 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty hyacinth silver, the lone ranger. In the early days of the western United States, when the red man still ruled vast sections of desert and plain, the establishment of settlements with the whites often caused dangerous conflict. But there were those in that pioneer period who believed that Indians and white men could live peaceably in the same great southwest. One of these, the greatest champion of justice ever to ride the plains of western America, was a masked horseman mounted upon a great white charger, a figure who inspired the pioneer of long ago. Return with us to those days when the west was young and the ringing hoofbeats of silver sounded on the outlying trail. The lone ranger rides again. In the eastern bank of the Rojos River, squatted the century old adobe huts of Ororico, home of the superstitious Zunyi Indians. On the western bank lived Dana Sturgis and his small but determined band of pioneers. These men with their families had but a short time before been attracted by the fertile soil and had founded a farming settlement. One day in the new general store operated by Dana and his wife Mabel, the pioneers talked to the strange seldom seen tribe across the Rojos and Eriki, say them engines is called Zunis, not Zunyi Tom, Zunyi, Zunyi, Zunyi, huh? Sure Tom, ain't you ever heard Dana talking about them? There's a wide sound in it just before the eye and them red skins are just as strange as their names. Yeah, I know that, Mrs. Sturgis, because just before Dana went down the river's edge to fish, she was, well, she was saying something about what mighty funny superstitions them engines have. Well Tom, I don't know much about them myself, but I guess Dana does, because he told me this tribe across the river here is an officer. Well, Lordy me, I just now noticed you, mister, were you looking for something special? No thanks, I just dropped in to pass a little time. Riding through this way? Yes, I'll be heading north again soon. Well, make yourself at home here, mister, if you see anything you want, let me know. You say Eric them engines is an offshoot of some real old tribe? Yep, that's what Dana told me. Why hasn't Dana told us this before, if he knows to blame much about them? Why ever since we first settled here, them doby huts across the river has been a mystery? Now, just a minute, Tom, don't get the idea Dana knows all this and know about Zunyi engines. He don't. Well, what did Dana tell you? He said no prospector told him that the original Zunyi is controlled all this land around here, but that the Spaniards came in and tried to drive them out. And did they? No, but they stole plenty from them and made the engines forever plenty mad at sight of any white man. Eric, you ain't telling it all. Well, how's that, mister? The old prospector told Dana about seven cities of gold. Oh, sure, now I remember. The seven cities of Sibala. That's it. It seems the Spanish explorers imagined a lot of that gold business. Yeah, they saw the sun shining on doby huts like the ones we can just see across the rojos here. And thought they was made out of gold. Oh, so that's how it all started, eh? Yep, and I suppose that's why we ain't seen much of them Zunyi's over there, because we ain't never crossed the river to their side. No, Dana's got enough sense not to try it now either. Always say, leave well enough alone. Them redskins don't come over here. You ain't got no business on their side. Oh, shucks. Dana can take care of himself, Mr. Sturgis. He's likely is not busy hauling a nice mess of river fish. Yeah, I hope so. You never can tell about engine. Hey, listen, what's that rumpus? The engine. Look out there on the river. By thunder, you're right. They're coming in canoe. The whole tribe up. Eric, get out of my way. I've got to find Dana. He's down there by the river. Wait a minute. Here comes Bob Force and all the other men. Eric, Tom, get your muckers going. The engines are coming. I can see they is, Bob. But where's Dana? She's a fishin' down at the river, says. Where is he? We don't have time for nothing except to get our muskets. Come on, you fellas. Get ready for a fight. The Red Devils are paddling plenty, plenty. Unnoticed with the pioneers, the stranger had left them at the first cry of danger. Made his way to the Great White Horse, hidden a short distance away. Then astride Silver, the lone ranger raced along a slanting trail toward the river. Come on, Silver. The Indians are attacking the whites. We've got to find a way to stop them. Head for the river. The river, old fellow. Come on, Silver. Resting the summit of the by-trail, the phantom rider shot down the slope to the bank of the Rojos. Lined six across and six deep, the war canoes of the Indians got swiftly over the river. The first flank nearing the western bank in the White Settlement. The lone ranger sighted by a short distance ahead of Silver, another horse and rider, as he shouted at the top of his voice. Oh, oh, Silver, over, over. Dana, Dana. Oh, oh. Keep us up. You bring news? You want to scour both stripping, what? Indians lose big God, Rhonda, from Dobie Temple. A Zuni idol stolen? That's right. Somebody take it last night, and they think it was the white man. That's why they're attacking now. Already, two war canoes up there. Yes. I see them now. They're almost out of sight around that bend. Indians capture one white man. Dana Sturgess. Take him back to Puerto Rico now. We can't wait longer. The first flank of canoes is almost ready to land the warriors. But now I know why the Zunis have come across the river. Now, if a plan that may work, come on, Kimosabe, and hurry. Get them up, Silver. Come on, Silver. Rattle on the river banks. Come on, old fellow. Come on. Kimosabe, those Indians are armed only with bows and arrows, and the whites fire upon them. Dana Sturgess will die. Ride up the bank to the whites. Tell them not to fire at any cost. Come on, Gold. Come on, Silver. The life of a white man depends on you, Tunnel. Come on, Silver. Our plan will only prevent bloodshed. Come on, old fellow. We're running between the red men and the whites. Come on, Silver. Suddenly a single war canoe shot ahead of the others. Nearly touched the river's bank as the Zunyi chiefs took a wreck at the prowl to command his men. You, right now. I'm Tula. Ronda. And high up on the western bank, Eric shattered the command to the pioneers. Raise your mask. Get them out of here. Take aim. But even as he cried these words riding to the midst of the whites, came Tonto. You stop. You not shoot, Mosquit. Wait. What's that? A red skin. A red skin already on outside the river. You not shoot, Indian. You not shoot. Or, Indian. Kill white man. Kill, Dana. Kill him. We know that Zunyi already captured white man. Then what are we waiting for, Eric? Look down at the river. They'll land any second. Tom, Sam, Eric. Come on. Wait. You shoot, Indian. Indian, sure. Kill white man. You wait. Eric. Tom. Maybe this red skin's right. Tom, look. That fell on the big white horse. What's he doing? He's a mask man. And he's riding right along the river bank. Right out in front of them war canoes. The fool. They'll drop him in no time. He ain't a chance. Him have plenty chance. What? Him, friend Tonto. Now, you look. Indian have both. Mara. Him have guns. Indian, you're right. Look. Look at the mask man. We don't have nothing left. Before the amazed eyes of the pioneers bet a phantom figure on a great silver horse that raced before the very prouds of the advancing warcraft, but his bows were sprung, caught, and deadly arrows poised. Another kind of weapon. A white man sys gun roared a language any man could understand as terror struck at the Indian. There's one, old fellow. The chief's canoe and there's another. And another. And there's sinking silver. Turn the tide of battle. Come on, Silver. Keep close to the river's edge. And with the tide of jumble, bouncing war canoes now turned back toward the huts across the Rojo's River, the white men dropped their loaded muskets, hardly able to believe what they had just seen. Eric, Sam, all of you, did you see what the mask man did? He rode right up to them drawed bows, crossed in front of a whole tribe of engine warriors, and scared them out single-handed. The mask man, here he comes. I'm told no one can come. Those of a common family. Mask man, you drove off the engine. How unblazes, Jevitt, do it. Mr. Maskman, I suppose we ought to be up-feared, have you? You look just like an outlaw. Outlaw? But I guess we ain't, not now. I have my own reason for wearing the mask, and I'm not an outlaw. Of course, even if you are, after what you did for us, well, we can forget most anything now. Yeah, but where and thunder did you come from? And how did you ever scare them red devils out so quick? It doesn't matter where I came from. But when I saw that those Indians were armed only with bows and arrows, I had to protect them. Protect them? We thought it was us you was protecting them. It was both the Indians and you I had in mind. But I don't savvy, Mr. Then perhaps you'll understand this. You men were greatly outnumbered. We sure was, Mr. But even if you had opened fire on the Zunis, who know nothing of bullets and powder, their bows and arrows would have been almost useless. Seems like you proved that mask man with only two six guns. Yes, but you men would have aimed to kill. I only sunk their canoes. And if you had killed, that tribe would be your everlasting enemy. I see your point, Mr. But you can't tell us them redskins ain't our enemy right now. Just a minute. Not a one of you is going to cross that river. And why ain't we? You ain't our boss, mask man. But Dana's our leader. Yeah, it was him brung us here first. And I say help Dana. Listen to me, all of you. You want to get Dana back alive? Do just as I say. Are you in league with them redskins? No, but I've learned a few things about them. Have a plan that'll save Dana. And at the same time, weld a lasting peace between you whites and those Zunis. How do you know your plan will work? I don't. But I've good reason to believe it will. And you men are going to do as I say. What makes you think that? Because what you want more than anything else is Dana's sturgis alive. We do, we do, Mr. Miss Minna. I'll do anything to get Dana back. Then listen. And I'll tell you why the Indians attacked you today. You know that? The reason they come after us? Yes. Someone, perhaps white men, perhaps red, has stolen an idol from the Zunis. What? You mean one of the guards they worship? Exactly. But how do you know that? Tonto know that. Tonto tell friends. Indian, you mean you've been over there in the Zuli village? Ah, Tonto know that Ronda, guardian guard of Zuni, gone. Well, sure. Eric, Tom, look at his horse. He's blipping wit. Come swim in the river, don't you see? Well, happy to go on. Well, that's why we must try my plan, to safeguard the life of Dana Sturgis. Don't attack the Indians if you would save him. You think the Indians are holding him as a hostage? I do. Now, Tonto and I are leaving you for the present. We've got work to do. In the meantime, keep guards posted along the river bank, just in case the Zunis come here again looking for their idols. But, Mr. We ain't got their idols. I know that. But the Indians don't. And when we find out where it is, I'm coming back for some of you. Because you people are going to take Ronda back to the Zuni. Get him out of the way. They're going. Look at that white horse that's rambling. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. The curtain falls on the first act of our thrilling Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now, to continue our story, the Mashed Rider and his Indian companions scoured the country across the river, even to the very borders of the Zuni village of Ororico. But no clue to the theft of the idol could be found. Then on the fourth day, the Lone Ranger and Tonto returned to the Western Bank of the Rojos, where we find them picking a slow trail northward along the river's edge. Oh, the Zunis are superstitious. But I'm convinced we're matching our wits against the tribe more clever and superstitious. And I think you're right about them wanting the Zuni idol for their own guardian spirit. Mm. You'll look. There. Tracks, Tonto. The clue we've been looking for. Oh, so long. Oh, Scott. Tonto, look over here. Heavy hoof prints. Too heavy for light Indian ponies. What do you make of them? Maybe them carrying heavy load. The idol, yes. Still, how could horses carry it? Its weight might not be too much, but its size would make it almost impossible to handle with horses. I wonder. Wait. Look at these marks here. Them long marks go way off there. Cut ground. Two parallel lines about three feet apart, leading out of the reeds along the river back and heading inland. Come on, Tonto. Into these reeds. Tonto, think this end our trail. It's here, Kimosabe. Hidden in these reeds. All right. Me, me see. This is what brought the idol up the river. Here it was unloaded onto what was probably a crude sled. Perhaps two poles for the runners. Then horses dragged the sled away. That's why hook print plenty deep. Same way mark goes. Yes. The horses dug the feet in because of the weight they were pulling. But come on, Tonto. You ready now for plan? Yes. The idol will keep. Wherever it is, it's too bulky to hide. When I get back, this well-marked trail will lead us to it. Here's the risk out. Stay there. You want Tonto go now? Yes, Kimosabe. Back across the river. Finding the clue on this side, the pioneer side, changes our plan but little. You can still carry out your part. Tonto know what do. Hurry, Kimosabe. Be ready by daybreak tomorrow. Hail, silver! Southward along the riverbank raced the lone ranger, while Tonto and Scout recross the row host to the Zuni side. Several days had passed since a masked man had left the pioneers. And even as he sped toward their settlement, they became increasingly restless. To Mabel Sturgis, wife of their captive leader, the few days had seemed an eternity. Just look at poor Mabel. She ain't no nerve. Aiden Mabel, listen. Tom and Bob and me and all of us told the masked man we wouldn't go attacking them engines ourselves. You didn't, Eric. You just said... Just said as much as a saying, Mrs. Sturgis. The masked man told us Dana'd be safe as long as we kept ourselves. That's why we're waiting for word from him. Sure. And when he comes back, we're going after that their idol of the redskins in order to save Dana and make peace at the same time. Oh, I'll be blasted. What good's that to Mabel Sturgis when she don't know what's happened to Dana? She's fed up on waiting. Waiting for a masked rider who may or may not be our friend? Well, it's been 10 days. Now he ain't showed up yet. Fellas, part of what Aida says is right. There's no arguing a masked man's been gone a long time. Too long, maybe. You're weakening, Bob. No, I ain't. But listen, it's about five hours till dark. Suppose more for Mabel Sturgis than anything else. We wait till sundown. Then if the masked man don't come, take our boats and go look for Dana. Bob, Bob, you will? You will do that. If Tom and Eric and the rest are willing. Oh, bless you, Bob. Bless you. Listen, fellas, the boats we got could take us all across the river in about three trips. Then we'd have a chance. Yeah, bullets and powder against bows and arrows. The masked man himself said the engines wouldn't have a chance. How about you, Tom? Well, I don't know. Tom Crawford, if you ain't man enough, we'd get out. Wait. Look. Come right toward us. The masked man. Bring in the word we've been waiting for. If it only means I'll get Dana back. The boats are just noble to it. Mask man, what'd you find out? Where's your engine part? Are you ready for us to help you fetch back that blamed idle? Yes, I am ready for you. I want four of your best men. Mr. You can have all of us if it'll bring back Dana's churches. I can use only four, but hurry and pick them. Tom, you and Bob and me are as good as any of us. Sure, and I'll go after Sam for the floor. Choose your best horses. Get guns and ammunition for the long trip ahead of us. And danger when we get there. But success is ours if you all have the courage to follow my plan. Yes, sir. There's the raft I told you about. Mr. This horse of mine couldn't stir another foot. You can all rest your horses here. But I'm going in and out to follow that trail leading west. You mean them two scratch marks there in the ground? Yes. Those marks will lead me to the stolen idle. Well, wait a minute, Mask Man. How do you know that? Never mind how I know. But I expect to find an Indian village not far from the river. More engines? Yes. The thieves who took the idle. Over there in those reeds, you'll find a raft. Huh? It was used to get rummed away from the Zuni tribe. And it's going to be used to take that same precious idle back home. And you ain't even been trying to rescue Dana all this time? I've told you, man, that Dana is safe. Saving him before we return their guardian rumder, but only send them on the warpath again. They'll keep Dana alive until they're convinced their idle won't be returned. But suppose they've already? I've no more time for talk. It'll soon be dark, and I've got to follow this sled trail to its end. Come on, Silver. Oh, what is he? A raft. A sled. Who's that? Never mind, fellas. The Mask Man's trailing down an Indian idle. And we're taking his orders. I don't see over how I know. The deep-rutted, double-lined trail led the masked rider to an Indian village some two miles from the riverbank. Once he was sure of the landmarks surrounding it, he swung Silver about, ready to carry out the rest of his plan. Darkness had fallen when he rejoined the four men near the river. Oh, oh, Silver, come on, folks. Men to your horses, then hurry. I know what you were saying, Mr. I did. Now ride with me. Let's go. Come on, Silver. Back over the same place. Come on, come on, come on. Through the night, under a cloudy sky, the pioneers rode following the Masked Man, until at length not far ahead, they saw the fires of the Indian village. But here, the command from their leader, they reigned in their mounts. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Follow me. Mask Man, you heading for that little patch of light that's coming from that doby hut there? Yes, the temple. Rum does sure to be inside, but there'll be a priest, too, a medicine man. How are we going to pull this stunt without waking up all the engines? The medicine man will make a fuss. We'll handle him. If the idle's our big problem, we can't drag it away. They will make too much noise. It'll have to be carried by hand the full distance back to the raft. Gosh, near two miles. We'll make it somehow, Mask Man. You lead us. We've got to make it back to the river. Our horses are no good to us without the sled these Indians used to bring it here. They can follow like, Mask fellow, after we get that blue and idle back to them. Yes. Now, don't talk anymore. We're getting close to the temple, and the medicine man's chatting half aloud. He's inside, facing lambda. Careful now, but keep on coming. Against the background of an Indian ritual fire, the medicine man knelt. His back to the approaching whites. Beyond the fire squatted the huge head of Rumda, a crude wooden idle but mighty to the superstitious Indian. Then at the very door of the temple, the moon slid from behind a dense cloud. One of the white men, Bob Foster, stumbled over a loose stone and brought the worshiping Indian priest to his feet. Bob sprang forward. I'll fix the fireman. There. That's one painted devil won't bother us. Now, all of you, get a hold of the idle at his base. Go through the doorway. Now, hurry before the village waits. Burying the heavy idle, the masked man and his companions retraced their steps even more quickly than they had come. Hours dragged by, as five weary men charged on. The moon paled. The stars flickered and went out. The sun began to rise golden in the east. At last, they reached the row host. Stumbling feet plowed through modern reeds. A final desperate effort in the Indian idle Rumda was placed upon the route. Mr. Maskman, in my whole life, I never worked so hard or guts a scared all in the same night. How's the dog on the toilet shaking? Listen, the engines from the village. Then we're done for. Come on, climb aboard the raft. Out in the river, we can make a fight for a spell. No, we'd be worse off there than here. The sun's up. We'd be in plain sight. Duck low on these reeds. Maskman, they're getting close, too close. But they've only got bows and arrows, like the Zunis. Fire to stop them, over their heads. That's done it. Look, they're pulling right up. Keep firing. We've got to make sure. Hey, who said Zunis? Look, right behind you, out on the river. There comes them walking up the game. Conjuration, Maskman. Now there's two tribes that can get after us. Oh, no, don't you see? Dane is with them in that lead canoe. What? He's going to land in a minute now. An air saddle from the across and the other side all scouted. Hold fire. Hold fire, men. The attacking Indians are scattering, and our friends are here. My gully, the Maskman's right. Fellas, just look at them red devil's ride, the other way. Turn and tail like scared rabbits. And over here, landing on the bank right now, it's Dana. All right, Dana? Dana Sturges, come here. Come on, it's your wife, glad to see you. Right glad to see you. Over here, Taddo. Moscaf, Moscaf, Moscaf, Moscaf, Moscaf, Moscaf, Moscaf. I knew you would make it, Kimosabe. We had those other Indians stopped, but the sight of Yampo and these war canoes turned them to flight. Say, them canoes full of engines settle matters all right, but who emblazes Yampo? Hm? Me, Yampo. Ah? That's right. Yampo, big chief of Zuni Indian tribe. Neela, Rokat, Lure, Titoho, Ronda. What's that? What kind of lingos is that? Yampo say, pale face save great god of red man. Now, red man, brother to pale face for all times. Say, peace last all time. Well, that's fine as far as these here Zuni's are concerned, but what about the other tribe of red skins? Ruh, mona, mona, Zuni, Sula, Ragnar. Hm? Oh? Don't you fellas worry none about no other engines now? Why, shucks, all Yampo here is a blood brother as the whole bunch of us from now on. Me, Yampo. See? And now I ain't never met up with a mask man yet, but aim to this minute so I can thank him. You're too late, Dana. There he goes now. Well, of all the strange acts and fellas, that fair mask man. Here you have just heard as a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.