 Firey horse with the speed of light, the cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver, the long ranger. During the years of unrest that followed the Civil War, a powerful secret organization called the Legion of the Black Arrow sprang up in the western United States. Its members were to be found everywhere, defying the law or using the law for their own purposes, working toward the ultimate goal of revolt and the foundation of a despotic empire. It was the masked rider of the plains who led the fight against this band of outlaws and traitors, and for once his great strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness were taxed to the utmost in the cause of democracy. Return with us now to those thrilling days when the west was young. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver, the lone ranger rides again. The lone ranger and tonto circled majorville and picked up the oblin trail to the east of the town. Then as they swept to the top of a rise a strange sight met their eyes. At the side of the trail a sorrow Mustang reared on his hind legs. The figure of a man lay prostrate on the ground. It seemed that the horse turned outlaw was trying to kill his master. The masked man of the Indian urged silver and scalded for their greatest speed. Master boy, man's life is at stake. Get him up town tonto. The horse isn't trying to kill him, he's trying to get away. That's how to see how. That's right. Give me a hand here. We're coming all over those rains. All right, let's go now and get hold of his bridle. Thanks a lot. Sitty there, boy. Sitty. Quiet down. You're all right now. You sure named him right when they called him imp. You ever see such a temper? You have to expect it in these half-breed Mustangs from California. Well, what do you know? That's the first time anybody spotted where imp came from, just but. Wait a minute. You're masked. You're a pony express rider, aren't you? I got a gun, mister. You are going to get away with it. You're a nice kill. That's a lone ranger. A lone ranger? I beg your pardon, masked man. I should have guessed it from that white stallion. What are you doing there? Slipping a rope over him's neck. Brown hit him, huh? No. I'll just make the other end fast to my saddle. Silver will make sure he behaves himself. Your Mustang has thrown a shoe. So that's what happened. What do you mean? He went down and I went over his head. But I managed to keep a hold of the reins and I tried to stand up. I just couldn't. Well, how about a tunnel? Uh-huh. Ankle not broke. It only sprained. Well, if that's all, will you lift me into the saddle? I can't let a sprained ankle make me late. Well, you let Tonto see left arm. Oh, that's all right. I just fell on it. It's a little sore. Well, you let Tonto see. Oh, there's nothing wrong with the arm. You aren't moving from where you are until Tonto has a look at it. All right, it's busted. But I don't need two arms. How far is it to your next station? It's only about five miles, the two sister ranch. Brad Wilson's place? Yeah. Either one of his daughters can fix up my arm when I get there. That's the same. I think you'd better ride with me. We'll lead your horse. That suits me. Long as I don't keep Larry waiting for the mail. Tonto. Uh-huh. See if you can find the shoe the mustang lost. Uh-huh. Tonto do that. I'll let you in the saddle, Johnny. Say, I know I don't weigh an awful lot, but you're carrying me like I was a tumbleweed. Eddie Silver, up you go. Hang on to the pommel with your right hand. I got it. Eddie Silver. Eddie Tonto. Uh-huh. Me plain shoe. Here. Slip it in your saddlebag. I want to look at it when we reach the ranch. Uh-huh. You give Tonto rope. Kneel it in. Here you are. Come on, Silver. Get him on the couch. At the two sister ranch, Brad Wilson, his two daughters, June and Claire, and Larry Dunn, who rode the next pony to the east, were waiting outside the ranch house. Larry's mustang was already settled, and the boy looked at his watch and smiled. He's late. Let me see. One minute late now, and he isn't even inside. I think your watch is fair. Oh, you just don't want Johnny to lose his bed. Pause the one who's the judge. What's your watch, say, Paul? Larry's still got five minutes, according to me. But if we don't see some dust at the top of the rise right now, you sure won't make it. And Johnny's never been late. He will be this time. The years it's going to seem might as funny to me. The first trip after he made the bet with you, and you were the one who suggested it, too. The first one who was late to pay the other one $50. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't learn. Oh, clear, honey. We know you like Johnny a lot. Maybe you're disappointed. But getting a mail through means just as much to Larry as it does to Johnny. He wouldn't do anything to interfere with that. I should hope not. Well, what do you think I could do? You've been waiting around here for the last three days. You took a ride to the West yesterday. I was looking for engine signs. Maybe you found some. And didn't say nothing about it? I don't know what you got on your mind, Claire. But I never thought a sister of mine would talk about a friend of the family like that. Like what? Like Larry might hire some renegades to ambush Johnny. Well, I'll be dogged. Is that what you're thinking? I didn't say so. But Johnny's a pal. I guess I'm just worried. I'm sorry. Hey, just on the rise. There he is. Thanks, goodness. I sure have to travel if he wants to make it now, though. I don't care if he loses as long as he stays. There's more than one horse, Brad. There are three. Johnny's mustang, a paint, and a white. Johnny isn't riding the end. No, the white horse is carrying double. And look at him travel. A couple of minutes to go. He'll be here on time, Larry. Pa, you know that right, Stallion. I can't see who's riding with Johnny. That's the engine on the paint. And look, just above Johnny's head. The mask. It's the Lone Ranger. Something must have happened to the boy on the trail. The mask man, give me a lift. Come on, silver. Get ready to ride, Larry. Bring it in, boy. Johnny. The imp couldn't keep up with those two horses if he was carrying anybody. Stand back, girls. We'll make a fast change. No, of course not. I'll be right back. Hi, folks. Are you hurt? Oh, not much. The mail bag's on the imp. Got it. Anything in the way? Pocket for me? Nope. Slapped on your saddle, Larry. Right. Steady, boy. I'll be back in three days. Get up there, boy. Come on. Come on. Bye. Well, then, Johnny, slide down. Kino. Johnny, what's wrong with your arm? Hello, Claire. Or it's broke a little, that's all. Can you walk into the house? Sure. The ankle isn't so bad. Just lean on me. What happened? He implores to shoe. Then he took a tumble. Easy now, Johnny. I wish we had a doctor here. Honokin set the arm. Kimosabe, bring the horseshoe into the house with you. How to do that? What are you so interested in the horseshoe for? That may be wrong, Johnny. But somehow, here, I'll carry you up the steps. Well, somehow what, Mask Man? Somehow, I don't think your fall was an accident. Johnny's arm was set, and his ankle bandaged. Then he was left with the two girls, and the lone ranger and Tonto went out to the blackness shop in the back of the ranch, where Brad welcomed their help in shoeing the imp. It was necessary to throw the fiery Mustang, put a rope around each foot, and stake them out. Then Tonto had to sit on his head and the Mask Man on his body before Brad was able to trim the hoof and nail on a new shoe. And last, however, the job was finished, and the Mustang was turned into the blackness shop. And then, he went to the blackness shop in the back of the ranch, where Brad welcomed their help in shoeing the imp. The Mustang was turned into the corral. It's a mighty tickly chore. It just can't be done any other way. It takes at least three men. How long has it been since the imp was shot? Oh, about six weeks. Slim and surety from the bar X we have. They give me a hand. And the shoe he lost was put on less than a week ago. Oh, you're wrong, Mr. Oh, here it is. Let's see. Well? Eh, eh. There must have been Hank did it. I know why I didn't. Hank? Hank who? Well, Hank Meredith. He's got the station about 20 miles west of here. The first change on the way to Majorville. The imp is only used between here and Hank's place? That's right. Mighty funny. What is? Well, Hank don't often have visitors, and he couldn't have done the job alone. We'll have to believe he can't help somewhere. But, uh, you haven't finished with that shoe. Have to. Feel the way it's weighted. Eh, eh, it's a bad job. Now, what do the whores stumble at? What's his? I thought you'd notice it sooner or later. Only three. How does he expect a shoe to stay on with only three? Perhaps he didn't. I had a look at the imp's hoof just after he'd lost the shoe. The job was so bad that it must have been deliberate. Deliberate? Brad, what happens if Johnny can't ride? I've been thinking about that. When Larry gets back from Osage, he'll have to ride on to Majorville. Johnny's got a substitute rider there called Bill Lacy. But there's no way to get word to him before he has to. Do, uh, do you know this Bill Lacy? I've never seen him in my life. Johnny's never been laid up before. What do you know about Hank Meredith? Oh, nothing much. He's sort of new. Hank can't understand why to hide him if he can't do a better job as shoeing than this. Remember what I said, Brad. This might have been deliberate. A pony express rider depends on the station men to keep his mounts in good condition. Well, Johnny might have been killed. Exactly. Now, when does Larry get back with the mail from the east? Oh, three days. He won't have to ride all the way to Majorville. There's no other way. No, Brad. I don't know how to carry the mail. But, uh, before Larry gets back... That'd be Wednesday. Before Wednesday, we're going to ride over to Hank Meredith's station and have a talk with him. There are a number of questions I want him to answer. Teddy, Teddy Silver! Oh, Scott, hold on. We're too late, honey. The buildings have all been burned to the ground and the horse has driven away. Isn't that right? May have been an Indian attack. Oh, I'm trying to not know. Whoever did this, they couldn't have hidden their trail. We'll pick it up and follow them. Come on, Silver! Get him up to the scouts! There you go. What is it, Kimosabe? You look at track. Many horses go that way to north. One horse go that way. Head west for Majorville. One horse wouldn't have left the cave or the band of horses without a rider. Isn't that right? Now, which trail we follow? We're following the cave. To the north, Silver! Get him up to the scouts! Trail's leading down into the valley. This is the only way to get in the valley. I know that, Tullo. It won't be long before we know who burned those buildings and drove off the horses. Maybe so. Raina! Raina! Well, we can see the whole valley from here. Not big. They're all the horses from the station. I'm trying to not see man anywhere. That's because they're on any. And what do you mean? Remember those tracks we saw back on the trail? The man who rode toward Majorville was the one who set fire to the station. That man was Hank Meredith. Can we go after him? No, Kimosabe. We've got to get back to the ranch and time to meet Larry. Come on, Silver! Get him up to the scouts! On Wednesday morning, the Lone Ranger, Tonto, Johnny and the Wilson were waiting for Larry to ride down the trail from the east. Johnny objected to the masked man's plan. I don't like it. It's too late to argue now. Here comes Larry. You'll be all right for the first stage, but what happens when you change horses? Our mustangs aren't big enough for you and Tonto. We'll ride Silver and Scout all the way. I'm well enough to ride myself. That isn't true. You won't be ready for another two weeks. Hello, Larry! Tony! Bring him in, boy! Come on, boy! Hey, you ready to trade? What do you want me to do? Ride on to Majorville? Oh, why haven't you got fresh horse saddle for me? Lone Ranger and Tonto are taking Johnny's, please. Let me get the mailbag on Silver. Oh, wait. Oh, what's the matter? I got a note for you. The girl slipped it to me the other night in no siege. Here. Kimosabi. It's same writing. Yes, Tonto. An important message heading west on the next mail. The black arrow will try to get it. Black arrow? And Tonto. Hank Meredith is a member of the gang. Steady, boy. Oh, Silver, get him out! 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. Through the rest of the day and the night that followed, the Lone Ranger and Tonto rode toward Majorville. Without a change of mounts and avoiding those stations where they were not known, they kept on and on, but the great horse, Silver, and Skullt were more than equal to the task. They reached the town at four o'clock in the morning and raced along the deserted main street to the express office. There's no one around, Tonto. Oh, maybe somebody in office. We'll see. Don't think we're late, Tonto. Well, we travel plenty fast. Howdy, gents. What's on your minds? We're looking for Judd Carter, the Pony Express agent. He's home in bed, but if I could... What the... Don't go for your gun. Your mask. This isn't a holdup. We brought the mail through from the two sister ranch. What's an outlaw do in carrying the mail? Judd Carter knows me. I'd rather explain to him. Judd knows you? Yes, sir. Where can I find him? You don't have to do that, mister. I'm beginning to get it. A masked man and an engine riding a white horse in the paint. You're the lone ranger. That's right. Something's happened to Johnny and you've taken his place. He has a broken arm and a twisted ankle. Why isn't someone here to carry the mail on? Because you're four hours ahead of schedule, that's why. Grant won't be in from Platt City till eight o'clock. That's when Johnny's do. They usually switch bags here and start back the way they came. I see. We were told that Johnny had a substitute writer here called Bill Lacey. Sure, that's me. I'll take over for him. Well, if you don't mind, we'd rather turn the mail over to Judd Carter. I'll go and get him. There's something else we have to report. What's that? One of your stations has been burnt out. One of your men has disappeared. More trouble, huh? Which station? Who are you talking about? The one closest to the Wilson Ranch. Hank Meredith. Leap and cactus. You wait right here. I'll get Judd. Uh-uh. As soon as we report to Carter, we won't have to worry about the mail anymore. We'll camp outside of town until Silver and Scott are rested. And then we'll go after Hank. You think maybe him here? He was heading this way. Wherever he is, we've got to find him. It was on the morning of the following day that Bill Lacey raced up to the Wilson Ranch. Larry was waiting. The mail bag was switched and then when Larry had swung into the saddle and headed down the trail to the east, Johnny introduced Bill to the Wilson. Goodbye, Larry. Three days. Bill, this is Brad and Claire and June. Howdy. Howdy, Bill. I'm pleased to meet you. June, say howdy. Oh, howdy, Bill. I'm sort of worried about Larry. Hey, how come you never worry about me? Claire does enough of that for both of us. But I got a special reason. You remember what the mask man said about an important message from the east? Yeah. Well? Well, what about it? It'll be in the mail bag on Larry's next trip. You heard him just as well as I did. He said the black arrow was after the message. Watch the black arrow. I don't know. Some outlaw gang, I suppose. They might try to ambush Larry. Ah, he can take care of himself. And even if he doesn't, the mask man knows what's going on. But he's in major, Bill. Isn't he, Bill? To tell the truth, I don't know. We didn't see him after he delivered the mail. I guess he'd have to stay there for a while though to rest up his horse. You see, Johnny, I got a right to worry. And I'll keep right on until Larry goes up there Monday. The following day, Bill Lacey rode away from the ranch. He told the Wilson's he wanted to look at the country. But from the way he followed the trails, it was soon apparent that he knew it well. Without any hesitation, he turned north at the creek and only rained up when he reached the sheltered valley where the lone ranger had seen the cavity of horses from Hank's station. The cavity was gone. But three men had made camp there. They jumped to their feet as Bill rode toward them. Don't get excited, boys. It's only Bill. Oh, oh, oh, there. Howdy. I want to talk with you, Hank. Alone. Sure thing. Take a ramble, boys. Bring some water from the spring. Where are your horses? Over here in the trees. What happened to the ones you drove off from the station? How should I know? They're half-wild. They might be up in the mountains by now. You should have made sure they headed that way before you left them. Why? Because a lone ranger saw them here. Here in this valley? That's what he told Judd Carter. And he saw your tracks heading for Majorville. Now, there's nobody thinks engines wiped out their station. That means nobody's going to blame them when the mail is robbed. But if you tell them that... I won't. We've got to change our plans, son. Why can't you tell them it was engines? And nobody else has seen any in this part of the country. You're the local. We've got to get that package. You've got to get it. And you're not going to take it away from me. What do you mean? I get Johnny Hurcher taking his place, and now you want to double crosses. You're not going to take it away from me. Just get that straight. You've got to make it a real hold up. I don't savvy. Larry, you fool. Fix up an ambush somewhere to the east of the ranch. Oh, yeah. He's due there just to daybreak on Monday. Keenobyl. Now, don't let him get away. If he does, keep after him. There's no chance. But what if he does get to the ranch? And maybe I'll have to tip off my hand. The old ace in the hole, eh? We may need it. The lone ranger's in on this. He don't worry me none. Listen, mister. If we could get both him and the package. You don't have to tell me. We'd be certain pretty. We'd be on top of the heap. If you see him, shoot to kill. Early Monday morning, Larry was urging his mount along the trail to the east of the ranch. It was still dark, but a faint rim of gray in the sky behind him gave promise of the dawn. Suddenly, two horsemen rode out on the trail. Larry went for his gun. Oh, shoot, Larry. The mass man. Whoa, whoa, whoa there, whoa, boys. Whoa, steady there. You're glad you called out, mass man. I was going to let you have it. You're running straight into an ambush, Larry. What's that? Hank Meredith and two other men are waiting for you on the trail up ahead. Hank Meredith? Yes. We found their camp and then we followed them. You sure he's an outlaw? I'm positive. Well, thanks for the warning. If I can't outrun him, I'll out-shoot him. I can't let you take the chance, Larry. Those papers you're carrying are more important than you can imagine. They dispatch us from the London Admiralty for their far eastern fleet. From the London? You mean they're using the Pony Express? Yes, Larry. Washington wants to make sure they get through safely. But all across the country, the Indians and outlaws. It wouldn't make so much difference if the Indians got them. Black Arrow is a different matter. I can't let you ride on. Well, you're not asking me to turn. Bang! Not at all. Just cut away from the trail and make a big circle until you reach the ranch. What about you and turn him? We'll see if we can handle Hank and his men. It's good enough for me. Get up that floor. Here he comes. Yeah. You see, Junior was foolish of you to worry. But it wasn't. He isn't following the regular trail, and he wouldn't have cut away from it if something hadn't happened. Maybe there was a wash out some day. Him and his weather? Hey, don't make her know. Yours hit the red bill. Sure am. And stand back. Bring her in, boys! Did you hear the shooting? Did he say shooting? What are you talking about, son? Oh, they're home. They're home. The Lone Ranger and Tano are trying to round up Hank Meredith and the hombres has got working with him. They warned me about an ambush, so I circled to the north. This Black Arrow gang was after the mail, huh? I guess so. Well, you can tell them about it afterwards. Get that bag under my saddle and I'll be high-tailing it out of here. Nothing to do, Bill. Why not? I got stopped again. Just the other side of that rise. More out long? No, June. This time it was a girl. You remember the one who sent the note to the Lone Ranger? Of course. She told me not to let this bag out of my sight till I saw the man again. You're gonna hold up the mail just because a girl told you to? That's right, mister. Oh, yeah? Well, I got something to say about that. You're all covered. Bill! Oh, that's it. You're a crook, too. I'm taking that mail back. Those words belong across my saddle. Now toss your guns over here. Belts and all. Hurry up. You're in with Hank. Never mind the pullover. I want those belts. Let's have them. Come on there, Larry. He's right with me. But before I go, I'm gonna make sure nobody follows me. You don't mean that. A bullet through your paws, leg and one through Larry's. I guess Johnny's enough of a cripple now. I won't let you. Stand back, sister. You'll get it, too. Get up there, you magic hires! Get up! Same goes for your men. The lone ranger got him, Clarence. That man, your work isn't finished. Bill Lacey's the worst of the bunch. She's wrought off with a mail. And he wouldn't have both Larry and Pa before he left. Bill Lacey has a mail bag. That's right. I'm leaving these prisoners with you, Johnny. Just let me have a gun. There you are. Pull them until we get back. Come on, Silver. Hit him up. Hey, Silver. Oh, Scott. At the top of the ridge, Kimosabi. We're on the right trail. We should be able to see him. Ah, you look down below. Yes, tunnel. Him come round turn. If we go straight down this bank, we'll be able to catch him. Trail narrow down there. The bank's steep. It's plenty hard to stop. Silver can manage it. Call it where we go, boy. We'll catch him on the trail below. It's yourself, boy. We're coming to the bottom. Look out, Lacey. Shoot. You hit. You hit his gun. Don't let him get away. Use your rope. That does it. The game's up, Lacey. That mail's going through. We'll be a little late getting to Majorville, Johnny. Not so much. And if it hadn't been for you, this mail bag would never have got there. All right, Lacey. You ride in front. The rest of you follow him. Come on. Keep a close watch on them, Tyler. I'll try to do it. Get him up. Come on, Silver. Howdy-oes. You've done that, man. Just think, Johnny. But it hadn't been for him. I know, Claire. I guess there's a lot of people in the west who've said just that. But none of them could mean it more than we do. Look at him ride. You and your pony express riders. So there's nothing can touch you, huh? Well, shucks, Johnny. He's carrying the mail, isn't he? That sort of makes him an honorary rider, doesn't it? Yes, Johnny. Only... Hmm? Only what? Oh, it's hard to say. He's cleaned up the outlaws around here, so even if Pa and Larry and you are hurt, we feel safe. But him, I'll never feel that he's safe. He'll take those crooks to Majorville, but he won't stop there. He'll go on and on fighting for justice, facing danger until he... reaches the end of the trail. What you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.