The Lone Indian 37xxxx 017 The Spider

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – "The Lone Indian 37xxxx 017 The Spider"

Episode Information

• Title: The Lone Indian 37xxxx 017 The Spider
• Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Release Date: March 26, 2025
• Description: This episode transports listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio, presenting a riveting tale from "The Lone Indian" series. Set in a time before television, families gathered around the radio to immerse themselves in stories of pioneers and Native Americans, chronicling their struggles, adventures, and the intricate dance between lawmen and outlaws.

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Introduction

The episode commences with an introduction by Robert E. Callahan, a national authority on the American Indian. He sets the stage for the seventeenth installment of "The Lone Indian," promising a blend of enlightenment and entertainment through gripping stories of war, peace, and the profound connection between the first Americans and the great outdoors.

Robert E. Callahan [00:01]: "A program to enlighten as well as entertain. Embracing as it does gripping stories of war and peace."

Recap of Previous Episode

The narrator, Kola, briefly recaps the previous night's adventure, reminding listeners of the Lone Indian's cunning disguise as a sheep herder and his strategic infiltration of the Spider's gambling saloon. The Indian's primary objective is revealed: to monitor the movements of six outlaws under the notorious Spider's command.

Narrator [00:35]: "The Indian had no desire to gamble, but he was playing merely to keep his eye on the movement of the outlaws."

Main Story: The Confrontation at the Saloon

The Lone Indian's Strategy

The Lone Indian adopts a careful approach, blending into the environment to observe the outlaws without arousing suspicion. His strategic position beneath the stovepipe vent allows him to surveil the saloon's activities silently.

The Arrival of The Spider

The tension escalates as the Spider enters the saloon, vividly described in his menacing attire adorned with spiderweb motifs—a symbol of his nefarious reputation.

Narrator [01:03]: "He was attired in brown buckskin trousers fringed and beaded with spiderwebs along the seams... his revolvers... hung from his beaded belt."

The Showdown

A dramatic confrontation unfolds when a cowhand, portrayed as half-drunken and eccentric, challenges the Spider with a gunshot—only to witness the bullet flatten into the Spider's steel jacket, leaving the crowd in awe and fear.

Narrator [01:45]: "He had his spiderweb painted on each cheek... It struck a steel jacket and flattened out like a wad of gum and the crowd gasped in amazement."

As the situation intensifies, the Spider asserts his dominance, ordering the patrons to surrender their valuables.

Spider [02:32]: "Anybody else here want to smell a little powder, eh?... I want the watches, the pocketbook, jewelry, everything."

Outlaw Demands and Rising Tension

Under the Spider's command, his men enforce compliance, ensuring that all guns and valuables are relinquished. The environment becomes tense as fear grips the gamblers, who retreat to corners, hoping to remain unnoticed amidst the chaos.

Narrator [03:04]: "revolvers, purses, small sacks of gold, currency and silver had been piled high up on the bar room counter."

Skybird's Heroic Intervention

Amidst the Spider's rampage, the Lone Indian's young ally, Skybird, plays a pivotal role. Unknown to the outlaws, Skybird positions himself strategically behind a slot machine, capitalizing on an Apache superstition related to a white cat. This superstition becomes Skybird's tool to cripple the outlaws, disarming them and thwarting their plans.

Narrator [05:00]: "Skybird had crawled out from his concealed position... he pulled his slouch hat down over his eyes... his actions crippled the four outlaws in their right arms, making them helpless."

Despite his efforts, an unknown gunfire causes the Spider to recall a devastating memory tied to an Omaha magic charm, pushing him to flee Mexico in fear of retribution.

Spider [07:10]: "Hasta la vista. Adios."

Aftermath and the Lone Indian's Continued Quest

With the Spider momentarily defeated and his gang disbanded, the Lone Indian and Skybird press onward in their quest for justice and the reclamation of sacred treasures stolen from the Omahas. Their journey embodies a steadfast belief in divine justice and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

Narrator [07:18]: "The lone Indian and Skybird resume their journey afoot... implicit faith in God, in truth, and in justice."

Conclusion and Spiritual Reflection

The episode concludes with a heartfelt springtime prayer by Dick Comsey, a noted Shawnee Chief. This prayer emphasizes the sanctity of a harmonious home and the profound peace found in nature, reinforcing the episode's themes of faith, community, and the enduring spirit of the American Indian.

Prayer of Dick Comsey: "Such a home is found in the great outdoors... in the mighty forest, or in the desert foothills where one may cook their meals over a simple campfire and sleep beneath the friendless stars."

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Notable Quotes

• Robert E. Callahan [00:01]:

  "A program to enlighten as well as entertain. Embracing as it does gripping stories of war and peace."

• Narrator [00:35]:

  "The Indian had no desire to gamble, but he was playing merely to keep his eye on the movement of the outlaws."

• Spider [02:32]:

  "Anybody else here want to smell a little powder, eh?... I want the watches, the pocketbook, jewelry, everything."

• Spider [07:10]:

  "Hasta la vista. Adios."

• Prayer of Dick Comsey:

  "Such a home is found in the great outdoors... in the mighty forest, or in the desert foothills where one may cook their meals over a simple campfire and sleep beneath the friendless stars."

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Final Thoughts

"The Lone Indian 37xxxx 017 The Spider" delivers a captivating narrative that intertwines action, cultural lore, and moral undertones. Through the Lone Indian's vigilant pursuit of justice and Skybird's brave intervention, listeners are immersed in a tale that underscores the resilience and honor of the American Indian. The episode not only entertains but also offers reflective insights into the values of faith, community, and the unyielding quest for righteousness.

For those unfamiliar with the series, this episode serves as a testament to the rich storytelling of the Golden Age of Radio, where each broadcast was a window into a world of adventure, culture, and timeless lessons.

Transcript

[Robert E. Callahan]

Presenting the 17th story of the Lone Indian. Thrilling Stories of the Indian and the Pioneer by Robert E. Callahan, national authority on the American Indian and author of many heart gripping books. A program to enlighten as well as entertain. Embracing as it does gripping stories of war and peace. Thrilling tales of the Indian and his love for the great outdoors. A vivid portrayal of our first Americans in their dramatic travel toward the land of the setting sun. The drone of the Indians drums indicates. Mr. Callahan is here to give you another chapter in the life of the Lone Indian.

[Narrator]

Now, Kola. In last night's story, my friends, we told you how the lone Indian had disguised himself as a sheep herder and later had joined the gambling group in the Spider's saloon. The Indian had no desire to gamble, but he was playing merely to keep his eye on the movement of the outlaws. Six lieutenants of the notorious Spider. Later in the evening he went upstairs to the bedroom he had engaged. Locking the door, he moved silently over beside the stovepipe vent through which he could see what was happening below. And hardly had he taken his position when the Spider arrived. He was attired in brown buckskin trousers fringed and beaded with spiderwebs along the seams. And a red loose fitting shirt covered his steel jacket which encircled his body. He had his spiderweb painted on each cheek and worn on each of his bone handled revolvers which hung from his beaded belt. Not a single person in the room spoke or moved as the notorious outlaw advanced and took his stand beside the bar and almost directly beneath the vent through which the Indian was gazing in the back of the bar, a half drunken eccentric cowboy whipped out his gun and leveled it at the heart of the Spider. I've been waiting 10 years for you. At once everybody turned to see the nervous cowboy holding a smoking gun and the Spider glaring at him in contempt. Then the Spider pointed to the bullet on the floor and he laughed. It struck a steel jacket and flattened out like a wad of gum and the crowd gasped in amazement. The next moment a ghastly expression spread over the cowboy's face. But the Spider was looking at him. Suddenly the Spider reached down quick as a flash, grasped his revolver, tilted it slightly and.

[Spider]

Anybody else here want to smell a little powder, eh? You see, sometimes these spiders shoot a cripple, but tonight he shoot to kill. Stick them up, everybody.

[Poncho]

Those Spider know Indian may come to village.

[Spider]

We won't see him anymore.

[Poncho]

But he's coming here tonight. I feel it.

[Spider]

I will take care of the Indian. All right, get him on it.

[Poncho]

The Spider want jewelry too?

[Spider]

Yes. I want the watches, the pocketbook, jewelry, everything. Put him on the bar, Poncho. Yes, senor.

[Narrator]

And as the Spider ordered every man in the room to surrender his gun and then to come forward and drop all valuables on the counter near where he stood, three of his men sprang from different positions in the room, backs against the wall, guns cocked, eyes full of fire. It was useless for anyone to interfere. The outlaws had the advantage. And within a few minutes, revolvers, purses, small sacks of gold, currency and silver had been piled high up on the bar room counter.

[Spider]

Alonzo Gonzalez? Yes. Loco Pedraza Martinez.

[Narrator]

Come.

[Spider]

We drink on the house.

[Narrator]

Senor Gonzalez to find white kid. Him on the floor.

[Poncho]

Bring white kito. Pancho. Pancho kill him.

[Spider]

Alonzo, go out the back door. Gonzalez, you go the front door. Bring the white kid to me. Poncho, you watch everybody.

[Poncho]

Poncho hate Indian. Poncho hate white kid. Pancho will kill.

[Spider]

Wait, Poncho. I have a very good plan.

[Narrator]

And by now, the gamblers had retired to one corner of the room, hoping no impulsive moments would cause the outlaws to fire at them. In the meanwhile, Alonzo and Gonzales had dashed from the building in search of the white boy. But the long hand of fate had stretched his fingers into the mountains of Mexico in a strange manner, and Skybird was not to be found. It seems that as the Spider had approached the saloon, Sky Bird, from where he lay concealed beneath the floor, had seen this spider show fright when a white cat dashed across the street ahead of him. Then, remembering what the Indian had told him one time about the Apache superstition, also feeling that he wanted to take part in whatever the Indian did that night, the boy had made friends with that cat. Later, he had heard Poncho and the Spider make their boast. So before Alonzo and Gonzales had gone out of their building, Sky Bird had crawled out from his concealed position under the house, and he had found a window through which he was lucky to climb. And by more luck, it had taken him into the saloon behind the counter, on which a large slot machine had shielded him from sight. And just about the time Gonzalez and Alonzo re entered the building, Skybird not only pitched the white cat over the counter and let it race across the room, but he also pulled his slouch hat down over his eyes and his head appeared above the slot machine. Then, with startling quickness, for a moment, the Spider was dazed. Carrying out the Indian's wishes, Skybird had crippled the four outlaws in their right arms, making them helpless Their guns had fallen to the floor. In the meanwhile, the final chapter of this spider's episodes in Preacher's Flat was written on the walls of fate. For in some uncanny manner, the engine had inserted two arrows on the string of his bow. He had pushed the arrows through the stove pipe bent, and he had angled them in such direction as to let them. One arrow caught Alonzo as he came through the rear door, and the other struck Gonzalez as he entered the front door. And both of the outlaws fell on their tracks. The white cat racing across the room. And the shots coming from an unknown gun caused this spider to remember the story of the Omaha magic charm. It brought vivid memories of the night he stole the most sacred treasure of the Omahas and the essentials which had made the theft possible. A white cat, a white dove, a goat, and a white sheep. And as these thoughts flashed through his mind, he became terror stricken. He would no longer live in Mexico. He would cross their American border. The white cat was bad medicine. It meant trouble. So he diced to the front door and he mounted his horse.

[Spider]

Hasta la vista. Adios.

[Narrator]

Only Skybird knew who had done the shooting from behind that slot machine that night. And as the wounded outlaws began to pick themselves up, he crawled back through the window. In the meanwhile, the Indian had descended the stairs and had gone out, not stopping to explain who he was, why he came now, where he was going. Then, seizing Skybird by his arm, he rushed away, going directly to the old sheep herder to whom he had returned the dusty clothes, the checkered suit, the slouch hat they had caused him to disguise himself, now extending a few pieces of gold to the old herder. The Indian quickly thanked him and requested that he say nothing. And then, with upstretched hand, the Indian sent his prayer to the spirit world. Turning to skyward, Indian must find sacred hour of Omahas. We follow Spider. We go White Papoose. Brave boy. Someday Spirit God find pale face Papoose. A white horse and Sky Bird will help Indian find magic arrow. Though the spider had escaped, his band of outlaws were temporarily broken up. And feeling now that justice must finally come, the lone Indian and Skybird resume their journey afoot. What another day would bring, they did not know. But theirs was implicit faith in God, in truth, and in justice. The spider must lose his power. The magic hour must be found. The sacred treasure must be taken back to the Omahas. This was the spirit of the lone Indian. And my friends, we close the program tonight with a springtime prayer of Dick Comsey, the noted Shawnee Chief of long ago let me live in a home of companionship, a home rich in words of love and truth. A place where no one sighs and no one mourns. A home in which the friendly spirit of life is deep and real. And a friendly home which offers peace of mind, confidence, hope and health. Such a home is found in the great outdoors. Yes, in the mighty forest, or in the desert foothills where one may cook their meals over a simple campfire and sleep beneath the friendless stars. Out where we find days of rest and nights of sweet repose. Yes, in the wide open spaces where the air is pure and the sun is warm. And where we are close to nature and in close communion with God.