 It's Hop along Cassidy With action and suspense out of the old west comes the most famous hero of them all Hop along Cassidy starring William Boyd The silver silver birds heralds that fabulous figure of the early west hop along Cassidy The same hoppy you cheer in motion pictures with the same California you've laughed at a hundred times in your local theater These famous partners come riding into radio just as you've asked for them William Boyd has hop along Cassidy and Andy Clyde as California Our story tonight the mystery of Skull Valley Today Hoppy and his partner California are many miles from the bar 20 Riding along an old wagon road that winds through the lonely brush country This is a land of superstition of Indian legends But as they ride California shows little enthusiasm for Hoppy's current censure Which is to buy some prized hair-foot bowls with a bankrupt French north of Skull Valley Go on it Hoppy we could have stayed at the bar 20 and bought towers without tasting all over creation But now that's the price I'm gonna pay out here. There you go thinking about money Well, the ranchers got to improve his stock California. Just to see money is the root of all evil is the power share It's for me. Just give me a horse and a bed roll. I'll be satisfied Speaking of money In the road, well, I'll be there or it looks like a coin a hundred and fifty dollar gold piece by the size of it Oh, you know, they don't make hundred fifty dollar gold pieces Well, this ain't the dirtiest thing I've ever seen Look here, there's Spanish writing on it and a crown. What's a crown doing on that coin hoppy? Don't you don't reckon there's a king around here somewhere. This king has been dead a long time California This is an old Spanish coin. Yeah. Well, what's it doing on the road? Well, Spain used to own this part of the country in the old days. They did huh? Well, let's get a trouble and start digging Slow down California. I'm gonna have me a silver-mounted title two dozen pairs of giant boots And I thought you didn't care to think about money. Oh, that was a couple of minutes ago Just give me a horse and a bedroll Quit it hoppy dog gone. There might be millions round here. I've heard of them Spanish treasure Oh, that'd be probably somebody's good luck. He's you'll come back looking for it directly Hoppy hoppy. Here's another one. Oh Hey, two more hoppy. Quick, come here. Well, don't bust a butt. That's what I'm coming for. Oh, don't be sweet all hoppy Sure does California Look there That's blood a lot of it probably carrying a bullet in a hoof print from the road Yeah, I must be riding his horse ain't no other tracks and the looks up in their price Reckon it's the same color that lost these here coins. Maybe Won't last long we'll some blood that away. Let's go find him. He needs help and quick Now back to hop along Cassidy Hoppy in California have stumbled onto some old Spanish coins along a deserted road near Skull Valley But blood spots and the dust and fresh hoof prints lead hoppy to believe that whoever lost those coins has been badly wounded Right at the moment they are on his trail Look there California the tracks lead off into the brush and there she's harsh probably fell out of the saddle Easy topper easy boy. Never I see under that mesquite younger looks like he's dead Either dead or passed out Reckon he's a gunner hoppy. Give me a hand. We'll turn him over here. Yeah easy now there Still breathing no telling how bad that wound is somebody got him in the back high on the shoulder Oh coffee more of them coins in shirt pocket and the pocket torn. No wonder he was losing his money Well, you figure you got them coins. That's what I am to find out find this rock California quick Lesson like to burn my whiskers dog on it. Why is anybody shooting at us? I don't know California This brush wasn't so thick. I was lying my sights on that buzzer goes there. They aren't that rich under two of them Maybe this will give them something to think about You get him up. He's not a duck behind those rocks. Well, you scared him off anyhow. Look at him ride See, I'm gonna hold your fire California. You'll only waste bullets. Yeah, the six-gun range for this time Reckon you're right. Thank they were the ones. Maybe they shot this poor fella wouldn't be at all surprised California One of them at a red beard. I'll remember that now. We got to get this fellow to a doctor Rincon is just up the line of ways then we'll go looking for mr. Red Beard You think you pulled through dark varying complications first, I'll have to get that bullet out of him You happen knowing his name is Melendez. She pretty works for Sam Carradine Huh? Has he got a red beard by any chance hardly here it ain't his black hair right? Oh, nothing Looks as if he's coming around. Oh, maybe we'll find out what this is all about Listen old timer we're your friend who shot you For far died. No, he just lost consciousness again boy. They're La Muerte Means voice for the dead in Mexican. Yeah, I know Doc, why would Melendez talk about a voice of the dead when I ask him who shot him? And it's just a superstition. Is it legend that an old Spaniard on Pablo was buried in a mine cave in years ago? The Mexicans claim they can hear him wail on a stormy night an old Spaniard named Don Pablo Maybe he's the one that owned him calling. Why is California? Did you say something about coins? Yeah Ever seen a coin like these before? There's a matter of fact I have my autonomy where just a moment Who are you anyway? My name is Cassidy Cassidy not up along Cassidy the bar 20 that's him. All right. Well, I've certainly heard a lot about you Cassidy Sure, I'll tell you where I saw one of those coins Tom Travers had one last week and who is Travis doc an archaeologist He came here with his sister about three weeks ago to put her around the Indian ruins. Where can I see him? And Travis has been missing for several days. Maybe he found one of them the Spanish treasure quiet, California Yeah, any idea where Travis could be doc? Well, this is wild country Cassidy hard to tell I've tried to comfort his sister, but a sister. I'd like to have a talk with her Where can I find her? She and her brother are staying at the Carradine hotel Carradine again He just bought the place made his money in sheep. I reckon I'll see what she has to say I'll drop back to here Melendez tell his story. Come on, California. Yeah, sure Take good care of Melendez doc. Somebody might want to silence him permanently How come you didn't tell the dog that Melendez had them coins? He didn't ask me. Yeah, no You've got around town to see what you can find out about the red beard. I'll see the girl You're gonna copy you have all the fun. I sure do. Don't I, California? I wanted to see me on the porch and once you sit down, please Travis. Thank you. Is it something about my brother? Yes, it is you found him. No, but I may have a line on him a coin last week like this How did you know doc told me the doctor? Oh, I I guess Tom did confide in him to a certain extent But where did you get this? She heard her name Melendez my partner and I found him with a bullet in his back. He's dead No, then he can talk. He must have gotten those from Tom. Maybe he killed him and stole it. Oh, I don't think so Then what do you think? Mr. Mr. Cassidy hop along Cassidy hop along Cassidy. That name is very familiar I run the bar 20 ranch south here and you want to help me find my brother? That's right, Miss Travis But I don't quite understand what interest you should have. Well, let's just say I like people especially people in trouble Now if you'll tell me what happened the last time you saw your brother. Well, it was four days ago. We were right here on this report I really stumbled onto something this time, Linda. But Tom, it's probably just no coin that somebody dropped Oh, I don't think so and I'm going back to find more. Take someone with you. Don't go alone Oh, this is something I have to keep to myself. But you showed this coin around town. Only to the doctor and I trust him He's interested in archaeology, too. Oh, Tom, when are you ever going to stop roaming around the country looking for old relics? Why don't you marry some nice girl and settle down and the same goes for you, Linda? You want me to marry some nice girl? Oh, you know what I mean. Hey, how about Sam Carradine? Be serious, Tom Now when I come back, I'll have more money than we can ever spend in a lifetime. Please tell me where you're going Well, here comes Carradine now Don't let on what I've told you. Morning, Tom. Morning, Linda. Good morning, Carradine. Well, see you're all set to ride again, Tom Going after more of them Indian relics? Yes, just thought I'd put her around some more. Well, in case you don't get back for Saturday I was wondering if I had your permission. Permission for what? To ask Miss Linda to accompany me to the school dance Why, I think it'd be a good idea. It will all go because I'll be back tomorrow night at the latest All he would tell me, Mr. Cassidy. Maybe Sam Carradine could add a little of that. Is he around? I saw him right out of town a while ago. He said he was going to his sheep ranch at Salt Creek Thanks, Linda. And don't you worry. We'll find your brother. I, I hope you'll find him alive Like it said, Cassidy, Tom Frivers is local. That's the way I don't think he's happy. Quiet, California Yeah, then just what makes you think Tom Frivers is crazy? Why, any fellow that'll go around with a shuffle and dig up engineers and pottery and such junk has to be local Well, he seems to enjoy doing it. Well, every man does his own taste to reckon. And him was such a purdy sister Any idea what could have happened to him? Engines, maybe. They don't like fellows prowling around their mountains Yeah, maybe he fell off in his horse and butchered his full neck. That's a rough country for a tender foot to be riding in Yeah, then. Have you tried to find him? Sure, sure. I've had my men out twice coming to his mountains But it's mostly lava rock. And you know a horse don't eat tracks and that stuff Hoppy could trade land cracks, cross the next town. That's enough, California. No man can track a horse cross lava. Let's forget about lava for a minute, Karen. Did you ever see a red bearded fellow in these parts about your size? Red beard? Why, uh, no, no, don't reckon I have. See, Hoppy just like they said in town, ain't nobody ever seen this critter. That's probably a drifter. Well, why do you ask about him? He and his partner Bushwack, one of your sheep herders, huh? One of mine. Who? Someone named Melendez. Melendez? Is he dead? He's at the dock, but he'll pull through Uh, has he, uh, has he talked any? Not yet. Oh, I see. And it's the red bearded gent trying to kill Yeah, he was set to finish the job when California and I wrote up Hoppy, Hoppy, look, you're hungry. Where? Down there for the sheep families. Well, that's him. What's the matter, Cassidy? That's our friend with the red beard. Well, he spotted us, Hoppy. He's trying to get away. Come on, let's go after him, California. There's one color I sure want a color I ever will. I'll bring him down. We can get him, Karen. Ain't put that rifle down. Cassidy, he won't go around shooting anybody else. Dog, don't it. Paragon. Yeah, you had an order used that night. Well, it looks like I got him dead center. And that looks like the end of red beard. Too bad. I only meant to wing him. Probably just a grub-blind rider looking for a handout. But he hadn't ordered, tried to run away. But Hoppy here, that dog. Oh, come on, California. Yeah, but just to see that. We'll see you in town, Karen. Yeah, yeah. As soon as I bury this umbra, I'll be in. Karen didn't kill that color delivered. I know that. Well, why didn't you do something about it? We'll give Karen enough rope and maybe he'll build himself a hang moose. Now back to our story. Hoppy in California seems on the verge of getting their first break in the mystery of the Spanish coins and the disappearance of Tom Trafford. The red bearded man who had shot at them earlier in the day rode into Sam Carradine's sheep camp. But before the partners could overtake him, Carradine shot him dead. We now find Carradine in his cabin questioning one of his men. You wanted to see me, Carradine? I sure do. I'd have been out to your shack sooner, boss, but my horse threw a shoe. Ah, is that all? Yeah. Hey, where's Red? Where you'll be if you don't talk. Now, what about Melendez? Well, he'd come along with his sheep. Never mind the details. What happened? Well, me and Red was keeping an eye on Trafford, like you said. Go on. We went up on the reds looking for a deer we've seen. You said keeping an eye on Trafford? We just figured on some fresh meat for the night, boss. But while we were up there, we'd seen Melendez come by. I watched him through the glasses and seen him pick up some of them gold coins. How'd he find those? I don't want to find no, Carradine. He stuck them in his shirt pocket and they lit out there like the devil was after him with a scalpel knife. Why didn't you stop him, you fool? Well, Red did try a long shot with a rifle and winged him, but by the time we got down off the ridge, he was gone. The tractor was about to finish a job when two armbrays... Cassidy and his partner. Cassidy? You mean one of them fellas was hop along Cassidy? Yeah, if I haven't got troubles enough. Why, don't you worry, Carradine. A scene still begins. He just come back from the docks office. Melendez is in bad shape, he says. Ain't been able to talk yet. Yeah, and he ain't going to. Now, here's what we do. Tonight's the school dance. Well, I'm Waltz and Lyndon Febber, then what? How about, how about dancing this one, Lyndon? We danced, everyone, Mr. Carradine. Oh, now can't you get used to calling me Sam? But I don't know you that well, Mr. Carradine. You don't know that Cassidy fella either, but you call him Hoppy. Well, I, how does I... All right, speaking of the devil, here he comes now. Hello, Lyndon. Hello, Hoppy. Howdy, Carradine. Howdy. I have promptly at Waltz next time, how about it? I'd love to, Hoppy. Well, here's my Waltz, mine's seven to five. No, I don't mind stepping aside. Oh, Carradine must be angry. Not half as mad as he's going to be. The trap's all set. Then you do think Carradine is behind this? It's like keeping my eye on him a while soon, no. I felt he was a basic about Tom's visit here. I have an idea, you had the right feeling, Lyndon. Oh, I wish Tom never found those old Spanish coins. But they may lead to a fortune. A man like Carradine would kill for a lot less. I'm so worried. Hey, Hoppy, go shot! Someone is like Scott! Hey, what happened, Dad? Oh, Scott came to the docks, Carradine. Come on. Why would anyone be shooting a dog? To keep someone from talking, maybe. Melendez, he's in there. Exactly, Lyndon. Let's hope he's still alive. What happened, California? Uh, well, I waited in the docks office, like you said. Two fellas sneaked in. I was standing there in the dark. Uh, who, who were they? Did you see them? No, not till I saw them leaning over them rolled up blankets in the bed that they thought was Melendez. There they were, pouring the lead into it. You mean Melendez wasn't in the bed? No, care of that. Thank you, Heather. He's in another part of the house. Well, why would anyone want to hurt an old man like that? Maybe he knew something someone didn't want repeated. Um, sure, sorry, Hoppy. But the way I ruined things, how'd they get away? Well, just as I was going to corner them, I took over this here darned box. I'm glad they didn't do more than bend a gun barrel over your head. You'd gone me anyhow. We could have got them fellas and made them talk, and then... Well, forget it. What do you do now, Hoppy? We'll make other plans, and they'll start with Carradine. Uh, Carradine? He's gone. I figured he would be. Hoppy! What's up, Doc? I was going to Sanfield just before the shooting. Melendez talked a little. What did he say? Oh, he kept muttering about the voices of the dead. What else? Something about Valley of the Skull. Where's that? It's north of here, full of old mines that have petered out. Your first work by the Spaniards. Wait a minute. What is it, California? Well, them two gunmen come into this room. I heard them say something about the Silver Queen mine. And the Silver Queen is in Skull Valley. That's where we're going, California. Please be careful, Hoppy. Don't worry about me. Doc, tell me how to reach this mine and we'll be on our way. Pull the rest of the way on the foot. Here yet? You can't tell. Maybe we ought to wait till daylight. Well, what if Travers is alive? We gotta get him now. Is that Hoppy? Well, that's somebody yelling for help. Sounds like an animal to me, Hoppy. Let's go back to town and come some other time. I'll bet one of those Spanish coins against the Nicholas Tom Travers. From that there, mine entrance. That's probably what Melinda has heard. You mean this is that Bois de Lé moortie business? Sure. Here's the mine. Come on. I sure followed you a lot of places, Hoppy, but this here's the worst. Wait, I'll strike a match. If I call a breeze on them, the whole tunnel would cave in. Then hold your breath, California. They're right. Almost clear, too. Travers. Tom Travers. Is that you, Caradain? We're friends. We've come to get you. Well, a hundred feet in the tunnel. In a shaft. Be careful. We're coming. I don't like this, Hoppy. I don't suppose Travers likes it much either. Huh? I walk case or something. A timber. Look out. The wind's almost gone in here. On this shaft, on the ledge, about ten feet down. And a sheer drop from here on. Hold it right here, California. There's a line, line, and another match. We can see it, Travers. We'll have you out in no time. Careful of sight. Don't change. I watch that. Now, California, sir, you hold my seat. I think I can reach. No way, Hoppy. Wait. Now, Travers. Can you reach up? Will you touch my hand? I'll try. Come up easy, like. And don't kick the side of that wall. Uh... That's enough. Tell me here to Ross, because I... I wouldn't tell him where the coins were. Good thing you didn't. I couldn't tell him. I only found a few old coins and a wine cast. Probably left by some Spaniard who worked to claim it. You think he can walk? I'll try. I haven't had any food or water. Well, Paran and Auto get a taste of the same medicine. He'll get worse. You came in the long way through that tunnel, same as I did, before I discovered this side tunnel. He's right, Hoppy. But just go over it. But I can see more, right? Well, then let's get out. Oh, we have visitors. You already got visitors, Cesty, but you ain't going to enjoy their company. Paran! Right. I followed in here. Now we had your corners in the dark, Cesty. Try to get out of this. What do you intend to do, Paran? I'm no fool, Cassidy. You ain't keeping me talking till health comes. I'm too smart for you. Get you out of that side tunnel in Travis, California. But listen, I ain't but you. Would you let the honey off yours, I ask? I'll be all right. Hold on, man. I ain't here you whispering, Cassidy, and it won't get you nothing. There's three of us against you. Yeah, I know, but you can't shoot, Paran, these old rotten timbers that cave in and a vibration of a shot of do-it-it. Man, I'll take that chance. I got it. You saw me kill Red. The whole knot will be in on you, Paran. All clear, California? For you, I'd have been buried along with him. Poppy, I don't even feel sorry for that garrity. Greed-likey-head ain't good for a man. Oh, you talk, California. Well, when you found those coins, you were gonna buy a silver saddle, shy and blue. You know, darn well, you wouldn't have had no use for me lulling in front of a barber shop with nothing but money. Then you change your mind about being Red. Oh, sure have. But like I said before, I found him. Give me a bed roll or a good hush, is that all? And a dollar every Saturday night for tobacco. California, another job is done and they're heading back to the bar 20. But they'll be riding out again soon. They'd be mighty pleased if you'd join them for another story of action and excitement. Hop along Cassidy, starring William Boyd, is transcribed and produced in the West by Walter White Jr. The history of Skull Valley was written by Dean Owen and Howard Swart. All stories are based upon the characters created by Clarence E. Mulford. This is a Commodore production.