 With action and suspense out of the Old West comes the most famous hero of them all Hopalong Cassidy starring William Boyd The ring of the Silver Spurs heros 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 Expected and admired for this great cowboy rides the trails of adventure and excitement William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy and and declined as California Well hoppy, what about our story? This is called the boss of vinegar Ben is one that began one morning when California and I were on our way back to the bar 20 from the dry plane We were taking it easy through a particularly rough section of country when we spotted two big Conestoga wagons bouncing and rocking along headed apparently for a land of rocky gorges Mesquite and snakes hoppy what you think them carnage are doing head in that way no business of ours, California But it does seem strange. I'm sure no land for nesters. No trail either hoppy. You know I'm curious and I'm always willing to mind my own business. Of course. That's the kind of a fella I am but no well All right, California Willies over that way and say howdy, but mind you no prying into their fair. No, what if I do a thing like that? Let's go Hello the wagon Hello there Well, I'll be turned if it ain't female. Well, I'll be danged if payment folks Howdy folks, that's my dad is driving to the wagon. You driving out here all alone Yep, old man up and died quite a piece back right after we shook the dust of Tennessee got a name Judy Where are you all heading? I got some cornpone. You're welcome to Hoppy what she talking about glad to meet you Mrs. Oates. My name's hop along Cassidy. This is my partner, California Carlson Cassidy Cassidy mm-hmm. You ain't in a relation to them or Henry, Kentucky Cassidy's be you No, I reckon you ain't last one of them got shot for stealing hogs Sure, you wouldn't care for some cornpone Hoppy you say sure. No, thanks. No, thanks. I'm Mrs. Oates You seem to be headed into some rough country. Are you sure it's where you want to go? Well, sure, I'm sure got me a ranch just behind them rocky gorges My old man paid mr. Skaggs eleven thousand dollars for it eleven thousand for a ranch behind the gorges Mrs. Oates, do you suppose you could get this mr. Skaggs to cancel the deal now? Why should I do that? I want me a fine ranch But those gorges don't end to they hit the mountains. Those are badlands. What? Mr. Cassidy that eleven thousand dollars was our whole life savings. Well, maybe Skaggs would give your money back Not that critter calls himself boss of vinegar bin told me the deal was legal and binding no matter if my husband was passed on He didn't want no cornpone neither. Mrs. Oates, Judy I'm afraid you're in for a real shock if your ranch isn't those badlands It's not worth a tenth of what you paid for it. Mr. Cassidy. What are you saying? Just that you've been swindled cheated that ranch of yours is worthless. No No, he wouldn't Mr. Cassidy that can't be I ain't got no more money to get home on Got no home to get to Judy and I Mrs. Oates suppose I have a talk with this Skaggs. Oh, thanks, mr. Cassidy Thanks coffee. I gotta hunch this will mean bad trouble Now back to hop along Cassidy and our story boss of vinegar bend on their way to the bar 20 hoppy in California meet a Mrs. Oates a widow and her daughter Judy heading into the badlands west of vinegar bend when the woman finds out that They have been swindled hoppy offers to help now. They're all nearing the broken down shacks that comprise the woman's ranch house Well, at least there's something to live in Mrs. Oates sure ain't what mr. Skaggs said it was You see my cows any place mr. Cassidy cows you mean there were cattle included in your deal Well, sure what kind of a ranch is it about cows Skaggs said there was a thousand head of beef on this ranch. Oh my gosh She means Mavericks. Yeah, you're right, California. Mrs. Oates these gorgeous and breaks hold a lot of cattle But they're ones who have gone wild their Mavericks rounding them up as expensive. It's tough and dangerous work Well, I can ride so can my daughter lady ain't no women gonna round up wild Mavericks She's right Mrs. Oates Mavericks that have become used to freedom or killers No, you and Judy try to make the place livable California will stay and help while I ride in the sea Skaggs. Well one thing more you ought to know mr. Cassidy Mr. Skaggs holds a five thousand dollar mortgage on this place still Reckoning plan to get it back and swindle somebody else with it like he did my old man and me Fine, you don't even have a clear title Well now maybe with the help of a strong man I could get the place on a paying basis somehow you be a strong man. Mr. Cassidy. I'm going to see Skaggs I'll see you later Mighty upstanding figure of a man, but I reckon he don't hanker for a double harness Mr. Carlson Now you ain't such a great catch, but can you plow a straight fur? Me oh no, ma'am. You see Pardon me, but where do I find Skaggs? I am mr. Caldwell Skaggs a banker mayor land agent and at your service you here to put in or draw out of the bank Draw out I guess names Cassidy hop along Cassidy fine fine No, it isn't either you have no account here I know but you sold a parcel of badlands to the Oates family for 11,000 dollars plus a five thousand mortgage the total was 16,000 yeah, well Henry Oates died his widowed child are out there now It was a neat swindle, but don't you think some of that money should be given back to them some All that is a good one give the money back What on earth for to keep them from starving for one slight reason I assure you mr. Cassidy their starvation is a matter of total indifference to me good day You know I'm working up a great dislike for you Skaggs, and I think maybe it's time your business deals were taken up in court Yes step into my office mr. Cassidy. Perhaps we should discuss this more fully I Mr. Skaggs, oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were bringing in a customer don't leave taller This is mr. Cassidy, and he's hardly a customer mr. Cassidy is this is my assistant Vic taller better me Cassidy hello taller. How would they hung you yet? Not yet Cassidy gentlemen you've met before yeah, we have met He was in Cottonwood when I drilled a guy for calling me a killer Cassidy helped run me out of town Well, that's all oh where seemed to be a strange sort of bankers Skaggs iron gunslingers like toller Have a hunch a good investigation of you is gonna prove downright interesting Skaggs You better let me get rid of this guy He's more mellow he's bad medicine, and he swings a lot of weight back in his home range You're wearing guns toller. Why don't you you want to try now? No Not right now. Hi. You must be a tough one Cassidy told her doesn't usually fear a test of his peculiar Shall we say talents? Oh? I'm not afraid of him mr. Skaggs Congratulations on your courage, but perhaps we'd better take care of mr. Cassidy in a more legal way What give me your gun well Sure here all that Skaggs calm yourself Cassidy. I have no intentions of shooting you only doing this You hit me mr. Skaggs What did you have to hit me for sorry toller? I had to have a little evidence That split cheek and your should do it You know I don't care if you want to slaughter your help Skaggs, but it doesn't settle the matter I came in on you will care mr. Cassidy you see I've just witnessed your brutal assault on poor mr. Toller here my assault yours at least that's how it will be presented to Sheriff Williams unless you ride out of town and stay out And as I happen to own the sheriff as I own everything in vinegar bend I would advise you not to test the case against you Attempted murder or assault with a deadly weapon if you prefer carries a nice long prison sentence now get out I'll go for now, but I'll be coming back Skaggs to answer those charges in full Hoppy this is awful you hiding out from the law Skaggs turn in the whole town again you we better get fast No, that's just what Skaggs wants me to do But first I'm gonna try a little scheme that may take the load off mrs. Oates here Oh now hoppy don't you fret about me my old man was a big sucker for buying this ranch side unseen Durn his furs were so straight rested so hoppy What's the plan you was talking about mrs. Oates permission California? We're going to round up enough mavericks out of the draws and brush around here to pay off Skaggs now That would be nice. I could maybe sell it to a sucker myself then yeah No, no mrs. Oh hoppy you're getting local why we need 30 men to round up them. No, we won't California All we needed a few matches. Uh, and now what you're thinking of us and match I did a little scouting around California There's a big clear Canyon North here with a wide entrance and a goose neck You and I are gonna make a big rim of fire in the Mesquite circling it as it burns in every maverick in the aerial be Forced into that Canyon and shoulder fire. No, that's the easy part the Canyon is rock wall We'll make a big fire break in the goose neck. The fire be stopped there won't do any harm And it should net us quite a few head of mavericks show we have a herding hat cattle Ah, and now how are the two of us gonna haze them to market? They're gonna be so wild a cap gonna send them stampede. Well, we'll have to make it somehow California Well, you're the doctor hoppy. I'll sure do my bit to mess up this skag Oh There goes the last from hoppy the pyro hit the goat's neck in another 10 minutes How many you figure we got that I'd say we've rounded up about 500 the meanest toughest is in the state 500 hey with cattle going at $18 a head We'll get more than the 5,000 we need. No, these aren't prime steers We'll be lucky to get 10 $12 ahead, but that'll do it. Well, I'm sure glad this is over with it It's been the hottest darned work ever done keeping that fire under control Round up on the bar 20 is gonna seem like a picnic after this soon as that fire dies We'll have to block that entrance so the stairs will be penned in we can start hazing them to the railroad tomorrow Man, I'll bet that skag zombie will be whoppin mad when he hears about this Oh What the California you hit No, no, no, I'm all right, but get this darned dead horse off me Where those shots come from on this smoke who can tell he may try again keep down who's getting up I guess he's gone, but one thing sure that guy killed your horse was playing for keeps Why now that's real comfort tomorrow. We'll get an early start with the herd I have a feeling that those shots came my friend the skags. We got cattle, but getting them to market is gonna be a different matter Better take the other point as soon as we leave the canyon. Let the drag go Don't make me mad. I sure hate to eat dust. Come on And be careful of those horns these printers really carry bad one Turn right away. I can see 500 arguments for short horns right in front of us. Get up, you lazy doggy Do I have to tell you California we're all clear. I'll take this point right around back of the herd and take the other hope to keep moving right They say we'll make it in eight days easy California look out back there those men Those cattle are headed for the cliff I am nothing they're doing it come on to hop along Cassidy and our story boss of vinegar Ben Trying to save the herd of Maverick cattle he in California rounded up from the badlands for mrs. Oates Hoppy raced off in an attempt to stop the stampeding steers frightened by strange men who fired guns into the drag We find hoppy in California resting at mrs. Oates ranch Well, we don't need to be told who was back of that stampede Yeah That finishes those families ranchers losing all them cattle over the cliff. Yeah, I'm afraid it does Wait a minute remember something you said before something about selling this place to another sucker Oh, no hoppy. We ain't crooks. No, but skags is and he's a greedy one now if we could just use his own greed against him California bring me a pencil and paper Here's one over here Oh, you're gonna write thanks a friend of mine over at the Sherlock mine and you got a hard fast ride How long do you think it'll take you to make it over there and back? It's nearly 60 miles Three days, maybe two fucking keep going. I'll keep going then bring back the stuff He gives you and we'll see if skags can't be a sucker for his own bait here. I'm on my way. I hope this idea works Morning hoppy feeling like some grub. I sure do Now who can that be? Morning I'm sure Williams ready to come to jail peaceable. What do you care how he comes take him? Why don't you take me skag? Shut up? I don't sell my hands with trash go on sure sure miss skags. I'm going Or get those guns ahead Mrs. Oates you better get out Cassidy's got the address. Mr. Skags. Why are you doing this? He ain't hurt you No, hush woman. He's a little too smart. That's all after a couple of years in jail He'll learn to keep his nose out of my business Oh There you be Cassidy. Hope you'll be comfortable. Thanks a lot. Tell me sheriff. How does it feel to be bought? Now Cassidy, don't go insulting me as long as skag zones the bank in the town I'll trade along with him and keep a job Now I'll see you later. Don't look in any mirror sheriff. You might get a bad shock Hoppy what who's that? It's me california. I'm at the window California where did you get back? I hit the range right after they took you away. Did you get the stuff all right? Sure But here I'll bring you a file and a gun just keep them. I'm not breaking jail just yet I listen close I want you to write back to the range tell mrs. Oates to be prepared to get an offer from skags for her place What why he won't offer? He will but tell her to hold out for a profit. Tell her she'll have skags by the tail Hoppy you talk crazy. Why would skags do a thing like offering her a profit? That's where you come in take that shotgun another stuff after an overhanging rock north of the ranch house Then do this Howdy sheriff. How's our prisoner? Okay, I reckon miss gags. You want to see him? Yes, I think you would. I have a little news for him. Well, sure Come on Hey, call me when you're done. I will What do you want skags? Oh, I've just come to goat a little Tasty and I tell you to get some prayers together. You're going to die awful soon. Yeah to be blunt. Yeah Told us been telling me about those French yours back on your home range I don't think it would be safe to let you go around spreading stories Might cause me a little embarrassment only about 20 years in the calaboos. You'll love it. It'll be nice and quiet Ha ha ha ha ha You killed me never give up cash me Well, maybe told us a gun or change your mind He's been made a deputy sheriff Going to take you over to the county seat tomorrow and I get shot in the back trying to escape You know skags you lack imagination Mr. Skaggs. Mr. Skaggs. What is it, Toller? The guy just found gold on that oats ranch. He did what? What? You're crazy, Toller. Go, go, go sleep it off. No, no, I tell you, it's a truth. He's a prospector. He just rolled into town in gunker than two hood owls and a barrel of moonshine. He spouted off about a finely-hidden pay dirt and he flashed a sack of rocks that are full of gold veins. And I'd say it said they was high-grade. You sound like you've been chewing local weed, Toller. Gold. Gold? Toller, I'll kill you if you're lying to me. Where's the prospector now? I slugged him and I got him tied up in your office. He even told me where he found the gold. And it ain't far from that oats ranch house. Well, that means we have to get that ranch back past before Mrs. Oats finds out. Sheriff, get me out of here! Sheriff, how about a nice game of casino? You're a cool one. Ain't you figured out what Skaggs has got in mind for you? Yeah. But he's working on a bigger deal right now. Oh, was that why he tore out a town like the devil was after him? There's only one thing that could make Skaggs move that fast. Money. You seem to know your owner, Sheriff. I know him well enough. And stop insulting me. I'm just a politician, that's all. Skaggs owns the bank, the bank owns the vote and the votes tell me what to do. But that... Hi, Sheriff. Well, I've come to take the prisoner. Oh, Tolar, when you get back, I thought you were Mr. Skaggs around too. We were. Mr. Skaggs is finishing his business with old lady Oats over at the bank. Now open up Cassidy's cell. He's due for a ride. A nice, long ride. I... I don't... Well, all right, Tolar. I don't like this business. Sorry, Cassidy. Oh, you put up a nice fight, Sheriff. Thanks a lot. Shut up and get moving. There's Mr. Skaggs. Hi, boss. Got the papers all signed? Yes. Yes, I'm the owner of that gold mine. Legal and proper. Well, funny I've been pinching dollars at the bank when all the time I had a fortune waiting for me to grab it. Excuse me, some woman is waving for me to come over. Oh, yes, that's Mrs. Zoltz. Go on, Sheriff. See what she wants. But keep your mouth shut. You know, Skaggs, you have a shot coming to you. Oh, shut up, you stupid cowhan. You think you can rile me when I've just become the owner of millions in gold? Have you? I hope you didn't pay too much profit on that ranch. You didn't get a gold mine, you see. Don't waste my time with lies. I saw the whole side of an overhang covered with gold flecks. Sure, that's known as salting if you use mine as lingo. What? I, Pal, California, fired a few shotgun loads of gold dust into that overhang, Skaggs, and then impersonated a drunken prospect. You're lying, boss. He's crazy, ain't he? That ain't possible. Go on, tell him he's crazy. No use, Toller. Your boss man has been taken. He was immune to a lot of things, but a little salt on his tail brought him down. Well, it can't be. If it's true, I'm ruined. No, no. Toller, kill him. We'll see who laughs last. Right here, boss, but that's local. Everything's local, Toller. But he's not going to get a chance to laugh at me. Kill him. Shoot him in the middle so I can see him die slow. Okay, if you say so. This is one killin' I think I'll like. You ready, Cassidy? I'm gonna give you a real bad tummy ache. Wait up. Back to hop along, Cassidy. And still, Skaggs, I've got you covered. Cassidy, you all right? Sure, thanks for pluggin' this rat, Toller. Him? Well, he'll live to confess. But I didn't shoot it with Mrs. Oates here. What? Sure. I was carrying my old man's horse pistol. I don't know why he bought this Dern pistol anyhow. Never could hit the side of a barn. Plowed a mighty straight furrow, though, rest his soul. Take that vermin to jail, sir. Now, yes, ma'am. Come on, Skaggs. Oh, no, I'm the boss of this town, I tell you. I own a gold mine. You can't put me in jail. It's a frame up. Don't he yell, pretty. Do your duty, sir. Yes, ma'am. I'm a plan, too. What's he robbing me? I've been swindlin', I tell you, sir. But rest her. Now, you just come along, people. Or I'll belt you one across the skull and drag you. Now, move. I've been cheated. You can't around me. I've been cheated on King Cassidy. My, my. I reckon that poor man don't recollect. I tried to tell him there weren't no gold on my ranch. More I insisted more he kept offering. Wish my old man could have seen me dickering. He didn't have no head for figures, but he sure. I know. He plowed a mighty straight furrow, though. Why, now, however did you know that? Never mind. There's one thing that kind of puzzles me, though. How come the sheriff turned so obedient? He acted like you owned it. Well, I reckon I do, in a way. Things has all switched around, Hoppy. That scag got so excited what would wanton my ranch the terrible. He swapped me his whole bank for the property. Well, dog haul. Then you do own Sheriff Williams. Sure. What that crook don't know is that he's due to be a prisoner along with scag, just as soon as I can find an honest man to be the new sheriff. Reckon you'd care for a little corn pole now. We'd love some, boss. Boss? Me? Why, sure, Mrs. Oates, you're boss of Vinegar Bend now. Well, that was quite a twist to the ending of another one of Hoppy's exciting stories. But wait until you hear the next one. It's called Land of the Gunhawks, and Hoppy and California really get themselves mixed up in a thrilling adventure when they encounter the dangerous masked bandit known as Three Jacks. So be sure to be with us for the next episode of Hoppillong Cassidy. Hoppillong Cassidy, starring William Boyd, is transcribed and produced in the west by Walter White Jr. The boss of Vinegar Bend was written by Herb Perdoman. All stories are based upon the characters created by Clarence Mofford. This is a Commodore production.