 horse at the speed of light, a cloud of dust in the hearty high of silver, the low ranger. The discovery of gold in the western United States attracted many criminals from the east. With no adequate law enforcing agency on the frontier, they found it easy to jump claims and to rob the honest miners and prospectors. It was then that the masked writer of the plane started his great fight for justice. It was he who brought peace and security to the new territory. And without him, the winning of the west would never have been possible. Return with us now to the thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the Great Horse Silver. The lone ranger rides again. Our story begins thousands of miles away from the western range country. A tall three masted schooner is beating her way around the horn, San Francisco bound. Spray lashes her decks, wind whistles through the rigging. Two men have been washed overboard, lost forever. A third, Luke Ross, has been dashed from across the bay, lifted from the deck by young Johnny Thompson and carried to his bunk in the focacil. Thank you, Johnny. But I'm done for. Fair done for. Don't say that, Luke. Oh, it ain't no use. I can feel it coming on. I had a feeling all the time I'd never, never lived in San Francisco. Oh, now you will. Wait, Johnny. There's something. Yes? You've been a friend to me. About the only one aboard ship. I'm going to give you a hand now and then when you need anything, huh? But all the rest of them, they laughed at me for a land lover. Listen, Johnny, there's something I've got to tell you before, before I'm through. A message to your folks? No, I'll take that. My folks are all gone. Johnny, it's a mine. A mine my brother Jake located at the time he went west. Yes? That's why I signed up for the voids, Johnny. The jump ship at Fisco and get to the other side of the mountains and work that mine myself. Gold? So much gold there ain't no say in. Johnny, under my blankets, there at the foot of my bunk, lift them up and look under them. Sure. That's what your map looks like? Yeah. It's a map. It tells just how to reach that place. It's way up in the hills. Jake said you'd never find it without you had the map to show you the way. I'd never find it? The map is yours, Johnny, for all you've done for me. No, you don't have to do this, Luke. Johnny, don't argue. That paper, it'll tell you what, I can't. Where to go and all? There's a town, just a small place. Jake said a friend of his lived there. A friend? A prospect. Silas Hanson's in him. He'll guide you if you find him. Jake always wanted Si to have a share of the land. You remember? Don't you? You've got my word. Name the town as Osage. Osage, Silas Hanson. Yes, I've got it. It's good to know you're going to get what I, I can't. I, look out. What? Behind me. Oh, fix you. Hey, you, help me out. Tom, you wouldn't like it, come on. Tom, would you? Talk with me. I never met no arm. Quickly I didn't. Get out. Sure, Governor. I never met no arm. Luke. Luke. Luke, can't you hear me? Luke. Far from San Francisco, many months later, a riderless horse brought the lone ranger into the chain of events which had started at sea. The place was a small, well hidden camp many miles from the nearest town. The time was late afternoon. Scout! Scout, old fellow! Where's Tondo? What's happened to your master? Here's Silver. Silver, oh boy, something's happened to Tondo. We've got to find him. Steady boy. Lead the way, Scout. We'll follow. Come on, Silver! The afternoon faded into night. In another camp many miles away, an Indian was bound securely to a tree and a burly outlaw gun in hand glared at him. The two figures were lighted by the dancing flames of a small campfire. All right, Indian talk. What was you doing sneakin' around my camp? Until not talked. I've seen you before someplace, maybe. Someplace. I got it. I seen you riding across country with a mask, fella. Sure, that's it. Now the ninja, who was that mask, Ambrie? Until not talked. No? Well, your will before I'm through with you. You wasn't spying on me for nothin'. You and your mask parted up to some game. You'll not find out. There, the next will come closer. How's for talkin' now? You stubborn, eh? Boy, place your red skin out. Hey there, Baldi. Eh? Oh, it's you, Ike. Who's this, Ambrie? He's the fella I was telling you about, Baldi, the one that was asking questions about you at the cafe. Eh? Get down from that horse. Now, boom and saddle it. It used to ride in horseback, eh? Horses and saddle zines for such as me, Governor. Blimey, they ain't... Forget it. You ain't crippled. Now, what's your business? What was your so blame like just to find out about me for? Why, it's like this, Governor. Eh, who's the ruddy savage? Never mind him. Right now I'm a sight more interested in who you are. Me? Limey's what they call me, Governor. Al Smith is the limey old lad he gave me. But unanswered to Limey. Later, the Betsy Ann out of Liverpool, British register. Oh, gone, Baldi. You ever hear a fella talk like him before? Oh, what's wrong with the way I talk? You ain't told me yet what you was asking questions for. Governor, how'd you like to make yourself a piece of change? Go on. I ain't no blooming mountain climber, see. So what I need is a couple of coats like yours to sort of show me the ropes. And, Governor, you can take the word of Al Smith as it'll be worthwhile. What's the proposition? Well, I'll tell you, matey. Seems if a fella, and I'm a Jake Ross, found a goldmonger. Jake Ross? Baldi, you heard about him, recollect? He was a fella kept bringing all that gold in the town from somewhere in the hills, and nobody could ever find out where it come from. Yeah. Yeah, to be made. Maybe he'll join up with me, eh? Just say the word. Say he'll go off and off, and I'll tell you what I know. You savvy with that mind, Z? I don't, Governor. But I can show you the buck always does. Well, is it a go? You're signing on? Limey, if you can fix it for us to find where Jake Ross was getting his dust from, you just bet we'll go 50-50. Shake, matey. Sure. Now, who's this fella knows about the mine and where's he at? His name's Johnny Thompson. He was on the Betty Ann along with me, a bloomin' yank the mate Shanghai'd will be put in at Baltimore. And right now, Governor, he's lying across for the place he's called outside. How would he know anything about a Jake's mine? He knows, don't you fear? He knows because he's got a map to the place. And, matey, that map was given by a cove named Luke Ross, Jake's brother as ever was. Well, I'll be... A map, brother, by Jake himself, I'll bet ya. That means the gold's as good as ours. Where's this fella at now? This Thompson, I'll break. Dodger, he was heading for Osage, didn't I? How far out? The way was silent, Governor, and he ought to be making a landfall before tomorrow night. What's he going to Osage for? Why, to look for... Oh, blimey. A mask-feller. Don't slap, brother. What the... I've heard some interesting things, Baldi. How'd you know my name? That one I've been trailing you for quite a while. Are you... Reach for those guns I can I'll outdraw you. Yeah, well, I'll show you. I'll show you. A dog, lummy. Now drop those guns back in their holsters. You'll never complete that draw. Sure, stranger, sure. Just don't shoot. Hold still, Tyler. I'll cut these ropes. There. Can you make it? Huh? Me, me get loose now. Look here, stranger. The engine came sneaking around here, and I... Quiet, quiet. I just want to give you a warning. Tyler, bring up the horses. I'll let them in that groove back there. I'll try to get them. Baldi, I haven't been able to get anything on you yet. I heard your talk just now, but I can't turn you over to the law for something you haven't done yet. Where's that what have you got to give me? You're a crook, same as me, or you wouldn't be wearing that mask? There ain't no reason for us to have trouble. Fact is, if you'd like to throw in with me and like Limey here, well... I'm not throwing in with you. And I'm warning you not to go through with your plans. Don't try to get that mind. Then I should go and get a bit of my tea. You ain't no bloomin' toff. That's not enough. You understand me. Yeah, of course. Good. Baldi, go on to find Thompson and let him know you're on his trail. Here's the dog gone anxious to get something on me. Why, you give me this warning. Because I know you're kind. You'll risk anything for gold, especially if you can get it dishonestly. Well, you've had your warning, and I don't expect you to heed it. I'll tell you this, however. When you make a slip, Tonto and I'll be there. You bloody Tonto! Be ready. Come on! Get it over! I'm meddling, Mr. Skunks. Now who asked him to come butting in? Baldi, what are we gonna do? Do? Well, one thing we ain't gonna do is let that ombre scare us out of a fortune. But with him here and what we said... We'll find some way to take care of that. Limey, I don't reckon you will like it, but you're gonna have to do some more riding. We're breaking camp, clearing out and covering our trail. The lone ranger and Tonto returned to their camp and in the morning set out on the trail to Osage. It was not difficult to recognize Johnny Thompson when they overtook him. He was still wearing the ill-fitting shore clothes he had bought in San Francisco. And he was obviously unaccustomed to the saddle. That must be him, Tonto. We'll soon find out at least. Come on! Get a backpack out! Hello, there! Him hear you, but he's not stopping! Rain up! Rain up your horse! Get up! Get up! Now stop him, Tonto! Come on, old fellow! Come on! Hey, back! This isn't a hold-up! Hell, then! Pull! Pull! Pull back! I've got no money. And I just told you this isn't a hold-up. Then what are you stopping me? You know a man called Limey. What? Where'd you find out about him? Where is he? How'd you come to know him? He's somewhere behind you on the trail. Now I happen to know he's following you for a map you have in your possession. I knew it. I knew he'd follow. You've got more than him to fear. Limey alone wouldn't last long in this country. But he's joined up with two crooks. He's told them about the map? He has. But what's this to you? The two men with him, a boldly baker and a fellow called Ike. No one's ever heard his last name. I've suspected them to be outlaws for a long time. Now I'm sure of it. I warned you so you wouldn't be their next victim. That mask you wear... Doesn't prove I'm an outlaw. I have my own reason for wearing it. I'll just bet you have. You have that map with you? Where it is and what I've done with it is none of your business. Thompson, I'm trying to help you. Or I wouldn't have given you this information. You're an outlaw. You wouldn't be wearing that mask. You won't be convinced. Very well. Just how do you expect to get there? You're going to attempt the trail alone? I'll tell you how I'm going. Silas Hanson is taking me if I can find him. Silas Hanson's an honest man. Which is more than I can say for some others. Let him take you there, but don't trust anyone else. Never fear. Oh Sage, you're still quite a few miles ahead. Get going. You... You aren't even going to search me? I said get going. Well, I'll be switched. You are a funny prayer crooks. Get up! Get up there! Now, what do we do? Find an outlaw? They probably covered the tracks pretty well after the warning I gave them. That doesn't matter, however. With a hand, I would have said nothing. You've got a plan? There's one thing certain. If Boldy and I can lie me, do try anything. They'll have to show themselves to Johnny and Silas Hanson. That's right. And if we follow Johnny when he leaves, oh Sage, we'll be on hand whenever those crooks act. Whether Johnny believes us outlaws or not, Tyler, he's going to be protected and that good. And we're going to give him that protection. Come on, Tyler! Get him a power of silver! Howie! 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. Johnny Thompson rode on to oh Sage, made inquiries in town and learned that old Silas Hanson still lived there. He lost no time introducing himself and telling the purpose of his visit. Silas and his daughter Linda made the young man welcome. And when Johnny had finished his story, Silas said, Now this year, Mask fellow you met up with, just what did he look like? You recollect? Oh, he was tall. Tall and me even. Broad-shouldered. He held himself right straight in the saddle. What kind of a horse was he riding? Gosh, Mr. Hanson, I'd never forget that horse if I lived to be a hundred. A white horse? White. Say, how'd you guess it? Is that Mask Man a well-known outlaw around here? Oh, that must be... Hold on, honey. Wait till we make sure. You said there was a red skin with him? Did you hear the red skin's name by any chance? No, can't say as I did. Oh, wait. I did hear the Mask Man call out something or other just before he grabbed my reins. Yeah? It was Pronto or... or Mondo or something like that. I just don't... Tonto? Sure, Tonto, that's it. Oh, Pa, it was. And Johnny, you went mistook that fellow for an outlaw. God, is that the best yet? Huh? I did something wrong? Pa, you must make fun of him. I mean, he's a stranger in the West. He couldn't have heard of the Lone Ranger before. Lone Ranger? Shuck, son. That fellow ain't not only not a crook, but he's a one-humber in these parts that crooks steer clear of. They got no notion who he is. I'm afraid I don't understand. Well, you see, Johnny... Oh, here now, honey. You can't be calling this young fellow by his first name already. He most likely won't care for it. Oh, but... Well, I don't mind. You see, nobody knows who the Lone Ranger is, where he came from, his name, nothing. But he's done more to build up the West than any other man alive. He's quite a fellow, all right. But ain't you taking in a hull heap of territory, honey? Well, he is, Pa. You know he has. I think he's wonderful. Now, I bet he'd be mighty proud to hear you say that, Miss Linda. He wouldn't even know I was alive. Doggone how many men do you want on your string, anyhow? First, you make an eyes at Johnny here. Then you go to talking about the masked fellow like a love-sick girl. I wasn't even making eyes at Johnny. You go with me into the mountains, then, Mr. Hanson? Sure will. We leave first in the morning. Get up for a dawn, reach the hills, four night comes. That's great. You seem mighty anxious to get away. But don't you see, Linda? Miss Linda, if we find that gold, then I can get back real quick and... And? Oh, nothing. You young folks got me deep. Silas and Johnny left several hours before dawn the following day. It was two hours later when three shadowy figures approached the Hanson place. Linda, having seen her father and Johnny off, had remained up and was busy in her kitchen. From this valley they tell me you're leaving but I shall wish your bright eyes and sweet smile for they tell... Yeah? I'm gonna miss it, friggin' miss. One moment. You have a message? Yeah, we come... Oh, Blimey! Ain't she a looker, though? Now, what's wrong, miss? Give you a fright, did I? You... you're the man, Blimey. Oh, de me, eh, Duchess? Could you find a man for the laddies to hear about? Look at that. You'll be late in half an hour. Get out of here. Get out! Miss, that's just what we aim to do. But you can get into your ride and close first because you're going with it. Unaware that Blimey and his newfound friends had seized Linda, Silas and Johnny continued their journey. The mountain there was keen, the sun warm, their horses fresh and willing. Johnny to whom the West was in new experience was enthusiastic, and Silas laughed at the young man's high spirits. Well, Johnny, kind of cotton to this year, country, don't you? Mr. Hansen. Silas to you, Johnny. I keep forgetting. Silas, this country is grand. Sort of thinks so myself. Golly, I wouldn't want to go back east again, even if I hadn't met... Huh? Met who? No one, Silas. It's like I said, I keep forgetting. Their way led into more rugged country. They reached Timberline and continued beyond, where even the sure-footed packhorses found the trail difficult. Silas and Johnny were not the first to climb the mountain that morning, however. High above them rode a masked man and an Indian. Come on, Silver. They must be making for the pass up ahead, Tunnel. That only way trail goes. We'll go through it first, wait until we're sure they're coming, then ride on again. Come on, old fellow. Come on. Three men and a girl followed Silas at a safe distance. The girl's face was worn and anxious. Of the man, one was heavy set with a head that shone bald when he removed his tatsun. One keeping the saddle with obvious difficulty was thin, furtive, and whizzen. The third was somber, hawk-faced, sullen. He raised his hand and pointed to the trail before them with... This is just about where Jake Ross used to lose one fellas that followed him, Baldi. How do you know them fellas in front of us and under the same? Jake weren't the same proposition as these fellas. He couldn't be followed because he was the best fella on the trail in his parts. Silas ain't so bad, but he's getting old. The other fellas just attend if we're... I hope they lose you. I hope with all my heart they do. Dutchess, you're a game sports. Blimey if you ain't. But your friends play in a losing game. Oh, a blasted horse. That bloomin' Hannibal likes to make me ache. Yes, he does. Blimey if you doubt. Still deeper into the mountains, robed Silas and Johnny, following the clear markings of the map. At first they were constantly on the watch for Baldi and Ike. But as they approached their destination, they forgot everything but the gold mine. One day, shortly before noon, Johnny shouted... Silas, there it is. Just like the map says, see? A big rock carved out to look like a pillar. That spring trickling out from the top. The cave just beyond. Come on, Silas, hurry! Get up, get up! As they were, the two men were far too eager to explore their find to take the time to rest. All that day, their picks dug at the gleaming sides of the cave. That night they slept, but at dawn they returned to their task. Hour after hour, they swung their picks until finally, Silas called the halt. That's enough for now. Johnny, drop that pickery one for you. Wear yourself out. The gold will keep. Silas, ain't it wonderful? Gold. Did you ever see anything like it? Collie, I never had a thrill like this in my whole life. I bet you never. And it's a fact, this is the richest claim I ever seen. No wonder Jake kept it secret. This is a kind of a claim that men will murder for. You're right, Silas. What life? Don't think it's good to see you know it, shipmate. Aren't you glad to see me, matey? You follow this. What do you expect? We ain't got nothing again. Only the gold mine ourselves. Here we lime it. Cookie, where you at? Up with your hands. I reckon, man. Your cover. And if your chutes is governor, what'll be happening to the duchies? What's that? What lime is trying to say is maybe if you shot us, it wouldn't go so good for your girl Linda. Linda? Thought that would fetch you. Sure, we followed you. We brought Linda along. Right now she's hidden a place you won't ever find. We'd like to go there. You scum. I'd like to go. Silas, I reckon we hold the whip hand. Oh, it's supposed you'd like to see your girl again. Now, how's it for a trade? A trade? Sure. The mine for the girl. Do it, Silas. Go on, do it. We can't let nothing happen to Linda. I don't give a hoot for my share of the gold alongside her. Not so fast. Huh? This mine ain't never been claimed. We'll let you go and you'll break your necks getting a ton of file on it. No, sir. You ain't getting away with nothing like that. But we're not going to do that. What you're going to do before we give you back the girl or let her go, you signed the paper. And when you got here, you found we'd stake the claim ahead of you. That way, if you try any funny business, we'll have the evidence to show you're just claim jobbers. Slick, ain't ya? I know my way around. We've got to do it, Silas. We've got no choice. Yeah. I ain't nothing. I ain't nothing. Silas, your daughter's free. We've ran these books and took her away from Mike. You don't have to sign anything. Come on, Silas! Man's clever. He got the girl. I'd like to cut his plaster throat. Yes, I would. Come on, we're going to find out what happened, Mike. Oh, they got the girl. Hurry up, Mike. Hurry up. That must have been a lone ranger. But where'd he go? What'd he do with Linda? Why did he bring her here? You don't come with count off. The Redskie. You come. Baldi and his companion raced to the spot where they had left Ike and Linda. When they arrived, they could scarcely believe their eyes. Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho. She's still here. What's the matter, Baldi? Have you seen a mass cull around this camp at any time? Gosh, no. Have you? I don't see no one. Then what in blazes was he up to? He's got me beat for fair, Mike. What's this all about? Why, why, we had old Silas and young fellas just before we wanted them. Already just signed a paper and glad of the chance. When that mass fella showed up and yelled that he'd found the girl and got her loose. A fella's loco. Then what's his game, eh? What's the blager up to? Let's just show you. Come on, Silver. Come on, Silver. Not with your hands on it. You won't get away with it. Make a mistake, Baldi. Reach. What blazes? You wanted to know why I said Linda wasn't your prisoner. It was to make you lead me here and you did. That's Russian, Baldi. We're three to his one. You're not three to my one now. The bastard Ruddy Savage is coming. Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho. Linda, you, you're all right, honey. They haven't harmed you. I'm so glad you came, Johnny. Dog gone, Johnny. Just quit looking at her and untie them ropes. We'll clear out. Just let us go and we won't bother you no more. We'll do it, Governor. Cross me Bloomin' out and hope you die. I ain't the chap who's gonna bother you no more. That's quite true. You won't. Wait. Listen. Can't we make a deal? Stranger, can we? You remember what I told you the first time we met? I, I guess so. I thought I knew you'd try with a gold in spite of my warning. And I said that when you did, when you made a slip, Tyler and I would act. Please. That's enough. Silas. Yeah? The three of you should have no trouble, Shucks. Not now that you've given us the upper hand on them. And I'll head for town and bring the law. But here, you don't have to trouble yourself no more for us. You, Jack. Are you still here? Wait. Away. Look at him go, will you? Talks like a Bloomin' toff and rides like his ruddy Majesty dragoons. Now, why didn't you go tell me the blighter was in human? Blimey, mate. See you ain't. The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.