 horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hai hai oh silver! The Lone Ranger! Before this exciting adventure, a word from our sponsor. General Mills, makers of Cheerios, the oat cereal that's ready to eat, Bandy Crocker mixes, and Wheaties, the breakfast of champions, present by special recording, The Lone Ranger! Hear that? It's the sound of a mighty American Airlines flagship taking off! You know, being an American Airlines pilot is an exciting job, and now, thanks to Cheerios, you too can share in that fun, because inside every specially marked package of Cheerios, you'll now find a free American Airlines air travel game! Yes, a free airplane game for you and your friends! Complete with instructions, four airplane playing pieces, a spinner, and two playing boards! You're the pilot in this exciting air travel game, and you play on a real American Airlines system map that adds to the fun! On the back, you'll find another paper game board with lots of important information every American Airlines pilot must know! So how about it? You be the pilot! Get your complete American Airlines air travel game today, free in Cheerios! Look for the special Cheerios package with a flying airplane on front! Supplies are limited, so hurry! Ask for Cheerios today! The ready to eat oat cereal that gives you go power! With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful mask rider of the planes, let the fight for law and order in the early western United States! Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice! Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear! From out of the past, come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse, Silver! The lone ranger rides again! Come on, Silver! Let's go, Victor! I am Silver! Tom Safford and Old Ned rode the trail towards Stockton at a leisurely pace. Tom was about 22 years of age. His father had owned a small ranch near Pecos, and at first had prospered. But a gang of outlaws had continually rustled his cattle. And finally, on their last raid, they had killed Mr. Safford. Tom swore to take up their trail until he found them and avenged the death of his father. Old Ned, his father's foreman, had begged to go with him. As the two men rode along, Ned was saying, Hi, Jiminy, Tom, I still think you should have left things to the law. We're sure now that the head of that murdering gang is Burley Hod. We know he and his gang of gunslingers headed towards Stockton. They may have holed up in that vicinity, and then again they may not. But no matter how far they go, I'm going after them. You can turn back whenever you want. No, sir, I am not too old to handle a gun, so I'm sticking with you, son. I'm good for you, Ned. We'll stop in Stockton tonight and maybe we'll get some news of Burley and his gang. Now let's get a move on. Get up! Get up now! That night in their camp in a secluded hollow near Stockton, Burley Hodge and two of his men were making plans in a shack Burley used as his headquarters. I tell you, boys, there's mighty good pickings around Stockton. We'll rustle some cattle down and pull a few hold-ups while we move on. Here's Buck. He can tell us what he's doing in town. Yeah, that's right. I can. Somebody's in town looking for us, Burley. Well, that's not news. Lots of hombres are looking for us. Yeah, yeah, I know. But the hombre I mean is somebody who trail us from Pekas. Old man Safford, son. Safford? Hey, that's the name of the rancher you shot a couple of weeks ago, Burley. Yeah. So that son of his has trailed us down this way, huh? Yeah, that's going to be just too bad for him. What's he look like, Buck? Tall and raging. Must be in his early 20s. He brought an old coot along with him, that gabby old fellow who worked for the Saffords. So we're supposed to get worried about a young Maverick and an old cow punch you like those two. Safford swore to get you, Burley, for killing his old man. He means business, so he wouldn't have followed us down this way. Yeah, right. Any other news in town? Well, sure. It's the way until the moriff. That's news. Yeah, it is news. I suppose you saw Safford and the old geezer in the cafe. That's right. I'd get outside until he had us get ready to ride. Where are we going? Yeah. What are we going to do? We're going to hold up the cafe in town tonight. What's more, we're going to grab young Safford and bring him out here with us. Later that night, Tom Safford and Ned were still at the cafe. While Tom stood by silently, old Ned, who always became talkative in a crowd, was telling of his earlier days in the far west. Yes, sir. Why, that is even today an ombré most of you've heard about. The lone ranger calls on me when he needs help. Yes, sir. Yeah, don't shake. Gosh, he helps the lone ranger. Now, hold on, Ned. It's about time you stop telling those tall stories. You don't know the lone ranger any more than I do. Now, Tom, don't tell me you don't believe me. I don't mind these ombrés laughing if they want to act ignorant. Hey, hold up. Say the gang of outlaws. Hey, Greek Sholier. First ombré to make a move for a gun gets a full of cash. Right away, boys, take the cash. Right away. You get the dough for the cafe scene. Hey, Tom, that's very hard on his gang. My thundered last leaf caught up with them. Yeah, right, fellas. This old codger says at last they caught up with him. I reckon you're Tom Safford. What if I am? Well, now that you caught up with me, like your weather-beaten old sidekick says. What? You ought to have the chance to have your say. Who is weather-beaten? Shut up, man. Get all the guns, boys. I'll take your Safford. I heard you were here looking for me. Well, I'd save you the trouble. We'll meet again, hodge. You don't think we're going to part company right away, do you? After the trip you made down here? You're coming right along with me so as we can be together. Hey, if you think we'd go any place with a murdering coyote like you, you- Shut up. If I had my gun hodge, I- Watch you haven't. Hey, leaf boys. All right, Safford. Come on. We're taking you to our camp. Get moving. The lone ranger and Toto had arrived in the hills that night not far from Stockton. They made camp, started a campfire, and prepared a late supper. After you get a few supplies from town, Silver's giving a warning, Toto. Maybe someone near camp. Get up. We may have to use our guns. Reach both of you. I've got you coming. He's behind us, Toto. Sounds like an old man. All right, mister. We're reaching. Show yourself. By thunder you must be a cover of the gang camp in here to stop anyone who might try to fall alone to the hideout. We not outlaws? That's right. We're not. I see that mask you're wearing, mister. That's proof enough that you are. But him shaken came as a big, him old man. Yes, I know. You'd better put away that gun and talk this over. Nope, nope. I'm keeping you covered. You better stop it in my way or I'll shoot. We're two against one, mister, and you seem to be alone. I said stand still. All right, thunder, I'll show you. I'll take that gun. Hey, let go. Hey. I have a Toto. I mean, figure him not shoot straight. No, no, hold on. Maybe I am a bit shaky when I try to aim a gun, but if you haven't moved so fast, I'd have plugged you. Maybe. But why is an old man like you going around at night shooting at people? Just take me to the head man if you want me to answer your questions. Maybe I'm old and my aim ain't what it used to be, but by Jiminy, if Burley Hodge does harm, does Tom Savard? Well, wait a minute. We may be able to help you if we get the facts. Help me? Yes, but you must trust us. Trust you? Yes. Here's your gun. I don't want it. Hey, you mean you're taking the chance of giving back my gun? Well, we not take much chance. You just listen to me, engine. When I was a young man, I was pretty fast with a shooting iron. Why, one time when I was helping the lone ranger, he says to me, he says, Ned, he says. The lone ranger wasn't around when you were young and my friend. Well, oh, I meant I was helping him just a few years ago, but I was still a crack shot then and he says to me, I suppose he carried bullets like these. Yep, yep, this is a silver bullet and that's just the kind my friend, the lone ranger. Holy smoke. Where'd you get this? From my belt. I have many more like it right here. And you must be him lone ranger. Oh, great day. After me, Shane, that I... Don't forget it, Ned. We'll be friends from now on. Now tell us about Burley Hodge and about that fellow Tom Safford you mentioned. In his own rambling fashion, Ned told the lone ranger and taught him about Tom's father and about what happened that night in town at the cafe. When he finally finished, the lone ranger said, Ned, Todd and I came down here to find Burley Hodge and his gang. Well, that's right. You did! Hell, by Sunday now he'll get what's coming to him. It won't be as easy as all that, Ned. At least we know he and his gang are hiding out nearby. It's too dark to pick up the trail now. We'll start at dawn. Maybe we'll be able to find their hideout, Todd. What about me? By Jiminy, you can't just ride off at daybreak and leave me behind. We'll take you with us at dawn. Oh, fine. Maybe after this you can tell a story that will be the truth. We'll not give up until we find Burley Hodge and his gang. We'll continue our lone ranger adventure in just a moment. Say, kids, now that school's out, I bet your whole day is spent in the fresh outdoors. And that's when a delicious snack like a big slice of chocolate devil's food cake and a cold glass of milk tastes extra good. So easy with Betty Crocker devil's food cake mix, you can bake it yourself. The finest ingredients are right in the package. Ingredients like famous soft-to-silk cake flour, pure vegetable shortening, and rich chocolate flavoring. You simply add water and two fresh eggs, beat and bake, for a perfect cake every time. In fact, Betty Crocker guarantees a perfect cake every time you bake. Cake after cake after cake. Absolutely perfect. Or write General Mills, Minneapolis, Minnesota, for your money back. And why not have Betty Crocker devil's food cake with any one of your favorite ice creams? Ask mom to keep several packages. A Betty Crocker cake mix on hand. And someday soon, why not bake up a cake for her? Now to continue. At dawn, the lone ranger and tattle with Ned rode to the edge of town to pick up the outlaws' trail. As they approached the outskirts of Stockton, a horseman who was riding toward them suddenly swung around and galloped back into town. Hold it, hold it, hold it. My mask scared that fellow. Look at him go. Look at him split back into town. He must have thought we were outlaws, sure enough. Isn't that right? Maybe we were able to pick up Praila gang here, chemo sloppy. Sure, they rode out of town right along here. You can see the hoof marks they left. Good. We'll follow them and hope they lead us to the hideout. Come on, let's get them up here. Come on, come on. Meantime, the man who had ridden back into town stopped in front of the sheriff's home. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Lane, see, what are you coming here this early for, mister? Has the sheriff come back yet? No, not yet, but he told me he'd be back soon after daybreak. I'm expecting him most any time now. That's why I'm up this early. Say, what's wrong now? Well, I just saw three of the outlaws riding toward town, one on this mask. Great. Maybe they came back to commit another robbery. Where'd you see them, mister? Just beyond the edge of town, the south. Well, as soon as my husband and his deputies get here, I'll tell them about it. Then they can go hunt for them. In the form of posse, he'll be ready to ride with the sheriff when he gets here. All right. You tell him to meet in front of the sheriff's office. I'll see my husband right up there as soon as he rides. All right, ma'am. Thank you. Get up there. The lone ranger with Toto and Ned followed the outlaws' trail to the bank of a creek. There they drew rain. Oh, that's a big fella. They covered their trail by riding in the shallow water tunnel. I'll follow one bank. You and Ned follow the other. Look for any sign that might indicate they left the water. All right, let's go. Come on, Silverman. Get over there. Slowly, the three men rode along the creek banks, gazing intently at the ground. They had gone about a mile when Toto called out to the lone ranger who was on the opposite bank. Oh, it's got holes on it. Oh, there. Kimus, honey. Me find sign here. He says he sees signs, but that never, but all I can see is smooth rock along there. Oh, what do you see, Toto? I look there, Kimus, honey. There ain't scratch on rock. It's lighter than raster rock. That mean it knew. Me think scratch made by horseshoe. Yes, I think you're right. But be the smart thing to do to leave the creek here where this flat rocky surface runs along the bank. Ah, flat rock surface go back only short way. We go look, maybe find cracks where earth joins rock. All right, let's go look. Come, Silverman. Come, Silverman. Come on, Silverman. Look, there are plenty of hook marks now. Let's get it again. Come on, Silverman. Come on, Silverman. A short time after the masked man and his friend had been seen near the outskirts of town, the sheriff and his deputies arrived home. When he learned the news, the sheriff immediately started out with a posse, trailing the lone ranger, Toto and Ned. Meanwhile, the trail the three men were following ran along a dried up creek bed. As they approached a bend, the great horse Silver suddenly lifted his head, then gave a low whinny. Then the big stallion stopped at his own accord. Silver's giving us warning. Silver must have caught the scent of men and horses. He's just a big fella. You two wait here. I'll do a bit of scouting. The lone ranger cautiously made his way to a high point from which he could look ahead. Soon he returned to the others. A short distance beyond the bend are two big boulders forming a small pass through which the trail runs. You think maybe someone there unguided? Yes, I do. Ned, I have a plan. Would you be afraid to take a risk? Not if it'll help get Tom back, no sure. At the big rock, the outlaw buck had taken over his lookout alone as soon as day had broken. He heard the hoof beats of Ned's horse and looked around the rock. Hey, that's the old kudos with Safford in the cafe. Now, in the sun of the E-Finer trail. All right, stop where you are and reach, Mr. I'm reaching as high as I can get, Mr. Don't shoot. Get off that horse and walk over here. Yeah, whoa, who's the short? Would it be a lookout someplace? I'll take that gun. We'll get our horses and I'll take it to Burley. Burley and Tom Safford both looked up in surprise when Buck brought Ned into the shack. Ned, why'd he bring you here? Buck, you know what I mean to tell me that old windbag picked up our trail all the way to the big rock. He sure did, Burley. Sit down. Yeah, sure. Thanks. That's mighty good to see you again, Tom. Ned, you shouldn't have tried to trail him. What I want to know is how he did it. Speak up, you. Anyone right with you? Stop being nice about bringing someone in here. Hey, who you caught, Buck? He must have put up quite a fight. Yeah. He's been shaking like a leech ever since I stopped him. Hey, wait a minute, fellas. Trying to get this mangy geezer to answer a question. And answer me. Did you come alone? Let me think a minute. Yep, I rode out of town all alone, Mr. Hodge, and so help me, that's the truth. Do you try to tell us a weak-eyed old fool like you picked up our trail at the place where we left the crick? Tell me the truth. Well, save that hurt. Pick up her up. Wait, wait, hold on. I'll tell you. Ned, acting frightened, had looked all around. He had caught a glimpse of Toto at one of the windows, and to hold the outlaw's attention, he began talking rapidly. He was like this. I was wishing for the help of my friend, that masked man I talked about. Well, what do you think happened? After I left town and rode a couple of miles, I ran plum into him and a friend of his. Yes, sir. Well, they heard all about you being around and taking Tom prisoner and all, so they said they'd help me to trail you. Ned, don't start those stories again. Tell them you managed to find a trail and be done with it. I think the old coach local. Tom, I'm, I'm probably surprised that you want me to lie about it. Yes, sir, like I said. Hold on, Ned. I'm not going to let him make a fool out of me. I'll put a bullet in him right now. Stop! So much shots of the wind. Early shots in the legs. Guns sapping the old man. Hey, Joel. Hey, look. The masked man like he said. Got your guns. Not me, old picture. Got it. Hey, there's a red skin at the window. We better grab my gun, Slim. Yeah. The others be here in a minute. Then it'll be our turn. Looks like the others have been here with a sheriff and a posse. Me and my young fella. I'll pick up their guns. There. Gosh. And all this time I thought Ned was telling tall tales about a masked man. Now, Tom, however could you think such a thing? He told the truth this time as you see, Tom. Ned's a brave man. Got your gun, man. Got your gun, man. No, no, wait, wait, wait. Wait a minute. He isn't one of them, Sheriff. He and the injured helped me capture Berly Hodge and his others here, who were holding Tom's upward. That's right, Sheriff. We did help Ned. You helped Ned. That's a good one. He risked his life coming here to their hideout alone. We followed him here, but we purposely left a clear trail for the sheriff and a posse to follow. The masked man and the Indian are friend, Sheriff. They saved both our lives. That's Berly Hodge there on the floor. He was about to kill Ned, and I know I would have been next. I reckon if they did that, they were friends, all right. I wondered why they were so careless leaving such a clear trail, too. But I sure don't save you that mask. Oh, forget the mask. My friend, Tom, and I came here to Stockton purposely to trail Berly's gang. A lot of the credit goes to Ned. Berly and his men are wanted for murder in Pecos. That's right. They killed my father. They'll hang for that, and the West will be far better off without him. You're right about that, Sheriff. There's no place in the West for vicious men like them. Well, I don't know how to leave now. We'll follow the trail from here to Pecos. Adios. Goodbye, my friends. Maybe we'll be together again sometime. Goodbye, Ned, and take care of Tom. Well, you hear that, son? He said for me to take care of you. Yes, sir. You can't beat friends like that. Look, old man, would you mind telling us just who these friends of yours are? Why? Great day I thought all of you knew right off that the mask man is the one I was telling about last night. Sure. That ombre is the Lone Ranger. Lone Ranger? A copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated is produced by Kendall Campbell Muir Incorporated. A part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer, your announcer, Fred Floyd. Listen to the Lone Ranger brought to you by Special Recording Mondays through Fridays at this same time.