 A fiery horse with speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high, oh silver, the lone ranger. The masked rider of the plane did more than anyone else to bring law and order to the Western United States. He fought crime and criminals relentlessly, but he was always willing to give the man who wanted to go straight a second chance. His reputation for fair dealing was only equaled by his reputation for courage. Now let us return 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. We're heading for Middlevale! Bolliver Bates and Hacksaw Hastings, two old civil war veterans, wanted the Western Trails, hoping to make their fortunes. They were hungry and disheartened when they appeared at the Lazy N Ranch House, and the foreman, young Steve Manners, made them welcome. Jane Colfax, whose father owned the ranch, led Bolliver and Hacksaw to the cookhouse. Soon a huge plate of flapjacks was placed on the table. The veterans attacked, and now, with the enemy annihilated, we see them leaning back in their chairs. Steve says, had no fellas? Friend, I'm plump, full of busting. And I declare I ain't met up with such elegant cooking and such real manners since me and Hacksaw was riding the Virginia Valley with Dash and Jeb Stewart. Thank you, Bolliver. Miss, I ain't got Bolliver's language, but him and me, she got the same sentiments. I'm glad you like the food, and you're welcome to stay on until you find something to do. That's what I was just telling them. Yes! This is like dying and going to heaven. I'll have to see about the dishes now. And I'd better be getting settled. I'll be in at noon, though, Jane. All right, see you. There goes one of the sweetest little ladies I ever seen. She ain't to be beat. I'm hoping that one of these days will be getting hitched. Me and Bolliver, she'll wish you luck. You treated us real well. I'll take my dishes out to the kitchen, like another word with Jane. I reckon you would. See, who that just stopped outside? Huh? You can see him through the window. Well, I don't know. He's a... Steve, you look like a scene of ghosts. What made you drop your dishes? I was just clumsy, I reckon. You didn't look that way to me. It looked like the sight of that fellow. You'll have to excuse me, friends. There's something I have to see through. Hey, wait! You probably just make yourselves at home. I'm right busy now. Well, I'll be done. Hacksaw, if I ever seen a fellow scared of four, Steve was sure of him. I can't figure it out. It seemed like just as soon as I pointed to that fellow that rode up, Steve went all to pieces. To pieces? He flew out of here like he was shot from a scatter gun. What do you suppose got into him, Bolliver? I don't know, but I aim to find out. But I don't... Look, Steve and that fellow act as though maybe they've met up before. Me, little consent, ain't it? And now they're coming into the ranch house. Gosh, I wonder if Steve's in some kind of trouble. Come on, Hacksaw. Huh? Get up out of that chair, dog, Gonya. If Steve's in trouble after treating us so white, it's up to us to do something about it, ain't it? But what can we do? I don't know. But first, we've got to find out what the trouble is. Come on. But if Steve wanted this along, he'd have asked us. We don't need no invitation. There's no window over there, ain't they? Close the door behind you. You mean we should just listen in without saying nothing? Look here, Hacksaw. If you see a fellow drowning, you don't wait for him to send your note asking it to save him, do you? Well, from Lorcan Steve's face, I'd say he was on a worse fix than drowning. And I'm going to do something about it. Keep your voice down. There's the winner just ahead. Mac, were you glad to see me, Steve? Why in blazes did you have to come here, Morgan? I reckon a fellow can start in the cattle business, worries of mine, Dick, any? You in the cattle business. Russell and cattle's more your style. So you ain't forgot the old days, eh, Steve? I'll forget them if you let me. Remember the time we stole most a thousand head from the bar box outfit of Montana Way? Blast you. I've gone straight since then. Why can't you let me alone? Besides, I was just a wild kid then. I turned out, Lor, because I thought it was something smart. But I soon learned different. Got a right nice job here, ain't you? What's that to you? And I hear you've been keeping company with the boss's girl. You figuring on getting married? Get to the point. You ain't here just to tell what you've heard. Well, like I say, I'm going to be a real rancher. I just bought the old Kramer place near the side of town. The Kramer place? There ain't no stock on that range. There ain't for a fact. And where'd you get the cash to stock it? You've been holding up stages? That's where you come in, Steve. Huh? You're going to see to it that I get enough cattle to set me up. I ain't got no cash, no cattle either. But your boss has. You mean you want me? I mean you're going to see that I get a thousand head of old man Colfax's car. Now hold on. I ain't through talking yet. Hard to see you in blazes first. And even if I was willing, you wouldn't get away with it. You're forgetting the cows that belong in this ranch are all wearing the Lazy N brand. I ain't forgetting nothing. I got a brand already registered. Yeah? The Box Z. But you can't. All I have to do when you deliver them cows is to have my boys work them over with a running iron. It won't be no trick at all to change a Lazy N into a Box Z. You rotten pole cat. Get out of here. You'll do as I say or your fine friends are going to hear all about your being an outlaw. I ain't wanted by the law. There's nobody here would believe anything against me. No. But maybe they'd believe this letter if they was to see it. And you didn't get ready to grab it. This is just a copy. I got the real one where you ain't liable to get your hands on it. That's a letter I read when I was in Montana. And it says enough to prove anything I wanted to. I'd like to break your neck. I reckon you would. But you ain't gonna. You're going to see that I get them cows. Hi. How old? Suit yourself. If you don't want to lose your job and your girl both you'll do like I say. But if Sam Colfax come back and found a thousand head missing. I'd lose my job anyhow. Is it your fault if Rustler stole them? A thousand head. It's that or the letter. I've got to have time to think it over. I don't know just what to do. I'll give you a week. A week. And in the meantime I think I'll use the time to get acquainted with that girl you've been sparking. I hear she's right pretty. You dirty scum. Blast it. Did you hear what that fellow's trying to make? Do you do? And him a friend of ours. I wish it was some way we could help him. You come along with me. But what do you come along with? Come on. You and me are making a trip. A trip? We're going to find the mask man. But what for? We'll see to that gentlemen. Maybe we can't help Steve any. But the mask fella and Tonto sure can. I've never thought of that. I've got to learn good notion where they are. We'll tell them the whole thing. That's a good idea by the way. Then act so what that mask fella will do to that slick out law will be a plenty. Come on gentlemen. Get up there. Get up there. The two old soldiers rode as swiftly as their ancient horses would carry them. Bolliver unfortunately had no more than a vague idea where the lone ranger might be found. And for several days they found no trace of him. Tonto ain't in this town Hexall. We were just after warm looking. And the time's getting less all the while. Oh Steve. But we'll find them fellas yet. Get up gentlemen. Get up. Get up. Bartender, have you seen anything of a red skin by the name of Tonto? Ain't seen no engines at all. Two days left. Hurry Bolliver. We've still got more traveling to do. Hexall. But I recollect Tonto saying something about there being outlawed down this way. Well we... That's the paint horse. Tonto got from old Thunder Cloud. And ain't that Tonto back in the shadows? Howling Tomcats. Hey Tonto. Tonto. Oh there. Oh there. I ain't been so glad to see anybody since the time old Jeff stored Pinto. And that metal's on my chest. Tonto, feel plenty good. See you. Tonto, you're a sight of so eyes. What? What you do here? We've been looking for you. Where's your mass pod? Him in camp. We've got to see him right away. Tonto, take you there. There ain't no time to waste Tonto. We've got to move off of fast. Here paint horse. Hey, I just about give up on who. What? What matters? Everything's the matter Tonto. Come on. We'll tell you about it while we're riding. Get him up there. Get him up there. As the days passed, Morgan Hanley spent more and more of his time at the Lazy N. We see him now on the afternoon before the final day set for Steve's decision. Speaking with Jane Colfax. They are on the porch of the ranch house. Miss Jane, I can't see no reason why you and me can't be good friends. I prefer to choose my friends myself. Jane, you ain't got no time for me. You can take it any way you want to. It's Steve. I don't see why I have to explain myself. If you'll excuse me, I'm going inside. Just a second. I got some things to say. The first is you and Steve ain't going to get hitched up. Let me by. Stay where you are. I can tell you plenty about Steve. If you don't act more friendly, I'll get him in so much trouble he'll never get out. Let me by, Steve. You stubborn little fool. Steve, Steve. Leave your mouth shut. You stay out of this, Steve. Make this fella leave me be. Morgan, I told you what would happen if you didn't quit pestering Jane here. You'd better mind your talk. Stand away from her. I won't. I'll tell you. I should tear you apart. Get that letter out. You show that letter and your chances are getting what you want it done for. Last year. I got to Lamarra. Now get out of here. I'll go and I'll wait till tomorrow. What if you don't give me your answer then? Yeah? I'll see torture run right out of this county. Go on, get. And if you think I don't mean it, just try and stall for more time. Steve, what is it? What hold that man got on? I can't tell you, honey. Don't you think I can be... Jane, don't ask me about it. Please. I won't, Steve, but I just want you to know this. Whatever it is, whatever you've done, I'll still love you. Jane. Hey, wait. The curtain falls on the first act of our throwing-lone-ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. When Bolliver Bates and Hacksaw Hastings stopped at the Lazy End Ranch, they discovered that its young foreman, Steve Manners, had written an incriminating letter several years before. The letter was held by an outlaw, Morgan Handley, who threatens Steve with exposure unless he stole a thousand head of his employer's cattle. Bolliver and Hacksaw set out to find a lone-ranger. Handley gave Steve one week to decide whether or not to obey his orders. On the sixth day, the two men quarreled, and that evening Morgan went to the cafe in town. Now as our second act opens, we see Bolliver and Hacksaw as they approach the door of the cafe. Think Morgan's inside, Bolliver? I'll push back the door and see. There he is! He's standing right at the end of the bar. You won't talk to him. Come on in. Guys, every time I see that bird, he looks meaner than the last time. There ain't nothing to be afraid of. If he gets tough, we'll just give him a steely look of ours. Yeah. Howdy, friend. Your name, Morgan? Huh? How'd you fellas know my name? We know a heap more than that about you. Don't we, Hacksaw? Yes, we do. Yeah? But maybe we had an order to talk where anybody can hear us. Say, what are you two old goats getting at? What's that you called us? Careful there, mister. Get their places away from here. I ain't got the time of the mind to do any talking with a couple of tramps like you fellas. Why can't son, you're a hide-eye. Well, come along, Hacksaw. I reckon he ain't interested in now or no one about that letter of Steve's he's got. What's that? Yeah, Bolliver. I don't think it maybe he was the kind of fella we could do business with. Just hold on. What's that you said about a letter? You, uh, willing to talk? We can't do no talking here. We'll go over to that table there in a corner. Sounds like he's changing his tomb, Bolliver. Yeah. Come on. I don't know what your game is, but by gully, I'm going to find out. Me and my partner just had a notion you could use some help. And get the cattle you want without half so much trouble. Sit down. Sure. I'll talk and talk fast. How come you know about that letter? Steve told us. Why? You'd better tell him the rest of it, Bolliver, before he gets the wrong idea. I reckon I had. He looks mad enough to buzz. The rest of what? Well, it's like this. Steve told us, on account of we had a letter, I might have liked yours. And we had the same notion you had. Only we went there looking for cash as we wouldn't know what to do with cows if he'd given to us. How'd you get hold of any such letter? You see that engine sitting at that table all alone? Yeah. He's got a friend, a masked fella. An outlaw, eh? Well, some fellas call him that. Go on. Keep talking. He knew Steve when he was an outlaw, just like you did. And he had a letter to prove it. Well, I'll be... So when we done him a favor once, he'd give us the letter. And you fellas are trying to get cash from Steve first? That was the notion we had. We went to him and when we told him about it, he was fit to be tied. So then we got the idea you and us could work together. How do you figure that? Steve put up quite a fuss when you asked him for that thousand head, didn't he? And what if he did? We was thinking maybe you went about it the wrong way. What you want to do is to ask for just a little at first to get him used to the idea how easy it is to steal. Yeah? And then when he's give you maybe fifty head or so cattle, come on back with that letter we got and ask for the thousand. Say, maybe you fellas ain't as dumb as you look. Shut up. We just looked that way of purpose. If folks have it how downright slick we was, they'd be a fear dollar. That they would, mister. But how do I know you're telling the truth? Steve wouldn't have told us about the letter you got. Lesson we knew something too, would he? Maybe not. And besides, we'll show you the letter. The engine can tell you where we got it. And what do you fellas want out of this? We ain't asking for much. We can't get cash from Steve so you can take cattle and pay us when you've sold them. Yeah. Hey, where you going? I'm going to check that engine's story with yours. And I'm going to have a look at that letter. If you've been talking straight, maybe we can do business. Morgan talked to Tondo and then agreed to the plan outlined by Boliver and Haxoff. The next morning, he rode to the lazy end, dismounted and wrapped on the ranch house door. That was a slick scheme, all right, with them two old coots thought up. But if they think they're going to get their share after we're done, they got a mighty big surprise coming. And what in places is keeping Steve? So there you are. I've been looking for you. Come on in. You made up your mind yet? Yep. Well? I ain't giving you nothing. You ain't. I'll tell you why. I can't let no thousand head go. If I did, the boss would sure as the devil sadly something was wrong. But you've got it. And besides, there was two other fellas here with a letter I wrote. If I pay you off, well, I gotta pay them, too. I ain't asking for no thousand head. Huh? No, I changed my mind. Give me 50 and the letter's yours. That's some different. What's more, I'll give you my word, them two fellas won't ask you for nothing. You mean that? I know them two old coots and I ain't letting them interfere with my game. And you'll give me the letter you got just for 50 head? That's what I said, ain't it? 50 head wouldn't be hard to cover up. Of course it wouldn't. And that's a heap better than having me show folks that letter. But I don't know. I ain't giving you no more time. Are you sure those fellas won't trouble me? You just leave them to me. And I'll do it. I thought you'd have some sense. I'll send some white boys around just as soon as it gets dark to collect them cows. I'll be waiting for them. Good. I'll be seeing you later. Yeah. Hacksaw and Boliver won't come around with that second letter. But I ain't said that I wouldn't. Just wait until Steve sees it's me that's got it instead of them. Yeah. Get in there. Come on, get in there. That evening, Morgan, Hacksaw and Boliver satisfied their horses watching the approach of a small herd of cattle. The man hazing the cattle a long turn then toward the corrals of the old Kramer place that Morgan had purchased. The outlaw looked at his two companions and chuckled. Well, here they are. Fifty head of cattle for nothing. Told you it worked, didn't it? You give Steve that out of your head? Yeah, but I give him my word you fellas wouldn't trouble him now. But I never promised I wouldn't. Morgan's near as smooth as customers are. Say, Hacksaw. But it took us to show him what to do. But Shucks, you can't expect everybody to have our brains. You gonna talk to Steve tonight, Morgan? Uh-huh. I don't want to give him the chance to do anything to him. They almost jabs towards tactics. Keep the enemy on the run without letting them get collected. What's tactics, Boliver? Why, it's, uh... it's the, uh... Well, don't show your ignorance, Hacksaw. Now that Steve's seen how easy it is to give me the cows he did he ain't gonna put up so near so much fuss when I ask for more. You better be getting home. I'm going right now. Hey, fellas. Start branding them cows. Take your runnin' irons and fix them up to look like boxy stuff. You're gettin' right at it, boss. Get up there. Come on. Get up there. Well, there he goes to see Steve. Yep. We'll give him a head start and then I reckon we'll tag along after to see the fireworks. Morgan with the second letter in his pocket rode swiftly to the lazy end. There he found Steve standing in front of the house. Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Why don't you come back for a, Morgan? We still got more business, Steve. Look here. What are you up to now? I just wanted to show you this other letter. So what are you trying? And for this one, I'm asking a thousand head of cattle like before. You... I don't stop using your language too free. It'll be just the worst for you. You said this other letter would never be used. You must have misheard me, Steve. I'm downright sorry if you got me wrong. But all I said was that Boliver and Hacksaw wouldn't come around with it. I should have known better to believe anything you say. But all you gotta do is give me the cows I want and then our business is done for good. We better step over closer to the corner of the house. I wouldn't want to be seen talking to you. Yeah. This will do all right. Now what about it? You gonna give me that thousand head or do I have to show folks this letter? I guess you recollect what it says all right. I honor. I wrote it, didn't I? I knew that as soon as I seen it. You mean I ain't got no choice at all? You won't settle it some other way? I told you my terms. This is blackmail. Sure it is. And what are you gonna do about it? I don't know. But I ain't gonna let you get away. Whose are coming? One of them is riding a paint horse. Oh, what a paint horse. Oh, yeah, Captain Boliver. Hacksaw and Boliver. What places do you know in here? You will find out soon enough, mister. Conto won't play in the lawman. You're looking for the sheriff? The sheriff? Hey, what's up? Why would the Redskins come here for the sheriff? Because I would just stand around the corner of the house to hear what you had to say. And we heard everything. You mean the sheriff? I sure did. You're going to jail, Morgan. Steve, you blasted fool. Yeah? I'll show him the letter. Sheriff Steve's a crook and I can prove it by this letter here. Yeah, that I don't interest me none. But Steve wrote it. You ain't denying it, are you, Steve? Nope. I know what's in that letter already. I ought to. I was with him yesterday with a mask. Well, I told Steve what to write. The mask man? Yeah, but it was his idea. He had Steve write the letter, then rub it in some dirt so it wouldn't look too recent. And you fell for it, Morgan. I was tricked. You tricked plenty. But Steve's a crook. I literally wrote back in Mount Timer. I don't know anything about that. I ain't seen it. He must have torn it up. Then there ain't nothing I can do about it. Conto, tell him what happened back to his place. Deputy, get other fellow. They rounded up the whole bunch? I'm not right. We see him change brands. And that's another chart against you, Morgan. I was tipped off and maybe you had your fellow's changing the brand on some lazy-end cows. And then they caught at it. I got them from Steve. Is that right, Steve? He's got to prove it. But you gave it to me. You look like you can't, Morgan. Well, you're coming along with me. Steve, I told you to listen to what that masked fellow said, didn't I? It wasn't for him and you fellas. I don't know what I'd have done. Well, you created this white, so we've done the best we could for you. And Jane, you ain't holding none of this again, are you? Of course not, Steve. I understand more about this than you think. Thank heaven for that. I got it for Morgan. You ain't going to get me. Hit him off. He's running for his heart. The masked friend catch him. Got him now. I thought the masked friend was just waiting for him to make a break. Stay where you are, Morgan. This time I got you covered. It looks as though if it weren't for the masked man, he'd have got away anyhow. We owe him a lot, Steve. What you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.