 Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous trails, fighting the many enemies of nature. This is the job of the guardian of the forest, Ranger Bill. Pouring rain, freezing cold, blistering heat, snow, floods, bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions. Yes, all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done. Hello boys and girls. You know, it seems we're all afflicted with the disease known as curiosity. Have you ever passed by a cardboard carton that was closed or half-closed? What did you do, huh? Passed by it? Of course not. You've just got to stop and see what's inside. Well, what did you find? The box was full of emptiness, wasn't it? What are we looking for? The proverbial pot of gold or something else of similar fantasy? Well, I don't know what makes us curious, but I am anxious to take a peek into our story today. It's called the Lot Bang. Why, this saddle sure is getting hard. I'll say it is, Henry. Having ridened for almost six hours now. Not a break except to walk the horses, give them a few minutes' rest. What do you say we stop in and see Miles the Snake Man? Okay. You like to visit the Snake Farm, don't you? Well, sort of yes, sort of no. That's beautifully said. What did you say you went to school? That's homemade. That Snake Farm does intrigue me, but it makes a nervous wreck out of me at the same time. Yeah, I know what you mean, pal. I don't feel comfortable either with all those poisonous snakes around me, but Miles saves many lives each year by milking those killers so their venom can be made into an anti-venom serum. Yeah, that's a wonderful thing, I guess. I think I still rather milk cows than snakes. Any time, pal. Any time. Boy, I'm getting chills up and down my spine already. We're still a mile away from the farm. Well, we can keep right on into town if you like. Oh, no. That's all right. I'll un-chill as soon as we leave there. How nice to see you, fellas. Thanks, Miles. We were just passing close by, thought we'd stop in and say hello. Well, I'm glad you did. Hey, what's the automatically lacking steel door? You didn't have that the last time we were here? That's right, I didn't. Fellas, that's Killer's Row behind that door. Killer's Row? Aren't they all? Are these some super special jobs? Yeah, you said it, Henry. I built a new snake house, moved the rattlers, copperheads and moccasins into it, along with some of the other lesser killers. This one now houses the deadliest snakes in the world. For instance? King Cobras? Yes. You've got them here? Several. One more being shipped in right now. Well, let's get out of here. I thought Rangers lived dangerously, but this guy is danger hungry or something. Don't mind him, Miles. He's the nervous type. You know how it is. What else have you got behind the fire door? Well, let's take a look. I'll give you an all-expense-paid tour. Okay. Why? Generous soul, isn't it? Do you take this off your income tax? Go ahead, pal. Oh, no. I don't want to have to follow over you in case my feet decide to get out of here. Okay. You take no chances with that door, do you, Miles? Nope. We can't take the risk of an escape. This building is now fireproof except for the roof. You see those jets sticking out of the door wall near the ceiling? Yeah. What are they for? Cyanide gas. Wow. You don't fool around, do you? Do you think one of these snakes would if he got loose? A sprinkler system, do you, huh? Yes. I've never heard of a completely fireproof building yet. These snakes are expensive, you know. Well, I wouldn't hesitate to kill them if they were escaping. I don't want to lose them unnecessarily. Now, fellas, I'd like to introduce you to Mr. King Cobra. He's 12 feet long. Look at that. Look at the size of him. Can he see us? No, one-way glass. Now over here, Mr. Bushmaster. I'd rather not meet him, if you don't mind. This rascal and the Cobra chase their victim, don't they, Miles? Oh, you know it. These are real bad fellas. Boy. See, that's a fern de lance, isn't it? Right. He's another tough ombre. Then I've got a dozen more in here that have been brought in from all over the world, and their poison is extremely potent. There isn't any anti-venom for all of these high-powered killers, is there? That's right, but active research is being done along that line. Can we leave now? My feet keep looking at the door. Yeah, I think we can leave. I think Peg's got some coffee on for us. Let's go have some. Good. Miles, how can you be so calm around these snakes? Well, a fella gets used to it. I enjoy the work, but I can tell you one thing for sure. Go ahead. A fella makes only one mistake in this business, and only one mistake. Feel better now, pal? Yeah, much, much better, thank you. Good coffee. You keeping pretty busy, Miles? Yeah, I'll say we are. I've got three expert herpetologists working with me. Three, huh? You know, I remember when you started out all by your lonesome. Yeah, so do I. I had one snake with two fangs. Well, we got a mosey along, Miles. I want to get back to town before dark. Yeah, the horses have had a good rest now. We ought to be able to step right along. Okay, fellas. Thanks for stopping by. Sure appreciate seeing you again. Well, likewise the same, Miles. I never held it against you that you're a snake charmer. I wish I could charm those killers when I milked them. You know, one full injection of that venom from a king cobra is so deadly it can kill 500 men. A great wolf? Yes, Bill. We've got to have the new boundary surveys ready within 10 days. Submit them to Colonel Anders. Will you see to it that it gets done? I have it ready in time. Thanks. An old timer? What are you doing? I'm working. Doing what? Everything is here. Mail, order, catalog. Gonna buy something? If I had some money I would. Everything nowadays costs money. Pretty soon they'll put a meter on my nose to charge me for the air I breathe. Yo! Boy, that was a close one. What are you talking about, Henry? It's Miles. Why, he's heading here like a jet. He almost hit a car making the corner. You mean Miles, the snake farmer? Yeah, sure though. Here he is. Miles, what's wrong? You're white as a sheet. Cobra. Here, sit down. Take it easy now, before you have a stroke. I'll get some common dog medicine, Bill. He's almost struck dumb with fever. It sounded like he said Cobra. Miles, you try to quiet down so you can tell a story. We won't be able to help you very much. Here young fella, take this pill and water Pronto. Looks like you're burning up. Relax you. Take some of the fear out of you so you can make some sense. Bill, something terrible has happened or he wouldn't be so all fired riled up. And you talk now, Miles? Yes, I relax some. Thanks for the pill, Stumpy. Don't mention it. No, tell us what happened. Remember yesterday, Bill, I mentioned that I was coming into town this morning to pick up a shipment of snakes, particularly a Cobra, a King Cobra. No, I remember that. Yeah, so do I. What about the shipment? Well, it arrived okay and I put the bags, two of them, in the cab with the truck with me. But now there's only one bag of snakes. You mean the bag with the Cobra in it is gone? Yeah, that's right. Hey, horn toad, sonny. Maybe you didn't put it in the truck like you thought. I did put it in the cab. I know I did, but it's not there now. It'll be bags light under seat. See, I never thought of that. Let's take a look. Oh, it's not under the seat. Now that I think of it, I doubt that it could have slid under the recess. But where is it? Look, Miles, just calm down, will you? Yeah, but... We've got to piece your movements together and blowing your top isn't going to help at all. Now, did the other bag look like this one? Yes. A zipper and lock on it? Yes. These bags are my own invention. I ship them to the supplier and he puts the snakes in the bags. Then the bag in a slatted crate. This cloth is tough and strong and porous so the reptiles can breathe. They can't bite anyone or get out. You took the bags out of the crate when they were removed from the train, right? Yes. So I can check the locks in the bags. Then I put them inside the cab and drive where the windows open so the creatures can get some fresh air. Why? Isn't that kind of dangerous for you? No, I want those babies right where I can see them until I get them home. Who has the keys to the locks in the bag? Only the supplier and I have them. Well, that's some help. A lock looks strong. I'm sure anybody that pick up sack could feel a snake move inside. Maybe, Grey Wolf. They're tightened tightly confined in there. They've given a sedative and coiled tightly with a head in the center and slid into the bag. Very snug fit. Stumpy, Grey Wolf. You fellas take this sack into the office and guard it. Henry and I'll take Miles back over the route from the station and see what we can find. We do. What kind of snake you have in this bag, Miles? Well, there's two in that one. An African cobra and a broom slang. Ain't that a broom slang? The vomit that bit and killed their professor a while back? Yes. Come on, fellas. Let's get with this thing on the double. Hey, Nidge. Wonder what's in that sack there by the curb? I don't know, Pinky. Let's have a look. Sure. What kind of a sack do you suppose that is? I don't know. Money sack, maybe. Yeah, maybe. Huh. It's got a zipper across one end and lock on it. Let's lift it. Sure. It ain't money. Don't rattle when you shake it. Could be paper money, huh? Yeah. Boys, a Pinky, Nidge. Hey, Dad's calling us. We better get going. Hey, wait. Let's take the sack. Maybe we can bust the lock and find out what's inside. Let's get this sack of snakes inside for it. This appears to pick it up, Red Wolf. Well, why, you're not picking up all the timer. You're afraid. Who, me? Afraid to pick it up? Why not talk about your brother? I ain't got no brother. That's what I mean. You pick it up and carry it to office. Nope. You would have carried that snake sack inside. Senior man should set good example for younger man. Show courage and bravery. I don't know how to carry sack. You show me. You man with long experience. I learned much from you. You own bag of bones like me. Carry that big, heavy sack. Hey, where's your kindness and courtesy to your elders? Sack not heavy and not big. Last time I say you old, you're ready to scalp me plenty quick. Maybe so, but I suddenly can feel old age just rushing over me. I still think you're afraid to pick up sack. You can say that again, sonny. I am afraid and so are you. Man, oh man, what could have happened to that cobra? That's a good question. We've been over your route twice. Everything's negative. Yeah, especially my head. Miles, try to relax, will you? Think this thing out. Something happened that caused this sack to leave the truck. Yes, but what? Why don't we try it once more? At least it's better than sitting here doing nothing. Good idea, pal. Miles, you think that Henry and I will drive the route again. Perhaps something will jar your memory loose of its precious secret. Did you call us, Dad? Now, who else do you think I'd be calling, young fella? Where you going? The Junction City. Do you guys want to come along? Sure. Will you buy us something? Well, well, consider it. Well, jump in if you're going. Okay. Hey, what's in the sack? I don't know. We found it in the street. Well, leave it here. What do you want to take that along for? We want to get it open and find out what's inside, Dad. Leave it here, I said. Aw, Dad. It'll keep us busy in the town. And then we won't fight or something. Yeah. Can we take it, please? Oh, all right. But get in. I've got things to do in Junction City. Now, you fellas sit in the back seat and behave yourselves. Okay. We want to get the sack open and find out what's in it. You don't suppose someone stole the sack, will you, Miles? Impossible. I've never let a sack full of snakes out of my sight. Not even for a minute. Well, turn around. We'll try it once again. Boy, I hope it works this time. Grab him, Miles. Grab him. I'll stop the truck. Got him. Thanks. Say, what's the matter with the lock on this door? Does it hold all the time? I almost fell in the street. That's it. That's what happened. It's got to be. What are you talking about? This very thing happened to me as I came around the curve at Johnson and Lane Street. Yeah? The door flew open and I reached over to grab it, but at the same time there was a car coming into the intersection. I must have knocked a bag out then. Well, if you did, where is it? We searched the gutters and the street and the lawns. There's no snake bag. Someone's picked up that bag. Henry, you take the other side of the street and inquire at every house. If anyone saw that bag being picked up. Right. Let me help, too. No offence, Miles, but you're just too jumpy to help right now. You might give it away if you ran into someone who saw the bag being picked up. Yeah, I guess you're right, Bill. If it got out about the cobra, this town would be in an awful uproar. You can say that again. Well, let's get to work, pal. Now, don't give any secrets away. If you make a contact, come back quietly to the truck and honk the horn two times. And I'll do the same. You got it? Got it. Good boy. Now, let's get with it. Do you think you can twist the lock, loose pinky? Yeah, yeah. This part of the zipper looks like a little twist it and bust it open. Hey, what's that funny goopy smell? Oh, cares. Open the window if it bothers you. I am. Now, don't open the window too wide, son. I won't, Dad. Are you boys sure behaving yourselves? I'll remember that when we get to Junction City. It's coming off. I just gotta keep twisting. Lots and lots. You found out something, Bill? Yes, I found out where the bag is. Where? In a car on the way to Junction City. Two boys and their dad are driving there. Oh, no. God help them if they get that bag open. There, that'll get Henry here. Now, Miles, take it easy. Maybe they won't get the bag open. I hope they don't. Did you find it? Yeah. Wonderful. Where is it? Jump in. I'll tell you on the way. Way where? Canyon City. Come on. We've got to get back to the office and get a radio card and then cover some ground. Did you get it? Yeah. We'll slide the zipper open. What is in there sure smells funny. Hey, hey, look. What is it? It looks like some kind of a snake skin. It's a real one. Sure it's real. Can't you smell it? It's gotta be a skin. I know a snake can smell like that and be alive. What if it is alive? No. Maybe we ought to ask Dad. It's only a dead snake or a skin. Let's dump it out on the floor. Yeah. It's a whole snake. Looks dead too. You said it was dead. No, it ain't. It's moving. Yeah. Dad. Dad. What's wrong? Can't you break the lock? We did. It's a snake. Snake? Now what in the name of common sense have you got yourselves into? It's a bad snake, Dad. Just a minute. Now look. We can't stop here on this curve. Don't you boys move a muscle and the snake won't bother you. What? Why? It's a king cobra. Don't you move an eyelash. It looks like it's heading for the shelf over the back seat. Now don't move. Don't move for any reason. I'll keep driving. There's no help out here in the mountains. A dad will think of something, but don't move whatever you do. You sure drew soft duty on this patrol, didn't we, Tom? Soft is right. You know something, Ned? I think we're getting soft. You're in this squad car watching for runaway trucks. Give me the fire tower any time of this. You said it. At least we get exercise climbing the tower. Yeah. Wake me up if anything exciting happens, will you? Sure, okay. What's the matter? Is he a rock mover or something? A car. Look at it. What car? A car down the road there. See that one? Hey, that guy's either drunk or crazy. I'll say so that's no way to drive down a mountain road. Let's nail him. All right. That guy's really got his trolleys crossed. Now he's slowed down to a crawl. I must have heard us all right. He's not weaving. Hey, look out. Good night. Did you see how close he came to scraping those rocks? There's something radically wrong with that driver. Tom, look at that back window. There's a live snake on the shelf. It looks like a... It is. It's a cobra. There are two boys in that back seat. I can just see the tops of their heads. Call Bill and make it quick. If you can hear me, flash your tail light by pushing gently on the brake pedal. Don't stop the car. There's a signal. Pull alongside, pal. Okay. You ready, Miles? All set. Listen carefully now. I've got an expert snake handler in my car. And he's going to board your car and capture the cobra. Don't you or the boys move a muscle or bat an eyelash? The highway from here to Junction City has been cleared by my men and the sheriff and the state police. So we have a clear road to maneuver. In half a mile, we'll come into the straightaway to Junction City. My car will pull alongside your car. The snake expert will board your car while it's in motion by moving from my left rear door into your right front door. You will have to move to the other side of the highway after I finish and we pull clear running boards to help the transfer from one car to the other. So you must maintain an exact speed of 20 miles an hour. The snake expert expects no trouble from the cobra because it's sunning itself in your rear window and is comparatively docile at the moment. Now don't make any sudden moves. Don't move at all even during the transfer from car to car. The snake expert has reaped a snake stick with which he will capture the cobra. Move across the highway as soon as we come into the straightaway. That is all. Ready Miles? Ready. Don't climb into the back seat. Time your transfer. Stay in this car until I say go. Right. Okay. Move into position pal. Yes sir. Now Miles. Don't move fellas. I'll have him captured pronto. I'm ready now. Whatever you do boys. Don't move until I say so. When I give the word Sam stop the car gently and everybody out. Here goes. I've got him. Stop the car. Yes sir. Good work Miles. Now what are you going to do with it? Get me a gunny sack. I'll put him in it and take him home. But you won't be able to lock the gunny sack? No but I think I can tie a knot that won't open as easily as the locked bag did. I don't know about you but I still get duck bumps all over me when I think about that narrow escape. Well, see you next week for more adventure with...