 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high of silver, the long ranger. With his faithful Indian companion Tahoe, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the planes led 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. Are you still there? Let's go big fellow. Are you still there? The name Jess Hardy was fast becoming synonymous with the word trouble throughout the territory surrounding the town of Belleville. Jess Hardy and his ruthless gang of outlaws seemed to be everywhere and to know when and where to strike to the best advantage. For instance, when there was a large payroll being carried on the stagecoach from Miltown... And when there was a gold shipment from the Belleville bank by express on the railroad... And I'm real the horse up ahead there waving force to stop looks like... Maybe it's an alhoot. Better blow the whistle upon to get off the tracks. All right. Great thing there's a lot of them further on and logs piled on the tracks. It's a hold up! And Jess Hardy's outlaw gang seemed to know when a town was unprotected. Yep. Sheriff and the posseys going over to Mason City to hunt down the Hardy gang. Got away with the big bank robbery there. Jess Hardy's got spies everywhere, seems like. He sure gets around where that gang is. I'm sure they got everybody scared to death. One morning two horsemen rode along the trail toward Belleville. One was a stalwart Indian on a paint horse. The other was a tall striking figure wearing a black mask and riding a white stallion. Tonto and the Lone Ranger had ridden for some time in silence. Then the masked man spoke. Jess Hardy and his men seemed to have struck terror. Almost every man, woman and child in this territory, Tonto. Ah, that's right. People seem afraid to mention name of Jess Hardy. They strike suddenly, move out fast. Even some of the lawmen are getting to the point where they think it's useless to try to track them down. Not, not good, Kimusabe. No, it isn't. Makes those outlaws bolder, more ruthless than ever. Ah, and them have good hiding place. Yes, no one's been able to locate their hideout. You think Hardy find out, Marshall ask you track down gang? Oh, that's hard to say, Tonto. Jess Hardy seems to have ways and means of finding out a good many things. We find a good place to pitch camp before we reach Belleville. Then after you get supplies and find out what you can in town, we'll make some plans. Come on. Come on. That afternoon, a horseman rained up in front of the nugget cafe in Belleville. Ho, there, ho, ho, boy, ho. Easy there. So what can I do for you, stranger? You gotta plug a bulldog-chon-de-bacca barkeeper. I'm sorry, never heard of that kind, mister. Hey, mister. Did I hear you asked for a bulldog-chon-de-bacca? That's right I did. I got some of that kind. May have let you have part of it. Thanks. My name's Joe. Mine's Andy. Sit down and join me. Sure. I come with a message for Jess. Where's he at your station, Joe? Milltown. I found out that Marshall asked a certain ombre to get on Jess's trail. Ah, lots of ombres on Jess's trail. Sure, I know. But you better get to Jess and tell him this. I'll tell him that Marshall's got a message to ombre called the Lone Ranger hunting the game. The Lone Ranger, you say? Yeah, that's right. I've heard of that, ombre. I better go to Jess right away. You coming along. Jess might have something he wants to tell you before he has to go back to Milltown. All right, let's get going. About an hour later, the two outlaw spies, Joe and Andy, enter Jess Hardy's shack at the outlaw's hideout. Well, Joe, I'll see you find Andy all right. I went to the cafe in town and asked for a bulldog showing to Becky. Andy spoke up and said he had some. I knew he was with the gang. I brought him on out. He had Jess in case he had some orders for him. Good. What did you leave Milltown for? I got some news. Yeah. I found out that Marshall's asked an ombre called the Lone Ranger for help in tracking down you and the gang. Huh? I guess you heard of that ombre, haven't you, Jess? Yeah, sure. Where's the black mask and where's the white stallion? That's right. There's an Indian that goes along with him. With him dragging us down it means we've got to be more careful. That's right, Jess. Why? He isn't the only one who's trying to catch up with us. Listen, Andy, I guess you haven't heard as much about that mask ombre as I have. He works on the side of the law and he's plenty smart. Maybe so. But what can one or two men do against a gang like we got, Jess? No use crawling a hole just because him and that Indian are out hunting. He's broken up many a gag before, this one, Andy. I'm not afraid of anybody. Until we find out where that mask ombre is and do something about stopping him, I won't feel any too easy about it. I'm thinking the same way. What do you intend to do? I want Joe to stay around Belleville with you for a while. Two of you keep your ears and eyes open. Try to get a line on the Lone Ranger. The minute you find out anything, come here and let me know. Sure. Ah, get back to town and keep watching. Right, Jess. Come on. That afternoon, Tonto returned from his trip to town and rained up at the temporary camp in the hills where the Lone Ranger was waiting. Hold out. Easy. Well, Tonto, any news in Belleville? May not hear anything, Kimosabi. May get supplies, have them in saddle bags. Good. Tonto, I want you to help me put on a disguise so that I'll look like a tough cowhand. Ah. Then we'll use some of your root dye to put markings on the silver so he won't be recognized. That'd be easy. After I have the disguise, I'll go on into town for a while and be back in time for supper. Come on. Let's get busy. May help, Kimosabi. It was some time later that afternoon when the Lone Ranger, without his mask but disguised as a tough-looking cowhand, entered the Nugget Cafe in Belleville. As the Lone Ranger crossed the cafe, the barkeep was talking to a salesman. Are you sure you don't sell that brand of chocolate to back? In fact, I was telling you about it. Sure, I'm sure. I carry about every brand there is. But I never heard of Bulldog brand. Bulldog. You're not the first one to ask me, though. Well, who else been trying to get it? Well, it seems like some omri asked Gordon the cafe over at Mason City a couple weeks ago. And the barkeeper, Militown, said someone coming there asking for it, too. Well, the funny thing is, it was an omri sitting at one of the tables who said he had some and offered to give the stranger part of it. Is that right? The same thing happened in the other two places they told me. Wonder where the omri's who had it bought that kind? I don't know. But if I see the one who had something to give, I'll ask you good. Anything else you need right now? No, but guess it got everything. Well, I'll see you next time you come through here. All right, all right. Something for you, mister? Not right now, thanks. I'm waiting for someone. All right. Call me if you decide you want something. The Lone Ranger walked to a nearby table and sat down. The conversation he had just overheard had set him thinking. Whenever anyone entered and approached the barkeep, he listened attentively. Finally, two men came in. They approached the bar, and the Lone Ranger heard the barkeep address one of them. Hey, uh, I've been wanting to ask you something, mister. Yeah, well, what is it? Well, when your friend there came in a while ago and asked me for a full dog chewing the back, huh? You spoke up and said you had some that you'd give him. Well, what about it? Nothing. When he was just born, didn't worry about it. I tried to buy something with salesman this afternoon, but he says there isn't any since brand. I got mine in mills now. It's none of your business. We're going to sit down. Bring us a couple of drinks, Prado. Sure. Two pimpin' up, Brad. It knows the ombre, isn't it? Yeah, who knows? Howdy, gents. What do you want, mister? I came in to ask for some bulldog chewing the backer. I just heard the barkeep saying you carried some of it. Yeah. Sit down. Thanks. Where are you from? Miltown. Miltown? Why, I'm... Shut up, Joe. So you're spying out in Miltown, huh? What brings you here? I have some news. Yeah? What is it? It's something I can't tell to anyone but the boss. Now, listen here, Andy. Why, Joe, I told John Hanlon this. He wants to talk to the boss. There's no reason why he can't. Come on. We'll take him out there right now. As the low ranger rode along with the two outlaws, he realized he was heading for trouble. Since Jess Hardy, whom he expected was the man they were taking him to, would immediately know he was not one of the gang. Yet he was determined to face Hardy in hopes that somehow he could bluff things through. A storm came up as they neared the hide house. Looks like we're going to get wet unless we hurry up. Yes. They have much farther to go. Now, we're almost there. Let's get a move on. Get along there. Get up. Get up there. Hello, boy. Come on, I'm so... Yeah, so am I. Easy now. I'm pretty wet, too. I'm sore, man. This hombre comes up to the cafe and use the password, boys. Says he's stationed at Miltown, but we know all the time... Just a minute, Andy. Look, Hardy, I said I came from Miltown. Not that I was stationed there. I got wired to your password and I cut it out for the one to join up with you. I knew these hombres wouldn't talk to me about it, so I said I had to talk to you. He sure got a lot of nerve. I know right away he wasn't one of the gang since Joe was stationed in Miltown. It looks like he could be useful all right, Jess. Yeah. You were pretty smart to figure things the way you did, Mr. What made me go there? You can call me Bill. That's not my real name. That'll do. Lots of the hombres with us aren't using their real names. Joe, you better take the horse around to cover till the rain lets up. Yeah, go ahead, Joe. All right. I want to talk to this hombre a little more before I decide about him. Hey. Come here, man. What's the matter? Take a look out there at the street, his horse. What about it? Hey, the spots and markings are gone. Now it's all white. Don't move, mister. Oh, wait a minute. I got smarter than that smarter than that. You had that stadium fixed up? You didn't count on rain to wash away the markings you put on him, eh? Oh, your gunsmen are watching close. I have a feeling this hombre is the Lone Ranger. The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. The Lone Ranger, disguised as a tough carhand, had tried to bluff through a meeting with Jess Hardy, the outlaw chief. When one of the outlaws went out into the rain to put up the horses, he called the others and pointed out that the markings which Tato and the Lone Ranger had put on Silver had washed off. Jess recognized the white stallion and quickly drew his gun, telling the others to do the same. Then he expressed the opinion that the new man was the Lone Ranger. But Jess, the Lone Ranger wears a black mask. I told you before the Lone Ranger was smart. Plenty smart. I still think this is him. With his face fixed up somehow. I've seen that stallion before. I know him anyway. Sure. And what's more, I noticed those extra special guns he's carrying when we met him in the cafe. And remember, Jess, I came over from Miltown to warn you that the Marshal was getting the Lone Ranger to try to track us down. Yeah, that's right. Oh, wait a minute. You mean to tell me you embrace his belief for one minute that the Lone Ranger would pull a simple trick like I have? Come out here alone wearing his special guns and riding his own stallion, which you do have those special guns in that white stallion. Does it ever occur to you that I might have taken them from the Lone Ranger? Taken them. Why not? Look, Hardy said I'm smart for figuring things out. Getting out here to seem like I have. And they... Sure. But the Lone Ranger... I've never been afraid of him. I get that ombre pretty well-figured out. Hey, Jess. This ombre got away with a masked man's stallion with his special guns like he says. Why wasn't that stallion was fixed with fake marks, mister? You were riding in a town with a horse you didn't want to be recognized. What would you do? That's right, Jess. If he got away with the Lone Ranger's stallion that masked man would have the law watching for him. Sure, sure. But how could you get close enough to the Lone Ranger to get those fancy shootmen? Neither, my own. None of you have ever been close enough to the Lone Ranger to inspect his guns, have you? Yeah, come to think of it, I never have. It goes for me, too. How about you, Jess? Well, I've seen him wearing his guns, but not too close up as Bill says. There you are. Now, let's talk business. Yeah, Jess. No, you stand here in the doorway, Gavin. I knew this ombre was too tough and ugly looking to be the Lone Ranger. Yeah, what do you say, Jess? Want me to tend to the horses now? Yeah. Yeah, go ahead. Well, mister, you can call me Bill. Maybe I'll get around to it. Close the door, Andy. Sure, boss. Joe and Andy convince easier than I do. I'm going to give you a chance to prove you came here to join my gang. Yeah? Meantime, every move you make will be watched. You won't leave this camp until we all ride together. Sit down. Well, how do you want me to prove I'm not going to leave this camp until we all ride together? Sit down. Well, how do you want me to prove I'm here to join your hearty? Well, I have your take part in something I have planned. It's a good idea, Jess. What is it that you have planned? Look, right now, in the vaulted Belleville bank is a big cash shipment waiting to go by Wells Fargo in the morning. When it leaves, it'll be heavily guarded. But it isn't going to leave. No? No. Tonight, we're going to take it from the bank. They'll have a guard inside. How do you expect I learned about that money? I know. From the night guard at the bank, he's in with his... But Jess, you know... Shut up, Andy. I'm doing the talking. You just sit and listen and keep your eyes on this armory. Sure. This armory who calls himself Belle is going in by the back window, which will be left unlocked. While the rest of us keep watch, he'll help the guard bring out that cash. In fact, time to do the whole job alone. Is that it? No. We'll all be there to cover you if anything starts. So you can get away with this. And our inside man the night guard will be helping you. Of course, if you have any objections... Oh! Oh, I have no objections. Good. Consider it settled. I'll put the horses up till it stops raining. I'd like to go see to my own horse, Jess. Sure, go ahead. Oh, say Joe, keep your eye on Belle what he looks after his horse, huh? All right. He couldn't get away from camp anyhow. I told the entrance guards to watch out. I have no intention of trying to leave. I'll be back shortly. If you do try to pull a fast move, you'll find you'll get plenty of lead in you. Come on. Hey, boss, do you think he's... I'm not sure what I think about that armory. I'm smart enough not to take any chances What do you mean? You know as well as I do that there was a big amount of cash waiting in the bank to be expressed. It would be easier for us to grab it after it's on the road. We could still keep our man in the bank for further tip-offs. Yeah, that's what I was thinking. You go ahead in the town. Slip word detects in the bank to leave the back window unlocked. Sure, but I... Tell him after this tall arm break crawls in for him to get the drop on him and let him have it. Then set up a holler. We'll wait long enough outside to make sure he doesn't get out again. And then when the people begin to gather, we'll slip away, huh? Takes him to be a hero for stopping a bank robber and the stranger will be out of the way. Good idea. Then you don't believe he's what he says. I'm not sure about him at all. But one thing I do know he's too sharp to belong to my gang. No room for smart umbs like him here. He can't outsmart you, Jess. I haven't met anybody yet who couldn't. Now I get going and see the things are set in time. Meantime, the outlaw Joe took the Lone Ranger to a large lean-to where the horses were kept. There's the horse you were riding over there. Good. I'll pull my saddle and bridle. I guess I might as well take the saddle off my horse man. While Joe was busy attending to the two other horses a short distance away, the Lone Ranger hastily scribbled a note and stuck it under the flap of the flags on Silver. Then he spoke cautiously to the stallion with a tauto Silver, the homefellow, home. Hey, what's going on over there? I missed him. The stallion is leaving. Silver's one thought was to carry out the urgent order given him by his master. Training and experience had taught him that such an urgent command to leave the side of the Lone Ranger was spoken only in times of impending danger. The great white stallion sprang forward with such tremendous speed that the outlaw Joe ducked out of the way instead of trying to grab the bridle. The swift flying hoofs missed Joe by inches as the horse raced away through the rain headed for the Lone Ranger's camp. I have lost the good stallion. He almost knocked me over getting away. See, he just don't like your company, Bill. Don't worry, we got an extra bracket too. I guess we can fix you up. Come on, we'll go back to Jesse's shape. After dark, it had stopped raining. After making the arrangements, Andy had returned to the hideout and soon Jess Hardy, with the Lone Ranger beside him, led the outlaw gang toward the town of Belleville. They moved into the town and back of the buildings until they arrived behind the back. All right, mister, this is it. We'll watch out here while you go in. I'm sure you'll find that back window unlocked and I'll get going. Draw your guns, man, in case we need them. What's the guard's name, Jess? Name's Tex. He'll be expecting one of the gangs, so it's all right. Go ahead. All right, I won't be long. Tom, I've got that note. This must be the window. Hey, Tex. Come on in. Make it quiet. All right. I'm over here near the port. Stooping down so that his outline wouldn't show against the back window, the Lone Ranger moved quickly up to the side and circled so that he could come up behind the man, Tex. I can't see you. I'm right behind you, Tex. Drawing guns. Hey, wait a minute. Now I'm going to fire one shot. I want you to yell out. Make it loud. Yell as you would have yelled if you'd shot me as you flanned. Now. Help! Hey, what the... What's going on? I don't know your friends are having trouble out there. The whole hearty gang out there. Good. And Tullo must have gotten my note. You mean that Indian, you sure did. It's over, sir. I had plenty of men hiding out there to close in on him when the break has started. So this guard is in with him, huh? That's right. He is. You all right? Yes, yes, Tullo. I figured Jess Hardie fell too easily for my story. He planned this to get rid of me. Yes, Jess planned it all. He sent word for me to shoot you down and then for me to set up a ruckus to bring the sheriff and the townspeople. He figured if my shot didn't kill you, I would not have thought as much. Well, here's Jess Hardie, Sheriff. They got out of the cold. They didn't expect the ambush we'd give them. That's you fool. Why didn't you shoot that hombre like you were supposed to? He guessed there was something wrong. He got word to the sheriff somehow and double crossed us. He couldn't have it. Somehow you must have used him to make you... Good guessing, Jess. You let a horse outsmart you. Then you must be the man I thought you were. He's putting on a mask. Yeah, what's the idea, wonder? I can tell you about that, so don't let it bother you. Come on, Tutto. I'm sure you brought Silver along. Ah, him outside in front. Good. Things seem to be under control here. All right, let's go. Well, I'll be... Then he is the lone ranger, after all. Yep. And he's got more nerve and brains than crooks like you will ever have, Jess Hardie. All right, Sheriff. That mask man did in one day what every lawman here about has been trying to do for months. Get you and that killer gang of yours. You see, that's the way the Lone Ranger always does things. This is a product of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created and produced by George W. Trendle, directed by Charles D. Livingston and edited by Fran Stryker. A part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer.