 with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and the hearty high old silver, the lone ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the masked rat of the plains fought crime and criminals throughout the western United States. And whenever men gathered around frontier campfires, stories were told of his adventures. Strong, courageous, resourceful, and a keen judge of character. He was the greatest champion of justice the West ever knew. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoopbeats of the great horse, Silver. The lone ranger rides again. Come on, Silver! We're heading south for the Rio Grande! At one time, the ranch of the three pines had been noted for the great hospitality of its owner. But that time was long past. And with the flight of years, the place came to have a sinister reputation. Fear kept net his with the region from approaching its low, sprawling buildings. And strangers seemed to avoid them by instinct. Whenever there was a tragedy in the neighborhood, the influence of the ranch of the three pines was certain to be held at fault. And whenever men spoke of it, they did so in whispers. Always. The ranch of the three pines? Mister, I ain't what you'd call a timid humbry. But all the gold in Texas wouldn't get me within ten miles you're there. Mother of the dears, it is bad that place. Saint John, it is the home of the evil one. I'm telling you, if ever a curse was put on anything, it's on the ranch of the three pines. The ranch of the three pines? It is evil. There's a curse on it. Mother of the dears, it is haunted. Stay away from there. The evil one, stay away. Don't go near it. Mother of the dears. A season came, however, when fear of the ranch of the three pines was replaced by sullen anger. For weeks on end, the sun burned fiercely in a cloudless sky. Pastures failed, creeks and waterholes dried up, cattle and sheep died by the score. And to the superstitious inhabitants of the district, the source of their misfortune was clear. Even the good Padre at their mission was unable to persuade them they were wrong. Juan, come here. Hey Padre. My son, what is the meaning of this? Padre, it is the rancho. The rain should not come. The grass is burned, our flags, they die. Now where is their water? The rancho has cost a spell upon the sky. Juan, I am ashamed for you. I see, Padre. I had not thought you so ignorant. I had believed you a man of good sense, Juan. But Padre, we... We've had droughts before. But never like this, Padre. Eh? I have ridden near the rancho. Yes? I have heard things most strange. The voice of a senorita singing, Padre. Laughter. I have seen lights in the window. What is there about that? But it is well known that there is no one who lived there. It might have been occupied recently. But who would dare? Not you, it is plain to see. And if someone is moved there, why have not we seen him? You had better inquire at the rancho. Oh, no, no. I do not ride there again. It is one bad place that it is the half the end of El Diablo. Enough. But Padre... Enough, I said. I am tired of these childish stories. Tell your companions that they are not true. That the ranch of the three pines has nothing to do with the drought from which we suffer. And tell them that if they doubt, I shall prove this. Padre, you must not go to the rancho. No, you must not. If you go there... I shall not go there, my son. What do you mean? You have been misled by silly tales of superstition. And the man who shall prove this for all to know is my good friend the lone ranger. Great legs of yours, old fellow. We should meet the mission before night falls out of her. Get him out, scout. Get him out. Come on, silver. Silver, silver. Summoned to the mission by an appeal from his friend, the Padre, the famous masked writer of justice and his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, arrived at their destination late in the afternoon. The Padre was quick to explain why he had asked for their help. Amigo, for many years I have fought the blindness of those of my flock who are slaves to the superstition of the ignorant. Always I have heard these stories they tell of the ranch of the three pines. Always I have denied their truth. I too have heard these stories, Padre. Now, as you know, the drought has come. My people do not understand these things. They must have some object to blame upon which they can spend their fear and anger. And what does it you wish me to do, Padre? Once and for all, I want it proved to my flock that the ranch of the three pines has no supernatural powers. Yes. And it would be well if you to find out if the Athean is indeed occupied. Knowing that you have no faith in these superstitions, I know that you will not fear to ride there. If you find it occupied, the people there must be warned that they are in danger, that there are impatient and ignorant ones who will hold them to account for all the misfortunes that have struck this district. Will you do this for me, my friend? Of course, Amigo. Thaddo and I will ride it once. That is good. Here's a little discount. Whatever we learn, we'll get word to you as soon as we can. Thank you, my friend. I knew that I could depend upon you. Ready, Thaddo? Are you ready? Come on. Get him up, scoundrel! The trail to the ranch of the three pines led through a strange and barren country. It never traveled more than a hundred yards in a straight line at any time. It took the lone range and tonto through canyons, almost as dark as if it had been night. Then it crossed bare windswept plateaus. Until finally... There it is, the lowest, Thaddo. A strange-looking place. No wonder there are so many stories about it. Just the look of the buildings is enough to make people think of mystery. It certainly doesn't look as though it were occupied, as the Padre thought it might be. I don't see smoke or horses or any sign of movement. Well, we can't tell from this distance. The only thing to do is to ride there and investigate for ourselves. I'd better follow this ledge to the left. I think it'll find an easier way down. Come on, Thaddo, it's just... What that? Who said that? Where are you? Can you hear me? Can you hear me, I say? Where boys come from? Some trick of the rock formation, Thaddo. Might come from almost anywhere. Possibly from almost any distance. The way the hill throw back the echo makes it impossible to judge. What do we do? We don't turn back, Kimosabe. We ride on. Get him up scout. Whoever you are, we turn back for no one. There are trouble ahead. Perhaps, Thaddo. But we can't keep our word to the Padre by returning to town. So we have no choice. Careful there, Thaddo. The trail is treacherous. It was an old and dangerous trail that wound its way from the heights down into the broad hollow for the Hacienda Leigh. The lone ranger in town to advance until they reached a place where the trail widening formed a shelf. Then suddenly... What? I have you covered. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Don't move, senor. Are you the fellow who called to us? And you are those who foolishly refused to listen. Now you will turn back or... Or what? Or it will be my duty to use the gun I have here in my hand. You don't want us to visit the Hacienda Leigh? Strangers are not welcome. No, and why not? That is our affair, senor. You are pleased to turn back as I have requested. You're not alone here, then. I have said enough. Do not try my patience. Lower that gun. No, I will... Very well. You... No! How can I kill you, young tenor? I beg of you, please. He did not mean... Julian's his name, huh? Well, I have no intention of harming him. I just shot the gun from his hand so he wouldn't be tempted to use it. No! Don't reach for it. Senor, I shall not forget this. I advise you not to. I... I apologize for Julian, senor. But you are trespassing. You have no right here. You are on private property. Your property? I... The property of the senorita's grandfather, senor. Julian, you should not have spoken. But, senor... He was not to have been told. I am sorry, Carmen. I did not think. Your grandfather is here, senorita? I... I cannot answer that. Very well. If the ransom of the three pines is owned by your grandfather, you are not trespassers here yourself. Then you have the right to order strangers from the place. You have been told only the truth. Then we'll turn back. Thank you, senor. You... You are a gentleman. Come, Tata. But you... I said come. Get him up Scout. Back, Silver! Back! Adios! Why you go back? You tell Potry... We won't break our word to the Potry Kimosave. Then why you... What would have been the use of forcing our way past those two? Obviously, they have something to hide. It's better to find out what it is without alarming them. How will you do that? Up the trailer distance is a place that we can turn off without being seen. Oh. We'll turn off and find another way into the valley and approach the Hacienda from the other side. Well, that'd be good idea. The thing they are hiding is innocent. No harm will be done. We'll keep silence. They'll have no cause to worry over the fact that strangers share their secrets. Not right. There's something we must not forget. What that? What the Potry told us. That the people of this district are blaming the rites of the three pines for the drought. Then keep foolish. Of course. The feeling will rise as the drought continues, Tata. If they're once convinced the drought will end only with the destruction of the ranch, then no one can guess what may happen. Mobs, Kimosabe, don't stop to think. Ah. See that willow tunnel? We turn off there. What the Lone Ranger feared was destined to come about even sooner than he had imagined. However, the words of the good Potry had had little effect upon his people. To them, the ranch of the three pines and the drought seemed but cause and effect. Wasn't it well known that the ranch was a place of evil? Wasn't the drought that destroyed their pastures and killed their herds? An evil thing? The conclusion was obvious. Compadres! The rancher, she must be destroyed. If the rancher is not destroyed, then we lose our homes, amigos. Never again will the sky she reign on us. The sheep, the cow, the day. The grain does not grow. We have no money, nothing to eat, nothing for which to live. Amigos, it is for us. 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. Neither Carmen or Julian, the two young people the Lone Ranger had met on the trail, was aware of the threat that hung over the ranch of the three pines. They were more concerned with personal problems and... because of a crazy whim of this grandfather of yours, he would sacrifice me and the best years of your life. You call it a whim? Well, perhaps it is. If so, it's a beautiful one. But Julian, think. One years and years ago, this is where my grandfather lived as young men with his bride. Other old men have been young once? Yes, and they've had wives, too. You do not understand. Don't you see? He was happy here. He told me of those times of the great party's ad, of the feast that lasted for weeks, of the neighbors who rode for miles to attend. If Don Pablo was so well-pleased here, why did he not stay? Why did he leave and return to Spain? Because his bride died. Her name was Carmen, too. And when she was gone, he couldn't bear it any longer. So he left, returned to Spain, but everything he saw wouldn't remind him of her. So now he's back again. My grandfather's worse than the woman for changing his mind. He knows he hasn't longed to live, Julian. Well? And he wants to live the little of life that remains to him where he can feel close to her. Very well. Then let him get someone else to take care of him. Why does it have to be you? Because it's used to me, Julian. It is not easy for one of his age to be comfortable with strangers. And if he should leave for another 20 years? Then I shall remain with him for 20 years. Oh, it's nonsense. Very well. Then I am. I should leave you. I will. Good. No. No, I won't leave you. I think you had better. No, I'll stay. I've made up my mind. I'll stay until you've returned your senses and have told me you'll go back to Spain. Which will be never. Do take the horses and go. Grandfather will be waiting for me. And so will I. Poor Julian. So there you are, my dear. Did you think I'd never come, Grandfather? What is that? Did you think I'd never get back? I am afraid I had forgot you, my dear. You see, I was sitting here remembering someone else. I know. Everything. Everything here is just as it was when she left it. Yeah. Just as it was. Will you promise me something, child? Of course, Grandfather. Do not let it be changed until after I am gone. Do not let strangers spoil all these. I... I've promised. Thank you. Thank you, my dear. You are very kind. The mob that had taken to the saddle had already covered more than half the distance to the ranch of the three pines. Its total destruction was the one thought and aim of every man and woman. An uncompadre! The ranch show she must be destroyed! In the meantime, the masked man and Tonto arrested their mounts on the crest of the hill. The situation is clear enough now, Kimosabe. Don Pablo has done a great wrong to ask a girl of his granddaughter's age to leave everything attractive in the world to care for him alone. Oh, him old man. What he's done, I'm convinced he did less from selfishness than from thoughtlessness. Maybe you're right. But he's a Spaniard and a Grandie at that, which means he's proud and very likely stubborn. And certainly not an easy fellow to reason with. The fact that Julian is afraid to let Don Pablo know of his presence here, although he followed Carmen all the way from Spain, is a clear indication of that. I'd like to find some way to show Don Pablo that... Tonto, there. Look there where the trail winds away from the canyon. A horseman. A hundred at the very least. There's only one reason why a horseman would approach over this trail, Kimosabe. They make trouble. Where they are, how long should it take them to reach the Hacienda? Maybe an hour, maybe more. And there's no time to sit here debating plans, Tonto. We'll have to act and act fast. Listen, Tonto, find Carmen and Julian. Get them away from the ranch and keep them away for at least two hours. I don't care how you find them or where you take them, but do it and don't fail. Tonto, do it. What you do? Me? I'm calling on Don Pablo. This is the one time he'll forget his pride and listen to reason. Or he'll find himself where all the pride in the world won't save him. Kimosabe! Get him off, Scott! It was not long after this that Carmen stole from the house and made her way to the stables where she knew she would find Julian. Pausing just outside, she called to him in a low voice. Julian? Are you there, Julian? Carmen? But of course, who else would it be? I see you have come to apologize for the way you have spoken. Disgracious of you. Idiot. You're not apologizing? I had thought of it, but... but when you take so much for granted, I... Yeah, but what is this? The Indian. The Indian we saw on the trail. You! You! Don't shoot! Don't shoot him down. Don't give him an excuse to fire. You were told to leave this property. Then what are you... You saddle horse. You come. What is the meaning of this? How dare you give us orders? Me not talk. You come. Quick! You cannot tell me... No! But Carmen... He means what he says, Julian. We better obey him. There, horse. New hurry. You have the advantage of us, amigo. But permit me to warn you once more. New hurry. At the first opportunity, I shall not hesitate to shoot you down. No sooner had the Lone Ranger seen Tatos safely away with his prisoners, and he entered the Hacienda and confronted Don Pablo. Almost an hour later... I respect you, Don Pablo. There are times when the truth is more forceful when plainly told. See... And no matter how important the person you may be, still you are not the center of the world. Others exist whose happiness is exactly as important to them as yours is to you. Your granddaughter, for instance. Julian, these poor people of your race riding here now would scarcely know where they'll obtain the next meal. Perhaps. You can't deny it. But if I say that happiness does not matter to me... I won't believe you. You're very certain, senor. I told a friend of mine that you're a good man, Don Pablo. I've had no reason to change my opinion... yet. I do not like to be forced into a decision. You hear that? See. They've come. Quick, man. What's it to be? I shall do as I wish. And you wish? That is my affair, senor. I'll hold them off. All right. Yes? Give me your arms. I am the master here. I'm here for the oath to receive guests while seated. Here. Thank you. They're in a vicious mood, Don Pablo. Help me to the door. You mean to face them? I am a rugby guest. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to question your courage, sir. Come. Not, yes. Don Pablo, the door is thick and it's heavily barred. Maybe those fellows outside cannot be talked to. We can open the door and risk it. I'll leave it closed and fight them off. It's for you to say. You are not afraid, senor? Only for you. Then open it. It was almost nightfall when three mounted figures rode toward the ranch of the three pines. They rode slowly, one slightly behind his companions, when suddenly the foremost figure cried out... Shut up! Move! What is it? There, Carmen, before the atlanta, those horses. And we left Don Pablo alone. You think... That he's in great trouble. You not worry. You have tricked us. Come, Carmen. If he wants to shoot us, let him. Get up. Get him up. Perhaps he has been murdered. No. Oh, no. But I shall pay them back. Get up. Get up. I need your help. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh. Listen. They've taken over the atlanta. I am going in there. And I shall go with you. You stay here. You cannot make me stay behind. I will not leave you. Then run if I give you the word. Yes, yes. That devils. Be careful. I shall shoot them down, I tell you. Here is good wine. It is yours for the taking. Come on. Hey, good friend. Come on. Out. Out with you before I... Hold it. You. These men are not Don Pablo's enemies. They're heresies' friends. You doubt it? Ask him. But... But what? It is so, Juliette. Come, Father. You must treat my guests with respect. It is not fitting that you should make them appear. Unwelcome. Your Rodriguez is ungrateful. Look. He has given us much of food to take home to our families. Our little ones, eh? Yes. He has given all the food which I can carry. Look, Father, you must have lost your mind. You... You said you swore... One moment, child. Pardon me. Amigos. My house is your house. Your pleasure is my pleasure. Do not let us interrupt you. Continue, please. I don't understand. My child. I have learned much today from the senior of the mask. You, Julian. See? The senior of the mask has told me of you. Perhaps you should not have followed my granddaughter here. But I... Wait. But you are here and... I am not displeased. Gracias. Today, my children, I have learned that it is not well for one to bury himself. Nor is it well for an old man to ask that sacrifice of young people. I did not regret it, Grandfather. I did not blame you. Not you, perhaps. But she did. She? That other Carmen, my dear. My Carmen. Look. There is her picture there on the wall. She frowned at me and I did not know why. But the senior of the mask showed me. It was because she had loved life and I had chosen to turn my back upon it. Grandfather. But now my house is full of friends and she smiles and I am happy once more. And though I am old and old men are men of evil memories, I shall never forget that I owe this thing to the senior of the mask. Before you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.