 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a clon of dust, and a hearty hyo silver! The Lone Ranger! For this exciting adventure, a word from our sponsor. General Mills, makers of Cheerios, the Oats cereal that's ready to eat, Vanny Crocker mixes, and Wheaties, the breakfast of champions, present by special recording, The Lone Ranger! When the weather's bad, do you and your friends ever hang around the house wondering what to do? I'll bet it happens lots. Well, you know where you can have the most fun? In the kitchen, with a package of the new Betty Crocker brownie mix. That's right, it's easiest can be to bake up a big batch of luscious chocolatey brownies with Betty Crocker brownie mix. Everything you need is right in the package. Just add one egg if you like the chewy, fudgy kind of brownies. And two eggs if you want them soft and tender like cake. Add nuts too if you like. Either way, Betty Crocker brownies are the gee, I can't eat them fast enough kind. Even if you've never baked before, you'll turn out scrumptious, chocolatey, perfect brownies the very first time. And what fun you and your gang will have eating brownies that you bake yourselves! Have mom get Betty Crocker brownie mix next time she shops. Then invite your friends over for some fun. With this faithful Indian companion total, the daring and resourceful mask rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the plundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver. The lone ranger rides again. Come on Silver, let's go, be cool! I am Silver! Young Don Rafael Rodriguez was puzzled at first and then alarmed as he rode toward his father's rancho. The place was strangely quiet. It was early in the evening and Rafael had expected to hear the sound of a guitar and singing from the servants' quarters. Gates to the courtyard were closed. Oh, how easy! Not only closed, as he dismounted he saw they were chained and locked. And there was a paper nail to the right gate. There was enough light from the moon to read it. To be sold? Taxes? Impossible. Hello in there! There was no answer from within, but some instinct warned Rafael to see a shadowy figure round the corner of the courtyard wall. His hand started for his gun, and then he restrained it. He recognized the man hurrying toward him. Pedro! Oh, this Don Rafael! You come home at last. Pedro, what's happened here? Where is everybody? Where's my father and my mother? They are gone. Gone where? They are dead. Pedro, it's true, Senor. What happened to my father and my mother? How did they die? Two weeks ago, outlaws raided Rancho. Your father, he fought him. He was shot, and so was your mother. And the outlaws carried away his chest of money. $10,000 he whispered to me before he died. Outlaws. See, Senor. Two weeks ago, I was on the overland stage. They've only had been here. You would have been killed, too. Who are these men? These outlaws? They work for the tax collector. That's impossible. It is true, I think. The collector, his name is Gage. He's the only government official in the valley. There's many work for him. And by day they were uniforms. Soldiers? Oh, police, Senor. They collect those private police. But it is only by day they wear the uniforms. At night they changed to other clothes. They wear bandanas over their faces. They rob, they flaunt to the rancheros. Why hasn't someone gone to the governor? Why haven't troops been sent here? There's no governor. He died three months ago. It is since then their trouble has started. The collector, this Senor Gage, has made himself into a little king. Oh, Don Rafael, perhaps it is not safe for you to stay here. But this is my home. Oh, look. The rim of the valley. The men will ride this way. Those are the police. I don't intend to run away from them. The Senor Gage himself will ride before them. And I'll show him that I know my rights Oh, you're too young to die. Please, please. My horse is around the corner of the world. Ride with me into the hills. Well, he will be safe. I want to see what Gage and his police are up to. Watch them. But watch them from the woods above the ranch. All right, Pedro. Lead the way. Oh, I see. Andrew Gage had decided to move into the Rodrigo Ranch House and quarter his police in the buildings that circled its courtyard. Rafael watched the local despot take possession and then moved away to Pedro's camp in the hills. For a long time, he brooded beside the campfire. Then suddenly he leaned to his feet. Senor, where are you going? Nowhere, but I have an idea, Pedro. Oh, boy. Listen, I'm not afraid of Gage's police. What can you do? Wait for their next raid. Then while they're gone from the ranch, you'll go there myself, raid the collector's cash box and take back the 10,000 he stole from my father. Three nights later, Andrew Gage paced the living room of his new headquarters. A uniformed gunman sprawled in a chair near the doors that opened on the terrace. They've been gone too long. All this branches and far from here. All they have to do is shoot up the place a little and get the gold. The whole valley's been warned by what you did here. The Baldaus crew may defend the ranch. What was that? It sounded like a wolf. Just outside on the terrace? It sounded like a wolf, but it couldn't be. There's no wolves in a valley. Dog maybe. Well, don't just sit there. Get rid of it. You're nervous seeing your tax collectors? You heard me. Sure. Sure, whatever you say. Don Rafael was waiting in the shadows at the side of the door. And when Gage's lieutenant stepped out on the terrace, he brought the barrel of his gun down hard just behind the gunman's ear. Rafael picked up the unconscious man's gun and stepped into the room to face Gage. Keep your voice down. You're covered. And not one of your mask men sent your tax collector. Hurry. Open that chest beside the desk. Do as I say, or I'll put a bullet through your heart. I told you that chest belongs to the United States government. If you steal it. All I'll take is the 10,000 you stole from Rodrigo. I'll come free, and then I'll pull the trigger. All right. The keys in the desk. And a gun may be their tool. I'll see for myself. A gun, all right. I'll take it. And handcuffs. I'll take them. But no key. Hurry, send your Gage. One. Oh, don't shoot. I have the key. Use it. Sit down in this chair. Move. Your hands behind your back. Now the handcuffs. If you'll excuse me, send your Gage. I'll finish my business and be on my way. Tonto had learned of the governor's death and the disorganized state of the territory. They had written south to investigate and heard rumors of Gage's operations long before they reached the valley. But it was not until they were camped in the hills above the valley and Tonto had the chance to talk with the people who lived there that they heard of the masked rider on the white horse. Another outlaw, Tonto. Arrival to Gage's band of cutthroats? No, Kimusavi. Him only take from Gage. What Gage steal from Rancher? Well, do the people in the valley have any idea of who he is? Well, some say mask-puller, lone ranger. Oh, are there any other ideas? Some say maybe Don Rafael come home. Don Rafael? Who's he? His last name, Rodrigo. Gage men shoot father, mother. Gage live with Rodrigo Ranch now. Ranch stolen? The mother of father murdered. What is Don Rafael? He certainly have a motive for revenge. That's right. But actually he's only doing what we've come here to do. To try and protect these valley people until the new governor arrives. But pass below us. Let's have a look. Blown ranger and Tonto ran to the edge of the woods that sheltered their camp and looked down the steep slope of the ridge to the trail below. A mask man. And him ride white horse. It follow me tell you about. He's drawing rain. Trying to watch his back trail. Follow him. Tonto, he's wounded. He must do what we can to help him. Here's Silver. Here's Scott. Silver and scum. Here's Tonto, mother. That pretty hard climb. That watering box canyon ahead. You bring the horses? Besides it. The young man stirred and opened his eyes. You're wearing a mask. So are you. I don't be alarmed. We're friends. And an Indian with you. Am I dreaming or could it be? Are you him lone ranger? Tonto will take care of your wound. Tell me, how does it happen? So much to tell you. The tax collector. Gage. Yes, we know all about him and his men. What happened to you? There were two of them holding up an old man. I opened fire with them both. The old man got away but six others rounded him bent. They saw me. One of their bullets. You were followed? Yes. Me not think so. Horses come through past now. Gages, men. Maybe they'll look in here. Not if they see a mask right here and a white horse ahead of them. Isn't it? You lead them away from here? Yes, Tonto. Take care of the boy. He's an adventure in just a moment. And that's the truth. Take California champions, for instance. Now, way out west you'll hear us talking about a quarterback we call Van Brooklyn. A passing star with Wheaties style who throws that ball a country mile. And Duke Snyder, too, is a west coast man, a fancy slugger and the Wheaties fan who takes his bat and scares them all when he knocks the hide right off the ball. Now, these two champions know that there's big energy in their favorite cereal because there's a whole kernel of wheat in every Wheaties flake. Wheaties, breakfast of champions. Keep on eating. You're doing okay. All to continue. Gage's men, thinking the Lone Ranger was the mask man they had been pursuing, thundered past the canyon where Don Rafael was lying wounded, but they soon lost their quarry in the rough country beyond the pass. There was nothing to do but return to their headquarters and report to Gage that the masked rider on the white horse had escaped them once more. Gage was furious. I'm tired of excuses. None of you are going to rest until he's found. He's somewhere in the hills. You're going to patrol them night and day until you find his camp and bring him back in. Gage's men combed the hills. Don Rafael gradually recovered from his wound in the Lone Ranger's camp, and when his strength had returned completely, the Lone Ranger told him of his plans for the immediate future. New governors should have reached the capital by now. We have a friend there, Marshall Holt. Through him, we'll be able to let the governor know what's been going on here. Can we do anything about it? He'll act it once if we can give him positive proof that Gage is a crook. Surely, your word. Sign complaints from the people who've been robbed and forced to pay exorbitant taxes. I mean, a great deal. I've got a petition. Read it. Yes, the people of... Yes, this is all true. I'll sign it and I'll get all the rancheros to sign it too. Tonight, I'll start this minute. You will have your petition all signed by morning. They have escaped many times. It is good. They cannot pretend that an old man or Pedro could be the masked rider even though they say he is... What's this about Pedro? You do not know? I haven't seen Pedro for four days. They found his camp in the hills and your horse was there. They recognized it and accused Pedro of being the masked rider. He's taken him prisoner? See, where's he now? At your old home, where Gage lives. What do they mean to do with him? They say they mean to hang him. They cannot do such a thing, though. You're right. And I'm the one who stopped him. There's only one way. By giving myself up, you must lend me a horse, Don Esteban. And when I'm gone, you must take a message to the Lone Ranger and Tonneau. The Lone Ranger and Tonneau? Yes. You'll find them in the woods beyond the valley. They're waiting for me there. Raphael's message was delivered by Don Esteban himself. When he had finished, the Lone Ranger turned to Tonneau. Kimosabe, you should be able to reach the capital by morning. I'll give you a note to Marshall Holt. But maybe Governor not get there yet. It's possible. That's why I must stay here. You try rescue Youngvillain. I'll do my best. I do not see how you can. If Gage means to hang him, he will be guarded night and day. Then we'll do our best to stop the execution. First, the Lone Tonneau. Andrew Gage was well pleased with his exchange of prisoners. The execution of Don Raphael Rodrigo would mean much more than that of an old peon. Having been convicted as a traitor, disordered that Raphael Rodrigo should be hanged by the neck until he is dead. The execution will take place in the courtyard at dawn tomorrow. In front of the rancho, all day and far into the night. But at last their work was finished and the gallows rose menacingly toward the starry sky. Just before dawn, a key grated in the lock of Raphael's prison cell and the door swung open. Two guards walked in and behind them Gage. He carried a lantern and held it up to Raphael's face. Well, Don Raphael, are you prepared to die? I am as ready as any man. Take him to the scaffold, then. Let's go, boy. The murmur of the crowd outside the gate swelled as Don Raphael was marched across the courtyard. And then it became deftly silent as he climbed the steps to the scaffold. Were tied behind his back and the noose fitted around his neck. At that moment, Andrew Gage stepped out on the balcony of the rancho and walked to the railing. From there it would have been possible for him to step down to the scaffold. He leaned forward to inspect the preparations and nodded his satisfaction. Yes, we seem to be ready. Do you have anything to say before the execution takes place? Yes, I have a few things to tell my friends. You may have five minutes. It won't take that long. Against the injustice. Last words to you are that you must do the same thing. What? You're not worthy of every weapon you have to wipe out those criminals who defy the law. Shot at his command, who spring the trap or shot flying out from the roof of the rancho and the crowd roared to see that the rope above Don Raphael's head had been severed by a bullet. It was the lone ranger who fired the shot and now he leaped from the roof to the balcony and into Gage's ribs. Hey, up here, Raphael. Say, senor. Over the garden wall, I came to the house and up to the roof as you were being marched to the scaffold. I have horses waiting outside the garden gate. You'll never get away from here alive. Oh, yes we shall, Gage. You see, there's a horse for you too out there. You're coming with us. You can't make me. Would you rather die here? I've changed my mind. What? You're not going anywhere, Raphael. Look over the garden wall. Criders. troops. The army. Head of the Column of Cavalry. Not Gage. Him hold gun on. Young palier, him Don Raphael. The boy they were going to hang. Gage, your mass frame seems to have the situation well in hand. Your excellency. I am Andrew Gage, the tax collector of the statistic. The matters will take these two men into custody. Gage, did you hire these ruffians that took you to serving? Did you put them in uniform? They were necessary for my protection, sir. The right to raise troops is reserved to Congress in the several states. That's the first federal law you've broken. And I'm sure there are others. You stand accused. I'll decide the extent of your guilt after I hear the testimony of the people in the valley. Another prisoner for you, Captain. Thank you, sir. Come along, General. Will you be needing Todd and me for your hearing, Governor? Not for the hearing. But the West would always need you, sir. And before you go, may I offer my heartiest congratulations. Thank you, sir. Adios. How are you, General? You, my boy, are Raphael Rodrigo. Yes, sir. This used to be my home. This is still your home. That makes me very happy. I'm sure you'll do as much for all the others who have lost theirs. Yes, don't, Raphael. You may depend on it. I'll do my best to finish the good work that was started by you and Todd and the Lone Ranger. I was still there! The right to feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated is produced by Tremble Campbell Muir Incorporated. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer, your announcer, Fred Foy. Listen to the Lone Ranger brought to you by Special Recording Mondays through Fridays at this same time.