 The fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty, high, oh, silver, the lone ranger. To this day, cowboys gather around lonely campfires in the western United States, and repeat stories of the phantom figure of the plains. They tell of his daring crusade against outlaws and crime, of his great horse, Silver, of the Indian Tonto, who was the masked rider's faithful companion in danger of every sort. Now, as Silver thunders down the trail, adventure calls once more. The lone ranger rides again. A gang of outlaws led by Blackjack Martin was badly in need of money. We see them now, assembled in the woods, not far from the large ranch of Steve Garrett. It is night, and the men listen eagerly as their leader speaks. I'll outline everything to you men, and you can pass the plans along to the guards when they go off duty. It's a good thing you got some plans, Blackjack, or downright broke. We won't be that way long. We'd better not be. We can't travel far without cash. Well, I can know how the law happened against the closed doors in our last camp. I've got my suspicions about that, Hawk. One of our bunks double-crossed us. That's what I figured. I had an idea who it was. That's why a couple of our men, we shot up. You mean the lawmen didn't get them? No, the lawmen didn't get them. I got them myself. Oh, so now we don't have to suspicion none of the bunch, huh? I figure not. What we gotta do now is to get some cash and get it quick. We have to clear out of here and put plenty of ground behind us. What's your idea? There ain't no cash around town except for what Steve Garrett brings in when they buy things. Steve Garrett's got more cash and he knows what to do with. Yeah, but how can we get it? He's got about 25 men in his ranch, each one handy with a six gun. I've got an idea how to get some cash from him. How's that? He's got a kid named Billy, seven years old. What about him? He'll likely be coming to town tomorrow to buy supplies. I found out he generally comes on Wednesdays. Yeah? He'll bring his young one with him. Well, that's where our plans are. It was popular among the people of his district. He owned the largest ranch in the county and employed a crew of more than 20 men. But though he was proud of his ranch and position, he reserved his greatest love for his son Billy. We see them on a trip to town for supplies. The rancher was met by a deputy with word that Sheriff Wilson wanted to see him in his office. Garrett left Billy on the porch. He's inside, Mr. Garrett, and wants to see you right away. All right. Burns said you want to see me, Sheriff. Something extra special turned up? Yeah. Where's that kid of yours? On the porch. Why? All right. Just as well he don't hear what we say. Sit down there, Steve. You're downright serious about something. What's the trouble? Trouble or plenty, I'm feared. Fact is, we may have more trouble around town than we can handle for long. How's that? Take a look at these handbills, Steve. Reward notices. Hmm. Like Jack Martin, huh? I heard about him. He's a critter that turned Carter County inside out. I heard about that. Then he went to Panaman and raised Hobb there. Left to the law on his heels after shooting five men. Had to leave all his loot behind so he's harder for cash now. What's all this got to do with me, Wilson? I got a letter here from my friend Jed Slade over Panaman Way. Says he figures Black Jack Martin will be coming here next. That means you might see something of him out your way. It's known that you're pretty well fixed. Oh. So I wanted to warn you. I'd like to see that rat try anything. First place, my hands can give as good a show of fighting as any scorn man in the country. It was all with me in the Army. Yeah, I know. Second place, I don't keep much cash around the house. I know that, Garrett. But Black Jack has ways of getting cash in spite of what you've got around the house and spite of your 20 fighting cowhands. Now what do you mean? You got a right smart young one. Billy, you bet I have. Watch him mighty close, Garrett. I... Leg on me! Leg on me! Your son. Huh? Leg on! Take your hands off my boy, engine. Let him go. Uh, man. Who are you? Where are you from? Me in store. By food. Billy, come here. I didn't do anything, Pa. Was you in the store? Uh-huh. Whoa, I only... Him one candy. Him mask tunnel. Thought you said you left him on the porch. I did, Dad Ratat. But he's got spunk of his maw and mind of his own. The Dickens have a time making him obey. I told you not to go off on that porch. Oh, I only... Him talk to strangers. Who? To Tonto. That means. Oh. That not right. So Tonto fetch him here. Well, thanks, Tonto. Billy, I told you not to leave the porch and not to talk to strangers. I wanted some candy. You stay where you're put until I'm done talking. Thanks for fetching him, engine. All right. Billy, you wait on the porch till I come for you. Now, mind what I say. All right, Pa. That's what I was getting at, Steve. Blackjack and his bunch would take the boy and hold him for ransom. Gosh, I never thought of that. They're ordinary enough to do anything in the world for cash. I reckon your 20 guards wouldn't do much good if them snakes got their young ones. No, you're a dog on right, Wilson. You got any special reason for thinking some of the blackjack outfit will be around? Ain't no telling where they'll be. There ain't much in the way of a description on the handbills. Ain't no one ever got a close look at them and lived to tell about it. That's the sort of critters they are. Shoot first and don't leave no witnesses. Oh, keep in mind what you said. Keep an eye on the boy. Don't let him get out of your sight. I won't. I'll head to the store now if you're done. That's all I had to say, Steve. Much obliged for the warning. Oh, said Billy. Now we can... Where's the youngster gone? Maybe there on the porch? No. Hey, Billy. You ought to teach him to mind you. Hey, Billy, where are you anyhow? You're looking for the kid? Where is he? I've seen him go on toward the store a minute ago. I'll teach him to mind me. Come on, Wilson. You tell him what you told me. He might scare the youngster. Well, he needs something to make him mind. Mike is now, he's in the store asking someone else to buy a candy for him. He'll blame soon find out. Here's the store. I'll teach him. I don't see him in there. Billy! Where are you? Hi there, Mr. Garrett. Fine to see you. Where's Billy? You're young and he was here just a minute ago asking a ninja to buy him candy. Yeah, but that's the first time. Come in just a couple of seconds ago as some man had never seen before. Stranger? Yeah, I reckon so. Where'd they go? I didn't know. Well, what was said? Nothing. Well, I think nothing the matter, Mr. Garrett. Well, I don't know yet. Was Stranger buy anything? Yeah, took some candy from that case there and paid me two bits and said nevermind the change. He only took about a nickel's worth. Did he give the candy to Billy? Yeah, and the two of them went out. Come to think of it, they went out the back way. I thought nothing of it at the time. Gosh, Mr. Garrett, I hope there ain't nothing wrong. Come on, Sheriff. We'll look out back. I sure didn't think nothing much about it at the time. Shut up and save your win. Maybe we'll need a description of this, Stranger. If we do buy thunder, you better have it pat. Billy! Billy Garrett! Billy! Where are you? Hey, Billy! What's the matter, Sheriff? Burns Garrett's kids disappeared. You seen him? No. Billy! Billy! Yeah, it's just on the ground. Looks like a camp. That's his. He was here all right. Here's a note pinned to it with a floor. Well, let me see it. What's it say? Let me look too. Wilson, he's kidnapped. What? Let me see that note there. What's it say? Ten thousand dollars, ransom. Get it ready. Then let me know what to do with it. If I want the boy back alive. That's the Blackjack Martin bunch, the dirty pack of pool cats. They got him. They say they'll kill him if I get to the help of the law. You already got the help of the law. But wait, wait a minute. Wait, nothing. Burns, get the other deputies. Right. Round up a half a dozen men. We'll form a posse while the train is hot. Now, wait a minute. Listen here, Sheriff. Don't you see what this note says? I don't care what the note says. Let me pay the ransom. Whatever they ask, it's worth it to get my boy back alive. Paying ransom to such a snake that makes this kid that business pay. Don't go after him. Wait until he writes me again. We're going after him right now. Burns has the boys heading this way already. Don't worry. We'll round up this Blackjack Martin gang. Boys, I don't want you to go. Don't go. Don't go. The Sheriff refused to obey the instructions given in the ransom note. Instead, he and his men immediately followed what they believed to be the trail of the kidnappers' horse. Meanwhile, Tonto, the faithful Indian companion of the Lone Ranger, returned to their small camp in the woods. Tonto, unaware of the kidnapping, told what had happened in town. With the Blackjack Martin gang working around here, Tonto, Garrett had better keep a money close watch on his son. That's right. I hope he's old, Garrett. Me? Tell him. I don't think we've ever tried to trail a man who was as hard to locate as Blackjack. In that far from here. He might just as well be in another state for all the success we've had in finding him. That's right. What's the matter with Silver? In here, sir. What's wrong? Steady, Silver, old boy. What's the matter with you? Let me make a move. Silver doesn't act like this when a snake isn't here. Tonto, take a look. Back her up. There now, old boy. Steady. You've warned us. Take it easy. Hey, sir, mister. We got your cover. That Sheriff. It's me all right. We got to get the boy. What matters. Look at the mask on that one. Maybe he's Blackjack. Put on your guns. I'm not Blackjack Martin. Hear that? He knows Blackjack's last name. If you ain't him, how do you know his name? Where is there in this part of the country who hasn't heard of that crook? Where's the Garret Kid? Garrotsy. What matter him? Come on. Only do you try to deny you've got him. I've seen you with him this morning. Oh, but me. Give him to Father. Yeah. And you told the storekeeper that you was teamed up with a white man. We followed your trail. Is the boy gone? Yes, he's gone. There was a note pinned to his cap. Demanded Ransom. Who was that note from? Didn't have to sign his name. It was Blackjack. He's holding the boy for Ransom? You're him. You're wrong. I'm not an outlaw. We got to take, boy. Where's he at? We don't know. No mind to fool around. What did the note say? You reckon you ought to know. What did it say? Said it'd be $10,000 paid for the return of the boy. Said that if the law was notified, the boy wouldn't live. So you immediately went on the trail. Talk, Garrotsy. Oh, he'll shoot. We had been the kidnappers. Don't you suppose the boy would be hidden somewhere away from camp? Where's he at? I don't know. But you and your blundering way of trying to find him aren't helping his chances to live. I suppose you feel like his father does. The ransom should be paid. No. You're darn right, Snow. If everyone refused to meet the demands of kidnapping rats and pole cats, there wouldn't be no profit in it. And they'd soon blame stop it. If I had my way, a man that pays ransom would be thrown into jail for aiding and abetting the criminals. Stop wasting time. Give them three seconds to produce a young'un. If they don't do it, shoot them. We'll have a hunt around the woods ourselves. Wait. You will not help a child by your methods. So you admit happening? I admit nothing. I didn't have the child, and I don't know where the Blacksack Martin gang is hiding. But I do know that you're using the wrong methods to save God Billy Garrots. He's beating around the bush. Let's take him into jail. That's just it. Take that mask off him. Go ahead and mask him and rope him. Yeah. Gerald, I don't like to fight with a lawman. You hadn't better try it. I'd a lot rather work with you and try to capture the Blacksack bunch. But you won't let me. You just think. So I'll have to work without you. What? Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Now to continue our story, Billy Garrett, young son of a wealthy rancher, was kidnapped by the Blackjack Martin Gang. The boy's father, fearing for Billy's life, asked that the instructions given in the ransom note be obeyed. But Sheriff Wilson, refusing followed a trail that led to the camp of the Lone Ranger. He unjustly accused the masked man of the kidnapping. But with the aid of silver, the Lone Ranger in town escaped. Our next act opens in Steve Garrett's home. His wife Martha shows signs of exhaustion after a night of worry Steve is plainly worried as he speaks to the United States Marshal. You see the spot. We're in Marshall Douglas Sheriff Wilson lost his head complete when he heard about the abduction. Yeah, you can see that Steve In spite of all Steven's head Wilson started out with a party and come back without any prisoners He was downright put out when he come into town last night. So they tell me you think he did find some of the Blackjack Martin men. I doubt it Mrs. Garrett. I got an idea that there was someone else he followed He said there was an engine there the same one that was in his office yesterday. Yeah, I sort of took to that engine I liked his style. I wouldn't figure him to be in cahoots with the Martin bunch. He was why would he have brought Billy to Yes, he did don't seem like he would have but Sheriff Wilson don't stop to figure things like that out He just went blind and local mad and then set out now What you want me to do Steve is to call the lawman off the Martin trail You've got a they said in the note that if I sent lawman after them They'd never let my boy come home back alive. So you figure to pay the ransom when they write you about it Oh, what else can I do? I don't know if there's anything else you can do Steve the main thing is to get the lab back safe and sound That's all that counts. I don't care if we have to give everything we got I want my boy. I'll see Wilson right away in the name of heaven tell him not to try and fight the Blackjack punch Don't let they won't never return the boy and that's it keeps the lawman away. I'll tend to it I'll write for town right now. Thanks, Marsha Douglas. Thanks. No end. I'll let you know how I make out good Diva can't stand it much longer No, it's an awful strain if only we could be sure Sheriff Wilson would leave the crooks alone There might be some chance. I don't know what that makes me in Steve. That's one of them. Take it easy I'm not an outlaw. I'm a friend of title the Indian the man I seen yesterday. Yes, what do you want here? Who in the name of goodness? Are you believe me when I say I'm trying to help you my boy Billy Blackjack Martin never lets anyone see him at close range. What do you mean? I mean that even if you do pay the ransom you'll never see your son alive But wait steady. If you're on the level put them guns down. I can't take that chance. Garrett Kill my boy. No, I'm sure they haven't how do you know that because they'll not harm you Until after they send you full instructions as to how to pay the ransom Why the honey buck better rest on that cut you had a shot, and I'm sorry for it But I had to know the answer to one question Marcia are you all right? Why they speak to me Stranger get that base in the water on the stand over there. All right here. They don't face And now honey, you're all right the boy is alive Your son's alive, and we're going to get him back for you Is that the true the son or you let me speak privately to your husband as soon as we can get started Then do it. No the name of mercy get started. I'm all right step outside with me. Yeah, you're gonna be all right, Martha Come with me It's more restrained than the mother can stand. It's a worse crime than murder Garrett That's why the marshal is wrong those men must not have protection but my boy too is wrong You said he was alive his mother needed that hope then I hope to heaven. He's alive You've already had further words from the kidnappers. You knew that's what I had to find out Garrett Your wife's reactions when I said he'd be alive until that word came gave me the answer I Want to know the details for the payment of ransom. Hey, I see what are they? They ain't no use denying that I had word from blackjack last night No, but I'd sooner pay and hope they'll send my boy back home and let him live to recognize each member of the gang I can tell you Garrett easier than I can your wife And there is not one chance in the hundred that payment of the ransom will save the boys life And what are we someone must work against this gang quietly and secretly not as a sheriff move against them But how they've took every precaution. Let me have a note. They sent you I got it here They want the cash $10,000 that'll make a bulky package Well, it's gotta be put in a trunk gold and silver no folder money I see then it's gotta be took to gun stock Creek and haul downstream to where the overhanging dead tree marks the county line Then what then I look for one end of a rope that comes from the water to dry ground Tie that rope to the trunk and go away. You'll not know where the other end of the rope is No might be at any point on either side of the creek. That's right or in the creek itself When the crooks are sure no one is near they'll drag in the trunk and leave no tracks to their camp It's a clever scheme. How can a man out with such rats as that? I tell you mister no matter what you got in mind. It won't work There ain't a chance to beat them crooks all I can see to do is to pay and hope for the best You'll do more than that but I go to town today draw the money from the bank and get it packed and ready Well, that's what I planned on But when is the cash to be left there after dark tonight and follow orders to the letter But between now and then stop at this house with the trunk Left the wagon alone while he went into the house. Mmm. Now's the time. Come on. You'll be plenty careful It's bad. Keep a sharp watch. I don't want anyone to see me. You'll turn to watch him The trunk unlocked. You'll not see him. If there were you'd see them Now we'll wait for Garrett to drive away There. There him come. Good Don't you worry, honey. We'll get the boy back for four more Oh That night the blackjack Martin gang prepared to claim the ransom money Three of their number carefully instructed road to get the trunk containing the gold and silver While the remainder waited in camp they listened to their leader. I were gonna handle the kid That's easy. You don't figure and let him go free. Do you don't talk foolish? Gosh, I hate to do for a kid his age. He's like a sort of young and owns here to form one out That's all I know blackjack, but any man that goes soft on us knows what to look for I ain't gone soft. I'll you let the kid go back to his folks let him be able to tell what all of us look like I wouldn't be good sense. Of course. It wouldn't it'll be suicide Jackie one thing worries me about the getting in that cat. What's that? What if someone follows the boys when they get the trunk? I'm taking care of that. How's that? Caritide a rope to the trunk Tony. Yeah, the other end of the rope is downstream under the water about a hundred yards away from where the trunk is When the boys are sure the coast is clear They get the rope and ride quiet in the water Don't leave no trail not even bloodhounds could follow they come right here soon as they get here We bust a trunk open get the cash each of us loads are saddlebags and we clear out well And no man can thrill us if any along when they're watching they won't see nothing because our boys would be around the band Yep, and won't move while anyone is around But I don't think anyone will be close by a lot of what Lam said is true I was in town all day the sheriff's men ain't allowed to act US Mars has got him clamped down Don't go nice of the US Mars Make too much noise. I know you've taken chances. There's someone coming stand ready. Get your guns out What's our man coming if it ain't you know what to do any sign of lawman be sure you get the kid first off I'll stand close by the kid. That's all bunch all right You got it Right here carry it over here. You boys got the horses ready. Come on boys bring it over here Cross now mind you now the first time anyone coming in here. Take care of the kid If he leaves any versus captured you tell what we look like they got that all this walk You give a hand getting that Ways plenty be mostly silver state of gold Yeah Now open her up and let's see what all that cash looks like you Jen stand close with your horses and fill us out a bag What about the kid we'll take him with us for the waves open the trunk water went deep enough to get a very wet We are that your torch here. Let me see what all these cash looks like Yeah, who spilled oil around here. I don't know Mind the oil grab that silver Good to get the feel of cash again. Don't waste time feeling of it pack it for moving Easy get your bags filled that's your horse closer. Right you do walk load up Never mind that get this stuff packed up. I ain't gonna hit new trails might be a force fire something big blade Oh, hey, it's coming closer. Yeah, it's coming right this way It is come on here. Hey, what's this oil look here? There's a can of it's building the throne Who's that yelling that fire is getting too close get that oil away from here It's filled all over the ground fire. It's here. Come catch my hands. It's covered with oil I don't help me Oh The fire burn out in a few seconds get them all tied while they're helpless I think that masked man is a wonder we captured every one of them brought them in town and threw them in jail My boy saved. Oh Billy. How did you manage to find him Steve? The masked man blazed a trailer their camp with coal oil set fire to it while he was trying to put it out We rode in and took him Billy boy. Don't ever don't ever go with us danger again. I won't bother. I'm sorry He just didn't know Marthy, but you do now. Don't you son? Oh, I was so scared Never never do what you don't want me to do We'll say a prayer of thanks tonight Marthy You Have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated