 A fiery horse with a speed of light, the cloud of dust, and a hardy high old selver, the lone ranger. The years of unrest that followed the Civil War, a powerful secret organization called the Legion of the Black Arrow sprang up in the western United States. Its members were to be found everywhere, defying the law or using the law for their own purposes, working toward the ultimate goal of revolt and the foundation of a despotic empire. It was the masked rider of the plane who led the fight against this band of outlaws and traitors, and for once his great strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness were taxed to the utmost in the cause of democracy. Return with us now to those thrilling days when the West was young. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of a great horse, Silver. The lone ranger rides again. The lone ranger rode into camp expecting to find Tonto, but when he got there the camp was empty. Tonto and Skult were gone. The ashes of a campfire were scattered and there was evidence of a struggle. With Silver beside him, the masked man's keen eyes searched the ground for tracks. He's gone, Silver. There's no sign of him. All five shells fired from his gun. The embers are still going from the campfire. Whatever happened, it couldn't have been more than a few hours ago. Silver, look at this, hoof prince heading west, steady old boy. After them, Silver, Tonto may be heard or worse. When the masked man started out on the trail, Tonto and his captors were many miles ahead, approaching a spot where the trail turned left, passing the entrance to a blind ravine. At the entrance, the leader threw up one hand. What are you stopping for, Tonto, like that masked man wouldn't let the dust settle under his horse's hoose when he starts afters? I reckon he already has. Silver, plenty passed. Can't you plenty quick? Shut up, engine. You men stay with the Indian. Make sure he doesn't make a run for it. He's tied to the saddle and his horse is tied to mine. He won by most. You'd better not. Decker, come over to one side here. I want to destroy the Buffalo Valley wagon train. Buffalo Valley wagon train? There's no wagon train sitting for Buffalo Valley. That's closed territory. The government opened it, Decker. I got information that the first wagon train is leaving Culver City tomorrow. Information where? You know better than to ask that. Oh, that's heavy. The black arrow. Let's sit about that the better, Becker. You and I, the only ones in this group will belong to the black arrow. The others must learn nothing. Kino, their outlaws are being paid. They won't ask questions. Good. But this is your wagon train. You want to stop it to keep Buffalo Valley from being settled, huh? How do we make it for all of them to move into new land in the west the better for us? You'll stay here and keep one man with you. The rest will follow me for the wagon train. What's my job? I want to trap the lone ranger. Easier said than done. This ravine is closed at the other end, Decker. Make use of it. After I'm gone with the others, you lead the Indian into that ravine. Yeah. Tie him well back from the entrance. Leave a plane trail so the masked man can see him when he gets to this point. So far, I got it. When the masked man goes in to free the Indian. In the jet with me starts slinging bullets, eh? No. No. Now shoot. I want to delay the masked man so he can't help that wagon train. Besides that, I want to capture him alive. If you can. That'll be up to you. I think you can figure out how to do it. Well, the ravine's got pretty steep walls. This entrance is narrow. Do it in your own time. The rest of us can't wait. All right, man. Slack, you stick here with me. We're looking after this engine. Whatever you say, Decker. The rest of you come with me. That wagon trains a long way from here. We'll have to step along. We take the trail toward Culver City. Look, you still ain't told me how we're going to corral a masked man in this here blind ravine. If he gets in, make sure he doesn't get out. Huh? This pass is narrow, Decker. You've got blast in powder. Use it. Adios. Come on, you men. What was he saying, Decker? I didn't say anything. I didn't know, Slack. Blast in putty and now pass it. Well, I gravy sure that's it. Come on, bring that engine along. By the time the mask vent comes this way, everything will be all set for him. Get out of here. The tracks are still clear. We're on the trail of silver. Otto can't be hurt. He's made his count traveling the soft ground as much as possible. He knew we'd recognize his hoof prints. We'll find them, old fella. Sticking to the Culver City trail. Turns left here past this ravine. Silver! Horses split up. Most of them kept on the trail. These three turn into the ravine. Scout is one of them. Come on, silver. That means Tonto must be. Silver! There he is at the far end of the ravine. Tonto! Hide and gag. This may be a trap, but we can't stop. Come on, silver. Into the ravine. Has the masked man raced the stallion into the narrow ravine toward Tonto and Scout? The two bad men lay flat on the rim of the rock above the entrance and watched him pass. It's working out just like Toloch figured it. Get rid of that blast and putter slag. All set, Dekker. I'll let you know when. He's passed us all ready. Let him ride a good ways. Let him be cleared up to the red skin before we set it off. He's sure riding for a big surprise, ain't he? Unaware of danger, the masked man rode straight to help Tonto. Galloping straight across the floor of the ravine, he pulled up beside Tonto. Kimusabe, you're not hurt. Wait, I'll get that gag off so you can talk and these ropes. Kimusabe, this trap, you ride. Ride quick and get out. Not without you, Tonto. No, you hurry. Only one way out of the ravine. You're not bothered. Ropes take too long to get cut. Scout all tied up. And there's one rope. Now this one. There. Scout is free now. Come on, wait. Oh, too late. Here's Tonto. The entrance is piled high with rock. It's impossible to climb over it. Ah, no way out of ravine now. All day long, the Lone Ranger and Tonto rode around the floor of the ravine looking for a possible way out. But they could see none. And by sunset, the two outlaws watching from the rimrock were satisfied they would have no trouble keeping them prisoners. They gave up looking for a way out, Slag. I reckon they know my now. There's eight no way out. Yeah. Give me a hand with this saddle. What? Come on. I got a saddle. You're leaving? Yeah, why not? Still, you're wondering. Oh, Dinker, I don't have any. You won't have no trouble. Give me that bridle. You're leaving me alone? Why not? The two outlaws can't make any trouble. They're safe as though they were locked in the calibou. You just keep an eye on them. Where are you heading? You've been eating local weed. What do you think I'm heading? The Culver City Slag to tell Tonto like we got the Lone Ranger right where we want him. Get him. Get him. Here's the wagon train. Six wagons. When I get on the trail, we'll tag along after them. I'm taking care they don't see us. What the, who's that? It's just... Dinker, what are you doing here? I figured you'd be out this way as soon as I heard the wagon train was camped inside a town. I met another wagon outfit heading this way and got my directions. Why'd you leave the ravine? Because it wasn't needed. You don't need slack there either for that matter. Mask man? Give me the inch of bull. That blast shifted the rock right down and sealed the entrance off. They're penned in, mister. Well, that's fine. Fine and dandy. I reckon you'd want to hear about it. Sure, there's no chance of anything going wrong. You can brand me for a maverick if anything could. You know, Decker, good work. I thought you might need an extra hand here. That wagon train won't be so easy to stop. You know my plan. Sure, but I... But nothing. It'll work. They'll make camp at Blue Run, right? Right beside the spring. It'll be as easy as pulling a cinch. I reckon so. And now that you're here, I'm going to leave things in your hands, Decker. You will take charge and I'll go back to... Hey, what's that? That wagon I was telling you about. The one that's joined in the wagon train. Yeah, passing right by us. No need for any of them to act unnatural. We ain't known to be outlawers. Yeah, that's so. Just act friendly, gents. The one that's heading for Buffalo Valley? You're joining it? My husband and I have been hanging for a long time to get out that way, haven't we, Bill? Sure have, Harry. Of course, we've never been to Buffalo Valley, but that don't signify... Any of you gents ever been there? Yeah. Yeah, some of us have. You going along? No, we're not. How's the country out that way? I hear it's right good range land. Well, that's a matter of opinion. What's wrong with it, mister? You don't sound overly enthusiastic. It's no land for settlers. Why, we heard just the opposite. Full of bare mountain lions. Cold in the winter and hotter than a stove lit in the summer. You won't like it. Well, we... We sort of had our hearts set on it. It'll break your hearts. You want my advice, turn back. Turn back? That's what I'd say. I don't know what to say. Rain up there, Abby. Mister, I don't know what your reason is, but it looks to me like you're doing this deliberate. You've got some sort of stake in keeping people out of Buffalo Valley. Why should I have? I don't know. But you're certain it's your act that way. Let me tell you this. Our minds are made up. And I reckon the same goes for all them folks in the wagon's yonder. So you can save your calamity howler for folks that are scared of their own shadows. We ain't. Hello, mister. Get up there. Looks like he didn't swallow it to a lurky. You never mind. You wish he'd listened after what happens at Blue Run. If he's alive. Yeah, if he's alive. Yeah, before that wagon came along, you were saying you wanted me to take charge. I do. You know, you're heading back for the blind ravine. Yeah, Decker. I want to make certain that mask man is as much a prisoner as you say he is. Don't fret about that. I'll bet him and the engine have given up already. I can just see him sitting there in the ravine right this minute feeling sorry for themselves. But Decker was wrong. For the Lone Ranger was busy in the ravine working desperately in the darkness. You see that tree poking out from the rim above his tunnel? It's outlined against the night sky. Uh-huh. Just give me your lariat. I'll try to sling a loop around the tree. Oh, yeah. If I succeed, we can haul ourselves up to the rim rock. There's only one guard left up their tunnel. We can deal with him easily. Ah, you throw rope. You've got him. You put rope on branch. It's good and tight, Kimosabe. I'll go up first. I can brace my feet against the rock. Maybe branch break. You'll have to risk it. It holds me. It will support you. Here I go. Bracing his feet against the face of the rock. The Lone Ranger went hand over hand up the rope till he gained the rim. Then Tonto climbed the rope to the top. What do you do now, Kimosabe? Follow me, Tonto. The guard must be sleeping beside that campfire. He goes out long enough for Culver City for a reason. We're going to find out what their plans are so we can go after them. Ah, that good idea. Zoom me up, Kimosabe. What is it, Tonto? Silver and Scout. They still down below and ravine. How we ride after outlaw without horses. Leave that to me. But we need Silver Scout. Leave it to me, Kimosabe. We get out of this trap and I think I know how to get Silver and Scout out. Now follow me. 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. To our story. The Lone Ranger and Tonto escaped from the ravine by roping the branch of a tree and pulling themselves to the rim. Once at the top, they went swiftly and quietly to the campfire with the guard lay sleeping. They worked silently for a few minutes and then had a whispered word from Tonto. Kimosabe, we got powder charge already in rock. Like you say, we light cues now. Not yet, Tonto. First I wake up this guard by putting a bullet alongside his boots. What's going on? Who shot them? They'll make a move for your guns. The mask man. What in blazes? I put a bullet into the ground. I wake you up. How'd you get out of the ravine? We climbed the wall. Climbed the wall? You couldn't climb that wall. It goes straight up. They threw a rope around the limb of a tree and pulled ourselves up. So that's it, huh? I told Dekker you were a smart hombre. I told him you ought to stay. Where has he gone? He left, mister. I know that. Where is he meeting Torlock? I don't know. We haven't time to waste. Where are they meeting? What do they plan to do? Hey, easy with them shooting iron. Speak up. I tell you. Jumpin' coyotes, mask man. Them bullets almost hit my boots. For the last time. All right, all right. I'll tell you. I'll tell you. Holster them guns. Dekker went to meet Torlock at Culver City. There's a wagon train heading for Buffalo Valley. Go on. That's all I know. Go on. Well, when the wagon train makes camp at Blue Run, Torlock figures to... Figures to... Yes? Well, the wagons will be campin' a circle. There's hills all around. Torlock plans to have a freight wagon loaded with kerosene on the slope. Come midnight. Well, he's gonna set it on fire and let it roll right into the wagon train. Oh, that'd be plenty bad, Kimosabe. Kerosene's scouting all over, burnin' up all wagon. Well, that's his scheme. Tonto, get busy. Uh-huh. You do it. I'd take you along as a prisoner. Turn you over to the law. The reason I'm not doing it is because you can't keep up with Silver and Scout. We'll have to ride fast to make Blue Run in time. Uh-uh-uh, Kimos, I'll get out of this section fast. Wait a second. Well, you can't get there in time. You and the engine got out of this here ravine, but you can't get the horses out. Can't we? Just listen. All right, Tonto. Light the fuse. Uh-huh. He liked it. Light the fuse? For what? Well, you were sleeping. We took some blasting powder and set a charge into those rocks. You blocked up the pass into the ravine. Now we're blasting it open again. Well, I was sleeping. Well, if that don't... He was happy. Is the entrance open? Uh-uh. Rock Hall cleared away. You listen. Here's Silver. Here, boy. Stand here, Silver. In the saddle, Tonto. And where we go? Head for Blue Run. We've got to save the wagon train. Get them up, Scout. Come on, Silver. Rain up. What? Rain up, I tell you. What are you doing here? Aren't you guarding the mask, man, the Indian? Because they ain't there to guard. What? Yeah, Mr. Torlock. They got out. The Masked Gent figured a way out. They're heading for Blue Run. But they're horses. They got their horses, mister. They climbed the ravine wall and blasted them rocks away from the pass. They got their horses and they're all gone already. Blue Run, eh? We can't possibly catch them. Not unless you ride a hurricane, you can't. Well, Decker will stop them. Yeah, mister. Maybe so. But just between you and me and these here coyouses, I'd hate to be in Decker's boots right now. That Masked Gent means to save the wagon train. And when his mind is set on something, then, mister, look out for fireworks. We're coming tonight, Camp Bill. Reckon so, Abby. John is the hills. That's Blue Run. We can't buy the spring? So I've been told. A nice, clear drinking water there. Oh, we could use some. How many more days to Buffalo Valley? Not more than a week, according to the leader. Here's your camp! This is Camp Bill. The leader's singing out orders. Circle the wagons! Circle the wagons! We swing around this way, Abby. Get up there, horses. We have cabin for the night. Get up there! Crouch them wheels and swing close. We'll be right beside the spring, Abby. Yep. Nestling right in the hills. What's that for? I was just thinking, Bill. You recollect those men we met just outside of Culver City. The ones who said we were making a mistake joining the wagon trains. Yep. They said we'd have plenty of grief getting there. Well, that's what I'm laughing about, Bill. Those men were so all fine, gloomy. Boy, this has been the pleasantest, easiest trip I ever took. What could happen to us now? A chance. That's a wagon train. Wagon's on swinging into a circle. Nice and snug for the night. And all ready for us to sit on fire. This is going to be easier than shooting prairie hens. Get the wagon with the oil already. Ready and waiting right yonder. Got to keep with the branches and leaves, eh? Just like you said. Couldn't be spotted a dozen yards on. All we got to do is point her downhill, set the torch to the kerosene and let her roll. She'll hit them waggers like a stampede in her. Those campers' tops will be blazing before they know what hit them. Be plenty of light for us to pick them off with the rifles. Yeah, we'll see them clear against the flames. When do we start a rolling? Not yet, Judge. When? Not yet. We'll wait till the middle of the night. We'll wait till that camp is all asleep so there's no one to give the alarm. The middle of the night, eh? We'll be ready. We ride plenty of fire, Kimusavi. All day, in the night. Blue run can't be full, Tutto. Wagon train not know what happened. Maybe it happened already, eh? Keep riding. We come to hills now. Look there, Tutto. Up ahead, fire. Kimusavi, we too late. Outlaw sent fire wagon into camp already. Yes. Blue await, Tutto. That's what it looks like at first. But we're in time. That's the campfire. See? The wagons are around it. Or lots of men haven't struck yet. We're in time. Ah, and what we do? Circle up into the hills above the spring. See if you can locate the outlaws. Ah, me do it. I'm riding into the camp. As soon as you learn anything, ride in and report. Me, Sammy. And you, Kimusavi. Come on, Silver! Where can we... might as well turn in, Abby? The rest of the train sounds asleep. Sure is peaceful, isn't it? Uh-huh. Nothing around us but the stars in the sky. Quiet and empty space. Abby, there's nothing like the west. Nope. If Buffalo Valley's anything like this, we'll write to our friends back east. Get them to come out here. They'd like it. The air is so clean and sparkling. It's the place for folks to live and grow and... Reckon, I'm talking too much. Come on, Bill. Yeah. Guess we'll sleep easy tonight. Nothing to worry about. Guess where you're wrong, mister. Only days. I'm talking, nation. Who's that? I'll reach for your gun. I'm a friend. A friend, huh? How'd you get so close without making a sound? Come into the light of the campfire. Let's see your face. Bill, he's wearing a mask. An outlaw. Don't touch that gun. Who are you? What in blazes do you want here? One shout from me and the whole camp will be roused up. Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that your lives are in danger. From you, huh? From outlaws. What else but an outlaw, you? Listen to me. You can't see beyond the glow of your campfire. And up in the hills above us is a band of outlaws. They've been waiting for this wagon train. They mean to set it on fire and massacre everyone in this camp. I don't believe it. Wait, hold on, Abby. Mister, you're wearing a mask. And you come out of no place. But, well, somehow, what you say has got the ring of truth in it. If there's any such scheme being... That's a signal for me. Bye. Well, you call and do, masked man. I don't... A ninja. Charlie, give us a beat. What did you find? Me find bad men. They got wagon with kerosene already. They up on hill to west. How many? Ken, maybe more. A ninja has been scouting for you, mister. Yes. Now, listen to me. There isn't much time. I want you to wake up every man in this wagon train. Go as quietly as you can. Have them get their guns and their horses. Yeah, mister. What about you and the engine? I don't know. I'll ride up into the hills and do what we can from that direction. Here's what you men in the wagon train must do. The camp is quiet, Jacob. Looks like they're all asleep, man. Yeah. Time to get started. Let's take the branches and leaves off the wagon. Hurry it up. That's the last of them, Decker. Kino, now roll that wagon suit over the slope and point the street down where the cabin wagon is below. That's it. Hold it there. Look at this. Let me have with this rope. Hold that wagon, tongue back, and we'll tie it down so the front wheels won't move out of the right direction. Kino. That's it. Pass it down secure. Open the barrel kerosene. All right. Spill it all around. All right. Now, Gents, get in your horses and stand clear. As soon as I set the torch, pull out that branch. Just keep it up from rolling, Wilkins. Yeah. And everybody ride down after it. Keep your guns handy and shoot the first moving thing you see. Here goes the torch. Pull out that branch. She's blazing it. What in thunder? Who fired that shot? I told you not to shoot. I gave the word. Wasn't us firing them, Decker? And who did it? We fired those shots. Come on, tunnel. What in thunder? The mask man. Hold it and throw it out of the wagon. Everybody run away. Get them out of your way. Decker. It's men from the wagon train. Shoot. Shoot it out. Firstly, the outlaws tried to defend themselves, but they were outlined against the flames. Easy targets for the men from the wagon train led by the lone rain here. In a few minutes, the outlaws saw how useless it was and the fight was over. Don't shoot them, boys. Don't shoot. We surrender. Hold on. Your gun. We got every last one of them, Mask Man. He surrendered. The only time he was getting ready to burn you out, you were hidden in the woods watching this. Harris, I think you can handle these men now, can't you? Mask Man, you just leave them to us. I reckon we'll see they get what's coming to them. Decker, there's one thing I want to ask you. You hold the cards, Mr. Where's Torlock? That's what I don't say to you, Mr. He went back to the blind ravine. I'm sorry to get out of it. We climbed out. You climbed out. Never mind, Decker. The only thing that matters right now is Torlock. I know we've got a ride. We're going now. Right now. Howdy, Ossie. Get him up, scoundrel. Mask Man, hold up. Wait. We haven't thanked you. Why, he's gone. He's gone. We don't even know who he is. I can tell you who he is, Mr. We should never tag him with him in the first place. Otherwise, we'd never been captured. That tears a lone ranger. Far from ravine, Tutto. I don't think we'll find Torlock there. He must be gone by this time. Torlock, him black arrow. Him slippery like snake. Yes, Tutto. Him a zombie. Somebody shoot at us. Tutto, look. At the top of that ridge. That man on the soil horse. Ah, that Torlock. Torlock of the black arrow. Never mind the bullets. Get after him. Him stop shooting. Him ride horse down on the side of the ridge. After him. This is our chance. Come on, old fella. Watch out, old Sue. Who just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.