 fiery horse for the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty hyal silver, the Lone Ranger. Whenever men gathered around the campfire on the early days of the western United States, stories were told of the masked rider of the plains. Astride his great horse silver, he rode through the new territory in the cause of justice. No man was ever known to beat him to the draw, and no man could match his courage and resourcefulness. And I'll return with us to thrilling days when the west was young and adventure lay at the end of every trail. The Lone Ranger rides again. As our story opens, Sheriff Hawkins is tacking a notice on the wall of the cafe in roaring gas. The men of the town crowd around him. What's it say? Is it a reward notice? Wanted, dead or alive, Red Barber. Red Barber, $1,000 for him. $1,000. That's a big reward. It's worth every dime of it to get Red Barber. Who is he, Sheriff? What's he done? Ask me what he ain't done, and I can tell you quicker. Horse stealing, murder, stage robbing, rustling, swindling, kidnapping. There ain't a crime in the book he ain't been accused of. Land-sakes. He's a two-gun man, and pysin' fast with either hand. He ain't a fear to man or beast, and he can lick his weight in wildcats. Ain't he got no partners, Sheriff? Nairia won. He plays a lone wolf game that umbra does. Where was he seen last, Sheriff? Clem Purdy claims he's seen him over to Calabash. Luke Sewell thinks he's the one that busted open the safe in the express office over to Big Ben. Safe buster, too, eh? I told you, they ain't nothing. He won't turn his hand to. I can't figure what he does with all he's stealing. Maybe he don't do nothing with it. What do you mean? Well, maybe he's one of these fellows that steals for the love of stealing, and for being known as the West Dombrie in the state. West in the state, my eye. He's the West in the whole dog-gone world, including India. Ah, here comes that old tightwad, Evan Lawler. Sheriff! Sheriff! What's on your mind, Ebenezer? What's all this here I hear about Red Barber being around these parts? Well, what'd you hear? Epi Watts will come into my store tonight just as I was closing shop, and she tells me about you making mention of Red Barber. Well, we ain't sure he's around here. A reward notice about him just come in, that's all. Epi, she got the idea it was Red Barber himself come on the stage. There was some mysterious act from Stranger on it. Epi Wadsworth never did get things straight. But this year, Stranger! I've seen the Stranger come into town myself. There's nothing mysterious about him, nothing at all. He talks like an Easterner, don't have much to say. And he ain't been seen around here before. But that don't make him mysterious, and don't make him Red Barber, not by a darn son. Eh, I just hope Barber don't get the idea robbing my store. If he's heard about it, he might try and rob it. It'd serve your right, if he did, your stingy old weasel. What do you mean, speaking to me like that? Ebenezer Lawyer, you're the stingiest coyote I ever know. I ain't got a right to be, ain't I? I ain't kissing a kin in the world to take care of me after I'm old and feeble. And I got to lay aside my money to keep me in my old age. Well, you're doing that same right enough. Half-sarving your clerk, Billy Lampson, to do it. I pay Lampson for what he does. How much? That's my business and his. Sure, sure it is. And it's my business what I think of you. Now, get out of here and leave us be. All right. But if I'm robbed, Sheriff, I don't remember what you said. Get. Good for you, Sheriff. Give the blame coyote just what he deserves. He's headed coming to him right now. He sure did. Now, boys, here's the reward notice. There's the description of Red Barber. Them of yous can't read it and get someone else to read it for you. Fetch him in dead or alive. And I'll see you get your share of the reward money. May I have a look at that picture? Oh, sure. Sure thing, stranger. Step right up. Thank you. Say, ain't you the fella that arrived on the afternoon stage? Yes, I am. And you're the fella that Beniza was all head up about. Mysterious acting. Do you see anything mysterious about me? Shucks, no. Red Barbara. Yep. Ain't say around town, stranger. Perhaps for a time. Well, you will find this a downright congenial town and one that's easy to get along in till you bust the law. I don't mind, don't celebrations on Saturday. I don't mind if the boys sling guns in the air once in a while. But just don't you steal. Don't try to hurt no one. Don't cheat at cards and don't be a foreflusher. And you'll get along all right. Thank you, sir. That's good advice. Sheriff, you were speaking of Bill Lampson that works for Ebenezer Lawler. Yeah. Ain't Bill got an alien wife? That's what he has. Poor gal's downright sick and needin' doctor and bad. Should get taken to the coast where she can get some real doctor. Well, I was thinkin' remember we ought to do something for Lampson. He's done hard workin' and awful young. Ain't more than 20 of their bounce. So blame Stive. You don't look more than 18. Ain't no wonder the way that honorary coyote Ebenezer keeps him workin' from sun up till late at night for hardly enough to buy vitals. That's so. Mark my words, boys. Billy's goin' to rebello some one of these days. That's what he's goin' to do. How do you mean, Sheriff? No man can stand seen his wife hain' so, not havin' the cash to do nothin' about it. Well, I'd help him if I could. Look, Sheriff, maybe between us we could get the money scraped up. No, it wouldn't do. Why not? I know that boy. Trouble with Lampson is, he's too blame-proud. He wouldn't take our help. That's right. And I try to make him borrow some cash from me. He wouldn't take a dime. Only thing we can do is to try and make old Ebenezer pay him more. Now, if we could only shame old cat into doin' it, why... Fat chance of that. Hey, where's that stranger? I wanted to talk to him. He just went outside. Oh, drat it, and I didn't even get his name. So I hope to learn more about Red Barber. What you'll find out. Nothing just yet. The reward notice is posted. Notice? Got bullet hole? No, Taddo. There's other reward notices. He's shot full of holes, so he's not far from here, though. That's right. I learned something else in the cafe, Taddo. What? That? It's about a man who needs help. Come on. We're going to a small cottage over yonder to see a fellow by the name of Lampson. His wife isn't well. What? Matter? He's struggling hard to support his wife. I want to see what he's like. We'll lead our horses. He doesn't live far. What we do for him? I don't know yet, Taddo. But if he's all I heard he is, I want to find a way to help him. We'll have a look inside his home. There now, honey. Try to stop coughing. Billy, you saw that there's coughing? Here, take a drink of water, Nancy. Drink it, honey. It might help you, Sean. I'm past that coughing spell now. How was you today while I was working? I wasn't bad, Billy, honest. I didn't cough much. Oh, Billy, I wish there wasn't such a hindrance to you. Don't say that, Nancy. You ain't no trouble to me, honey. You're all I got in the world. You have to work so hard and do all the cooking and cleaning to boot and doctor me, and I just lie here. I can't help a bit. If only I could get well. You'll get well soon, Nancy. You will. Don't try to tell me that, Billy. I know better. Please don't try to lie to me that way. I know the truth now. I heard what the doctor told you. Oh, Nancy. He told you that I wouldn't live six months less than I got away from here. He said you ought to send me to the coast to a good doctor. He gave you the name off. But, honey, that's what I'm going to do. Oh, Billy. I can't let you die. You know that. You're going to the coast. And what's more, you're going on the morning stage. Billy, please, dear. Don't say things like that. I know you can't do it. It's not possible. You don't have to lie to me. But I got it arranged. It's all arranged, Nan. And I'm going with you. The stage comes through at daybreak, and you and me will be on it. Oh, Billy, you're serious. Of course I am. But how can we do it? If it's cash, you won't even... No, it is. You ain't been able to save a thing out on what Mr. Lawler pays you. Maybe not, but I got the cash. Billy. I have. $500 cash money. I got it all. But where'd you get it? Now, don't you worry your head about that, honey. You just remember you ain't to worry about nothing at all. I got the money, and we're leaving in the morning for the coast. No, we ain't, Billy. What do you mean? You got that money one or two ways, Billy. Either borrowed it or... Or you stole it. I borrowed it. But you ain't to mind that, honey. Just remember you're going to get well. Billy, if you borrowed the money without no way of paying it back, it's the same as dealing. But, honey... It's mortgage in your life for mine, Billy, and I ain't going to let you do it. But Nancy... I'm going to lose my life and... and I have it saved by stolen money. Nancy, honey, you've got to think of me, too. You're everything in the world to me. As long as I have you, I... I got something to keep me going. But if... If I was to lose you, I reckon I'd die my own self. Oh, Billy... Honey, here. Here, drink this water. Oh, Lord, I wish I was something I could do for you. Oh, here. Yes. Must get away from the window. We must find a way to help that young couple. Come on, sober. Must be something that can't be done to help them. That girl, plenty sick. The doctor's right. She can't live long in this climate. Tell her, say, him got money. Yes, Tutto. I wonder... You think maybe him robbed Storm? I'm afraid so, Tutto. His love for his wife may have forced him to steal. What we do now? I want to think. There must be some way. We look for Red Barber now. No, Tutto. We'll abandon her hunt for him for a while and see if any... Tutto! Look, Yonder. A horseman. He was on the other side of the cottage. What him there for? Too dark to tell. He must have heard what we did. I will follow him. He might turn lambson over to the law. Come on, Tutto. Get him up! I will shield him back! The lone ranger and Tutto followed the rider, but the night was dark and when they lost his trail, it was impossible to pick it up again. It's no use, Tutto. He's gotten away from us. They spent enough time hunting for him. Him got plenty fast horse. He must know the trails around here mighty well, too. Maybe we find crack when daylight comes. It's our only chance of locating him. And that's a slim chance. This hard ground isn't likely to show tracks. Wait! Hold it, Tutto. Hold it, Silver. Hold it. You're here. A horse. Maybe that him. If it is, he's coming back. That horse is heading this way. Not right. Wait. What is it, Tutto? That same horse. There it comes. Now you see? Yes, and the girl's on the saddle now. Come on, Silver. Wait! I want to speak to you. Let go of her, Tutto. Hold that. Hold that. Hold that. Just a minute, please. Hold that. Don't be afraid, young lady. I'm not going to rob you. Just let me ask you a couple of questions. No, no, I can't. I can't talk to nobody. That was part of my bargain. I want... We want to speak to you about the horse. No, no, no. Where that color now? I don't know. Don't be afraid of my mask. I want to find the man who gave you that horse. And I want you to tell me why he gave it to you. He just said he wouldn't be needing it no more after night. That's strange. It's plenty strange. What's that paper in your hand? That's just... It looks to me like one of the notices telling him the reward for the capture red barber. Yeah. There's something written on the back of it. Oh, please, stranger. He, the fellow that... The fellow that gave me this and told me to take it to the sheriff and keep this horse for my own. He said I forgot to the sheriff before 10 o'clock. He'd make me sorry for it. Do you know what this says? No, Mr. I can't read. That man just scrawled it on there with a hunk of pencil and told me to get it to the sheriff. But not before 10 o'clock. Very well. You might take it home. But first we'll see what it says. Before the next act of our Lone Ranger drama, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. After he had read the strange message written by the man who had disappeared into the night, the Lone Ranger sent the girl to town where she delivered the note to the sheriff at the cafe. Hey fellas, listen here. Quiet down, won't you? I got some important information. What you got, sheriff? Put you in that dirt paper, sheriff. Listen, you mavericks. We've got to get some riding. An action of plenty. Before this year night's over. What's it all about? And it's in on it, sheriff. My gun's unlimbered right now. When do we start? Sure, man, too. Calm down, calm down. Boys, I learned us how Red Barber's right here in town. He's here and I know where to capture that coyote. Count me in on it. So I'm with you. Let's straddle horses and get going. Sure. Now, first off, where's that girl gone? You didn't say you did. What was said to you when he was giving this year a paper? I was told to fetch it to you, but not at four, ten o'clock. It ain't ten yet. It ain't. It's only half past nine, girl. How come you showed up with it before you were supposed to? I can't tell Tom, sheriff. Boys, we can catch Red Barber as he robs Ebenezer Lawler's store. He's aiming to rob it and we'll get him red-handed. Come on, let's get to moving. All right, boys, let's go. My horse is outside. Get the reward. Can't take chances with Red Barber. Shoot him on the side. $1,000 reward. Remember, boys, get him dead or alive. We'll get him dead or alive. We'll get him dead or alive. Geron Tonto had already arrived at Lawler's store. They opened the door softly and found Red Barber crouching before the safe. Take it easy, Barber. You'll cover it. No. Silly, she got caught on you. Who are you? How'd you know I was here? We met the girl he gave that note to. First time in my life I ever done anything worthwhile and it's got to be spoiled. Why did you send that message to the sheriff? Tain any of your business. You, Lawman, are clean. We're not, Lawman. Just my luck. I suppose you'll come here to clean out the safe yourself then. We came here to see you. You ain't Lawman then? No. Now look, there ain't nothing in this safe at all. You can come and see for yourself. Where did you put the money? That's for you and the law to find out, savvy. Wasn't the safe already, Rod, when you came here? Go on, you try to find out. I ain't got nothing to say. You wanted the sheriff to come here and catch you, didn't you? No, I don't hang it a swing by the neck. That's what you'll do if you're caught. Don't I know that? You wanted the sheriff to come here, find that safe was empty, and blame you for the robbery. All right, if you know so much, there ain't nothing for me to say. Why did you do it, Ren? Can't a man do one decent thing before he gets strung up? Look here, mister, you got my hands down, I'll admit that. You'll get the reward for capturing me. A thousand dollars. That's a lot of money. But will you do me one favor? What do you want me to do? I'm done for, I can savvy that. But I want to be the one that's blamed for robbing this safe. You heard what was said in Bill Lampson's home, didn't you? How'd you know? I heard it too. You did? Yes. All right then. Look here, stranger, you talk like a good ombre. You know how bad Bill Lampson needs that cash. You know what it'll mean to him? Yes, I do, Ren. You know Ebenezer Lawler don't need it. He's got more money now that he can never spend. Perhaps it has. Then help me fix it so Bill Lampson can have the cash. It'll mean his wife can be saved. I'm willing to take the blame for it. I'm willing to hang for it if need be, though I didn't figure on that. Moment, come. They're coming now? It isn't 10 o'clock yet. They're coming too soon. But it don't matter. You got me anyhow. He ain't a chance for me to get away. Cut-o, bring up the horses. What are you going to do? You want to help Bill Lampson, Red? I sure enough do. We'll both help him. We'll see that he doesn't use stolen money to save his wife's life. But there ain't no way. There is a way. Arab men, pretty close. What are you going to do? Come on, you can ride my horse with me. There we go. You stay with us. Yep, come on, Barbara. Get aboard my horse. I don't know who you are, stranger, but I'm trusting you. Hey, get him up. Get him up, take him out. Come on, let's play. Grill him, shoot him. Get him at this distance. Just keep him in sight as long as you can. That white horse is easy to see. The lone ranger, Red, Barbara, and Tonto reach Lampson's house far ahead of the sheriff's posse. Where's the money you stole, Bill Lampson? Oh, well, it's true. Then they'd catch you. Speak up, Hugh. Where is it? It's right here. Believe me, mister. He was going to take it back to the store. He's seen it done wrong and taken it. He was just fixin' to take it back when you came in. It's a truth, mister. I was going to take it back. You can't take him away. No. No, Nancy. They catch me and I got to go. They won't believe what I say. We believe you. Maist, I didn't know we... Shut up. We need the time to waste and talk. You know me. No, I don't. I'm Red Barbara. And I'll take that cash. And remember, I'm the one stole it. Listen, Bill. There's $1,000 reward money for me. And you're the one captured me. I don't say that. Go on, stranger. You get out in here. Get out while you can. And thanks for letting me leave this world with one good thing to my credit. They're coming for you, Red. Then you get out, Pronto. There's no reason for you to get catched. Billy, I don't say this at all. What's it all about? Listen, kid. You need cash bad. Mighty bad. You're getting $1,000 reward for me. And it'll all be yours. You mean trade your life for $1,000? Yeah. And remember this, kid. You wouldn't have got the chance to do it if I hadn't stole and then most everything else a man can do. That's bad. Bill, he... But listen, Mr. I can't... Shut up and listen. There's one thing you can't do. You're coming mighty close to stealing. You see where it fetched me? Well, don't do it. Be quick. Take this gun and hold it on me. I'll keep this in. Yeah, but I don't... Never mind trying to savvy anything. Keep back again the wall there. We got your trust in there, Baba. Come on with your hands up. You won't get me alive. Come out or we'll come after you. Come on then. You keep back out in the line of fire now. Please, Mr. We... Quiet now. Come on if you think you're man enough. But I warn you, Chef. You better come in shotin'. This is your last chance, Baba. You won't leave that house alive if you don't turn around. Come on. Try to get me. You can't get me. I'll show you. I still got one gun left. Good shootin', boys. I hear that you don't... Yes, we got yours last, Red. Pick him up, boys. Toad him outside. Sorry, Lampson. We're doing this in your place. We figured he'd hide out here, the coyote. He was fixin' to drill us if we hadn't. Yeah, but you don't know us. Boys, here's the money he sold right here on the floor. Why did you do that? Get him outside, boys. I got him. Come on, Red. Sorry, Lampson. We won't bother you no more. I'll be right glad to see you get that reward. I'm on the ground for a second. For what, you ornery killer? I won't swing, Sheriff. Not me. I'm cashing in my chicks fast. Put him down, boys. Sheriff, look. Look at the gun I... I pointed at ya. Really? Take a look. Why? There ain't no cartridges in it. No cartridges? I didn't want to kill no more folks, sir. But I wanted you to shoot me, so... So as I couldn't swing. How come you give up cuteness a sudden? Sheriff is... Is Lampson gonna get the reward? Yes, Red. I reckon he is. Look, Sheriff, he... He needs it. Ain't no doubt about that. It's a slick chance for us to force cash on him in spite of his pride. Sure is. So many of us, it wouldn't be hardly nothing if it was divided between us. You're right, sir. Tell me, Sheriff, that... That you'll see Lampson get the reward. All right. I will. I'll see that he gets it. Sheriff, he... He don't know me. I don't reckon he'd ever seen me. Don't... Don't never tell him that his... That his... Paul was a... Croc. I get it. Barbara, you lived by the gun, but you're dying like a man. Now answer me one thing. Yeah? Who was the fellas with you at that store? Answer me, Red. Who was he? What's he look like? He... He was a... A short... Thor, you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.