 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 the great horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. It was a night of wind and rain and rolling thunder. Slender saplings bent like weeping women in the howling blasts and frightened animals streaked across the prairie seeking refuge from the storm. Then high on a mountain slope with a slashing rain made a slippery dangerous slide at the deep rutted wagon trail came a new ominous sound. Mr. Kato of Horse's Hoops thundered in the mud of the mountain trail as the Oberlin stage lurched dangerously around the bend. Of the driver's seat two men sat slumped together, the gnarled hands of one grasping the reins of the team but making no effort to control them. An unchecked the runaway stage thundered on. Suddenly a lightning flash revealed a masked man astride a powerful white stallion ranging his horse alongside. For a moment the long rhythmic strides of the stallion seemed unable to gain in the frightened forehand. As he whispered words from its riders spurred the horse to greater efforts and the Lone Ranger reached for the reins of the team's lead animal. All distance for the flying feet of Silver, Tonto and Dan, the 14-year-old boy whom fate had revealed as the Lone Ranger's nephew, reigned in their mounts where the masked man had stopped the stage. We don't keep up with Silver. Ain't too fast. Golly, I'll say he is. You were riding like the wind. You might never have caught that stage before for Silver's speed. Hold this rain, Dan. I want to look at the driver in the guard. You bet. I was afraid so, Tonto. What? They're both dead. Oh, they're shot. Let me see the guard rifle. Ah, you pick. Well, it hasn't been fired. Whoever ambushed the stage took them completely by surprise. Ah, and not have chance. Gosh, why do you suppose even stage-droppers would want to deliberately kill a driver and guard? I don't know, Dan. Ah, what do we do? Help me place these men inside the coach. Take your shoulders, Kim or Subby. Ah, well, we got them. Now the other one. Me got him. There's always a do for them at the present time. Uh, bring Silver with you, Tonto. Uh, Miss Abbey. Are you going to drive the stage in a mountain view? Yes, Dan. We may find a clue to the killers. Come on, there. Get up, there. Jeff Colbin, Express Manager of the Overland Stage in Mountain View, while sitting with his daughter, Mary, in the living room of their home adjoining the express office when they heard the stage drive up. Well, there she comes now, Mary. They're making that bit of music out here with pop and slimmer at the report. I'll go, Dad. You're tired. And it's a dreadful night. You might catch cold. You're just like your mother used to be. Always fretting over me. I'll answer it. Oh, I didn't mean to startle you. Masked and... Mary? I don't know. Are you the manager of the express office? That's right, Harry. Dad, he's holding Slim in his arms. Come in, Tonto. Here you come. Indians carrying pop. Put them over there on that couch, Kim or Subby. Are they...are they dead? Yes, murdered. Murdered. Where is Thundera? Don't wait for that gun. My friend and I didn't kill them. Oh, if you didn't, who did? I don't know. I thought you might give me a clue to the killers. Oh, nice. I've got an ancient partner. You two look mighty suspicious to me. I mean... Wait, Dad. Somehow I... I believe he's telling the truth. What was the stage fretting tonight that would invite a hole up? Not a plain thing. Only cargo with some boxes of calico for the general's store and a store-bought suit ordered by old Lempars and from Lark City. Are you sure there was nothing valuable aboard? You mean gold or cash? Dead certain, mister. I'm notified of every shipment that comes through and there won't be another until it... What is it, Dad? A passenger. Joe Leacon was due here on that stage, huh? What are you supposed to... Who is Joe Leacon? Government agent. Got a letter from a couple of days ago. He said he expected to travel to Mountain View on today's stage. Did he say why he was coming? Of course he did. I can't see how it's any business of yours. The government's lending money to extend the railroad from Mountain View to Five Pines and the first shipment is to be paid out in wages to the workers. Mr. Leacon was coming to plan with Dad so the payroll would be sure to arrive safely. I see. But Mr. Leacon hasn't told us yet when the cash is coming through. Bastard! Mary, that's a confidential matter, and here you go telling the first trains you meet. The match went with that. You have nothing to fear from me. I'll be the judge of that. There's something very funny about this whole business. First pop and slimmer shot and then Eacon disappears. You can't be sure that he disappeared, Dad. He may have decided to take a later stage. Yes, maybe you're right. Who else knows the contents of Eacon's letter besides you and Mary? I know what he is. Why do you don't like it? You can't just fall in my aim. Drop that gun. Your little coyote will make you pay for that. Tutto, that's Dan. Come on. Mary Colbin, get down on the floor. Someone's shooting at us. Here, look at it. The mess man shot out the light. Who's ever outside can't see the shoot now. Come on, Tutto. We hurry. We earn right away. Dan! Dan, where are you? Maybe him right after Gunman. Either that or... What do you think? The Gunman kidnapped Dad. Not right. We've got to find him, Tutto. But probably hard to trail him. I know it, Kimus Hobby. In the dark he'll be like hunting a needle in a haystack. We'll have to try. At least we know the direction they've taken. Kimus Hobby, we see horsemen in lightning flash. Here, Silver. Come scout. Anything happens to that boy? We ride fast. Come on, Silver. Well, the considerable distance ahead, Dan urged his horse through the relentless rain in pursuit of the Gunman. He had intercepted outside the home of Jeff Colbin. His eager eyes peered through the inky night at the shadowy figure of a horseman who whipped his mount through a muddy arroyo unaware that he was being followed. Come on, boy. After him. Faster, boy. Faster. Long was breaking over the blue-gray hills and the rain had long stopped. And Dan's quarry rode up to a slope which fronted an abandoned mine and rained in his horse. Suddenly a shot had crossed the wastelands and a bullet plowed the dirt a few feet away from him. Don't shoot, it's Cork. Now, walk in, sir. I'm walking. Keep that gun and leather. You're the right ticket after all. Who else would I be, you dog-on fool? Can't help it, boss's orders. He didn't want any slip-ups at this stage of the game. My job's a slip of slug between the ribs and ask questions afterwards. You're lucky I only creased dirt with your slug. Thanks. I'll remember you in my will. Where's the boss? Down near the mine shaft. I'm working over Joe Leacon. I'll go on down. I've got news for him. You lose patience with your weakened. Let me alone. Don't ask me any more questions. I've told you all I know. You're lying. You ought to know by now it won't do you any good to lie. I have ways of finding out what I want to know. Painful ways. Haven't you done enough to me already? Let me go. Let me go. Who is it? It's Cork. Cork, what are you doing here? Well, I told you to stick to your job in the express office and keep me informed about Colbin. I had to see you, King. Something's come up. A lot more dangerous to our plans than Colbin. What do you mean? After you way-laid the stage last night and drill the drive in the guard, somebody drove it into Mountain View. What of it? That somebody I'm referring to is the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger? I see you've heard of him. Yeah. Who hasn't? But I've never seen him. He's never seen me. And took care of that. I tried to drill him while he was talking to Colbin, but some kid knocked my gun out of line. Don't tell me that mask on Bray trailed you. Well, not a chance. He was still inside the house when I rode off. And in that storm last night, he'd wind up in circles. That on Bray never winds up in circles. If you've tipped my hand, Cork, just when I'm set to pull the biggest deal that's come my way, I'll write my signature on your personally. With lead. Ain't you forgetting that it was me who put you in line with this deal in the first place? If I hadn't read the letter Eakin sent to Colbin in the express office, you'd never have heard about the pay cash. I ain't forgetting. That's why I'm cutting in for a third of the cash. You still figure I'm getting the money the same way? Sure. Why not? I don't know. Just thought that a Lone Ranger being around here might make a difference. How can it? You don't know me from Adam. Just the same. I'd feel a lot safer if you hadn't riddled the stage driver and the guard. They died because they had to, you fool. They saw Eakin plenty while he was their passenger. They'd have recognized the substitute Pronto and talked. Yeah, I reckon you were right. Speaking of talking, what about him? Oh, Eakin here? The boys and me have worked over him plenty. But he still won't tell when the pay cash is coming through. You'd better sweat it out of him, King. He's the only one who knows. Don't worry. He'll talk. I've been saving my best tricks for last. Give me a hand with him. Sure. Eakin! Eakin! He's out cold. You'll never get the information out of him in this shape. I'll bring him around. Hand me that bucket of water. Here it is. This will wake him up. Now, you stubborn maverick. Will you tell us what we want to know? Or do I have to use more persuasion? What do you want with me? You know what I want. When is that government pay cash coming through? No, I... I can't tell you. You mean you won't tell? Well, before I'm through, you'll beg to tell me. Take your hands off me. Cut up, hit her up with a slug between your eyes. Here's one for you. You little wild cat. Who's the cat, mate? I don't know, King. Found him snooping around outside. Thought I'd better bring him in for your look-see. But keep your weather eye peeled. He's a firebrand. I know that kid. Yeah? Who is he? He's the one I told you about. He must have followed me out here from Cobbins. Spying, eh? That's too bad, kid. What do you mean? You know too much. You went back, you talk. You don't frighten me. No? Take a look at Eakin here, and you'll tell me different. But at least he's alive. You mean you? The only way you'll leave this cave, kid, is horizontal. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger story. All the next exciting scenes please permit us to pause for just a few moments. To our story. As Dan watched with horror and anger and struggled helplessly in the ropes which bound his wrists and ankles, King, Cork, and Mace worked over Joel Eakin until flesh and blood could stand no more. Oh, stop it. Let him alone. Shut up. We'll hand you the same. If Eakin doesn't tell when the pay cash is being shipped soon, he may as well forget it because he won't be in any shape to talk. I might have sworn we'd sweat it out of him before this. Wait a minute, boss. I was trying to say something. All right, Eakin, talk. I'll talk. That's better. You know what we want to hear. When is the pay cash coming through? Tonight. Stage court. Did you hear that, boys? Tonight by stage. Just got time to make plans. What about Eakin and the kid? I'll leave them here. May as well take a couple of boys and stamp card at the entrance of the mine. I'll take most of the gang with me. What's the sense in keeping these two alive, boss? Why don't we do away with them now? Because there's a chance Eakin is crossing us. Maybe the stage in shipping the cash is not at all. But ain't I want the pleasure of watching him squirm before I send him under. That goes for the kid too. Keen over. Come on. They're both tied up. We've got some plans to talk over. Mr. Eakin. Mr. Eakin, can you hear me? I guess he's pretty weak. I could only get him a drink of water from that bucket. But my hands are tied. Maybe if I push that bucket over to him. I won't try it anyway. Mr. Eakin. Mr. Eakin. Water. Take a drink. Water? Drink. Oh, yes. Yes, drink. It's a drink's bank. Come on, Cobb. I can't reach it. Can you manage to get it in your hands? But that is weak. No, scrape it against that rock. Make the edges sharp. Don't understand. When they're sharp, you'll be able to cut the ropes a tiny. Yes, yes, of course. As the government agents scrape the tin cuff over the rock to sharpen its edges, Dan rolled on his back and stared at a jagged hole which appeared in the cone-shaped roof of the cave directly over the mineshaft. He could feel the damp air from the underground and sucked past him up through the hole in the roof. And suddenly an idea formed in his head. An idea which might bring about their escape. Mr. Rieken. Yes, Dan. I know a way we can send for help. Is that tin sharp enough yet? I think so. Let me see your ropes. We can gather that fresh wood and light a fire. The suction will carry the smoke up through that hole on the roof of the cave where it'll be seen for miles around. How will anyone know we won't help? There's a signal for it. You'll see. I'll use that water bucket. Now wait till I cut your ropes. No, we're free. We'll go together. But if the Lone Ranger and Tonto are in these parts, I bet it won't be long before we will be. In the still muddy going of the morning after the storm, the Lone Ranger and Tonto searched in vain for a clue to the whereabouts of Dan. Although they knew their horses had taken them in the direction they'd seen a horseman go in the murky night, they had failed to find any trace of a trail. And suddenly the Lone Ranger rained the paw for white stallion up sharply and scanned the sky ahead. Hold still. Hold still. Hold still. Hold still. Hold still. Hold still. Tonto tea? I was taken a smoke signal. See, over by the abandoned mine. Ah, that signal alright. Smokesay, help. Odo, you don't Suppose? That maybe Dan. Come on, Silva. There was some time later after Dan had burned the last of the brush wood and the fire had smoked out. From the floor of the caves, the boys suddenly saw a rope dangling a few feet above his head, and looking up saw the familiar figure of the Lone Ranger crawling through the hole in the roof of the cave on the roof of the cave and slide down the lariat. Mr. Eakin, look. I told you he'd come. It's a lone ranger. Are you all right, Dan? Oh, you bet. Now that you're here. I thought I saw your signal. I used the Indian signal code. I was sure if you saw it, you'd come. Why did you disappear? Well, I'd taken horses to the shed out of the rain, as you'd asked me to. When I saw a man skulking outside Coban's window with a drawn gun. I see. Well, he looked like he meant to kill someone inside. Maybe even you. So I jumped him. Then he ran and I trailed him. See, I thought he must have some connection with a stagehold up. Seems you were right, Dan. Isn't this Joliken, the government agent? Yes. I'm mighty happy to meet you. Where's the other exit to this cave, Dan? What do you care, mister? You ain't going anywhere. Mace. Just take them six guns out, barrel first, and let him hit the dirt. I'll take them out. Move my hands. Good gracious. The lone Ranger's won those six guns and shot Mace's guns right out of his hand. Come on, boys. Come shoot him. It's the rest of the guards. What do we do? Stand back out of the way, Dan. Come on, curly fling. Hey, son, let this man come out of it. You don't shoot. It's the rest of the guards. Where'd he come from? Slid down the ropes. Save me the lone Ranger. Come on, Tonto. Me? This is for you, Mace. Come on, boys. Give it to us. Madam, madam. Outnumbered though they were, the lone Ranger and Tonto struck out so strongly at their foes that the outlaws quickly gave ground before their smashing blows. For a moment, they reeled under the impact of the masked man's and the Indian's fists. Then seeing that Mace, their leader, was down, the last fight went out of them. And they submitted meekly to the ropes with which the lone Ranger, Tonto and Dan, tied them. Then once more astride their horses with Joel Eakin and Tonto Saddle, they headed toward town. Get up there for him. Get up there. Come on, Sylvie. Come on, big fella. Meanwhile, in Mountain View, two horsemen rode up to the hitching rail in front of the express office and rained in their mounts. One was Cork. The other was King, now dressed to resemble an Easterner. Remember, Cork, you just introduced me to Colburn. How do all of talking? Hi, Savvy. Come along to the office. Mr. Colburn, this gentleman is Joel Eakin, the government agent you were expecting. Well, I should say I've been expecting him to expect you on your stage as a matter of fact. Mr. Eakin, like you let us say, they should. I missed it at the last minute, pressure of business. So I came on by horseback. Horseback? Yes, I, uh, it was very important that I see you at once. Oh, yes, I see you. Dad, I'd have you. Oh, I didn't mean to intrude. Oh, it's all right. Well, come on in, then. This is Mr. Eakin, the government agent we were so anxious about. Indeed, we were. We thought you'd been kidnapped by the gang who held up the stage last night and killed the driver and guard. Oh, no, nothing like that. You see, I only came on to town today. That's strange. I'm positive I've seen you somewhere before. You must be mistaken, Miss Mary. Mr. Eakin has only been in town about an hour. But I'm sure I've- You're mistaken. You two had better run along. Mr. Eakin and I have business to talk over. Better check over them bills of lading courts. Yes, sir. I'll do it right away. I don't care what he says. I know I've seen that man. Now, Colburn. Yeah, before we begin, Mr. Eakin, you won't mind showing me your condensers episode. Of course not. Got him right here. Hell, everything seems to be here in an order. Fine. Now, Colburn, to get down to Brass Tax. The government is expressing the pay cash by stage tonight. Tonight? Well, that don't give us much time to round up a posh year to make sure the cash is delivered to its destination, the railroad. Well, I've already made the necessary precautions, Colburn. Neither the sheriff nor any of his men will be necessary to guard the shipment. Don't say that. Who used to safeguard the cash of the sheriff? Well, my post is really as an officer of the law, you know. I expect to see the cash through myself. But you'll need men, gunwaddies, to shoot off any flyby knights with a knife or an easy haul. I've got men picked up myself. They're all ready to ride. Hey, those sounds, David, so you're the government's man. You're in charge of the pay cash, do this hand it over to the railroad. So if that's the way you want it, that's the way I reckon it'll have to be. Fine. And it's agreed there'll be no outside interference when I take to the trail with the cash, huh, Colburn? It's agreed. Well, I'll be getting along then. Got some matters to clean up. Hey, good luck, he give you. And keep your eyes peeled when your gun's prior for them renegades had held up the stage last night and murdered old pop grimes and slim without giving them a chance. I'll do that, yes. Goodbye. The old fool. He just handed over a fortune and cash to them renegades he so riled up about. Oh, boy, look! Oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy, you see. Sorry you're coming. I'm so glad you found Dan. Mary, this is Joel Eakin, the government agent your father's expecting. There must be some mistake. Oh, what do you mean? Why, Dad just met Mr. Eakin about an hour ago. But it wasn't this man. Oh. He was introduced to Dad by Cork, Dad's assistant in the office. I see. That man was an imposter. I'm Joel Eakin. I can prove it. Well, here comes Mr. Colburn now. Ah. Well, glad to see you back. Dad, something awful's happened. What do you mean? The man we thought was Joel Eakin isn't. This is the real Mr. Eakin. I don't understand. He showed me credentials. My credentials. He's the leader of a gang of outlaws. They kidnapped me from the stage last night in order to impersonate me and steal the payroll money. And he's a low-down poor kid who shot Pop and Slim from ambush. That's right. Now the outlaws have taken complete charge of the pay cash. There ain't a single sheriff's man assigned to guard in the stage. What's that? Gosh, what do we do? Perhaps our friend Cork may have some helpful suggestions. Look, it's Cork. He's riding away. Say, he's the man I saw who shot through your window last night. He's the one I trailed to the gang's hide-off. If somebody's stopping him, he'll get away. Oh, him not right by. You look. Come on, Silver. Come on, big fella. Rain up, Cork. Master Silver, you're shooting wild, Cork. You haven't a chance. Oh, sir Silver, last chance. Rain up. I'll kill you first. You ask for it. Answer me well. He plans to weigh the head at 5'5". That night has King and his hard-faced gun expert Renegade's hall of the stage at 5'5". He's to rate it with the government pay cash. They were suddenly surprised by a few's late-of-shots. Amanda, all of you. Go down them guns, King. You surround it. It's an ambush, boys. Shoot it out. Have a chance, King. Don't listen to a boy. Shoot him down. I'm coming for you, King. I'm ready for you, mister. You don't need that gun. No. Hey, Amanda, throw down their guns. Throw in boys, they've got it. Where's the hangar, King? Hangar for murder. I can pop grams and slim handcock. I would be glad to know you're right for a hang-nose. You can prove it. I can prove it, King. I was a passenger on the stage when you shot them down. He can. I could pull over eyes with that masquerader, King. But you got caught in your own trap. Thanks to the Lone Ranger. I've just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.