 The ring of the silver spurs harrows the most amazing man ever to ride the prairies of the early west, Hopalong Cassidy, the same hoppy you cheer in motion pictures and the same california you've laughed at a million times, raw courage and quick shooting have built a legend around this famous hero, Hopalong is a name to be feared, respected and admired, for this great cowboy rides the trails of adventure and excitement, William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy and and decried as california. Well Hoppy, what about our story? We called this one Kid Mapper's Trail. It wasn't often the bar 20 entertained visitors, so when Buck Peters first told us he was expecting a couple of guests it caused quite a stir. And when we found out the visitors were going to be centered to Hyam Sprague and his 20-year-old daughter, everybody got downright excited. I remember it was getting on toward noon and time California and I were heading for town with the Buck Ford to meet the stage. While California was hitching up the rig, Buck Peters and I were sitting on the porch talking. Yes, Hoppy, it'll sure be good seeing old Hyam again. You know, I'm proud to call him my friend and not because he's a big man in Washington and rich to boot either. Well, judging from all you've said about him, he must be quite a guy, Buck. Well, what's he doing on these parts? I thought Nebraska was his stomping ground. Well, he is, but being a senator, I reckon he's got to look over some new territory now and then. Pardon his letter, he started combining business with pleasure on this trip. He's liable to change his mind about the pleasure part, the time he's written that stage in from Cottonwood. I'm not worried about Hyam. He can stand it all right. Of course, it'll be kind of tough on his daughter Kathy though. Well, we'll bring him right out quick as we can. They can get a good breast. California is coming with a Buck Ford now. Good. You're going to have to keep moving on the stage to beat you into town. Oh, Hoppe. Yeah. If you see Sam Fuller, tell him he's invited out for supper tomorrow. He and Hyam went to law school to get him back east. I'll make a point of seeing he gets your message, Buck. If I don't see him, I'll stop by his law office. Oh, check, Hoppe. These critics are preparing to go. All right, California, let's get going. See you later, Buck. Oh, Hoppe, the stage should have been here a half hour ago. Well, they never do run on time. You know that. Either an hour earlier or two days later. Yeah, but they got an important passenger today. Well, here comes Sam Fuller. It looks like he and his horse are both in a sweat. Okay, we'll share a blame. And this ain't exactly the North Pole today. Well, hello, Cassidy. California. The stage isn't in here, though. No. Looks like it's running late as usual, Fuller. Well, this is one time I'm not sorry. I was afraid I'd be tied up in the office till I missed Wheaton-Hyram Spring. Ah, you'd better sit down a while. No telling how long a wait we might have. By the way, Buck wanted me to tell you he's expecting you out for supper tomorrow, if you can make it. Oh, well, that's fine. Tell him I'll be there for sure. Fine. Stage is coming. Here comes the stage. Stage is coming. Stage is coming. Look at them horses galloping. Wouldn't have been later if they'd roll like that all the way. Those fools just try to raise a lot of dust and dust in here. Wait a minute. Look how old that driver's waiting. He's on. Yeah. I wonder what he's so excited about. What's the matter with him anyway? I don't know. What's the trouble, driver? We were held up four miles out with two masked men on pinto. What's this? A way of sending the spray. Is that him getting out of the stage? Yeah, that's him. Hyram, what's this all about? Sam is Buck Peters here. Is he here? Pardon me, Senator. I'm half a long cast. He's Buck's foreman. He sent me in to pick you up. Hyram, what was that driver talking about? Were you held up? Yes, Sam. Of course we were. Well, let's hope they didn't get anything valuable. Mr. Cassidy, they got the most valuable thing in the world to me. They took my daughter, Kathy. They've kidnapped my Kathy. Cassidy and our story, kidnappers' trail had gone into town to meet the stage upon which Senator Hyram Sprague and his daughter were to arrive. The stage rolled in a half hour late and the driver shouted that it had been held up. When Hyram Sprague got out, Poppy learned that his daughter, Kathy, had been kidnapped. Back at the bar 20, Buck Peters is incredulous at the story his honored guest has told. Hmm, but this is the most outrageous thing I've ever heard of. Something's got to be done about that pair of outlaws. But what? Too late now to search for them with a posse? I wouldn't want that anyway, Buck. We've got a thing of Kathy. If a posse started breathing down the neck, well, you know what might happen. The senator's right, Buck. We'll have to be mighty careful. Would you mind reading that note you were handed again, Senator? It simply says, your daughter will be safe if you follow instructions. Get $50,000 in cash, put it in a money belt, and wait until you are contacted further. And then sign the whip. The whip! So that's what the leader called himself, huh? You know, Hyram, this is about the third time a pair of masked men riding tenders had held up the stage. Only before, all they were after was the money aboard. Sounds like the same pair, all right. Did you say the stage stopped for a rock slide in the trail before these men appeared, Senator? That's right, Cassidy. The driver stopped. And then these two came from behind some brush and covered us with their guns. One of them stayed off a little ways and never once had a word. The other one forced Kathy out of the stage, handed me this note and rode off with her. Did you notice anything about the men or their horses that might help us? Well, I don't know. It all happened pretty fast. I didn't notice the mark of some sort on one of the horses, though. Well, what do you look like, Hyram? Can you describe it? As I remember, there was a large M with an upside down V on top of it. Well, that'll be the Rafferin brand. Ward McCauley's outfit. Man, now we're getting someplace. He and his men have been suspected of dirty work before, Hyram. Well, I wouldn't depend too much on what I told you about that mark pocket. It was on the far horse and I couldn't swear it was a brand. My eyes aren't the best anymore. If I had only used good sense, I'd have kept your visit a secret. What? Why didn't many people know I was coming to the bar 20? Yeah, I'm afraid so. I couldn't help bragging a little. I reckon everybody from miles around knew it. Well, I did my share of talking about it, too, Buck. Now, don't go blaming yourselves for this. I shouldn't have brought Kathy out of this forsaken country in the first place. Oh, now it's not that bad, Senator. I got a feeling she's going to be all right and you'll be seeing her again real soon. I hope you're right, Cassidy. I'd dive if anything happened to her. Oh, now, Hyram, try not to worry too much. Well, I think I'll mosey into the corral, Buck. Let me know if you hear anything more, will you? We'll do it, Hoppe. Hello, Cassidy. Buck and Hyram inside? Yeah, they're in there, Fuller. Go right in. Oh, thanks. Oh, come in, Sam. Come in. I think everything's going to work out, Hyram. All by the said, if we'd all meet him at the bank this afternoon, he'd give you the cash, so there's nothing to worry about. Well, it's fine, Sam. We can all go on the buckboard. Hey, but first, let's grab something to eat. What do you say? Looks like Macaulay's running quite a hood this year, California. We're after him. Candles counted all over the place. Yeah, and I wouldn't be surprised if there was a queue ahead of bar when he stopped mixed in with him. Of course, I wouldn't want Lord Macaulay to know I talked to him. Ha, ha, ha. Looks like you'd better stop talking, then. Huh? We're coming up the trail, unless my eyesight's failing, that's Macaulay now. I got it, you're right. Wonder what he's doing out here. He's probably wondering the same thing about us. Well, at least he's saving us some writing and won't have to go on into his ranch house now. Yeah. I wonder if one of his men spotted us and rode in to tell Macaulay we were headed that way. It's just about what happened, all right, Jack. Let's pull up here. He's sort of a mean-looking Cassini. Well, Cassidy, what brings you out of my place? I thought maybe you and I would have a little talk, Macaulay. Wonder if you'd heard about the kidnapping. If you're referring to the spraygall, I have. What about it? They told me two of the men that took her were riding pinnows and one of them had a mark on his shoulder that looked like the Raptor M brand. What? Why are you crazy, Cassidy? Maybe. Or maybe one of your men's getting forgetful of riding a branded horse on a job like that. Now, look, you, Cassidy, I'm getting fed up with everybody accusing my men of everything that happens around here. I don't remember accusing you of anything, Macaulay. I'm just sort of curious about things, you know. Well, let me give you some good advice. You stay off of my place and stop being so curious. You're a member of the Sallie Cup Oak. My men won't stand for much more, Cassidy. Thanks, I'll remember that. And as long as you're so generous, let me give you a little advice. If you or your men had a hand in kidnapping the spray girl, you'd better be extra careful. If anything happens to her, I'm gonna be gunning for every man that was in on it. Well, I'll give my men your message. Now get going and don't come back. We're going all right. Don't count on us not coming back, Macaulay. Come on, California, let's find some better scenery. Now, this looks like we're the two waiting for the stage. Let's have a look around. Both horses were sharp, but that don't help us, you know what they're looking at there. Something very interesting, California. Look. Interesting, well, that's just an old cigar butt hoppy. Can't even tell what kind it is. The band has been taken off of it. Yeah, but there's still something interesting about it. Oh, a hoppy, yeah. It looks just like any other half-smoke cigar to me. There don't seem to be anything else around. Looks like they didn't even get off on their horses. I wonder where they could have taken her. Well, like I said, maybe they took her to Red Rock Canyon or Royal Tange in Spring. I doubt it, California. There's no water in Red Rock Canyon. That's why most jeffries had to abandon the place. And there's no buildings in the Indian Spring section. They'd freeze to death at night, not wanting a chance of fire. Yeah, I guess you're right. But where could they go? I've got a hunch they didn't go very far. Some place where they figured nobody think to look for them, maybe. Like where, Prince? Oh, like the bar 20, maybe. The bar on a hoppy of the gump from local? Oh, I don't mean right around the ranch house. Remember the old shank over the foot of Purple Cliff? Sure, the one we use at Brandon's time? Yeah, nobody goes near that this time of year. And it's being part of the bar 20. Nobody'd even think of looking around there. There is nobody but you. That might be worth a try. Let's hit the leather. Now we'd better tie up here, California. Shack's right there through these trees. All right, hoppy. Since they couldn't see us coming in along the foot of the cliff here, did you see any signs of life? No, not yet. Keep quiet now. Sneak up to the back of the house and take a look through the window. Right. I'll keep an eye on the corners while you move inside. Yeah, keep me covered. Can you see anything, hoppy? Yeah. She's in there all right. I'd do a bump. Yeah? Any sign of the kidnappers? No, I can't see anybody else. Somebody's guarding her. He must be out front. Come on, let's go around. Did the gal look like she's all right, hoppy? Yeah, I'm there as I could tell she did. Wait a minute. Let me get a look around the corner here. Nobody's there. Can't see anybody. Come on, let's get around them inside. What do you want? Shh. Don't make any noise, Miss Bray. Who are you? I'm Hoppillone Cassidy, and this is California Carson, we're from the bar 20. Kevin, I've been so afraid. Please take me away from here. No, no, just take it easy. You don't have to worry anymore. Where are the men that brought you in here? Only one. One of the men brought me here, and he rode off an hour or so ago. Untie those ropes, California. Very practically untie. You say only one man brought you here? Yes. There were two at the stage, but after we'd ridden a little way, one of them changed torches with me and rode off in a different direction. There you are, Miss Cassidy. If you rub your wrist a little, they'll feel better. Thank you. They'll be all right. Let's get away from this awful place. I'm afraid that man might come back. Look, I want you to go with California. He'll take you to our horses and get you back to your dad. Oh, but what about you, Hoppillone? I think I'll just take her place here at California. I'd sort of like to meet the snake that brought her here. Reach all of you. Don't try no monkey shines. That's fine. Now, what was it you were saying about what done meet somebody, mister? I said I'd like to meet the snake that brought the girl here. And what do you know? A rattler shows up. Shut up, you. Hey, gal, get the guns and toss them under the bunk there. Come on, get a move on. Yes, sir. You with a mustache. Tie the gal back up there tight. Tie her up yourself, you yellow- Do as he says, California. Well, I'm glad to see one of you's got some sense. Hurry up, you. I'm a hurrying. I suppose you're thinking to ask some ransom for us, too, huh? That's a hot one. Who'd pay for a couple of cowhands like you? Nope, I got better plans for you two. Please, mister, let them go. They haven't done anything. Oh, sure. I'm going to let them go, all right? Come on, you two. We're going to climb up to the top of the cliff. Then I'll let you go right over the edge. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. We're going to hop along Cassidy and Osforia, kidnappers' trails. Hoppy in California and trying to figure out where the kidnappers of Kathy Sprague might have taken her, thought of an old shack at the far end of the bar 20 which wasn't used except at branding time. Hoppy's hunch proved to be a good one, as they found the girl tied to a bunk in the shack. But before they could get her away, one of her captors returned and got the drop on them. He informed Hoppy in California that they would all climb to the top of the cliff behind the shack, and then he would let them go. Over the edge. This ought to be a nice spot, the highest and steepest part of the cliff, and lots of brush below. Holy mackerel, Hoppy. They'll never find a trace of us down there. Yeah, only we aren't going to be down there. What do you mean, Hoppy? I don't know yet. Watch for a chance to make a break. Don't try anything, boys. I'll give you your choice. Either make a dive now, or I'll shoot and sort of help you get a send off. Just like you got a stranger, if you won't get away with it. They'll get you and whoever's in this thing with you before long. Not a chance. The whips got this thing figured out scientifically. I'll be getting out of here, Brando. And after the whip collects her money tonight, we're meeting at a new hideout for the split. Simple, ain't it? What about the girl? Oh, they'll find her right where she is if they don't try anything funny. Come on, get over on closer to the edge, eh? Yeah, what's so funny, cowboy? Oh, I just remembered, California here didn't get to the bank this morning, and you were about to throw a couple of hundred dollars in gold coins over the cliff with them. That ain't funny. Oh, so you got some gold on you, huh? Well, dig it out and hand it over. Doggone, now, why did you have to go mention a net, Hoppy? Might as well do somebody some good, California. Come on, hand it here. Here you are. Oh, my God! Good work, California. Get him, Hoppy. Paul, look out, Hoppy. Get close to the edge. Don't let him get that gun again. Jumping catfish. Well, he got what he was going to give us, California. Come on, get back down to the shack. That feel better now? Yes, ma'am. Thank you. I hope I never see another rope again. Don't worry about that, Miss Cathy. We'll have you at the bar 20 with your dad in no time. Won't we, Hoppy? Well, we could all right, but I've got another idea. Well, yeah, what's that, Hoppy? I think it might be better if we didn't take Cathy right to the ranch. Oh, please. I want to see my father again right away. Of course you do. But if you'll just wait a few hours, I think maybe we can round up this whip. Would you help us? All right. Yes, sir. I'll do anything I can. According to what the other kidnappers said, the rest of their plan is already set. If that's right, the whip won't know what's happened to his partner. And he won't know we've gotten you out of here either. If we play our cards right, we ought to be able to lasso him before he finds out what's happened. Yeah, but what do we do with Miss Cathy in the meantime? Let's ride that back trail over past the Simpson Place. They'll take good care of her until we can find out what's going on back at the bar 20. Come on. Gosh, it's dark already, Hoppy. I'm about to start to death. I'm sure glad we're home again. I could use a little supper myself. You take care of the horse at California. I want to run in to see what's been going on while we were gone. Sure thing, Hoppy. I'll see you later. Come on up when you're through. And don't unsaddle, Topper. Well, Hoppy, where in Tarnation did you be in? Oh, I had some business to attend to, Bunk. Hello, Senator. Hello, Cassidy Fuller. Hello. Well, if it isn't Mr. McCauley too. What's all the power about? Well, the harm got another note from the kidnappers, Hoppy. Here, read this. It was in the bar 20 box at the post office. Put the $50,000 in a money belt, and at eight tonight have a man you can trust right alone down the trail toward the creek. Until he hears a voice, order him to stop. He will then drop the money belt in the trail. When it has been examined, he will be handed a note which he has to take back to you. It will tell where your daughter is, sign the whip. It's outrageous. Why couldn't they turn my daughter over when the money's paid? How do I know the hotel where to find her? No harm, I know all you feel, but what can we do? Sam's right, hire him. We don't do exactly as they say, no telling what might happen to Kathy. That'd be my price too, Senator. How come you're so interested in this all of a sudden, McCauley? He's offered to help us run down the kidnappers after we get Kathy back safely, Hoppy. His men and ours will join up as a posse, and with luck we ought to be able to call the dogs. That's right, Cassidy. We want to prove we've been falsely accused by helping track down those kidnappers. Well, that's my degeneracy, McCauley. I never knew you were bothered by what other people thought. Now, just a minute. Now, please, please, man. This is no time for personal feelings. I think if McCauley wants to vindicate himself and his men, it's only fair to give him the chance. So do I, Sam. And the more men we've got to go after that pair of skunks, the better. Yeah, I guess you're right, Buck. Well, all that's left to do now is to see that the money's delivered, eh? It's almost eight and the moon's up already. We've got the whole thing arranged, Cassidy. Buck and McCauley are going to stand by here with their men ready to ride the minute we know Kathy's all right. Sam's going to deliver the ransom and rush back with a note. I just hope it isn't putting you in a dangerous spot, Sam. Yeah, well, don't worry about me. I'll follow the directions to the letter, and I'm sure it'll be all right. Of course it will, Sam. I certainly hope so, but... No, he was borrowing trouble, I guess. Here, maybe a good cigar would cheer us all up. I've got some of the finest Havana's ever rolled. Buck? Well, thanks, Sam. Have one of McCauley. Sure, don't mind if I do. Here you are, Sam. Thank you, Aaron. Cassidy? Not for me, thanks, Senator. I don't use them. You don't know what you're missing, Hoppy. Deadly, Sam. No, he sure doesn't. I wonder what I did with my holder. Isn't that it on the desk there? Say, he's getting later than I thought. Maybe you better get started, Sam. Yeah, I guess you're right. Well, I'm all ready. Don't forget the money belt, Bert. Great guns. No, I almost forgot about that myself. Here it is, Sam. And remember, don't do anything foolish. Give them the money and hurry back with a note. I will, Aaron. I'll be back just as fast as I possibly can. What's taking him so long, Buck? You suppose he ran into trouble with them? Aaron, don't get all upset. He's only been gone an hour. Listen, isn't that a horse riding up our side? Sounds like it all right. Maybe it's Sam. I hope so. I can't stand much more of this waiting. Somebody's running up on the porch. Hey, I heard as fast as I could, Aaron. Here, here's the envelope I was handed. Let me see it. Hey, get a good look at anybody, Sam. No, I couldn't see him. He looked from behind and told me not to turn around and shoot. Listen to this. Your daughter is safe. You will find her at the old shack near the creek at the upper end of the bar 20. The bar 20? Well, come on. Let's go get her. That won't be necessary, Buck. Well, what do you mean by that, Hoppy? I've already had her brought here. She's with California at the cook shack. What? But I don't understand. Let me see her at once. I'll take my man and see if we can pick up their trace. Sit still, McCawley. Posse won't be necessary either. What in tarnation are you talking about, Hoppy? Just this. California and I did a little looking around today and we discovered some mighty interesting things. Like what, for instance? Like who planned this kidnapping, for instance? Hoppy, are you sure? Do you know? This is no time for jokes, Cassidy. He must be local. Wait a minute, man. Cassidy, if you know something you haven't told, out with it. Who was it? Maybe the whip himself would rather tell you, Senator. Well, where is he? He's standing just to your left, Senator. Hey, now look here. This has gone far enough, Cassidy. If you were insinuating... I'm not insinuating anything, Fuller. I have to know that you're the whip and that you planned the whole thing. Why, this is the most preposterous thing I ever heard of. It's a pretty serious accusation, Hoppy. You'd better have proof. I have, Buck. Pull his shirt up. Now, just a minute, then. Now, come on, Sam. What are you trying to hide? He's trying to hide the money, Bill. He didn't drop in the trail. Sam, then it's true. Look how he's going for his day! Now, back to Hop along, Cassidy. I've got to hand it to you, Cassidy. That was the fastest draw I ever hoped to see. Thanks, Senator. Still seems hard to believe that somebody dead considered a friend would do what he did. But how did you ever find out he was the whip, Mr. Cassidy? Oh, mostly luck, I guess. There were a couple of things that started me thinking. What were they, Cassidy? Well, when California and I were waiting for the stage to arrive, Fuller rode up and I noticed his horse wasn't quite as swept like he'd been running hard. That wouldn't necessarily mean anything to a hoppy. Ordinarily it wouldn't. But Fuller said he was afraid he'd missed the stage because he was tied up at his office. And that's right close to the stage office. So it got me wondering later on. Yes, I can see how it might. But you must have had something besides that before. Oh, I did. When we rode out where the stage was stopped, we discovered this, too. Well, that's nothing but an old cigar butt. Yeah, but take a look at the end here. It hasn't been chewed up. And Fuller's the only one I've seen around here who uses a cigar holder. Well, knowing all this, why didn't you tell us right away? I wanted to be dead sure. So when Fuller rode out tonight, I followed him. He only went a couple of miles and stopped. And then just sat and waited. He didn't deliver the money to anyone but himself. Well, thank goodness it's all over. Thanks. Hoppy. No, thanks necessary, Miss Cathy. Just seeing you and your dad together again is thanks enough for me. Well, I'd certainly like to do something to show our appreciation, Cassidy. Tell you what, why don't you run for Congress? I can throw a lot of influence your way. No, thanks, Senator. I'm afraid I'd never make a politician. What then? Why not? Who ever heard of a politician that didn't smoke cigars? Well, quite a twist to the ending of Hoppy's story. But who other than Hop along would locate the kidnappers' trail? Hoppy's next adventure takes him in California to a town on the border between Texas and Oklahoma where plenty of trouble always awaits any stranger. Hoppy calls this exciting story The Bandit of Brackton Bend. Hop along Cassidy's powering William Boyd is transcribed and produced in the West by Walter White Jr. Kidnappers' trail was written by Robert T. Smith. All stories are based upon the characters created by Clarence E. Mulford. This is a Commodore production.