 A horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty hyal silver, the lone ranger. At the close of the Civil War, the government sent federal troops to the western United States for the protection of the settlers. But the officers in charge had no experience with the frontier. And if it had not been for the masked rider of the planes, they might never have brought the Indians and outlaws under control. There was a lone ranger's strength and courage, and above all his knowledge of the country that made possible the winning of the West. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeach of the great horse Silver. The lone ranger rides again. Come on, Terry, gang! Let's go into mid- Keep your eyes peeled, men. Dangerous territory. Yes, sir, Captain. Great, sir. Rifles slung handy across their military saddles. A detail of cavalry moved at a hand trot through hilly country. Their faces were weary and tense. Their horses worn out from the long ride. But the soldiers kept a sharp lookout. Knuckles were white from gripping the rifles. Every man seemed to be waiting. Waiting for a... There it comes. This mountain. Captain, it's an ambush. Shout all of you down. Pull down your horses. Quick, quick! The range is about 300, Captain. No breeze. Dead call. Make it 350. Pick your target. Open fire. I can't see nobody to shoot at, Captain. It's an ambush. Cut down, Brandon. They'll get us sure we'll all be killed. I said, cut down. Now we won't live. None of us will live. Stop stumbling. Use that carbine. It's the dirty guys. Here they are on the hill. We should have had skirmishes. Take those bullets. Count. Yes, sir. Hodge, lift your sights. Your shots are hitting the jerk. Can't whip anybody that way. Let me out of here. Let me out of here. Let me out of here. Brandon, you'll get the cart house for this. Well, I'll be killed. Oh, I'm shot. Here, let me see. I'm shot. Stand still, you fool. Let me rip that sleeve open. Is it bad? Nothing but a scratch, Brandon. Pick up that rifle. No. Unless we make it too hot for those outlaws. What's that? I said, pick up that rifle. No, I won't. Something's going on. What is it? What's happening? I ain't going to fight. I'll be killed. Hodge, McCaffey. Shirt lift. Keep up the fire. We've got to... Well, I'll be... It's a mask man on the white horse. He's driven them all. There's an engine with them. Garage men are scattering. Put them down. Hold your fire. The Captain's breaking up. Hold your fire. We might hit the mask man on the Indian. Mount your horses. All right, men. Up the slope. Forward. Get ready. Alert. Sergeant, bare left. Right, sir. The Moutain Laws is fighting awful fast, Captain. Captain, come on. Come on, boy, faster. Captain, come on. Just pull up. Look at the Moutain Laws stricken for cover. Detail. Hold. You know my name? We've been riding hard after you for several days, Captain. Captain, I'm right. We come from Fort. I'm obliged for the way you flank the enemy, mister. How many were there? What would you say, sir? Maybe 20, 25. The leader? Man with a beard. Tall and big. Wrote a rust horse. Yeah, that would be Gary all right. But what are we standing here for, Captain? Let's go after him and get the barnman. Quiet, quiet, man. Captain, believe me. Your horses are tired. Gary's are fresh. You couldn't catch him. You might just as well walk into another ambush. A more deadly ambush. Ah, it get dark soon, Kimosabe. Oh, that's true. You couldn't trail them in the dark. The odds are against you. Besides, you've accomplished your mission. One moment. Captain, I'm sorry. Captain, I'm sorry. Captain, I'm sorry. The odds are against you. Besides, you've accomplished your mission. One moment. Mister, I've already thanked you. But it appears to me you're well up on what this detail was sent out to do. Your orders were to head west and contact Gary's outlaws. Establish their position and return. May I ask how you learned that? Quite simple, Captain. I learned it from Major Selby. Did, eh? Your mask, mister. The Major doesn't usually confide in men wearing masks. Perhaps this will convince you. Eh? A note from the Major. Oh, yes. Captain, can I add commanding scout detail? Please be invited to... I see. You're the lone ranger. Yes. The lone ranger. After your detail had already left, Tonto and I brought word to the fort at Gary's position. Then we came... And you rode out to warn us. Uh-huh. We come late. Too late to warn us, perhaps, but plenty of time to help us. You return to the fort now? Those were my orders. We should leave scouts, though. Tonto's an excellent scout. Eh, my men are worn out. Horses tired. Tonto, keep watch on Outlaw Band. Good. You leave a trail so we can follow it, Kimosabi? Uh-huh. Tonto do it. Well, that's that. All right, men. Detail heads back to the fort. Hodge, McCaffey, Shirtliff. Any casualties outside of Brandon? No, sir. Good. Now, Brandon, you report to the doctor when we... Oh, where is he? Huh? Brandon isn't here? No, sir. Brandon! He's gone. And his horse is gone. Captain, we saw one of your men heading back for the fort. And we thought he was a dispatch rat. I sent no dispatch. That was Brandon. The coyotes deserted. Disserted? Oh, that bad. Bad for Brandon. He'll face a court-martial for this. All right, Detail. At the trot. For it! Hold! Captain. Yes? You're not planning to go after this deserter? We're doing it right now, mister. What do you mean? Brandon's heading only one way. He'll go back to the fort. That's where his wife is. His wife, huh? I see. He'll be there. And we'll get him. McCaffey, Hodge. Act as rear guard. 60 pages in rear. Tonto, did you hear that? Uh-huh. This man, Brandon, has a whack for the fort. He's sure to face a court-martial. Him desert. Did you get a good look at him, Tonto? What you mean? I did. He looked very young. Must have been his first time under fire. Maybe so, but... Yes, I know. That doesn't excuse desertion. Not in the army. But still, Tonto, you remember the young woman who walked past us while we were outside the major's quarters in the fort? That was Mrs. Brandon, Tonto. Uh-huh. Heep young. Young and devoted to her husband. Where to mention him to those other women? How proud she was. Uh-huh. What you do? I don't know, Tonto. I don't know. But perhaps that deserter needs help. You help? I'm going to look into it, Tonto. You stay here on the scouting job. Silver can get me back to the fort long before Brandon gets there. Long before the captain's men get there. I don't know where or when we'll meet. But your trail will be clear. Take care of yourself, Kimosabe. You watch out. Nothing can happen. I'll head for the fort now. Tonto, feel maybe you'll meet danger. You watch out. All right, Tonto. Pick up Gary's trail before it gets cold. Adios. Huh? We meet soon. Get him up scouting. Get him up! Well, Silver, Tonto, thanks for heading for trouble. Perhaps we are. Well, this deserter is now our affair. And yet... Come on, Silver. We're heading for the fort. Come on, boy! Help! Pardon me, ma'am. I didn't see you in the dark. Could the major tell me... Oh, it's you, Mrs. Brandon. Is there any word? Same question, eh? Same question in the same answer. Sorry, ma'am. No word from Captain Canard's detachment. But yours will be safe. All the men will be safe. No word yet. Don't worry. All you young wives worry. Doesn't do a bit of good. He'll be back. They'll all be back. I hope so. Good soldier, Canard. He'll bring him back. Oh, that's tattoo. Sorry he must be going. Good night, Mrs. Brandon. Good night. Good night, major. Six days now, and still no word. John was so worried. He didn't tell me, but I could read it in his eyes. He was frightened. Wait. Mrs. Brandon. Who are you? It's dark. No, don't open the door. Not yet. But I can't see your face. This is an army post. If I scream, the God will come. I came here to tell you something, but... Wait. Your voice, I recognize it. You're the man. I saw outside the major's office. The man wearing the mask. Keep your voice down. You wrote out after Captain Canard's detail. Did you find him? Yes, I did. And you're back so soon. Nothing's happened to John. Nothing's happened to my husband. Please, not so loud. Tell me. Tell me. Your husband's all right. Thank heavens for that. I know what you say, Dad. But if something were wrong, I... It's hard to say, Mrs. Brandon. What do you mean? Mrs. Brandon, I rode hard all the way to get here before you learned from another source. What are you trying to tell me? You said John wasn't hurt. Mrs. Brandon, your husband has deserted. Did it? No. No, he didn't. He's on his way here now. I passed his trail. He didn't desert. He didn't. His horse is tired. He'll be here until after sundown tomorrow. That means that Court Marshall... Captain Canard will arrive only a short while after him. There won't be much time. Court Marshall, the firing squad is already... Mrs. Brandon, you love your husband? Love him? He's all I have. Then you've got to save him from himself. Don't let him run away. No. A man can't run away from himself. Once he goes, he'll never get over being a coward. He can't stay here. You've got to force him to stay here. No, no, I can't. Now, listen to me. If you love him, you've got to help him. But not the way you think. I'll be back tomorrow night. I want to be here when he arrives. You've got to stop him. He should be here. Mass men said after sundown, he should be... Back door. Someone walking. John. John. John. Oh, John, it's you. You. Oh, my arm. You're on. You're wounded. Oh, it ain't nothing just as great. Honey, I got to tell you something. No, no, just let me hold you. It ain't time. I got it. Well, I can't stay here. See, something happened out in the detailer. John, if you're trying to tell me you deserve it, don't I? I already know about it. I didn't mean to. Them rifles bang. And I got panic. You're not a coward. You couldn't help it. I love you. Oh, I knew it. I was riding away. Mary. Mary, how'd you know what happened? Huh? How'd you know about it? I came as fast as my horse could travel. Captain, he beat me to the fourth. He's here now. John, they'll court-martial you. The captain got here first, huh? Mary, I got to get away. Captain isn't here. John, he... He ain't. Then how'd you know? How'd you know? I told her, Brandon. What the... Never mind her, gun. I'm here as a friend. The mask man. You came after me. Brandon, you've got to listen. I've already told your wife you can't run off. With brand you as a coward forever. Stay here, redeem yourself. And wife will tell you it's the only thing to do. I changed my mind. Put down that gun, Mrs. Brandon. Don't move. I'll shoot you if you take one step. John, get away. Get away before the captain gets here. Mrs. Brandon, we talked this over last night. Your husband must stay. No. No, I won't let him. All night long, I didn't sleep. Stayed awake. Thinking. Thinking. Honey, listen. No. No, please go. Go now before it's too late. You can get in touch with me later. I'll join you later. Go before they put you before a firing squad. Brandon, listen to me. Your wife is wrong. Mr. I don't want to shoot. Don't make me... Mary, put down that gun. I'm not worth it. Go, John. Go. I'll stand for you. Goodbye. John. You can put that gun down now, Mrs. Brandon. He's made his choice. What? I know you meant well, but I couldn't stand it. I suppose they'd court-martialed him. I suppose he'd been stood up against the wall. I told you once before a man can't escape from himself. No matter how fast he rides, his cowardess rides with him. He's not a coward. He's lost his chance to prove otherwise. Once you have done it... At the front door. You'd better answer it, Mrs. Brandon. Here, I'll answer it. Their husband made his choice. You won't tell them, please. Another thing, Mrs. Brandon. Yes? Mrs. Brandon, I'm sorry to inform you that your husband will come out and place himself under arrest. My...my husband isn't here. No. I happen to know that he... Look at the captain's part. Well... I checked it back at the house, captain. There's hoof marks coming gone. It was Brandon's horse, captain. He's left. He's... I see. Who's that with you, Mrs. Brandon? You want me, captain? Yes, mister. I do. I thought it was you. So you wrote ahead and warned Brandon he'd be arrested, eh? Well... Mister, you're under arrest. Sergeant, see that he gets to the guardhouse and see that he's locked in. 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. Found in Brandon's home by the captain, the Lone Ranger was arrested for aiding in the deserter's escape. Meanwhile, Brandon rode toward the west, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the army post. Come on, boy. You've got to make miles. They'll be after me. They're... Don't stumble now. Oh, I know I've been driving you hard all night and all day. But steady, boy, steady. Keep your head up. Get across this area. Get across it. Look out! Hello? Mister, where are you? Who's that? This way, mister. I'm at the window. Who? Mrs. Brandon. You shouldn't be here at the guardhouse. It's all right. Nobody saw me. Have you heard about your husband? No, no. I haven't heard a word. The patrol went after me. I came back last night. The regiment's getting ready to ride against Gary's outlaws. I should have listened to you before, mister. My husband did the wrong thing. You're worried about him. I got a funny feeling. Quiet. Something must have happened. Quiet. Someone's coming. I don't hear anything. Someone's coming. Turn away from the window. All right, but I... You will not make noise. Tonto, hear him in jail. Tonto, is that you? Ah, may come with me. Any sign of Gary's men? Ah, them may camp far off. May come here, like you say. You learned that I was in prison. Ah, what trouble? Never mind it now, Tonto. I gotta get outta here. Uh-uh. Tonto, do it. Will you help find my husband? We'll do what we can, Mrs. Brandon. Tonto, come back later on. The guard detail. Get back out of sight. Hurry. Tonto, get away. Come back in two hours. We have work to do, and I can't do it in jail. She will not hit. The large key. Hurry. Uh-uh. That's yours. Good. This way, Kimosabe. Where you got gone? Must be in here someplace. At the desk. Here they are. You've got the horses? Uh-uh. Silver scoundrel. Out back of jail. Careful now. The guards tied up and gagged. We may run into soldiers. Mister, you gotta run for it. Captain, come on in. Mrs. Brandon, what are you doing in the guard house? You should know better than... Don't move, Captain. Get to one side. We're going out. Oh, you can't. I haven't time to wait for a trial, Captain. You'll find a note on the desk. It gives the exact location of Gary's band. You realize what you're doing, Mister? Military law. Right now, that doesn't matter. Come on, Tonto. Oh, Tonto, I'm sorry. Sorry, Captain. If you don't move out, I have to make sure. This way. Get him. Here's scoundrel. Silver, here's silver. Pull out the guard. Get him, Frank. Pull out the guard. Steady boy. Then come fast. Silver, come on. Get him out. Get him out. Get him out. Get him out. Get him out. Get him out. It's the right way. It's as clear as a blazed trail. Keep on, Silver. Brandon's horse can't travel fast. No, we find him. Maybe for some high in the sky. What's that? Tell her, look. Oh. Storm's coming up. It's like a bad one. Once we locate Brandon soon, his trail will be washed out entirely. Rain bad. We hurry. Come on, Silver. Wherever Brandon is, we'd better get there. Go ahead. Boy, quiet. That's Gary's outlaws right below us. We almost stumbled into them. Gonna rain might as soon. Ain't got no food. Oh, my leg. You and me both, huh, boy? We both got game legs. Just a couple of lame deserters. Only you ain't to blame. You don't know what you was doing. Just let me hang under the stirrup for a while. I wonder how long I was lying in that Roy. I'm worn out as a newborn here. Ain't good for nothing. Yeah, she's gonna pour. I can name her one thing to do. You join up with them outlaws. We got to eat, don't we? We've got to button. Brandon. Well, I'll be the man's man. It's a long time to locate you, Brandon. Don't get too close to the edge that cliff, mister. That's Gary's camp down below. Yes, so I see. Ah, him in the wrong place. How does it feel to desert Brandon? It was right, stranger. It don't feel good. I've been squatting here right on the edge of this cliff looking over Gary's camp. I was gonna join him. Turn out low, huh? What else I gotta do? Go back and take your medicine. For what? I want to go on living. You'd rather be hunted as an outlaw deserter. What about your wife? She thinks you've got courage. She believes in you. Never mind my wife. She thinks you made a mistake, too, Brandon. I told you to shut up. I ain't going back. I can't. It's gonna rain soon. I'm going down to that camp. Just leave me alone. Understand? Very well, Brandon. The whole regiment believes you're a coward. I wasn't sure. The first time a man's under fire, he may break and run, many do. It's when you don't come back that you're a coward. Kimu-sanbi. Why are you staring down at Gary's camp? What's wrong? They move. Huh? You mean that isn't where you left them? No. Are they supposed to be here according to what you told the regiment? They move. Regiment think them further west. I see. Well... Look, over across them hills. It's a regiment. They're marching west. They have the wrong idea of Gary's position. They'll march straight into an ambush. They'll be killed. They'll be murdered. Oh, wait. Gary's outlaws heard the bugle, too. They're getting ready. Oh, I'm that bad. We gotta warn the regiment. I thought you didn't care about the regiment. We gotta warn them. They'll be massacred. I don't care what happens to me. We gotta save the regiment. Can't... Listen, can't we build a single fire or something? Good, Brandon. Come on, Tana. We'll gather wood. They can see the smoke. Oh, no. It's too late. It's raining. We couldn't get a fire started. And if we could, they wouldn't see us. What are we gonna do? They're marching straight for an ambush. We've gotta save the regiment. I think you're not. You're not. Yes, Major. Give the order to close up. This rain is so heavy we can't see where we're going. It won't last long. A better race will keep close formation. Right, sir. Euglern! Sound close order march! Close order! Yes, sir. I think we're safe in following the directions left by an Indian. We have nothing else to go on. According to that note, we have another full day's march before we catch up with Gary's outlaws. You think that... Uh, Major is worried? Well, after all, canard, that Indian helped the mass men escape. May I point out to the Major that you accepted the mass man in the first place? Yes, yes. The lone ranger. The lone ranger. He helped the deserter. He had to be arrested. Of course, he would have released him, but these civilians need discipline, canard. Helping a deserter. Even the lone ranger can't disregard army regulations. What about the deserter, sir? We can't... That's enough. You couldn't find him. We'll get after him later. The first thing is Gary's outlaws. Yes, sir. That's our order from Washington. A band of bad men have terrorized this whole territory. Let's be stopped once and for all. Major's right. Slippery as an eel. This time we'll grab the whole crowd. Can't fail. Captain. Yes, sir. Which way do we go? Huh? Use your eyes, man. The rain's heavy, but not that heavy. Heading straight for a bluff. Can't do over it. Regiment turns which way. Oh, we turn left, sir. There's a little pocket at the base of the bluff. We go through that and out the other side. It's just as well we're alone out here. He's rolling hills. Bad spot for an ambush. Well, Captain, we'll head the regiment toward the... Major! Where's the Major? Put in Heaven's name. In a word, we have no wild brothers. Who's that calling? Oh, no, sir. Can't see. There it is. That white horse up ahead. Yes, yes. Coming this way. Halt the column. Column! Halt! What? Major, that's the low ranger's horse. Sure it is. Sure it is. Major, tell the ambush up ahead. Well, I'll be. It's Brandon. Brandon, the deserter. They got the Major's partner. Where'd you get that horse? My horse was lame, sir. You got to turn the regiment. You can't go this way. Brandon, as a deserter, you should be dealt with right here. Captain, sure I deserted it, but that don't matter now. The lone ranger gave me his horse to come warn you. Him and the Indians stand on guard so Gary don't place his men without they can do something about it. Good. Yes, sir. His whole crew was right ahead, and they didn't park. Impossible. You're crazy. Gary's a fool days much ahead. I tell you he ain't. He moved. You got to believe me. Believe but deserted? Major, I tell you there's only one thing to do. Get the column around this way. You can surprise Gary and get him from behind. The mass bandage, you don't keep him busy on this side. How do we know you're not with Gary yourself? Take you for real. Wish you were I.D., Brandon? No, sir. It was a mass bandage, but I had to warn you. That's enough. Captain. Yes, sir. Get the column moving. Close order. Keep them as quiet as possible. Come by four. That's real. We'll close with Gary's outlaws in less than an hour. Tell them the men to look to the rifles. Major, can I go along? I got to make up for dessert, and I got it. There they are. Gary's outlaws. Give them. Sound the charge. Hermit's outlaws. Fire. Seize fire. They surrender. Seize fire. Seize fire. You men, round them up. Place them under our regent. Many days we're captain. Fine work. You've got Gary in his whole outlaw band. Here comes a mask man, Major. Yes. Major Selby, I see that Brandon warned you on time. Mr. You and this Indian, they've done the government to reuse service. Thank you. Now, by the way, this is Brandon's horse. It's a travel lame, but he'll recover. It's your horse, mister. He's sure a wonder. Good boy, Selby. This was one time you carried another rider. Selby, him take rider when you tell him to. That way. Hey, Brandon. What moment? I wasn't going to a place, Major. I guess you want to put me under arrest. Ready to take my medicine. Hey, Captain Canard, how did this, uh, this dessert of fat? Brandon, sir? Like a wildcat. Hey, Brandon, you desserted? I ain't trying to get out of it, sir. You're a nation man. Let me finish. I said you desserted, but, uh, you made up for it by your Gallic conduct today. Captain, we're going to forget the whole business. I hoped you'd feel that way, sir. Bad breach of discipline, but after all, well, today you proved what you were made of. Major, uh, I don't know how to thank you. Stop it. Stop it. Don't want thanks. Well, the Army wants us bravely encouraged, and we're getting it from you. You, uh, you can tell your wife I said so. Well, it's for you, mister. I, well, uh, Captain, where is he? Can we see him a minute ago? Who, sir? Who? Who do you think the lone ranger, the Mask Man, want to thank him too? He and the Indian are gone, sir. See them out there? I don't think they want thanks, sir. Not the lone ranger. I'm sure you have just heard of the copyrighted feature of the lone ranger incorporated.