 A horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hockey-hio silver! The lone ranger! With his faithful Indian companion Tahoe, the daring and resourceful mass-rider of the planes led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. 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 all of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver! The lone ranger rides again! Come on Silver! Let's go big fella! I want Silver! The lone ranger and Tahoe camped on a hillside overlooking a valley in the southern part of the Oklahoma territory. Had just finished their noonday meal when they heard distant hoofbeats. Oh, and like someone riding fast, he must be. Yes. There he is, Tahoe, riding through the valley from the horse. The horseman threw up his arms and pitched from the saddle. He shot. They're gun smoke. They're big rock on side of the other hill. There's a man, Tahoe, riding up hill from behind that rock. A man-butter. He shoot. No use. He's too far away. Right of the man he shot. Easy fella. Easy fella. Come on Silver! The unknown gunman riding uphill on the opposite side of the valley had disappeared over the crest. By the time the lone ranger and Tahoe reached the fallen man, then grew rain. Easy, man. That's the first aid supplies in my saddlebag. But I see if this man's alive. Ain't well. Steady. You're masked. Nevertheless, I'm here to help you. I'll cut away your shirt and see how badly you're wounded. Shot came from up there. Yes, I know. What's your name? Sorder. Bill Sorder. You know who shot you? Must have been one of Tarbuck's gang. Who is Tarbuck? Look. He and his gang took over Lone Pine. Lone Pine. Is that the name of the town west of that hill? Yes. Gunman riding that direction. Look at this wound, Tarbuck. It's a bad wound. I know it's bad. You need to clean and bandage it. Your name? Tarot. That's right. Who's the masked man? Him, Lone Ranger. Lone Ranger. Providence must have brought you here. Steady. Don't have a move. Better. In my shirt pocket. I'll get it. Is this it? Yes, sir. I was riding the Smithville to mail it. It's addressed to the federal government in Washington? Yes. It tells how Tarbuck got crooks of his gang and jobs as judge, sheriff, other officers. Now he runs Lone Pine with a gang of crooks. I understand. He framed decent people who wouldn't tell Tarot to him. Flamed him for the crimes his gang committed. So we left. Lots of us left town. We camped north of here. Jim Golfe's in charge of the camp. Jim Golfe? Yes. Tell him... What do you want me to tell Jim Golfe? Tell him... Tarbuck has a spy in our camp. You know we were sent in the letter to Washington. Can you name the spy? Yes. Hanford. Pete Hanford. Are you sure it's Pete Hanford? Must be him. Jim Golfe? Only once knew I'd ride through here with the letter. I'll give you a message to Jim Golfe, and I'll see if the letter is mailed. All right. Yes, Bill. Don't mail that letter. Washington's on the way off. But you're here. Open letter. Read it. You'll know. What? That's not a... That's when the blank is in time on the back of his horse when I read the letter. The letter gave a detailed account of the lawless activities, the unjust taxes, and the ruthless oppression that had caused the decent and law-abiding citizens to leave their homes in long time. After reading the letter, the lone ranger said... That's right. I don't think you can play at that game. You become a spy on Tarbuck's gang. You go to Lone Plains? Yes, you have a Mexican hat and coat in your saddlebag. Use some time. Use it for disguise. This time you use it for disguise. And learn all you can about Tarbuck and his plans. Meanwhile, I'll take Solter's body to the camp of his friends. You tell Jim Golfe about spy? Yes, Tutto. Meet me tomorrow morning in our camp on the hillside. Me, Sammy. Come on. Come on. Leading Bill Solter's horse with a dead man tied across the saddle, the lone ranger rode north at an easy gate. It was after dark when he reached the top of a small hill and saw the refugee camp in the valley beyond. Surrounded by wagons and tied horses, over half a hundred men, women and children were gathered near the center of the camp where a fire burned brightly. Steady now. They were listening to their leader, Jim Golfe, who stood on a flat top rock. In the darkness, the lone ranger advanced unnoticed. And as we can hold out just a little longer, we may get the help we need. Where's the help coming from? Camp Brady, ten miles west of here. Jim, I talked to Colonel Miller at the camp. He said he couldn't take action against Tarbuck unless he had orders from Washington. I think he'll receive those orders by telegraph. Why do you think so? I wrote a complete report of the way Tarbuck took over Lone Pine and the way he treated us. By now, that letter should be on the way to Washington. Bill Salter left here with it this morning. He was to mail it in Smithville. It'll take two weeks for a letter to reach Washington. Pete, if we cut the food rations again, we can hold out for two weeks. You mean we gotta get by with even less growth than we've had? That's right. Our kids are hungry. Joe, we're all hungry. I mean, a man in Washington don't care what happens to a handful of people like us. I think you're wrong, Pete. I say we'll starve to death before the Army turns our hand to help us. I think Pete Hanford's right. You bet I'm right. I say we gotta admit we made a mistake and go back to our homes in Lone Pine. Wait, listen to me. Friends, we can't go back. Every one of you voted to leave Lone Pine and stick together. If we go back, Tarbuck will be even worse than he was before. He'll bleed his wife with taxes and assessments. And jail anyone who can't pay. And anyone who refuses to kowtow to him will be framed and maybe hang for a murder than one of the Tarbuck gang committed. Well, I'd rather pay Tarbuck's taxes than starve to death. I'd rather starve and pay tribute to a crook. Pete, you don't have a wife and kids that'll have to starve with you. I say we gotta do one of two things. Either admit we're lipped and go back peacefully or make a fight of it and go back with a gunslinger. Oh, Pete, you talk like a fool. You know Doggone well. We wouldn't have a chance to be trying to shoot it out with Tarbuck's gunslingers. Then go back peacefully. Where'd he come from? Who is he? Hello, dude. Who are you, mister? I'm on your side, George. I brought your friend Bill's holder here. Where is Bill? Over there, wrapped in a blanket on the back of his horse. You mean he's dead? He was ambushed on his way to Smithville. Am ambushed? Yes, I was with him when he died. He gave me the letter you wrote. Who ambushed him? He said he'd been shot by one of Tarbuck's men so he couldn't mail the letter in Smithville. How did Tarbuck know about the letter? He has a spy in your camp. But that hooker, only three of us know about the letter. Bill sold her myself and... And the spy. Pete Hanford. You're lying, old hooker! I warned you, Hanford. I fired at your gun. The bullet didn't touch your head. There'll be no more gunplay by either of you. Jake, pick up Hanford's gun. Yeah, I got it. You, mister, host to that shooting iron. Very well. You men had better watch, Hanford. We're watching both of you. Hanford, if it's true that you're working for Tarbuck... It's not! You certainly played Tarbuck's game when you tried to persuade these people to return to Lone Pines. I said I'd rather go back than starve to death. Hanford, someone must have told Tarbuck about Solter riding with that letter. I didn't tell him. And you're the only other man who knew. I saw you riding out of the camp last night, Hanford. Did you meet one of Tarbuck's men? No! And no one can prove otherwise! Jim, Bill sold her asked me to read your letter and help you in any way possible. What made him think you could help us? He knew my identity. Just who are you? This letter will explain. It's written by one of the Army's finest generals. Well, I'll be, dog Jim. Who is he? Folks, this man is the Lone Ranger. Right? He says Hanford's a spy that settles that letter. That letter don't prove a thing. He could have forged it or stolen it. Oh, the way he drew his gun has proven up for me that he's the Lone Ranger. No one else could be that fast. Oh, mister, if you read this letter you'll know what the situation is. We'll be mighty glad to have your help. We'll do whatever you suggest. Yes, sir. Then tie Pete Hanford and hold him prisoner. No, wait, hold on. Tie him up, boys. We'll keep him tied and go wagon. Oh, what else do you suggest, mister? That you stay here and don't lose faith in your government. Now return as soon as possible. Where you going? What are you going to do? I'm going to try to find a way to smash the carbuck gang. What are you doing? Early the following morning, just after daybreak, the Lone Ranger and Toto met in their camp on the hillside. The Indians told all that he had learned of the gang's plans. The Lone Ranger listened carefully. Then said, Now, as I understand the Toto, carbuck figures the followers of Jim Galt will be starved into submission. That's right. They'll either return to town and submit to his domination or try to attack and drive out the crooks. They'll attack him or something. Tarbuck gunmen meet him and kill him. And after they're dead, he'd claim that they're attacked with an armed rebellion against law and order. That's right. But what if Jim Galt and the other townspeople neither attack nor surrender? What if they simply drive their wagons to a new location and start a new town? Then Tarbuck be plenty glad. Then him have land and homes of all people. So he figures he'll win no matter what the people do. And he's probably counting on his spy to give him advanced knowledge of any move the refugees have said to make. If the spy is captured, Galt might make a surprise attack. Not good, Kimusabi. There are too many gunmen in town. Probably many of those gunmen want to be the law. I don't know. I have an idea. And it might work. And what's your idea, Kimusabi? Well, I tell you about it. Take off that Mexican disguise. We're going to ride to an army post about 10 miles west of the valley where the refugees are camped. I'll show Galt's letter to Colonel Miller and see what he has to say. Late that afternoon, after showing the letter of identification, the lone ranger and Toto were admitted to the office of Colonel Miller, the commandant at Camp Brady. The officer welcomed both men warmly and said, I've heard a lot about you and am delighted to meet you. Both of them. Please sit down. Hello, Colonel Miller. We came here because of a situation in Lone Pine. Oh, yes. I'm familiar with it. You are? A committee from Jim Galt's camp called on me for aid. Yes, I know that, sir. But did they tell you the whole story? Yes, I believe so. As I understand it, a man named Tarbuck has practically stolen the town. That's what it amounts to. I'll have to send the Washington office a complete report together with sworn statements from the people who have complaints about the government in Lone Pine. Tarbuck represents the government. Yes, I know what you mean. But it will take time to prepare such a report and at least two weeks for it to reach Washington. That is correct. Then there'll be a further delay before you are given the authority to act. I may not be given that authority. It depends largely on the nature of the report. Colonel Miller, those refugees will starve until they receive help in their fight against oppression? Yes, I'd like to help them. I might send a little food, but we haven't much to spare. Colonel Miller, I know that you can't attack Tarbuck and his gang of crooks without authority. You've very made an attack on any town. No matter how poorly it's governed. Without specific authority from Washington, I'd be caught marching. If you and the detachment of your men were to be attacked by outlaws, would you need authority from Washington to defend yourselves? Of course not. That's an entirely different matter. What would you do if Tarbuck's men opened fire on the detachment of your men? We'd certainly return the fire. And if there were any survivors after the battle, we'd take them prisoner and punish them to the full extent of the law. That's what I hope you'd say. Do you think Tarbuck's men are foolish enough to attack the United States Army? They might make such a mistake. I doubt it. Colonel, would it be possible for the detachment to make an inspection trip to Lone Pine? Well, I... I'd say it would be possible. Would you sincerely like to help Jim Galt and the decent people who have been driven from their homes? I would indeed. But you can see that there's just a little I can do. All you have to do, sir, is to send a detachment to inspect Lone Pine. At a specific time. Yes, sir. I begin to understand. There's a fairly armed detachment of hard fighters. You mentioned a specific time. Tomorrow night, sir, there will be no moon. It should be a dark night. A dark night. In darkness, Tarbuck's men might make that mistake, you mentioned. And where would they likely make the mistake? In a narrow valley between Lone Pine and the camp of the refugees. That's who your man's friend is proof of the saying that where there's a will, there's a way. On the army camp, the Lone Ranger and Tuttle rode to the camp of the refugees arriving there after dark. A mask man outlined his plan to Jim Galt, who agreed to do his part. I'll do anything you say. Thanks, Jim, for your confidence. Oh, uh... Where's Pete Hanover? He's in his covered wagon. He's been held prisoner there since last night when you exposed him as a spy. Good. You wait here with the horses, Tuttle. Jim, you and I will carry on a discussion while we walk slowly past Pete Hanover's wagon. Helplessly tied Hamdenfoot, Pete Hanover lay on the floor of the heavy prairie schooner. Hey! Presently, he heard a voice that he remembered, the voice of a masked man who had exposed him as one of Tarbuck's gang. It's the only thing to do, Joe. I'd rather take almost any other course. Well, I've talked to Colonel Miller. Health from the army can't be secured without orders from Washington. So, you'll have to make the attack. When do you suggest? Tomorrow night would be the best time. Tomorrow night, eh? Yeah, so it'll be a dark night. You should be able to get through the valley in close to town before you're discovered. I wish I could get free. Tarbuck should know about this. Don't go to ropes. Pete Hanover had struggled against the ropes until he was exhausted. He rested for a time. He was about to renew his struggles when he heard a low voice. Looking toward the open back of the wagon, he saw a man in the shadows. Oh, you're not asked questions now. Oh, cut ropes. How'd you get past the guard? There are no guards outside. I figure you try it. Try it. Are you free? Why are you setting me free? I've got no cash here, but I'll see that you're paid. Not good. Me leave Saddle Horse for you in a big tree south of camp. Maybe we see you in Lone Pine. You'll pay there. No, no. You wait right here, ancient. I'll be back in a couple of hours and I'll bring money with me. You get some more rope since you can tie me up again when I get back. I don't want anyone to know that I got free. Ah, maybe here. Pete sneaked out of camp, found the Saddle Horse, then rode hard to a meeting place a few miles away, where another member of the Tarbuck gang was stationed. He told quickly of his exposure and capture, then disclosed the refugees' plan to attack. It's tomorrow night, Red. They'll come through the valley at Lone Pine. They figure they're with me, captured. They'll take Tarbuck and the rest of the boys by surprise. They're the ones who'll be surprised. Yeah. Now, I gotta get back to camp. You're going back? Yeah. They'll call off the attack because you'll figure Tarbuck's been warned of it. I've been hoping those critters would attack. Yeah, I know it. Oh, Red, let me have a few dollars to pay that regional freebie. Yeah, sure. Hey, hey, yeah? Uh-oh, thanks. Now, you better ride to Lone Pine. Come on, my way. Get it! Get it! The following night found Tarbuck and his gunman on a hillside overlooking the narrow valley through which anyone approaching Lone Pine only to reveal the man's dark shadowy figures. Tarbuck said there was any darker we wouldn't be able to see him, the shooter. We can see him well enough, boss. How long we have to wait, senor? I don't care how long we wait. It'll be worthwhile. We'll be rid of all those people. I hear them. Yeah, so do I. The coming boys get set fire. They're getting close. Now wait for me to fire the first shot. The troopers, knowing they had her taught an ambush, had walked with them a number of spare horses. When they neared the ambush, they drew rain. Colonel addressed his men in the darkness. They made me. We're going to be fired on somewhere in the gorge ahead. So we'll send those ready-less horses through ahead of us to draw the fire of the outlaws, is that clear? Yes, sir. Have your carbines ready? As soon as you see the rifle flashes, I'll start the ride of the horses. Get out of here! In the darkness, the outlaws about halfway up the side of the hill heard the approaching hoop beats and a moment later saw the vague moving figures. All right, let them have it. Shoot it! The alert soldiers responded quickly, firing their hard-hitting carbines at the flashes of the outlaws' guns. Sergeant, they're coming up the hill. I mean, we can't stay here, boys. They're dropping over the hill. Come on, easy. Stay here on the watch. Carbots men panicked by the oncoming soldiers, whose carbines sparked repeatedly, flee to their saddles, and as they started their flight up the hill, a horseman appeared at the hilltop and his cry rang out above the gunfire. Hey, look up there! Jim Gold rode close behind the lone ranger. Then other men appeared. They're coming from the top of the hill! Crap between the soldiers from the valley and the refugees who followed the lone ranger Now, the outlaws were quickly conquered. Some were killed, many were wounded. They break found Carbuck and all of his followers in the custody of soldiers. They were lined up in front of the lone pine cafe, ready for the march to Camp Brady. Jim Gold and the men who had followed him stood nearby. Fellows, the town is ours again. Sure is, Jim. From now on, we'll be mighty careful not to let a man like Carbuck get a political toll. Here comes the gun. Let's go to the campsite. Let's take camp for a day in the custody and tell your women folk to bring home the wagon. Good. Thanks, Colonel. Did you find out which of the crooks shot Bill Solver? Yes, a number of the others named him. He was killed in the fight. Well, that sure takes care of everything. We're mighty grateful to you, Colonel. We get it, John. The army isn't dead to you. Those crooks might have escaped if you and your men hadn't cut off their retreat. Well, that wasn't our idea, Colonel. The best man. The battle is over and everyone is being thanked and commended except the one man who really saved the whole plan. There he is over yonder with his Indian friends. Hey, they're waving to us. Hi there. One, two, one, stop. Very good. Riding away without even giving us the chance to thank him. Yes, that's typical of the Long Ranger. This is a feature of the Long Ranger co-operated, created by George W. Trendle, produced by Trendle Campbell Muir, and directed by Fred Flower Day. Tonight's drama was written by Franz Freyker. The part of the Long Ranger is played by Brace Weemer.