 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver, the Lone Ranger. In the early days of the western United States, outlaws roamed the range country. Along the border, many towns were ruled by criminals, and it was in this district that the masked rider of the plane did his best work. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. It was he more than any other man who brought law and order to the lawless frontier. Return with us now to those thrilling days when the West was young. From out of the past come the thundering hoops beat to the great horse silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. It was Saturday night, and the cafe at Buffalo Ridge swarmed with customers done upon having a good time, but suddenly from outside became the sound of cluttering hoops. Loud shouts and reckless gunfire. The crowd inside fell silent for a moment then. There's the bar double the outfit. Crazy fool. Shooting up the town again. They'll tear Buffalo Ridge apart. Where's the sheriff? Hey fellas! Them local widgets are riding right in here. They're gonna bring the horses inside. One of you is under arrest. I cannot hold them horses, hand over your gun, and come along peaceable. You hear the sheriff, boys? The sheriff allows us how he's gonna jail us. What do you say to that? Almost hit me that time. Now stop it. Wait, we're down them guns. Keep on playing, boys. Sheriff, you sure can cut some capers. Lighter on your feet than I had any notion. You bees! Gather around and watch the sheriff dance for us. Correct my place. I just got it fixed up after the last time you fell into this town. Sam, tell him to cut it out. Barkeep, we'd come to town to have our fun. And the first fella tries to stop us. He's sure gonna wish he'd never. All right, boys! Pulse the sheriff out the street. Line up at the bar. The night's just beginning. It was almost a month later that the lone ranger in response to an appeal sent him by the Padre. You rain in the patio of the mission. Padre, I came as soon as I could. Isn't there trouble again? It is good to see you, amigo. Thank you, Padre. But it is true, there is trouble once more. That is why I have sent for you, knowing that you would help. What is it you wish me to do? You are acquainted in Buffalo Ridge? I am. Then, but first step of me this way, there's one whom I wish you to meet. Of course. Stay here, old fella. Who is it, Padre? He is a man of the law. He is the sheriff at that place, Buffalo Ridge. You know him, perhaps. No, but I've heard of him. Isn't Walters his name? C. What does he have to do here? He will tell you himself, amigo. But first, before you meet him, promise me one thing. Anything, Padre? I know you wouldn't ask a promise I couldn't give. It is but a little thing. The sheriff, he is not a patient man. If he should not be of a great friendliness, you will please to overlook it? If you ask it, he's waiting inside. C. You will go in? Yes. Say, Padre, who's this fellow? This is the caballero of whom I have spoken. This fellow with the mask? C. Now, look here, Padre. You said you could help me, and I said if you could, I'd wait. Now, if you think I'm asking help from any crook, then you're... One moment, Sheriff. Well? I'm not an outlaw. If you're in trouble and need help, I'd needn't bother you. If you ain't a crook, what's the idea of that mask? To hide my identity. Sure, just like any crook. I came here... Adone. Amigo, I have not told the sheriff who you are, thinking it best to first gain your permission. But if you will consent... As you wish, Padre. Who is it? C. My friend has told you the truth. He is not an outlaw. He is one of whom you have heard often. The lone ranger. What's that? It is so. He is the lone ranger. We'll love it. You've heard of me, Sheriff? Who in thunder ain't? And you've probably heard enough so that you can check the Padre's word for yourself. If you look out of the window there, you'll see my horse. That white man? That's your horse? It is. This is my gun. Examine the shells. Silver. Made of silver. Right. You must be him. Now will you trust me? Well, I should smile. I'm right sorry about calling your crook stranger, but just the same. Wearing that mask like you are... Never mind that. The Padre has had enough to indicate that there's trouble in Buffalo Ridge. What is it? Trouble. Friend, for the last six months I ain't had nothing but misery. And if you're doubting my word, just you listened to all that's happened. Sheriff Walters described the situation in Buffalo Ridge while the lone ranger and the Padre listened. Later. So you decided to call in the Texas Rangers, eh? And would have too if the Padre hadn't asked me to wait till you got here. The Padre was right. It would have meant much trouble. But what else could I do? Sheriff, I've heard of the men who founded the bar W-15th. If I recall correctly, there's a half a dozen of them. They were ex-soldiers who came west after the war. And built up the biggest spread in my county. Now, why in blazes couldn't they be satisfied with that without raising nid all the time? From what you told me, they never actually stepped outside the law, however. No, they ain't. But they sure made me the laugh and stalker everybody at home. Yes? I wonder if you savaged just how it is with a lawman. What do you mean? Well, any place you go, whether it's here or back east, there ain't many lawmen compared to all the rest of the folks. Naturally not. Well, that means lawmen by themselves couldn't do a whole heap if it weren't for something else. Yes. And that something else is the respect of the folks that elected them. Once folks get the notion of law is no account, then things get pretty bad. It takes more than a badge and a gun to enforce law and order. You've got to have folks behind you. And the people of your county aren't? How could they be with them barred W-Ambres tearing buffalo ridges to pieces regular once a week? Now they just laugh at me. And knowing that folks laugh at the law every crook for miles around this flock to town like cows to water. And you can't run them out? Not without folks on my side. And I'll tell you something, Sheriff. You could do as you first planned, appeal to the Texas Rangers. They'd clean up your county for you. Well, that's what I figured. But it wouldn't solve your problem. Your real problem is to regain the respect of the people you serve. Which same? I'll never do as long as them barred W-Pole cats keep making me look like an idiot. Exactly. Then how do we... Sheriff, forget the Texas Rangers. Return to Buffalo Ridge. Do that and I'll make you a promise. A promise? Your county will be cleaned up. And you'll regain the confidence of the people you serve. And the barred W-Outfit will help you do it. Them say they wouldn't help nobody. Will you promise? Now, wait. It's the only condition I make. I have a plan in mind. But I'll have to look over the situation before I know exactly what can be done. Well... If my plan doesn't work, then you can call in the Texas Rangers, if you wish. I don't know that I got much to lose. You haven't. Then I'll do like you say. You go into Buffalo Ridge. I am. How soon? At once. Adios, Padre. Adios, amigo. But just a second, stranger, I'll... He has gone. You know, Padre. See? Maybe I'm a fool. Maybe I should have done like I set out to do. You must have faith in the lone ranger, senor. That's just it. I have. Just talking to him somehow makes you think that gent knows what he's about. But how one fella contain Buffalo Ridge is something I can't savvy. He'll never come away. The lone ranger rode to Buffalo Ridge with Tonto and made camp in a well-hidden spot outside of town. Without his mask but wearing in disguise, he gathered information throughout the district. On a Saturday night, two weeks later, he was present in the cafe when the bar-w crew arrived and... You fell us again. Now you'll get out of my place, you hear me? It costs every time you show up. Oh, bar-key. Yeah, and you're the worst of the lot, Sam. You and Smokey there can think of more ways to raise cane than the whole rest of your bunch put together. Is that a fact? Look there. Look at the new mirror I had to buy. It cost me a hundred dollars. Look at them tables you smashed up. And the bullet holes in the dance floor. And the winder you bust the last time you threw the sheriff out of it. I tell you, you fellas either leave me be or I'll have to go out of business. That's bad, isn't it? You know dogs aren't well at his. You hear him, boys? He don't like the way we act. Yeah. Maybe we ought to show him he ain't seen nothing yet. Bar-key, if you think we've busted up your place before, just hang around and watch us tonight. Please, fellas. Hold on, boys. Now then, bar-key, how much damage you figure we've done to your place? A plan, eh? What I mean is how much does it cost you to have it fixed up? Cost us five hundred dollars. Five hundred, eh? And you know it just as well as I do. Boys, we owe the bar-key five hundred. Empty out your pokes and settle up. We got debts, we pay them. Just lay your cash here in the bar, fellas. That's fifty. I bring along a hundred. Here it is. Here's mine. How much is there, bar-key? Gosh, about three hundred, I reckon. Then there's enough to make up the difference. Right? There's more than enough. Just wait till I count it and I'll pay you back the extra. Shucks, bar-key. Keep it all. What's left over you can put on the bill. We're gonna run up tonight. All right, boys. We're square with the bar-key. Let her walk. Hey, you ain't gonna bust up my place again, are you? Wait, listen. We paid you, didn't we? Come on, fellas, let's have ourselves a tie. Hey, but I can put out that light over there. First shot. You missed. Ten dollars, you can't. Please, fellas, you'll drive everybody out. Ah, shut up. Go ahead and shoot. I'll take that, ten smokies. Now just watch close. That'll be enough. Watch them. Hey, don't put in, stranger. You're not shooting up this cafe again. Thanks, stranger. But you'd better be careful of these fellas. I'll handle them. Handle us, will you? Well, mister, I'm shooting out that lamp there, and I wouldn't advise you to... Get out of my hand! You see that? Wrong. Boy, bless you. I'll give you a shot. I got you. Oh, oh, my hand splashed. You're not even scratched. All right, who's next? Well? We didn't come here looking for trouble, mister. And get out. Oh, we were... Get out! Might as well, fellas. The stranger's got the drop on him. Come on, boys. But stranger, don't you cross our trail again. That's a warning you better heed. That won't be trouble unless you make it. Ah, stranger. That was a sight to see. If the sheriff could only handle them shooting irons like you can, this would be a plump, peaceful place to live in. The lone ranger returning to camp told Tonto what had happened. Everything the sheriff told me was true, Tonto. I saw over a dozen known outlaws walking the streets of Buffalo Ridge. The place had become a hangout for the outlaws. The four allies were the barred W outfit. Then what you do? The sheriff said he could bring in the Texas Rangers, Tonto. They tame these fellas in short order. But they aren't really criminals. They're men who demand action. They believe the fact their behavior is encouraged lawlessness does not concern them. That's right. It does, however. We're going to prove it. Just call Scout, Tonto. Here's Scout. Where we go? We're making a trip to town together. Ready? Uh-huh. Hit me ready. Come on, Tonto, get him up, Scout. Hey, oh, boy, oh, boy. The curtain calls on the first act of our lone ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. It was almost time for the sheriff to lock his office for the night. And the door suddenly opened, then. Who is it? Oh. Oh, Reskin, huh? Well, Injun, what do you want? Make it quick, whatever it is, because I'm getting ready to turn in. You lone other color here? Hey, what's the idea? What's it to you whether I'm alone or not? White friend won't see you. And tell him to come in. He say, what is this? You up to some trick? If you are, you might. There's no trick. Bye, thunder engineer. All right, Sheriff. What? I didn't want to come in until I made sure no one was with you. I thought it better if you weren't seen talking with a masked man. It's you. It's a lone ranger. Right. But where in blazes have you been? I was beginning to figure you wasn't showing up. What kept you? I've been around for over a week. Huh? I've been asking questions, looking over the situation before I got ready to act. In fact, Sheriff, I've spoken to you several times. To me, I'll be your local. I was in disguise. But I'd recognize that voice of yours anywhere. You didn't, however. Well, I'll be switched. You remember when we met at the mission? Remember I told you I had a plan in mind? I sure do. From what I've seen, the plan will work. What is it? I told Tado earlier this evening that I'd noticed over a dozen wallet outlaws in your town. And if I try to jail them, they just gang up on me. Your deputies quit. I ain't blaming them. Those outlaws aren't staying in Buffalo Ridge merely because it's safe. They're using your town as the base from which they've obtained new plan their operations. You ain't telling me a thing I don't know, stranger. But what in thunder can it do? There's been rustling, holdups, drunken brawls in which men have been killed. That's just the half of it. But in all this time, one group of men have been safe from the outlaws. Who do you mean? The men who run the Bar W. Sure, why not? You think these hoodlums hanging around here ain't got no sense at all? They know when to leave well enough alone. It's that Bar W outfit, like I told you before, that made such a laugh and stalker the law that it was safe for crooks to come here. They ain't gonna spoil a good thing like that. And salmon smoky and the others on the Bar W. Don't take those outlaws seriously. They ain't been harmed by them. That's just it. The Bar W has not been bothered by outlaws, although the rest of the county has suffered. I think I'm beginning to savvy what you're leading up to, Mr. But I can tell you right now, you've got it figured wrong. Have I? You think because the Bar W ain't been bothered, it proves they're in with them outlaws. As little use as I got for them hombres, that ain't so. They're honest enough, it's just that they like it. You misunderstood me, Sheriff. I was accusing them of nothing. I had something else in mind. Yeah? Oh, what? I was wondering just how long these outlaws would stay in the district if the Bar W got after them. I don't just see what you're doing. If the Bar W lost cattle to the crooks that are making their headquarters here, do you think they'd let those crooks get away with it? Not them, fellas. They're a poison. What I told you, them crooks have got too much sense to bother the Bar W. If you figured that just by letting them go along till they got enough rope to hang yourself. Do you think the outlaws won't bother the Bar W? I know they won't. You may be mistaken, Sheriff. And if you'll listen, I'll tell you why. Several days passed. At the Bar W ranch, everything seemed quiet. But one night, Sam, Smokey and some of their fellow hands lingered in the mess house after a hearty meal. Bud, who had been riding line, had not appeared for supper. And, hey, singly, clear off the table. I'll be right back. Okay. Yes, Sam? What's Lay and Bud? What you doing? Gosh, I don't know. Last I seen him, he was over by the south line. He was men in fence. He didn't say nothing about having extra work. Don't worry about him. He'll be long when he gets hungry. I mean, it's just it. And I'm brave always hungry. How about that to him now? Yeah, most likely. Well, hi, bud. We thought maybe it's cattle. What's the matter? Something happened. Something happened. We just lost 500 head of prime cattle. That's all that's happened. Why? If you don't believe me, get settled, like I said. Ride down to the south range and see for yourself. They're gone. Maybe they've drifted up the canyon. I looked there. If the fence was broke, it weren't. There's just one thing's happened. Them critters were sold. Sold? Russell, that's what? Couldn't be nothing else. And if they were Russell, them crooks that got them are heading for the border right this minute. Heading for the border, eh? Well, by the thunder, they'll wish they hadn't. Fellows, come on. Yeah, we'll fix this, young man. Get the rest of the boys together. Saddle up, meet in front. We're getting on the trail while it's fresh. The crew of the bar double just saddled their horses and rode to the south range. There, they soon found the trail of the herd and followed it at top speed. The country was flat and they could see for miles ahead of them, but still they caught no sight of the herd. Finally, they brought expanse of the river loom before them. The boundary line had been reached and the men drew rain on the northern bank. They got a cross, sure enough. That's right, Winder. Come on, what are we waiting for? Maybe the law can't cross the river to get them fellas, but we can. Ain't worth it. Huh? Five hundred head of cattle ain't worth following? That ain't what I meant. As soon as they get in them hills, there's breeds enough to join them to fight off a troop of soldiers. We wouldn't get nothing for our trouble but a hideful of lead. But what do we do? We can't just set by and let crooks get away with something like this. Just be a standing invite for them to try again. I know what to do. Eh? There ain't no market for them critters south of the border. Sooner or later to sell them, they'll have to be brought back again. Yeah, but how are we going to do is to tell the law and have the law keep watch. I suppose there's something else the law can do. What? Clean out that nest of crooks that's been hanging around Buffalo Ridge. They hadn't been allowed to stay. This would never have happened. Come on, fellas. Let's be getting back. The following day in the sheriff's office... Sorry, boys. Sorry for what? I won't tell you, fellas, something. You've lost cattle. Well, I ain't so sure I'm sorry about it. The fact is, it's your own fault and it serves you right. And there ain't nothing I can do about it. You can't go after crooks? The town's full of them. I'm all alone. How's one man to round up all them crooks at once? Get yourself some deputies. Yeah? Well, I had some till you fellas come along. I said this was your fault and that's just what I meant. You made a joke of the law around here, and up till now you just thought it was funny. Nobody ever bothered you. So why should you worry? Well, what a... Sure, I know just how you fellas figure things. Well, now you're finding out just what it means. You've lost your cattle, and I can't do nothing about it because you fixed it so as there ain't a man in town willing to fight on the law's side. You mean to say you can't hire no deputies? That's just what I mean to say. But if you had some, you'd clean up those crooks? I sure would. Then you got some. Where? Right here. Me for one. Smokey then. Sure, I'll hire every last one of them. You willing to swear us in? Willing. If you're gender serious, just signify it and watch my speed. You'll give us authority to jail them scum? I sure will. Then by gravy we're with you. You swear our team. The man who had made life miserable for Sheriff Walters became his deputy, eager to enforce the law and revenge themselves on the lawless element of the town. The campaign began in whirlwind fashion within the cafe itself. Give the sheriff name, boys. Arrest that fella. You there. Raise your hands front or we'll start dodging lives. Wherever known outlaws hung out, the bar W outfit struck. You're under arrest. That's right. On your feet and start marching. You here in jail, me? Let go, let go. You ain't lawman. We weren't an hour ago, but we are now. And if you want to question it, just draw. What's going into the bar W? Sheriff, depotize them. Biggest round up the town they've ever seen. They're cleaning out the crooks right and left. They got Bill Peters and the Carson gang and then on. In the midst of the excitement, Smokey, standing in the center of Buffalo Ridge's main street, suddenly called to his friends. Sam, Bud, hey, Ty, come here. Come on, runnin'. What, sir? Look down the street. I'm hurt. I'm hurt. Look down the street. I'm hurt, then. Can you see their brand? Lookin' you can see for yourself. By heaven's bar W. Boy, is them critters belong to us. And it's a masked man with them. And a red skin. Look at them other fellas with the masked man. There's some more of the crook the sheriff told us to jail. Grab them fellas, throw down on them. Get our cows back and jail them, scum. Come on. Fire that. You there with the mask. Rain up. Hold back this herd. They come over when you get it. Climb off that horse with your hands up. Where's the sheriff? Don't matter where the sheriff is. We're deputies and there's such we've got authority to arrest you. When did you get the crust to come right into town with them cows of ours you stole? I didn't steal them. Don't give a satch. You don't believe me? Ask the sheriff. Here he comes now. Hey, sheriff, hustle up. We want you. What's the trouble, boys? Running is something you can't handle. This fella's got the crust to ride right into town with our critters and claim he didn't steal them. Now, we know where he didn't. You crazy? Don't you think we know our own brand? Didn't we trail them critters right to the Rio? Now, wait, fellas. Wait. Maybe you're going to be awful mad. Perhaps you'd better let me explain. I'd a heap rather you would. Sam, Smokey, Tata, and I did take this herd. There, Sheriff, I told you so. But for a reason. Joe, to sell them and pocket the cash. Now, to bring about exactly what happened. To wake up you men to the conditions in this county. I told the sheriff, if you could be aroused, you'd take steps on your own account. You behaved as I thought you would. Ah, that don't hold water. No? Them fellas with you. Them fellas helped you ride herd in these critters. There are no outlaws and I can prove it. Of course we can. You mean those three men there in front of Tata? If that's the engine's handle. I'm not closer and you'll see that Tata's holding a gun on them. Well, I'll be. I'll come. They thought Tata and I were outlaws like themselves. It didn't take much persuasion to get them to help us borrow your herd. They found out later that we had no intention of stealing it. When they made the discovery, they put up a fight. But it was too late. Jail them, boys. You bet we will. You can handle them, bud. Sure can. All of this was just a put up job to get us to help you, Sheriff. That's so. Well, dog gone. It's your work. We sure jailed the brass of the grugs. And that's the last of them. You men have done a pretty good job. They didn't do so bad as that, did we? That's the most fun I've had in the Coondale. But, gents, I'm thanking you. Now, I reckon, as long as you've done what you set out to do, you'll be turning in your badges. All right. Pleasure, we will, Sheriff. But why? Shut up. We just got started. We kind of like being low, man. Ain't that so, fellas? You see, Sheriff? From now on, me and my parts are on your side. And the first crook that stick his head in this year's county gets it blasted off of him. So the masked man was right, right? You're doing just like he said you'd do. And blame the guy ain't glad of it. You have just heard of the copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.