 horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and the hearty high old silver, the lone ranger. Faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the masked rider of the plane fought crime and criminals throughout the early western United States. His great strength and courage made him the hero of countless adventures, and the stories of his deeds have been handed down to the generations. Return with us now those thrilling days when the West was young. From out of the past come the thundering hoops beats of the great horse Silver, the lone ranger rides again. Come on, Sill, the glory of the prayer ahead! High old Sill! As our story begins, old Missouri, top hand at the Lazy Jay Ranch, is in a Pecos Cafe talking with several of his friends. I tell you, Gents, I've never seen a man as put out in all my life. Morton has tried every way a man can think of to keep us staying mad from keeping a ranch, and we lift him at every turn. You and Mag better be on guard, it's all I can say. Him is my sandwich, too. Gents, do you really think that critter, Morton, would have the nerve to try some other scheme to get the Lazy Jay? There ain't no question about it. Gosh, maybe I'd better start worrying all over again. Dog gone at all, I figured we'd come to the end of the trouble with Morton. Just remember one thing, Missouri. What's that? Morton ain't got to be the biggest landowner in the Pecos region by giving up easy. Yes, sir, Regents, I've got some worrying to do. Pardon me, Gents. Well, stranger? My name's Higgins. Welcome to Pecos, Mr. Higgins. This is Duke, this here's Missouri, and my name's Al. Set yourself down, relax. I'm only stopping by hoping to get a smidge of information. Well? I, uh, I've got to herd a sheep outside of town. Sheep? A sheepherder? I'm only out and out, sir. An only sheepherder coming in here like he was quality and associated with cowmen like us. Why, dad! This is good, is it? Hold it. Just don't speak up too brash, Mr. Higgins, or cause might lead to trouble. You're in company that ain't none too healthy for a sheep grower. I recognize, Sally. State your business, and then I'd advise you to shove on. I'm looking for the Lazy Jay. You're looking for what? Landsakes, Mr. Higgins. Did I hear you say the Lazy Jay? Yes. Well, you're looking at the top hand of the Lazy Jay right now. I'm Missouri. I wanted to see Mustang Mag. I reckon she owns it, don't she? She owns it, and that's all. I'm the top hand. If you'll tell me how to get there, I'd be downright appreciative. I'm done, if I will. I ain't no time for sheep men, and neither is Mustang Mag, and neither is the Lazy Jay. I've got a message for her, that's all. I'll take that message. I don't know about that, Mr. Missouri. Well, I do. I'll take it easy, Missouri. First thing you know, you're a frightened blood will get roused up, then the sheriff will have to slam you into the calibou. It's a letter. I got it here. What's that you dropped? Oh, just a cartridge. I was told to hand the Mustang Mag along with the letter. Here you are. Mr. Higgins, you... What's the matter, Duke? Have a look at this cartridge, Al. What? Silver. That's what I thought. Say, who gave you this letter? I can't say another thing. Now, if you tell me how to get the Lazy Jay, I'll deliver this. If you won't, I'll have to try and find it for myself. Hey, that letter must be from my partner. Your partner? Sure, the Silver Bullet, the Lone Ranger. Come on, Higgins. I'll take you to the Mustang Mag. So long, James. I'll see you later. Come on, Higgins. Al. Yeah, Duke. Six horses couldn't drag me out in Pecos right now. I wouldn't miss what's coming for a hundred dollars. What's coming? What do you mean? The Lone Ranger picking a sheet man to fetch a letter to Mustang Mag. By ginger, there's something behind that, or my name ain't Duke Miller. Missouri questioned the sheep herder as they rode to the Lazy Jay ranch house, but Higgins' reply is run satisfactory. As the tutors mounted near the house, the patience of the foreman was exhausted. He said, I'm my born day see the man as contankerous as you are, Higgins. You don't tell me where you met the mask man, where your sheep is at right now, or anything else that satisfy my claving for knowledge. I got to deliver this letter to Mustang Mag. That's all I heard for the last half hour. Blast your hide. There's the house and like is not she's right inside. Now go on, deliver the dead rat at hunk of paper. There she is. Boy, you ain't the Jay. You must be Mustang Mag. I am. I got a letter for you and a silver bullet to show that it come from a friend of yours. Silver bullet? Land safe. From my friend, Mag, from the old ranger. Open her up fast and let's see what he's got to say. You go put your horse where below him. Sure I will, Mag, but I'm just all fired anxious to know how my friend is and where he's at. I told you to put your horse in the corral. Sure, but is there a rush about it? When I give her an order, I want to carry it out. Now go do your toe. Ah, come on, you hay-burning poor naked galoo. His curiosity riles me to distraction sometimes. Well, let's see what the man arid this has to say. Did he give you this personal? Yes, and he gave me particular instructions to go with it. So he says, hmm, doggone cure. It's hard to believe he read it. That's why he sent the silver bullet. He figured you might have doubts about it. Well, so you got a herd of sheep, eh? Yeah? Yeah, won't need ready cash or you're willing to sell them to me at a low price. Just so? Sounds like a right spot in the ocean. But I'd better not better than rank a little Missouri plenty. For special reasons, Mustang Mag, I got to have cash now. Got to send it east to my folks. So he says here? Yeah. Oh, where's the critters now? On the open range, the other side of the vehicles. I got a herd and some dogs are watching him. All right, Higgins, it's a deal. I'll do what the long ranger says and trust him to get me out of things. Hey, old Missouri. Get to the house here. We got some papers for you to sign the name to. I guess that he's putting the horse out and saddle up. What'd you rather say, Mag? What's so special about it? I'm going to make all the bills sale and hand this gent some cash. I want you as a witness to the proceedings. Me? Oh, sure. I'm a darn good witness, Mag. Missouri, we don't have much stock now after Shippanese. Nothing but a few yearlings. And just so, Mag. So I'm buying this gent's flock of sheep. That'll be right fine. What? What is that? I says, Missouri, I'm buying Higgins' sheep. You're not kidding me. Mag, you can't do it. You can't herd sheep. And who's to stop me? I can herd with a darn well please. And if you don't want to stay on here, just quit. But, Mag, your reputation. What'll folks say? What'll all the cattlemen say? What'll the associations say? You can't double-cross everyone. You can't buy sheep. We all agree to let no sheep get in here. Mag, leap and rattle snakes you. Come on in the house and shut up. I'm still buying a lot of wool on the hoof. They hang, folks, for less. They might hang you. They'll drive you out. The men are all on the side of Morton. Mag, you're just the same as stealing open range land. Oh, Mag, don't do it. Hang it on. Don't be stubborn this time. Take it over, Mag. Don't do what I say. The news spread to Pecos. The ranchers, knowing that sheep would grow in the open range for cattle grazing, were rather lost to understand Mustang Mag's actions. They felt that she had betrayed them, that she'd violated her agreement with the other cattlemen. They fumed and raged, threatened and stormed at her house. You can't do it below his hand. You can't bring sheep in here. You got to get rid of them, Mag. That's all there is to it. Now listen to me. You're packing a loud talking galore. All right. Listen to what you've got to say. Listen to me. As long as I run the lazy jail, I'll do with a dog on. Well, please. Morton has made a special study of the laws around here, and he does what he pleases, being careful not to break the law and land in jail. Well, bless your hides. I'll do that same. If you think I can't herd sheep, go read your law. While public sentiment ran high against Mustang Mag, Higgins appeared at Morton's ranch and said, I'm willing to do most anything for cash. I thought that before Mag herded them sheep into the valley, I might be able to fix up the lazy jail water holes. Fix them up. Yeah. How? With some stuff I got. It's a sort of medicine. It'll make the sheep terrible sick for a time. You savvy? Yeah. But they'll get over it. As long as a man don't drink none of the water, it'll be all right. I wouldn't want to poison nobody. Sure not. There won't be none of the stuff to be put into the well near Mag's house, just in the water holes where the sheep will drink. What about her livestock? They won't touch the water holes, not their sheep's shoes. She'll water the cattle and go for quick. Where do you figure I'm getting cash for that? Now, as I says, Martin, the sheep won't be seriously hurt at all. Just sick and they'll look bad. Then what? The whole thing is just this. Mag bought them sheep, figuring on selling them right soon to a man that's coming through. She knows that folks won't stand for her keeping sheep. They'll run her out of the region. That's what I'm counting on. Just so. She has to sell them soon and I'd hang around myself and wait for this eastern gent, but I can't. I got to have cash quick, then get. So if he don't like the looks of the sheep and don't buy them, she'll be stuck with them. Sure. Every man around will help to run her out. Not even the lawman will be on our side. You know how the laws are overlooked when sheep come into cattle country. Higgins, you get. Huh? I figured you might be. I says get. The idea you thinking I'd pay you to poison water holes. Go on out of that door and keep traveling. Get going. I'll help you along with gunlet. Travel along, shoot your heels. What's the shooting for? Ah, butch. Where'd you got here? Come on inside. Who was the ombry that just could add or suffade? That's Higgins, the sheep herder. Butch, he's given me a slick idea. Yeah? Now listen, butch. What's the stuff that can be put into water and make sheep powerful, sick and bad, looking for a time without hurting them permanent? I don't know, but I can find out. Lefty knows sheep pretty well. You find out. I got the slickest idea a man could have. Meg's leaving her land. Butch, she don't know it yet. That night, two men rode among the herd of sheep some distance from Meg's ranch. One wore a mask and the other was an Indian. This will be the real test of Morton's life, Todd. That's right. If he's honest, he'll have nothing to be concerned about. But the man is not honest. He'll trap himself this time unless something goes wrong. Hunter, I hope that's true. What's the matter, Silver Role Boy? Hear someone? A rider come that way. Too dark to see who it is. I can hear the horse though. There, him. Hello, there. Hello! I'm looking for Higgins. Hold on. This is Higgins' flock, isn't it? It was. He sold out. That's what I mean. I'm his brother. They've been waiting for you. I couldn't come until... Are you masked? Yes. What were you going to say? But you... You're a masked man. You go on. You waited until you got the latest price on sheep, didn't you? Yes, but that mask, you... You say my brother sold his sheep? He has. But I told him I... He knew I was coming. I was to meet him here. I wanted to be sure you got here. A lot depends on that. Now we can ride away. Ready, Taddo? You ready? But who bought this flock? Who are you and what are you... You can ask your brother when you see him. He'll have a lot to tell you. But I... You learn everything later. Come, Taddo. Good luck, friend. Get him up, Skull Silver! The Lone Ranger will return in just a moment. But first we have a message from your announcer. How to continue our story. On the day following his talk with Higgins, Morton and his top hand headed toward the office of the sheriff. A lot of sentiment against Mustang Meg. Eat the butch. It's all you hear around the town. Reckon will be right. Nice to have a talk with the sheriff about things. Who, who they who. Sure enough, well, then... Now you let me do all the talking. I don't thank you to talk. Maybe you can talk yourself into the good graces of the sheriff now that he sees there's reason to want Mustang Meg drove out. Howdy, Sheriff. Oh, there. Howdy, Morton. I met her with you. You look like he was watching a ghost or something. You sick or ailing? No, no, step right in. You shut the door behind him. Thanks for the invite. Now stand over there. What the... Reckon, the Lone Ranger. Stand against the wall and keep your hands above the hips. Now, fire at your first sudden move. Sorry, Gens, but the masked man was behind the door there and I couldn't warn him. What are you doing here? Calling on the sheriff, Morton. I wanted to find out just how willing he was to see the law carried out. For what? Mustang Meg has sheep. We know that. Don't keep out of this butch. My business here is purely with the sheriff himself. I told you that I'd do my best to see the law enforced. But me and two deputies can't find every calm man in the Pakers region if they take it into their heads to drive out Mustang Meg and a confounded sheep. And that's what they're going to do, Sheriff. I'm warning you. I guess we understand each other now, Sheriff. Reckon so. I'll see you again. Get that arm free. Oh, good, Morton. He's read it all. Only I could get a shot at him. I wouldn't if I was you. I didn't see his horse. Left that around bagged. There, you savvy now? Yeah, I savvy. What was you and him scheming? You heard why he was here. It didn't seem as if he'd come here just for that. Maybe not. Maybe he'd come on something else. There's none of your business. What are you here for? Just to tell you that I know how you're trying all the time to get reason to slap me in the caribou. And if Meg is driven from her land, I ain't going to take the blame for it. Your dog going near through, let it the mask, man. That'd have put you in jail. There hadn't been anyone else who was to have been shot in the back. I'd almost have let you do it. Just to have an excuse to jail you. If that's what you're waiting for, you'll have a good long wait. Hello? What dog? It's the engine. Both of them in town. What are they doing here? The Lone Ranger held Silver to a slow gallop and Tonto quickly overtook him. Then as the two left the town behind, the masked man said, I'm glad to know that's how the sheriff feels about Morton, fellow. Sheriff, tell him just fast. And I'm sure we can count on him. Too bad Morton had to come in just while I was there. But the sheriff heard enough. He'll play the game along with Mustang Mag and you and I. And now what me do? You'll stand guard. You'll watch the lazy J. And when the next move is made, you'll signal me. Hello, Silver! Hello! Old Missouri argued and complained, but Mustang Mag stood firm and in due time a hundred head of sheep were driven into her valley ranch. The ranch it was so greatly desired by Morton that he was willing to go to almost any lanes to secure it. Missouri sat stubbornly on the porch of Mag's home, rocking in an easy chair. He muttered to himself. The dog's gone to file-take a hand. Now he blasted and hog-tied the file turned to wrangling sheep. It's an insult to look for a hand like me to do it. Then the house door opened. And Mag slammed it hard. That! You never know! You're mad. You shouldn't do such things. It takes a life. I thought somebody'd fired a six-gun under me. Sitting here wasting time or dad rat your wrinkled hide, your stubbornness is going to drive me to distraction. Get off in that chair. Won't do it. So there. I says get up. I don't. I think you're going to make an issue out of it. I'm up. Now step smart. We've got plenty of business to take care of. What sort of business? I've got to fix it so we can sell them sheep. Sell them? You ain't going to keep them? You think I want to pack a sheep or cluttering up moraines? But Mag, I thought I figured them. I had to know. You're thinking figure true blame much, Missouri. Who said anything about keeping the sheep? I was just buying them for the investment. Well, no, I'm gone. There's a man do here inside the next few days. You'll be buying them from me. I didn't see no letters come here. What none? Then how do you know this home-brave was coming? Missouri stop asking questions and go tend the sheep. See their friends go in so they don't get to the creek. And see, they get plenty of water from the waterholes. I reckon if the cows can stand a few days of the sheep being here, you ought to be able to. Missouri and the other lazy J-men felt relieved when they learned the sheep would not be on their ranch long. Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger watched the valley from a distant hill by day while Tonto stood watch at night. Then after several days and nights, Tonto saw the dark form of a man creep cautiously into each one of the waterholes. The Indian gave the shadowy form time to get out of the valley. And then... Now we go! Get him out of the scout! Tonto headed for the well-hidden camp in the hills where the Lone Ranger was waiting. When he arrived there, he brought scout to a rearing halt. Oh, oh, scout! Tonto! The masked man was awakened on his feet in an instant. Him! Him go there! You're sure of that? Hunter sure. Here's a little bit. Give me a hand, Tonto. I don't have any time in cinching up. Make up. You know where you're to go. Hunter, get Sheriff. Come on, Morton. A little bit. A little bit ready now. Don't forget your parts. Tonto, not forget. Now we go! Yes! Get along! Get him up, scout! Silver! Riding like the wind, the masked man raised the Mustang Mags Ranch over the hills and into the adjoining land that Morton owned. When he reached Morton's house... Pull this, Silver! Go, Morton! Well, wait for guns. What's this for? What's this for? Morton, I want you. Now you'll see here a bullet. I'll show you! My hands! Don't try another gun. I'll have you jailed for this. Now you won't, Morton. Put your hands off me. Come on, I want to talk to you. So does Mustang Mags. For what, Hamelone? Pooch! Get the boys! Get him a stomach! Let me go! Bless you! Let me back, Pooch! I'm taking your boss to call on Mustang Mags. It was late in the evening, but Mustang Mags' house was lighted and Missouri was there, complaining as usual. She'd gone on many plans and never seen normal life. Mag, are you sure you know what you're doing? If you doubt that I know what I'm doing, get back to the bunkhouse. You hanker to stay here and satisfy that ordinary curiosity. Of course, keep quiet and do what you're told. Is everything set in another room? Yeah, something just like what you said. You'll bury you. Then shut the door there. I hear a hoax coming now. Maybe that's Morton. Oh, ho, ho, ho. It is. That's the man. It's Morton as well. You'll see. I'm ready for you. Morton didn't want to come at first, Mag. This is some sort of a trickle-heavy old jail. Shut the door and sit down. It's the idea of having that man get me like he done. Why couldn't you just send words you want to see me? I asked the masked man to get you and I didn't care how. Morton, you're still hanker to buy this outfit? I don't know why. It looks like I may have to sell out. Yeah? I feared the common will chase you on account of the sheep, eh? I ain't said so. Missouri, get a pitcher of water. I don't know as I'm interested in buying right now. I thought you figured I'm selling the sheep. Well, gave you that idea, Morton. Well, I know that. But one man knows that and that's Mr. Higgins. You talk to him? Why should I? There's the water. I reckon it must be dry after you ride, ain't you? Yeah. I just figured I'd see how high it'd go for the ranch and then if the price was high enough. I don't know as I'm interested. Missouri, better go fill the pail again. You got to go way out to the water hole, you know. What's that? What's the matter with the water? Well, I'm having trouble with the whale. Missouri got a pail from one of the holes a while ago, but slot most of it totin' a bag. What? What's the matter with you? I thought the water tasted salty. It's poisoned. That water's poisoned. You're crazy, Morton. We've been using it right along. I tell you it's poisoned. Give me a doctor. Give me cure before I die. How do you know it is poisoned? What makes you think so? What's done it? I tell you, I know. Hurry, help me. What's poisoned the water hole? Is that what you say? Yes, yes, you gotta help me. Why did he do that? Don't ask questions now. In the name of mercy, help me. Listen to me, Morton. Let go of me. Do not get help until you tell more about this. Later on, later on, a doctor. You think you can stop the poison? I feel fate already. Those things are live out, babe. Why did you poison that water? You do tell them to help. Help, help. You do? Yes, I told them to. You had the water hole poison to kill Mag's cattle. It wouldn't kill them, only the sheep. Make them sick, but it'd kill a man. You wanted to make them sheep look so poor that Mag couldn't sell them, is that it? Yes, yes, that's it. You wanted her to keep them here so the cattlemen would turn on her. You knew she was going to sell them. Yes. You wanted us to spoil that sale. Isn't that right? Yes, yes, yes. That's the truth. That's all right then, Morton. The only thing wrong with that water was that it had a little salt in it. What? And that was done, Morton, to make you confess that you poisoned the water hole. I didn't do it. You sent your top hand to do it, and that's enough to jail you on. You're treacherous. If you hadn't been a crooked hodge, you'd never have taken the suggestion Higgins made. And you did take that suggestion. Higgins? We all been waiting in the next room for this, Morton. You crook. All you needed was the suggestion I'd give you and you acted on it. What you mean? You mean I ain't going to die? No, but you're going to jail. I'm getting madder all the time. Just to think of that scheme and rap. Trying to poison my girl's cattle. Your girl? Me and you. There's my brother, Mag. Yes, I'm prepared. Take sheep off your hands. How do you come into this anyhow? Why did them sheep come here? Morton, I met a friend of mine, Higgins. He wanted to borrow money for a few days and leave his herd as security until his brother could get here. Mag loaned him the money. I asked Higgins to call on you with the suggestion you carried out. Yeah, and the fence is handled so as none of the water holes will be used till they're pure again. And the sheriff wants evidence. He can draw a sample of the water. I won't need none. We got these for witnesses. I'm getting madder and madder. I'll get you for this. I'll get you. You won't get away with it. Give me room. Put on the chin. I reckon that'll hold him till we get cuffs on him and take him to the jail. Help me tow them outside, boys. Come on, man. Your idea worked out first rate, friend. I thought Morton would find the scheme one that he could use. Now, Dad read it, Mag, while I'm fighting, Mag, I'm asking what's been on my mind for 10 years. We are. Won't you marry me? Sure I will. You never asked me before. I'll be glad to marry if you make one promise, you blame old fool. What's the promise? You won't fight no more. Why should I make a promise like that? Because you don't know your own strength. Just look at Morton, honey. Why am I to killed him? You blame old fool. It is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.