 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust in the heart of Ohio Silver, the Lone Ranger. After the Union Pacific Railroad was finished, many eastern businessmen came to the western United States eager to develop the great natural resources of the country. They were followed by confidence men who formed companies and floated stock issues with the sole purpose of robbing the honest settlers. The masked rider of the planes fought these criminals within the law in the same way he fought the outlaws of an earlier period. In time his courage and resourcefulness put an end to their activities and cleared the way once more for the winning of the West. Return with us now of those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoop beats the great horse Silver, the Lone Ranger rides again. The two daughters and three sons of old Sarah Yates were gathered together in the home of the eldest Ezra. The attention of all five was centered on the man who had just risen from his chair and now his coat across his arm was making ready to leave. I think that's all. You understand the situation. The Red River short line means business. It's fully organized has backing of some of the most responsible men in the state but only one thing is lacking as yet we haven't been able to get titled to Salt Creek Valley. The moment we do our crews will commence laying rail. I hope you can help us. Mr Harvey will do our best. Thank you I'm sure you will. Now my time is up. You know where to reach me? Sure. Stay in the hotel, ain't you? Yes, I'll be there for several weeks. Well, good day. Good day. Good day. Well, what do you think? Ezra, if Ma don't sell, she's local. Ralph, right. 5,000 in cash and 30 percent of the voting stock. That's a mighty handsome offer. Mother could be real. I hear railroads are making money hand over fist. Sure they are. But mother doesn't want to sell. She did with Mr Harvey have had to come to us. Well, I was getting old. But she knows her own mind That ain't the point. It ain't fair to us. That's what. Someday what Ma has is going to be ours. Here's a chance for a fortune. If she turns it down, it's us she's cheating. Yes, so. Oh, I see. Then you're not worried about mother after all. You're worried about yourself. Very good. Just don't say that. But I think I do. Wouldn't you like to have a lot of money someday, Peg? Of course I would, but not this way. Well, I'm not particular. Don't argue with her, Marge. The peg's just won against us for anyhow. I guess what she thinks ain't going to stop us. It's Ma we'll have to deal with. Or Miguel. Huh? Well, ain't it on the kind of Miguel that Ma won't sell? Don't you reckon she'd sell if he was to clear out? I'll bet she would. Then why not see Miguel first? Wouldn't that be more sensible? Well, that's what I meant. That's just what we'll do. Good idea. I think you're hateful. Now look, Peggy. You're all anxious to see mother get rich so that someday you'll be rich. You don't care one least bit what mother thinks. And now you're talking about getting Miguel to clear out. The valley's the only home Miguel's ever had. Where would he go? Where could he go? Don't you ever think of anyone but yourself? If we don't, who will? Mother promised Miguel that as long as she lived, he could stay in Salt Creek Valley. Well, Ma wouldn't be breaking her promise if he was to leave without her asking, would she? He'd never leave willingly. Well, I don't know. He wouldn't want to stand in Ma's way. If it weren't for Miguel, we wouldn't be here. We don't care. That's what I told you about it. I know she has. Before she and father were ever married, Miguel hid father for three months when the tailors would have killed him. They'd have killed Miguel too if they'd guessed what he was doing. We owe him everything. There's past and done with. All right. I can't stop you, but I won't have anything to do with it. Don't then. Well, who'll talk to Miguel? I will. When? Just as soon as I can get there. He'll take you three or four days to ride to his place. Then the sooner I can get started, the better. Marge. Yeah, Ben? Pack me some grove. I'll saddle up. Soul Creek Valley, long and narrow but fertile, divided Sarah Yates' large holdings of land almost exactly in two. At his lower end, a small cabin nestled within a grove of cottonwoods. And it was here that Miguel made his home with his wife Rosa. Four days later, Ben Yates was standing outside the cabin talking with Miguel, while Rosa looked on. It was plain to see from Ben's red face that he was rapidly losing control of his temper. So you won't clear out, huh? Señor, these are our home. We are up here. It is not our wish to leave. What have you got? A few scrubby cows. A couple of goats in a mule so blamed over can hardly stand up. This year, cabin on the right to use the valley. Well, you could do better almost anywhere. No, Señor. Look here. I'll make you one final offer. $500. That's in hard cash. You'll get it the day you pull stakes. Señor, it isn't on you. You won't take it? No. You realize you don't own this valley? That all I'd have to do is to go tomorrow and have her kick you off the place? That is not so. This Señor is my friend. Then why can't you act like a friend to her? See? You'll serve me what I mean all right. I ain't going over all that again. If the railroad to go to this year valley, she'd get a fortune for it. But Señor, I spoke of this thing. She does not want to sell. She'll say this to me. You know, I'm losing patience with you. I am more sorry. Maybe you'll be sorry. You're trading on a favor you'd done close to 40 years ago. Well, maybe you can get away with that with more, but you can't with me. You don't go down. For two cents, I'd put a boot to your bitches and kick you clear into the next county, you dirty... Señor, I am no longer a young man. Nor am I as strong as in the past. For this talk, I will not have. No, I must ask you to go. I'm the one to clear out, huh? Yeah. Why, you dried up all too long, so I'm divine. You're not Armigals, Señor. Let go of him. Help, Amigo! Help! You hurt me. Don't make Gal go. You can't take it. You want more? Get up on your feet. You hit me. Want more? Blast you. Don't wait for that gun. I'll put it on. I am. Leave your gun where it is. And hit leather. I'll remember this, mister. And I won't forget it. Now on your way. And you, Miguel, I won't forget you got a pair of crooks for friends. Get up. Get up there. Come on. Get up. Oh, gracias, Amigo. Miguel, wasn't that Ben Yates? Si. What was the trouble here? He would almost leave the valley, Amigo. When we would not, he'd grow hungry. Was he sent here by Sarah? No, Amigo. This, Señor, no nothing of this. Then what was Ben up to? He spoke of a railroad through the valley. A railroad through this valley? Si. You'd better tell me the whole thing, Miguel. Alexis O'Ben, we're getting ideas. After his talk with Miguel, the lone ranger, accompanied by his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, rode on and made camp in its secluded spot several miles away. But at dawn the next morning, he was saddling the Great Horse Silver and... Steady, old fellow. We'll soon be ready. What? What do we do? I've already settled scout for you, Kimusabi. We're riding. What matter? Last night, I thought over what Miguel told us. There's a few more things I mean to find out. In the first place, well, with any railroad, we shall ride away through Salt Creek Valley. This outfit calls itself the Red River Short Line. Well, there are a lot of places in the west that could be profitably tapped by a railroad, but this isn't one of them. I wonder if this couldn't be a crooked promotion scheme. What do you mean? People lose their heads easily, Tonto. Two years ago, the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific completed the line that extends all the way to the coast. Since then, everyone's talked of railroads. You'd think you had only to lay track anywhere to make a fortune. And crooks aren't likely to overlook the opportunity to take advantage of that attitude. Perhaps this is an example. Maybe you're right. I want to know just who's behind this Red River Short Line. As far as I know, they haven't put down a single mile of track. How do you find out? Jim Burgess at the state capitol wouldn't know. If he doesn't, wouldn't take him long to learn. Yep. Go on, Scout. Yes, Scout. We'll find Burgess and see what he has to say. That's a good idea. Ready? Get him up, Scout. With Ben's return, another family council was called at Ezra's home. It was Ralph, the youngest brother who put into words what all we're thinking. Well, we might as well face it. Miguel can't be reached. Then there's nothing to do but talk to Mo. Ain't going to be easy, but it'll have to be done. And you talk to her. I've done my share. Maybe Ezra better. He's the oldest. Not me. She'd bite my head off. Martin, would you... Ho, ho, ho. No, you don't. I'm no more anxious to face her than Ezra is. It'll have to be one of you three. Well, I won't. I suppose I'm to do everything. But you're... Wait! Yeah? This ain't getting us no place. When you come down to it, there ain't no one of us alone. Well, outside of maybe Peg, who could get Ma to change her mind once she'd made it up. You mean we're to let this chance go? No, I mean we'll all see Ma together. Well... It's the only way. We'll have to act together. She sees all of us her said on this. Maybe she'll get over being stubborn. But that'll mean wasting a couple more weeks. I got a business to look after. If I don't get home pretty soon, I'm... You figure that feed story yours is more important than this? No. Well, I'll let my cafe go, ain't I? Yeah, sure. Well, then if Ezra and me are willing to put in our time, you ought to be too. How about Harvey? I'll see him today. I'll tell him this is taking us a little longer, and we figure it. And all right, Mother, we're coming. I'll get the letter off before noon. Well, all right then. This is very decent of you. Huh? What's ailing you? When I came here, I told you that Mother was ill. I practically begged you to take the time to see her. None of you could. Oh, no, you were too busy for that. But now, now that it means money to you, everything's different. Now Peg... Well, I'm going along. And if I can spoil your rotten scheme, I will. A week later, Ben, Ralph, Marge, and Ezra sat in the parlor of the great rambling ranch house they'd known as children. Ben and Ralph sat on the stiff sofa staring at the toes of their boots. Marge sat alone and silent. Ezra pacing the floor obviously ill at ease. Stopped suddenly and... Well? Well, why don't we go in there? She don't want us yet. She said she'd let us know. Where's Peg? No, she's in there. Yeah, thought as much. Getting in her story, I suppose. Sure, I guess. Well, she ain't got to spoil things. I won't stand for it. She will if she can. If she does, it's because you let her. Huh? Oh, you make me sick, all of you. Grown men and behaving like scared children. She's our mother just as much as she's Peg's, isn't she? Well, then why in heaven's name just stand around and do nothing? Go in there. Don't wait for permission. I didn't see Peg waiting. Doug Gunnard, Marge, you're right. Thanks. Sure. Sure, that's right. Why are we waiting? I, uh... I'll go along if the rest of you will. Well, come on. You too, Marge. Sure, why not? I'll go in there. Ma! You... You got out of bed. Peg, what's your letter for? Ma, give me your arm. Ben, get a chair. Ezra, don't you touch me. Leave that chair where it is, Ben. I'll take a keying to you. But, Ma... When the time comes, I can't get around my own house. Without help, I'll be ready for my grave. But I'm not ready yet. Now, don't you help me either, Peg. All right, Mother. Well, you can't do this. You'll see. You'll... Oh, Ben, yours was a simple mind that one of the family took after your pa. Stand aside and say, I know what I'm doing. Be careful, Ma. Well, there. I made it, didn't I? Ma, I've been worried. I'm glad Jane is back up as Peg told us. I'm glad too, Mother. Sure, it's great seeing you on your feet again. You could fool me. Oh, what do you mean? You can't. It's high time you learned it. Oh, wait, Ma. I don't know what Peg said to you, but... Jane said nothing. She didn't have to. I ain't simple. But, Ma... Our thunderation quit all trying to talk at once. There, now. Now, I'll say my say. You're here to get me to sell the valley. I won't. You want me to go back on my promise to Miguel. I won't. And if you think you're going to change my mind, don't. 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. How to continue our story. Three days passed. In an office in a distant town, two men discussed the events that had occurred at old Sarah's ranch house. I've got Israel Yates letter with me, Taylor. He says they can't do a thing with their mother. Stubborn old fool. She's like most of those old timers. They'd rather break an arm than a promise. As long as she's alive, that breed's going to have the valley. No, Harvey, you're wrong. I'm going to get the valley. Well, I don't suppose she's got long to live. Not that way. Yeah, but I... Harvey, I wonder if you know why this means so much to me. I'm not sure what I do. It was my father and his brothers who would have killed old Zacky eight years ago. If it hadn't been for Miguel. Yeah. At the time Zack came west, my family controlled all that range up there. Every last acre of it. Zack took it away from them. He filed on the only part of the range where there was water. And you don't have to be told that the rancher who controls the water rights controls everything else. So that's it. I promised my father someday I'd get that range back. I will. And it has to be while Sarah's still alive. I want her to know that at Taylor, even the score. All right. What are you going to do? Miguel won't leave, Sarah won't sell. What's left? You know, I wouldn't be disappointed if something happened to Miguel, Harvey. I owe him something, too. I can't say that I'd be disappointed at all. That's in order? Yes. He's so suspected. She won't, Harvey. No, I'm quite sure she won't. In spite of Sarah's warning, her three sons in Marge continued to beseech her with every type of argument that occurred to them. It was impossible for them to leave while they still hoped she would change her decision. And one morning as we returned to the attack with... Look here, ma, I aim to have a talk with you. Again? Sure, I know you don't like it, but it's got to be done. Why? Why? Because you're not treating us fair. You ain't considering nobody but yourself. And Miguel. All right then, and Miguel. But the way you act, you think he meant more to you than your own kin. Sometimes, Ezra, I ain't so sure about what he does. At least ways you don't ever hear Miguel complaining. He takes the little he's got and he makes it do, and he's happier than any of us. Instead of finding a fault, it wouldn't hurt you to copy him. Why couldn't you give him land somewhere, Zell? Because that's where he wants to be. What the... Mrs. Yates, mask. Don't be alarmed. Crook, get out of here. Get off or I'll yell for help. You don't get out of... All for petty sakes, Ezra, can't you hust just want? If he's gonna rob us, we can't stop him. I'm not an outlaw, Mrs. Yates. I've brought you news. You have, huh? What news? Miguel's left the valley. What? Is that a fact? Yes. Stranger, don't believe it. He wouldn't go without telling me first. I know he wouldn't. But he has. He and his wife are gone. And everything they owned with them. That's not all. I've been inside his cabin. I found this. Give me that. What is it? A note. I found it on the kitchen table. Ma! Well? He says he's clearing out because he knows he's standing in your way. He says to go ahead and sell the valley. He says he wouldn't want you to lose out on account of him. Stranger, did you look around anyone who was there? I did. Was anything suspicious? Was there... Well, was there any sign to say that maybe he didn't leave Willan? The cabin was all in order. It had even been swept and scrubbed before Miguel left. Ma, don't be foolish. Why, this note tells you he went on his own accord? Yes. Everything was in order. Nothing looked suspicious except one small detail. Huh? What was that? Miguel can't write. Four mounted horses followed a desolate trail leading always deeper into the wilds north of Salt Creek Valley. The horses kept to the trail in pairs. Those at the rear carrying Harvey and a roughly dressed companion. While the two in the lead were ridden by Miguel and Rosa. Although Miguel and his wife had managed the reins of the horses they rode, the wrists of each were securely bound. Senors, how much farther is it we ride? Impression, Miguel. We have ridden far, Rosa. She's very tired. It is nothing, Miguel. There we're almost there. Here, pull off the trail and cut left. Hold the back of that royal. See? This way. There is a cabin. You know what? Oh, well, see, many times we have come here when wanting. Good. You'll feel at home. You will not say why you bring us here? Yeah, do it, Miguel. I'm sorry. You'll find there's an old friend of yours in there who'd prefer to tell you himself. Your friend? All right, rain up. All right, boy, boy. All right, get down. Hey, keep watch outside, book. All right, boss. Go ahead, Miguel. Look right in. See? It's a senior still. Come in. You can wait with book, Harvey. Right. Surprised to see me? It's a long time since we last met, Miguel. It has been many years. I wasn't much more than a boy. But I'm afraid you'll find I have a long memory. I do not understand. You were my father's enemy. Your father, señor? He was muy mal hombre. There, huh? Well, by the standards of some of you cowardly fools who run to the law every time you're hurt, perhaps he was. At any rate, he was bad medicine for those who crossed him. That was well known. In fact, Miguel, that was a characteristic of all my family. Do you understand? What do you mean? He paid his enemies back. I do the same. My enemies, those still living, are my enemies. See? You were on Zak Yates' side against ours. If it hadn't been for you, my father would have killed Zak before he ever got a foothold here. The señor Yates was a fine man. Me, Miguel, I'm most proud to have been of service. But things have changed since then. All things change, señor. It is so for everyone. At that time, you helped Zak take our land. See? You will help me regain it. And, Miguel... Yes, señor? I'm afraid I can't let you live to tell the story. No, no, my dear. Mi arosa. Do not be afraid. Now, we are warmed. Yes, it does not matter. What must be, will be. Sera Yates, frightened with the news the masked man had brought, sent Azra to summon her family together. In the meantime, take it her best to calm her mother's fears. Mother, you mustn't worry so. Well, just the fact that poor old Miguel can't write doesn't prove anything. Well, he might have had someone do it for him who could. I mean, he might have asked someone to do it. Or there could be a dozen explanations. Thank you, pig. But I guess it's no use. No use? Telling me not to worry. I thought a heap of Miguel. Rosa, too. It was just like part of the family. You're talking as though they were, they were dead? Yes. Maybe they are. Oh, no. And maybe. What, mother? Maybe those to blame ain't so far away. Mother, what are you saying? I think you understand. Well, you can't think that. Ain't I had cause to? No, mother. Listen to me. The boys think too much of money, yes. I'm not excusing them, but you can't think they could have had anything to do with this. You just can't. They're not sent for them. Why don't they come? They'll be here soon. I want to talk to them. Of course you do. But please, mother, please promise me you won't let them know that you suspected them, even for a moment. You're my favorite, pig. You've always been ever since you were just a young man. But I can't give such a promise. I've got to know. They're coming now. Howdy, Mark. Hi, boys. How's the news, Mom? Is there anything you want us to do? We talked it over on the way here. We know this part of the country pretty well. We thought we might go hunting for Miguel. Not yet. What's the matter, mother? You look... The way I'm feeling, I reckon. Sit down. But we want to... Sit down. Show them all. Esri. Yeah? You've kind of been the leader since you come here. These ways you've pestered me most. So I'll talk to you. Sure. What is it? You've been mighty anxious for me to settle the valley. It's been plain to see that if Miguel would clear out I wouldn't have to break my promise. You'd find it pleasing. Well, we only said that... Wait. Esri, would you and Ben and Ralph have been so anxious for Miguel to get that you'd help him? Ma, what do you mean? You don't think I mean it? Quiet. Just give me a straight answer. That's all I want. Ma, I swear to you... I'm still talking to Esri. You ask for a straight answer, Ma, and you'll get it. I tried to bribe Miguel to leave. Maybe we even threatened him a little. But hurt him? Make him leave? Never in a million years. And that's the truth. It is, Mother. I've heard everything the boys have planned from beginning to end. Esri's told you the exact truth. Didn't I tell you, Mother? Boys, I believe you. Thank you. You've done a heap of things I ain't liked. You've got faults that don't guess you'll ever get over. But as far as I know you've still got your first lie to tell me. Then why don't you let us go look for Miguel? If he's to be found, we'll find him. We'll look everywhere. Go ahead. Fine. Man, get the horses. Right. You, Ralph, get the extra cartridges in the storeroom. Who bet? How do you want to eat? The master. In with you. Blast you. I'm choking the engine. Good for you. That's... that's Mr. Harvey they've got. And here's Miguel. And Rosa. What a war. Oh, tell you. Hold still or I'll tie you. Taylor, where'd you come from? He's the fellow behind this. But Harvey... Works for him. Stranger, you made a bad mistake. Mr. Harvey's head of the railroad's coming through here. He's the fellow wanted to buy the valley. It's your mistake. Otto and I have already checked on this fellow. We were told the railroad was planned. We rode to the state capitol to find out about it. You were tricked. Huh? Tricked. The company he had it existed only on paper. It was formed just to cover up for Taylor. Once you'd sold the valley, there's so-called railroad. And it turned around and sold all the valley to Taylor. The company would have been disbanded. And Taylor would have held your water rights, Mrs. Yates. Taylor, you rotten schemer. I planned this for a long time, Sarah. And if it hadn't been for this mask man, by heaven it would have worked. For all the senses we're in the other shoulder it would have. But we couldn't know. Because I thought of a fortune coming into the family blinded you to everything else. Taylor depended on that. Greedy men are the easiest dupes for swindlers. What I've shared a thousand times. But Miguel and Rosa, how did you find them? When we learned Taylor was behind this, we knew Miguel's life would be in danger if Sarah didn't sell. Taylor was watching every moment. He was behind them when they took Miguel to the cabin. He left signs on the trail that I could follow. But why didn't he stop them when he saw they were taking Miguel prisoners? Because of my orders. Uh-huh. The Ed Orders let them go as far as they liked. Unless they made an attempt on Miguel's life. We wanted them on a charge that would keep them in jail for the time they deserve. They'll be all gone lucky if they don't get the rope. How about my cash? I went and put good money into that fake company. So did I. Well, I'm glad to hear it. It serves you right. I hope you never see a penny of it again. But Ma! And if you don't, then maybe the mask man's taught you a lesson you won't forget. Outside of Peg, you're a right useless lot. But you've got my blood. You ought to be able to learn. Hey! Get a watch out! Hey! I'm sure you have just heard of the copyright feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.