 With action and suspense out of the Old West comes the most famous hero of them all, Hopalong Cassidy, starring William Boyd, name Hopi you cheer in motion pictures, and the same California you've laughed at a million times. Law courage and quick shooting have built a legend around this famous hero. Hopalong is a name to be as California. Well Hopi, what about our story? We call this one the unwilling outlaw. This is one adventure California I had never expected to get in on. We knew that over at the county seat a young fellow called the panelist kid had been arrested, tried, and sentenced to hang. But from all we'd heard of his reputation, had only seen this shame, he couldn't hang a couple of times over. Then one day at the bar 20, California came pusher putting my way from the direction of the barn, and he sure looked excited. Hopi, you've got to get over to the barn right away. There's somebody riding in there that wants to see you. California, if it's to cook, tell him nothing doing. I eat some of those biscuits myself, and the boys will have lynched you. They can't eat the cook, Hopi. No, who is it then? The panelist kid. That set me back on my heels. The panelist kid was in a bar 20 barn that's been a jailbreak, and what would a snake like that want to see me for? You heard me, kid. What do you want to see me for? Well, I guess I hope maybe you'd help me, Mr. Cassidy. Wait a second. California, I thought you said this with a panelist kid. Yes, he said so. If this boy is that outlaw, I'm Jesse James. What do you like to California for, young thong? You'd better let me explain. Maybe I should. You go right ahead. Well, my real name's Johnny Gates, Mr. Cassidy. I'm from Dubstake. That's a little mining town over in Colorado. Just recently, my father died, and my uncle sent me over here to clean up some of Dad's business. When I got here, they claimed I was a panelist kid and threw me in jail. You mean you're the fellow they sentenced to hang? That's right, Mr. Cassidy. I'm supposed to hang in two weeks. Well, those men over at the counter seat must be crazy. You were Johnny Gates in New York from Dubstake. Why couldn't you prove it? That's what I don't know. I asked Sheriff Casable to write you Dubstake, and I know he did. But the letter he got back said they'd never heard of me over there. Well, weren't you well known? Well, sure I was. Dad was the richest man in that territory. Then there's something fishy about this. I just gave it. Well, I didn't realize the idea of hanging, so I've been watching my chance. Today, one of the deputies got careless when he bought my glove to me. I jumped in Dad's gun and went out the back way. It's nothing they wasn't. Well, I named Jake Sims. Jake Sims got careless? I don't believe it. An hombre never got careless with a prisoner in his life. Hello, Sheriff. Why aren't you coming here, Johnny? Well, it's like I said, Mr. Cassidy. I heard of you and thought you might help. All I wanted was a chance to get back to Dubstake and get proof of who I am. Then I can come back and clear myself. But you sure you'd come back? You wouldn't just keep on running? Why should I? I got property back in Dubstake. Why should I keep on running when I can prove I'm not the Pandemic Kid? All right, Johnny. I'll see what I can do. California inside of your heart will, uh, see. Sorry, Johnny, but I changed my mind. You better reach. What? Hey, huh? Hey, what should I do? Suppose you leave this to me, California? Reach and keep on reaching, Johnny. You're going back to jail. Try anything, and I'll let you have it. The Pandemic Kid and sentenced to hang in two weeks. Young Johnny Gates broke jail and took refuge on the Bar County. For he appealed a hop along Cassidy for eight. How he accepted his story and promised to help him. Then, without warning, drew his gun and informed the youngster that he was returning into jail. Now, the boy looked at Hoppy out of eyes that are filled with hurt and disappointment. Cassidy, I don't understand. I thought you meant to help me. If I go back to jail, I'll hang. I doubt it, Johnny. And anyhow, I'd rather have you go back alive than dead. All right, you can come out and lie in that deer and out, Jake. Hey, what? What? Well, Jake Singh, how'd you know he was hiding here, Hoppy? I just caught a glimpse of him. You can put that gun away, too, Jake. Johnny's my prisoner. Shoot him now, and it'll be murder. And you'll mind your own business. Because I don't like seeing youngsters like this trick. You get it now, don't you, Johnny? A jailbreak was a plan. Jake got careless on purpose. He wanted you to escape so he could shoot you down. That's so, isn't it, Jake? Doesn't matter what you intended to do when you trailed Johnny out here. You try and prove it. That doesn't work, or it doesn't matter. But I'll give you a whirl of warning for another trick like this, and I won't ask questions. I'll take it for granted he was murdered and act accordingly. You get that, Jake? You hear me? I heard you. All right, you'd better remember. And just to make sure your memory doesn't go back on you, I'll send a couple of my boys along. No, I don't want to kill the kid. Why should I? He's going to hang in a couple of weeks anyhow. Maybe you're afraid of what might happen during those two weeks. All right, Johnny, you're going back to jail. But don't worry about it. California and I are going to help you. But how, Mr. Cassidy? By running the grub steak and getting evidence that you're Johnny Gates. California, get our horses and hustle it up. We got a mighty tough grip ahead of us. I heard Johnny was alive when he brought him back again. How did it happen? Cassidy brought it in. But that ain't the worst of it. Now he's riding the grub steak to get pooped. Johnny ain't the panaman kid. All right, you sure of that? Sure, I'm sure. I heard him say so, and I saw him and that sack get you here right away together. They're riding the grub steak? Oh, as fast as their horses can get them there. We've got to do something about it. That's right. And what do you think I'm here for? Where's Birkin's spade? I don't know. And one of the bars, I reckon. You want them? Yes, right away. As soon as you can find them. What for? I want a couple of hands, but I'm too particular which direction they point their guns. Well, that's Birkin's spade, all right. But after you get them, then what? They're riding with me, the grub steak. Huh? I want to get there as soon after Cassidy is possible. I'll tell him I'm there for the same reason he is. He's already got the evidence he's after. I'll offer to ride back with him. He won't have you. Why not? Well, I don't know, but he thinks... They're forgetting that I'm Johnny's lawyer. Everyone knows how hard I'm working to defend him. It's only logical that I should go to grub steak for evidence to clear. Well, I suppose so. Cassidy already has it. He should be glad to have my company on the way back. He hasn't the slightest reason to stake me. All right. Well, how are you going to explain a couple of gun-hands like spade and brick? I won't have to. Cassidy will never see them. Not with me, if any way. And when they've done their work, he still won't have any reason to connect them with me. Good trick if you can work it, Thambers. I can work it, Jake. I'll get you those men. Oh, and one other thing. What's that? The fastest horse in town. I'm leaving today. I expect to be in grub steak in exactly six days' time. Poppy! Hi, there! Hi! It's Pochini. That's all right here in this envelope, California. Half a day between everything. Here, you got saddlebags. Put it in one of the pockets. Yes, Harry. Poppy, look who we got with us. Oh, Cassidy. What? Oh, how old are you, Dan? What are you doing here? I guess I came for the same reason you did, Cassidy, but you beat me to it. All ready to start back now, I am. All ready. Well, fuck your interest in this. I'm Johnny Gates' lawyer. You knew that, didn't you? Yeah, I guess I did, but I never gave it a thought. You came for evidence to prove his identity, did you? That's right. All right, let's see if you've saved me the trouble. Got any other business in town? Nope. Just wanted the evidence you've already gathered. If you've got no objections, I might ride back with you. It could be trouble, you know. You might be glad to have an extra gun. You're expecting trouble? I don't know. I only know that someone seems awfully anxious for Johnny to die. He might take steps to see that that evidence you've got never reaches time. You're right. I've thought of the same thing. We'll be glad to have you. All right, fine. You and California ride on ahead. I just want to see the sheriff here for a moment or two. You're taking the main trail, aren't you? That's right. I'll catch up with you then in a little while. Good. All set, California? Where will you stay, Poppy? Let's go. Get up. All right. Easier than I expected. Babe. Yeah, I think so. Cassie didn't see you, did he? Well, I kept behind that oil wagon. Well, I wouldn't make any difference if he did. I don't think he knows me. Well, what's your order? Westbrook. Get in the drink at the silver dollar. Want me to fetch him? No, never mind. You can take his orders from you. I'm going back with Cassie and to catch up with him in a few minutes. We'll take the main trail. You and Burke follow, but keep out of sight. Give us two or three days. Long enough so Cassidy can't come back here and still get home in time to do Johnny any good. Get those papers, Stan. They're in a pocket in California's saddle bags. That's the only order I have to give you. Get those papers. Well, Danvers, almost the end of our third day on the trail. Another three days, four at the most, and we'll be home. It's better time by taking it easy than if we'd pushed our horses too hard. Make the time. Remember, don't forget, hoppy, at the end of this week, Johnny Hanes. I am not forgetting, Californians, everything goes as well the rest of the trip as it has this far. We've nothing to worry about. What do you think we make camp, Danvers? Going far enough for today? Yeah, I think so. It's your treat. All right, here's a good spot right here. Money of water just over the rise and good grays all around. That's what's fine. All right, we'll call it a day. Danvers, give me a hand wrestling up some flyers, will you? All right. You better stay aboard, Californian. Now, the round a little, trouble's coming. This should show up pretty soon. Look around and see what you can see. All right, hoppy. You're standing with a turbo, Californian. Well, what are we going to do? Look at two of us. Are you dense just to keep your hands elevated? That's no all, Bert. We'll see if they've got what we've been looking for. Now, they're going to have, all right. Hey, you whiskers. And saddle bags of yours look kind of promising. Let's see what you got inside them. Well, okay, Amish. You stay away from them saddlebags. So they won't hand down them an arm. Make it easy, Californian. These fellas mean business. That's much better. Now, let's have you a hardware. Come on. Your stool over there. Well, that can't be how Californians just do as they say. That's the thing. You've got more sense than a friggin' you have. It's a handy thing to have. You're a state, aren't you? Sure. Somebody must have told you. Uh-huh. You told me when you called your partner, Bert. I've heard of you, too. I've been wanting to meet you. Oh, yeah? Not exactly in this well, of course, but we'll be meeting again. Oh, whatever you say, Cassidy. Yep. Find anything, Bert? This is what we want to say. All here in this envelope. Yes. We'll be clearing out then. You'll find your shooting agent in the creek, if you want to go fishing. Thanks. Well, thanks to you, Cassidy. You, Gents, just did us a real big favor. Come on, Bert. Adios, Cassidy. We've got to get to them polish. What for, Californian? You want to get your head shot off? Well, but we've got to get that evidence back. Not a chance. All they've got to do is destroy it. And they could do that in two minutes, as soon as they saw we were after them. Yeah, I pray it's your, uh, time. But you know what? It's me, Hoppy. We ain't got no time to go back to Grubstake. If we don't get that evidence back, John is going to hang. You're sure of that, Californian? Well, well, uh, ain't he? That remains to be seen. Come on. Let's fish out our guns, and we'll wrestle up some grub. So, John, if I get you, Hoppy, you take this dress as common as if it was only you would you come to be hanging? Johnny gates identity and saves him from hanging. Hoppy put the disaster so calmly that California was both puzzled and irritated. Now, only a moment later, Danvers revealed that he is just as puzzled as California had been. Yes, and he am like Californian. I don't understand this. You don't seem to mind being held up at all. Well, what do you think I should do, Danvers? Jump up and down and tear my hair? You might at least act as if you realize this means that Johnny will have to hang. Well, for that matter, you don't look so awfully worried yourself. This has been a terrible shock. Just beginning to realize what losing those papers means. What do you intend doing about it? Nothing. Why not? I told California those fellows have probably destroyed the papers already. They haven't. They would the second they saw we were after them. And you propose to do just nothing? That's the size of it. You got any better ideas? I think I'll turn in. A little early, isn't it? I need to leave early. Not waiting for us? I'd rather not. Frankly, I'm disappointed in you, Cassidy. And I'd feel more comfortable if I made the rest of the trip alone. Well, that's up to you, Danvers. That's what I thought. How, if you'll excuse me? Go right ahead. Thank you. You got anything to say, California? Well, I'll tell you, Harvey. It's like this. At first, you had me fooled. I couldn't figure you out, but I've been thinking. What I'm thinking is you've got chucking up in your sleeve you ain't talking about. That right? Well, could be, California. Could be. Mind if I ask what it is? Better not. It might be dangerous. Huh? How come? I might tell you. Looks like him. Hey, wonder what he's up to? That's what I'd like to know. I'm not sure. I'd like to find you. I think you two boys are going to have to do your work all over again. Huh? What do you mean by that? I think Cassidy outsmarted us. How? I'm not sure, but I've got a hunch you have another set of photographs and affidavits to prove Gates' identity. If he has, we've got to get them. Where'd you find who he has? The way he acted last night. After your boys wrote away, didn't seem worried at all. I didn't like him. I pretended I was disgusted with him and used that as an excuse to get away. For my money, he still got evidence that contained Gates from the rope. You've given them a lot of credit for brains, ain't you, Danvers? Maybe. I don't make the mistake of underestimating any man. Cassidy has another set of papers. I want you to get them. He hasn't? How is no husband? Oh, we'll repeat our little performance, eh? Right. They're sticking to the main trail. I think so. We'll see why they shouldn't. Another hold-up's going to be kind of dangerous, ain't it? After the first one. That's up to you. Pick your own time and place. You shouldn't have too much difficulty. I don't know. I will you. I'd wait until they'd almost reach town. By that time, they're liable to be a little careful. All right. Then what do we do afterwards, Danvers? Ride into town and report to me. Afterwards, we'll fix it so you'll have a hideout till things blow over. All right. We'll get going now. Come on, Burke. We've got to make facts. I'm with you. I'll see you later, Danvers. Right. This time, make sure you really give those two a going over. We'll do that. Maybe talk, Danvers. If Cassidy still has proof of Gates' identity, it'll take a miracle to get it through. And you know, I don't think Cassidy's a miracle. Get going, boys. Be polite, I guess. There's those men again. Take it easy and pull out. I got us covered. Well, what do you two want this time? I'll do that, you know. So we're free to have another try at it. You can go, Burke. Skin to cover. They didn't have a paper on them. You'll vouch for that? Absolutely. We didn't leave one place that could have hit anything. They didn't see you coming. Didn't have time to hide anything. They didn't see us. We've never got the drop on them. Yeah, that's right. Oh, thanks, boys. This finishes things. Soon as young Gates hangs, we get paid off. You're sure you'll hang? No way to get out of it? Not at all. Oh, I've appealed to the governor, of course. But I made sure that the governor won't get my appeal in time to act. We can consider everything settled. When will it happen? And you see, he hangs in just about one hour. What are you doing over here, then? You're still his lawyer, aren't you? Shouldn't you be with him? I'm going over to the jail right now. I was only waiting to hear from you. What happens to us? Look up Jake Sims. He remains for your hideout. You're not very sorry about losing your client, Danvers. Oh, but I am. I'm very sorry. The only thing is, if I didn't lose him, I'd be even sorry. It's awfully nice you're coming over to the jail to be with me, Mr. Danvers. Oh, I shouldn't, my boy. After all, you're not only my client, you're my friend. It's almost time for... Then you come and get me, Mr. Danvers. I hope you'll understand how sorry I am, Johnny. I almost feel as if somehow I'd failed you. Oh, you shouldn't feel that way, Mr. Danvers. Well, I do, Johnny. Of course, when you come right down to it, the failure was really cash it is. I can't understand his losing those papers that would have identified you. He's supposed to be a fighting man, but no, I'm not blaming Mr. Cafferty, Mr. Danvers. It was darn nice of him to try and help me at all. I didn't see anybody else trying to do anything for me. Yes, there's that, of course. But still... Oh, oh, Jake. Coming for Johnny, have you, Jake? I haven't got Mr. Danvers. Sheriff Caswell said I had to fetch him. Have a good step. He's waiting outside. Oh, I'd give you a little more time if I could, but I can't. Yeah, we understand, of course. Come on out, young fella. I sure hate to build this, but you savvy how things are, I reckon. Kind of anxious to get this hanging over with, aren't you, Jake? Mr. Cafferty, have you got any reason why we shouldn't, Cafferty? Lots of reasons, Jake. Cafferty, you mean you've got evidence that'll get Johnny off? No, I'm afraid I haven't. You haven't? Not one step. Then that settles it. Get moving, kid. You've got a date with the hangman. Up along, Cafferty. All right, you heard me, kid. Sheriff Caswell's waiting outside. Now, get moving. Not so fast. You said that I... I said I had no evidence that proved that Johnny isn't a fan of a kid, but I didn't say there wasn't any such evidence around. I don't get that. Then I'll make it a little clear. Danvers, I had two sets of evidence that proved Johnny's identity. A second in case the first was stolen. I think you suspected that. But what you didn't suspect was that I let you bring that second set of evidence on into town. What? That last night you were a Californian, and I had it inside the pad underneath your saddle. Take a look, Dan. I think you'll find it. You're bluffing. You take a look and see if I am. I'll do that. I think you're lying, but I'll look to the face. You might stand right where you are, Jake. Danvers and Dewey's looking all right without any help from you. I'm not going no place. I know you're not. Puzzled by all this, Johnny. I don't know what to say. I... The way I got things figured, you've been framed by your uncle. I got a notion you stayed Danvers and Jake's here to set this whole thing up. That's why he sent you here. Would you out of the way? He'd get your father's estate. You can prove that? Not yet. But I expect to. Maybe right now. Fair if you could so handle me. There'll keep going. There'll be something more in my hands, lady. You, Danvers. What did you find, Joe? That's what you said I would help you. I hid out where I could keep an eye on Danvers' horse. When he came outside and found those papers, he started trying to set a match to him and he was supposed to be defending Johnny. This is a frame up. Sure it is, Danvers, and you fell for it. I'll... You'll do nothing unless it's tough. And I guess you and Jake will do plenty of that. How about broken states, Joe? Pick them up all right? Got them both and plenty of cells for everybody. Good. That should wind things up. He means... He means I can go free. I... I'm not going to hang. You aren't going to hang, young fella. It'll be just take a few minutes to pick things legalized and you'll be free. Oh, gee, thanks, Sheriff. Don't thank me. Thanks, Hoppy there. He's the one that did it. Uh-huh. Not me, Sheriff. Huh? Well, who did then? Well, your attorney, Danvers, of course. He wrote clear the grubs taken back for you and brought those papers with him, even though he didn't happen to know it at the time. Thanks to Hoppy's cleverly outwitting Johnny Gates' quoted lawyer, Johnny is no longer the unwilling outlaw. Hoppy's next story is titled Kidnappers' Tale, an exciting adventure in which she and California become involved when a visiting senator's daughter is kidnapped and held for ransom. We'll be sure to hear the next thrilling episode of Apollon Cassidy, inscribed and produced in the West by Walter White Jr. The Unwilling Outlaw was written by Gibson Scott Fox. All stories are based upon the characters created by Clarence E. Mulford. This is a Commodore...