 horse for the speed of light, the cloud of dust and a honey high as silver, the Lone Ranger. Arnold Geerson, whose wealth reached out to develop the vast resources of the far west, decided to strike at the heart of the Barbary Coast. In an effort to stamp out the viciousness, Geerson sought for and found the Lone Ranger. This masked rider of mystery, though reluctant to leave the plains and mountains of the cattle country, answered the call and smashed the forces of evil in the Barbary Coast. His work in San Francisco finished, Tato and the masked man headed north for the gold fields in the land of Big Timber. 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. Come on, Silver, there's danger on the trail ahead. By old Silver, follow her. In the immediate years following the great discovery of gold in California, prospectors came by horseback, wagon trains, and on foot, pushing back the wild frontiers as they raced into the hills north and east of San Francisco. In Placer City, Ranch Taggart was on hand to personally supervise the arrival of six heavily loaded freight wagons. Big and well-dressed to the point of luxury, Taggart looked the part of a successful mining engineer. All right, listen to me. Anybody who wants to work for the California Prospector of Mine and Corporation, report to my office this afternoon. That's wages. What are you paying? Paying $10 a day for dredging. You've got to look better than that, Mr. Ten dollars just about pays for a man's breakfast in this tub. Eight is a dollar a piece. And I'm from Kentucky. Eat a dozen for breakfast every day. All right, paying $10 a day. Take it or leave it. New drivers. Get them wagons unloaded and come into the office. I'll settle up with you. Come on in, Mr. Taggart. You don't mind if I make myself at home in your office, do you? Well, as I live and breathe. What's that, Jason? I took a spell for your letter to catch up with me, but I finally got here. What's the trouble? No trouble yet. But... I know. When Rand's Taggart lights the way, somebody gets burned. And then trouble. We forgot how to use them six guns you're packing. You might get a chance to earn your wages. I'm here, ain't I? It shows I ain't forgot how. You're a mining engineer, huh? What's the deal, Taggart? I was noticing them wagons loaded with boxes and crates. Mining equipment? That's right, Mr.... Some of it's the most successful kind of mining equipment. Never fails to produce high-grade oil. Yeah? You'll see. I was listening to your speech out there a minute ago. You really figuring out getting men for $10 a day? Sir, they're not. You really think I wanted to hire some men? What kind of designer on you? What kind of scheme you up to? And what do you hire me, or rather my guns for? You'll find out soon enough. Meanwhile, just keep your eyes and ears open. When I need you, I'll let you know. You listen, buzz. For the time being, it's just as well if nobody's savage, you're on my payroll. Understand? I'll beat it up and see you later. I don't care what a cost you to live here. I'm offering $10 a day for dredgers, and that's it. Well, what do you want? $40 wages too, I suppose? He ain't hiring me for $10 a day. Yeah. Well, Mr. Taggart, I'd like to make you a proposition. Yeah? What kind of proposition you got? Well, my name is Paul Maystead. I've been in this country almost a year. Yeah, that's very interesting. I know this country like a book. Been over every inch of it. And I know where this place are going, Mr. Taggart. What are you telling me for? Why aren't you working it? Well, about two months ago, my wife was taken very ill. I nearly lost her. Took every cent I had to get her down to the hospital in Sacramento. I sold my outfit and everything. And then, well, we could just barely scrape up enough to get back to Placer City. So now you're coming to me for a grub steak, huh? Well, the answer is no. And all. No. I tell you, I know where this gold, rich gold. Sure, sure, everybody knows where this gold is. Go out to California, pick it up at a bushel basket. I'll give you a chance to make a profit. Nothing to do with me, sir. You can't lose. Honest, all I need is $200, $300. Now listen. There's 40,000 prospectors out here. Stone broke. And all they need is a few hundred dollars for an outfit. And they all know where the gold is. Only they can't find it. I'm sorry, the answer is still no. All right. I thought you were a smart mining man. The reason I came to you. I saw those wagons pull in. And I figured you had the equipment to open up a real bonanza. Nancy. You mean you already found a strike? No, I haven't found it yet, but I... Well, I'm reasonably sure I'm on the right trail. You won't be on the right trail until you hit the trail back east, may sin. And anyway, my methods of mining gold are a little different from yours, sin. All right. I won't beg you. But I will find someone. And I'll find gold, understand? So much gold it'll start a bigger rush than Sutter ever dreamed of. Thanks just the same, Mr. Taggart. Yeah, that's all right. Hey, uh... Yes? Wait a minute. I just thought of something. You, uh... Where is this location you got in my... Oh, I only wanted to share it on a grub-steak basis. Not give it away. All right. You can share it with me. I'll support you 500 simoleons for an outfit. You really... You mean you'll... Oh, mister, are you serious? Sure. Here you are. There's 500 in that poke. It's yours. Afternoon, we'll get an agreement made up. It's the usual thing. You'll get your outfit and we'll both right out to look over the place. It's out in the Trinity Foothills. Oh, golly, mister, where did I tell my wife? And you won't be sorry, either. Gee, somehow I knew you'd help me out. Gosh, thanks. Thanks ever so much, Mr. Taggart. You won't regret this partnership. It'll bring you gold. Yes, sir. It'll bring me plenty gold, amigo. In Lance Taggart's, the boy has got the equipment to excavate gold. Pure fire equipment. Gold, precious, treacherous stuff, holding forth a glittering promise to men of adventure. Gold, luring men onward, ever onward to wealth and power and disaster. Over a thousand trails into the rugged North Country of California came the gold seekers, good men and bad, infected with the poisoned promise of sudden wealth. High up in the Trinity Hill Country, where Mad Creek winds its turbulent way down to the Sacramento River, a pair of stalwart horsemen reigned in their mounts where the trail came close to the canyon rim. Oh, Silver, oh, Silver. With an impatient toss of his magnificent head, Silver, the great white stallion of the Lone Ranger, winnied a piercing challenge to the wild country, a challenge that echoed and re-echoed across the canyon. Steady, steady, boy, steady, Silver. Silver, him, look plenty good. Well, this has been a great trip, Tunnel. I'm sorry in a way that Dan couldn't have come along. He'd get a big thrill out of this country. Ah, Dan catch plenty white men savvy at school. Hello, Silver. Get him up scout. You and I may never see it, Tunnel, but one day this country will be one of the richest regions in America. Perhaps in the whole world. Ah, the men who settle this country will only realize that nature must be controlled and not conquered. How you mean, Kimusabi? No one can estimate the wealth of this region. Gold is only a part of it. So are the millions of acres of virgin timberlands to the north. Oh. Men will learn to utilize these precious assets without destroying them. The richness of this country will remain. Otherwise, it will be just another case of quick wealth for a few and quicker disaster for many. Ah. Look ahead there. Plenty fast river. Yes, it ought to be Mad Creek, am I? Not a... it looks like a wagon in trouble. Ah, in Big Frater. That wagon won't stand the pressure of the stream very long. Come on, let's go, Silver. Get him up scout. Oh, Silver, oh boy. Well, it's just in time. I'm sure to fix here. Then try to... you... what's I'm asked for, Mr? That's not important right now, silly big fella. Don't worry, we're interested only in helping you. Yeah. Well, if you're a couple of owl hooters, I can tell you right now this freighter's haul is nothing but mining equipment. Hello. Got those horses I'm hitched and leading them up to the opposite bank. Ah, yeah. You must have. Let's get this wagon unloaded. Oh, I sure. Sure, you bet. I'm glad to have some help. Well, this is not very heavy stuff for mining equipment. Yeah, I noticed that too. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, darn it. Taggart will sure give me one for if there's anything busted in that box. Yeah, I'll get it. You say Taggart? Who's he? They operate your mining company in Placer City. Well, they ain't exactly operating yet, but they showed that rich strike from what I hear. Hey. Him and Paul Maystead, the fellow he grub-steaked, all struck a rich just across the valley yonder in the Trinity foothills. Looks like they ought to clean up big so this equipment gets operating. Yeah, yeah. Let's see. Hello. Give us a hand here, huh? Yeah. They've got a few more boxes to unload. Hey, Mr. Taggart, where you want their stuff unloaded? I just brought in. Hey, hey, hey. That new building going up across the street. Just put it in there any place. And be careful handling that stuff. Sure, sure. Sure it took you long enough getting here. Huh. Wouldn't be here yet if them fellas hadn't given me help. Hey. Got myself mine trying to ford Matt Crick. Then along comes his master. I'm bringing his engine part and saying we got out there in jig time. My jingle them two sure has a husky pair now. Wait a minute, old hammer. Did you say that one of them was wearing a mask? Yeah. He sort of knows it around a little bit. He figured twice his own business. So I just... He had an engine part, huh? Yeah. Call him Pronto, Hondo or something. Tondo? Yeah, sure. You must know them fellas. Tell me, the mask man ride a white stallion? Yeah. Biggest I ever did see. Say, look, I got to get busy. Got a lot of freight to unload. Settle up with you later, Mr. Taggart. Yes, you will. You sure as that teamster of poly questions that you said now come. We're not wearing a mask. We're riding a white stallion. With a part named Tonto. That's the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger? You mean to say that mask man is... Right. He had a wild back. He was in California, but didn't figure on him getting up in this country. So now, amigo Mio, you can start multiplying my wages or get yourself another hired man. I sure ain't going up again that mask, man, for chicken feed. Wait a minute, boys. Yes. That's it. It's just exactly the ticket for Mr. Lone Ranger. Yes, sir. In the one-way ticket at that. What are you driving at, Taggart? Just to sort the reception for the mask man, boys. You sure better know what you're doing, my friend. Don't worry, boys, I do. This time tomorrow the Lone Ranger is going to be swinging under a tree, savvy. And you and me will have clear sailing. Yes, sir. If I do say so myself, this plan is perfect. 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. Paul Maystead had been cradling the soft, gravel-bearing earth on his claim since daylight. While the gold in his cloak had been disappointing in quantity, Paul felt keen satisfaction at the richness of the specimens he'd taken from his claim. Now, as dusty senator with a Trinity, the young man weirdly put away the rocker and headed for the crude shack where he lived. As he entered the single tiny room, Paul struck a match in light of the oil lamp on the plain board table. The yellow light flickered feebly, then brightened as the lamp wick was turned higher. Omni forbid. Daylight comes too early this time of year. Sleep for a month. Well, better get some beans together first. Can't swing a cradle all day in an empty step. Who's that? I'm a friend of yours, Paul. I don't try to hide your poke. I'm not interested in that. I've already taken what you have buried on the floor. But, Mask, you must be up. What about my cash? Did you...? Yes, I looked. Only because I wanted to know how well your claim was paying out. I didn't disturb the gold. It's still there. You're a strange kind of odd law. Paul, I have something to tell you that you won't believe. At least you won't want to believe. Unfortunately, what I have to say is the truth. I still say... Oh, you're wrong. I'm not an outlaw. No? Well, that'd be hard to prove wearing a mask and packing two guns. Let me ask you, where did you live before you came to California? In Texas, why? Then perhaps I can identify myself to you after all. Here. You know what that is, Paul? Well, sure, a 45 cartridge. What about it? Say, this bullet, it's made of silver. A silver bullet. That silver bullet came from Texas, too, Paul. You're trying to tell me you're... you're the lone ranger. Is that it? I want to tell you about something that happened this afternoon. Something you should know about. What? My friend and I had occasion to help a freighter hauling equipment across the mountains to Placer City for your partner, Mr. Taggart. Yeah, he said he had some special mining equipment coming. I'm sure glad it's here. You won't be glad when I say that some of it is very special equipment. And while it may operate beautifully for Mr. Taggart, I'm afraid it won't do you much good, Maystead. Some of it? Yeah, some of the boxes was dropped, corner broken open. I saw what was inside the crate. Go on. It was full of gambling equipment. You'll let we use barrel layouts, chuck-a-luck games, and... Well, that doesn't make... I don't understand. I came here tonight because I was suspicious of both you and Taggart. Now, I know that you're honestly working this location. Evidently, Taggart has other plans. Well, he's an engineer, Mr. Taggart. I don't like what he's engineering. Listen, I'm coming. All right, listen, Maystead. Turn that lamp down a little. I'll stand back here in the shadows. Just don't let on that there's been anyone here except yourself. Oh, there you are. Oh, come in. You're Mr. Axon, aren't you? That's right. Folks call me Buzz. Hey, you sure got it dark enough in here. Oh, I have to save on oil. It's too expensive. Yeah, that's right. Everything costs like fury. How's the claim paying out? Well, it's... Yeah, never mind. Only if you got any gold laying around this shack, you better see it in a safe place. Yeah? Yeah. Or else that mask company's liable to come along and help herself. Mask? You mean... I remember, Radley, you come from Texas, didn't you? You ever hear of a Jasper called the Lone Ranger? What about him? Well, he's here in the gold fields and plumb busy, too. Cleaned out Rand's Taggart this afternoon, locked stock and barrel. Taggart's her dog gone broke. He's offering to sell. He'll share the mine you're working. How does he know it was the Lone Ranger? Well, it doesn't. People saw the fella. Big man wearing a mask, totin' two guns. He rode out of town on a big white stallion. That's him, ain't it? Yes. Yes, that's him. And he's standing right back there in the corner. Look out! You knock the lamp over, Maystead. I missed him. You bet. As soon as I've heard about you, the shame your accuracy isn't as good as your speed. Maystead, you got a gun? Yes. Well, then let's get him. He's right back in that corner. Let him have it now! He's over by the door. It's $5,000 reward for his hide, Maystead. Mr. Tagg, it's gotta be mine in the valley looking for him. Come on, let's smoke him out! He isn't playing a shot yet. Hey, I got him. Here he is. Ah, you bastard! Who lasts me? Let go, you crazy idiot! I kill you! Hey, you're poisonin' it out. Maybe this will settle your problem without any more gunplay. Go on me, I'll kill you, you sneak environment! Your killing days are just about over. Now a little light. Akima, Tobi, Tobi here, shots come fast. All right, Toto. No one hurt. There, get a rope on that man. Me time. You lied to me, you said that. I didn't say a half what I meant to, Maystead. You're certainly acting like a fool. I wanted your gold, I'd had time enough to get it before Atchison got here. By the way, do you know this man Atchison? I've seen him around Plycer City. I don't know, I've seen him all over the Southwest and a hundred different reward notices. He's a killer with a price on his head. If I'm not mistaken, he's on Tagg's payroll right now. What, the robbery, didn't you? It wasn't any robbery. Somehow Tagg learned I was here and used that robbery to get the miners out after me. Now listen, Maystead, I'm giving you one more chance to save yourself. You better show some sense. I can't figure this out at all. I don't try. Toto, get that man outside on his horse. The four of us are riding into Plycer City. But miners, then plenty man, look for lone ranger. I'll save them the trouble. Come on, let's get Atchison outside. You sure hit them, plenty hard. You bring horses. Come scout, here's silver. Aren't you afraid to ride into Plycer City? Miners may not listen to reason. That's a necessary risk, Maystead. Come on, get on your horse. Now we're going to see just what methods of gold mining Mr. Ranch Taggart was planning to use. Come on, settle there. In Plycer City, Ranch Taggart had succeeded in stirring the miners to white heat. Groups armed with every considerable weapon were preparing to strike out at daylight and scour the surrounding hills. $5,000 in gold for the capture of the masked man dead or alive. They got $5,000 in this poke and it belongs to the man that brings in the lone ranger. But I'm warning you, he's greased lightning with his guns, so don't give him a chance to use them. There ain't nobody safe with him rather loose. Yes, remember your women, folks, and your kids. I just hope I am the one to lay my gun sights on that thieving poke at you. That was your chance, Taggart. When Plycer said that, I did. And don't any of you men make a move I have to say, I have two men covering this crowd with rifles and I know how to use them. It's him, the masked man. Your game is up, Taggart. The other games you had in mind, whatever gets started. What do you mean? You had a grand plan. Not satisfied to take a chance with these men on finding a real strike, you decided to make one of your own. He's crazy. Get him, boys. Get him out of here. Hold it. I hate to see innocent men get hurt on this man's account. Let's get Atchison, Taggart. Let him safely out of the way. But you'll talk when the time comes. I don't know any Atchison. Why don't you men get this, Aubrey? Me? I'm well and delicious. This fella done me a favor. If you're so all-fine anxious to get him, you've got a gun, Taggart. Thanks, old dimer. This afternoon I saw some of the gold Paul Maistead's been taking from his claim. It's rich. The richest kind of plastic. But it hadn't come from Maistead's location. What do you say, unmasked man? Sorry to tell you this, Maistead. Those specimens I saw in your cabin came from a dozen different mines. But I found that gold in my own claim. Yes, and you found it because Taggart put it there. The claim was salted. You found it, which removed all danger for Taggart. He was just the partner who grub-staked. Atchison, if this confounded talk, no rangers fooling the whole bunch of you. What I say can be proved by the men in Placer City. What about the robbery in Taggart's office? Even crook, clean the art. Slick as a whistle. Taggart, if you're a mining engineer, you'll have a chance to prove it. If you're the crook I think you are, we'll prove it. What about that robbery, Maistman? I don't think there was any robbery. We're going to find out right now. You men have a miners' court. I'm here to give you a chance to find out whether I've committed any crime in Placer City or if there was any crime committed. If Taggart was cleaned out, as he says, where would he get $5,000 for a reward? He's a thief and why boys get him. You'll see who's lying, Taggart, just as soon as you open the safe in your office. The safe? I've got private papers in there. Another thing, you've all heard how Taggart was bringing in special mining equipment. You men, go across the street and break open those boxes. That's private property. Keep under there. Go on. You'll find some mining equipment and also a lot of crooked gambling devices. That's how this man does his gold mining with crooked gambling games. I say, let's look. Some of them boxes with dog or light for mine or two. Come on, Taggart. We're going to look into that safe of yours. Oh, no, you ain't. You blasted me. Look out! I'll show you. Look how he's got a gun up his sleeve. Oh, damn it! Hello. Bring up that other crook. These men can tie them up together. Now, if you want proof of what I've been saying, go look in Taggart's safe. There's a very special mining equipment across the street. You'll see that the robbery, the real robbery, was only about to begin. Mining engineer. He sure was fixin' to excavate some paid dirt from us fellas. No wonder we're selling them claims so fast and furious. Yeah, that fake robbery. I'd give him a perfect excuse to offer his share of the Maystead Strike for sale. That's even coyote. Yeah, but I think I lugged all that gambling equipment clear across the mountain for the lowdown skunk. Huh. Wonder how he's figured to get that in operation. His plan was simple. Too simple, to be honest. You see, Taggart having the sympathy of the entire community, but if sold his share in Maystead's so-called strike for a fancy price, then he would have used that money to open up a saloon and crooked gambling hall. Well, the miners' quarters meeting this morning to take care of that jasper and his partner, Atchison. And if he asked me, the meeting ain't gonna last very long. Just one thing more. Are you men? Don't let this cheap trick of Taggart's cause you to move out of the valley. Even though the gold Maystead found was planted, there's real plaster gold in these hills. Hold on to your claims and keep looking. Don't worry, I'm sticking. Good for you, Maystead. I've got to stay here, whether I want to or not. Might just as well look. Here is any place. I've spoken here before. Come on, Donald. Let's get to the horses. Ah, Silvis can't just cross. Hey, listen, listen a minute. We found more than $60,000 in Taggart Safe. Money he stole from us with his worthless claims. I say let's take that money and start building a real town here. Sure, we ain't getting much gold now. But there's enough to keep us going until somebody makes a real strike. That's the best idea yet. Cause Rance Taggart ain't gonna need no engineer, I'm thinking. And we can use it to make up for some of his skull-duggery. We'll have a school for the kids and maybe a post office. Your dad done betcha. How about that, Mass Man? Hey, where's that fellow at the Lone Ranger? 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