 the speed of light across the dust and the hearty high old Silver Ranger. The Indian companion cuddle, the daring and resourceful map writer of the plains led the fight for law and order. In the early western United States, nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater campaign of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, the mother of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse Silver. The low ranger rides again, close to it. The Missouri River steamboat Arrow was bound for St. Louis with a rich cargo of furs and gold from the northwest. As she trotted her way through the treacherous channels in Dakota territory, churning the muddy water with her side wheels and erupting vast clouds of smoke from her twin funnels, two men leaned against the railing on the passenger deck. Both were in their middle 20s, well-dressed and apparently friendly. The one was the United States Marshal, the other a prisoner. The Marshal was saying, Jeff, you ought to stay away from the captain's daughter. Why should I, Marshal? Well, I hard to say it. I'm Jeff Gilmore who broke out of the death row in a St. Louis jail and was captured in Fort Benton. And you're taking it back to me. You think it's right for a fellow in your boats to associate with a nice girl like Sue Knell? Sue and I simply walk and talk again. She's lonesome and seems to enjoy my company. Yeah, she's taking a shine to you. I don't want her to be that. I'll tell her who I am. No, don't. If it ever got out that I didn't put you in arms, I'd lose my job. I don't want to get you into trouble. No, you don't. We've been friends since we were kids. Yes, but you don't know about my case. You were away when I was trying. I didn't want to ask you about it, but now that the subjects come up, tell me. You know that Simon Dumont and I were partners in the St. Louis furhouse? Yeah. Well, Dumont was a crook. He got to buy and store in furs without my knowledge, honestly. One day a St. Louis detective came to the office to check up on Dumont's activities. Dumont stabbed the man with my pelting knife and then fled, leaving me to take the blame. Didn't the St. Louis officers look for him? No, they didn't. Jeff, when we get back to St. Louis, I'll try to get a stay of execution for you. And an assignment is to go to territory for myself. Maybe I can find Dumont. We aren't at all against you. You've never seen Dumont, so you wouldn't know him. From what I've heard, he's grown a beard and keeps changing his name. Oh, Lohman would cooperate with me and honey. Even so, you'd never get a delay in the hand of a jailbreaker like me. Public sentiment is all against me. Here comes Miss Carol. Ah, but you gentlemen look serious. Sue, the Marshal and I have been talking about my future. I hope it's not bad, Doc. I think you've never told me what you've been doing or planned to do. The Marshal has a place. Oh, Miss Carol, isn't that rock fort just ahead? As the seamboat whistles for the next landing, the lone ranger and the totter who had been riding along the north bank of the river pulled up. Hello, there's the arrow. She'll refuel and rock fort. And look at Bale's fur, her carry. The river pirates we've been looking for have made it unsafe to ship furs by smaller craft. They've become a menace to shipping from one end of this river to the other. How many flat boats have been attacked along here? Three. And all we've learned is that the furries call themselves riverwolves and refer to their leader as Loop, which is French for wolf. Ah, how it happened, gang never leaves trail. Number one answer. It uses only boats and hides close to the river. Maybe better we use boats. They shall from now on. They must try to clean up that gang and make the river safe for shipping before all trade comes to an end. Go to town, buy a canoe and paddle downstream. I'll take Scout and meet you opposite the clam point light that camps out at night. Ah, me savvy. Easy Scout, easy colour. At clam point, it's where we see old fella hang big lantern on pole to guide steamboat. Yes, that's right. Come on, Scout. It was several hours later when Tottle, who's successful in his quest for a canoe, landed down river and rejoined the Lone Ranger. As they discussed their next move, another canoe was beached on an island several miles below them. Its occupant, a half-breed, jumped out and ran for the nearby trading post operated by Zack Milton. To all appearances, the post, which consisted of a store, warehouse and bunkhouse, was engaged in lawful business, but it actually served as a den for the river wolves and a depot for their loot. Reaching the bunkhouse, the breeze threw open the door. Two heavily-bearded men who had been lounging inside leaped to their feet with drawn guns. One was Zack Milton, the other the pirate chief known as Loop. Zack was first to speak. Well, Leggins, what is it? Here's some rockport loaded with fur. Four good ones, Link, Martin and Beaver. Hershey's carrying a lot of gold, too. Gold, eh? That is in the resting. Loop, can't we board her? She's taking on firewood. Won't pass in till some time tonight. Ah, nobody can board a steamboat that's running full speed with a current. We don't have to tackle her while she's running, Zack. We can ground her. Oh, what's that? We'll nice the lightkeeper on Clam Point, then take his beacon-lander and hang it on a tree by the big sandbar. All right, Savvy. The arrow will take her bearings from it and run aground. She'd draw about five feet of water, so we'll have to use canoe and flatboat to get on to her. We'll put out some shore to mean as she ground. Well, there are 15 of us, though. The rest should be easy. But we haven't got much time. Leggins run up the gang, right? Twilight had deepened into a starless night when the Lone Ranger and Tuttle concluded a hasty meal and trampled out their fire. As the last spark died, Tuttle looked out across the river and stiffened. He must have it. Minutes C, Clam Point light. Should be showing now. Maybe the arrow come along any minute now. About a beacon that guide her. She may be grounded or wrecked. Isn't that right? Into the canoe to see what's happening. A few minutes later, the Lone Ranger and Tuttle found the old lightkeeper lying at the foot of the beacon pole. As the masked man knelt beside him, Tuttle struck a match. What, Alon? She's dead, stabbed. Where's the big lemon? It's not a pole. And rope that hoisted gone. The halyard has to be cut to be removed. That means the beacon was stolen. I mean, that's happy that. Must be the work of the river pirate to intend to lure the arrow out of the channel. Come on. All right, jump into the canoe. I'll push off. Get ready. Which way do you go? Up the stream. Must stop the arrow. The lines of all old boarders take... As the masked man and Indian rode their canoe upstream, paddling furiously against the strong current, the arrow put the lights of rock port behind their asher along delay and loading fuel. Jeff, Sue and the Marshal were in the pilot house watching Captain Carroll and the wheelzman work the clumsy side wheeler through the sandbars, snags and rocks, which were a constant menace to navigation. Captain, the ship don't feel right. The current portion of them is a week. Maybe we're out of the channel. Ledgman, take a surrounding. I just found this river. What's the depth? I am out. Yes. It should be 15 feet of water off the point. Sound again. As the arrow plowed on through the night's crowded waters, the lone ranger and Tahoe drove their canoe around the bend the short distance downriver. The Indian who had been watching the South Bank exclaimed, look, he must have been a beacon light. There's an arrow. He's running toward it. That's why it's got a fool. They're out of the channel. There's a right. Faster. It's no use. As soon as possible. All hail her. Hello. Hohoi. Somebody's calling from the river. Sleepy. Don't bother me, Sue. Ledgman, what is your line? Say now. I am out of the channel. The arrow drove slightly. Wheelzman out of the port. He's not swinging very fast. I've had the force meal reversed. He's glad that we would have built up a sandbar off crime point. The river haven't fallen either. We'll get below or look for damage and start shifting the cargo anchor. It ain't a danger. None at all. I've run aground a hundred times on the Missouri. All we need to do is lighten the bow and reverse the patterns to get off. But it means an hour's delay. Hot captain. We're on the companion way. A mask man. Had an Indian. Max who? Max so I could shoot. There, there. We're friends. We're on board a ship wearing a mask. If I didn't know those river wolves were too cowardly to attack anything except flat boats, I'd take you for one of them. How did you get here? My friend and I came aboard from a canoe after trying to hear you. We were afraid you'd drown. How so? We had found the climb point lightkeeper murdered it and the beacon gone. That's it out there. But you're on a bar a mile above the point. Come on, our light was moved. Who'd do such a thing? Who but the river wolves? Think as your boat is, they mean to attack her. Great scops, you must be right. Mate, forget about the cargo. Break out the guns and arm all hands on the lower deck. Then stand by to repel boarders. They look quietly, mate. Maybe we can surprise the pirates as much as they plan to surprise you. My friend, I'm a federal marshal, but I'm willing to listen to you. How many men are in the gang? Rumor that there are 15 or 20. Then we're off numbered. I'll help the men below. Maybe better me join them. Go ahead, Donald. Come on, Donald, let's go. How many men does that leave up here, captain? Four. Young Jeff here, you and me. Can we hold this deck and protect my daughter? Don't you worry about me, dad. Fight your ship just like it did your gunboat back in 63. Good girl, Sue. There's a gun in the pilot house. Stay in there and keep it handy. All right, dad. Nobody'll get to you if I can help it, Sue. Captain, what about the brass cannon that's mounted in front of the pilot house? It'd be useful. No, Lieutenant. There's a box of 5-pound round shot beside it. But I'll let the boys shoot up all the powder on the 4th of July. Let's slide the box over to the rail. Right. There, that's far enough. How do you aim to use these cannonballs? They'll drop them into the pirate's canoes and they come alongside. 5-pound shot will go straight to the bottom. Mission. Yes, sir. Coming. I hear a relax. That means they're bringing up a flat boat to carry off their thunder. I can see them now. All right, you get ready to fire. Besides the flat boat, which hadn't been heard, there were half a dozen canoes in the pirate's pocilla. Both the oars and paddles wore the buckskins and moccasins, commonly associated with the fur trade, but they had blackened their faces with charcoal, both to disguise their features and make their skin less visible in the darkness. All were armed with tomahawks and knives, as well as guns. The lights from the steamer are reaching its mouth. It's time to close in fast. All right, let's go. Fire! The river walls came into plain sight. A lone ranger tickled Captain Carroll, hopping his hands around his mouth to skip her bellies. Fire! Keep firing! The canoes are alongside now. Willman, start dropping those cannonballs. Right. Here goes one. Hey, that's it for one canoe, but the flag is still done for. The curtain falls on the first act of our lone ranger adventure. Before the next exciting scene, please permit us to pause for just a few moments to continue. The steamboat arrow had been boarded by river pirates. As some of them leaped onto the cargo deck, pirates formed up the extensions trying to reach the top deck. They were met by the lone ranger Captain Carroll and Jeff Gilmore. They were not shoveling to the river. One got a hand on the top of the deck railing and busted Jeff with a knife. Dodging young Gilmore brought a gun barrel down in his hand. Take that! Look at what's just there leading up here. Even as a masked man spoke, Zack milled in and a half dozen river wolves under his command, forced the passage to the foot of the companion way. Holding up this depth, they erupted on the top deck. A lone ranger fired one shot. Pirates reeled back, clapping a hand to his shoulder. Sparrows almost touching. The lone ranger and the pirate leaders triggered their guns at each other. The hammers fell on empty cartridges. Swapping his useless revolver. Milton jerked a towel-hawk from his belt and sprang forward. The hatch had flashed downward, but the masked man caught the handle and warded it off. Then they were locked in grappling holes which neither could break at the moment. The other pirate surged forward. The fighting was at close quarters, hand-to-hand. The guns were empty and there was no time to reload. Jeff and the captain were forced to give ground. Soon they were fighting with their backs against the pilot house. Seeing their danger, Sue lucked out carrying a gun. Get back, you beast! I can't get to it! The pirate trader, made doubly desperate by the retreat of his companions in crime, drove away from the lone ranger, leaving the hatch in his grasp. Wait, son, is him coming? No, you're not. That's how the horse won't stop me. Maybe my fist will. Oh, man, that's your argument. Wait, mister, my daughter. Yes, I know. But that pirate's buckskin jacket and cap for me. I reload my guns, hurry! Meanwhile, leggings have reached the lower deck with its companions and the thugging girl. Topple, who had directed the defense there from behind a barricade of failed birds, caught Sue and shot her to the deckhand. Keep her where she'll be in the line of fire if they change their mind. What happened down here? Too much for us. They were worn and ready. Our cannons have been smashed. They've cracked boats all night, piling to eat. At the river road, battered and beaten, prepared to put off in the unwielded craft, the lone ranger holstered his reloaded guns and put on Zack Milton's cap and jacket. Then he hurried to one of the coal oil running lights. He took soot that had collected above the burner and blackened the lower part of his face while Captain Carroll watched curiously. What do you figure I'm doing? I hope to mix with a pirate until I can rescue your daughter without endangering your life. Look over the side. There's Sue. They're putting her on the flat road. They're all getting on. But I'll go over the side. I'll be with you, mister. Swinging himself over the railing, the lone ranger slid down a junction. He reached the lower deck just in time to join the last pirate as he piled into the flat boat. In the dim light and confusion, his mask had escaped detection. No. Caution low on the bottom. He kept his head down while Luke caught the flat boat loose from the steamer. We're clear of her now. Your fellow's on the oars. Get busy. I'll send the killer. You're safe. Oh, you're so admittedly. I may swim back. I guess not. How are you? What is that? I just missed you. That's all of me was fighting a mask man on the top deck. Mask man? He couldn't have been one of the cruel passengers. Well, maybe he kept them off about us. Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. If the shot got killed, the captain would be bad for us. All the boatmen on the river know him and his island. You're right. The island won't be safe for us after the arrow gets off the bar. No. But we gotta go back long enough to pick up the purse of money we got here, there. That fool is worth the chance. If worse comes to worse and we get surrounded, we'll use the girl to bargain for a way out. All right, send those oars boy. Meanwhile, Tahoe and the Marshal had returned to the top deck of the arrow. Captain Carroll told them what had happened and pointed to the pirate who still lay senseless on the deck. That's that Milton, who does the trading post on the island down river. There'd be pirates hiding there. Maybe them go there now. There's Howard Luke's. You've got small boat on arrow. No river steamer carries life boats. You could get to shore before one could be launched. Yeah. What do you figure on that? Our canoe gets smashed like others. We want to go to island. Maybe friend, need help. I can get the arrow off the bar and take you there within an hour. Oh, no. That's too long. We go to shore now. That's all on Marshal. How about it, Tahoe? You follow me. Waiting, swimming and running in turn, Tahoe led the two men to shore and along the bank to the camp where he and the lone ranger had left their horses. There, he placed God at the disposal of the Marshal and saddled Silver. He was saying, Yes. That's you right behind me. He's got people. Hear me help you up. I'll make it. Yeah. You ready, Marshal? Yes, tell us. Where's the island? Only my island is over. When we get that car, we let horses swim from bank. Island close to shore. I see. Now we ride fast. Come on, Silver! As the great white stallion and paint corny raced along the bank, the flash boat near the island's landing. Luke swung the pillar bar. Backward and with your arms, we're almost there. A moment later, the bottom of the clumsy craft grated on gravel. Luke jumped out. Come on, come on, all of you. We've got a lot of luggage to do. I can't help my arms busting. Think of your neck, you scum. Get to the fur out. You're too good. You go where we go. This is only for that mask man. I had a plan for us to control the Missouri River. We've had a stranglehold in the whole northwestern. Now, Luke, what's happened? Yes, let me get hold of him sometime. Grimly watchful, the mask man strolled along at their heels, following them to a low stone building behind the trading post. Luke unlocked and opened the door. A match was struck. Then a lantern flared up, revealing a fortune in fur and other Luke from river shipments. As the pirates pushed on inside, the lone ranger made sure that he was the last to enter. This was the chance for which he had been waiting, and he knew that he must act swiftly. Snatching Sue from the grasp of the half-breed, he pushed her out of the door with a low-voiced command and four leggings and the other river wolves realized what was happening. He ripped out his guns and peaked the door shut. Get your hands up, all of you. Hey, what's going on? He took the girl away from me. She's gone. He's not the one about. Get those hands high. We're all reaching. What do you want? Look, Luke. That isn't all suit on his face. He's wearing a mask. He's the mask man who got that. You spy. You come outside with me. The rest of you, stay frozen. The lone ranger intended to get Luke outside. Take his key and lock the door on the other pirates. Taking a cautious backward step, he holstered his left-hand gun and fell behind him for the door latch. Then one of the men threw caution to the winds and went for his gun. The lone ranger saw the move and fired. In that instant, while the lone ranger was forced to turn, his gun, Luke, rushed. I'll get you. He's back by us. Luke ripped the mask man's gun in one swung fist. His other arm was thrown about the neck. He was hugging the lone ranger close, trying to deter him, while the others brought their six guns into play. The lone ranger saw one gun come up. He swung Luke quickly to serve as a shield. Oh! Yes, Luke! He went to the mask man's arms, but it still served as a shield. Then the lone ranger was surrounded. Hands were clawing at him from all sides. Megan's brought his gun barrel down as a club. It landed with stunning force on the shoulder. Warning shots speak through the small back window to disconcert the pirate. Then the door flew open. Hurry up! Drop those guns! I'll get your hands up or I'll blast you down! It was Jeff and the marshal who burst through the door, while Tuttle watched from the window at the other side of the room. The lone ranger broke free and quickly stepped to one side, with both guns ready for action. Drop the guns. I'm backing the marshal's place. Hold your fire! My hands are out! Be careful! You can't get through that window, Tuttle. Too small. Come around the door. Let me come. Give me a cup of it. I'll collect the guns. You men got here just in time. That kind of brought the marshal and me. We're playing fair and came with something. Miss Carol? I heard it landed. Waiting for Arrow. Arrow's turned off. I see a Captain's car with his men. Good. We can load the prisoners at once. Who's at the floor? A pirate leader. His men shot him by mistake. Merchers! Great thing to do. Yes, watch those prisoners, Captain. Right. We have a wounded man on our hands. He's dead. He's the one they call a nuke. Yes, sir. And we're candy. Sure. The one I brought from your camp. Now, let's fucking tear him out right here in some water. I'll hold that candle where you can see better. What? That man. He's Simon Dumont. Do you know him, Jack? No, I'm... I've been sentenced to hang for a murder he committed. I'm in the custody of the marshal right now. Oh, Jack. My only chance to clear myself lay in finding him and getting a confession. I have found him dying. Oh, that's terrible. He isn't dead yet. Oh, there seems to be trying to talk. All right, speak to him, Jack. Dumont. Simon Dumont. Do you know me? You... You're Jeff Gilmore. Tell these people that you kill that officer in St. Louis. Tell them I'm innocent. He's narrowing at you. Sure. I kill him. That won't help you. You can't take me back to testify for you. Wouldn't do it if you could. I'd like to see you hang. I'd like to see that masked man hang. Dumont, do you realize that you're dying? Sure. And you admit the murder? Sure. Good yoga and Jeff. Good... He's dead. Yeah. And my last hope went with him. No, Jeff. He cleared you even though he didn't know it. What good is his word that he committed the murder? Out of the circumstances, it's even better than an admission of guilt made on the witness stand. A dying statement is accepted as truth in all courts. It's taken for granted that dying men don't lie. Masked man's right, Jeff. You'll get a new trial and a acquittal. Come on, Dumont. The man is leaving. We didn't even get a chance to thank him. We're all owe him our lives. He's entitled to a reward, too. You don't know the masked man. He doesn't want money or thanks. Do you know who he is, Jeff? Tondo told me. He's the Lone Ranger. The feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated. Created by George W. Trenville. Produced by Trenville Campbell Enterprises. Directed by Charles D. Livingston. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by...