 a fiery horse with the speed of light, the cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver, the Lone Ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the masked rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early west in the United States. The stories of his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness, have come down to us through the generations. And nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse, Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, Silver. There's danger on the trail ahead. Oh, Silver! Morganville was the headquarters for all the sheep ranchers in the county. It was quieter than any cattle town, and the sheriff, Sam Blake, had often complained there wasn't enough action connected with his job. But this afternoon, as he watched a group of men dismount in front of the post office, a worried frown creased his forehead. Five minutes earlier, he had seen Jim Dewey enter the cafe. Five minutes more, and Ed Miller would be entering the same place. The lawman shook his head and crossed the street to the cafe himself. Once inside, he studied the men at the bar, then walked directly to Jim's side. Yeah, Jim. Howdy, Sheriff. Ed Miller is over in the police office. He's sure to find out what you've done. I expected he would sooner or later. It might save me a little trouble if you didn't meet him until he got over it. You figure he's going to get over it? It's hope he does. No, he won't. If there's nothing wrong with what I've done, I'd just soon face him now as later. Maybe you're right. See, there's no gunplay. Here he is now. Where's Jim Dewey? Right here, Ed. Why are you wandering sneaking coyote on a break you went to? You want to try? There's not going to be any fight, man. Start the tangler, lock your boothers. Shucks, Ed's bark's always worse than his bite. You ought to know that, Sheriff. What's the matter, Ed? You know what's the matter? You've leased that north half section from Old Man Hardy. Yeah, that's right. Leased it for 10 years. Won't do you no good. Well, you think not? Just try to graze your sheep there and see what happens. You're not careful, Ed. I got the law standing beside me. You've got no right to... Don't talk about right to me. That land is mine. It belongs to Old Man Hardy. Don't say you haven't been using it, but it's about time that Hardy got some ran out of it. He needs the money. Now, look, Jim. Sheriff's right about this. There's no need for a fight between us. Now, you just sign that lease over to me and there won't be any trouble. You sure got a lot of nerve. I'm warning you. If you don't... You can't bluff me like you bluff the rest of the small ranchers around here. They've all been afraid to rent that north half section because your flocks are grazing on it. Well, not me. I can use the land now and I've got it. Better get your sheep off, Ed. What's that? You heard me. Jim's got the law on his side. Yeah. I will see how much good it does him. Come on, boys. You can depend on me, Jim. I'll give you all the protection I can. Ed won't take a chance in going to jail. There won't be much you can do. You're a long way from town. But don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. And then there's your boy. I can take care of Buddy and the flock, too. I knew what I was getting into and I'm ready for anything. Jim's flock ran to nearly 2,000 head. They were grazing in the valley so far from his home ranch that he and his son were living in the camp wagon. When he reached it that night, it was long after dark. Buddy and the sheepdog, Lattie, were sitting close to the campfire. Oh, there, boy. Hey, Jim. Hello, buddy. Do you have any trouble? No. A few of the sheep started wandering away this afternoon. But Lattie brought them back. Say hello to him, Jim. He won't stop cutting up till you do. Good boy, Lattie. Good boy. Go up on the lease. Well, I got it. But on the way back, I started thinking... What about? You? You know, this is a mighty lonely spot for a youngster to be hanging out all summer. Wouldn't you like to go into town and live with Mrs. Moran? No, sir. You and Peter Pells, aren't you? Well, sure. But you and me are pals, too. We got a work to do here. You wouldn't have been able to go into town today if I hadn't been around. Well, I won't have to go in again for a long time. You can't fool me, Jim. You're figuring to move in the flock in the north half of the section. Well, not for a while. There's plenty of grass in the valley. But when you do, you want me out of the way. Well, we'll talk about it some other time. Right now, I'm going to fix myself some grub. What's the matter, Lattie? Look at him sniffing the wind, Jim. He might be a coyote. He sure wouldn't be standing here if it was. What's that light to the north? Listen, somebody's riding this way. That's what he's trying to tell us. A couple of horses. Here they come, a white in a paint. You better have my guns ready just in case. That's a ninja, and the man with him is Matt. Eddie Silver's telling boys. Don't slap leather, I guess you covered. You don't need those. We came here to warn you. So Miller's hiring outlaws to do his dirty work. Look to the north. That's fire. Fire? It is, Jim. I can see it now. You have to drive your flock to the south. They won't be safe until you're beyond the creek. Lattie, get the movement. Quick, Tonto. We'll ride ahead and start another fire. Wait a minute. What's that? The way this breeze is blowing, you'll never make it to the creek ahead of the fire. You've got to start another one ahead of you that you can follow. Not only Wayne to save flock. All right, get you. Well, let's go, buddy. We have work to do. Come on, Silly, let's count. Ranger and Tonto fired the grass ahead of the flock, and soon an ever-widening strip of blackened meadow opened up. Jim drove the camp wagon south over this behind the flock. When the fire from the north reached the bare ground, it died out, and the second fire was stopped at the creek. But now the whole valley lay charred and desolate under the full moon. You sure know how to fight fire with fire, mister? Aren't you going to drive the flock across the creek? No, I can't without breaking the law. This is the southern boundary of my section. You have land north of the valley? Uh-huh. We didn't intend to graze there quite so soon. Uh-huh. Because of Miller? What do you know about him? I've heard about your lease. Oh, is that so? I'd forgotten your mask for a while, but I still think maybe he sent you here. That isn't true. Maybe you even set fire to the grass. If I did that, would I help you save your flock? Oh, no, Jim. He isn't a crook. Lattie likes him. Well, that's a good recommendation, son, but honest men don't wear masks. Uh, this lone ranger. What's that engine? He said he was the lone ranger, and I heard him. He calls his horse Silver. That's right, I remember, and you're Tonto. Oh, mister, I'm sorry I got you wrong. Lattie didn't? Don't you think he's a fine dog? Yes, he's the best in the county. He's the best in the whole world. Give him your paw, Lattie. This is the lone ranger. Well, I'm glad to meet you, Lattie. You can detect your flock, Jim, but he can't protect you. Huh? You must have known there'd be trouble when you leased the north half of the section. Well, I did. Well, it started tonight. You mean Miller and his men set fire to the grass? They can't be sure of that, but someone did. We saw a band of horsemen at the head of the valley. You'd must have been Miller. Wouldn't you better hire more men yourself? I can't afford it. Besides, there's something I'm counting on. What's that? It Miller's yellow. He'd never let himself in for a gunfight. Well, there are other ways of fighting. You'll have to be on your guard every minute. Yeah, I intend to be. We'll be around in case you need us. Ah, we camp near Silver Springs. I'll remember that. Very big fella. Oh, get him off the ground. Yes, Bragg? I didn't work. He didn't lose a single head. You're sure? On the flock with my own eyes. What's more, with the valley all burned out, he's driving them north. Yeah. Yeah? Are we going to let him get away with it? No. All right then. What are we going to do? Nothing today. We'll wait until the night. You got an idea? I think it's a good one. Smokey's going to imitate a coyote. Imitate it? Yeah, I don't say that. He's good. When he sets his mind to it, he can call him right up to a campfire. What's that got to do with Jim Dewey? Yeah, it's got plenty to do with his dog. And that's how we're going to get Jim. The dog sends his master to jail, or he gets him killed. Look, he must have been... It's a boy. Jim Dewey's boy. Ah. He gets Silver Scouts out. Whoa! Oh, they're a chief. Did your father send you, buddy? No, sir. I'm just out looking for Lattie. You haven't seen him, have you? Your dog? Yeah. There was a coyote near the camp last night. I heard Lattie barking. But he never has any trouble with coyotes. So I just turned over and went to sleep again. Jim didn't even wake up. But this morning, Lattie wasn't anywhere around. Does he often wander away? Never. That's why I got worried. And Jim said I'd go out and look for him. This was the first place I thought of. Why? Because he likes you a lot. I thought he might have paid you a visit. Well, I haven't seen him. And I don't like the idea of you riding through the hills alone. Well, I promised I wouldn't go towards Miller's ranch. You'd better get back to your camp wagon. I'll see if we can find Lattie. Has Miller got him? What makes you ask that? Well, that's a kind of a low-down ordinary trick he tried. Steal our dog. Maybe... Maybe even... We'll find him, buddy. Don't worry about it. Here, Silver came us, honey. Now, you get back to your camp as fast as you can. Is that a big fella? Come on, Silver. Get him up to the crowd. There it comes now. Looks like Jim. Black and white. He's hurt. That's right. Come here, Lattie. Can not use one foot. Let's see what's the matter. That bullet wound. Yes. The leg isn't broken. You look here. Near mouth. Oh, piece of wool. He could almost believe that he'd killed a lamb. Maybe he heard us see him and shoot. I said almost believe it. I don't. What do you mean? There are one or two other things that won't let me. Hello. We aren't taking Lattie home. We'll fix up that leg at our camp. And I'm good. Yes, boy. You're coming with us. Get inside the wagon, buddy. It's Miller and his men. I want to stay with you. You get in there. No, no. I guess it's all right. It's a sheriff with him. Morning, Sheriff. Good morning, Jimmy. I don't see him around. They got him hit someplace. Look in the wagon. You stay right where you are. I have to look myself, Jimmy. Look for what? Your dog. Oh, he isn't here. He hasn't been here this morning at all. Well, I guess he settles it. That's for him. Sorry? He isn't dead, is he? No, but my lambs are. That dog of yours is a killer. That's a lie. I saw him early this morning. I took a shot at him. Sheriff, it can't be true. Lattie just couldn't do a thing like that. Not to your sheep, maybe. But he ain't so particular about mine. I get the testimony of all these men, Jim. I guess you know what my duty is. No, you can't shoot, Lattie. Anybody tries it, Sheriff. Even you won't. And what you see, Jim? I mean it. The man that touches that dog won't live to see another day. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. The sheriff and Miller and his men rode away from the Dewey camp in search of Lattie. Jim rode with them, his guns ominously ready. As soon as they were out of sight, Buddy saddled his pony and rode straight to the Lone Rangers camp. When Lattie ran out to meet him, he tumbled from the saddle. Whoa, whoa, Jim. You didn't do it, did you? You couldn't have. You just, just turn on, turn the truth, that's all. What's happened, Buddy? Miller says that Lattie killed some of his lambs. And if the sheriff finds him, you shoot him. Don't let him. Keep him here and hide him. I don't care if it's true or not. Lattie's my dog, and they can't kill him. They won't. Huh? It isn't true. Lattie isn't a killer. I know it. And so does Jim. He told the sheriff the man on touch Lattie wouldn't live to see another day. Buddy, when did he say that? Just a little while ago. I can't stay here. There's nobody watching the flock, but they're out looking for Lattie now. Don't let them find them. Where's your father? He's with them. Ready for action? Yeah. Kimosabi. Now we have a reason for it. Miller knew how Jim would act. The evidence is strong enough the sheriff can only act in one way. That's right. And afterwards? Maybe Jim should, huh? It's possible. He'd go to jail then, and that's what Miller wants. Can you prove any of that, mister? Not yet. But we're going to see that Lattie gets a fair trial. How? We've thought of a way, but it means that we'll have to leave our camp. Leave Lattie, too? We can't take him with us. I can't take him back to our camp. Yes, I know that. But Todd and I are going to show you a place where both of you can hide until late tonight. What about Jim and the flock? The flock won't wander. Not even your father will know where you are. Well, so it's got all settled, Kimosabi. We're right now? Yes, Todd-o. Through the forest and across the ridge. Say, big fella. That's matters, buddy. Yes, sir. Hey, mighty followers with that bandage on his leg? It won't bother me much, and we'll take it easy. Come on, Silver. Come on, mighty. Come on. It was nearly dark when the lone ranger and Tonto rained up at a ramshackle cabin beyond the county line. Steady, Silver. He still has a dog. We're in luck. Howdy! And there's Jake now. Howdy! We're leaping cactus if it ain't the lone ranger and Tonto. Oh, shut up there, Wolf. Jake, we like to borrow that dog. What's that? We like to borrow Wolf. What for? You told me I'd never be able to train him. Now, I just about made up my mind that you're right. Well, he's downright vicious. And he's half-Wolf. Yeah, so there ain't nothing to do but get rid of him. Why should you want to borrow... Oh, so you're thinking he's such a menace, it might be right away, huh? You can make up your own mind about that, Jake. We only want to borrow him until tomorrow morning. Well, he's yours, Mr. And if you want to be a friend, don't never bring him back. Hello, Silver Steady. Don't go for your gun, Sheriff. Where's the writing of the house? I'm here to see the justice is done. What kind of talk is that from an outlaw? I'm not an outlaw. Does this bullet mean anything to you? Well, this is Silver. Yes. Silver bullet. See, you must be the lone ranger. Now, I'm beginning to understand. What's this about, Justice? I want Jim's dog, Lattie, to have a fair trial with a judge and a jury. A judge and a jury for a dog? That sounds... Lattie deserves it. He has a right to have his name cleared. We used to have not asked him where you found out what happened but this morning. But why is he interested? But we couldn't find the dog. That short of brags must have killed him. No, Sheriff. He isn't dead. He'll appear for his trial. You know where he is? Yes. Now, would you get the judge and jury? I... I guess so. Sure I will. And you'll bring Lattie into town, is that it? The trial can't take place here. He'll have to be out at Miller's Ranch. Mr. I don't want to shoot Lattie. I know how much he means to Jim and Buddy. But if you can't clear him and I don't see how you can, I'll have to go through with it. Sheriff, we'll let the jury decide whether he's guilty or not. Hey, Lattie. I can hear the horses all right. It sounds as if they're coming this way. I guess you wouldn't be trembling if there was a long ranger and tunnel. But we can't run away. We'll just have to stay here and... They've got a lantern. Keep on going. Let's do some trail marks. Yeah. Come on. It's a dark afternoon. Hey, Sheriff. Come on. Get out of here. Get out of there. Buddy and the dog. I won't let you hurt him. If you're going to shoot him, you've got to shoot me first. Drag the kid away from the dog. No, I won't let you. Get your hands you around his neck. He's my dog. He's my dog. Watch out for those two. I am. Let the kid stay where he is. You can put a bullet through the muck. I'll try it. Listen. Did you hear that? That's a lone ranger. He won't let you hurt Lattie. He promised me he wouldn't. The low ranger, boss. What do we do? Stay right here. All we're doing is upholding the law. There's half a dozen men riding with him. The sheriff. That's good. That's good. Mister, you won't let him shoot Lattie, will you? Not before. He's had his trial. Trial? What's the idea, trying to fool the kid? The sheriff's good. Good shit, Millie. You and Bragg and Buddy and the dog are heading for your ranch. Judge Grant, the jury are waiting for it. One of Miller's larger flocks was bedded down in a little valley near his ranch house. The crowded men were waiting for the lone ranger and the sheriff on a slope above it. And when they arrived, Judge Grant raised his arm for silence. All right, boys. Now, there's some of you here that may think it's beneath the dignity of a judge to conduct a trial for a dog, but I don't figure that way. For one thing, it's a lone ranger who's asked for it. For another, the dogs are mighty important to the individual out in this country. Your own dogs are the best friends and the best helpers you've got. So, that's why I'm out here and that's why you're out here. I want order in the court. Yeah, this is a lot of luck. I said order. Bring the prisoner forward. Here he is, Judge. Speak to the judge, laddie. Hi, fella. The charge is killing the sheep. We'll have the evidence against him first. That's me. All right, speak up, Miller. Well, Bragg and me rode out from the ranch house toward this valley early this morning. Well, it's yesterday morning now. Well, get on with it. We heard the sheep raising the fuss we got here as fast as we could. And it was just in time to see this dog finishing off away. That's right. We saw him. He let out and I shot at him. That's why he's wearing the bandage. And there's more evidence, too. Now, just look close and you'll see some wool still caught in his coat right up here in the rough under on his neck. Order. Order. Is that all? That's plenty. They're prosecution reps. How about the defense? Are you going to speak for the prisoner, Jim? Oh, not me, Your Honor. It's a lone ranger who's going to do that. Well, sir? Your Honor, the first thing I want to establish is laddie's good character. A good sheepdog will lay down his life to protect the flock. It doesn't matter whether the flock in question belongs to his own master or not. Yeah, it does with that dog. I'll prove you're wrong. Let your flock down there. Yeah. And if you was to let him loose in the course of nobody was around... Let me finish. I don't know whether you can see him or not, but Tunnel's on the far side of the valley. He has a wolf dog and a chain. You may know the one I mean. He belongs to Jake Summers. What's your idea of bringing him here? When I signal with this laddie, Tunnel will let him go. Let him go? Why, you'll head straight for my sheep. That's right. And the only one who'll have a chance of saving them is laddie. I won't stand for anybody setting a wolf on my flock. Laddie doesn't stop him. I'll shoot him myself. I'll take you up on that. This is my flock. Not Jim's. No orders, you understand. Just slip the leash on him. That's the way it'll be. Let go of him, buddy. Yes, sir. And now for the signal. There's wolf all right. I can see him streaking toward the flock. There goes laddie. But it's true. Laddie won't give up until he dies. And maybe that dog is too strong for him. I won't let him go that far, buddy. The chain is still attached to wolf's collar. I'll be able to drag him off of that. Look. He's cut me more. Wolf won't get to that flock. Great work, boy. Have I proved my point? Laddie a good sheep dog. Then we'll stop the fight. The lone ranger raced down the slope of the spot where laddie was turning back every attack of the wolf dog. And driving him farther and farther from the panic-stricken sheep, the mask man slipped from the saddle, grabbed the length of chain that trailed from the wolf's collar and pulled him off. Come here. Come here. A few minutes later, laddie was standing in front of the judge once more. Very well. Get that wolf dog out of here. Take care of him. Is there anything more you want to say about laddie's character, mask man? No, your honor. He protects sheep. He doesn't kill them. He did mine. The jury may not think so after I'm through. Did you ever chain your dog, Jim? Of course not. Well, laddie has been chained and recently. Chained so tightly that it cuts through his coat. Here, you can see the marks for yourself. Easy, boy. I'm not going to hurt you. Why? These marks don't explain why laddie left his camp, but they do explain why he didn't get back. He'll accuse anybody. I'm submitting evidence to the jury. What's more, the evidence is relevant. Go on, but that chain couldn't have... What chain, brag? Why, no chain could have cut like that. The jury will decide that. I have one more thing to show them. The bandage ton up, huh? Stand still for him, laddie. He's just going to take the bandage off. Your gentleman will remember that brag said he fired at laddie as he and Miller rode into the valley. Yes, sir. You're right on the spot here. You can see how far away he must have been. I was lucky to hit him at all. He was moving fast. You see now. Everyone look at the wound that was made by that bullet. It's been washed. If you can still see the powder marks. Powder marks, gentlemen. The bullet only grazed the skin, but there are powder marks. That means a shot was fired at a distance of only a few feet, perhaps one or two. That shot was fired while laddie was chained up. That's all for the defense of laddie. But now for the prosecution. Wait a minute. What do you mean by that? The sheriff has to make another arrest after this trial is over. You can't... Miller and Bragg tied laddie up, stuck pieces of wool in his coat, shot him in the leg, made him look like a killer because... I deny it. It ain't true. Because they want a Jim Dewey to either kill or be killed in protecting him. But Jim, either in jail or dead, there'd be no one to stop them from using the north half of Jim's section. This is the case of attempted murder. The defense rests. Order! Order! Is the jury ready with his verdict? Then let's have it. Guilty or not guilty? You mean laddie? I mean laddie. Is the dog a killer or isn't he? Your dog gone right, he isn't. Case dismissed. But there's been a charge made in this air court, and I'm calling on the sheriff to arrest Miller and Bragg for attempted murder. You can't prove anything. You tried to frame laddie and I heard you threat Jim myself. Take him away, boy. Gosh, mister. What, buddy? Jim and me. We won't ever forget what you did for laddie. Laddie won his own freedom. I only helped him out. You hear that, boy? She cans with a masked man. Goodbye, laddie. Keep up your good work. Laddie tunnel. Tunnel ready. Big fella. Adios, then. Come on, silver. We've just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.