 The fiery horse with the speed of light, a clot of dust, and a hearty hyosilver, the lone ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful mast 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. Out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse, Silver. The lone ranger rides again. It was late afternoon, and the cafe was crowded when the young cowboy walked in. He was a stranger, and as the bartender served him, he asked the usual questions. Well, you're just passing through where you aimed to stay while in the valley. Depends. You know of anybody who needs a top hand? Well, not right off, but there's some hombres just that bought the hanging rock spread dough. He'll be needing some men. What's his name? Well, I can't say's I've heard it. I'm not sure he's taken over yet. You might have to wait around for a little. Time's something I got plenty of. I could camp outside of town. You broke? It's medium. The hanging rock. It's a funny brand. Spreads at the end of the valley right under the cliff. It's a big rock up at the top. Make it easy to find. Sure. Say I was noticing as I rode into town. In the looks of its office building, your protective association must be mighty prosperous. Everybody in the valley belongs. Big hombres standing out in front. Black moustache, black eyes, either head man. Yeah, name of McCammer. Well, that's pretty close. It's Macklin. Whatever he's called himself, I used to know him. If you're handy with your guns, he might give you a job. I'm handy, but no thanks. I don't like the way some protective associations are run. Better keep your likes and your dislikes to yourself, Bob. Somebody talking in my direction, Barkeep? That's Slim Allen. He works for the association. Well, as I was saying to you, there's some protective associations that work an ornery deal. For ranch you don't want to belong, the association riders just put on some masks and rustle his cattle to prove he needs protection. You better get out of this valley fast. You figure on making me, Mr. Slim Allen? I guess you don't. You better be careful, sir. I will be. But I'm sticking around, too, till I see what the hanging rock has to offer. Adios. Dusk was falling as Slim Allen and Mel Sutter rode out of town. Mel was the chief deputy of the association. He was big and tough. His eyes were cold and a reddish stubble covered his outthrust chin. The two men topped a rise and saw a campfire near a small woods. The young cowboy was bending over it. Swiftly they raced toward him. They pulled their mounts to a stop and dismounted. When the cowboy rose and turned to meet them, he found that he was staring into the muzzle of Mel's gun. What's the idea? You move an eye, mister. You get him out of the valley tonight. It is gunswim. Right. Let's go. Mel's powerful right cracked into the young cowboy's jaw and he staggered back. He ducked a left from Slim and lashed off with his own. Then he moved a step so his back would be against a tree. Both Mel and Slim moved in. The cowboy fought well and for a moment he held his own. But the odds were too great and he was forced to the defensive. Slim concentrated his attack on the body and made him lower his guard. Mel's fists were finding their mark again and again. The cowboy's left eye, his nose, an ugly cut opened at the side of his mouth. The younger man was weakening. It was impossible to stand such punishment for long. There's another, mister. They're seeing Jew on your way. You don't get out of here tonight. You'll be tasting hot lid tomorrow. Hey Mel, a couple of riders coming this way. All right, we'll get out of here. He's done for. Mangy coyotes. An idiot. They're badly beaten up, Tutto. Just lie back and take it easy. That's all I can do. Who were those men? What was the fight about? Man, you're wrong. Coyotes. Who were they? Valley Protective Association. Seems I'm not wanted here. Tough hombres. Two against one. When a real outlaw comes along, they're high-tailed. They couldn't have seen my mask. As it happens, I'm not an outlaw. But that doesn't matter. Don't matter to me. That's for sure. Maybe this thing's something. It's fixed up hard plenty fast. Yeah, the doctor and you can go to it. Why does the association want you to leave the valley? Because I hurt their feelings. I said some outfits like theirs rustled cows from the ranges who wouldn't join up. Oh, easy fire, easy. I guess they thought it was their own private idea. You had no real reason for saying what you did? Just one. I met up with their boss before. Macklin has no criminal record. He only calls himself Macklin. Used to be McCammer. Mike McCammer and his wife Jane. Two of a kind. Crooked gambling and shady deals are specialty. And now he's on the side of the law. That makes me laugh. It only sting little while. It's all right. But Macklin can't make me leave the valley now. If I can get a job with a hanging rock outfit, I'm staying on. And I just hope whoever owns it doesn't join the association. The man who bought it doesn't intend to. Good. There'll be a fight and I'll be in it. Hey, Masked Man, you know the boss of the hanging rock? Yes, I do. He arrived this afternoon. Did he bring a crew with him? Is there any chance for me? I think so. There are a couple of men who've been taking care of the cattle, but you'll need more. What's his name? Tom Donaldson. Oh, I'm gonna... Who did you say? Well, his name is Tom Donaldson. How long have you known Tom Donaldson? Oh, about three years. That ties in, doesn't it? Ties in with what? Do you know him? I'm not sure, but I've got to find out. Thanks, Indian. I'm all right now. Ah, better you lie still. No. I've got to ride out to the hanging rock tonight. The job will be there in the morning? Job. There won't be any job for me with that outfit. Not of a... Well, if you just don't mind, I'm gonna settle my coyose and meander on my way. It took the cowboy half an hour to reach the hanging rock spread. His jaw set, he climbed the steps, crossed the porch and knocked on the door. Howdy. Howdy. What's that? I guess a light must be bad if you don't recognize me. Sure is. Come on inside. You'll be sorry for that invitation. Now then. Who are you? What do you want, young fella? Oh, no. You can't get away with that. You know me and you know what I want. I used to swear that if I ever laid hands on you, I'd choke you within an inch of your life. Me? You! But Pa was a kind man. He didn't like me to talk that way or feel that way. He couldn't even harbor a grudge against the brother who robbed and made him lose his ranch and end his days of bankrupt. I stole from my brother. It's only been three years. You couldn't have forgotten so soon. My boy, let me explain. Explain? What's it explain? You sold the trail herd and you disappeared with the money. You thought you'd never be found, but every crook gets caught up with sooner or later. And your time is right now. Oh, don't. Put your gun back, son. I could turn you over to the sheriff. But Pa wouldn't like me to do that to his brother. Just hand over the money and I'll be on my way. $30,000. I don't have $30,000. You're either going to pay up or I'm going to... You're covering. Stop your gun and raise your hand. Is that the masked man behind me? Yes. Yes, the masked man in the Indian. I should have figured they'd follow me. Evidently, he's my nephew. Evidently. The name is Bill in case you've forgotten that too. He says I stole $30,000 from my brother three years ago. He says I sold a trail herd and disappeared with the money. You know you're not a thief, Tom. How can I be sure of anything? Well, it's perfectly clear to me now. Bill, you can lower your hands. Sit down. I'm going straight to the sheriff. Bill, sit down and listen. That's better. Now, three years ago, Toto and I found your uncle lying to the side of the trail near Eagle Pass. He'd been wounded twice sometime before, once in the head and once in the chest. The wounds had closed, but they had become infected, and he had a high fever when we found him. He nearly died. Are you trying to tell me that he'd been shot and robbed? I believe that's what happened. Then why didn't he come home after he got well? He didn't know where his home was. When I woke up in the masked man's camp, I couldn't remember anything in my past. People, places where I came from, what had happened to me, nothing. You knew your name. That was stamped on his saddlebag. But I wasn't sure that the saddle belonged to me. You couldn't remember anything? No, Bill. And your memory hasn't come back at all since? No, no. You're my first link with the past. I believe what you told me. I want to believe it. You understand that, don't you? Now, I'll try to pay back the money that was stolen. There's a mortgage on this ranch, but I'll sign my interest over to you. That'll take care of part of it. You don't owe me anything, Uncle Tom. Oh, yes, I do. You've given me back my identity. You've called me Uncle Tom. You've made me a real person again. If there's anything I can do, Bill... How about giving me a job? A job? You'd stay here? If you'll have me. Oh, I sure will. From now on, boy, this is your home. It sounds good to me. Bill, how far was your old home from Eagle Pass? About a hundred miles to the east in Warm Valley. Tom could have traveled a hundred miles after he was shot. He might have been held up very close to Warm Valley. Yeah? Did many people know that he was coming back with $30,000? I guess so. And when he didn't come back, was there anyone who suddenly seemed to have a lot of money? Three years is a long time. There was McCammer. He put over one of his deals about that time. McCammer? The man who's known here is Macklin? Same. Say, if you're thinking... Give us a copy. Somebody right way. There he goes, over the rise. That gray horse belonged to Macklin. But Macklin had been watching us just now through one of the windows. Ah, but you may not see him. It's possible, Toto. From now on, you and I had better keep watch on him. All right, let's go. 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 to continue our story. Mike McCammer, the head of the Protective Association, and known in the valley as Macklin, spurred his horse back toward town. His mount was lathered and winded by the time he rained up in front of the big white house where he lived. Right here, Mike. I've been waiting. Well? It's him. I'm back from the dead. I shot him twice that night three years ago. I saw him fall into the ravine. He called me by name and I shot him. You never could shoot straight. I can't believe it, but I saw him through the window just now. And not only him, I saw Peach Boy with him, young Bill. Could he have been the cowboy Mel beat up tonight? Yeah, his face was all marked up. Well, what are you going to do about them? If Tom sees me, he'll go to the sheriff and I'll go to jail. Are you going to let that happen? I'll lose everything. All right, then listen to me. This is what you're going to do. I can't kill him in cold blood. Listen, tomorrow morning you'll tell Mel and the others that before you even ask Donaldson to join the association, you want a few of his cows run off. Yeah. Tomorrow night, you'll go with him. I don't like that part of it. You must. It's you that must shoot Tom Donaldson. And Bill, Tom must have told him. Mel will be glad to take that chore over. Just get rid of him. But if anything goes wrong, if we can't get away. Then there's another way. What? You leave the details to me. It's got to be fast. He only has to see me. It's fast. Haven't you ever thought it was a mistake to build that ranch house directly under hanging rock? Someday, Mike, some night, that rock is going to fall. The following night, the lone ranger urged the great horse, Silver, to his best speed. They raced across the moonlit range land to the west, their destination, the hanging rock. And when the ranch house was reached, the ranch plan was out of the saddle and running as Silver slid to a stop. Um, watch out. Where's your saddle? Right there. Bring it. We're riding. Where? Out to the herd. Who's with the cattle? Bill. We'll pick up Toby and Dick at the bunkhouse on the way. All right, come on, Silver. Is there no one to be troubled? Looks like it. Other than I followed Macklin out of town. He met some of these men in the woods at the creek. Are they coming this way? They hadn't started when I left. I was watching them. They had to be prepared. Oh, which horse do you want to ride? The black. I have my lariat right here. I'll catch him for you. Any? You said prepared. There's nothing much to do but wait, is there? Yes. Macklin has about a dozen men. Easy. Me, Toby and Dick, four of us. I don't know how I'll be with you. Six. Two to one odds. Are you going to even them? How? By driving the cattle into the box canyon where the spring is. And all the six of us will have to do is protect the opening of the canyon. There's plenty of cover. Ready? Yep. All right, I'll open the gate. Sounds like a good plan. Should work. Get it. Of course, there's a possibility Macklin and these men aren't coming out here at all, but I... They wouldn't be meeting outside of town if they weren't up to sound this year. Exactly. If this is it, we'll be ready for them. Easy, big fella. Tom Donaldson's herd was driven into the box canyon during the next 20 minutes. The horses were left in the canyon as well. And the lone ranger, Tom, Bill, and the other two cowboys took up their positions at the opening. It was then they saw Tatl riding toward them. What do you figure he's got to tell us, mass man? That they're coming. You work plenty fast. Yes, we're ready, Tatl. Now, then come through, draw soon now. You better take Scout into the canyon. Ah, Catl, do that. In less than five minutes, Macklin's men swept out of the wooded draw. They reigned up when they could see no sign of Catl on the open range, and then they started forward again, more slowly. The lone ranger could see the man in the lead pointing to the opening of the canyon. That's Macklin. Heading this way. Yes. I think they'll make a fight of it. They may. Just to convince me I need protection before they ask me to pay for it. Give them a warning. The lone ranger's shot brought the forward movement of Macklin's party to a halt. A moment later, the association men dismounted, took cover and opened fire on the guardians of the canyon entrance. We got better cover than they have. They'll soon realize it. But Macklin's men showed no intention of giving up, and the gunfight continued for five, 10, 15 minutes. Then? Tatl, that man over at the ride has been wounded. They won't let anyone get near him. Maybe we take him prisoner. Yes, they've all had about enough. Well, they've had enough, all right. They're starting for their horses. Ah, them live men on ground. There they go. We'll take care of the wounded man, Tatl. You follow Macklin wherever he goes. Tatl, do that. Get him up. Come. The lone ranger and the hanging rock crew watched Macklin and his men disappear into the draw. Then they mounted and rode to the side of the wounded man. It was Mel's son. The ombre that beat me up. Yes, Macklin's lieutenant. Is he dead? Oh, just unconscious. Bill, you and Toby and Dick are better stay with the cattle. Sure. We'll take Sutter to the ranch house, Tom. Right. Tomorrow, we'll turn him over to the sheriff. Then the law will have to give us some action. It'd be the end of the association if he ever came to trial. We'll have to make sure that he does. I can't understand it. Why they left him behind? They didn't have any choice. Tatl and the masked man wouldn't let any of the others get close to him. But Macklin will realize that with Mel, Sutter, a prisoner, he's in a dangerous position. Have to be on our guard from now until morning. Two hours later in the living room of the ranch house, the low ranger and Tom Donaldson watched Mel slowly open his eyes. That's right. So those coyotes left me to die. You mean Macklin and the others who worked for the association? A masked man. You were wearing a mask tonight yourself. I got nothing to say. Listen. Three shots. How do signal it means trouble? It doesn't sound very close. Or above. He might be at the top of the cliff. Let's see. There's a warning from Silver. Do you think maybe Macklin's up there? We'll see. Oh, what? An explosion. Mask man, the hanging rock. Look, it's moving. Get clear of the house. I'm going back for Sutter. As the lone ranger ran back into the house, the great boulder at the top of the cliff started to fall. Tom watched it in terror as he ran. In a matter of seconds, it would be crashing down the steep slope, and the ranch house was directly below it. Tom reached a safe distance. The boulder was on its way now, gouging out tons of gravel as it fell. The roar of the landslide was deafening. Tom rested his eyes from the terrible sight and watched for the lone ranger to reappear in the doorway of the ranch house. He shouldn't have gone back. He'll never get back in time. But at that moment, he saw the tall figure of the lone ranger. He was carrying metal. He glanced swiftly upward, and then started to run toward Tom. Chance, just a chance. Another ten feet. The landslide wore down to the ground, a great pile of dust playing toward the sky, and then miraculously, the lone ranger emerged from it to place Belle Sutter on the ground beside Tom. You saw that coming. I think you came back to get me. We wanted to make sure you got to jail safely. Who did it? Who blasted that rock? I suspect your boss. He must have known I was in there. He wanted to kill me, so I wouldn't talk. No, no, Mal. It wasn't you that he was trying to kill. Me, you mean? Yes, Tom. He was trying to finish the job. He started three years ago. Here comes Tonto. Now we won't have to guess about what happened. You all right? Yes, Tonto. Not pretty good, Tonto friend. We got your signal in time. May follow Macklin from town. Wife ride with him. Then go uphill, trail to top a cliff. Stop by Big Rock. May not close, not see what them do, till last minute. Then may fire shots. Macklin and his wife set a charge of blasting powder up there. Ah, may plenty glad juice safe. Where are they now, Tonto? Them come down hill trails. We go after them? Oh, they'll come here to find out how well their plan succeeded. I have a better idea. Tom, this concerns you. I know you don't remember. When Jane and Mike Macklin reached the bottom of the hill trail, they turned their horses toward the buried ranch house. Oh, the rotten look. What's the matter, Mike? Either he wasn't inside the house or he got out in time. That's Tom Dunlison standing by the corral. Stop, Jane. No, no. This is our last chance to finish him off. If you won't do it, I will. Who's there? Friends. If he isn't going for his gun. He hasn't got a gun. Good. Who, who, who is it? Why, don't you remember us, Tom? Jane McCammer and Mike. Yeah. Then a long time. You were the ones who plastered that rock. Shut up. There's no harm in admitting it, Mike. Just keep him covered. Not yet. I want to find out something first. Where's your nephew, Tom? Is the end of that rubble? This is the second time you've tried to kill me. Well, we'll have better luck with the third. Now, where's your nephew? You may get me, but you'll never get him. He knows what happened three years ago. He knows you stole my money. You'll pay for what you've done. I'll shut you up first and I'll get him. Go ahead and shoot straight this time. As Mike started to squeeze the trigger, a shot rang out from the pile of rubble that had once been a house. Mike clutched his arm and his gun dropped to the ground. The lone ranger ran toward him. Quick, Tom, get his gun. I've got it. I've got a rifle here. No, you don't. You won't need this while you're going. If it's true, they're the ones who tried to kill me three years ago. Tom and I heard what they said. But you can't prove anything. Don't say a word, Mike. There's time to testify against you. There's a wounded man lying over there in the shadows who determined to send you to jail for the rest of your lives. You met an enemy of your chief deputy, Mike. Well, you hang up my way about it. Keep them covered, Tom. I'll go and get Bill. Here, Silver. Bill can stay with Mel. We take these two into the sheriff. Sure thing. Yes, you two headed for jail, all right. You thought you were mighty smart, Mike, but this time you tangled with an hombre who can outsmart any of your kind. Who is he? Who is that masked man? Lady, he's the Lone Ranger. This is a product of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created and produced by George W. Trenville, directed by Charles D. Livingston, and edited by Fran Stryker. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer.