 With action and suspense out of the Old West comes the most famous hero of them all hop along Cassidy starring William Boyd The ring of the silver spurs heros the most amazing man ever to ride the prairies of the early West Hop along Cassidy the same hoppy you cheer in motion pictures and the same California You've laughed at a million times raw courage and quick shooting of Delta legend around this famous hero Hop along is a name to be feared respected and admired for this great cowboy rides the trails of adventure and excitement William Boyd as hop along Cassidy and and declared as California Well hoppy what about our story several folks have asked me how I found so much adventure in those early days of the West The answer is there was always plenty for a man to do just minding his own business But sometimes trouble popped up when you least expected it Remember one time California night been riding across the hills under the burning Sun and suddenly we came on the prettiest little stream Shaded by some cottonwoods now if you weren't in any particular hurry What would you do in a case like that? Yeah, you guess it and that's just what California and I were doing All this feels good Nothing like a good swim to ease a man's bones when he's been riding alongs we have up here Yeah, come on. I'll give you a hand up this lick back. Yeah Hey, it's slicker now the word turn nation did we put our clothes now? We drifted downstream quite a ways. Oh, there they are hanging on that bush up there Up we go Here's your stuff hoppy in here. Well Well, I'll be whoring the swap. Well, you got there California looks like some low-down sneak and coyotes took off with my clothes and left his Well, if they fit you got the best of the bargain nice black Stetson black boots black string tie mighty fancy They seem to fit all right and My duds was getting stiff enough to walk off for themselves anyway, right? And that's what happened Look at what's in this pocket looks like a black mask to me and it's got fresh blood on it and hoppy you this colt it ain't mine and It's just been fired Or do you make of this hoppy looks pretty plain to me now and I don't like it. There's been a shooting maybe a killing You hear that hoppy I sure do well there they are if that ain't a posse hoppy then I'm a ring-tailed skunk Well, it's a posse. All right, and they're moving fast enough to be following a fresh trail and powerful anxious to meet up with a gent Wearing black clothes if I figure right well, we're waiting for her. Let's get a going on a tight spot, California But you'd be in a worse spot if you ran We've got to explain what really happened Yeah, and if they don't believe someone's rich clothes with me then what a way they're riding they mean business Here's what we'll do you stay and try to explain the posse hasn't decided yet Now slip around back of these cottonwoods if they don't believe you I'll make my play hurry They're starting around the riverband That's it hoppy And hoppy if they start dragging out a hemp neck stretcher don't worry, California. Don't worry Now back to hop along Cassidy and the killer in black Hoppy's pal, California is in real danger being found in those black clothes But hoppy insists that California try to explain his way out of it That's better than starting to run when he hasn't done anything wrong hoppy figures And anyway hoppy's standing by to see that his pal gets a fair chance I sure hate to plug you and so many's waiting to see your next stretch But don't you make no fancy moves on in a sheriff air I ain't the man you're looking for I know it looks awful funny Me dressed in this black suit, but funny about the way you killed old Bill Ryan Huh didn't never always agree with what he wrote in that weekly gazette, but no square editor ever set a stick of time Maybe so No in a way way way way wait a minute sheriff like I was telling you I was swimming in this year Crick and when I get out somebody had talked my clothes and left these I never shot nobody I you get your chance to tell that one in court, mr. But I'm a feared that jury will just die laughing I'll get up on that horse. No, no, just let me tell you sir of you. Yeah. Yeah, you've got to believe Next time I'm not shooting in front of your feet Don't know what you think you're doing back in them bushes stranger But you ain't getting away with this. I'm not doing bad. So far am I sure? California take up a collection of a shooting iron. So that's the name her Seems I've seen that face before too I've got it You're the California. That's a wrangler over at the bar 20. Well, you won't get away with this This is necessary sheriff start walking back to that beautiful over there all of you and don't look back When you get there turn your horses around and walk them back Your six shooters will be here waiting you're going to regret this mr. Stark walk-in sheriff Oh, no, you're done a copy let my name slip out no reason to hide your name, California Not set the sheriff thinks I killed a gender and once he ever catches up with me Yeah, he ain't exactly gonna love me and especially after this play yours Well, I hate to cross up the law, but this long one was blind. They'd taken you in I don't think you'd have had a chance. Maybe I ain't got one anyways. Well, well, what do we do now? Do what would any man do? We got to find the killer before the law closes it Oh quit talking about the law closing in and think or something. I've got it Maybe it's a good thing the sheriff does know your name. He'll head for the bar 20 and that don't make me feel any better Hoppy means he can't get back to coyote juncture much before morning hoppy Hoppy you wouldn't mean that me and you are going back into town with me wearing these duds We got some nosing around to do and that's the place to do it It'll be dark and I'll find some way to sneak you into a hotel room Sooner we make coyote junction the better There's the hotel down at the end of the street. We'll tie up here and I'm gonna get a room You go around back to the hotel and wait. I can't get the right kind of room in a few minutes. I'll come back there Right hoppy. Do your best You've got a room on the first floor a friend something for a crippled gent so he doesn't have stairs to climb I got a room right in the street if you want it. Well, I wanted something quiet Something quiet a better take room for back on the alley Hey, what was you to think if I told you there was a killing here this afternoon? Why why you're kidding? Oh, I ain't a kid neither Some farm and stuck a coat and old Bill Ryan's rib and told him to hand over his money And what did mr. Ryan do my old bill waited right into the guy wouldn't take orders from nobody Took a slug in the shoulder another in the hip just kept moving in my my finally the Third slug caught him in the gizzard Poor wife is in the back room seen at all you don't say well if it's that rough around here I'd better take the quiet room on the alley Well, just trying your room on this line here There that ought to do it Yeah, here's the key and straight back in the hallway there Say isn't it kind of funny the holdup man didn't stick up the bank Not much money on a newspaper office Well, that's the funny if you know this town banks been robbed so much They got three chairs deputies working as clerks waiting for the whole of men to come back Besides old Bill Ryan kept his bank roll on his hip everybody knew it. I see well good night friend California Here I am. Don't talk so loud. Don't want the clerk to know I'm having a visitor Here you go I'm leaving you in here and don't you set foot outside this room you got it sure sure But where are you going hoppy? You got anything to work on a little thanks to the hotel clerk How intonation bill Ryan didn't trust banks carried his money in his pocket Outside I wouldn't know that but a local man would that's pretty silly copy But where do you go from there even if it was a local ombre? There was a witness to the killing bill Ryan's own wife for a poor woman. Well Wish you luck hoppy. Thanks, California, but remember keep the door locked and stay inside I I hated to break in on you Mrs. Ryan knowing your sorrow, but I know you want the real killer brought the justice It's exactly the way I told it the same man that killed your husband as the one who switched clothes with my partner, California You you sound sincere mr. Cassidy. Yeah, well, I do believe you But if California didn't kill my husband then who did I don't know yet Mrs. Ryan, but you can help me Well, you will you try you bet? I'll try what do you want me to do Mrs. Ryan Your husband was a man who believed in printing the truth the sheriff told me that much he was a crusader mr. Cassidy he loved this town and wanted it kept clean when he saw evil things He did his duty even if it meant making a few people angry. Yes, that's true Nick Lyman for one Nick owns a lucky chance casino And what did he print about Lyman that you could watch Nick Lyman's roulette wheel all night and never see a winner Well, the sheriff sure had it right about your husband's courage. Yes The sheriff was a might put out himself with election coming on bill was making some pretty pointed references to the wave of bank robberies We've been having and There's one more person who didn't like bill who's that mrs. Ryan Sam Fleson the bankers son-in-law how does he fit into the picture all three of the holdups this last month We're during the noon hour when Sam was alone in the bank Maybe the bandits figured he had a good thing Maybe but my husband didn't think Sam put up enough of a fight. Well, let's supply a Sam Fleson with a motive, too now He wouldn't just happen to be a fellow who wears an all-black outfit black tie black Stetson I don't think that'll help much mr. Cassidy true Sam Fleson wears an outfit like that But so does every other clerk in the bank and so does Nick Lyman when he's at the lucky chance So I'm afraid you're right back where you Something's happening down the street hard to tell what I'll blow out the lamp so we can see better What it looks like a mob and and they're hidden right this way they sure are and there's a lot of them They're all following the sheriff right up to the jail. So they are mrs. Ryan. So they're still milling around outside that jail I can't imagine this is Ryan. If you'll excuse me. I'm going down there But why mr. Cassidy because the sheriff wasn't alone mrs. Ryan my partner California was handcuffed to him And now back to half-along Cassidy and the killer in black California has been led into the jail and an angry mob mills about threateningly outside Eager to avenge the murder of Bill Ryan Now what do you want? I just happen to see you bringing a friend of mine, Sheriff And you ain't very particular about your friends. Listen happens to be a killer. That's your idea I've got mine talking kind of big ain't you I happen to be a fence sheriff right now I'd like to talk to my friend. Maybe he wants a lawyer lawyer the way that mob sounds. I'm afraid There's no time to use for a lawyer. I'm going back there. Wait a minute stranger. I Never forget a voice You're the gender was heightened in the brush this afternoon And over your gun, I got you covered But turn around and back over here general like well looks like you got me sheriff I'll go to myself peace of all want to see your pal, California Well, you can have a nice visit because you're gonna be in the same cell with it I'm inside with you. I sure hate to do this You should never put your six shooter away when you're locking a cell door nice work copy catching California easing down gentle Yeah, oh you sure nailed him But from the way he's breathing he ain't gonna be out too long. Why'd you leave the hotel, California? Well, uh, well, uh, I hear the noise and looked outside and there was a fella carrying a bundle a bundle of my clothes and Headed straight for coyote Creek. Are you sure sure is a heifer looking for a calf? When he went past the little shack behind the hotel there was a light burning and I seen the red patch The widow woman showed him a bridge. Then what happened? Well a minute later this jet was tying the rock to my duds getting ready to sink him So you just decided to wander outside. How'd you get caught? Why? Well, I was just a closing in on him and then I slipped on the Crick Bay sure And this home returns round and kicks me right in the chin and hard Well, I reckon I was still out of my head when I wandered out into the street and smack dab into the sheriff I figured the sheriff would be riding toward the bar 20. He sent his men on but he decided to come back and Speaking of coming back looks like the sheriff's making another comeback right now No chance getting you out past that mob, California for the time being your safe here is anywhere Here's the sheriff's gun. I ain't very safe in the worst at all. I'm scared. I've got an angle I'll be seeing you. This is a good strong jail. Now. Don't worry sure wish I had a harp in here I could start getting in a few practice licks those ombres sound awful Hoppy when I come back on rental these cell bars from the outside window keep watching the alley for me If you want in just shut the door You must be nick lineman your pharaoh dealers and I'd find you up here If you're squawking because you get cleaned out downstairs skip it boothills full of gents who made cracks about my gaming tables Yeah, I guess old Bill Ryan was the last to make himself heard. He's dead. All right, and I can't say I'm sorry Wait a minute stranger Just how did you mean that crack like you think I meant it if anyone had a reason to murder him lineman you had one You're getting kind of careless ain't your stranger That shootings only a sample Look at your right sleeve one through there and two through your hat Well, I've got to admit it was good shooting Which reminds me never talked to a gent again when he's got his hands out of sight behind the desk There's seven notches on this shooting iron stranger, but there ain't none of them got there because a man was only flapping his jaw When I kill it's because the other gent went for his gun burst Now if you want to start for your gun go ahead And if you don't turn around and walk out peace of a life That's just what I'll do walk out peace of all and thanks for the information You didn't get any information out of me your wrong lineman, and it's probably the first time in your life You're not betting on a sure thing so long California California But I wouldn't be if I was a gopher I'm getting more to work on California saw my something awful important Just happened look down the alley see the little shack where the lights burn Well, that's where the gent was standing when he tossed your duds into Kyle Craig Yeah, and whoever he was he must have done some thinking because he just come back. Where'd he go? I've seen him go into the shack maybe now He's afraid someone who lives in that set shack saw him knock me out The varmint probably didn't think about a witness till he's nerve settled What could have been the man who lives there you just saw oh what I'm trying to tell you is this varmint Just didn't walk in he's snuck Now I see what you're driving at and the lights out too. Just a minute. I'll get a light Now oh there you are friend I ain't hurt too bad. Yes graze my shoulder What happened that's what I want to ask you I don't know I was just fixing my supper when this fellow rushes in blazing away Lucky for me. He couldn't see me too good from the doorway. I'd be a conner Did you get a look at this fellow when he came in shooting? No sure But if an idea died be lighten out for the varmint right now Maybe I can save you the trouble right now. You better look after that shoulder yours What is it? Mrs. Ryan? How'd you find me here? California down at the jail. I just left me California me the mobs cutting down a tree They're going to use it to batter down the jail door. How much longer will it take half an hour at most horrible? I tried to reason with them, but they wouldn't even listen to me I've got just one more trick to play and if it doesn't work. Well, I'm afraid it'll be too late Those men are sure California killed my husband. They're wild. Where will I find Sam fleece in the bank or son-in-law? He lives in the house behind the bank, but he's out of town. I'm hoping he's had time to get back now Listen carefully, Mrs. Ryan. I want you to hide right here beside this shack There's something you will have to hear, but I don't understand my friend's life may depend on it Please do as I ask goodbye, Mrs. Ryan Then I take it fleece and you aren't willing to make the loan to me on my face I never heard of such a thing. First you break in on me when I'm tired after a long trip And you try to borrow money when it isn't even banking hours. Finally, you can't even offer any security Well, I guess that's it then, but I told you why I had to ask for it My partner was carrying all our money. Well, that's too bad, but I can't do business with you Now if you'll leave me alone, I'll try to get some sleep. Good night, Mr. Fleece and Mrs. Ryan, where are you? If I've guessed right, it won't be long Well, they got their tree cut, but they'll have to trim it some before they can use it That'll take the most time. Isn't there something? Wait, listen You hear that? Someone's coming. Who is it? The man who killed your husband, Mrs. Ryan The man who tried to kill the old timer inside this shack He's sneaking down to the river bank now and I know what he's after He's not worried about being caught, not with the whole town up at the jail He's getting into the water All right, Sam Fleece, I can see you, but you can't see me Just what's the idea? Kind of cold to go swimming, isn't it? And it doesn't look like you're carrying a fish pole either If I want to go waiting, that's my business It's like old Bill Ryan was getting too close to the solution of those bank robberies, wasn't he? That's a lie. You can't prove any of this nonsense You'll prove it for me, Fleece. In fact, you already have What are you talking about? I asked you for a loan because someone had taken my partner's clothes with all our money in them When you came out to this creek to try to find that money, Fleece, You signed your confession of the murder of Bill Ryan Because the murderer is the only man who knew where those clothes were Come on, Fleece, and you're through Come and get me, Cassidy You're losing your head again, Fleece Four shots at the old timer inside this shack And one makes five You haven't reloaded You've got only one left That's a bad gamble, I'm warning you I'll take my chances, Fleece You're an awful poor shot and you know it Now, Fleece, I'll come and get you Maybe this gun's empty, but I can sure cult you with it, Cassidy Stay away, I'm warning you Quite a dive, Fleece Now, up, up, here you go And down you go again Now, we'll just hold you down until you have a change of heart about confessing And now to the conclusion of the killer in black You wanted a good night's sleep, but I ain't exactly in love with a coyote Oh, I feel all right, California Now that it's over and we got Fleece's confession Well, I've got to admit you sure look funny marching out of jail With that big rope around your skinny neck Well, it looks to me like you sure took your time of getting there Well, it's just as I was telling you The killer took four shots to murder poor Bill Ryan at close range So all I knew for certain was he was a mighty four-shot From the looks of them holes in your hat and shirt That led out Nick Lyman the gambler It sure did That was as pretty a shooting exhibition as I ever saw And you know the sheriff wasn't the killer A lawman has got to be able to shoot pretty straight Which left Sam Fleece But the only way I could confirm my suspicions was to get him to look for your clothes Where he tossed them into the creek It all took time, California Yeah, yeah, I know it did happy Well, maybe the boys at bar 20 will think I'm quite a dude in this black outfit of Fleece And you know, I've been thinking If I didn't know you should done well I'd suspect you wasn't coached with the killer right from the beginning What? Well, it was just because I was dressed all in black That I had such a narrow escape Yeah? Yeah, and this time riding out It's the first time I can remember in ten years That you ain't been dressed all in black Yeah? Well, so it is Hoppy gets his man again And this time it's the killer in black Hoppy's next story concerns his visiting an old Scots friend By the name of McDonald McDonald And becoming a bodyguard to a French songbird Who receives a note of warning threatening certain death Hoppy calls this one Coming Attraction Murder So remember to be with us for another fast moving episode of Hoppillong Cassidy Hoppillong Cassidy starring William Boyd Is transcribed and produced in the west by Walter White Jr. The killer in black was written by Sidney S. Swarski and Dwayne Yarnel All stories are based upon the characters created by Clarence E. Mulford This is a Commodore production