 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-oh silver, the lone ranger. A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-oh silver. During 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 plains 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 the great horse Silver. The lone ranger rides again. Come on, Silver, run the trail of the Black Arrow, Hail, Silver! When the lone ranger and Tonto learned that the mysterious girl who had given them so much information had ridden off in the direction of Tamarack, they hit the trail at once. Tamarack, many far from here. Yes, Tonto, it's in the foothills. What we do there? All we know is what the girl said. The town's in danger. Oh, big gold mine there. It may be Indians. It may be outlaws. It may be the Black Arrow. Whatever it is, we've got to hurry. Come on, Silver. Get on up, Scoundrel! Faster, boy, faster! As the lone ranger and Tonto were racing along the trail, a well-dressed stranger walked into the cafe at Tamarack. It was early afternoon and there were only a few customers. The bartender was sitting at the end of the bar reading a month old newspaper. He raised his head, looked at the stranger, and then went on with his reading. Well, I don't like to bother you, but how about a drink? Nope. You mean you won't serve me? That's right. Why? There's no place for your kind in Tamarack, mister. You'd better get out of here while the getting's good before Tom Conlon sees you. Tom Conlon, huh? Isn't he the one who owns the rainbow mine? That's him. Is he the chef, too? Nope, just the owner, the rainbow. That's enough around here, what he says goes. Well, I didn't realize we'd ever met. What's he say about me? No professional gamblers in Tamarack. So that's it. And why do you think I'm a professional gambler? Sure got all the air, Max. Well, don't let these clothes fool you. I'm an engineer, a mining engineer. I'm here to ask Tom Conlon for a job. Yeah? Yeah. Now, how about a drink? Coming right up. I'd like you to tell me a little more about time. You don't mind. What do you want to know? Well, how long has it been here? There you are. Four bits. Hey, keep the change. Thanks. I say Tom came here about five years ago. It was him that prospected the rainbow. He worked it all by himself at first, and he started hiring men. Now, it's one of the biggest mines in the West. Everybody in Tamarack gets their living from it in some way. And that's why everybody takes orders from town. That's one of the reasons, but it isn't the only one. What are the others? We just like the way he runs things, that's all. There's never any trouble here. The boys all make good money, and most of them are married and settled down. Well, it's unusual for a mining camp. Tamarack isn't just a camp anymore. It's one of the nicest towns in the whole of the West. I think Tom would have brought his little girl out here if it weren't. Oh, he's got a little girl. Just ten years old. Blue eyes and curly hair. There's got more gold in it than her pa's mind. Name's Marianne after a ma. I guess if his wife hadn't died, Tom wouldn't have come out West. He don't ever talk about it, but it must have hit him pretty hard. I noticed a big house up on the mountain near the mine. Is that where he lives? Yeah. Just him and the little girl? No, there's a sister, Aggie. She's a spinster lady, mighty set in her ways. If Tom runs the town, then Aggie runs Tom. What's so funny? Nothing. That little blue-eyed Marianne runs them both. Well, I think I'll go up and have a talk with Mr. Conlon. Do you figure there's any chance of me getting a job? If you know your business. I know my business. Don't you worry about that. Whoa. Whoa, Ginger. Oh, gosh. Young lady, do you realize it's after dark? Where have you been and what have you been doing? I'll tell you all about it in just a minute, Andy. But now I've got to un-settle Ginger. You just leave him for Sam. You're coming right inside the house with me. Come along. Yes, ma'am. Well, I'm waiting. I rode up the mountain a little into the woods. That isn't against the rules. Pa said I could. That isn't all he said. Well, I didn't know it was getting so late. All of a sudden, the sun had gone down and it was dark. There's nothing strange about that. Inside. Yes, ma'am. I ought to spank you. Yes, ma'am. I would, too, if supper went on the table. Where's Pa? He's in his office. Is he waiting for me? No, there's a gentleman with him. As a matter of fact, I didn't tell him you weren't here. Oh, thank you, Auntie. You're the sweetest aunt in the whole world. No such thing. You set down each of ittles. Isn't Pa coming to supper? He'll be out as soon as he's finished with his business. What were you doing up there, child? I can't tell you. You what? That's a secret. And I promised. Well, now I think maybe we'll forget all about supper. Oh, please. You wouldn't want me to break a promise, would you? Who were you talking to? I didn't say I was talking to anybody. You must have been Mary Ann. Now, don't make me lose my patience. I want to know who was up there with you. It was a lady. She was the beautifulest lady I ever saw. She was the beautifuler than the very princess in my book. And she gave me a secret message. Very princess. Secret message. Stuff and nonsense. Mary Ann, when you make up stories like that, it's just the same as telling a fib. But I'm not making it up. Well, she looked just as real as you do. You were dreaming. Well, I don't think so. You must tell me the truth. Did you fall asleep at all? Yes, Andy. That's why I was so late. Pine needles look so soft. And they smell so good. I was just going to lie down for a minute. But I didn't see her when I was asleep. She rode up on a beautiful black horse with a white star on his forehead. I was awake. You drink your milk and forget about it. It was a dream. All right. Well, Ann Sakes, I guess I can't blame you for imagining things. I used to do the same thing myself when I was your age. Only you shouldn't. Oh, here's your pa, Mr. Crawford. Now, let's hope they've left some food for us. Oh, there's a plenty, Tom. Sit down, Mr. Crawford. Rance, this is my daughter, Mary Ann. Howdy. I've heard a lot about you, young lady. Have you? Oh, but you're twice as pretty as they said you were. What's your name? Rance. Rance Crawford. Oh. Well, what's the matter? Don't you like me? Of course she does. It isn't often she sees a stranger around here, though. She's a little shy. Aggie, Rance is going to work for me. Oh, I'm glad to hear it. He's going to help me in the office. Oh, well, that's fine. Paperwork always gives Tom a headache, Mr. Crawford. Would you mind making that, uh, Rance, Miss Conlon? Oh, that's not a bit. Pass the biscuits to Rance, Mary Ann. I won't. Charles. I won't. I won't do it. I won't. I won't. What a nurse. Oh, it's all right, Tom. The child's nervous. She had a bad dream this afternoon. I got to room with her. That was a front door, Aggie. Good heavens. What's got into the child? Oh, don't worry. Mary Ann. That's her pony, all saddled. She's mount. Mary Ann. I'm going after her. Hurry, Tom. Hurry. Betty, you're all right, Tunnel. You can see both the town and the mine from this ridge. Listen, look as if anything's wrong. Tunnel not see anything. That girl wouldn't have come here if there weren't going to be trouble. That's right. We'll make her camp back in the trees, then we'll... someone riding this way, Tunnel. Ah, that trail over that way. We'll see who it is. Come on, Tunnel. Get him up scout. This is far enough. Keep back in the trees. Ah, their horse come now. It's a little girl, Tunnel. Whoa! Who can she be calling to? Her get down to the pony. We don't want to frighten her. I think we better stay here. We're going to go and walk this way. Lead the pony. Yes. Lady! She'll see us in a moment. We'll startle her even more if we try to get away. It's all right. We won't hurt you. Please don't be afraid. Oh, I'm not afraid. I know who you are. The lady told me all about your horse and your mask and Tunnel and everything. You're the lone ranger. What lady are you talking about? Oh, she was here this afternoon. She rode through the trees from over there. The ridge we came from, Tunnel. Oh, she was beautiful. But Andy says it was a dream, and I came back here to find out. Do you think it was a dream? No, I don't. She knew my name. She called me Mary Ann. And she knew my pa was Tom Conlon. Your father owns a rainbow mine? Uh-huh. Uh, what else did the lady say? She said it was too late for me to be up here by myself, and I must go straight home. Was that all? Oh, no. She said that Pa mustn't trust a man named Rance Crawford. But when I got home, he was trusting him. He gave him a job, and he had supper with us. Rance Crawford is at your house now? Mm-hmm. I wouldn't pass on the biscuits. Well, uh, did the lady say why Rance wasn't to be trusted? No, but she said you'd be here before long, and you wouldn't let him hurt us. Is that all, Mary Ann? There was something about Horseshoe Valley. I forget. Kimosabe? Uh, not to know where Valley is. Wait. That was my secret message for Pa. He's to go there and look, but he mustn't let anybody see him. Why not? Well, isn't there any more, Mary Ann? Well, he's got to be careful. We'll do it for him. We'll go to Horseshoe Valley. But you'd better give your father the message about Rance Crawford. All right. Make sure you do it when you're alone. Tell him to watch Crawford closely. Like a hawk? Yes. But he mustn't say anything until Tonto and I come back. I hope I remember. Well, let's see if you do now. He mustn't trust Rance Crawford. He's got to watch him like a hawk, and he mustn't say anything until you and Tonto come back. That's right. Will he believe me, Mask Man? Won't he say it was all a dream like Andy did? Here. You can give him this. Oh, it's silver. That silver bullet. Oh, it's pretty. You give it to your father, and he'll believe you. Someone's coming up the trail. It's Pa, I bet. Ah, one man. Can you tell from here who it is, Mary Ann? Uh-huh, it's Pa. Then tell him everything before you forget. I don't know how you're going along. Come on, Silver. Get him up, Scout. Hurry back. Come, Silver! Hurry! The trail to Horseshoe Valley led the lone ranger and Tonto higher into the mountains. But after an hour of climbing, it leveled off, and the great horse Silver and Scout increased their speed. It's not long now. The trail's stuck down. The girl warned Conlin to be careful. She may have been afraid of an ambush. Uh-huh. How to keep watch? I wonder what we'll find. Round this turn, you'll see valleys. Rain up, Tonto. Get it, Silver. Look at those campfires. Ah, plenty men down there. Hundreds of them. It's almost an army. Ah. They aren't Indians. No. They aren't soldiers either. They aren't wearing uniforms. What do you think he must have been? What can I think? It's an outlaw army. An army of the Black Arrow. 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. It was three hours after Tom Conlin had returned home with his daughter that he heard two horses stop out in front. His sister was on her feet as quickly as Tom was. There they are, Aggie. He kept his promise. Looks like he always does. But what can it mean? A mask man is an engine. You're Tom Conlin, aren't you? Yeah. And you're the Lone Ranger. Mary Ann told me. This is my sister. Good evening. How do? Come here, won't you? You're welcome, Mask Man. We've been wondering what this is all about. Did Mary Ann tell you that Tom and I were going to horseshoe valley? Sure. Well, we're back. We have some bad news, Conlin. What is it? There's an army of outlaws camp there. An army of outlaws? What do you want me to do, Mask Man? Round up all the boys in town and go after them? Even if all your men were experts with a rifle, there wouldn't be enough of them. You didn't really mean that when you said an army. There are hundreds of them. Hundreds? That's right. But what are they there for? Is the town in danger? Are they going to attack us? Yes, Conlin. Land of Goshen. Tom and I got as close as we could, and we managed to hear some of the men talking. Are they going to attack soon? We weren't able to find that out. What are they after? If they were just going to break into my office here and take the gold, they wouldn't need hundreds of men? We believe they're out to take possession of the mine. Oh, that's impossible. I wish you were right. But they couldn't get away with it. Not for long. And what good would the mine do them? My boys wouldn't work for outlaws. They couldn't get any gold out. They're bringing their own men to work the mine. What about Fort Cameron? The soldiers aren't so far away. If this town were wiped out, the soldiers wouldn't hear about it for a long time. And then when they did come here, they'd find a fort instead of a town. The outlaws would bill one. They wouldn't have the nerve. You don't know what you're up against, and I can't tell you. But at least we have a warning from the girl. We can try and get the soldiers here in town. Thought I was riding onto the fort. You better get started once, Kimosabi. Ah, Scout traveled plenty fast. He won't get the Cameron before morning no matter how fast he travels. You may not have to go all the way. That's what I'm counting on. What? The girl left here at sunset. She knew then everything we know now. Where else would she go with the fort? The soldiers may be on their way. Well, if they are, what's the sense of the engine going to meet them? There's a shortcut through the pass. He can show it to them. And if the attack holds off until dawn, we'll have a chance. And if it doesn't? We have plenty of work tonight. No matter what happens. Well, I'm with you. Where do we start? Rance Crawford. By taking the girl's word, he's one of the outlaws. There may be others in town. Find Rance and we'll find them. Kano. Uh, when did he leave here? Well, it was before Tom came back with Mary Ann. He finished his supper, and then he said he might ride down into town and find a place to board. I told him the Murphys might take him in, or maybe the Chalmers that both have lots of room. We can be pretty sure he isn't at either one of those places. Now, you can look in at the cafe first, Tom. Aren't you coming with me? Not in there. Don't forget I'm wearing a mask. Oh, yeah, that's right. I don't believe you'll be at the cafe. Before you leave here, I want you to make a list of the men who started to work at the mine during the past month. But come on, into my office. We'll try their cabins one by one. It shouldn't take us long to find Rance. Quiet down, boys. Is everybody here, Vic? Yeah, Rance. Where are your rivals? They've got them cached outside of town. Good. You can pick them up on your way to the mine. What are we going there for? You're going to take it over tonight. Have any guards? One or two. Be careful. Knock them out. Don't use your guns. Yeah, but why the mine? Why can't we leave that old Bart gets here? Because it's a one place they can defend around here. It's got big rocks to protect it from anyone coming down the mountain. And if Mack hits the plane north of here and circles around to attack the town, from the east, the mine's on higher ground. Don't you see? Yeah. We've got to take it over tonight. Tom Collins' place isn't far away. Just make sure those guards don't make any noise and you won't have any trouble. Up with your hands, all of you. Hey, a mess, man. Tom Collins. That isn't all. The sheriff's here in 20 minutes. What's the idea? You can take him prisoner's sheriff, the whole lot of them. Put him in jail or they won't make any trouble. You can't arrest us. We haven't done anything. You aren't going to either. Now listen, I'm an engineer. I just got here today and I just met these boys. We're going to have a little card game. It won't do, Rance. Too bad you forgot to close that window. We heard plenty. No. Now listen. No time for that. Move them along, boys. They're heading for jail. Aggie. Yes, Tom? Did you find him? Him and his henchmen. They're in jail. Good. How many others were there? About a half a dozen. Where's the masked man now? Well, he's got all the rifles in town and he's given them out to the men who can use them best. He's got the others building earthworks in front of the mine. Earthworks? That's where you're going, Aggie. You and all the rest of the women folks into the mine. Get Mary Ann dressed right away. You figure it's going to be bad. You can judge as well as me. We'll be ready to give them the best fight we can. That's all. That'll be good enough with the masked man to lead us. Well, maybe. Hurry up with Mary Ann. The women and the few children in the town took their places inside the mine. The men toiled away at the earthworks and when the first fringe of grey rimmed the sky to the east, the rainbow had become a fort. The lone ranger and Tom Conlon stood on the rocks above the mine and watched both the mountain and the plain below. What do you think, masked man? Which way will it come? We'll have to wait and see. You'd think it'd be down the mountain. That'd give them the advantage of the higher ground. Yes. But if they take the north draw down to the plain and circle through the town, they'll have the sun behind them. We'll get them whichever way it is. Do you remember one of those crooks mentioning a name? He said, uh, when Bart gets here. That'd be Black Bart. You know him? He's the worst cutthroat this part of the country ever knew. If only they'd said when it was going to be masked man. It's getting lighter. No sign of the soldiers. Wait. Not there beyond the town. That long black column. Not there. No, not the army. It's coming from the wrong direction. Too much to the north. Come on. We'll get back to the men. Quiet, boys. The masked man wants to tell you something. There isn't much to say, but there's something you should know. Those men riding into town are worse than outlaws. They're enemies of our country. Well, we're raising the flag and you're fighting under it. Look at her, boys. Old glory. Hey! One thing more. There can be no surrender because we can expect no mercy. I want you to remember a little band of men 40 years ago who fought as you must fight for their wives and children, for their homes for freedom. We're all Americans. Our fathers were heroes. And now we have a chance to prove ourselves worthy of our heritage. The rainbow or the alamo, there's no difference. We're fighting for freedom. They reached the town for your postmen. The column of outlaws raced into the town. Some of them carried torches and the buildings that lined the main street burst into flames. It was not long before they realized not a man, woman, or child were left in tamarick and the sight of the earthworks and the slope of the mountain showed them where the town's people had chosen to make their stand. Black Bart rallied the men to his charge. The men at the mine waited quietly. Their guns ready. Their faces grim with determination. On the outlaw column swept and then a command from the lone ranger. Open fire! The first charge was broken. But the second followed almost at once and then a third. The outlaws paid for each attack but so did the defenders. First there were more men than rifles and when one of them fell another would grab the rifle from his nervous hands then came a time in the rifle's way where the men would held him. Another charge. The outlaws attacked on three sides and the lone ranger rallied the men at the weakest point. Drive them back boys, drive them back. Remember what you're fighting for. Black Bart turned aside. His men followed him. Once more the four had been held and then... That's enough men. Cease fire. You're a wounded mask man. There's nothing. We'll have a few minutes now. You can take some of these boys into the mine and have their wounds dressed. It's all right soldier. You'll get your fixed up. Jerry, give me a hand with Bill. How much? How much more? Can we hold out mask man? As long as we have to. There isn't many of us left to fight. Don't try to talk. Just promise something. Keep that flag flying. It's a promise soldier. You can put him right down here miss Mary Ann. Howdy Miss Conlon. Howdy. Now you keep quiet. There's no time for conversation. Mask man, please. Won't you let me bandage your arm? It's only a scratch Mary Ann. I have to get back outside. Please. All right. Um. Yeah. Call me if they start back. It's more than a scratch. I'm not wrapping you too tight am I? No. That's fine. Hold it there. Mask man. I'm coming. Oh dear again. There. Thank you Mary Ann. They haven't started yet. But it looks like they're getting ready. There's Bart by the big tree. Good news Tom. Good news. Look. Beyond the town. More men. They got reinforcements. Those are not laws. Look in front. You can see the colors. The flag. Get your horses men. What's that? Barton's men will turn to meet the soldiers. There aren't many of us here. But if we charge at the right minute. Catch them between two fired and cut off their retreat. Are you with me? And come on. Well the mountain boys. Faster silver faster. Inside the colonel. And as the troops flashed into town from the east. The lone ranger and the men from the rainbow headed down the mountain. Now the odds were even. The masked man the sudden charge gave the advantage of position for the soldiers and the miners. The outlaws suddenly put on the defensive tried to organize themselves. They fought on for half an hour. Then a bullet in the shoulder not black part from his horse. Suddenly the renegades lost heart. Unable to break through without any chance of escape. They threw down their guns and show to their surrender. They're giving up. She's fired. Take them prisoners. The battle was over. The town would carry its scars for months. But the cause of justice of freedom had triumphed. At night the lone ranger talked with the colonel. You're leaving now? Yes colonel. Take care of that arm. Hunter bandage plenty good. I was proud of my men today. But I'm even prouder of the men who fought with you up at the mine. They're Americans colonel. All I had to do was tell them they were fighting for their country. You told them about the black arrow? No, they didn't need any explanations. Do you realize that nearly every one of our prisoners belong to it? Yes colonel. It's the greatest blow we've ever struck against them. The fact they can raise so many men only proves their strength. The fight's only beginning. We'll carry on mask man. We'll wipe them out. Come on silver. Come on silver. Celebs, come on. Let go silver! ese. Silver. Celebs... Celebs The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.