 It's Hopalong Cassidy! With action and suspense, out of the Old West comes the most famous hero of them all, Hopalong Cassidy, starring William Boyd. The Ring of the Silver Spurs heralds the most amazing man ever to ride the prairies of the early West, Hopalong Cassidy! This famous hero thrills his 60 million fans with action and dangerous adventure. In the role of Hopalong Cassidy is the popular star of the motion picture series, William Boyd. And now, another exciting story of the early West. Hopi pays a debt. In these early days of the West, when you wanted to learn all about a fellow you're planning to do business with, you generally head for the local bank. The banker is not just a man to care for your earnings, he knows folks troubles and their secrets. So Hopi and California ride down the dusty main street to the Brills Corners Bank and check the credit of a new Bar 20 customer. A cloud of alkali dust swirls about them as they stop, tie off at the hitch and rail and enter the bank. Mr. Kittle has his own office right back in this corner. I hope he ain't going home. It's kind of late. I don't think so. It looks like he's busy. Sit down. Wait a minute. Be right with ya! Hey, this is a pretty fancy setup. I wish we had banks like this around the Bar 20. Yes, go on home, Steve. There's nothing you can do about it now. There's plenty I can do, Mr. Kittle. Let's fight and talk, Steve. I am it to be. I don't think I ain't obliged to you, sir. I'm just gonna have to work it out my way. Now think it over, my boy. Your way means serious trouble. Goodbye, Mr. Kittle. Thanks again. I'm sorry, gentlemen. I... Why, Cassidy? Hop along, Cassidy? I hardly knew you without my glasses. Howdy, Mr. Kittle. Well, what on earth brings you here? Been about 12 years since I laid eyes on you. 15 to be exact. I don't want to be prying, Mr. Kittle, but that boy that just went out. Oh, old man Henderson's boy. Not his own flesh and blood, you know. Why, darn hoppy, we know Henderson. Yeah. You mean this is the button who survived the shooting at Squaw Creek? Yep. The old man Henderson took him in and did for him like he would his own. He ain't no trouble, is he? Well, I'm afraid he is. He got mixed up with that crowd at the Black Deuce Cafe. Come out on $10,000 gambling debt. Hmm. Seems like he's got a mind of his own. Yeah, that's the trouble, hoppy. I've been trying to keep him straight. But if his father learns of this latest affair, he'll disown him proper. The, uh, the Black Deuce, I don't place it. New outfit moved in and took over. Fella by the name of Bates, Blackie Bates. Well, where on earth can't we do something to help the boy, hoppy? Not much he can do with that boy, California. I don't believe that. Get a boy on the right trail and there's good in all of them. Well, I've done all I could. He's up to his boot tops in trouble with Blackie Bates, which is just another way of saying he's asking for a belly full of lead. Oh, well, here have a chair. Care for a cigar? What can I do for you? Just checking a little on a fellow's credit, but that can wait. Something more important needs attention. You mean the Henderson Youngin? Yeah, I kinda hate to see a young fellow walk into trouble wearing blinkers. Uh, come on, California. Where are you bound for, hoppy? Well, since I've never met this Blackie Bates, I guess now's as good a time as any. Well, more than likely you'll find Blackie back in his private office. Thanks, Mr. Kittle. See you later. Like it's not the ruckus he's already started. Yeah, I was there at the shooting this quarry. So I have real folks gunned down. Too late to help then. But come on, I'm gonna make up for that now. Now back to Hop along Cassidy and Hoppy pays a debt. Young Steve Henderson of the Bar over H Ranch has become involved with the crowd at Blackie Bates Black Deuce Cafe. Old man Henderson is a friend of Hoppy, so Hoppy feels it's up to him to see that young Henderson gets a fair deal. Hoppy in California followed the young man to the Black Deuce Cafe. So this is the Black Deuce Cafe? Yeah, it's like a bad place to start trouble. Kittle said Beach's office was in the bank. This hall to our left must go back there. One of his guns will garden the hall. Don't see young Henderson anywhere out here. We better go on back. I'm right with you Hoppy. We have to trick this guard saves noise. He sees us coming. Hold up there partner. Ain't nobody loud back in this hallway. We have to see Beach. What for? It's awful important. Ain't nobody going back there. He's busy. Got a mighty important message for Blackie here. Yeah, let's see the message. Where is it? Right on this card. Kind of dark to read anything. Uh yeah, let's step down the hall a bit under the light. But there ain't no writing on this card. Got him Hoppy. Let him down easy like dragging back there out of sight in this corner. No telling how many of his crowd are close by. He's heavier than a bucket of eels and just as slippery I'll bet. That's all right. Leave him there. Now that door at the end of the hall looks like it might be the office. We crashing it Hoppy? Not unless we have to. We better get up close and hear what we can. Then I'll know how to lay my plans. If that ten thousand ain't a hill by tomorrow night Anderson, you'll be heading for a boot hill. I gotta have more time Blackie. I'm collecting from you or from your old man. No, no, not my daddy to kill him. His heart ain't good. I'll get it for you. If they know why you owe these ten thousand. You're not done well. I never play cards. Somebody put something in my food. When I woke up you were showing me this IOU. It's assigned by you. That means your old man has to pay. Yeah. If you go to my dead with this Blackie. Yeah, what? I'll kill you. Are you no good? All right, all right. I'll get it for you. Yeah. I thought you would. Maybe you'll rather play this smart way. Save yourself a lot of trouble. Save me from going to your park. I ain't stealing it. Of course not. Nothing like that. Your past run a herd of bees to the railroad tomorrow. I haven't put one of my boys on as a trail hand. What are you aiming to do? Then I'm going to call our debt square. You mean Russell? I don't use that word. We just cut out a few hundred heads. Run them up ginger creek away and your debt is paid. Well, let me think it over, Blackie. Their thinking's all been done for you. From now on it's action and you're going along with it. Well, Hoppy, you heard what's going on. Maybe kiddo's right. The boys turned bad. Too early to say, California. Well, darn it, you heard him say he'd help Russell his own paws cattle. Maybe trying to spar for a time. That boy's crowded right up against the fence. He sure hates to see Henderson selling out. Well, my plan works. He won't sell out. Be careful what you say to Henderson. The ranch is just ahead. Lucky we beat the boy back here. Looks like a lot of action that the Henderson spread. Yeah. Durned if Banker Kittle ain't right. He's rounding up that herd for the trail. And Henderson doesn't look very happy about it. You saying anything about the boy? Nothing to say. Maybe if we listen, Henderson will tell us the way things are going. It'll be sure a fat-looking herd, Hoppy. Yeah, too nice to be selling. Well, if you wait a sight good to see. And that old cowboy, California, brings you around these parts. Hello, Henderson. Just dropped out to pay our respects. It's a good thing you did. I don't think I'll be around after next week. You selling out? Yeah, sir. I guess I am, boys. Things ain't worked out like I thought they would. Uh, cattle look fat. Oh, tink, that Hoppy. Durned. It ain't money. It's something inside of me here. Oh, busted up. Oh, sure. Sorry to hear that, Henderson. There, your soul knows this, Hoppy, but I gotta tell somebody or I'll bust. Oh, what's wrong? It's my boy. I had hopes he was carrying on. I planned to turn the ranch over to him day after tomorrow when he's 21. He's smart. He's been to school. What's wrong with a boy? He's turned bad on me. Been gambling, losing money. Wants to 5,000 and wants to 3,000. Paid off and said nothing. Didn't want him to think I was trying. Well, maybe it ain't his fault. And he's old enough to know right from wrong. Of course, they made a big thing over him at the Black Deuce Cafe. Oh, yeah, that's Flaky Bates's place. Hoppy, I'd kill that ruttler if I thought I'd help anybody. He's the one many a boy. Maybe there's a way without gunplay, Anderson. The law can't touch him. Every shady deal he's in on, it's done by his heirloom. He's always clear. Mr. Henderson, when's the herd taken to the trail? It's ready now. Just got me a new trail rider. See if we can get him through without losing him like I done last year. Rustlers? Yep, 400 head. Never found hiding or hearing him. Suppose California and I ride trail with the boys. Nobody knows us, not even your boy. We could keep an eye on them. Say, would you hoppy? I'll pay you good wages. Oh, sweet, I want no wages. Not from you, Anderson. Sometimes there's more important things than money. Oh, say, there comes my boy now riding in. And look at that kid. Straight as an arrow. Rides like his old man. I know how you feel, Anderson. And remember, these things have a way of working themselves out. Well, we got a good view up here. Right below is Ginger Creek. Or they're going to cut out some of the herd. Well, the boys riding along with that guard from Blackies. The one we put to sleep. Yep, it's the same one. Look, hoppy, that sidewinder is cutting some out. Looks like the boys helping him. There they go, turning up the creek. And the rest of the herd going straight ahead. You can see nobody up ahead knows it. Oh, sure makes me feel bad. Knowing that boys are turning on his paw that way. Don't judge him too soon, California. Remember, the boys desperate. Gambling that away costing his paw thousands. Maybe he didn't gamble. Boy, his own paw's head he did. And I'd like to take that Blackie Beats' neck in my two hens and twist till his eyeballs pop out the varmints. Wouldn't help a bit. We got to take our time so we know which way to move. Time's awfully important, hoppy. You're right, California. We let this go far enough. Now we got to get to that Henderson Boy and work fast. Stay close to these rocks, California. They're staying out of sight. Maybe surprise them. We do look out for gunplay. That guard is a bad ombre. Gosh, looking them cattle. Just as bad as butter. They'll bring a mighty high price. I think we can meet up with the kid round this bend. Rich, partner. Well, if it ain't my friend with a message for Blackie, I was hoping I'd meet up with you again. Thought we'd look around for strays. Seem to be a lot of them. We're in the brand over H brand. Kid, take them six guns off on these hood owls. Infection here while I cover up. I told you we'd get into trouble. Do like I say. Get. There. I got both of them. Room to me. Your little rustling job fell through. Huh. I'll be darned if it has. Ain't nobody knows about it but us four. Now don't go on it, fellow. What are we going to do, Lacey? Do? Well, that ain't hard to figure. Two of us come in here. You and me. And there's only two going back out. You and me. Now back to Hop along Cassidy and our story, Hoppy settles a debt. Blackie Bates is still holding an IOU for $10,000 over the head of young Steve Henderson. Steve has become panicky for fear Blackie will tell his father about the affair and is working with Blackie's gunsel Lacey to rustle some of his own dad's cattle to square the debt. Hoppy in California know of this and ride to Ginger Creek where they find the cattle and Steve. But an alert gunman got the drop on Hop along and is going to kill them to keep them quiet. Wait, Lacey. They might come back looking for me. If they heard the shot we couldn't explain. Er, maybe you're right. I'll go up to the ridge and see if they've moved on. I don't like it, Lacey. That ain't what you like. You keep them coming and I'll get back. Killings are hanging offence. Killing ain't in my line. How about rustling cattle? That ain't in my line either. A fellow who doesn't do any killing and doesn't like rustling, you're mixed up in some pretty bad company, Steve. You know my name. And we know you're Paul. He's a good man. Stop your talking. Be sure, Steve. Too good to be getting a deal he's getting. I didn't want to do this. Yeah. You gotta believe me. We know. You know. We was listening when Blackie Bates threatened to tell you're Paul about the $10,000. Er, we're here to help you, Steve. I never saw you before. I don't know you're not lying. Hop along, Cassidy, don't lie. Hop along? You mean you're hop along, Cassidy? I heard my Paul talk about you lots of times. You gotta make a decision, Steve. My father hates me. Oh, go on it, Steve. He don't know such things. Your Pa's proud of you. Or he wouldn't have paid off your other gambling debts and said nothing. Other gambling debts? I never owed a cent in my life. You sure about that? Sure as I'm here. I swear it, Mr. Cassidy. How about the $10,000? That's different. I'll die before I let Pa know about that. Yeah, I guess your Pa'd rather see you that way, too, than doing what you're doing. What am I gonna do? That's a decision for you to make. You'd better make it fast. Here comes your pal. My mind's made up. When this Lacey gets back, I'ma tell him. Better be ready for action, then. Be the sign of a human or animal. Lacey? Lacey, I ain't going through with it. Why, you snivelin' little... Look out, Steve, give Hoppy room. I gotta score to settle with you. Here's one for Steve. What are we gonna do with him, Hoppy? I'll leave him where he is. Let him go back to Blackie Bates and tell him his scheme failed. Supposing he beats us back to town? Well, if he does, he can walk fast, then we can ride. Get out of here! His horse will just go back to the livery stable, and they'll come looking for him. By that time, I hope to have this whole mess cleaned up. What about the herd this fella cut out? They'll be all right back in the draw. We can get them any time, but right now we're holding a meeting with Mr. Blackie Bates. We're passin' right by the Black Dew, Hoppy. I don't plan on goin' in the front door. Whatever you do, count me in, Mr. Cassidy. I will, Steve. I'll swing around back to the Blacksmith shop and tie up. You can see the light in Blackie's office from here. Good. Tie him up and let's get out of sight. Sure feels good, Mr. Cassidy. What feels good? Feels good being a man, instead of a cheater. I'd like to hear you say that, Steve. Everything seems so different now, thanks to you. I've got the courage to stand right up to Blackie Bates and have it out. I don't know about what Blackie won't clear you, Steve. Well, during it, something's gotta be done, Hoppy, and fast. Blackie's a pretty slick umbrae. That's why he's never been caught in anything. His gunnies always do the job for him. And he always got a clean alibi. Then we have to set a trap and hope he walks into it. Got an idea, Hoppy? Well, that's worth tryin', but it means rough goin' for Steve. Ain't afraid of rough goin'. What do I do? You gotta get Blackie mad. That ain't gonna be hard to do. I mean mad enough to do his own killin'. Now, California... Not me. I ain't gonna be gone down just... Wait a minute. Of course not, California. I want you to go in the Black Deuce with Steve. In the front? Yeah. Blackie never wears a six-gun in his office. You don't have to with them hired gunnies at his right outside his door. You sure about that? I know I'm right. He always hangs his holster and belt right back at his desk near the window. Steve, I want you to go right into Blackie's office and tell him you want to settle a score. Boy, that kid ain't got a chance back there, Hoppy. Yes, he has. I'll be there just outside the window. I'll back his hand. And then? Tell Blackie you don't intend to pay the ten thousand dollars. I guess you know more than I do what you got up your sleeve. If you say to do it, I sure will. And remember this. The most important thing. Tell Blackie your paw won't pet. And he isn't mad enough to make your paw pet. Darned if you ain't handin' Steve a man-sized dish there, Hoppy. And all gone if he ain't got his paw spunk. California, I'll take that six-gun you took off that ombre back in the draw. Plum forgot I had it. Here. This gun's going to be important. Looks like any other old six-gun. That's what I'm hopin'. Now, hurry up. It's gettin' late. We got to spring the trap tonight. Yeah? Come in. Come in. Oh, it's you, Mr. Kittle. Something is wrong at the bank? At the bank today, as you said you would, Mr. Bates. Ain't it made up of my cash? It's, uh, not the cash. It's, uh, this. What's that? A letter from the Gallup Mining Company. Offering you third interest in Gallup No. 3 for 15,000. Oh, can't that wait till the bank in hours of tomorrow? Oh, too late. Your answer must leave on the early stage. Sure is worth the money. Who is it? Steve. What are you doin' here? What's wrong? I ain't goin' through with it, Blackie. What are you? Well, you know, now, Mr. Bates, he's only a boy. Tomorrow, I'm not a boy. I'll be the owner of the Bar-over-H Ranch. Kittle, I see you at the bank early in the morning. No. Kittle can hear this, too. I just want you to know I'm not payin' off the $10,000, Blackie. What? And my pa isn't payin' it off, neither. Cause I don't know it. We see about that. And you ain't man enough to collect it from him. I'm a collector, and at $10,000, our Boothill is gonna have a new box. Boothill may get a new box, but neither Pa nor me is gonna be in it. Now, Mr. Bates, don't lay a hand on Steve. He sees a wand that I'm a collector to myself, a personal. Suit yourself. But I ain't the crawling spook I was yesterday. Pa and me will bust this town wide open, Amara. Why, you snag- Riggs, Blackie! Riggs! Wait! Now look here, Kittle. I'm covering you to save you from a hang-oose. Not because I got any love for you. Now you go on, Steve, get outta here, and keep ridin'. You gotta beat Blackie to the ranch, Mr. Cassidy. The way he was raging Pa's life ain't worth a nickel if we don't. Now, Blackie ain't passed us on this road, that's for sure. I'm not letting anything happen to your Pa, Steve, not for anything in this world. You beach me how you can wade right into trouble like this, Hoppy, and always know just what to do. Guess it would be mighty risky for anybody else to take these chances. But doggone it with you, things always seem to turn out. Wait a minute, pull up the horses. Listen, do you hear what I hear? I hear a horse here, if that's what you mean. Ridin' fast. Yeah, too fast. Steve, is there any other road to your ranch? Well, I know, this is the... Mr. Cassidy, there is another one. A shortcut that forwards the stream. Come on! I forgot about it. I used to ride it as a kid. Oh, Mr. Cassidy. Easy, Steve. Just around this bend now. I think I've done this to Pa after all he'd done for me. This is all I'm doing. No, Steve, this part of it is my plan. We don't even know it's Blackie. Chocks, maybe it's just... We can jump this fence here. Come on, boy! Now cut through this grove. You lead the way, Steve. Hope you're right about things always turning out for me, California. I got my gun out, Hoppy. Well, put it away while you're riding behind me. There's Blackie's horse! Lead us to your Pa's bedroom quick. Oh, no! Pa! Now back to Hop along Cassidy. Come on, Steve. Pa! Don't move, I got you covered. Drop that gun. What in tarnation's going on here? Oh, Pa, you're alive. Put on the light, California. Sure. Maybe then I can see what's going on. Ain't sure yet who shot who. Kittle! White's banker Kittle and... Blackie. Yeah, Blackie's dead. I raised Blackie out here. I knew he was gunning for Henderson. What in blazes is all this about? First thing I knew I heard some shots and... It was Blackie gunning for you, Henderson. I thought he'd gotten you for sure. How could he miss, Pa? How could you still be alive? Why, that rattler was a standin' over you with a smokin' gun when I shot him. Point blank range. I don't know how he missed you. Disappointed, aren't you, Kittle? California, keep your gun on our banker friend here. We're sure, Harvey. Now see here, Mr. Kittle kept Blackie from shooting me back in town a few minutes ago, and now he's saved Pa. You got no right to... No, Steve. Take a look at Blackie's gun here. You'll understand why your Pa is still alive. Blanks? Yeah, a blank cartridge was thrown in this gun. Blackie was shooting at your Pa. I don't gun that sure. Where's your lucky break? I reached in the window of Blackie's office and exchanged his gun for this one of laces. Then you gave him a gun filled with blanks? Sure, and that's the one thing that has made Kittle's little scheme backfire. Say, I've taken about all of this slender... Furthermore, Kittle, I know you didn't race Blackie out to this ranch. You beat him here by several minutes. Why, I... You waited in the next room for Blackie to arrive. Mr. Cassidy, how do you know that when we only just arrived? Because the room was filled with cigar smoke, and unless your Pa here has taken up smokin'. Roomie, you bet your boots I ain't. Well, this is ridiculous. I shot Blackie. Yeah, after you thought he had killed Henderson. Well, I mean, this don't make sense. Kittle's been my friend for 25 years, handled all the business. And stole money from you fast and you could make it. What? Me? You told Mr. Henderson that you paid off several debts to Blackie, with Steve owed for gambling thousands of dollars. That was a lie. And you knew that by tomorrow, unless you could get Henderson to sell out everything, Steve would take over and discover your thefts. I guess I'm kind of thick, but why did Kittle here gun down Blackie? Because Blackie and Kittle worked together to frame Steve. And Kittle wanted to get rid of him. This way he could do it and be a hero. Well, I guess I might as well carry Blackie out. Yeah. Paul, Paul, listen. The clock. It's midnight. What do you mean? Getting late? I'm... I'm 21. Oh, God. I guess you are. Where's that razor strap of mine? Got to give you a licking? Oh, no. No, you don't, Mr. Henderson. You got to show respect to the new owner of the Bar-over-H Ranch. You know, Steve, I never saw a boy become a man quite so quick. Yeah, sure have. Thanks to you. Goodbye from Hopalong Cassidy in California. These partners will be riding out again soon into another threatening episode, and we hope you'll be with us. Hopalong Cassidy, starring William Boyd, is transcribed and produced in the West by Walter White Jr. Hoppy pays a debt, was written by Howard Swart. All stories are based upon the characters created by Clarence Mulford. This is a Commodore production. This is a Commodore production. This is a Commodore production.