellow Dog. You can locate it? Like blinking my eyes. That's fine, Slater. Fine and dandy. Now we'll get the cash, and the army garrison will begin to desert. You're certain of that? Those soldiers want their pay, and they haven't got it. So... Nice, Evie. They'll leave their rifles and skedaddle. That is, unless their pay arrives. Which it won't. It takes a long time to get to this place. I hope you're figuring right, Dicker. What do you mean? Are you certain you know those soldiers? Maybe Captain Wainwright will hold them together. Slater, we're gonna see you down. Oh, something up your sleeve, huh? Yeah. But first, you and me will head up the Yellow Dog and get that pay cash. Yeah. Say, Dicker. That girl. Huh? You know the one in the blockhouse? One who called the captain? What about her? She's nobody. Just passing through on a covered wagon, head west. I was just wondering. Seems to me I've seen her before someplace. Back east, near Pekus, or someplace. Just around the time when I finally caught up with Purdy. I may be presuming, but I wonder if you know very much about this man, Dicker. Well, not much, miss. What little I know, I don't like. Oh, here, glance at this. Be it known that the bearer of this writing is... Read the closing. Marked with the great zeal of the government of the United States of America and signed on this 14th day of the third month of the... signed by the president. Yes. The president himself. May I have that back, please? Oh, of course. That's dangerous work for a young woman. I serve my country. How can I help you? I'll be leaving here soon, Captain Wainwright. But I want to tell you two things. First, be on guard against Dicker. Hmm? I'm not sure of his exact situation, but be on guard. I will. Anything else? Yes. If a masked man arrives at the post, a masked man writing a great white staggon accompanied by an Indian don't take it for granted. He's an outlaw. Masked man, you say? He calls his horse Silver. Captain Wainwright, that man can be trusted implicitly. He's the greatest single force for good in the West. We want to see your commanding officer. Lift your heads so the lamp light will shine in. Ward in places. An outlaw. Corporal of the guard! Turn out the guard! Don't move now. Hey, what's this? They can the captain's pardon. Better stand clear. An outlaw on a renegade engine. The guard will take care. Hold on. Can it be that... You, Mr. Wain, the Mask, what's the name of your horse? This is Silver. Private lawyer, your rifle. Inform the corporal that the guard isn't needed. Look, Captain... Those are orders. Yes, sir. Corporal! Corporal of the guard! Never mind the guard! Masked man, I'm Captain Wainwright, commanding this garrison. How can I help you and the Indian? Does Captain trust us? I'm at your service. Well, you can explain your reason for trusting us later, Captain. Right now, have any strangers arrived at the blockhouse lately? Say, uh, around noon? Yes, a man named Slater, I think. He came in from an easterly direction. Did he look like a gunman? He wore his gun strapped down. And that's the murderer we're after. We want that man. Murderer? Mr. He left early this afternoon, hours ago. He went with a planesman named Decker. They headed north up the Yellow Dog River. He must have been... Wait, wait, tunnel. Captain Wainwright, tell me first, uh, what's your reason for trusting us? I don't know who you are, Mask Man, but there was a young woman here. I have reason to believe her every word. And she said to put my trust in a Mask Man, riding a stallion named Silver. Mat girl. She wanted to help us. Captain, I'd like to meet that girl. Where is she? She too has left the fort. Oh, she's gone? Yes, headed south with a covered wagon. But with a horse as your riding, it should be easy to overtake her. It would be very easy, but we're not going to. What's that? That girl has helped us many times, Captain. Our trails have crossed, but we've never met. We can't meet this time. She heads south. The tunnel and I must go the other way. We're heading north. North along the Yellow Dog River. Murderer can escape. Hello, Captain. Get him out of the scout. Captain, Captain, sir, are you all right? Where those two hombres galloped off in such a rush? Yes, I'm all right. But I'd hate to be in Slater's boots right now. Not with that Mask Man on my trail. I'll do the murder. 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. Advised by Captain Wainwright that the man they seek is somewhere north in the Yellow Dog River. The Lone Ranger and Tonto head that way at once. But Slater and Decker had a long head start. That dog had already met a group of Decker's outlaw band and reached the spot on the river where Purdy had cashed the stolen army payroll. Oh! This is what's later. This looks like fresh digging here, don't it? Oh, so it does. Hand him that spade, Bowman. Yeah. Can't be deep. Purdy was in a hurry. Let's talk dick. I don't favor your lingo, Decker. You want to handle this spade? Oh, don't be a dog on touch, Slater. Get the pay cash. Here's a tear. Spade scrapes on the gravel like... Hey! What's that? That don't sound like gravel. Sure enough didn't. That's the pay cash. There it is. Take this one, Decker. Open it up. See them silver dollars. That's it. That's the pay cash for the soldiers. We got it. Money to spend. And never mind that. Quiet down. Quiet down, you ombre. Decker, I reckon you'll figure it's the right time to shake out what you said you had up your sleeve, isn't it? You're smart, Slater. Yeah. Now that we got the cash. We're listening. See this cash, gents? Yeah. It's all yours. That is providing one thing. All yours. Just as soon as that army blockhouse gets burned to the ground. They're quiet. Decker hired you, gents, for pay. You gotta do the job before you get paid. We can't burn that blockhouse. There's 50 soldiers there. We've got wiped out. You could do it easy if there was only 10 soldiers, couldn't you? There's 50, not 10. But there won't be 50, Bowman. That's where you come in. I don't savvy, Decker. It's simpler skin and a gopher. You see this? Yeah. It's a kerchief. A kerchief that belonged to the gent who was driving that covered wagon. I, uh... I borrowed it from him when we left the blockhouse. You're taking this kerchief, Bowman. They don't know you at the blockhouse. You'll circle around and ride in front from the south. Like you was in a terrain hurry. We'll wait here for you. And here's what you're to do. Hello. There's a man we came after. That must be Slater. The one near the fire. Ah. Him only one wear two guns. But there may be 15, 20 others. Where'd they come from? Captain Hymn says Slater ride north with only one man. Then they met these others, Tuttle. Look, look, Kimosabi. Those saddlebags sling across the branch of that cottonwood. See the markings on them? Them army saddlebags. Stolen pay cash. Yes. Pretty must have stolen it first and then Slater went after him. Black arrow fight among themselves. What we do now, Kimosabi? I'm not certain. Took us some time to trail them up here. Perhaps they've been up to something in the meantime. We'll just... Kimosabi. Someone come on trail. Listen, Dono. You joining the others? Hey, Dr. Slater! Slater! Hey, get on your horses or we's clear. We can attack with horses. Can you hear that, gents? On your horses. Let's pass them. Get up, get up there. We'll turn the blockhouse to the ground. Get up, get up, get up. Kimosabi. You hear what them say? Them burn blockhouse to ground. How they do that? They're 50 soldiers at blockhouse. That's too many. Those outlaws would dare to attack only if they knew they could win. I don't know what it is, but they must have some trick already planned. Burn silver. Follow me, Dono. Gotta reach the blockhouse ahead of the outlaw. Get them up, scoundrel. Come on, silver! Steady, silver, steady. Oh, Scott, oh, fellow, oh. Oh! Oh, who goes there? Well, I'll be the captain's plan. Mr. Maskman and his engine part. Where's Captain Wainwright? I thought you two headed up the river. Answer me. There are 20 outlaws running behind us. We got here first, but there's no telling how soon they'll be here. Outlaw! Ah, them come to burn blockhouse. Listen! Suffer and sassafras! Mister, we won't have a chance. There's practically nobody here. What's that? Yeah, a rider can hightail and in from the south. He said engine marauders were scheming to dry gulch a covered wagon the left here the day you did. Almost the whole company mustered out after the wagon. Captain Wainwright took his company on the southern trail. Uh-huh. They left at the fast canter. They're miles away. You must hubby. Man, who come here not tell truth, huh? It was a trick, soldier. A trick to lure the company out so the bad men could burn this blockhouse. Well, we got hardly enough men to cover four sides of the stockade. And there's no way to bring the captain back in time. You may be wrong about that, soldier. Huh? You ride on trail, soldiers. That's it. Join this garrison, tunnel. Hold Decker and his band off as long as you can. All right for the regiment. Well, hold on there, mister. I admire what you're trying to do. But there isn't any horse that ever ate grass can bring the captain back in time. Words waste minutes. We haven't any to spare. How do you awesome do your best? Uh-huh. Silver him plenty fast. Say, engine, maybe he can do it. I never saw a horse cover ground the way that big stallion does. Why, he's faster than an antelope. Uh-huh. We go inside and close and bargate. We get ready for bad men. You call soldiers. Yeah, yeah. Hey, Johnson! Douglas! Trouble coming! Make posts on the palisade! Uh-huh. Look at that. Mast man travel. End of the night, Gallop the Lone Ranger heading south along the Yellow Dog. The lights of the Army Blockhouse fading quickly behind him. His lean body slanting in the saddle is spaced close to the main of the Great Horse. He erred Silver on to greater effort. That's it, Silver. There's no horse like you in the West. I know you're tired. We've covered many trails. You've got to cover this one faster than ever before. Come on, Silver! Faster, Silver! Faster, make color! Are you so certain that we're in danger of Indian attack, Captain Wainlots? We've got a warning, Miss. We've ridden a long way to safeguard you. We've seen no sign of Indians. That's when they're most apt to strike. There's no danger any longer. I have flankers out on the slopes above this trail, and my men are ready. Once this wagon cuts out of the hills under the plains, we can leave you and return to the Blockhouse. I know these Indians. They like the hills. Captain, you've seen the masked man? Yes, he stopped at the post. Who is he? That was the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger? Well, no wonder the government trusts him. He hid at North. Is something wrong? I can't be certain. There's nothing deaf to us. Set your mind at risk, Miss. Look how fit and ready my men are. When I think that Dekker said they might desert because their pay money didn't arrive. He doesn't know the quality of American soldiers. I wish you'd been able to talk to Dekker before I left the Blockhouse. I'll talk to him good if he ever returns. I'm certain. Captain! But in the world, there's a horseman coming up the trail behind the collar. We have to go Lone Ranger. What's he doing here? I intend to find out, Miss. He may... Wait, aren't you going to meet him? It's better that he and I never meet, Captain. As much as I like to. I'll retire inside the wagon and take this, please. Well, very well, Miss. Captain! Captain Wayne Wright! Goodbye, Miss. Get up, boy! What is it, Miss, man? Captain Wayne Wright! Turn your column! Head back for the Blockhouse! Stay, man! What's that you say, mister? Bring your column and head back. I've written all night to warn you. Dekker's leading a band of outlaws down the Yellow Dog. Plan to set fire to the Blockhouse. We were warned that Indians were planning to take... There was a trick. One of Dekker's own men did that at Dekker's orders. Turn your column back to the army post. You hear that, man? Outlaws at the Blockhouse! That's right, Captain! Reuse your column! Turn them up for us, Will! At the gallop! Follow that mouse man! In the way, gentlemen! Hit the trail! The army Blockhouse stood dark and square. It stockade barely visible against the night sky. From their position in the heavy woods that fringed the Yellow Dog River, Dekker's outlaws lay in wait. They held their fire while Dekker and Slater held a council. Last time we made a sortie, I counted the rifle flashes, Dekker. It can't be more than four of them guarding the whole Blockhouse. It ought to be dawn pretty soon. Where's Bowman? I sent him to get some more. We got piles of dry wood all cut and tied in bundles. They'll catch fire like tinder. Tina, we're ready to start. Bowman, you and the rest of the boys pour a heavy fire from this side, Savvy. Those few soldiers will come to this wall, figuring it's a big attack. All set. Now where's that wood? Good enough. On your horse, Slater. You and me will take those bundles of wood, circle around the far side of the bunkhouse, light them and drop them right inside the stockade. Right? It'll be a sink as long as the shooting is heavy from this direction. I'll see to that. Better get moving. It'll be getting light soon. Tina, get up, horse. You can start shooting anytime, Bowman. All right, Jen, start shooting. Flashers of burning powder speckled the darkness of the woods. The bad men poured a hail of bullets against the stockade. The heavy fire forced the defenders to leave the rear unguarded to meet the threatened assault. And meanwhile, Dekker and Slater reached the other side of the Blockhouse. They're all over there, Dekker. Light up those torches and then we go. Yeah, we'll have that Blockhouse blazing inside of five minutes. Yeah, give me a light. Here's a match. Get your horse for the stockade. We'll show them. What the? Dekker, a vehicle. It's a cavalry. Come on, Silverman. Speaking of that, the other Captain, I'll take care of these two. Smash them and drop the wood and shoot them down. Wait for them, Silverman. They mustn't get away. Hey, look out. Hey, look out. Look out. The vain column swept around the Blockade and fell on the outlaws in the woods. The masked man, drawing and shooting from his hip, runs over the opponents flying in the few minutes that was all over. Take your hands raised high. Put your horses around to the riverside. If you try to get away, I might aim for you instead of your guns. How'd you get them here so soon? You got us by surprise. Silver travels fast. So does the United States Army. You hear that bugle? Use your men or capture, Dekker. Your Black Arrow plan has been defeated. That is all your plans will be defeated. I see you've got the mess, man. Laskin's here, Captain. Take these two and put them in the Guardhouse. Captain, you might tell your men that they'll find these outlaws and have your stolen payroll. They should be in their saddlebags. Our payroll? Yee-yep-ee! I mean, yes, sir. In the Guardhouse at the W. Move along, Kimusabi. Hunter Glad, you safe. It's good to see you too, Tutter. By the way, mister, this is the first chance I've had. Here's a note for you. A note? Yes, from the woman in the covered wagon. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll return to my post. Oh, but first, a salute. Adios. Adios, Captain. Kimusabi. You see that? Captain, give you salute. Army salute. That great honor. Yes, tonneau, but... Look at this note. Can you make out those two words? Uh, it's a... Ghost Canyon. Ghost Canyon. Where that? I don't know, Kimusabi, but wherever it is, that's where we're heading. Get him up, scoundrel! Get him up! Hooray!