 A speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi-yo silver, the lone ranger. Companion Tonto, the daring and resourceful mast 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 out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the Great Horse Silver. The lone ranger rides again, pulled at the base of a towering mountain. The people had lived in contentment, and their small farms in the lush valley had done well. But the peace was short-lived. A syndicate found gold in the hill, and sent a crew of men to mine the ore. Each blast sent loose shales sliding into the valley. As the tunnel progressed, the threat of a major landslide increased. This can't go on. Sooner or later, we'll have real trouble. Why can't those miners be careful? We gotta do something. Let's go get Sol. That's the ticket. There goes another blast on one end, ma'am. Yeah, here comes some more, loose rod. Speak for all of us, Sol. Boys, we've already talked to Flynn, Scanlon, and we gotta talk some more. We gotta do more than talk. I'm afraid that's the answer. We've got to do more than talk. I've had five windows busted in the last week. My garden plots completely buried. You want a six-gun showdown? Let's give it to him. Now, boys, wait. Wait just a minute. Calm down now. Take it easy. Calm down, my eyes. How can we be calm when Scanlon and Cessan ruin and everything in the valley? Well, we'll make one more attempt to get a peaceful settlement. I've got a plan to propose to Scanlon. If he doesn't agree to it, then we'll... Well, I guess we'll have to take down the guns we hung up a couple of years in. Boys, load up that loose stuff and clear it away. We've got to get ready for another blast. Hey, Flynn. I've got to speak to you. Now, what is it, Pete? Speak up and be quick. Step over here to the trail downhill. I'll show you something. Never mind. Show me the loose stuff and slice the valley. I'm not interested. Ain't that, Flynn? Come over here. Yeah, all right. It's like we're due for another visit by a committee from the valley. Just a minute, Pete. I'll fix that. Hey, Joe! Tell the guards to get ready in case of trouble. Now, Flynn... Come on, Pete. We'll meet that committee. I don't know. Is it smart to ignore the people in the valley, Flynn? I'm making this mind. Give up the pay debt. That's a job I was sent here for. Nothing else matters. If the valley or the people in it are in my way, that's too bad for them. Who's the white-haired old galoot riding ahead? That's old Saul Grayson. I guess he's sort of the leader of the settlement in the valley. I heard about him. I wasn't around last time he was up here. Well, you didn't miss much. I told him before. Now, tell him again where his rights and my rights begin. What do you mean, what here? I want to speak to you, Scanlon. What's eating you now, Grayson? Friends have asked me to speak for once more. Well... You've been doing a lot more blasting up here, Scanlon. Whatever. Well, we've been talking it over. We'd like to come to an agreement with you. Well, should I? I don't know you, nothing, Grayson. I know you don't. But will you just hear me out? All right, talk fast, I'm busy. I'll tell you how it is. You got your work to do. And just like the rest of us, I reckon you have your problems. Don't suppose you'll get much or unless you use blast and powder. But I wonder if you've ever looked over the formation of the land here. I'm not here to look at the land, I'm here to dig. Well, this hill here is mostly shale. Every time you set off a blast, some of that shale moves down on us in the valley. It's getting worse all the time. We're afraid that one of these days it'll be a big slide. You're borrowing trouble. A good-sized blast could start the whole side of this hill sliding. It might bury Cedar Grove under shale ten feet deep. So what am I to do? Now, don't misunderstand. We don't mean to tell you your business, but we figured there's a couple of things you can do. Yeah. For one, you could dig back into the hill ways. Kind of terrace it before you blast. That'd help some. I could, eh? Well, then when you've done that, you could use smaller charges. Go easy on the powder. Cut down the risk of starting a slide. That all you've got to suggest. We figured that'd be enough. You got any notion how much it would cost to dig like you say? Any idea the minute I'd have to hire and feed? I suppose it would be a little more expensive. And using smaller charges of blast and powder. That'd be twice the time to get out the same lot of ore. Wouldn't that be better than risking folks' lives? What's healing you folks below there? You scared of your shadows? Jump every time a piece of loose stone comes rolling down? We aren't any more skitties than anyone else, I guess. You want my answer? That's what we rode up here for. Then I'll make it short and easy to savvy. No, I'm not changing anything. And you don't intend to be careful? I get a job to do, and I've got to do it. Scanlan, we valley men have been quiet and peaceful. But we weren't always that way. You look these men over. You'll see plenty of scars that come of battle. Look in the valley. You'll see plenty of graves of men that gave their lives fighting for their rights. Go on back and keep quiet, or there might be some new graves. We fought Indians and wild beasts in all manner of hardship to win and hold our valleys. If need be, Scanlan, we'll fight again. That's all I've got to say. Come on, boys. Flint, you meant what he said. That pack of spooky sword-busters can't tell me what to do. Order me to cut down on the blast, eh? I'll show them the next blast'll be one they won't forget. It was late afternoon when the Lone Ranger and Tonto rode into the valley and approached a small house. Oh, it's gonna be easy. Hold the knife. Get water here, huh? I think so, Tonto. Steady, sir. There's an awful lot of loose rock around here. That's right. Must come from the mining operations up there. Look here. Garden's covered with shale. Hey, you. Mount off and keep moving. We stopped for water. We got no time for masked men or Indians. They're trouble enough already. Please lower the shotgun. Give us a heavy look. Up here. That's a heavy blast. Oh, they've done it again. Heavy rock come this way. A landslide. It's the biggest of all. Big rocks cut loose now. You've got to get out of here. No. Don't let me alone. Let me go. Let me go. Let me go, I tell you. Get you out of here. Up you go. Anyone in that cabin? Help. Bob, help me. Answer me. Is anyone inside? No, no. You hurry. Clive, penny-clone. Come on, sir. Get him up. Get in the wash tub. Bob's house is gone. This mass never thing to form. That honoring coyote Scanlon, he'll pay for this. Hey, look at the mass mass. Where'd he come from? Who's he got? Boy, ain't that Bob's wife? Who's this masked man? Is this your wife? Yes. Here, I'll help you down, ma'am. Oh, Bob. I saw it, ma'am. I saw the biggest rocks heading right for our house. Yours ain't the only house, Bob. Half a dozen places were wiped out by the blast. Everything we had in the world is gone. You're more important than anything else, honey. Thank goodness you're all right. You're greatly indebted to that masked man in the Indian. Oh, I forgot about you. That's all right. I don't know how I can repay you. To think that I fought you. I guess I was out of my head for a minute. Was anyone trapped in that slide? I don't think so, but we've been hit hard. And we're gonna hit back twice as hard. That blast was Flint Scanlon's answer to our visit. Well, so hard you told him we were ready to fight. He's asked for it. Yes, he's asked for it. I hope we could avoid it, but I guess we can't. Did the man in charge of the mining operations set that heavy blast intentionally? Yes, we asked him to fire lighter charges. And this is his answer. I thought a big syndicate controlled that mine. That's the case. None but a big outfit could make the operation pay. The oars low-grade. They have to take out a lot of it to make the job worthwhile. Well, you can get damages from the syndicate. We didn't build this settlement by air and our troubles in court, stranger. We'll handle this our own way. Flint Scanlon was born. We told him we'd fight. What are we waiting for? Let's get started. Just a minute, just a minute. There's a lot of men working on that tunnel. They can meet you on even terms. That suits us. Even if you win, many of you will be killed. That's the price we must pay to hold our valley. We asked Scanlon to terrace his job and use light blasts. He told us to try and make him. Well, we'll do it. No use trying to change this, mister. We are grateful to you for saving the life of Bob's wife. We sure are. But from now on, we'll handle this in our own way. Get your guns, man, and get clubs and anything else in there. Please, please. Just one minute. Listen to me. Make it quick. When would it be far better to persuade Flint Scanlon to pay for the damage and change his methods? Might as well try to persuade Walter to run uphill. Give me a chance to talk to Scanlon. Thanks, mister, but we've already talked to him. Saul's a good talker, but he didn't get anywhere at all. There's just one language that overfed pole can't understand, and that's gun talking. All right, all right. You can postpone the fight for a little while, can't you? Why should we? We should have gone up that mountain with gunfire a long time ago. I'm right. You men are determined to go and get your head shot off. You might at least take time to salvage a few things for the women who have lost their homes. Where your house stood, Bob? Everything you and your wife own is buried in that rubble. Aren't you going to try to get some of Mae's possessions? Well, I... That's right. Bob, we can maybe find a lot of things that are still useful. I can see at least two other houses that were struck with a landslide. Maybe he's got something. Yes, boys. The mask man is right. Before we fight, we must salvage what we can. We'll all pitch in. It won't take long. Then let's go and get it over with. I can hardly wait to go after those skunks in the mountain. Come on, we'll tackle Bob's house first. Well, that was a smart thought. Saul, can I persuade you to avoid an open battle? Ah, the men will fight whether I lead them or not. Yes, I guess you're right. You wanted to fight postpone. You seized upon the idea of salvage to get a postpone. Yes, I did. Saul, are you coming? Be right with you. I wonder what you're going to do with the time you've gained. I don't know, Saul. I don't know. I hope I can do something. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. After the biggest of all blasts had sent a landslide into the valley, Flint-Scanlon continued mining operations with little concern for those who had suffered. Ah, get that infant short up before we quit for the day. Fair enough for me to own this job, eh? Uh, you, boss. Eh? Oh, where'd you come from, Indian? You want a job here at the mine? No, me not one job. Me want to show you something. Ah, look here, Ritzkin. I ain't got no time for foolin'. State your business and clear answers I can work. Well, you come. It not take long. Where to? Rock. Over there. Something there you want to show me a say? Ah. You're late on. But if you're just wasting my time, I'll boot you clean over the other side of the hill. Well, me not waste time. What's over there? You see. Takes an engine to make nothing sound like something. I've never seen the video, Ritzkin. You walk round rock. Yeah. Ah. There, don't see nothing. Like a sound, Flint, and you'll regret it. First, what's the idea? The main idea is to prevent a fight. A fight? Yes. The people in the valley are going to come here for a showdown. Oh, they are. Keep your voice down. Otto, let me know if anyone comes near. Ah. The last powder you fired started a pretty heavy slide. There's a lot of damage in the valley. I guess you knew it would, didn't you? If those people want to live here, they got to take their chances. They know what's going on here. It's not a goal. We're fine blasting party. We can't help what happens. Yes, you can, Scanlon. If those valley people are friends of yours, you tell them I'm ready with armed guards for anything they want to start. I don't need to tell them. They know it. Then they know they'll come here at their own risk. If they trespass on private property, they'll be shot. Then there's no use trying to persuade you to meet them halfway to prevent bloodshed. What do you call halfway? You'll terracist land and fire small charges so the people down below won't be in danger. I'll do nothing to sort them. You'll do more than that. You'll pay for any damage that's done in the future. Pay for the damage that's already been done. Will of all... Miss you, when it comes to nerve, you sure take the first prize for having a lot of it. You can prevent a lot of shooting and killing by doing, as I said. I'll prevent a lot of shooting and killing by ordering my guys to throw lead into the ones that come here to start it. In that case, Scanlon, there's just one thing to do. Yeah? Yeah. I'll have to make sure you don't give any such orders to your guards. What do you mean? Tato, toss me that rope. Now, listen to this. Sorry, Scanlon. Here. You try to rope me up. Don't make empty threats. I'll back them up. There's one. Here's another. You missed that time. But this time, I'm sorry. Why are you... And here's another. Other coming this way. You hurry. Right. You wait there. Take time to tie up. After spending shit like this... Here, silver. You get away. Fuller, come here fast. All right, Tato. Take this man with us. Toss him over the saddle. He's a pretty big fella. Tato, over there a little way. We're going uphill, Tato. Follow me. He follows us. Pretty big fella. One silver in a month's count. Fingere managed to get away with Flint, Scanlon, before any of the miners were aware that anything had happened to their boss. In the valley, the settlers finished clearing out the rubble and salvaging all that could be saved. Then at dusk, the men were armed and mounted, ready to ride up the hill. I guess we're all set, ain't we, Saul? Hold it a minute. Bob's coming. Hurry up, Bob. We're waiting for you. Oh, there. Oh, boy. Stay there. Come on, ready. Men, are you sure this is what you want? That's right, Saul. You know that there'll be some of us who won't return to our homes, don't you? Yeah, we know it already for what comes. Now let's get started. One silver. Ready to shove on? I'm ready. Hey, look over there. That's a white horse again. He's coming back. I hope we'd see him again. What'd you say, Saul? Let's wait a minute. The mask man's coming here. He must have something to tell us. Oh, who's coming? Oh, boy. I'm glad to see you again, mister. Did you come from the mine? Maybe you told him to look for us. What's going on? Oh, just a minute, boys. Give the mask man a chance to speak. Break up and go back to your homes. It won't be necessary to fight. How do you know? What's Scanlon saying? Did you talk to Scanlon? Yes, I've talked to Scanlon. I told him you'd have to terrace the land and use lighter blasts. Oh, he'll ever agree to that? Yes, he will. I also told him you'd have to pay for all the damage that's been done. That's one thing he'll never do. He'd sooner die. He'll fight till every one of his men are killed before he does that. No, he won't. He'll meet all the terms. Did he say that? Did he promise in writing? He hasn't put it in writing yet, but he will. Please believe me. You'll wait until morning. You'll have his acceptance of those terms in writing. What more can you get by making an attack? One minute. We'll wait until morning. But if what you've said isn't true... That won't be time enough to attack. Bob, will you come with me? Where to? Will you come without questions? But where, what for? I can't tell you just yet. Well, I don't know. That man saved the life of your wife. Yeah, that's so... I'll go with you. Thanks. Listen, mister, we're riding up to that camp at nine in the morning. We'll get those terms you mentioned in writing, or we'll start the gunplay. I'll meet you at nine in the mining camp. Follow me, Bob. More silver! Get up there! Tonto rode into the mining camp and sought out Flint's assistant, the man called Pete. Blast and powder and fuse, hmm? That's right. We take him to Flint's Scanlon. Funny for him to ride off without a word to me. Well, him worried about people in the valley. I should think you would be. What's he gonna do? Set off some more blasts? Or maybe other blasts to another place, send rocks down and new plants. Turn fool. You won't get nowhere by these tactics. Me tell him you not send powder, fuse? No, no, don't do that. I'll send what he wants. Ain't for me to argue with the boss. Makes it down right hard for those that step out of line. How much powder do you want? Well, me take all that packed mule carry. All right, come with me. I'll get a packed mule loaded for you. By the way, where is Flint's Scanlon? Maybe better you not know than you maybe avoid trouble. I don't see much chance of avoiding trouble. The way it looks to me, we're heading into more and worse trouble with every move the boss makes. Oh, and the Lone Ranger had a camp near the top of the mountain. It was here that Flint's Scanlon lay in ropes that held his hands and feet. He spent a night of fitful sleep wondering what strange activities were going on nearby. In the morning, he saw the masked man in tanto seated near a small campfire. There you are. How long are you going to keep me here? Oh, not much longer, Scanlon. A couple of hours should be enough. He had digging you in the night. Oh, did you? What are you up to? You'll hear more digging when a friend of ours gets here. Well, him come right now. Who is he? Him come up trail over there. Good. You may know him, Scanlon. His name's Bob. His house was destroyed yesterday when your blast started the landslide. I don't know none of those people in the valley. You may get to know Bob very well before you're through. Even he may be neighbors. What do you mean by that? He may become a gold miner. Hi there. Hello, Bob. Was your mission successful? Sure was. Oh, oh boy. Oh, there. That's Flint's Scanlon, huh? Yeah. I sure hope gold mining don't make me that ugly to look at. Why? I'm all set to go. Got my claims staked in file and have some new tools tied to the saddle. I had to get the clerk in the land office out of bed. Good. I don't know. I've already buried some blasting powder. You start firing anytime. Great. Over and light the first fuse, Tonto. Ah, me go. Hey, what are you talking about? It should be obvious, Scanlon. The boundary of your property is a couple of hundred feet below us. Bob has claimed the property from there to the top of the hill. Now, wait, you can't... He's going to do some prospecting. This land's been going over. There's nothing but low-grade ore around here. I'll find out for myself. Let me out of these ropes. I've got to see about this. There's nothing to see about. I've told you the facts. Here comes Tonto. I guess he's lighted the fuse. Good. I hope the blast doesn't start a slide. Hey, look what's happening. A lot of loose rock around here. He's firing next blast now. Yes, go ahead, Tonto. Fire two at once. No, wait a minute. Wait, listen to me. Wait for what? Go ahead, Tonto. Let Scanlon like noise. Uh-huh. He getting plenty of people. No, no, no. That rock's going down to my tunnel. He'll seal the tunnel. Your tunnel doesn't worry us. He'll bury my machinery. Lead it to your machine. I'll be out of these ropes. I'll be out of here. I've got to do something. What can you do? The big blast will start the whole hill sliding down to my tunnel. It might bury our machinery under 10 feet of rock. That's your business. There she goes. Look at that rock. Look at it sliding down. My job will be arranged. My police will be buried. Look, here come the men from the gold mine. You want more big noise? Keep them going, Tonto. Scanlon isn't ready to listen to terms. No, wait. Wait, listen to me. We're going to talk until he sees what a real blast will do to his gold. Who says they won't not talk? What do you want? What do you have to do? I gave you the terms yesterday. Tell those men to keep back. Tell them to keep back and I'll signal Tonto to hold the next blast. Keep back! Keep back and tell them! Well, how about us, Scanlon? Are you going to tear us your land and fire light charges and pay for the damage you've done in the valley? Listen, missy, untie me. We'll talk terms. Let me go, sir. You've got the terms and there'll be no change in them. But, uh... Light that fuse, Tonto. Listen to me, madam! Hold it. Hold it. I'll signal Limb. What's your answer? Look, will you tell that young man to sell me this land? No. You can't buy it at any price. As long as I got the right to work this land by Thunder Scanlon, you've got to stay in line. How about those terms? You'll pay for the damage? I've got it. I've got no choice. And you'll be careful in the future? Yeah. You'll tear us the land you're working so no more shale will slide down? It'll cause to heat, but put it in writing if that's what you want. Got his ropes, Bob. I'll see you later. Right. Where's he going? Hey! What's the matter? Who in tarnation is that nice man? He's our friend, Scanlon. He's the lone ranger.