 with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver. The Lone Ranger. Faithful Indian companion, Toddle. The daring and resourceful mask rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. No where in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. Come the thundering hoop beats of the great horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. The opening of the western frontier was a time of turmoil and strife for the early pioneers because of the continued hostility of the Indians. But the great advantage to the early settlers and to the small forces of army personnel was the rifle. The arrows of the savages couldn't compete with the death dealing fire sticks of the palefaces and comparatively small garrisons of troops could control and repel Indian attacks. But soon the shrewd Indian chieftains concentrated on getting rifles for their braves by any and every means. The rifle was no longer an advantage to the pioneers and soldiers in an attack but new hope for the embattled men of the west was on the way. We sure got a lot of express for this trip. Which of those long boxes could sign the poor car to build? More rifles? Not only more rifles, Pete, but new kind of rifles that'll change the entire picture of Indian warfare in the west. Those are a new invention, the Winchester repeating rifles. You don't have to reload after each shot. They're lever action. Just keep pumping the bullets in. Holy mackerel, what'll you think of next? I'd hate to have to fight against soldiers who carried that type of gun. Blinky Wade had spent 20 years in the United States Army. As supply sergeant at Fort Carter, Blinky was conscientious but at times exasperating to the officers because of his habit of using his own judgment in interpreting requisitions which he was required to fill. Old-time officers had overlooked most of Blinky's disregard for rigidly conforming to what was written on requisition blanks. Major Calvert, a young officer newly appointed to his first post as Fort Commandant was inclined to look upon Blinky's habit as a flagrant disregard for Army orders. Sergeant Wade, do you know why I sent for you? No, sir, but if there's something I can do to help you learn the ropes here, Major. Our nation take it if I can't command this post without asking your help, I'll resign. No need to do that, Major. Seen as how I've been around here now. Why, Sergeant, I'll do the talking. Yes, sir. I sent a requisition to your desk for a dozen blankets. You changed the order and we received six dozen. What do you have to say to that, Sergeant? Well, sir, I figure it's better to have plenty of blankets. Sometimes when they go scouting for a few days or something like that, some of the men lose blankets, sir. Maybe so, but... Oh, what's the use? You've been here a long time and you know the ropes. Also, I admit you get supplies through quickly, but you must stick to what's written on the requisition, understand? Yes, sir. I've discussed this sort of thing with you before, Sergeant. Yes, sir. In the future, see that you've curbed your tenancy to change the requisitions. Just as you say, sir. Tomorrow you're taking a detail into Rockton to bring back a load of new Winchester repeating rifles. Say, I've seen one of those rifles. Buy Jiminy Major with a hundred of those. In the hands of the troopers here, we can hold off most any number of innings if I try to attack the four. I know, I know all that. Just bring the repeaters back here, then I'll issue them to the men. Aye. Yes, sir. Also, I sent a requisition to your desk for twelve hide drum heads. The drummer has difficulty with his drums because the excessive heat damages the drum heads. He just don't know how to take care of them. Never mind that. Just bring the drum heads. Yes, sir. And we also need two drums of oil for the lamps and lanterns. All right, sir. That's all, Sergeant. Remember what I've told you. Yes, sir. The following day, Sergeant Wade and a detail of troopers escorted a large army supply wagon to town. After purchasing the hide drum heads and the oil, the troopers met the train and transferred the many boxes of new rifles from the express car to the wagons. Later, Blinky stopped the wagon on the edge of town. Whoa! What are we snapping here for, Sergeant? I figure we might as well carry some of those repeaters, men. I'll unload a box up and pass them out. Just put the old single shots in the wagon. Let's get busy now. Hey, come on. After distributing the new repeater rifles to his detail of six men, Blinky gave the order to proceed toward the fourth. Later, as they rolled through a valley, they were startled when... Whoa, whoa, whoa! Indians coming down the slope. Must be a couple of dozen. Use those repeaters, men. This is a chance to try them out. Now, come on! The troopers using the Winchester repeaters had the advantage, not only of longer range, but also of continuous fire. And within a very short time, the Indians, leaving their wounded, gave up and disappeared over the ridge. Look at that. Because of these repeaters, we beat those redskins off. And they couldn't get close enough to do more and crease one or two of us. Wait a minute. The fort here about this. Get up! Get up! Oh, riding in the hills outside of Brockton, heard the distant battle and rode hurriedly toward the valley. Oops! The valley just as the shooting stopped, and the Indians rode out of sight beyond the ridge. Easy, silver, easy, easy. Army wagon. The troopers seemed to have driven off the Indians. Ah, from sound of guns, me think there are plenty Indians attacking. Many. And maybe there are only few. We'll catch up to the wagon and find out what happened. It risky with mask on, Tino Sabi. I'll carry a letter from the former commandant to the new one, Major Calvert. If necessary, I'll use that to identify me. Come on, Tino Sabi! As the wagon and escort moved along the valley trail, one of the men looked back and saw the masked man and Indian hurriedly approaching from the rear. Hey, sergeant, look. Masked man and Indian. Hold it. Don't shoot at them. I know who they are. Oh! Oh! Oh! Easy, silver, big fella. Well, sergeant Wade. Howdy, mister. I'm glad to see you in town to again. You haven't been to the fort since we got a new major. I don't know. I'm on our way there now. Oh, we, uh, we heard the shooting. Yeah, Comanche's attackers. About two dozen of them. How did you manage to drive them off with so few men and get by without serious casualties? Take a look at this rifle, mister. I gave them out to the men when we left town. Oh. One of the new Winchester repeating rifles. Oh, I understand. Them plenty good. They sure are, Tanno. I reckon those Comanches were mighty surprised when we started to use them. It would be unfortunate if the Comanches were to get some of them. Yeah, but it's up to us to see they don't. If you and Tando are heading for the fort, we'll be glad of your company, mister. Good. We're right along with you. Oh, here's your rifle. All right. All right, let's go. Forward! When they arrived at the fort, Blinky introduced the lone ranger and Tanto to the Major. Then he went to supervise the unloading of the wagon. The Major read the letter carried by the masked man. Then said... Ah, the former commandant writes a good report of you and your Indian friend, sir. He told me about you before he left. I'm very glad to meet you. Thank you, Major Calvert. We came to pay our compliments and to offer our services whenever needed. I appreciate your offer, but the affairs of the fort are moving smoothly. Yes. Come in. Well, Sergeant Wade? I came to report, sir, that the new rifles are unloaded. If you want to distribute them now, the men will be mighty pleased to get them. I'll distribute them when I'm ready, Sergeant. The Sergeant used good judgment in giving the repeaters to the men in his detail today. But hadn't been for that, I... Excuse me, sir. Yes. Sergeant, did you distribute those rifles to the men in your detail? Yes, sir. You see... I distinctly ordered you to wait and let me distribute those new rifles. Well, sir, I sort of had an uneasy feel. You disobeyed my orders. I reckon I did, sir. I'll send you to the guardhouse for this. Just a minute, Major. If the escort hadn't carried those rifles, the Comanches would have taken the entire wagon out of them. The Comanches? Yes, the wagon was attacked by about two dozen Comanche Indians. Due to the fact that the Sergeant had the foresight to issue the repeaters to the men, the Indians were driven off. That's right, Major. I didn't get a chance to tell you... Go to your quarters, Sergeant Wade, and stay there until you hear from me. Yes, sir. My thunder, I don't know what to do with that man. He makes his own army rules, and every time he does... Well... Something happens to support his judgment. Is that it, Major? In a way, yes. Blinky, as he's fondly called by the man, may exasperate you by his seeming disregard for discipline. But it isn't intentional. Because of his long service with the army here in the West, he instinctively uses his own judgment in some matters. Without realizing, he's disobeying orders. Maybe so. I admit it was fortunate the detail carried the repeaters today. But the army is run on discipline. And regardless of the consequences, every man, including Sergeant Wade, must abide by it. Well, in some cases, Major, those who make the rules don't realize the situation here in the West, as well as Sergeant Wade does. Former commandants have found it wise at times to overlook the sergeant's tendency to use his own judgment. Perhaps. But as long as I am in command here, I'll not allow it. Come in. Corporal Hawkins reporting, sir. And what is it, Corporal? The drummer, sir. He asked for a dozen new hide drum heads. The sergeant brought only two. I distinctly ordered a dozen. The sergeant changed that order. Oh, yes, sir. Also, Sergeant Wade brought back 12 barrels of oil, sir. What? There's no room in the supply cabinet. No barrels? I told him to bring two. I used the word drums of oil. I suppose he stupidly confused that with the order for the dozen drum heads. Oh, no, sir. The sergeant said the drummer ought to learn how to take care of the hide drum heads and didn't need more than two new ones. Also, he said the storekeeper had only 12 barrels left and didn't know when he'd get more, so he took them all. This is the last straw. Load 10 barrels of the oil back under the wagon. Take someone with you and return that oil to town. Oh, yes, sir. But it's sundown. Spend the night in town and come back to the fort in the morning. Brockton is only a two-hour drive from here. Yes, sir. And one more thing. Tell the sergeant of the guard to arrest Sergeant Wade. He'll spend 30 days in the guard house and I'll see to it that he's broken to the rank of private. Yes, sir. The curtain falls on the first act of our lone ranger adventure. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Infuriated by Sergeant Wade's disregard of orders, the young major commanded his arrest and emotion. The lone ranger realizing there was nothing more he could do to help the sergeant arose, saying... I don't know how to ride a town with a wagon, Major. I'm sorry you see fit to take drastic steps with Sergeant Wade. Yes, the only course left for me, sir. I'm glad to have met you and your Indian friend. I hope you'll drop in again. Thank you, Major. Adios. Let's go, Tutto. The wagon will be leaving as soon as the barrels of oil are loaded. Good. We'll be waiting at the fort gate. Goodbye, Major. Goodbye, sir. Fort Carter was built on the side of a valley through which ran a wide shallow creek, separating the fort from the ridge opposite. The fort was some 300 yards from the fast-flowing stream, which came from a heavily wooded area at one end of the valley. The trail to town, on the same side of the creek as the fort, ran parallel to this stream. The lone ranger and Tutto mounted on their horses, waited outside the fort gate for the wagon. It'd get plenty dark, Kimisabi. Yes, there's no moon tonight. And even if there were, it would be hidden with a heavy overcast. Ah. It's better wagon wait till morning to go to town. Yes, I agree. It's a two-hour trip in daylight. Miss Darkness, it will take closer to three hours. Not that young Major's determined to send the oil back tonight. Too bad he doesn't try to understand Sergeant Wade. The sergeant is a valuable man to the army. Ah. If not good, him be rested and made into ordinary trooper. It's a matter of pride with a Major more than anything else. Yes, yes. And here come Corporal with wagon. Yes. Oh, honey! Oh, honey! Are you ready to ride with us, Mr. Yes. Good. I'm sorry about Sergeant Blinky. I didn't realize a Major'd fly off the handle like he did. The Major's doing his duty as he sees it. Now, let's go, shall we? Right. Get up! Get up! Get him out of the car. Darkness was intense, and the wagon made slow progress. The trail ran upstream beside the creek through the wooded area. As they moved slowly through the woods, the lone ranger, Tonto and the two troopers heard hoof beats coming toward them. Oh, there, oh, there. Oh, there, oh, there. Oh, there, oh. Oh, there, oh. Oh, there, oh. Oh, there, oh. Oh, there, oh. Oh, there, oh. It's our Army, Scott Hank. Hi, Hank. Hi. Why are you heading for town at this hour and in the dark? Major's orders. Taking something back to town. It's about time they began to learn a few things, haven't it? A man's man and an ranger. They're both friends, Hank. You've heard of the lone ranger. The lone ranger. That's right. Man alive, I'm sure glad you're around, Mr. We're in for trouble. What do you mean? I've been scouting around. I found out the command she's a couple of hundred of them planned to creep up on the fort in the darkness. What? They learned about a ship and the new rifles, and they planned to get them. Holy mackerel. Dark as it is, they might be able to get over the stocky. Yeah. They know there's only 75 minutes the fort. They can creep up, surround the fort in the dark, and then use crude ladders to get inside before the troopers can see them. They're getting on the ridge right now. How did you find out? I saved the life of a command she brave won't. He tipped me off. They planned to sneak up on the fort an hour from now. What about the townsmen? Rockton, this place is deserted. Everybody went to the rodeo 20 miles away. Anyway, you're only half a mile from the fort. There's still a long way to town. Why not go under the fort and inform the major? Then suggest that he issue the new repeater rifles at once. Even they won't do much good if the men can't see what they're shooting at. Those command she's a move up on the stockcade and be over it before the men know it. This is the darkest night we've had in months. There's no time to get help. Well, they have lanterns at the fort. Maybe by using all they have. All lights at the fort should be put out as soon as possible. That's right, but it won't see how. Wait a minute. This wagon is carrying 10 barrels of oil. Yeah, that's right. I suggest the scout go on to the fort at once to warn them. I think there's a way we can help from here. I'll leave right now, mister. What can we do? The attack is to start one hour from now. Let's unload the barrels of oil and carry them to the banks of the stream. All right, let's get busy. A short time later, the army scout gave his report to the major. The new repeater rifles were immediately issued to the men and they took their posts to watch and wait for the attack. The young major, trying his best not to show his nervousness, stood on one of the ramparts near the front gates, talking to the scout. Oh, Tarnation, take this infernal darkness. I can't see a thing. That's right, Major. There's no way of telling when those red skins will cross that creek, sneak up to the stock cave and come at us. They won't make a sound, either. The creek's about 300 yards away. They could cross, then climb right up in front of us before we'd know it. The mask man spoke of a way to help. How can he and his friend help when they're half mile away in the valley? I don't know, sir. From all I've heard about him, I'm surprised he and the engine didn't come back with you to do what they could here. Now, Rick, and he knows what he's doing, Major. According to what I was told, the commandees will be starting down the slope from the ridge in five minutes. Then in five minutes, I'll order the men to start shooting. At what? They can't see a thing. The commandees will know just where the troopers are placed. I figure the mask man has a plan in mind. And I, for one, would wait. I think the mask man has deserted us. I'm responsible for this fort. I didn't like the way he intimated I was wrong in dealing with Sergeant Wade this afternoon. Yeah. I heard about that. And I agree with the mask man. You forget yourself, sir. No, I don't. I'm hired by the army. But I'm not an unlisted man, Major. I got a right to express my opinion without being afraid to get sent to the guardhouse. If you got any sense, you'll just wait and forget that order to start firing into the dark at nothing. Woods, the lone ranger with Tonto and the two troopers had placed the barrels of oil on the bank of the creek. An opening had been made in the top of each barrel. Then they waited. Finally, the ranger turned the light of the wagon lantern onto his watch dial. Five minutes to go. Now we've dumped the oil under the water and light it. The fast flowing water will carry the flaming oil down the valley between the fort and the ridge. Let's get busy. All right. Poor the Major waited tensely. Then he struck a match cautiously to look at his watch. Three minutes to go. Major, look up toward the woods. Flames leaping in the air. They're moving swiftly down the valley. Now there's no oil on the waters of the creek. Look at that, Major. The flames are lighting up the entire slope. Look, coming down the slope, the Comanches. They're trying to get across before the flames form a wall across the valley. Tell them to start firing now. Those new rifles will do the trick. They have targets to shoot at. Fire at will! The Comanches had hardly crossed the stream before the flames passed the fort, but the flaming oil made them targets for the rapid rifle fire from the fort. Soon the entire valley in front of the fort was lighted by the flames, and the troopers, using the long range repeating rifles, took great toll of the attacking Comanches. The Inns had crept forward on foot, leading their ponies back on the ridge. Surprised and dismayed by the light from the flaming oil and the rapid firing from the fort, they were unable to go back across the creek to their ponies. Finally, running in great disorder, many dead and wounded. The attack was a complete failure, and the Comanches were defeated. Later, the Lone Ranger and Tonto returned to the fort with the corporal and the wagon driver. In his headquarters, the young major appeared embarrassed as he faced the maskman. Mr. I... I want to thank you and your friend for your help. It was a very ingenious plan to send that burning oil down the stream. We were fortunate to have all that oil, Major. Oh, I, uh... I've thought of that. I sent for Sergeant Wade. Good. I'll be glad to see him. Those, uh, Winchester repeating rifles prove their worth against great odds, Major. Yes. Because of them, we defeated the attack that we were greatly outnumbered. Come in. Sergeant Wade reporting, sir. Uh... Sergeant, I, uh... I've decided to drop all charges against you. Uh... Thank you, Major. From now on, Sergeant... I'll follow your orders to the letter, sir. If you do, I'll break your neck. Sergeant, I... I think it's about time I acknowledge that I'm green at this sort of thing. Now on, I'll let you use your own judgment. Well, uh... Thanks, sir. And you, Mr. Do you have anything to suggest? Yes, Major, that you follow up your advantage by sending for the Indians' ponies over on the ridge. In the presence of the Comanches, they can go far on foot. I'll return and ride with you if you want us to. Fine, fine. Maybe with you and, uh... Blinky to help, I'll learn how to really command a far western post. Major, a man who'll acknowledge his mistake is bound to succeed. I will see you at dawn. Adios. Goodbye, sir. Sergeant, I... I'm afraid I underestimated that mask man. He's well worth having as a friend and advisor. He sure is, Major. He's the finest ombre I ever met. There's no greater American alive than the Lone Ranger. This is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created by George W. Trendle, produced by Trendle Campbell Muir Incorporated, and directed by Charles D. Livingston. Tonight's drama was written by Dan Beatty and edited by Fran Stryker. The part of the Lone Ranger...