 Fiery horse with a 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 planes led the fight for law and order in the early western 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 a great horse, Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. The general store in Hawkesville was one of a row of false front single-story buildings of sun-bleached wood that lined the street for a distance of 200 yards. It was well after closing time, but Andy Conway's store was still lighted. Andy himself stood at the door bidding goodnight to a group of men who were leaving. Good night. I'll have everything ready in a few days, boys. We're with you, Andy, and we're satisfied that you got something. We'll see you through. Let us know if you need more cash. Thanks, boys. Thanks a heap. You'll never regret this. Hold on a minute, Sheriff. I'll speak to you. All right, Andy. I'll just shut the door. Sheriff, I sure feel like a new man. It's a great thing to know that your friends and townsmen trust you. Sure is, Andy. It should feel that you do most anything sooner and betray that trust, don't it? That's just what it does. I know just how you feel. I felt the same way when the boys re-elected me to office after I'd finished my first term. Sheriff, you always had the men in Hawkesville behind you. What about you? Well, I never knew if it did or not. You've been here for as long as I can remember, Andy. And you sure have been generous with the way you gave out credit here in your store. Oh, that was nothing. Well, it meant food to lots of people, and they would have starved otherwise. Well, that's what it did, Andy. Now most of the men that just left your meeting are dog-gorn glad to have the chance to back you. Well, they'll get every dime of their cash back and with plenty more. Well, I hope so. The point is, though, if you hadn't been so free and easy with giving out supplies to folks that couldn't pay for it, you wouldn't have needed to ask for grub steaks now. You'd have had as much as any man in Hawkesville. You wouldn't have needed to give out shares in your gold mine. I'm glad to do it. Glad to do it, Sheriff. Well, that's your business. How much cash did you collect? Sheriff, you wouldn't believe it, but I've got over $1,200 and another $2,000 promised. What is that? That's what I have. It'll be enough to start working on a gold mine and get what machinery we'll need and really go after that old pay dirt in the right way. What'd you do with the map of the place? I left it right here, right on this table. Take another look at her and tell me if you think it's drawn clear enough to follow. I studied it, Andy. You won't have no trouble finding the location. I'll find the place all right. I figure Martha can run the store while I go there with some men and kind of get things started. Why, sure she can. Andy, there's only one thing. What's that? You said your brother found this place, this gold location. He did. But you never saw it. No, but I'd take Sam's word for anything. He told me how good it was, and he was a man that knew what he was talking about. So I've heard. He guaranteed it was worth of plenty. Yeah, it was the last time I saw him. He's died since then. I know. I was afraid for some time that I'd never learn where the place was located. And along came this map with a letter from the lawyer in the east who was closing out Sam's affairs. Map was about all Sam left. No cash store. Well, Andy, I'm with you all the way. You know that. I know, Yasha. Say, that claim was never filed, was it? No. You know what I told the man at the meeting? It was never even staked out. Well, you better get there and tend to that as soon as you can. Oh, sure. I'll go there right away now that I've got the cash. Yeah, wait. The sheriff had been facing the window that looked down the dusty main street. Suddenly, he motioned Andy into a silence and moved closer to the window. His right hand moved toward his holster. Down the main street, coming straight toward them, raised a stranger on a white horse. A big man on a charging stallion. Dust swirled heavy behind the horse's pounding hoops. And the sheriff's eyes narrowed as the stranger pulled the horse to a halt, directly outside and flung himself to the ground. Someone's ridden up mighty sudden. Look at that white horse near the hitch-rack. Yeah. Well, he's coming in the door. Chef, are you in there? Looking for me? Chef. Sure, I'm the sheriff. Hey, you're wearing a mask. Oh, never mind the mask. You know anything about the Carter gang? Carter. You don't mean Lefty Carter? Yes. He hasn't been in these parts for over a year. There's warrants for his arrest. What about him? Now, you just... Put that gun away. I came to tell you that the Carter gang is heading this way and driving a big herd of cattle. Driving cattle? This way? Yes. Well, he wouldn't dare to come here. Well, he's coming and he's just outside of town. Hey, what's that noise? Who are you, stranger? What's the difference, Sheriff? If you want Carter, get your men together. Sheriff, Sheriff, look down the road. Look at the cattle coming. Hey, Sheriff, Sheriff, Penny, get that door closed. There's a stampede heading right down the main street. Carter's men are behind those long horns. Thank you. Thank you. What's going on? Martha, it's a stampede. Get the door closed. Before you close the door, let me out. Let me get my horse away from there. Shut the door. Shut the door. Martha, get back. Andy, his wife and the sheriffs stood inside the closed shop watching the frantic mass of cattle storm through the streets of the town. They saw half a dozen hard-riding men firing pistols into the air as they urged the wild long horns on their way. Finally, when the last of the cattle was gone. Now, what the Sam Hill do you make of that, Andy? Maybe those men were just driving the livestock through town. No such thing. That was a man-made stampede if ever I saw one. But why? Well, I don't know. I recognized a couple of gunmen who used to travel lefty Carter. I didn't see lefty himself. Oh, me neither. Lefty Carter? That outlaw? Yeah. Who said he was around these parts? The mask man. I wish it had been daytime so as we could have got a better look at the cattle. Wonder whose brand they wore. I... Hey, sheriff. Huh? Didn't I leave that map right here? Yeah, right there on the table. Why? It's gone. What? As it was here, I know it was, but it's gone now. What map? The map. You don't mean it. It's not here. Not in the floor either. Sheriff, don't play a joke on me. Don't do it. Tell me if you hid the map. I'm not playing any jokes. I didn't see the map after you showed it to me there at the table. But it couldn't have got away by itself. That mask man. Well, he couldn't have got it. He wasn't anywhere near the table. Remember? He stood right at the door when he talked to us. Andy. Look. What's that? The two men whipped around with the tone of the woman's voice. A thin streak of sunlight from the window cut through the room slicing down into a dark corner of floor. They saw it too. The blade still quivering in the sunlight. The shining steel vibrating. It looked deadly menacing. A mutant messenger apparel. The point buried in the rock pine board. A message that said, danger. Great guns. A knife stuck right in the middle of the floor holding down a message. Let me see that. I'll get it. It wasn't there when the stampede started. I know it. Here it is. Take a look. It wasn't there when I came through from our rooms in the back of the store. I would have seen it for sure if it had been. This is from Lefty Carter. Lefty Carter. No. No, not that killer. Andy, he says he's got the map. What? Lefty Carter? He'll let you know by and by how you can get it back. But if Lefty Carter hasn't, he can stake the claim. He can get the gold mine. Like funny, Ken. Let him show himself anywhere. He'll hang for what he's done in the past. What if you get someone else to do it? We're not after writing this note. Nope. That scheming foxy critter has got some other scheming mind, Andy. He's got something big in the back of his head. And this is just the start of it. Lefty Carter, wanted by the law in several counties, joined his outlaw band not far from town. The cattle which had been scattered after the stampede was spread over a wide expanse of range. But the men who stampeded it were in a small hunter shack to meet their boss. It worked out just like I said it would, boys. That's right, Lefty. The stampede drew everyone to the doors and windows to see what was going on. And I didn't have no trouble at all slipping in the rear door of Conway's store and getting that man. I told you to be there, Lefty. It's a good thing for you. You was right, Butch. I knew Andy Conway would have it out, showing it to the men at his meeting. As I say, it's a good thing you was right. I don't keep men with me long when they make a mistake. Oh, that's what I hear. Now, boys, I'll tell you how this little hunk of paper is going to be worth a lot to us. We can stake a claim. Shut up, Butch. We don't do nothing of the sort. What? Not stake a claim? We don't take the gold mine? Now, look, listen to me. If we go there and stake the claim, then file our claim. What happens? All of us at the law once land in jail and then hang. The law don't have anything against me. No, Butch. The law doesn't have anything against you. Yet. Well, I could stake the claim in my name and then we could split the profits from the mine. Do you think I was born yesterday? You stake the claim. Why, you double-crossing sidewinder. Once you had it staked in your name, you'd see the rest of us jailing out of your way and then you'd have it all. No, I wouldn't. You're different. I know what everyone thinks, Andy Conway. I know that most everyone in town that has some cash is going to share this gold claim. All right. What happens? Without this map, they all lose the cash they would make when the claim was developed. Now, do you think all those important men in town would sooner jail me and lose a valuable gold mine or dismiss the charges against me and get back the map that shows what the claim is at? No, dismiss the charges against you. Oh, what about the rest of us? They've got to give me a full pardon for every man in my outfit if they want this map back. And pay plenty of cash, besides. Because there's no copies of the map, see? No. You see, Butch made sure there was no copies. We got the only map there is. Sure of big help, Lefty. Me being able to move around town like a can without having folks know I'm working with you. Get big ideas, Butch. I can get someone to take your place in the gang any time I want. What's more, as soon as those pardons come through for all of us, we'll all be able to go and come as we please. Now we've got to get ready to shove on. Can't stay here till the sheriff gets a searching party after this. Yeah, where are we hide out? I know a place. Come on, get ready. What's that? Trouble outside. No, you don't! Take him inside! Hey, what's the matter here? Lefty, look where we found him. Bring him inside. Take his guns and keep them covered. We got his guns. Where was he? Me and Joe were on guard, like you said. We were waiting to give word in case a posse headed the way before he got done with the meeting. What's that got to do with the redskin? I thought I heard something like a horse's hoof at the rear of the shack. I knew our horses weren't there, so me and Joe went around and snuck up on both sides. This redskin was at the window here and all that was said in here. So, that's it, huh? Me know what you plan. There's plenty big fool. Law not give you pardon. Someday you hang. We'll see about that. Why was you hanging around? Me not talking. Hey, Lefty, I know who that redskin is. I've seen him before. Hey, who is he? His name's Tonneau. Tonneau? Yeah, he's a partner of the Lone Ranger. What? Where's he at? What's the Lone Ranger doing around here? Yeah, we gotta fight the Lone Ranger. Your name, Tonneau? That's my name. Is it true that the Lone Ranger's near here? The Lone Ranger put you crook in jail. Him get all of you. Well, boys, it looks like we've got lady luck smilein' at us. We not only learned that the Lone Ranger's nearby and figured I'm trying to catch us, but we get a hold of his partner. This Lone Ranger wants the life of this redskin spared. He better keep a long ways from us and not interfere with my plans. And we let him know it. 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. The day after Andy Conway's map was stolen, the sheriff came into the store to confer with the unhappy fellow. Andy Conway had changed since his map had been stolen. Something seemed to have gone out of him. His hopes and his dreams were gone. But that map had meant gold. Gold in the security that it brings, and now those things were gone. He couldn't believe that things would ever be right again. He shook his head slowly at the sheriff. His voice was low and hopeless. It's no use, Sheriff. There's nothing we can do. Nothing at all. I've had men scour in the country for some trace of that game. No luck, eh? Well, we found where they went after they left here. You did? Went to Hunter's Cabin, old place outside of town. But they left there. After that, the trail was lost. We can't be found. Well, at Lexus then. What about the cattle that was stampeted? Oh, that was left by the crooks. It was scattered bad. Some of the men are trying to round it up now and take it back to where it came from. Sheriff, I had a note. You had a note? From Lefty? Oh, why didn't you say so? Here it is. But there's nothing we can do about it. Let me see it. What's it say? I was told to let everyone that Lefty and his gang are given free pardons of the charges against them. They'll give back the map. Otherwise, it'll burn it up. Free pardons? That's right. That's what he wants. I see he does. The only coyote sure wants plenty. Forget the note, Sheriff. Don't show it to none of the men. It says here it's got to be shown. It's addressed to everyone that bought a share of the claim. You know what will happen. They'll all start trying to get those men pardoned. They might even go to the governor to get pardons so they wouldn't lose their interest in the claim. It's no use, Sheriff. We can't do that. I brought it in to me. He said he met a man on the trail. Let me ask him again. I don't want to speak to you, Nandy. I'll do the talking. You were here yesterday. Hold on, Sheriff. I'm as anxious to find Lefty Carter and his gang as you are. He's captured my friend. Who? An Indian who was trying to learn something about the gang. Sheriff, we're going to find Carter's hideout. Oh, just like that. Just easy, like that. Find the hideout. Well, I'll have you know stranger that you got some explaining to do. I don't see how you could have done it. But maybe you're the one who stole that map. Let me see that note. But I tore to him, Sheriff. Might as well. Where'd you get it? A short, heavy-set man brought it in to me. A man who rode a bay horse? Yes. You know him? Yes. I saw his horse outside your place a little while ago. So you've been watching, eh? Yes. The man say where he got the note. He just said he was riding in the town when he met a man on the trail that gave it to him. That's all he knows about it. What are you going to do? There's nothing we can do. It says here that if you agree to the terms, it'll leave the light burning in the wind of your store. Then you'll be told how to send the pardons and get back the map. If only we knew where that bunch of crooks are in hiding. Maybe we will. Huh? We will. How? Andy, you're going to do what I say. Now, you see here... I have the life of my best friend at stake. I'm going to make the plans and you're going to help carry them out. I like the way you talk, Mr. If you've got any ideas, let's hear them. Dad, Raddard, I've spent a whole life hoping to someday strike it rich. If you can help get that map back... I'd like to get that lefty Carter, King. And I want Tonneau back. Now, Andy, and you, Sheriff, listen. The masked man started to speak. His voice was low, his words shortened to the point. As they listened, old Andy Conway seemed to come to life again and the sheriff moved closer. The masked man gave them confidence. The tone of his voice, the way his eyes bored into them from the slits in his blast mask made them realize that this man could lead them from defeat to victory. The sheriff nodded his head. Andy clutched the masked man's arm eagerly, saying, yes, yes, go on, masked man. And when the masked man finished and moved out of the door and rode away, the sheriff and Andy watched him leave. Then turned toward each other. Andy grinned in a wide smile and looked out of space. The two men shook hands gleefully. That night, Butch watched and waited until he saw the light gleam from the window of the little store. He grinned in satisfaction and muttered to himself. Good. Everything's as it should be. I thought it'd come out that way. Wait a minute. I want to talk to you. No, see here, let me go. Come on. That's right. I thought you'd be in with a gang. I thought you'd be in the store. And in the sheriff will meet us there. You'll do nothing. I saw you when you came into town. I thought you were one of Lefty Carter's gang. You and no one else can prove that. It doesn't need proof. As the lone ranger moved toward the port to the general store, his hand holding Butch's arm and an iron grip, getting closer and closer to the lighted window behind which waited old Andy Conway, suddenly Butch tore himself free. His hand whipped down with the speed of a snake. His hand closed around the butt of his six-gun, started yank it from the holster. Then his jaw dropped in amazement. His hand slowly opened, releasing the gun. For the masked man had beaten him to the draw, faster than lightning, almost in the wink of an eye. A gun was in the lone ranger's right hand. The muzzle was a black hole centered right on Butch's staring eyes. The outlaw's shoulders sagged. He was completely licked. Silently let the masked man take his arm once more and lead him up on the porch. All right, then. Man, I'm waiting for you. There you go, man. Good work. Jeff, you and I will talk to him, and he knows what he used to do. I'll go right away and tend to it. Good. Now, what's this all about? Why am I here? You may ask me, and I'll do the talking. Have you got nothing against me? I told you that the note of blood was handed to me by Jen. I never saw before. Never mind all that. I'm sure I've been going to try to prove anything against you. What's more, I know the situation. I know about the map that was stolen, the Indian too. I can tell you one thing. If the gang that's got both is crossed up in any way, the map will burn and the red skin die. That's about the same as admitting that you're in with them. I can tell you more in that. Let's suppose that Lefty's expecting a messenger to come back to them and the same don't show up. We know what would happen. Good. The messenger and I ain't saying you're him. We'll go back all right. There's only one thing. The terms of the agreement are too stiff. Oh, they are, huh? You see, the message said that the charges against all of Lefty's men would have to be dropped. That's more than can be done. We couldn't promise that. That ain't that too bad. What would Lefty say to a compromise? What's that? The charges against Lefty would be dropped. The rest of the gang got a short jail term. Yeah, suppose the men were charged with disturbing a piece instead of murder. How would that be? I wouldn't know. Well, I'll tell you. Now, let's not fool around with this. We know you're the messenger. We don't care. We want that map. That's right. The map and the Indian to go free. You hurry back to the hideout wherever it is and see what Lefty says to the terms we spoke of. You'll follow me. We won't. How could we without your knowing it? No, you couldn't. You critters have got the whip hand and you know it. Glad you admit it. How long will it take you to get there and back? I don't know. We've got to work fast. You've got to be back here before daybreak, you know. Why have I? The United States Marshals do here. If he's on hand, we won't be able to make any deal at all. Oh, I see. No matter how much we'd like to. Sheriff. Well? I know it. I'll make tracks, will you? We know that Lefty's going to make a deal. It would gain him nothing to have the marshal put a stop to any deals we want to make. Well, go as fast as a can. Good. But mind you. Yeah? It'll be known if I'm followed and then everything is off. Hey, look. You know the lone ranger here. You've got his partner. We know that. Now, I give you my word, you'll not be followed. We'll be right here when you get back. But hurry. I'm on my way. Andy, you found his horse all right? Sure. You washed his hoofs? I scrubbed them spick and span. Good. Now, Sheriff, watch the time till he gets back. One hour passed and then another while the lone ranger, Andy and the sheriff, waited. Martha came in with food and hot coffee while those in the little store kept the vigil. At the end of another half hour, the sound of approaching hoofs could be heard faintly at first and then louder. Then Butch rained up outside the door. The men rushed out to meet him. Hey, bring it later, Andy. I've got it. How in as fast as a clut? Oh, it seems. The horse is pretty winded. Well, I know what it would mean if a marshal got here and so did lefty. You spoke to him? Yep, I did. What's his answer? He'll make the deal. He says to put it in writing. We won't need the answer, Sheriff. Hey, what are you doing with that lantern? We were just looking at the hoofs of your horse. That's all. I saw them the last time you were here, but we had to make sure of one detail. The hoofs have red clay as high as the fetlocks. What about it? Mister, don't make no mistake. Don't make a mistake because if you do it, it'll cost the life of Tano. And we'll lose that map as well. I don't think I've made a mistake. Sheriff, put that man under arrest. Hey, now look here. All right, Butch, we're holding you. No, you can't. Throw him in jail, then get your deputies ready for action. We're riding tonight to get Tano on that map. The sheriff and Andy Conway put Butch in jail. Quickly, a posse was rounded up. Men grabbed their guns, stowed cartridges in their pockets, saddled their horses and mounted. They met in front of the store. The lone ranger lifted his arm, waved forward. Silver reared, then leaped ahead. His hooves thundered along the moonlit ground. His white mane whipping like the northern lights. Behind him, through the dust, galloped the sheriff and old Andy and the posse, stretching their horses to full gallop to keep up with Silver. On their road, a lone ranger holding Silver in check so the others would not be left behind on and on into the night on the trail of the outlaws. Meanwhile, Lefty and his gang felt quite secure in their hideout. They floated over the success of their scheme and made jokes about Tano tightly tied nearby. Boys, boys, as I figured out, Butch should be here in a few minutes with the agreement in writing. He better be here, Dog, on soon. I'm getting tired of waiting for him. That red skin will sure have a rough time of it if Butch was to be captured. How about it, Tano? No agreement ever come. Oh, it won't, huh? Lone ranger never make deal with Crook. That's enough. You all crook, and someday you all hang. Let me take a crack at him for talking like that. You fellow plenty big coward. Plenty brave when you got other men outnumbered. Hey, boys, I hear someone. That'll be Butch. Get the door open so we can see for sure. I just think there's plenty of moon tonight. Hey, that's not Butch. It's a Lone Ranger. Get your hands up. That wind of the sheriff. I got you covered. I'll get no guns. You crook. Oh, Silver's teddy boy. Take the gun, Sheriff. I'll hold it up on him. Now, show ya! Oh, my hand! All right, boys, close in. We got the whole wolf back. Shut up. Are you all right? No, I'm not. Me plenty good. There you are. Uh, map over there. Let me get it. Is the map all right? They didn't get the chance to burn it? Uh, map all plenty good. They didn't get a chance to do anything. We got the drop on him from all sides. Butch squealed that dirty double crook. Oh, he didn't, Lefty. Butch was just as surprised as you were. You'd never found a shack if he hadn't told you. Butch didn't need to squeal. The Lone Ranger saw the red clay in the hoofs of his horse. Red clay? That's right. He knew there was only one section where a horse could go through red clay as deep as the Fetlocks. And when he found out how long it took for Butch to ride from town to your hideout and back to town, he knew about how far to come to find you. Well, I'll get square. Maybe you'll drill me, but before you do, I'll square things with the Lone Ranger. I'll get you. Hey, look out. Hey, no! Try to play. If anyone else wants a gun, shot out of his hand, just slap leather. Oh, my hand, my hand. Take over, boys. Get ropes on him before another one gets the fool notion he can shoot faster than the Lone Ranger. Hey, hold on there. Stop that masked man so we can show him appreciate what he's done. Hey, wait a minute, mister. You've got a lot of rewards coming to you. Use the rewards to develop your gold age. Wait! We gotta thank you! How much? You have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.