 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver, the Lone Ranger. He must rather the planes fought for more than law and order in the early days of the Western United States. It was possible for a man to take advantage of his fellow ranchers and stay within the law, but he always ran the danger of making an enemy of the Lone Ranger, and no man could match the courage and resourcefulness of that great champion of justice. Return with us now of those thrilling days when the West was young and eventually at the end of every trail, the Lone Ranger rides again. At one moment, six heavily laden wagons were crawling slowly across the ferry in the direction of the isolated town of Western flats, and in the next they were the center of a howling band of savages that had suddenly dashed out from behind the huge side of the trail. Early the following morning, that freeman whose ranch was just outside Western flats summoned his foreman to the ranch house and was giving him his orders for the day when they were interrupted by a sound at the door. Jake, what was that? Gosh, bad, I don't know. Sounded like somebody stumbling. Come on. Yeah, wonder who it is. Maybe it's... Engines, ambush. Well, I'll be shot the pieces. Get him inside. Here, fella, I'll give you a hand. Killed. All of them. Killed. Put them on that bench there. He's just about out. Handle them easy. Here, put them here. The freighters, engines, ambush. What on thunders are you talking about? All of them killed. Bye, golly. Boss, I've seen this fella before. He works for that freighter outfit, the ship supplies into Western flats. You sure? Uh-huh. It's him all right. Yeah, forget his handle, but that's where I've seen him. Engines got everything. Engines got everything. See, you know what, boss? There was freighters due with more supplies. I'll bet whatever you care to name, engines was laying in wait and clean that freighting party out. Get some more. Yeah. Yeah, you. Listen here. Come on, snap out of it. What happened to you, huh? Speak up, can't you? Engines. Killed everybody. Where should you come out of it? Come on, Jake, hurry up with that water. Here you are. Throw it in his face. Don't you think we'd better... I said throw it in his face. Sure, sure. I was only thinking, shot up the way he is. The blaze is the way he's shot up. He's trying to say what I think he is. I've got an idea. He's got to be rousing. Talk sense first. This may be a little bit... All right, you. You ain't hurt so bad you can't talk. How's it... You're all right, fella. What happened? The engines. Engines ambush you? Engines. Yeah. Yeah, I recollect now. It's coming back to me. If I could have water. Talk up and you get all the water you want. You with the freighting party taking supplies to town? Yeah. The engines get them supplies? Got everything. Everything. Killed everybody but me. I've been all night getting here crawling, hiding. Just about out again. Then throw some more water at him. Yeah. Give me water. Just a second. You sure nobody else got away? Engines got everybody. Anybody else know about this? Talk to anybody that could spread the news before you got here? No. It seemed nobody. There he goes. Passed out cold. What's funny? You know what this means, Jake? Well, it'll be some time before there's more supplies brought to town. A month anyhow. But the redskins acting up may be longer. What are you thinking of? Jake, right now it's likely we're the only ones to know there won't be supplies reaching town this trip. Yeah, but I don't say we won't. You will. You and me are riding into town. Yeah? I'm going to every dog-gone store. I'm buying up all the supplies each one's got. I'll let each one think that's the only place I'm buying from. And we're acting fast as we put it across before they get a notion what's up. What in blazes is up? Just this. They'll sell what they got on hand because they're figuring on more to reach them any day now. By the time they find out it'll be at least a month before there'll be any more supplies. I'll own all that's to be had. Huh? What good lad do you? Gosh, we can't use all that stuff here in the ranch. You're still on savvy? Can't say as I do. Well, you dumb galoot, them folks in town got a live, don't they? They can't live without grub and such. I'll pay whatever price for it they ask, but when they come to me to buy it back, they'll pay me just twice as much. Maybe more. By golly. Slick, eh? Well, boss, with a scheme like that, there's one thing sure. Yeah, what's that? And the folks in town find out what you're done. You're going to be either one or two things. Eh? Either you'll be the richest fella around these parts or the deadest. That was not discouraged by his foreman's doubts, but rode to town at once to put his plan into effect. Later that day, the lone ranger disguised also entered town. He made his way at once to the general store owned by Ezra Hastings. I tell you young fella, if you want supplies, you'll have to get them from Hank Davis or Miss Jones. I'm clean sold out, but I've been there to both places. That's what I've been trying to tell you. They're sold out too. Sure, they can't be. They... Oh, afternoon, stranger. Good afternoon. If you're here for grub, I'll have to tell you the same as I told this young fella. I ain't got none. That's unusual, isn't it? Well, as a matter of fact, it is. But it just happened today that Bat Freeman... Bat Freeman? Yeah, he bought... Dog gone and all. That's the same fella they told me bought out their mother's stores. What's he doing? Getting ready to fill the whole county? Huh? You're saying Bat was at their mother's places? He was? Now, what am I going to do? I'm with a wagon train that's north of here and we're just about out of grub. The engines have been raising trouble and it took us twice as long to get where we are as we figured on. I was going to buy a couple of wagon loads of supplies and have them sent out. But gosh, I can't figure this out. Bat must have gone local. What kind of a fellow is this Bat Freeman? Well, I suppose he's all right. In other words, he isn't. Now, I didn't say that. You would like him, you'd have said so without hesitating. Yes, but I... I see you haven't heard the news. Huh? What news? I believe these people will tell you. Look at the crowd coming here. Now, what in front of us? Ezra, we've been tricked. What? Ezra, I bet you've sold out to Bat Freeman, too. Well, he's got all the supplies he's in town. We've got to go to him for what we want. The blasted barn was spent up to another one of his slick stunts. Wait, hold on. Maybe Bat has gone local. But what differences make? Are there more supplies coming soon? Fact is, I was looking for them today. Then you can just quit looking for them right now. But I... Ezra, the Redskins jumped them freighters, killed everybody with them, made off of the horses and grubbed. No. That's just what happened, and somehow Bat found out about it. Gosh. He told me he was laying in next to supplier Grubb, figuring that if he bought a lot to once, he'd save a little money. Wasn't saving, he was figuring on. It was making. You mark my words. He's got the grubby nose. It'll be weeks before we can get more. And if he don't try to rob us in the meantime, then Bat Freeman ate the scheme and skunk, I've always known him to be. The Lone Ranger, leaving Western Flats, rejoined Tonto in the small, well-hidden camp they shared. The Lone Ranger knew the situation was dangerous, and he discussed it with the faithful Indian while he removed his disguise. Give me that towel, Tonto. Here, towel. Thanks. You know what came up of me? The worst part of this is the fact that Bat has stayed inside the loft. He had a right to buy that food, has a legal right to demand whatever price he wants for it, and all that it is. A legal right, I say, and not a moral one. What you mean? No matter what the loss is, men are never justified in taking unfair advantage of their fellow men. Oh, that's right. Have I got all the stain from my face, Tonto? And get the mask from my saddlebag, please. Tonto, get him. One thing is sure, Kimosabe. The people in town won't starve without putting up a fight. If Bat wants too much, it's going to be trouble. When I learned about him while in town, that's probably what he'll do. Yeah, mask. I believe I'm going to need this. What you do? I'm returning to town. Oh. There's trouble. The sheriff will have to take Bat's side. His duty requires him to uphold the law, whether it's fair or not. Ah. If Bat demands too high a price, and the people demand those supplies without meeting Bat's price, then it could easily mean bloodshed. Hmm, that'd be he bad. If it comes to that point, I have a message for the townspeople. Here, Silver. What message? Call Scout, Kimosabe. Here's Count. Have a plan in mind that may solve this situation. Now, need your help, though. Tonto, do what you say. And come on. We'll talk it over on the way. Get him up, Scout. Come on, old fellow. Come on. The masked men overestimated the seriousness of the situation. Half the town with the sheriff and the lead rode to Bat's ranch house. There, they dismounted and gathered around the front porch. Bat, an insolent smile on his face, stood on the porch looking down on them. I can guess what you folks are doing here, all right? Yeah, it's like it was something funny. If you think it is, you'll find the thing. Hold on now, hold on. Seems to be like you folks are getting a little ahead of yourselves. I crel all the grub there was, sure. Right now, I got a whole bar and bulging with it. But there wasn't no law saying I couldn't buy. Weren't nobody acted like he didn't want to sell. You ain't even ask me how much I'm charging to sell it back again. All right, then how much are you? Well, I gotta make a profit. Answer my question. I'll tell you what I'll do. I ain't no proper storekeeper, so I wouldn't be up on prices and such. We'll take what I was charged for a starter. Figuring from that, you can hand the stuff back for, well, we'll say three times what I paid. We can't pay you that much and you know it. It's just about bust those of us that are well off. What about the folks that ain't well off? What are they gonna do? That ain't none of my affair. They'll have to do their worrying for themselves. You can't get away with that. We'll take that stuff away from you first. I'll rob us and see what happens to you. Jake, Cheryl, keep them folks back. Cheryl, if I demand protection, I'm within the law and you're sworn to uphold it. Stand back, folks. That's not the right of us. There ain't nothing you can do. You sitin' with that polecat? I'm warnin' you, Cheryl, if you better not stay back. Have lasers with that. Come on, folks, let's help ourselves. Just what the scum desires. Shoot him if he's fed, by the way. He can't do anything to be wrong. Come on. Hand back. Watch out for his heart. Get back. Get back. Over, over, over. Make sure you better. Don't slap, brother, Cheryl. I'm used to these people. Quiet, everyone. Quiet. Listen to me. Within two days, wagons will reach western flats. Within two days, you'll have all the food you need. Where's it coming from? You'll see when the time comes. Why should we take your word for it? You don't have to. You have enough food in your homes to last several more days. What of it? Wait two or at the most three days. You won't suffer during that time. And if you find I haven't told you the truth, you're still free to take any action you wish. It better do like the mask man says, folks. I'm no on. If you're gonna make trouble, I gotta stand up again, you. But if it can be avoided by waitin', then that's the thing to do. Wow, maybe so. Don't hurt, I reckon. Wait. Mask fellas trickin' you somehow. He can't bring no grub here. You know it. If you want to eat, you'd better buy for me. I didn't say I'd bring supplies here. But you just said only there would be supplies. And at a fair price. Think it over. Hey! How silver! Wait a second! 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's message and the sheriff's argument persuaded the crowd to wait for a few days before forcing the issue. They returned to their homes, and when they had gone, the bat shouted to his foreman and the cow hand. Jake, come here. You come here too, Sandy. What do you want, boss? Got orders? You fellas heard what that mask fella said, didn't you? Yeah, I reckon I overlooked something before. I said if you tried this, John, you'd either get rich or drill. Looks like another thing could happen. If the mask fella's right, and there's more grub being brought into town, then you're stuck with what you got on hand. In other words, you're likely to end up flat broke. Yeah? Well, if I do, you're out of a job. Wouldn't surprise me. Only that grub ain't gonna get to town. Got something in mind? Any supplies brought to western flats has to come in from the east. Sure. There's two ways it could come from the east. Either by way of the prairie trail, which is the longest, or through the hills. Yeah, what about it? It ain't likely there'd be anybody's gumption enough to take the hill trail. Not with the Redskins and the Warpath the way they are. And you reckon not? Well, right here and now, Jake, I'm appointing you to ride the prairie trail. Find them wagons with grub. And see if they don't never get here. Kind of a tall order, ain't it? You can pick out as many fellas you want to go with you. You can take Sandy here for one. And just how do I go about keeping the grub from town? You're a foreman of my place, ain't you? Seems as is. Being foreman, you're supposed to have some savvy. I never had no complaints on that score, I reckon. Well, then figure things out for yourself. Take the men you want. Do what you want. There's just one thing to remember. Yeah? If that grub gets to town, you can pack your war bag and look up yourself another job. Jake, following bats' orders without enthusiasm, shows a half dozen men and led them east. They had furnished themselves with vandanas to avoid identification. And upon a day's journey to the east, they saw four wagons approaching. They put them on. Then with drawn weapons, they rode toward the lead wagon. Grain up there, Chance. Oh, I'll forget drill. Hold up, hold up. Get out of there. What did he say, sir? Hold up? Maybe. Tell their motherfellows with it just to stay where they are. Ain't going to get no trouble unless they ask for it. Let's keep it praises, boys. These fellas got the whip hand. Glad you see it that way. Now, then, what do you got in them wagons? Nothing much. Wouldn't be supplies headed for western flats, would it? No. Mister, I kind of like you. You ain't taking this affair in the wrong way. But just the same, it pains me to say that you're a lion. Wouldn't be the first time folks been wrong about me, Reckon. And seeing as how I don't think you're telling the truth, know how, I guess we'll have to do some investigating for ourselves. Well, suit yourself, friend. Sandy. Yeah? You know, from that coyose, climb this here wagon and see what's in them boxes and barrels. Fred's you and the other fellas do the same by the rest. This here sure is helpful. George, now, you shouldn't be judging so much by appearances. I suppose you have to couple them barrels of boxes, either one. I knew that thing. Finding it in? What's the matter? These are all empty. You weren't lying. Maybe the other wagons are different. It'll be a slick trick to have the first one empty so we think they was all the same. Look here, Jay. Hey, no. Where'd you get that name? Jay, you really figure we wouldn't be expecting your boss to pull something like this? But where'd he? Shucks. You ain't such a bad fella. This made the mistake of hiring out to his skunk is all. But you see, the townsfolk have got a fella working on their side that's 20 times slicker than your boss is. And here he comes right now. The mask man. Sandy, get down from there. All right, fellas. Back to your horses. Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on. And don't go for a gun. Every man on these wagons is ready for you if you make a move. We ain't done nothing. And we're not holding you. But before you leave, I'll give you a message for your boss. Yeah? Tell him this. Tell him the next time he should remember there are two trails to Western Platte from the east. You mean to say, Jay? We were full proper. These empty wagons came by this trail just to keep us busy. I'll bet the ones with grub took the hill trail. But we figured with the engines wearing war paint... That would have better luck if he stayed away from scheming. You're all right, stranger. And I'm going to take pleasure in telling him so. It's going to be worth my job, but it'll be a downright pleasure just the same. Very well. On your way. Come on, fellas. Better get rid of them supplies he's got as fast as he can. Or he's going to be bust flat in a pancake. Get up, get up there. Come on, get up. All right. Keep on the town with those wagons. Roy! Come on, silverware. When Jake reported to his employer, Bat was unable to control his temper. He stood at the door of the barn which contained the supplies he had bought and pointed inside. Look at there. Just about every dollar in cash I had tied up in that stuff. Because you fools didn't look down the right trail, I'm likely to go bust. Shucks. We just looked where you told us to. Seems mighty funny to you, don't it? Well, no funnier than it did to you when you figured you was going to get rich because the town folks was going to be hungry. If I thought there was a chance to hit them off on the other trail... Then you'll have to hit them off yourself. Why, you dumb idiot, that mass fellow was wise to you from the first. He knew doggone well that you'd try to stop the grub from getting here. And now if it don't, then there ain't nobody but you going to get the blame. It could be done in such a way so as nothing could be proved. Yeah, well try hollering for proof with your Adam's apple getting cramped by a piece of hemp. It don't work so well from what I've heard. The wagons can't be in town yet? Maybe not. And the folks in town don't know for sure whether them wagons are coming or not. All they had was the mass fellow say so. I hope you ain't scheming something new. You'll be losing your ranch along with your cash. All I'm figuring is to sell. What same as what you figured in the first place? Get the boys together. Get them supplies loaded up. I'm taking them back to town and selling for anything I can get. If I wait till that other grub shows up, maybe I won't get nothing. These supplies were loaded according to Batson's instructions and taken back to town. That went with them himself and when he arrived in western flats went directly to the cafe where most of the townspeople had gathered. He paused for a moment at the door looking toward the hills, saw a wagon train beeping toward the town. Come along, Jake. I'm coming. I wouldn't miss this for anything. Hank, here's Ritz. Hello, Bert. Howdy, Bert. Well, what do you want? Look, fellas, I have decided to be fair about this whole thing. What are you talking about? Well, it's like this. I've been thinking it over and I've decided maybe it was kind of a shabby trick I was trying to play on you. You can bet it was that all right. You changed your mind? I have, gents. That's just what I've done. I'll let you have back all them supplies for just what I paid you for them. Say, you mean that? Of course I do. What in blazes come over you all of a sudden? Get to talking to the sky pilot? No, no. I just figured things out for myself. With a little help from a Max, fellas. Take your shut up. Look, fellas, let's get this settled right away, huh? You give me your notes for the cash. What about the stuff you bought from Miss Jones? She ain't here. I'll see her too, but let's hurry, huh? Well, I just soon get back in business again. I've had to shut up shop since you bought me out. Me too. Now, let me see. You want us to give you just what you gave us, huh? That's right. How's that sound to you? Where's Ray? Fair enough, I should say, Hank. Mm-hmm. Well, then I... Don't buy it. Put them there. What the... Don't buy him his terms. He tried to cheat you. The law can't punish him. But he'd be fittingly punished if he were to take a loss. Now, wait. Strange you, we got to have supplies. We can do business without them. And folks are beginning to run low on stuff already. Then I think a fair price for what bad has would be half what he paid you. I won't sell for that. Suit yourself. You fellas are giving me what I paid, won't you? You ain't got to try and cheat me, are you? You'd just be fitting if he was cheated. Well, if the trouble is, we got to have them supplies, even worse, and you got to have the cash. Just so. So if you don't meet me halfway... They won't. But I tell you, mister... Hey, Ezra. He's bluffing. He refuses to sell for a half. Tell him you'll wait a half an hour before making up your minds. Well, we got to get together in this right away. I ain't waiting. Say that. What's making you so all-fired anxious all of a sudden to deal on the spot? I just want to get it over with. That's all I... I got work to do back in my ranch. It wouldn't be because the Mask Fellow was right after all, would it? Hmm? Right about what? About other supplies coming to town the day or so. Is that what you're feared of? Are you figuring you'd better sell before them supplies get here or you won't sell at all? No, it ain't so, I tell you. By golly, I'll bet it is so. I never seen the violence who anxious to deal fair and square before. You have your choice, Bat. Except the terms I mentioned? Or none. Well, the Mask Man says is good enough for me. Bat, which is it? I don't know. Hurry. I think I hear some wagons outside. Huh? Wagons? By golly, that's so. And you, let's go outside and see what's coming. No, no, wait. I'll sell. Just give me half. That's all I ask. I'll sell for half. No, if that grubs out there, I don't reckon we care to buy from you at any price. Wait, please. I reckon we'll wait. Wait. There's no use carrying this too far. Buy at that price. You can't lose. And it'll help save Bat something. And still, he'll be suitably punished. Please, fellas, please. Well, uh... I don't know. You got it, fellas. You just got to. You think we should, Mask Man? Take my word for it. I know you should. Then, Bat, as far as I'm concerned, it's a deal. And you as well? Same goes for me. Here comes the sheriff. He can witness this. The deal will also apply to what was purchased from Mrs. Jones. I'll look here, Stranger. Oh, wait, Sheriff. These men are making a bargain and want you for a witness. Bat is selling all he bought for half what he paid. I'll ask you questions later, Stranger. Is this the truth, Bat? Yeah, it's all set. They can't back out now. Look, we don't aim to. There's a red skin. The young fella from the wagon train is with him. Tell them. We get here all right. Where'd you come from, engine? We come with wagons outside. Them are wagons from the immigrant train I'm with, Sheriff. I was here a couple of days ago to get grubbed if you'll wreck legs. You came with them wagons that drove up just now? We sure are. Why? That if he was here trying to buy grub a couple of days ago, how come you're in a position where he can be bringing grubbed to town now? Well, who said I was? I'm afraid you misunderstood, Bat. No one told you the wagons would bring supplies. You were told wagons would arrive, not at the same time there would be food to be bought at a fair price. Both things are true. But I was... Wagons came by both trails, but both groups of wagons were empty. Well, I'll be doggone. Then if we stopped the wagons on the hill trail, we'd have found them empty, too. Right. And there ain't no other supplies coming here? Not that I know of. Sheriff, it ain't fair. I'm calling that deal off. I ain't selling nothing back for half price. You made a bargain and I witnessed it. You either keep that bargain or set in jail. Yes, sir. The Mask Fellows fixed it, so we made a profit on the whole thing. You ever hear of the like? And I brought these wagons from the immigrant trains so I could take back grub. Of course, I don't expect you to fill all them wagons. Just a couple is enough. The rest was the mask man's idea. He skimmed the whole thing? Yes, sir. Sent the engine to where we're camped and had the Redskins get us to help. And that's all there's to it. Now, I sure would like to ask that fellow some questions, only maybe not the same ones I would ask when I seen that mask of his first. Well, Sheriff, he's on his way, so you ain't going to ask him nothing. But what do you have in mind? It's just one thing. I wanted to ask him if he ain't the Lone Ranger. I don't see him. Sailor Rollboy, this adventure on the trail ahead. I don't see him. 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