 the speed of light, the cloud of dust, and a hearty, high of silver, the lone ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Toto, the darling and resourceful mask rider 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. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver. The lone ranger rides again. Oh, Silver, let's go because I am Silver. Thunder Martin's mules have been pastoring for some time on the rafter H. Claire Bell Hornblow, who owned the ranch, tolerated the mules. In her rough way, she rather liked the big mule skinner, and Thunder thought that Claire Bell was all that a woman should be. Ah, I wonder if she had a face like a horse. Well, I've seen some downright handsome horses. When she sits on the meal, Gents, I want to tell you that woman can sure do things with her up. Look, here, Thunder, if Claire Bell Hornblow does such awe-firing fancy cooking, Brian Blazers, don't you stay at the ranch instead of coming here to the cafe to eat? Well, you see, Gents, Claire Bell was a little put out today. Yes, when Claire Bell Hornblow is a little put out, it seems when someone else is mad enough to eat horseshoe nails. Oh, you should see her when she's really around. I want to tell you it's like a double-twisted tornado mixed up with a thousand of patches on the warpath in a thunder-enlightened storm at noon on 4th of July. Or even my mules duck for cover when Claire Bell gets real mad. She out of sorts today, Thunder? Well, she ain't throwing and shooting mad, but it ain't a day to take a chance on her cooking. Is it Lem Sherman again? Yeah. That ornry two-bit sidewider don't know when he's late. You still got notions of getting a rafferate, huh? Why, the poison-hearted lame-brained jughead don't know when he's late. He ought to realize he's got no chance to get Claire Bell's lamb when I'm on hand. Well, he blamed your guy that a short time ago. Seems to me, Thunder, it was that masked man that thought up the way to beat Sherman. Well, me and the lone ranger worked together the last day. You see, he thought up a way to beat Sherman, but the way he thought it up called for using my mules. Well, then it ain't you that works with the lone ranger. It's your mules, eh? Same thing. I'd sure like to see Lem Sherman put where he belongs. That land-grabbing coyote ought to be in jail. He'll never get put in jail. He's too slick. He works schemes that keep you inside the law. I'm sure I've been watching him close ever since the talk started. What talk? Sherman bragging that he'd own the rafferate is the last thing he ever did. That's nothing but drooling. You know, I tried to tell Clairebell not to take that talk to heart, but she got mad anyway. And, eh, you better keep an eye on Lem Sherman. He's gonna try something, Thunder. He's sure as you're born. Let him try. That's all I ask. Just let him try it. I'll unhitch his arm and knock his ears off with his own elbow. Well, if you know a way to find that masked friend of yours, you'd better find him. Why? That's what I wanna know. Why do you say that? Don't you think I'm man enough to deal with Lem Sherman? No. Oh. I wonder where the Lord Ranger's at. Pardon me, gents. Hi there, stranger. My name is Higgins. Well, welcome to town, Mr. Higgins. This is Lefty, and that there's Thunder Martin. My name's Elle. Sit yourself down and relax. I'm only stopping by, hoping to get a smidge of information. Well? I, uh, got a herd of sheep outside of town. Sheep? You a sheep herd? I knew walk right in here like it was a man. Well, all the out-nought nerds. I don't know. I'm ordinary sheep herd. They're coming in here. My herd is every... Paul it. Just don't speak up too brash, Mr. Higgins, because I'm not lead to trouble. You're in company that's none too healthy for a sheep man. Yeah. Recognize, Ellie. State your business, and then I'd advise you to shove on. I'm looking for the Rafter H. You're looking for what? Land-sakes, Mr. Did I hear you say the Rafter H? Well, yes. Well, you act like you found it and found you wasn't welcome. I wanted to see Clarabel Hornblow. Reckon she owns it, don't you? She owns it, but I'm top-hand. If you tell me how to get there, I'd be downright appreciative. I got no time for sheepmen. Neither has Clarabel Hornblow and neither has a Rafter H. I've got a message for her. That's all. I'll take that message. I don't know about that. But I do. It's not that easy, Thunder. It's a letter. I got it here. What's that you dropped? Oh, it's just a cartridge. I was told to hand the Clarabel Hornblow along with a letter. Here you are, Mr. Higgins. Well, what's your matter, Lefty? Have a look at this cartridge, Al. Silver! That's what I thought. Say, who gave you this letter? What's that? Silver, you say? If you will tell me how to get to the Rafter H, I'll deliver this letter. If you won't, you'll have to find it for myself. Well, that letter must be from my partner. Pardon me? You are the silver bullet, the low ranger. Come on, Higgins, I'll take you to the Rafter H. Higgins had little to say during the ride to the Rafter H. Thunder's countless questions brought little information, and Thunder was out of patience when he dismounted at Clarabel's house. I never in all my born days seen a man as contactless as you are, Higgins. I got to deliver this letter. All I heard for the last half hour. Who have you got there, Thunder? There she is. Boy, you must be Clarabel Hornblown. I am. I've got a letter for you, and a silver bullet that showed that it comes from a friend of yours. Silver bullet? Lance Sate. From my friend Clarabel from the low ranger. Did he give this to your personal? Yes, him. And he gave me particular instructions to go with it. Boy says... Hmm. Don't go on curious. It's hard to believe he read it. That's why he sent the silver bullet. He figured you might have doubts about it. Yeah. So you got to sell a flock of sheep, huh? Oh, every sheep heard it. For special reasons, Miss Hornblown, I got to have cash now. I got to send it east to my folks. Where's the sheep now? On open range on the other side of town. I got a couple of dogs and two men watching. One of the men who watched the sheep was masked. The other was an Indian. It was the lone ranger and Tonto who waited with the flock while Higgins called on Clarabel. A cattleman. Not like sheep on range. They'll have to make the best of the situation, Tonto. Maybe drive women out of country. The sheep won't be around here long, but nearly long enough to kill the grazing. You do plenty of big favor for sheep, man. Who, Higgins? He needs money very badly, Tonto. Clarabel Hornblown has a cash. She can spare it for a few days. Oh, that's right. And in return for the favor, Higgins will help us. You sure him help? I'm counting on my judgment of the man. I think you'll do what we asked him. It'd make plenty trouble if Higgins make double cross. Tonto, I don't like to think of the trouble it'd be if Higgins double cost us. How soon him come back here? He won't be back for quite a while. He's just about reached the point of negotiating with Clarabel Hornblown. I'll buy your woolly critters. Clarabel, you can't do it. You're a cattleman. You can't put sheep on the range. Thunder, you shut up. It's treason. It's treachery. Downright revolution and dunderheaded carelessness. You can't herd sheep. This is my ranch, and I can herd with a darn please. You don't like it? You can clear out. Oh, sugar. I sure appreciate this, Miss Hornblown. You must need money bad to sell at that price. I do. I'll buy him as the masked man asked me in the letter. If there's a range war, he'll have to help me out. Bleeding good for nothing, garage-killing sheep that smelled the high heavens, a fine thing. Leaping rattlers, I'll never live this down. I'll buy the sheep, but the cattleman sure won't like it. She beats the close to the ground to get the roots and kill all of them. Yeah. Clarabel can't get away with it. You won't stand for it. She can't do it. She won't stand for it. The cattleman were out of loss to understand Clarabel's mood. They felt that she'd violated an unwritten code that she'd betrayed them. They finally went to her house, fuming, raging, storming, threatening. You can't get away with it, Clarabel. Have you lost your mind? You can't bring sheep to the range. Get rid of them. Yeah, get rid of them. We'll do it for you. Clarabel! Hold it! Listen to me, you pack-a-drewin' daughter in maverick. Listen to me. I'll let the other barrel of this shotgun paint among the Latia. As long as I own the Raptor H, I'll do what a doggone will please. Lam Sherman has made a special study of the laws around here, and he does what he pleases, being careful not to break a law and land in jail. Well, blast your hides. I'll do that same. You think I can't herd sheep? Go read your laws. While public sentiment ran high against Clarabel Hornblow, the man from whom she bought the sheep appeared at Lem Sherman's ranch. The reason I come to you, Sherman, is that I know you anchored a sort of square accounts with a woman that bought my sheep. I sold my sheep for almost nothing. Here's a bill of sale, you can see for yourself. You did sell sheep. Miss Hornblow got a good buy. That's why she was willing to buy them, count of the low price. Higgins, why'd you come to see me? Miss Hornblow bought the sheep, figuring to sell them to a man that's coming through here in a few days. She knows the cattleman won't stand for her keepin' sheep, so she'll get rid of them quick. She'd better, if you so. She has to sell them soon. I'd hang around here myself and wait for this Eastern gent, but I can't. I had to have cash quick, then get. Well, now, if the buyer don't like the looks of the sheep and don't buy them, she'll be stuck with them. Then every man around here will help to run her out. Even the lawman will be on her side. I still can't see why you're telling me this. You want that woven out of here, don't you? Well, I can fix it so that those sheep will look so miserable that the buyer won't touch them at any price. You can? I got some stuff that I can put in the rafter-h waterholes. It'll make the sheep powerful sick. What about the cattle? Miss Hornblow will water the cattle at the creek if the sheep use the waterholes. What, uh, what'll you pay me to fix things, like I said? Higgins? You get out of here. Get out! The idea of you thinking I'd pay you to poison waterholes. But, sure. Go on. Get going, or I'll help you along with gun lead. Travel or I'll shoot your heels. I'm going. I'm going. Hey, boss! Boss, what's the shooting for? Oh, butch, I'm glad you're here. Come inside. Who was that, I'll bet it just could battle so fast. That's Higgins. He saw Clare Bell Hornblow the sheep she bought. Oh, butch, he's given me a slick idea. Yeah? Now listen, butch, what's the stuff that can be put into water to make sheep look like they're sick without hurting them permanent? Oh, I don't know. But I can find out. And you know sheep pretty well. You'll find out. I got the slickest idea I ever had. 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. Clare Bell Hornblow stirred everyone in town and on the nearby ranches to a high pitch of anger when she bought a flock of sheep. No one was more furious than her friend the mule skinner, Thundermarkin. Clare Bell, are you sure the mask man said you was to buy those moon-eyed bucktooth quitters? I'm sure, and even if I weren't, it'd be none of your business. Any time you don't like the way I run my ranch, you're free to take your mules and get it. Get those fences strung up. Yeah, I got them up. Worked all afternoon on them. Wore myself out stretching fence wire for sheep to find things. You're sure you fenced them so they can't get to drink from the creek? You're darn right. I made it pretty sure they'll have to stick to the water holes. You don't catch me letting those sheep spoil the creek water for the cattle mules. I wouldn't expect no self-respecting jackass to drink what a high smell of sheep drinks. A thunder. Huh? You're poor, simple-minded, homely-looking galoot. I better tell you something before you go to the bunkhouse or you'll probably lie awake all night thinking up new cuss words to call the sheep. It ain't just me, Clare Bell. Every rancher around here is more than mad about you buying the critters. I know that. Now calm down and listen to me. I'll tell you just why the Lone Ranger sent Higgins here to sell that flock to me. That there is something I crave like blazes to know. It was a little later the same evening when Lem Sherman rode into town and dismounted in front of the sheriff's office. Oh, oh, oh, I, oh, there. The sheriff stood in the doorway. What's you doing here, Sherman? I want a few words with you. That's all, Sheriff. A few were the better. Come on inside. After you. Thanks. Well, what's on your mind? You made a lot of charges about me, Sheriff. Don't like it, huh? I don't mind what people say. I just want you to get a few things straight. Go ahead. You've been trying a long time to find reason to throw me into jail. And you know why, you want to repoll cat? You've tried some mighty shady tricks to drive Clare Bell harm blow out of here so as you could get her land. Ever broken the law? If you had, you'd be in jail. It looks to me as if Clare Bell is going to be driven out of here without my help. You've heard the talk that's going around since she bought that flock of sheep, haven't you? I've heard it. Don't know what possessed the woman. You think I had anything to do with her buying the flock? No. I know you didn't. That's what I wanted to get straight. I know how you feel about me. And I don't want you to get the idea that I had a hand in stirring up the cattlemen to drive Clare Bell and her sheep away from here. You know, I thought for one minute you did have a hand in it, Sherman. I'd have you in jail fast and one of them sheep could take... As long as you don't figure on trying to frame me for what happens, I'll get on my way. I don't figure on framing you for anything, Sherman. But there's one fact you'd better get through your head. Yeah? If I ever do catch you in an underhanded deal to get that ranch, my gobs I'll throw you in jail so hard you'll bounce. Don't count on that, Sheriff. The way things are going, I'll get the chance to buy Clare Bell's land within the next few days. Goodbye. Skunk, unreason-deacon skunk. Like to jail him, huh, Sheriff? What the? I came in the back way. Masked? Why gobs your mask? Take it easy, Sheriff. I'm the one who told Clare Bell to buy that flock from Higgins. You? And maybe you're in cahoots with Sherman? By places if I could... Don't try to get on, Sheriff. Where? Why'd you come here? To help you jail him, Sherman. What? You're literally jumping at the chance. Speak up! How can I jail him? What's he done? How can I put that scheming polecat in the calibus? Did he have a hand in getting them sheep on the rafter age? No. He had no hand in getting them there. But I think you'll try to keep them there. Will you come with me? Where to? Without asking questions. Without asking? Yes, my gobs. I'll go with you without asking questions. Come on. It was some time after dark when Lem Sherman reached his ranch house after the rides in town. He lighted the lamps, then sat down near the front door to wait. In half an hour, he heard steps on the porch. He opened the door. That you, Bush? Yeah, it's me, Mr. Sherman. Can I come inside for a minute? I've got something to tell you. Come in. What is it? Got to the water holes on the rafter age. All of them? Yeah. Put some of that stuff that Andy got in each one. The sheep haven't been moved yet, have they? Ooh. I reckon they're going to be moved from the open range first thing in the morning. There's only one thing that bothers me, boss. What's that? Well, if Clair bell keeps the critters fenced on her own land, none of the cattlemen will have cause for complaint, will they? She can't keep them fence long. They'll have to be turned open range if she doesn't sell them in a few days. It'll be all right then. This stuff you put into the water, it better do the trick. Andy says it'll make the sheep mighty sick critters. Somebody's coming. There might be Andy or one of the boys. If things work out as I expect, butch, I'll see that you get a handsome bonus. I'm counting on it. Hey, mess, you! Don't reach for gun, will you? What's this for? Sherman, I want you. I'll see you here. Hit him, butch. No! My hand! Don't try another gun. Get him! Get him, butch! I'll show him! Butch! Want some more? Sherman, you're coming with me. Take your hands off me. Let me go. Come on, Miss Hornblow wants a few words with you. Butch! Andy, Jake, help! Help me! I'll get you for this. You keep stuggling. I'll have to give you some of the medicine to put your friend to sleep. You can't drag me out of my own home, will you? All right, Sherman. No! Pleasant dreams. Wake up. Get up, Thunder. Wake up. That's the shortest night I've ever seen. Hey, what's up, Thunder? Hey, it's dark out. Donald, you here in the bunker? What the Sam here? Hey, what's the matter? You get boots on. Come to Ranch House. Plenty quick. Ranch House? What's happened? Are they coming on the rampage? He's clear they're all right. Come quick. Them Sherman there. Sherman! That triple distilled double twisted coyote. Give me them boots. I'll fix that. I'll fix that. Sneakin' poor cat. I'll teach him to leave my girl alone. Where is the Jadir in Salamander? Where is that cat about? Clare Belivis. There's the Sakes, Thunder. Calm down. Shut up. Hado said Lem Sherman was here. Right over there in the corner. All right. Right here. Great day in the morning. Now, Clare Belger, you should not have hit him that hard. You might hurt your fist. Why didn't you call me? You. If you'd have hit him, you'd kill him and that'd be murder. Murder my eye and be downright good legislation. Anyhow, it was the lone ranger that brought him here. Where's he at? Right here, Thunder. Sakes a lot. Why it's downright good to see you? If I'd known you was here, I would... He brought Sherman here so I could talk to him. I'll have the law on all of you. Well, you'll feel better when you hear why I wanted you, Sherman. Why? You still want to buy him a ranch. Why'd he ask? Looks like I might have to sell out someday. Oh. So you got word of how the cowmen feel, eh? Sakes alive. You sure did get rough handling. Thunder, get Sherman a pitcher of water. Get him! Waiting on a pulled cat like Sherman. I don't know as I'm interested in buying right now. I thought you figured on selling the sheep. What gave you that idea, Sherman? Well, I... Ain't but one man know that and that's Mr. Higgins. You talk to him? Well, no. Why should I talk to him? Here's the water. I reckon you'll feel better for a drink of cool water. I just figured... Here you are. I just figured I'd see how high you'd go for the ranch and if the price was high enough... I don't know as I'm interested. Thunder, you better go fill the pail again. You gotta go way out to that water hole, you know. What's that? What water hole? Oh, I'm having trouble with the well. Thunder got a pail from one of the holes a while ago but slot most of it out totin' it back. What? What's the matter with you? I thought the water tasted salty. It's poisoned. That water's poisoned. Are you crazy, Sherman? We've been using it right along. I tell you, it's poisoned. Here you get me a doctor. Get me medicine before I die. How'd you know it was poisoned? Makes you think so. Butch done it. I tell you, I know. Hurry, help me. Butch poisoned the water hole? Is that what you say? Yes, yes, you gotta help me. Why did you do that? Don't ask questions now. In the name of mercy, help me. Listen to me, Sherman. And let go of me. You'll not get help until you tell more about this poison. Later. Later on. Doctor, something has stopped the poison. I feel faint already. Oh, Sakes Alive, help me. Why did Butch poison that water? Did you tell him to? Oh, help. Help. Did you? Yes, yes, I told him that. You had the water holes poisoned to kill Clarabel's cattle? It wouldn't kill him. Only make him sick. The sheep. But it might kill a man. You wanted to make the sheep sick so that Clarabel couldn't sell them. Isn't that it? Yes, yes, that's it. I admit it. You knew she was going to sell them. You wanted to kill the sales so she'd have to keep them here. Is that it? Yes, yes. You wanted the cattleman to turn on her? Yes, yes. I tell you, I admit it all. It's all right then, Sherman. There's nothing wrong with that water. What? Thanks for that confession, Sherman. Sheriff, looks like I got you this time. Trick me. You mean no poison? You hadn't been a crook at heart. You'd never have taken the suggestion Higgins made. And you did take that suggestion. Higgins. We all have been waiting in the next room for this, Sherman. You crook. All you needed was the suggestion I gave you and you acted on it. Even double crossed me. But you mean I ain't going to die? No, but you're going to jail. Sheriff, as evidence, you can draw a sample of the water. I won't need none. We got witnesses to Sherman's confession. I reckon Butch will admit his part too. I'll buy the flock back now, Miss Hornville. Anytime, Higgins. You mean to say you ain't going to keep the woolly critters at all? Nope. The whole thing was just a plan to put Temptation in front of Lam Sherman. It was the masked man's idea to put him where he couldn't pester me no more. You mean to say I strung all that fencing for nothing? You didn't tell me that part of the scheme. The fencing will be needed to keep the cattle from the waterholes until the poisons worked out. This ain't right. That woman schemed the whole thing. She framed me. You better be careful what you say about Claire Bell. He'll roll, troublemaker. You confounded old Seabass. Sherman, one more word out of you. Come on, Sherman. We'll head for the jail. Give me. Jaded because of that old troublemaker. You're going to tie war, Jeff. I bet I hit him just as hard as you did. I heard that mask man go. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.