 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty high old silver, the loam ranger. The hatred and distrust between the Indians and the pioneers in the western United States continued long after the red men had signed treaties and retired to their reservations. The frontier might never have known peace if it had not been for the masked rider the planes. It was he who brought the renegades of both races to justice. It was he more than any other man who made possible the winning of the west. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse silver. The loam ranger rides again. The cafe at Moss Springs held the greatest crowd in its history. Two rival factions gathered each other as they waited for the election returns. Men spoke in low tones as if to speak louder would precipitate an explosion. But finally a bulky, heavy-set man pushed his way forward until he stood in the open space dividing the two groups. At his appearance the room became silent and... Pardon him. What do you want, web? Stay right here. Well, the votes will all be counted before long, Putnam. When they are, we'll know whether you've been elected sheriff or I have. What about it? I'd like to ask a few questions first. Ask your head. What are you going to do if I win? Afraid? You know I ain't. I'm just asking a question. You don't call for no answers. Why not? You ain't going to win. Well, let's not go into that. Just waste time and likely we'd end up in another fight. What I want to know is if I'm elected you're going to work with me or again me. What do you think? I hope we'll get along. I know your ideas on how this county ought to be run. I figure you're dead wrong. If you're elected, I'm willing to let bygones be bygones. I'll figure you're in office because most of the voters in the county wanted you there. I'll figure if they wanted you there, it's because they think you're right and they want things handled the way you've promised to handle them. That being the case, it'd be just my plain duty to go along with them. Sounds like you're crawling, Webb. Sounds to me like you know you're going to get beat and you're just fixing as soon as when you do, you can switch over to the winning side without it looking bad. Listen to me, Putnam. If I answer that the way it deserves to be answered, there'd be a ruckus in here that busts the place wide open. Which means you get licked in two different ways on the same night. You get beat with votes, you get beat with bullets. Hold it! Well, I guess I've got my answer. The least ways you've got the only answer you're ever going to get. And if I'm voted chair from week one fighting among ourselves, what's going to happen to the county? Better worry about your own hide. Good enough. I know how we stand. You sure do. Helen! The votes are counted. We know who shared it. He's standing right there. Tom Webb! Tom Webb! Well, he's right. He can't be. The vote was put in. That's just a coyote's point of view. Oh, Webb won, huh, Tyler? That's right. Then look out for trouble. What do you mean? Buttonham's a poor loser. He's got a powerful following. That's right. The people who believe in him will do whatever he says. And if he can't control the county with ballots, he'll try it with bullets. I'll go back to camp. What do we do? If there's trouble, we're taking a hand. Come on. Get him up, scoundrel! Hail, silver, away! Hey, chair! Gone deep? Oh, oh. You're so busy looking over these here paper slim. I didn't hear you come in. And when I heard you say, share if I thought you were talking to somebody else. Forgot I'd been elected, I guess. Well, you've only had a week to get used to it. Yeah, that's right. Where you been? Over west, like you told me. Yeah? What'd you find out? Buttonham's edging around or something, all right. Men arriving at his place every day. So many of them, they're now camping on his grounds. Looks like the soldiers are made camp. But there's over a hundred. Talk with them, any? Find out what they're scheming. Think they'd talk to me when they know I'm one of your deputies? Don't act foolish. I'm just lucky they didn't get the notion to drill me for nosing around. I can't figure out. Anyhow, what are you asking what they're scheming for? You got any doubts? Yeah, but it ain't. You know what they're going to ride for the reservation? Oh, the crazy digits, huh? But you didn't figure they were going to change their opinions, and he just caused a lost in election, did you? Shucks, they believe just what they believe before. At them reservation, Redskins are responsible for everything around here, from massacres to bunions. They're going to drive them poor engines back to the badlands just to shore us in. Maybe there'll be a few folks killed on both sides before it's done. And maybe afterwards, those engines being right mad are going to strike back so there'll be more folks killed. But Putnam and his friends don't care nothing about that. They got ideas, and they're going to act on it. Lesson, you step in and stop them. What can I do? Ain't you wearing a badge? Or is there something wrong with my eyes? Can I jail anybody for camping on Putnam's place? Nope. But it'd be nice if you could. Can I jail them for carrying arms? I cannot. If they all get together and start writing for the reservation, can I jail them for that? Nope. Well, then there you are. I was going to say I couldn't take action till after the damage was done. But when you come right down to it, I can't even then. I wouldn't have no authority. That reservation ain't in the county. But Putnam and his friends do when they get there ain't none of my affair. Well, the only ones could interfere would be the soldiers of the United States Marshals Office. Even though we'd be the ones to suffer by it. Yes, sir. Sometimes I think Putnam ought to have his full head examined. Local maverick. It ain't just that they're blaming the Indians for their troubles. What else is it? Sharks, they want that land. Make right good grazing. And eat the Indians to have nothing? Putnam don't see no reason why they should. So there's just one thing I could do. What's there? Round up the folks that think like we do and have a showdown. Now, now then I'd have to forget I'm the law. And I can't. The share of the don't pay no attention to what's legal ain't worth what it takes to pay for a star. So we just put a shine on our britches sitting here. You think of anything else? For a deputy's wages, I ain't supposed to. You're right, I thought as much. Well, you go on, baggy. Don't kill me! Hey, what's that? It was a horseman right outside this window. Hurry up, fella, hurry! There he goes. He's masked. And riding the finest horse ever laid eyes on. What do you suppose? He was listening for? Yeah. I don't know. But gosh, that horse. Ain't it a beauty? Oh, hold this over. Oh, boy. Hold it. You see, Sheriff? I know what he's going to do. What that? Nothing. That bad. But the trouble is, he can't do anything, says I heard him say. When a sheriff takes the oath of office, he must stay within the law. At present, he can take no legal step to prevent Putnam going through with these plans. Still quite an encampment down there, huh? More fella come all time. You kept an eye on the ranch house? Well, me watch it. Putnam still inside? And I'm going down there. Oh, you not go. Why not? They're danger. They're heap danger. But I've got a chance at it. Why go? Someone must talk to that man. Someone has to make an attempt to bring him to his senses. You go and see you. I'll approach the house by way of the corrals. It's friends are camped on the other side. Now I'll have cover enough. Oh, you stay. No, Kimasa, but you stay. Wait for me here. You wait. I'll be back inside of 30 minutes. Come on, Silver. Kill all over. Who is it? It's me, Mr. Putnam. Chandin. Oh, come in. What you want, Sandin? Just thought you ought to know that Buck Collins and Ed Birch have come to join up, boss. Uh, uh, uh, just got here. They're going to camp down on the drawer with Sims and his boys. Ed says he figures there's some fellas from down Don's Hollow that'll be coming along for long. Says he talked to them and they promised. Good. Never figured there'd be so many, boss, where having a dog on hard time rustling grub from all. The more the better. The bleep is with the grub and such. Give them all they want. They'll earn it. Uh, any notion when we'll ride? Come on. Yeah? You can pass that wood along if you like. Sure. Wait until then so everybody that's come a little have a chance to get here. Likely there'll be fellas pulling in during the night. How about Webb? Webb? Well, he's sheriff now. You think he ain't heard what's going on? What can he do? I don't know. Don't worry about that, Edgett Sandy. He won't make us no trouble. Since election, I'm kind of half glad he won off. Ties his hands. And I'll bet he's just beginning to wake up too. Well, I'm a, uh, a mask man, boss. Don't slap, brother. Well, you can't. One more from either one of you. I'm not going to do that. Well, you can't. One move from either one of you, and I'll let you have it. Sandy, stand aside. I won't. Go on. I'm going to watch you better. No. Stranger, what do you want? To let you know, Putnam, that although the sheriff can do nothing about your schemes, there are a few of us here in the county who can. What are you talking about? You mean to drive the Indians off their reservation back into the Badlands. What's that to you? Awake up, man. Don't you realize what that'll mean? At this moment, the Indians are peaceful, but you'll put everyone who can fight onto the warpath. We can handle them. And how about the innocent people who will suffer because of your greed? You know a better word for it. Are you going to claim that you have any other motive for this than to grab the land those Indians occupy? That's some of the best land of these parts. Granted. Then what right of the Redskins to have land that we could use? The right of ownership. Once all this land belonged to them. Yeah. Well, go on. What were you going to say? Yeah. Well, what I meant to say, stranger, whoever you are, you're wasting your time. We're acting tomorrow. And nothing will change your mind? Nothing. And you'll come with me? Yeah. What do you mean? All right, boys, grab him. Hey, pull him out of there. Pull him. Let him get away and outdrill everyone last. Hang on, boss. Almost. Almost. There doesn't a one, partner. You're something you didn't serve me when you came but you're in here, man. Oh, what? I've got fellas watching all the time. They knew you was here from the time you stepped in. So I see. All right, fellas. Take off his mask. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. While the Lone Ranger was held by Putnam's men, the rancher gave the order to unmask him. Get back. You can't get away. Hold him. Stand still. You let mask friends go. Rich kid, time not take off mask. Stand still. I won't go to do nothing. Me too, too. Keep them covered, Tata. All right. I can take care of them now. Go on out. You come? Yes, Tata. I'll be right behind you. Go on. I'll keep these fellas covered while we're leaving. Don't move anyone. You will miss time, boss, man. But don't come back. Tata, call the horses. Here's Silver. Here's Scout. Putnam. You'll see me again. When you do, you'll regret it. All right, Tata. Let's go. Come on, Silver. Get him out, Scout. Shoot those men. Go. Come on, Silver. Oh, that's the way, Scout. Oh, what a hole. Tata, here's where we separate. And where you go? I'm riding to town. I'm calling on the sheriff. New chemist, Abbey. You're riding for a chief thunder cloud. What him do? I have a plan to teach those fellas with Putnam a lesson, Tata. Find thunder cloud. Get him to do as I say. Putnam's going to be glad to call off his expedition against those reservation Indians. Where are thunder cloud now? Not far from here, Tata. He and his fighting men are on a buffalo hunt this side of Wheeler's ferry. Ah. Listen, and see that thunder cloud makes no mistake. All right, Silver, old fellow. Now to see the sheriff. And tell him what's going to happen. Hurry, old boy. Come on, Silver. Come on. Oh, my, Silver. Oh, boy. Oh, there. Oh. Just this morning. Right. Well, you can't... Sheriff, one moment. Take your hand from that holster. I don't... I'm not an outlaw. I'm your friend. I'm not here to make you trouble. I'm here to save it. Huh? This morning, I learned that you wanted to stop Putnam, but couldn't. You know about him? Since this morning, I have seen and talked to him. Yeah? He's bent on going through these plans. He wouldn't listen to reason. He named me one time he ever did. And as you're aware yourself, if he does lead those men onto the reservation, there'll be nothing that you can do about it afterwards. But the United States Marshals Office will do plenty when they get the word. I doubt it. Putnam isn't that stupid. Why won't it? Because Putnam won't attack those red men without having framed some kind of an incident first to serve as an excuse. The incident won't even have to occur. One of his followers can claim reservation Indians stole his horses. And that they attacked his cabin. But I don't see why... You think the Marshal will do anything to men who appear to be acting only because they had to? I'll tell the Marshal the truth. Every man in Putnam's party will swear that you're lying. Well, I... Well, Doug, go on it then. What's to be done? That's what I came here to tell you. You did? You got a plan? A plan and a friend. Chief Thunder Cloud. Thunder Cloud? Who's he? He has no connection with the reservation Indians. But at this moment he's not many miles from here. But I don't see how he... He's quiet and you will. Shoot. I've sent word to him. He and his brave should reach town sometime tomorrow morning. Just about the time Putnam's party will be riding on their own errand. And then what? Thunder Cloud will have his instructions. I'll give you yours. Follow them. And you can take my word, Sheriff. The reservation will be safe. It was early the next morning that the men camped at the Putnam Ranch, saddle their horses, examine their guns. Then at Putnam's command, mounted and rode steadily westward toward the Indian Reservation. Putnam rode in advance with the cowboy he called Sandy at his side. They made one stop in the middle of the morning and by noon they drew near the twin hills that marked the border between the county and the reservation. That's it, Sandy. And this ain't going to be no surprise call. What do you mean? Look there, way beyond that ridge. Smoke? Yeah. Maybe it's afraid of this. Gonna change your plans, Sandy? Why should I? There'll be land for us. And we'll still be about two to their one and better armed. Nope. Likely they won't even put up a fight. Wouldn't surprise me now that they was just around if their families packed their stuff and laid out. And they'd figure it would sneak it back when we was gone. And if they do, we've wasted our time. Well, in that case, they're going to fight. Huh? See just over that ridge now? Redskins! On their ponies. Sandy, they must have had word of this for some time. Look when the sun hits them up, they're all pitted up. They're set for the war path. How much further we going? What do you mean? I mean before we get organized to charge them. Where do we get to that grove ahead there? Uh-huh. You stop there and divide up. You can take some of the men and circle around to the south and to cover that line of trees along the creek. Yeah. Give you a chance to outflank them. Cut them off if any of them try to run for it. You handle it right, charge down on them when the time comes to take them by surprise. I reckon it couldn't be managed. Now send Dave over to the north with more fellas to do the same thing from that end. And the rest? Try and lead. We'll charge from straight in front. Those engines you see now are just likely scouts. We charge them, they'll drop back. That'll give you and Dave a chance to get into position without being seen. Yeah. Boss, you should have belonged to the Army. I could do as good as some of them soldiers. Here's the grove. Yeah, we'd better set them. All right, men, pull up. Fellas, we're just about set. Dave, I want you and Sandy to hit it. Well, there'll be a... Boss, what is it? Look back the way we came. What is it, huh? That white horse. Hate that fellow, Mass? Where'd he come from? Who is he? That's the same Mass man that was at your place. The same. He told you that he'd see you again. And he said they'd be sorry about it. Well, now we'll see who's gonna be sorry. Men, when that hombre rides up, keep him covered every second. What do you want? I'm waiting. Oh, hold it, hold it, hold it, hold it, hold it. Here's to what's your game. You heard me. Town, get back there at once. The shout-out needs you. Reach. What's this? You're not trying no tricks on me. Reach her out back. One shot at me and I'll catch your leader. Shot the gun from Putnam's hand. Putnam had him covered and the Mass man drew. Never seen such a grove. The hand is smashed. Go not hurt. Now are you going back to town or aren't you? I told you we wasn't falling in front of your tricks. Hey, someone else is coming. Boss, what that gent want? Wait, he's hollering someone. Putnam, engines attacking. Get to town. Give us some help. Hey, the Mass fellow was telling the truth. It won't a trick. Oh, boy. Oh, there. Putnam, if you come in, you better hurry. You mean they really are engines there? You think I rode clear out here for help just for the fun of it? That they can't be from the reservation. Who said they was? They come from somewheres over east. Putnam, you're going to help us or ain't you? The town's in danger. You bet we'll help. Yeah, what he said, police. But come on, we're needed. Follow me. Come on. With a masked man to guide them, Putnam and his men turned their backs on the reservation and swept across the plains toward Moss Springs in the distance. When they approached town, they could see Indians racing their ponies up and down the main street. The sound of gunfire reached their ears. The sights spurred them to still greater speed and advanced upon the town like charging cavalry. Give them engines. We are so. Fill up, fill up. Let them have it. Come on, Silver, come on. There's work. I shall keep up the fight. With a coffin, give it to the critters. Get up, get up. Fire, meat, fire. No, Moses. Don't waste the powder. You heard the masked man first. Do as he says. Ride them down. Hey, they've seen us. They're coming up and making a run for it. The engines are high, Dylan. They're leaving. Shall we chase them? Let them go. Raining! Put them, you cunt. Anybody hurt you? Those Redskins do any damage? I don't think they had the chance. We came as fast as we could. And I'm thanking you. You saved the town. But from now on, Sheriff, you'd better see that the town's guarded all the time, eh? You figure they're going to come back? They might. Girl, if they do, they don't. You still have the reservation Indians to deal with. What's that? Where will he? Ride them off their home grounds and you'll find they won't take it without attempting to pay you back. Who said that was? Well, that's what you were about to do when I caught up with you. That was before. Before what? Before this happened. It looks to me like we'd better leave well enough alone. To reckon with their mother engines on the war path, we'd better keep from riding them on the reservation. If we don't, we'll have our heads too dark going full. You mean you're going to forget about rating their village? Ain't safe to do anything else. And you're going to work with me for a change instead of again me? If we wasn't, would we be here now? Come on, fellas. Let's have a look around. Let's see what them Redskins done before we got here. Get up there. Get up. Well, they fell for it, Mask Man. Your part, Thunder Cloud, put on a right good show. And you played your part. And don't you worry. Nobody around here will ever let Putnam catch you under the truth. The last tunnel. Yeah. Adios. Come on, Silver. Oh, hey, hey, wait, mister. I ain't thank you yet. Now, wait, hold on. Hello, Silver. You know, the way he lit that, I wonder if that mask Jen ate the Lone Ranger. You've just heard, as a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.