Adventures Of Charlie Lung 48-05-29 Midnight Rendezvous

Summary

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Adventures Of Charlie Lung 48-05-29 – "Midnight Rendezvous"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: March 3, 2026
Original Airdate: May 29, 1948
Main Voice Talent: Charlie Long ("the man of a hundred voices")
Episode: Chapter 30

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Overview

This episode of "The Adventures of Charlie Lung" takes listeners to the wilds of Arizona, where redemption, loyalty, and frontier justice collide. The central theme revolves around El Lobo, a former bandit turned reformed man, who seeks to prove his commitment to law and order but finds himself caught in a web of deceit involving a town’s crooked sheriff and an old betrayal. Featuring a tense gunfight, a dramatic arrest, and a daring jailbreak plan, this episode captures the spirit and drama of the Golden Age of Radio Westerns.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

1. Recap and Setup: The Return of El Lobo

[00:42–03:14]

• The story opens at the Lazy Y Ranch. El Lobo, previously presumed dead, has survived and vows to fight for law and order.
• Gold Pan Jeffers receives a challenge from his double-crossing ex-foreman, Steve Cody, to a gunfight in Tico City.
• El Lobo, wanting to save Jeffers, tricks him and rides to face Cody in his place.

2. High Noon (Midnight) Showdown: El Lobo vs. Steve Cody

[03:14–05:15]

• A tense build-up ensues as El Lobo and Cody stalk each other through deserted streets.
• Memorable quote:
  El Lobo (to his guns):

  "Soon I am going to meet Senor Cody. Huh? You two gun must shoot straight for me. This time you must come out from the holster like striking rattlesnaker." (03:14)

• The confrontation ends with El Lobo besting Cody, but only wounding him—demonstrating mercy.

3. El Lobo’s Arrest by the Corrupt Sheriff Cornell

[05:19–09:11]

• Sheriff "Gentleman" Cornell arrives, holding El Lobo at gunpoint. Despite El Lobo’s insistence that it was a fair fight and his mercy, the sheriff arrests him, justifying it as outlaw gunplay.
• Notable tension: Sheriff Cornell:

  "You can't come to Tycho City and shoot people in cold blood. That's why, Columba." (06:40) El Lobo:
  "But I beat this hombre in fair fight. So now Jew frame me, huh?" (06:47)

• Jeffers and the others are indignant, doubting the Sheriff’s credentials and integrity, suspecting a deeper crookedness.

4. Plotting the Jailbreak: Craft, Suspicion, and Preparation

[09:11–14:27]

• While El Lobo sits in jail, Gold Pan Jeffers, Cyclone, and Charlie Lung convene at the Antlers Hotel to devise a jailbreak plan.
• Jeffers recalls only one cell exists in the old jail:
  Gold Pan Jeffers:

  "Well, Charlie, I'm a little older than you are, sonny, and I think I've already cooked up a steam to tear that there cracker box loose." (10:40)

• The trio buys wire rope with the aim to pull the jail bars out using horses.

5. The Sheriff’s Bribery Attempt and El Lobo’s Defiance

[17:10–20:18]

• Sheriff Cornell offers to release El Lobo in exchange for $1,000, revealing his corruption.
• El Lobo refuses, striking the sheriff as an act of contempt:
  El Lobo:

  "You think because I am reformed, I am soft like old woman, eh? I would not give you money if I were to be hanged tomorrow." (19:56)

• Furious, the Sheriff storms out, promising revenge.

6. The Daring Jailbreak Plan in Motion

[20:18–29:00]

• The jailbreak plan is set for midnight. Each member has a role:
  • Charlie Lung is to cause a distraction at the Golden Nugget casino by shooting out the oil lamps and raising cries for the sheriff.
  • Cyclone gathers and readies the horses.
  • Jeffers prepares wire ropes at the jail window.
• Notable moment:
  Gold Pan Jeffers (explaining the plan):

  "We'll take our hosses and their lobos down to the jail. When we get there, we fasten these here wire ropes onto them iron winder bars. Then we snub em onto our saddle horns and start their horses to a pulling." (21:02)

• Suspense builds as midnight approaches. Coordination is tight and tension palpable.

7. Climactic Pull: Suspense and Uncertainty

[24:55–29:00]

• The jailbreak unfolds amid chaos.
• All succeed in their roles: Charlie’s ruckus draws the sheriff away, and the team ties the ropes to their saddles.
• A tense, almost cinematic moment as they strain to pull out the bars and free El Lobo:

  "Well, gents, queens have got to hit the pull altogether. That's the important part of it. So when I tell you, you get them bang tails to moving all at the same time." (27:44–28:05)

• The episode ends on a cliffhanger: will their plan work? ("Will they succeed in liberating El Lobo?")

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• El Lobo preparing for the showdown
  “You two gun must shoot straight for me. This time you must come out from the holster like striking rattlesnaker.” (El Lobo, 03:14)

• Mercy after the gunfight
  “No, senua. I only tried to wing him. I could have easily killed him. Now I give him the gold pan Jaffa and he will turn him over to the law.” (El Lobo, 05:40)

• Exposing the crooked sheriff
  “He was a cheap gambler. Why, they run him out of Los Guamos in New Mexico for crooked dealing. And now he's a dealing a crooked hand to El Lobo.” (Gold Pan Jeffers, 08:30)

• The bribery standoff
  “Why, you cheap double cross. You come to—Never mind. I—I am excited. How much money you want, senor sheriff?” (El Lobo, 18:19)

• Resolute refusal
  “You think because I am reformed, I am soft like old woman, eh? I would not give you money if I were to be hanged tomorrow.” (El Lobo, 19:56)

• Jailbreak suspense
  “Well, gents, queens have got to hit the pull altogether. That’s the important part of it.” (Gold Pan Jeffers, 27:44)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• El Lobo’s return, vow, and showdown setup: 00:42–03:14
• Gunfight with Steve Cody: 03:14–05:19
• Sheriff Cornell arrests El Lobo: 05:54–09:11
• Hotel strategy session and jailbreak planning: 09:11–14:27
• Sheriff’s bribery attempt: 17:10–20:18
• Jailbreak operation set-up: 20:38–24:55
• Jailbreak in progress, cliffhanger ending: 24:55–29:00

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Style, Language, and Tone

• The dialogue features stylized, period-appropriate Western banter, sprinkled with catchphrases ("ding busted," "by Gemini," "holy mucklow").
• Comic relief is provided by the quick-witted, loyal sidekicks Cyclone and Charlie Lung, while tension and themes of justice are driven by the main plot.
• The narration employs classic radio drama style—suspenseful, descriptive, and evocative, keeping the pacing brisk and the atmosphere engaging.

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Conclusion

This action-packed installment of "The Adventures of Charlie Lung" blends tension, humor, and the spirit of camaraderie as friends rally to free their wrongfully jailed companion. The episode leaves listeners on the edge with a classic radio cliffhanger, promising resolution and reckoning in the next chapter.

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Transcript

[Narrator/Interviewer]

I'm here on the job site with Dale, who's a framing contractor.

[El Lobo]

Hey, good morning.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

Dale traded up to Geico Commercial Auto Insurance for all his business vehicles. We're here where he needs us most.

[El Lobo]

Yep, they sure are.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

We make it easy for him to save on all his insurance needs, all in one place with coverage that fits his business and bottom line. Oh, I shouldn't have looked down.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

It's all right.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

We're so far up here.

[Announcer]

Look at me.

[Charlie Lung]

Take a deep breath.

[Cyclone]

I'm good.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

So good.

[Announcer]

Get a commercial auto insurance quote [e-mail] and see how much you could save. It feels good to Geic.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

The Adventures of Charlie Lung. All the voices of all the characters you're about to hear come from the throat of one man. Charlie Long, the man of a hundred voices. Chapter 30, the Midnight Rendezvous. And now for the adventures of Charlie Leung. At the Lazy Y Ranch in Arizona, a chain of exciting events is unfolding. El Lobo, banded scourge of the badlands, whom all thought dead, reappears and tells of his miraculous escape from death and how he was nursed back to life at the little mission of La Rosita. He then promises to dedicate the life given back to riding on the side of law and order. Gold Pan Jeffers and his writers, believing El Lobo will keep his promise, return his magnificent mare Lorena. Then Gold Pan Jeffers receives a message from his ex foreman, the double crossing Steve Cody, a challenge to meet him in an open gun battle at Teco City. The gray haired Jeffers prepares to leave for the gun duel but is tricked by El Lobo who wishing to show his gratitude, rides in Jeffers place. Upon arrival at the little cow town of Tico City, El Lobo sends the blacksmith to tell the bull necked Steve Cody he is going to have to face him instead of old Jeffers. As the battered clock before the general store chimes 12 the street empties until only the two grim men remain. From the south, the stocky figure of Steve Cody, guns already drawn, cautiously moves up the winding road seeking cover behind every storefront and abutment. From the north, the black garbed El Lobo walks with the stealthy step of his namesake, the wolf.

[El Lobo]

Soon I am going to meet Senor Cody. Huh? You two gun must shoot straight for me. This time you must come out from the holster like striking rattlesnaker.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

As the distance between the two tense stalking figures shortens, Steve Cody crouches lower and checks his guns again to be sure they're ready for the Kill.

[El Lobo]

Well, it. Ain't it gonna be long now, mystery Lobo, before you're gonna be buzzard beat.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Suddenly, both the gunmen hear each other's approaching steps. But the rambling front of the pool hall that projects and angles the sidewalk in a V before them keeps each from seeing the other. Realizing it is but a matter of moments until the showdown, they press their bodies against the rickety side walls of the pool hall and slowly inch themselves to the front. Then they come face to face. As the blue haze of gun smoke slowly clears. The spectators of the gun battle desert their safe hiding places and rush out onto the street before them both smoking guns in hand. El Lobo stands motionless while stretched on the narrow walk a few yards away is the still figure of Steve Cody. First to reach him is old Doc Rafferty, who stoops for a quick examination. As he looks up, El Lobo walks toward him.

[El Lobo]

And your doctor is Steve Cody. How bad is he hunt, huh?

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Well, the saints be praised.

[Sheriff Cornell]

As near as I can see, he's

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

just got a bullet graze alongside of his head. Sharon, he's not gonna die, I can tell you.

[El Lobo]

Bueno. I do not want for him to

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

die by all the lakes and islands. You don't want him to die?

[El Lobo]

No, senua. I only tried to wing him. I could have easily killed him. Now I give him the gold pan Jaffa and he will turn him over to the law.

[Sheriff Cornell]

And I've got a gun in your back, El Lobo, that says you have a bill to pay to the law too. Get your hands up, Karamba.

[El Lobo]

Whoever you are, you have drop on me. But only because you fight from the back.

[Sheriff Cornell]

Now your guns. Yeah.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Thank you.

[El Lobo]

So you are Tico City sheriff, huh?

[Sheriff Cornell]

That's right. Sheriff Cornell. Better known to my friends as Gentleman Cornell.

[El Lobo]

Your friend make one big mistake and your indeed see, gentlemen, do not fight from the back.

[Sheriff Cornell]

We'll discuss that when I get you to the jail.

[El Lobo]

Why'd you throw me in jail?

[Sheriff Cornell]

Because you can't come to Tycho City and shoot people in cold blood. That's why, Columba.

[El Lobo]

But I beat this hombre in fair fight. So now Jew frame me, huh?

[Sheriff Cornell]

We'll let the judge decide that tomorrow.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

It will.

[Announcer]

Easy.

[Cyclone]

There she

[Charlie Lung]

stop your horse.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

All right, all right. Come on. Get out there, Charlie. Let's get you going. Well, hello, Bo. We right here as fast as we could. So you met up with Steve Cody, did you? Ho, ho. You winged him, huh?

[Cyclone]

Dandy, Dandy, Dandy.

[El Lobo]

And you, Jeff Bonaire, the sheriff. Gentleman Cornell. He Want to take me to the jailhouse, huh?

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Jailhouse? Say, you crazy, Sheriff. This here was a fair fight.

[Sheriff Cornell]

Nevertheless, I'm taking El Lobo to jail.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Bound and determined, huh?

[Sheriff Cornell]

That's right.

[El Lobo]

Now get going.

[Sheriff Cornell]

El Lobo up to the jail with you.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

What's the matter you?

[Charlie Lung]

You crazy, mister? El Lobo, he not a bad man anymore. He's a good man.

[Cyclone]

Oh, go on, pipe down, Charlie. It ain't no good. That monkey gonna put him in the jail out there for sure.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

That cheapside whining, smooth talkin dude, he ain't a fool of me none. No siree, gentleman Cornell. He don't remember me, but ding busted. I remember him.

[Charlie Lung]

Oh, you might give me to him before Mr. Jabber, that Baron Rider did.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

And furthermore, he weren't no sheriff, no

[Cyclone]

siri what was a dancer.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

He was a cheap gambler. Why, they run him out of Los Guamos in New Mexico for crooked dealing. And now he's a dealing a crooked hand to El Lobo. Well, El Lobo had the gizzards to ride down here to fight Cody for me, doesn't he? Now I'm going to stay right here and put El Lobo to rights. Yes siree, gentleman Cornell has just dealt the last crooked card. He's going to deal for a long, long time.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

As Sheriff Cornell, followed by a curious crowd, marches El Lobo toward the Tico City Jail. Gold Pan Cyclone and Charlie ride to the Antlers Hotel. Then in the privacy of their room, discuss different plans to free El Lobo.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

But I'm a telling you, Cyclone, it's again all the laws of the West. Why, dad, Bus fight. That was a fair fight. It ain't legal.

[Cyclone]

You therefore.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Yeah. They can't put El Lobo in jail for that.

[Cyclone]

Yeah, they can't. But he's in there, ain't he?

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Yeah, but he ain't going to stay.

[Charlie Lung]

Holy mucklow. But how are we going to get him out?

[Cyclone]

Please?

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Well, I'll tell you. Now listen close.

[Cyclone]

Yeah.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Now that there jlc. Well, she's older than old Billy Bejigid. She was built about some 30 year ago. Yes, about 30, 31 years it was. And I was there the day that she was opened up.

[Cyclone]

Yes. As a customer.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Yes. No, no, not as a customer. No. There was a shindig at the time. Kind of a formal opening.

[Cyclone]

Kind of like a housewoman, like.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Yeah, kind of, Yes. I don't know. But I do remember they have only one cell in the whole place. And that's where they're going to put El Lobo.

[Charlie Lung]

Oh, they only catch you one cell

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

in the holy jail, their tiny jest one.

[Charlie Lung]

But they going to guard you very carefully. I think. Nobody ever going to get out of that jail, I think.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

You don't think so? Well, Charlie, I'm a little older than you are, sonny, and I think I've already cooked up a steam to tear that there cracker box loose.

[Cyclone]

Jumping catfish. Mr. Jeffers, is we all going to pull to jail apart?

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Well, yes and no. I calculate stretching is more the word.

[Charlie Lung]

But if we go up to jail, somebody, they see us.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

But we ain't a going to do our remodeling job until it's dark, Charlie. Now, let's get out on the street and stretch our legs and get us all something we're going to need for tonight for the jailbreak. Yeah?

[Cyclone]

Well, what's that, Mr. Jeffers?

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

I'll tell you. Some nice, strong wire rope. The loops we're going to throw tonight have got to be mighty strong. Mighty strong.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Quickly, Jeffers, Cyclone and Charlie leave the hotel and walk to the hardware store. Gold Pan buys three pieces of wire rope, each the same length as a lariat. Then they return to the hotel to discuss his plan to stretch the Teco City Jail. Meanwhile, back at the Lazy Y ranch house, Professor Beerstone and Mr. Fitzmaurice grow anxious as the hours slowly pass and Gold Pan, Cyclone and Charlie don't return. Seated at the piano, Mr. Fitz Morris plays in an effort to relieve the nerves of himself and Professor Beerstone.

[El Lobo]

Splendid.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Splendid.

[El Lobo]

Mr. Fitzmaurice, you. You are an excellent piano player.

[Sheriff Cornell]

I. I always enjoy your music. Well, thank you, professor, but I. I've been here in the west so long now. I. I'm beginning to know more about branding cows than I think I do about music. Oh, nonsense.

[Announcer]

You.

[Sheriff Cornell]

You play remarkably well.

[El Lobo]

Will you.

[Sheriff Cornell]

Will you play us some more? It steadies our nerves. Well, I'd like to, but I have the weirdest feeling that. Well, I just need to be sure that something's gone wrong at Tico City. Here it is getting dark already and they still have not come back. You and I, they should have returned hours ago. Well, I. I hate to sound gruesome, but I have a premonition.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Something seems to tell me that El

[Sheriff Cornell]

Lobo is not walking around. Great Scott. You. You are not trying to suggest it that Steve Cody beat El Lobo to the draw. Why, Mr. Fitzmaurice, what is it you are thinking? Try and explain to me. Well, professor, it's. Something in my mind seems to Be trying to tell me something. And it keeps buzzing like a bee. Like this. Of course, it may be.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

As night mantles the little cow town of Tico City. Behind the locked door of their room in the Antlers Hotel, Gold Pan, Jeffers, Cyclone and Charlie work frantically over the newly bought lengths of wire rope. What is the plan Jeffers feel so sure will free El Lobo from jail. Will they succeed? Or will fate take the side of the ex gambler, sheriff, Gentleman Cornell?

[Announcer]

Listen, in just a moment we'll return to the Adventures of Charlie Lung. Now, pretty quick, schools will let out for the summer.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

And most folks will be going on vacations.

[Announcer]

So I want to have a little talk with you right now. I want to caution you about the way you drive, the way you walk on the streets. And for you kids especially, the way you play near the streets and the highways. Every one of us has the tendency now and then to think that accidents

[Narrator/Storyteller]

happen only to the other people.

[Announcer]

That's silly, isn't it? But it's just that kind of thinking that gets us into trouble. An accident can happen to you. And if you're not keeping your wits about you all the time, you're a cinch to land in a hospital ward or on a slab in the morgue. That's a gruesome thought, I know. But let's face realities and pay attention when we're driving the car or walking on the streets. You don't want that vacation of yours ruined, do you? Okay, then watch what you're doing. Give the other fellow the right of way. Be considerate and polite. And above all, don't take chances. The gamble isn't worth it. The price is too great if you lose. Okay, I'll step off the soapbox. But before I do, just remember this. The life you save may be your own. Now, Charlie Lung says, better you look

[Charlie Lung]

twice before crossing street. Because cars much quicker than walking feet.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

And now back to the Adventures of Charlie Lung. As a full moon rises in the heavens over the small cow town of Tico City, a tense human drama is about to unfold. El Lobo, the reformed bandit who at high noon beat the crooked Steve Cody in a fair gunfight. Has been thrown in jail by the dishonest sheriff, Gentleman Cornell. Meanwhile, in their hotel room, Gold Pan, Jeffers, Cyclone and Charlie work frantically on the lengths of wire rope that Jeffers Bows will free the falsely imprisoned El Lobo. At the Tico City jail, Sheriff Cornell walks up to the bar door of El Lobo's cell.

[Sheriff Cornell]

El Lobo, Elobo Come over here to the cell door.

[El Lobo]

What do you want with me? I prefer to sleep than talk with sheep. Tinhorn. Who framed me into jail?

[Sheriff Cornell]

Oh, forgive me. I thought you might be interested in getting out of jail.

[El Lobo]

What do you mean get out?

[Sheriff Cornell]

Oh, now I detect a little interest. Step lively and listen to me.

[El Lobo]

Oh, you. You are going to let me out of jail, huh?

[Sheriff Cornell]

That depends some on you.

[El Lobo]

What do you mean?

[Sheriff Cornell]

Hello, Bo. I. I understand you have a considerable amount of money that you made by selling Russell beef crumble.

[El Lobo]

What good does money do for me if I'm in jailhouse?

[Sheriff Cornell]

Well, none at all, of course. But as I could use a little extra money right now, we. We might be able to work out some kind of a deal. You might get out of jail and I might get the money. Right.

[El Lobo]

So that is it, huh? Why, you cheap double cross. You come to.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Never mind.

[El Lobo]

Never mind. I. I am excited. How much money you want, senor sheriff?

[Sheriff Cornell]

$1,000.

[El Lobo]

1,000? That is a lot of money, Senor Elobo.

[Sheriff Cornell]

Sometimes freedom comes rather high. But if you prefer staying in jail, let you stay.

[El Lobo]

Hoy. I will faint you. I'll pay anything, anything to be free.

[Sheriff Cornell]

Well, I. I thought that you'd see it my way. Now, how do I get the thousand? I know you don't have it with you. No, sir.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

No.

[El Lobo]

But I have a key to room where it is hidden.

[Sheriff Cornell]

Oh, very well then. Give me the key. Tell me the location of the room and where the money is. And you have the word of gentleman Cornell. You shall be free. Bless you, son.

[El Lobo]

You will come closer to the cell door.

[Sheriff Cornell]

I can give the keys to you.

[El Lobo]

Hold your landing higher so I can see which is right.

[Sheriff Cornell]

Key. Which of these keys on the ring is it here?

[El Lobo]

I hold him up close to the bar to point it out. Bueno. Not that big key there. But. You do not think I will hit you through cell door, huh?

[Narrator/Interviewer]

Why, you cheap double cross, you.

[Sheriff Cornell]

You live to regret that trick. Why, I'll frame you to stay in jail for the rest of your cursed life, you fool.

[El Lobo]

You think because I am reformed, I am soft like old woman, eh? I would not give you money if I were to be hanged tomorrow.

[Sheriff Cornell]

You'll pay for that punch, Lope. You'll rot in jail for that, I promise you. I promise you.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Sheriff Cornell, shouting threats of vengeance and nursing his rapidly swelling jaw, leaves the jail and hurries up the main street to Ace Kimball's dance, pal. Meanwhile, at the Antlers Hotel, Gold Pan Jeffers satisfied the wire rope lassoes are ready. Speaks To Cyclone and Charlie.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Well gents, them wire ropes is a going to be dandy and in busted afore midnight. We uns is a going to have El Lobo out of that consarned jailhouse.

[Cyclone]

Yes sir, but. But you all ain't done so telling me. That's how we go and do it.

[Charlie Lung]

By Gemini. That's a light, Mr. Gold Pan. How we are going to do?

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Well I tell you. We'll take our hosses and their lobos down to the jail. When we get there, we fasten these here wire ropes onto them iron winder bars. Then we snub em onto our saddle horns and start their horses to a pulling.

[Charlie Lung]

Holy mucklow. We make a pull bar and out of his cell window.

[Cyclone]

Oh Lordy. But suppose them boys ain't inclined to pull out there.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

They're a going to come out. They're going to pull out of that old adobe just like it was talcum powder.

[Charlie Lung]

Oh, I think you very fine idea. Very good. More better maybe. So we make a start the light.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Now, now just a minute Charley. First we un's got to be sure that that mangy sheriff gentleman Cornell is kept busy and more important away from the jail.

[Charlie Lung]

Oh, how we do that please?

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Well that's going to be your job, Charlie.

[Charlie Lung]

Oh, my job. What I am going to do, we're

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

going to fix you up so you look like a bandit with a big handkerchief around your face. And two six gu.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Charlie and Cyclone, wide eyed at Jeffers last remark, follow him down onto the street. After a few moments they stop in front of the gaily lit golden nugget casino. Jeffers leads them into the shadow of one of its many entrance halls. Glancing around, he motions Charlie and Cyclone closer.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Well gents, if and we're a gun to get and lobo out to jail we're gonna have to act fast here. Now Charlie, at exactly midnight you're going to go in through that door there and start shooting ruckus in the casino.

[Charlie Lung]

Oh, I make you do. 12 o'.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Clock.

[Announcer]

Yep.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Then start firing at them big oil lamps hanging from the ceiling and start to yelling loud. Mighty loud. Sheriff. Sheriff. Sheriff. That's gonna start a panic in there. And that two bit sheriff will come a running this way, see.

[Cyclone]

Doggone, that's a fine idea. But. But what you want me to do, Mr. Jefferson?

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Well listen, I tell you now Cyclone, I want you to get all the horses and hightail them there to the jailhouse at exactly midnight.

[Cyclone]

Yes sir. I'm gonna do it.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Well, it's mighty near 12 now. So get you going there.

[Cyclone]

Yes, sir, I's leaving. I'll have the horses there just about 12.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Sure. An officer. Now, Charlie boy, turn around here. I want you to tie this handkerchief around your face for a mask.

[Charlie Lung]

Oh, lie. I tie on your face here.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Tie her tight there. They'll cover everything but your eyes. That's it. Kind of.

[Charlie Lung]

Shh.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

That's it. Get it up there now. Good luck to you, Charlie. I'm heading for the jail to get them lassoes rigged. And for Pete's sake, don't you miss them lights.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Charlie crouches in the dark hallway, face hidden by the big bandana handkerchief, his two guns drawn, waiting for the first stroke of midnight. Cyclone quickly rounds up the four horses and sits hidden from the moon beneath a clump of dense cottonwood trees near the jail. Jeffers slips silently under cover beneath the water tank that stands a few yards from the cell window. Slowly the minutes drag by. Then it's the hour for the midnight rendezvous.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Oh, my golly.

[Charlie Lung]

Now. 12 o' clock I go in an asshole. Then I make a shoot out all

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

the light and yell his shelliff.

[Charlie Lung]

Oh, this he plays all full of people. More better hurry or they make a shooty. Me now I make a shooty.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Hey, the lights is out. Get the sheriff here. Sheriff.

[Cyclone]

Sheriff.

[Charlie Lung]

Get the sheriff.

[Announcer]

Sheriff.

[Cyclone]

Sheriff.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Lady luck is with Charlie. Long before his blazing six guns are emptied. The big lamps that lit the golden Nugget are out. His call for the sheriff is taken up by the crowd who mill around in the casino. Charlie rushes back through the darkened hallway and runs for the jail. Gold pan Jeffers, with a wire rope lasso's rigged on the iron bars of the jail window, waits anxiously outside El Lobo's cell for his two companions.

[Announcer]

Say.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Say, Elobo. I hear the firing at the casino. Charlie must have shut them lights out.

[El Lobo]

Well, I can say I hope he doesn't miss them.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

He ain't a goin amiss. That little Chinese is a ding. Busted. Good shot. Yes. Hey, come swing with me. Here comes Cyclone to them horses.

[Cyclone]

Yes, Mr. Jabber. Oh, Lord. Is everything ready? I done hear Charlie's fine there at the Golden Nugget.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Yeah, yeah, it's all ready. Now get back on your horse. Snub this wire rope to your saddle horn. We ain't the gutter minute. Yes, sir.

[Cyclone]

Sure d. Now I put it on you. I got a f. All right, then.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

I'll join you. Now. Easy, easy there.

[Cyclone]

Uhoh. Say, here comes Charlie.

[Charlie Lung]

Hold on. I come. I know I can make you believe? Oh, I learned very fast.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Hey, Dead Bernard, Charlie, you got all them lights out, did you?

[Charlie Lung]

All the light out and everybody calling for the Shelley.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Well, good. Now grab that last rope hanging there from the window bars mount and tie her to your saddle horn.

[Charlie Lung]

Hold on. I do. Get on the horse. Oh, steady now. I'm making big he fixes.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

All right now, gents, tighten up on them ropes.

[Cyclone]

Yassir, come on here. Easy, easy. Ho, ho. I've got my rope tied, Yasser.

[Charlie Lung]

I let it do, Mr. Golfax Dandy.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Now, gents, queens have got to hit the pull altogether. That's the important part of it. So when I tell you, you get them bang tails to moving all at the same time. Say, Elobo, get back from that there shell, windy. Cause when we start a pulling, ain't a no telling what you're gonna break.

[El Lobo]

Stand back, Senoris. I hope your horse has strong enough to pull the iron bar out.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Well, Gump Swiglet, in a few seconds we're gonna know, ain't we? All right, gents, this is it. Take up the slack very easy. Easy.

[Cyclone]

Yeah, but come on.

[Announcer]

Come on.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Right now, it's so. Steady. Steady. Steady with the strain, all of you. You'll have a last time in that.

[Charlie Lung]

Hold on already.

[Gold Pan Jeffers]

Well, fellas, it's now and ever.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

The three horses driving their powerful legs deep into the loose dirt, strain against the tightening wires that run from their saddle horns to the iron bars of the the jail window. Urged by their riders, the willing horses fling their whole weight against the taut cables that twang and hum under the terrific stress of the load. Will they succeed in liberating El Lobo? Be sure and tune in next week for the Reckoning. The adventures of Charlie Lung is written and portrayed by one man, Charlie Long, the man of a hundred voices. This is Jerry Hendigus saying. Stay tuned for more of these great old radio classics. The music by dave bacall, sound by

[Announcer]

bob conlon and parker cornell, and engineering by joe kay.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Production and direction by jack lyman. This is bruce anson speaking for hal gibney from hollywood's radio city. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.

[Charlie Lung]

It.