 A fiery horse for the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty high old silver, the lone ranger. The warfare between Indians and white men, which started in the early days of the western United States, continued long after the red men had signed treaties and retired due reservations. For the most part, the trouble was caused by renegades of both races, and it was the mashed rat of the plains who brought these outlaws to justice. Without his daring and resourcefulness, the frontier might never have settled down to peace and security. Without his strength and courage, the winning of the West might never have been accomplished. 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, who rides again. Mary Winthrop, who had arrived at the ranch where Uncle Ezra Larkin, only the day before, left her room dressed for riding. She found her aunt Sarah in the living room and... Well, I'm all ready. Do you think these cars will do? Reckon so. I wasn't back home for riding, but I didn't know whether they'd be proper out west or not. You'll see nothing again. Well, Uncle Ezra, looking for one of the boys that ain't busy, I reckon. You're going to go gallivant and cross country, you'll have to have somebody along. Oh, but I didn't want to put anyone to any trouble. We can stand it. And Sarah, is there anything wrong? Wrong? What are you talking about, girl? The post sound just being silly, but it seemed to me as if... You won't take me foolish if I say it. Talk out, girl. Talk out. I suppose it's just my imagination, but it seemed to me as if... as if you're sorry I came to visit. Now, please don't think I... I can always welcome. If you want my opinion, you couldn't have come at a worse time. Oh. You didn't be offended. You asked me. I don't understand. You mean that I'm in the way? You are. Won't you tell me how? I'd better, I guess. Ezra won't. He always was one to keep his mouth shut. Says it saves hurting folks' feelings. I say if they got such all-fired tender feelings, trumping on them a might will toughen them up. Have I done anything wrong? It's nothing you can help, but I just thought it's going to be a chore looking out for you. You've been raised in the West, you'd say what I mean. Being as you want, I don't know if I can make it plain. If you'll tell me, I'll try to understand. You come out here with all kinds of fool notions about what this part of the country's like. I think it's grand. Uh-huh. It'll do. I ain't denying it's nice to look at. Nice to live in, too, once you know your way around. But it's a heap like some of that Spanish grub folks eat. It's tasty to them that's raised on it. Poison to them that ain't. Oh, but I can learn, Aunt Sarah. I think you can learn in just a few weeks how to tell when the engines are laying for you behind cover. Indian? That's what I said. But why? Where? It might be anywhere. They on the rise, waiting for you in the woods, lurking behind some brush. They're like snakes. You never see them on them. You mean there's really danger from Indians around here? Plenty. But I thought they were friendly Indians. They told me on the stage the only Indians nearby were reservation Indians. Reservation. A girl to a red skin or reservation is just something to get off of. But I thought that's just it. You don't know. I'll tell you something. It's been almost a year now since Sarah's rode anywhere on the range without having one of his men along. Why? Because he hankers to keep his scalp. But why should there be trouble? It's easy. Yes. Red skins, like other folks, they like to eat. Can't hunt buffalo no more, so Uncle Sam's supposed to feed him. They're issued beef rations. Only I reckon if the truth were told they don't get half what they promised. So they sneak off the reservation and steal cows from cattlemen. If they're hungry, you can't blame them. But when crime steers, they're worth over $40 a head. Neither can you blame the cattlemen for being all mighty head up about it. Oh. Got to the point where every time a cattleman sees a red skin on his range, he lets fly. And every time them red skins, he's one of us can't defend himself. They have their selves a time. Oh, that's terrible. Well, take peaceful. And here you are. You're new here. You can't be expected to stay to home all the time. You want to see what the country's like. Right now you're all fixed to go riding. That means all the time you're here is you'll be worried, plumb, sick for fear something will happen to you. You mean I should go home? You could do worse. Oh, I can. Why not? But I saved for three years to have money enough to make this trip. If I go home now, I may never be able to come west again. Well, I said you're welcome. I just told you the fact. I don't believe it can be as bad as you've said. No, I didn't think you would. Anyway, I'm not afraid. And I'll be careful. It'll pay you. Unless you don't want me here. If that's... Oh, hush girl. Keep on. You'll be talking nonsense. It comes asery. I reckon he's ready for you. Hi there. I got your horse saddle, Mary. Come on. Thank you, uncle. I won't ride far on Sarah. And I will be careful. Your name, sis? That's right, miss. You mind if I call you by? Sure not. Fact is, I think it kind of like it. Then, uh, Cliff, tell me something. Huh? Uncle Ezra sent you along with me just to see that I didn't get lost, didn't he? What do you mean? It wasn't because there's danger from Indians or anything like that, was it? Well... Was it? Miss, I'll tell you the truth. Ezra said I shouldn't mention it because he didn't want you scared. But that's exactly why I'm with you. An icon of redskins. I'm gonna see you ain't harmed. We've been riding for two hours and we haven't seen a one. If there was any handy, you wouldn't either. Lesson they wanted you to. Are you serious? What makes you think I ain't? How far are those hills? Then? Oh, about ten miles, why? From here to those hills, the grounds are flat at the table. And there's not a single tree. How could anyone keep from sight in a country like this? Indians handy. No, I know you're joking. There's no such thing, miss. You are? Oh, I've heard how you wettens play jokes on us newcomers. I'll tell you. And I'll bet Aunt Sarah puts you up to it. My Indians couldn't possibly hide around here. They... Why, it would be like trying to hide right out in plain view. Cliff, I'll raise you to that patch of brush ahead. Oh, no, miss. Listen, we've rode too far already. We've got to turn back. Still trying to frighten me? Miss, I mean it. If you won't race, it's because you're afraid you'll lose. Now, look... Just to that brush. Come on. Hey! Get up, boy, get up. Now, go on at all. Don't do that. Come back here. Hey! Well, I'll be... Get up, Ron. Get up. Get up there. It's a long trail. Suddenly, a volley of shots rang out. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hear that? Now, miss me. Trouble. Huh? Those shots are coming from beyond that rise. Let's go. Get them on. Come on. Come on. Go now. I don't know how to thank you. I never dreamed Indians could be hiding in this brush. It just didn't seem possible. If you hadn't come along just when you did... Them bad Indians. Me, friend, white man. What's your name? Me, Swift Eagle. Yeah? Swift Eagle? Oh, then you must be all running elk, son. Huh? Running elk? He's the chief of the reservation engine. He's quite a fella from what I hear. Oh. Manitaku Mapo. What do you think? He says him and his friends are going. Well, Swift Eagle, thanks again. You and your parts came in right handy. That's all right. And I'll tell my uncle what you told me, Swift Eagle. I'm sure he wants peace just as badly as you do. I know he'll talk to you. That's good. Latu! Latu! Hey, Grant. Huh? Who? Why, Swift Eagle, of course. Look how he carries himself. And the way he let his friends and those Indians who tried to get his... He wasn't the least bit afraid. We was mighty lucky, miss. Cliff, I'm so sorry. You were right and I was wrong. I guess I was just too pigheaded to take advice. I promise I'll never do anything like this again, on my word of honor. Hey. What? More company. Will doggone. Cliff, isn't that man mad? Of course he is. An aqua. We better be hightailing out of here. All right. Hold on, man. Now hold it, miss. No good to run now. Maybe get away from them horses that they don't want us to. What did they want? A lot of cash, most likely. Now don't get scared. Just let me handle this. Howdy! Oh, hold on a minute. Hold on a minute. Hold on a minute. Hold on a minute. We heard shots. Looks as though the trouble's over now. Yes. I mean some stride to ambush us. Then you see riding away came along and drove them off. It was kind of touch and go for a couple of minutes there, but no harm done. I'm glad to hear it. You say those Indians helped you? Uh-huh. Came along just when it was needed. I thought that fellow in the lead looked like Swift Eagle. You know him? I do. Isn't he wonderful? He's a renegade. What? His father's a fine man, but Swift Eagle is treacherous and dishonest. He and his followers were thrown out of the tribe months ago. Stranger, you know that to be a fact? Yes. I don't believe it. No? He saved our lives. He said himself he wanted peace between the white men and his people. I don't think he is a renegade. You're just jealous. Jealous? Because in spite of the fact his skin is red, Swift Eagle is brave and good while you're white in an outlaw. Am I? If you were, if you weren't, you wouldn't be mad. No, now take it easy, miss. I don't. I don't have to. I'll tell you just what I think of him. He doesn't like it. He can't do anything but steal a little money we've got. You're one of Ezra Larkin's men, aren't you? Sure. What was your opinion of Swift Eagle? My opinion? Well, Stranger, I'll tell you. I know he's run an elk's son and that's all. He's a renegade like you say, then I never heard of it. He is. There's this one. When somebody does me a favor, he's my friend. It don't matter what other folks think of him. He's all right with me. He proves different. I see. Like Miss Winthrop just said, Swift Eagle saved our lives. Man, can't we have bigger favor than that? I reckon that tells you what I stand. It does. There's just one thing. Yeah? I hope you don't have cause to regret it later. Come, Tutter. Get him out of here. Come on, Tutter. Come on, Tutter. Come on, Tutter. Come on, Tutter. Come on, Tutter. Come on, Tutter. Come on, Tutter. Come on. Well done, Tutter. Come on, Tutter. Let's just return to this little office house. Mary told us that what had happened. And repeated her conversation with Swift Eagle. So Swift Eagle said he wouldn't have talked with me. Yes, uncle. He did, but why does he want to see me alone? Surely you can understand that, and Sarah told me all the trouble and suspicion there's been. Swift Eagle wants peace and believes that an honest talk will iron out the difficulty, but he doesn't want to Oh, that means instruct me as being straight, boss. And you can't get around the fact we wouldn't be here for one for him. If a man acts friendly, I take it he is friendly. Well, you say he'd meet me. If you consent, at the foot of vigilante bluff. I don't know where that is, but I suppose you do. Swiss Digger will ride there alone tomorrow night. If you're not there, you'll return again the next night. If you don't meet him either time, you'll take us for granted. It suits your purpose for this trouble to continue. That kind of puts it right up to me. It does. If I go, maybe it'll turn out to be just a trap. But if I don't and the stealing goes on, then it could be said it's my fault, because I wouldn't try to stop it when it could. Well, that's the situation, Mary. You still figure I ought to take Swiss Digger up on this? I do, Uncle. Cleve. Well, boss, I don't see one, huh? What do you say, Sarah? Don't go, Esri. If Ed Redskin wants to parley, let it be with somebody else. But, honey, folks around here kind of look to me to take a lead in things. I still say don't go. I don't know. Please, Uncle Esri. I honestly think you should. I sort of figure that way myself. You're going? Yes, Sarah. I reckon I will. Esri. Huh? We'll all be sorry for this. You mark my words. 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. How to continue our story. Ezra Larkin felt at his duty to accept Swift Eagle's proposition. He rode for vigilante bluff that same night, and he made only one concession to his wife's fear for his safety. Cleve was permitted to follow him at a distance. Hours passed. At the ranch house, Mary and Sarah waited anxiously for Ezra's return. Stop it! Well, I quit that rockin'. It's enough to drive a body local. I'm sorry, Aunt Sarah. I don't see Ezra get back. He won't be much longer. I'm sure he won't. How can you be sure? I just am, that's all. Why shouldn't Uncle Ezra be safe? Swift Eagle won't harm her. Of course you don't know about engines that'll take a year to write out. But I... Come and hear while you're just in the way. Persuading Ezra to do things you ought to have more sense than to do. I wish you'd stay at home where you belong. Please, Aunt Sarah, let's not quarrel. I can understand how you feel. Of course you're nervous. I am, too. Even though I'm certain everything's going to be all right. But there's no reason why we should get angry with each other. You say I don't understand Indians. I don't, naturally. Not the way you do. But I wonder if you don't... Well, if you don't know too much about them. I mean, you've had trouble off and on with them for so many years. Maybe you've forgotten that Indians are human just as we are. But maybe they have their good qualities, too. You did? Who's that? Uncle Ezra. I know it here. Do you see it alone? But I... There's just one horse stopped. Where's Cliff? I... Where's Ezra? Ma'am, it was just a trick. What? It was a trick and we fell forward like the fools we was. Swift Eagle took Ezra prisoner. That's where this whole stunt was for. Just so those varmints could get the boss in their hands. No. Swift Eagle wanted a loan. He had a pack of Redskins with him, hiding out of sight. Did they? Heard him? No, not so far as I could tell. One of the shots fired. They just up and grabbed the boss if I knew what was happening. And I tailed out of there. Cliff, here's some... Why didn't you stop it? Why are you here? What could I do, man? You... I had to stay a distance back or they'd have seen the boss worn alone and Swift Eagle wanted. Before I could have gotten range, it was long gone. Not only that, there was a dozen to my one. Man, there weren't a thing I could do. If they'd been, I'd have done it. Murder and heathens. Ma'am, this time they've gone too far. This time they're going to pay. When the rest of the cattlemen hear about this, they'll ride over to the reservation and teach them Redskins a lesson they won't ever forget. With your permission, now I'm leaving to see that they hear about it right now. Go on, Cliff. Get our neighbors. Tell them to come here. Yes, ma'am. And tell them to come armed. I'll do that. That's all right. I don't know what to say. You don't have to say nothing, girl. Well, I feel so... What you feel or why don't matter. There's just one thing you can do now, and you'd better do it pronto. Why? Get packed and go. They had no choice but to obey her aunt's command. She went to her room, closed the door behind her and began to pack. But suddenly a voice called to her from the open window. Mary. What? Come here. You, the masked man. Come here. What do you want? You've made a bad mistake. You thought me an outlaw and Swift Eagle a man to be trusted. Now you see the result of that mistake. How do you know what's happened? I suspected that Swift Eagle's rescue today might have been staged for your benefit. Both the Indians who attacked and those who came to your raid were members of the same band. The band that renegade Indians, Swift Eagle leads. But how? Tato and I followed them. We saw them seize your uncle. We know where he is at this very moment. You do? Yes. Then you can take the ranchers there. I'll tell Aunt Sarah. Wait. Not so fast. He's safe. I've come to no harm. But if I'd wanted the cattleman to ride after Swift Eagle, I'd have gone for them myself. You were going to let my uncle stay prisoner? Not for long. But why? Let me explain. The cattleman could free your uncle and capture Swift Eagle. But when they'd done that, the man behind this trouble would still be in the clear. The man behind this trouble? Yes. You mean there's someone directing Swift Eagle? Exactly. But who? Why? I suppose you know the ranchers of the district have been losing cattle. No, I told them. For some time, the Indians were held to blame. Lately, a number of the ranchers have been comparing notes. For one thing, the Norris far more cattle have been taken and the reservation Indians would have used for. Oh. When I investigated, I learned the only Indians ever seen stealing cattle were renegades traveling with Swift Eagle. Oh. Oh, I didn't know. And if I told you that this afternoon, you wouldn't have believed me anyhow. But forget that. What is certain is that someone is using Swift Eagle to rustle beef. I believe that person is a white man. What's more, I suspect his identity. Who? And I won't mention his name until I have complete proof of his guilt. But if that's so, he must have ordered Swift Eagle to trick Uncle Ezra. Yes. But why? What would he have to gain? I told you the ranchers were starting to compare notes and suspect more than they had at first. They were allowed to go on investigating calmly. They might arrive at the truth. Yes. But if something should occur, something similar to what happened at night when your uncle was captured, the ranchers would forget their suspicions of the rustler leader. And I believe that's a cause of this. The desire to set her anger upon the Indians, to make them drop any other suspicions they might hold. But what's that got to do with leaving Uncle with Swift Eagle? You'll do as I suggest. You'll learn that. Dude, as you suggest? You're in disgrace here. You held it full for Ezra's capture. I'm giving you the chance to redeem yourself. You mean I can help bring this man to justice? And help free your uncle at one and the same time. I can? I'll give you my word. I... Well? I'll do it. But what if... I think there's someone coming. There's no time to explain. I really wish to help get out of the house as quickly as you can. Saddle your horse and ride to that grove this side of the creek. I'll wait there. Adios. But can't you... Who are you talking to? I thought I had voices. It was no one, Aunt Sarah. I must have been talking to myself. Oh. Stop pecking, huh? Well, get on with it. No. Huh? What's that? I'm not going to peck. I'm going to stay. Stay here? I've changed my mind. If you want me to leave, you'll have to put me out. Although Sarah Larkins was furious at the girl's defiance, Mary made no further explanation, but slipped away from the house at her first opportunity and met the lone ranger at the grove. Two hours later, riding side by side, they approached the narrow mouth of a desolate canyon. They... They have Uncle in there? They have. And you're sure I'll be safe? Would you turn back if you thought you wouldn't be? Of course not. I'm not afraid. Good. It's my fault Uncle's their prisoner. So I'd go through with it anyhow. That's what I wanted you to say. As a matter of fact, you won't be in danger. No. Swift Eagle doesn't want to harm anyone. If he does, and something should go wrong, he's shrewd enough to realize he'd hang for it. But if something does happen, and Azra's been kept alive, he can always use the safe return of your uncle to bargain for his own escape. And the same applies to you. I see. Moreover, I'll keep you inside all the time without being seen myself. Todd will be with me. He should be waiting for us somewhere along here. We'll be able to handle any trouble that might occur. I'll trust you. You can. Who's that? Kimo Sabi. Hi. He's tunneled right up. Who? Who? Who's over there? Is Azra still safe, tunnel? Me, watch him. Him all right. Fine. Ready, Mary? Where are they? At the far end of the canyon. Look. You can see a faint glow there in those shadows. See? That... Their campfire. Not it. Ride straight to it. Don't let them see you fear anything. And tell them just what you've been told to say. I will. The sooner you get there, the better. Wish me luck. I do. But you've nothing to fear. Thank you. Get up, boy. Get up. Come, tunnel. Ride slowly and keep to the shadows. Get him up scout. Come on, old fella. In the meantime, the news of Azra's capture had spread throughout the district. Every rancher and every one of their hands gathered in the living room of the Larkins Ranch House were cliff-demanded action. You fellas haven't asked them why them Redskins grab this. Well, I'll tell you why. It's because they figure he's the only one of us with any gumption. They figure without him to lead us, we won't have the nerve to fight back. They figure they'll have us beaten. They can go on helping themselves to our beef just like they've been doing. That's why I say there ain't but one thing to do. We have to teach them such a lesson. They won't forget it as long as they live, and we have to teach it to them now. If we're trained into the soldiers, this is something we have to handle for ourselves. If you're men, you'll ride to that reservation and hunt out them Redskins from one end to the other. And that's just what we aim to do. Running out's their key. We'll string you up for a lesson for the rest. And if they put up a fight, shoot him down. And don't forget, we're out to find Ezra and bring him back safe and sound if he ain't been killed. And if he has been killed, they'll have to pay just that much more. Now we're gonna leave in just a couple minutes, fellas. As cartridges are planning, your irons are ready for action. Anybody here don't crave to fight and stay at home. What the hell are you doing? You rotten concrete! What are you doing? Let me prove it. No, no, get back! Now you won't get me! Out of my way! I'll kill the man to stand in my way! Get back! Why you... Quiet, sir. Tellers? Right here's a full cat that's been stealing our cows. Sure engines took them. Renegade engines. Swift eagles engines. But they took them cause this skunk paid them too. No, it's all lies! Let me go! Oh, still! Telling the truth, Ezra? You bet I am. How'd you find it out? Cause the mask fella here had too much sense to be took in like we was. And cause my niece Mary had the nerve to trick Swift Eagle into talking. Mary, come here. Yes, Uncle. Look at her, gents. You know what she done? She rode right into the engine's camp and told him Cliff had squealed on him. She sure did. The mask fella had been suspicious and Cliff all along. He was sure of it. When Cliff took Mary right to where Swift Eagle could put on that fake rescuer he is. How did you get loose? We'd like to finish, honey. Mary told Swift Eagle, Cliff had talked. Swift Eagle believed her cause he had a notion she was stuck on him. And didn't want to see him harmed. Besides, he couldn't figure any other way she could have learned Cliff was in on it. Swift Eagle admitted he'd been working for Cliff. He did that same. And when he figured you'd be after him and his parts he let out so fast nothing could have stopped him. They didn't care what happened to me. The soldiers can pick them up later. Mary. What? Where do you think you're going, girl? I just finished my packing. You told me to leave. Leave? Girl, you're staying right on. You try to leave now and you'll have a fight on your hands. And it's me who'll do the fighting. You just heard. There's a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.