 The Lone Ranger! A fiery horse with a speed of light, a clown of dust, and a hearty high old silver! The Lone Ranger! Before this exciting adventure, a word from our sponsor. I'd like to read you something. The label on a loaf of Merida Old-Fashioned Enriched White Bread. And I quote, Enriched means that eight ounces of this bread supplies the following percentages of minimum daily requirement for these essential food substances. Simon, vitamin B1, 90%. Riboflavin, vitamin B2, 66%. Niacin, another B vitamin, 75%. Iron, 62.5%. Calcium, 20%. But that's just the outside story. What goes into Merida Old-Fashioned White Bread is another story. A story of a rich old recipe. A recipe that produces an old-fashioned bread that's rounded at the top with a crust of golden brown. Firm yet tender, moist and very delicious. So when you buy a Merida Old-Fashioned Enriched White Bread, read what's on it and remember what's in it. Music With his faithful Indian companion, Toto, the daring and resourceful mass writer 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 thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver. The lone ranger rides again. Come on Silver, let's go because I am Silver! Thunder Martin, the former mule skinner, worked as top hand on Clarabel Hornblow's ranch, located several miles south of Rock City, in the modernist part of western Texas. In a woods on the opposite side of Rock City, the lone ranger and Toto, two good friends of Thunder and Clarabel, had made camp. Toto had ridden to the express office at the railroad station in town to send a package to the lone ranger's nephew, Dan Reed, who was attending school. Here you are, Indian. This package you leave here on the train tomorrow morning. I wish I could say the same with a dynamite that's on the station platform. Do you know what dynamite is? Ah, me hear of it. It's a newfangled explosive, about ten times as powerful as brassenpowder. And there's a thousand pounds of the stuff on that platform, twenty cases. Enough to blow Rock City clean off the map, I'll sure be glad when it's moved. Say he dies! Howdy Thunder! Thunder Martin! Toto, we're safe to lie! You're a type of soul-ride! Where's your partner? Him camp north of town. Him say we visit cornblow ranch. Well, that'll be fine. Say, Pete, sit down with my friend Toto. Toto, this is Pete Booker. Oh, we already get business. Glad to know you, Toto. Clarabel will sure be glad to see you on your part. She's in town right now, getting supplies and mail. I drove her in from the land. Oh, Clarabel. Well, she's all right, making sassy as ever, but she's in trouble up to where he is. Oh, what wrong? Mortgage trouble. The bank's holding the pass due mortgage on the ranch, and if it's not paid this week, well, she stands to lose the property. Oh, that's bad. Only five hundred dollars, but it might as well be five thousand. Oh, golly, meeting you, Toto, I got sidetracked and most forgot why I came here. Why did you come here, Thunder? I'm looking for John Gray. Banker Harper said I might find him here. Maybe it's by my muse, so I could help Clarabel. Come to think of it, maybe he would. Say, who is John Gray? I've never heard of a gent. Well, he's the engineer in charge of building that tunnel through Sawtooth Mountain. Well, that's near the far end to go for Canyon. That's a day's travel from here. Yeah, but Gray's been in town for the past week. Seems he ran into trouble on the tunnel job. Yeah. Ran into more hard rock than he calculated and ran out of dynamite. Why not that there's twenty cases of this stuff on your platform? That's Greg. He ordered it by telegraph and the railroad rusted this far. But this is as close to the tunnel as the railroad can take it. Yeah. Greg spent a week trying to find someone to break the cases to his tunnels. What about Prater Finch? He and Greg had to run him. Yeah. It's easy to fight with Finch. He's an ordinary folk guy. He knew Greg was paying a lot of men who couldn't do a lick of work until they got the dynamite. Yeah, Finch would make the most of that. He did. He told Greg what it had cost to break this stuff. Greg called him a thieving bandit. Said he'd be hanged before he'd pay such a price. Why the whole shipment could be hauled in one strong wagon? That's how Greg figured, but he can't find anyone who tackle the job. But is everyone scared of dynamite? Everyone's scared of Prater Finch. That weasel-faced little sidewinder. Finch has a monopoly on freight and thunder. The highest and mighty self-arm is to keep everyone else from cutting into his business. Well, my 10 mules could carry those cases. That's probably what Banker Hobbs had in mind when he told you to look up John Greg. Oh, Mr. Greg. Say, are you John Greg? Yes. You must be Thunder Martin. You hit the nail right on the head. I met Banker Hobbs on the street just after you talked to him. Yeah. He told me about you. Said you had to string a mule. What's your price to move that dynamite and sort his mountain? Well, maybe that Banker didn't tell you, but I need $500. $500? Well, that's more than Finch. Now, hold on, Greg. I've got to have that much cash. Anything less won't help me at all. Now, if you want to buy my mules at that price, I'll sell them and you can move your own freight. I could use them on the job. They could all rock. Where are they now? At the Horn Blue Ranch. Now, if you want to see them... Oh, that's not necessary. Hobbs told me about them, so I'll buy them. Greg grew up a simple agreement. Paid Thunder $100 and promised to pay the balance when the mules were delivered. As Thunder finished signing the agreement, Pharrell Hornblow entered the station. Well, where are they looking for you at? My condo! Well, I'm glad to see you two, please. Howdy, man. Hey, Clare Ball. This is Mr. Greg. Howdy-do, man. Howdy. Howdy. Where's your friend? Him and Kim. Clare Ball, he and Turner were going to stop at the ranch. Well, that's good. That's first grade. I'll dish up a fancy meal to celebrate paying off the mortgage. Did you hear that, Thunder? I'm paying off the mortgage. You are. Yep. With what? With money, Adelbringaloo. What? I wrote to the cattle buyer in Chicago asking for a cash advance on the stock I'll sell this season, and he sent it to me. He did? Yep. Here it is. A bank draft. It came by today's mail. Now I'll pay the bank and burn that mortgage. Oh, oh, no. Hey, what's the matter with you? Greg, our deal is off. We accepted my money and signed an agreement. But I... I'm sorry, but I've got to hold you to it. Hey, what's he talking about? You and your mortgages. Right. Why in carnation didn't you tell me you had written for a cash advance? What's thunder? I sold my mules to save that dove-in-run-down rat you heard. What? Sold the 10 poor critters into a life of misery, totin' dynamite, and haulin' rocks. Say, Greg, listen to me. I'm sorry, Martin, but I have a big payroll. My men are idle until they get the dynamite. I hate to do it, but I need those mules, so I must hold you to the agreement. Maybe that agreement's not legal, eh? It'll hold up in court. Remember, I have witnesses. Martin, I don't care about keeping your mules, but I must have that dynamite. What? What do you mean? If you freight the cases to my office at the tunnel, I'll tear up the agreement. You mean you'll let me keep the long ears? Yes, and also the hundred dollars I've already had at you. So that's a deal. I'll handle you, Freighton. I wonder what Freighter Finch will do. If he starts anything, he'll wish he hadn't. Word of Thunder Martin's plan spread quickly throughout the town, and soon reached Freighter Finch. The ruthless owner of the Star Freight Company immediately called two hard-faced men into his office. They were gunmen, known as Bull and Rook. Bull, said. Well, Thunder Martin's got his nerve. Boys, you know I'll not tolerate competition. We'll take care of Thunder Martin. Not your job. But it may not be as easy as the dry dog shooting of those two wagon drivers. Martin is tough. A bullet will stop the toughest man alive. John Great plans to accompany Thunder Martin and the mules through the canyon. You know what that means? We'll have to kill Greg as well as Martin. Yes. You'd better take a third man with you. We'll take lefty. He's been wanting a chance to earn some bonus money. Eh, well... You want us to handle things the same as we did before? How's that? Leave footprints while we're wearing moccasins and ride on shot horses. So the killings will look like the work of Renegade Indian. Yes. And I want you to start as soon as possible. What's the hurry? Martin isn't gonna leave town till midnight. He won't reach the entrance to the canyon for a day break. I know that. I want you men to ride through the hills on the north side of the canyon as far as Dogleg Bend. I know where that is. Now, at that point, the walls are only about 20 feet high. You'll have no trouble getting into the canyon. Waiting and bush behind some boulders. Are we sad before? We get lefty and be on our way within a half hour. Meanwhile, Todd will rejoin the Lone Ranger in camp and told all that had happened at the railroad station. The Lone Ranger listened attentively to the details of the monopoly of freighter finch, the suspicion that the freighter was responsible for the murder of two wagon drivers and the deal that Thunder Martin had made. When Toddho finished his report, a masked man said, I've heard about Finch in his monopoly. Him, very powerful. Plenty dangerous. Only because he has gunman working for him. You think him can't stop Thunder Martin? Yes, Toddho. Unless he stops Thunder, you lose his monopoly. And Thunder in danger. Both Thunder and John Gray. That's right. Another thing. If Finch prevents the delivery of the dynamite, you'll hold up work on the tunnel. And that tunnel is necessary to be expanded to the railroad. And Finch blocked the railroad. Yes. When are Thunder and Gray leaving Rock City? Tonight. Midnight. He'll start then to reach Gopher Canyon by daybreak. Then he'll have daylight for a trip through Canyon. That's a desolate canyon. It's a logical place for an ambush. I'll find the silver. What we do? I'm going to ride to the canyon entrance. The silver? I'll hide near there and watch to see if any man there might be ambushes. Enter the gap ahead of Thunder. Me go with you? Ride with me as far as Rock City. You go into town and keep your eye on Finch. If you learn that he's planning something, come to the canyon and tell me. Otherwise, join Thunder Martin and travel with him. Ah, he's happy. I'll be at the canyon when you get there. Ready to start? All right, let's go. Easy. Come on. We'll continue our lone ranger adventure in Gossamoan. Ah, the good old days. Back when people were old fashioned and the things your grandmother used to bake were fresh and piping hot. Well, at the Merida bakeries, things haven't changed much over the years. Like Merida, old fashioned and rich white bread. There's a seal on every loaf that says, Merida guarantees freshness and is sold fresh through day shown on the twist tie. Maintain freshness by storing at room temperature. And when Merida says old fashioned, it means it's made from a rich, old fashioned recipe. And that means it's fresh. The idea of fresh anything, especially fresh bread, has been around for a long time. But folks forget what really old fashioned freshness tastes like. That's why there's Merida. Merida enriched white bread. It has a freshness and taste that hasn't been around for a long time. That's a fresh idea that's very old fashioned. Now to continue. It was after dark when the lone ranger drew rain near the canyon entrance. Found dense underbrush to conceal himself and Silver and began his vigil. At dawn, the mule train arrived. The masked man greeted Thunder Martin and met John Craig. Then he reported, So far no one's gone into the canyon. That way he didn't be looking for them boys. Killers might ride after. I don't know how to stay here to watch. Anyone who starts with a gap will have some explaining to do. The lone ranger and Toto waited for some time. Then the masked man looked at his watch and said, I thought the gunman would be here by this time. Maybe pinch, not try, stop Thunder. I won't believe he'd let anyone challenge his monopoly. Let's see if anyone's in sight. Much brush was here. He's gone this way. The lone ranger and Toto headed north along the base of the steep slope. When they walked about 50 yards from masked man said, When we reach the end of the brush road, we'll have a clear view of the open plain between here and town. Anyone come, we see him long way off. This'll do. I don't see Toto. Look at these tracks. They come from direction to town. Three horses. It was before I started watching. Otherwise, I'd have heard them. Then go up slope. The horses were uncharted. That's right. Maybe owned by Indians. Or by a white man who wanted Indians to be blamed for murder. Remember the wagon driver who was shot? He must be. Yes. Maybe killers, right through hills. Reach canyon ahead of mule train, wait and ambush. Back to the horses. We go after thunder, give them warning. I'll try to overtake him in time. We ride to town for the sheriff. Me do that. Tell him what we found and tell him there's a chance to catch the men who killed two wagon drivers. Me savvy. Easy talk, easy talk. And tell him to hurry. Get him up. Easy, silly big killer. The poor of the canyon was rocky and uneven. But the sure-footed silver raced ahead as if he knew that human lives depended on his speed. Come on, silver! After riding on a grueling pace for some time, the low ranger rounded the bend and saw the slow-moving mule train. At the sound of silver's hoof beat, thunder marked and turned, and the masked man shouted, Stop those mules! Thunder, stop the mules! What's up? Are gunmen coming this way? I think Greek. Gunmen are waiting in ambush. All right, ahead of you. If I'm wrong, there'll be nothing lost. Now, follow me. If you hear gunfire, you'll know what it means. Come on! Meanwhile, the three gunmen had left their horses at the top of the canyon and descended by using projecting rocks as steps and handholds. They sat on the ground close to a boulder, large enough to conceal them from the view of anyone approaching from the east. When they heard the sound of an approaching horse, bull peered past the side of the boulder and flew back quickly. Someone who? Yeah. The man just came around Dog Lake Bend. I don't know who he is, but I think he's wearing a mask. Now, whoever he is, he's sure to see us when he comes abreast of this rock. Yeah, and later, if he hears about the ambush, he'll remember it. Do you think he'll go to the law? I don't know, but we can't take chances. I'll give him time to get closer, then I'll plug him. Thunder marked might hear the shot and suspect an ambush. Can't be helped! The lone ranger had never been more alert. After making the shot turn at Dog Lake Bend, he thought he saw a slight movement at the edge of a boulder some distance ahead. He watched that point closely, but he threw a gun and held it ready. When bulls hand and gun appear, the masked man fired. This way, Silver. Quickly turning his horse, the lone ranger fired again. Come on, Silver! He fired several more shots over his shoulder while retreating at top speed. His bullets glanced off the rock, kept the gunman from exposing themselves through two cracks. The lone ranger threw rain beyond the Dog Lake Bend, where he could not be seen by the man in ambush. Easy said to be blunt. In the distance, he saw Thunder Martin, who had heard the gunfire, halted the mule train and bridged him ahead to investigate. In a moment, the big man brought his horse to a halt at the lone ranger's side. Oh, oh, oh! I heard shooting! There took sure an ambush about a hundred yards beyond the bend. Let me add the bullcats. Wait, Thunder. You can't hit them. They're behind the boulder. We've got to shoot it out if we expect to reach the tunnel. I know a way to capture those men. We can't be bothered with prisoners. I'll listen to me, Thunder. The canyon wall is only about 20 feet high. I can easily climb to the top. Up there? Oh, some time I haven't laughed since the shooting. Bull still grumbled about the destruction of his gun. I'll kill that mask man if it's the last thing I do. I never saw such a shooting away. He fired from the saddle and hit your gun. Look, that's all it was. All you'd better forget your gun and decide what we're going to do now. Wait right here for the mule train. What do you think we're going to do? Maybe the mask man warned Martin. Maybe the mule train can't reach the tunnel without passing here. I just hope I get another chance to drill that mask on break. Make sure you shoot first. You've only got one gun left if he smashes that one-year-old. Here we go. There's something blew up. Look at the smoke in the hole in the ground. That was dynamite. Hey, what's that? He's above us up there. Looking up, the ambusher saw the lone ranger on the rim of the canyon. He held dynamite in one hand and a gun in the other. It's time I'll kill you. No! Oh, you're playing fool. Don't shoot me. Please, mister. Stop your guns. Raise your hands and get out from behind that boulder. Listen, gunsmith. I'll make a deal with you. If you're not out from behind that boulder within three seconds, I'll light the fuse on this dynamite and remove the boulder. No, not that. I'll do what you say. I'm moving. Come on, bulls. You're through the same as we are. We can't fight dynamite. The lone ranger held his guns on the three men until Funder and Greg rode from beyond the bend and tried the prisoner's hand. The masked man then descended to the canyon floor and called to Silver as he joined the group. Hey, Silver! There! These crooks are wearing moccasins. Yes, and the horses they left up above are uncharted. You crooks plan to murder us just as you said the wagon drivers. Have the Indians blame for the crime. The marks of your horse's hoof and your own feet will tie you into the murder of the wagon drivers. You three are going to hang. No, no, not me. I wasn't with Rook and Bull with you two. I'm telling the truth. That's the only way you'll save your neck. It's been tiring you to ambush Martin and Greg. Yeah. It's been tiring for this job but he hired only Bull and Rook for the murder of the wagon drivers. I'll tell everything. I'll sign a statement. I'll testify in court. I'll do anything you say but don't let him hang me. You wheeling coyote. The sheriff will be here. He'll take your statement. He'll get it. Come on. I'll go to meet him and tell him the killer's a captain. But wait! We'll meet again, Greg. Funder, I'll see you soon. Audio, Inspector. That mask man saved our lives. Yep. And he saved your tunnel, Greg. Now you've seen to yourself that there's no one like the Moon Ranger. Remember way back when when you were a kid growing up you always found time to make a side trip to the little grocery store down the block. That's where you'd find a big display of Mickey snack cakes. Remember? Didn't it make you happy to have a devil delight and take a whiff? What a chocolatey smell. And remember the coconut sprinkled Jim Jams or the cream-filled banana flips? Well, today, marita bakeries still make the Mickey snack cakes you used to love as a kid. That's why Mickey snack cakes are called smile food. The bakers know they're spreading smiles and sunshine wherever Mickey snack cakes are sold. Find a little neighborhood grocery store today or a big modern supermarket. Look for the display of Mickey snack cakes. They're all there like you used to remember. The devil delight, the Jim Jams, the banana flip. Treat yourself to some fresh memories. Treat yourself to a Mickey snack cake. Have a smile on us. Listen to the lone ranger. So it's up to us to take precautions in case Jake gets out of that jail. Late that afternoon, Sheriff Dale sat at his desk waiting for the guard to return from the café with the prisoner's food. His office was a large one-room building with two cells facing a corridor that led to a rear door. The sheriff glanced at Jake sitting sullenly on the cell bunk. Then the guard entered. Well, yes, here's the tray for the prisoner. Good. We'll feed him early and get it over with. Now that you're back, I'm going to the café. When the deputy comes in, get him to stable our horses and he's still at the hitch-rack behind the office. We won't need him anymore. All right, Sheriff. I'll see you later. All right? Well, I might as well give you your supper, mister. Balancing the tray on one hand, the guard, following instructions, used his other hand to unlock the cell door. As he opened the cell door, he dropped the keys. Oh, goodness. Here, you take the tray. Hey, stop! Listen to the Lone Ranger brought to you by Special Recording at this same time. The Lone Ranger, a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, is produced by Trenzel Campbell Muir Incorporated. A part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer.