The Lone Ranger - Big Bend Construction Camp

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Lone Ranger – Big Bend Construction Camp

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: The Lone Ranger - Big Bend Construction Camp
Date: May 28, 2026
Duration of core content: ~00:21–29:21

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Lone Ranger transports listeners to the thrilling days of westward expansion, focusing on the formidable challenges faced during the construction of a vital railroad line near Big Bend. As the work crew pushes to meet their contractual deadline, a sinister plot, sabotage, and a mysterious fever threaten the project’s success. With the help of the Lone Ranger, his steadfast companion Tonto, and a few courageous allies, truth and heroism win out against greed and treachery.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Work Camp Crisis: Mysterious Illness

• Setting: Railroad construction camp near Big Bend, before dawn.
• Issue: Sudden outbreak of fever, one worker dies, three more critically ill, and the vital medicine kit disappears.
• Tonto's Arrival: Tonto appears, correctly diagnosing the illness as being caused by bad water and administers traditional medicine to help the sick men recover.
  • (Bart Fleming: "You know, last night one of the boys was took sick." 03:26)
  • (Tonto: "Them got fever." 05:46)
  • (Tonto: "Maybe bad water." 05:49)

2. Suspicions of Sabotage and Internal Betrayal

• Jim Webster's concern: The illness and the missing medicine kit seem suspicious.
• Felix Gibbon's skepticism: The construction company’s local office manager, Gibbons, dismisses Jim's reports and shows little concern for the men’s welfare, focusing solely on deadlines.
  • (Felix Gibbons: "I don't care how many men die. The tracks should be in Big Bend by today." 06:51)
• Miss Molly’s warning: Molly, Gibbons’ secretary, furtively warns Jim to be extra cautious and hints at a deeper deceit.
  • (Miss Molly: "Just remember what I told you. I can't say any more than that. Just watch out for yourself. There's something mighty funny going on." 10:03)

3. The Saboteurs Revealed: Gibbons and Sneed

• Snead enters the plot: Snead, a surly worker, is seen taking orders directly from Gibbons.
  • (Sneed: "I'm taking orders from Gibbons himself from now on. Savvy?" 09:41)
• Scheming in the office: Listeners hear Gibbons and Sneed conspire to sabotage the project for a bribe from a rival company. The next plan: destroy the supply train by sabotaging the bridge at Red Rock.
  • (Gibbons: "If something happens to that bridge, the supplies won't reach Big Bend." 12:11)
  • (Sneed: "That's all you gotta tell me. I'll get started soon as I get that cash." 12:21)

4. The Lone Ranger & Tonto Investigate

• Collaboration: Jim asks Tonto to keep an eye on Sneed and Gibbons, suspecting them of plotting.
• Evidence: Tonto had noticed Sneed’s footprints near the contaminated water source, reinforcing suspicions.
  • (Tonto: "Tonto knows Sneed. You do impeller make footprint near bad water." 13:49)
• Confrontation: The Lone Ranger, Tonto, and allies approach Gibbons at night to force a confession and extract the details of the plot.
  • (Tonto: "I'm not here to waste time...I have little use for a man who tries to kill men with fever." 19:15)

5. Action-Packed Race Against Disaster

• The race to Red Rock: The Lone Ranger and Tonto desperately ride to the bridge to stop Sneed before he can destroy it. Despite heroic efforts, the train is early—the bridge collapses, wrecking the supply train.
  • (Narrator: "It was a hopeless race. But the Lone Ranger would not admit defeat." 21:27)
• Aftermath: Luckily, there are no passenger casualties, and Sneed is apprehended in the wreckage. He implicates Gibbons, believing he was double-crossed.
  • (Miss Molly: "He thought Gibbons hired someone to shoot him. And he told everything to the sheriff. You see, he thought he was dying." 25:38)

6. Resourcefulness and Rescue

• Despair & hope: Without the train, the bridge seems impossible to finish.
• Indigenous ingenuity: Tonto and local Native Americans (including Chief Thundercloud) resourcefully salvage floating supplies from the train wreck via rafts, bringing them downriver to Big Bend.
  • (Tonto: "The river that flows past Red Rock circles and comes back past here. The water's high and the Indians knew it." 26:33)
  • (Narrator: "Look upstream...There's the rafts. Our supplies, Jim." 26:44)
• Success: With the supplies, work can continue, and the company’s contract will be honored after all.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Stakes:
  • Felix Gibbons: "If we don't finish the contract on time, you know what that means?...This company loses it. And there's plenty of important money in the east that would like to see our company lose it." (04:33)
• Heroic Medicine:
  • Jim Webster: "One man's dead already. And if the Indian can save these three and any others that get sick..." (05:59)
  • Scout (Tonto): "Me give em engine medicine. Make em well soon." (05:38)
• Corrupt Intentions Revealed:
  • Sneed: "You're really going to give me that hundred dollars?"
    Felix Gibbons: "A man has to make a living where he can these days." (11:15)
• The Lone Ranger’s Gallop:
  • Narrator: "Like a streak of white flame, the great horse Silver raced across the open country toward the bridge at Red Rock." (20:23)
• Resourceful Solution:
  • Jim Webster: "You mean to say that the Indians made rafts?"
    Tonto: "Loaded the iron and steel on them. The river that flows past Red Rock circles and comes back past here. The water's high and the Indians knew it." (26:33)
• Final Miracle and Friendship:
  • Jim Webster: "It's a miracle. A miracle, I tell you." (26:49)
  • Miss Molly: "It'll be a miracle if you'll forget to call me Miss Molly. My real friends call me Molly." (27:15)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:21 – Classic Lone Ranger opening theme
• 03:08–06:09 – Illness discovered; Tonto’s intervention
• 06:43–11:04 – Jim reports to Gibbons, Molly’s warning, Gibbons and Sneed conspire
• 12:50–16:34 – Jim and Tonto piece clues together; plan to monitor Sneed
• 17:01–19:44 – Night confrontation; Gibbons is forced to reveal the sabotage
• 20:23–22:12 – The race to the bridge and supply train disaster
• 24:44–26:44 – Despair in camp, the miracle of the supplies on rafts
• 26:44–27:22 – Work resumes, Gibbons and Sneed brought to justice, friendships solidify

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains the sweeping, earnest tone of Golden Age radio westerns—mixing tension, honor, and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. Characters speak plainly, with an emphasis on action and justice, while atmospheric narration and classic sound cues deliver drama and urgency.

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Conclusion

"The Lone Ranger – Big Bend Construction Camp" is a classic tale of sabotage, courage, and frontier justice. It showcases the noble Lone Ranger, the savvy Tonto, and the grit of the railroad crews, reminding listeners of the timeless values of loyalty, quick thinking, and standing up for what’s right. In the end, the resourcefulness and cooperation of diverse allies overcome villainy, and the heroic legend of the Lone Ranger shines on.

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For more Golden Age radio adventures, listen to other episodes via Harold's Old Time Radio channels.

Transcript

[Narrator]

A fiery horse for the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty HI O. Silver. The Lone Ranger.

[Jim Webster]

Sam, It's sa.

[Narrator]

The masked rider of the plains realized that the coming of the railroad would be a great event for the western United States. Without thought of reward, he helped the engineers overcome the obstacles that stood in their way. The greed of men and the ruthlessness of nature. With his aid, the great project was completed and the west took another step toward civilization. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse.

[Felix Gibbons]

Silver.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger rides again.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on, Silver. We're heading for Big Ben. Tunnels waiting for us. I O Silver. How are.

[Jim Webster]

You?

[Narrator]

Jim Webster was in charge of the construction camp not far from the town of Big Ben. Our story opens an hour before daybreak. Bart Fleming enters the overseer's tent and grasping Jim's shoulder, shakes him roughly.

[Bart Fleming]

Wake up, Jim. Wake up, will you? Wake up, fella.

[Jim Webster]

What's the matter?

[Tonto]

Isn't daybreak yet. Let me sleep a little longer, will you?

[Bart Fleming]

You can't sleep.

[Jim Webster]

Get up.

[Bart Fleming]

I tell you, there's a dickens of a time going on.

[Jim Webster]

What's the matter?

[Bart Fleming]

Are you awake?

[Jim Webster]

Sure, I'm awake. Tell me, Bart, what's the trouble?

[Bart Fleming]

Trouble of plenty. You know, last night one of the boys was took sick.

[Jim Webster]

Yes, Sort of a fever.

[Bart Fleming]

That's right. There's three more sick tonight and no telling how many more before this day's over.

[Jim Webster]

What's the cause of it?

[Bart Fleming]

Don't ask me. You come and talk to those men.

[Jim Webster]

Where's that medicine kit?

[Bart Fleming]

It's gone.

[Scout]

Gone?

[Jim Webster]

What in blazes could have happened?

[Bart Fleming]

I tried to find it. I was in here an hour ago with a lantern looking for it. It's just disappeared, Bart.

[Jim Webster]

What do you make of that? Who take the medicine kit? No one's allowed to touch it but you and me.

[Bart Fleming]

I know that. Well, put your boots on and come with me. The boys are over near the cook tent.

[Jim Webster]

I'll be with you in just a second. Confound it. I figured we'd have the tracks as far as Big Ben when I rode in town to make my next report.

[Bart Fleming]

You'll have a hard time doing it with four men on the sick list.

[Jim Webster]

Any more get laid up. We. We can't do it there. I'm ready. Won't bother to lace the boot. Lets go have a look at those men.

[Bart Fleming]

They're grown in something awful heavier, should say. Yeah, just like that one last night.

[Jim Webster]

Well, how's he we look at the others first.

[Bart Fleming]

I'll tell you about Slim Krindle later.

[Jim Webster]

Tell me now.

[Bart Fleming]

Well, if you've got to have it. Slim died.

[Jim Webster]

What?

[Bart Fleming]

It's the truth.

[Jim Webster]

I didn't think it was as bad as that.

[Bart Fleming]

It is.

[Jim Webster]

You know what this job means, Bart?

[Bart Fleming]

I know.

[Jim Webster]

I know the big chance of our lives if we finish that contract on time. And if we don't finish the contract on time, you know what that means?

[Bart Fleming]

This company loses it. And there's plenty of important money in the east that would like to see our company lose it.

[Jim Webster]

I know, but our main concern right now is the men in that tent. Do any of the others know about it?

[Bart Fleming]

Not yet. They'll know about it at breakfast time, though. Can't keep it from them. Lucky thing all three of the boys was in the same tent.

[Jim Webster]

No one else in there? No.

[Bart Fleming]

Here we are.

[Scout]

Hey, you keep bank an engine.

[Jim Webster]

What are you doing here?

[Scout]

Me tanto?

[Bart Fleming]

I don't give a hang who you are. Get away from those men.

[Jim Webster]

They're alen.

[Scout]

Me know that. Them plenty sick.

[Jim Webster]

How'd you get here? Where are you from? What are you doing there?

[Scout]

Me fix a man.

[Bart Fleming]

Maybe you're the one who fixed them already. Come on, injun git.

[Scout]

Tonto not go hunto. Hear fellers groan.

[Jim Webster]

Are they. Are they dead?

[Scout]

No, them not dead.

[Bart Fleming]

They're quiet now.

[Scout]

That's right. Them sleep.

[Jim Webster]

Where'd you come from?

[Scout]

That not matter. You get plenty cold water.

[Bart Fleming]

What'd you do for them men?

[Scout]

Me give em engine medicine. Make em well soon.

[Jim Webster]

Do you mean to say you just passed by here and heard them groaning?

[Scout]

Not right.

[Jim Webster]

You know what's wrong with them?

[Scout]

Them got fever.

[Jim Webster]

What caused that? Fever?

[Scout]

Maybe bad water.

[Narrator]

Bad water?

[Bart Fleming]

They've had the same water we've been drinking, ain't they?

[Scout]

Me not know that. You get cold water now. Keep cold cloth on head, Bart.

[Jim Webster]

I like the Indian style. He seems to know what he's talking about. We're going to do what he says. One man's dead already. And if the Indian can save these three and any others that get sick.

[Bart Fleming]

Come on, Jim. He said the water they've been drinking was bad. If that's the case, every man in camp's likely to come down with a fever.

[Jim Webster]

We'll find out about that later on. The main thing now is to get these men fixed up. You tell us what to do, Tonto, and we'll do it.

[Narrator]

The following day, Jim Webster rode into the town of Green Flats where the western office of the construction company was located. He made his report to Feedix Gibbons.

[Felix Gibbons]

So you're trying to excuse yourself for not carrying the tracks to Big Ben. By saying your men was too sick?

[Jim Webster]

There's more to it than that, Mr. Gibbons. One of them died.

[Felix Gibbons]

I don't care how many men die. The tracks should be in Big Bend by today. They ain't there. We're behind schedule. That's bad. Mighty bad.

[Jim Webster]

Confounded, Gibbons. You ought to be glad we've got the men back on their feet and able to go to work. There's something mighty funny about those men.

[Felix Gibbons]

What do you mean?

[Jim Webster]

I'll tell you what I mean. Someone drew water from a spring that everyone knew was unsafe for drinking.

[Felix Gibbons]

Seems to me if you're in charge of the work. You ought to check the water and food they get.

[Jim Webster]

I can't be every place at once. The water they generally use is all right. But someone filled the canteens from that

[Felix Gibbons]

bad spring trying to pass the blame. I suppose the next thing you'll tell me is that someone done it. A purpose just to hamper your work.

[Jim Webster]

I wouldn't be surprised at that, either. It'll mean a lot to that Maryland company to get the job. And that's what they'll do if we don't finish on time.

[Felix Gibbons]

Yes, that's just what they'll do. And if we don't finish on time, you're the one to blame.

[Jim Webster]

I'll take the blame.

[Felix Gibbons]

You'll take the blame, all right. What's more, if we fail, you don't draw a center, pay for no part of the job.

[Jim Webster]

You've got nothing to say about that.

[Felix Gibbons]

We'll see about that, mister. Now get out of here.

[Jim Webster]

Don't you want to hear the rest of it?

[Felix Gibbons]

Not interested. Only thing I'm interested in is seeing this job done on schedule. Excuses, alibis, explanations, they don't mean a thing to me. The fact stands, if the job ain't done, we lose the contract.

[Jim Webster]

All right, but I thought you might be interested in knowing that. My suspicions were backed up by the fact that someone stole my medicine kit.

[Felix Gibbons]

I told you, I'm not interested.

[Jim Webster]

You might be if he knew we owe an Indian some money.

[Felix Gibbons]

Indian?

[Jim Webster]

You heard me. He said he'd hang around the camp till I got back. I didn't tell him I'd pay him, but I owe him plenty. He knew what was wrong with those men and how to cure it.

[Felix Gibbons]

You mean to say they had fever and they're cured already?

[Jim Webster]

No, they're not cured, but they're better, and they're going to get well. The important thing is no more have taken sick.

[Felix Gibbons]

We got no allowance for Indians to go around trying to cure a fever.

[Jim Webster]

I should have known better than to expect this office to pay for a thing like that. But it's all right. I'll pay it out of my own pocket, and gladly. I'll be here next week.

[Felix Gibbons]

You see that that job goes along on schedule.

[Jim Webster]

I'm doing the best any man can do.

[Miss Molly]

Mr. Webster.

[Jim Webster]

Oh, yes, Miss Molly.

[Miss Molly]

Come here a minute. I want to speak to you.

[Jim Webster]

Why, yes. Yes, sure.

[Miss Molly]

Maybe I shouldn't say anything about it. But there's something I think you ought to know.

[Jim Webster]

What's that?

[Miss Molly]

Working here in this office, I hear and see quite a bit.

[Jim Webster]

I'll bet you do. I don't see how you get along with Gibbons, though.

[Miss Molly]

He's a hard man to work for, I'll admit that. Has anything gone wrong on the job?

[Jim Webster]

Four of the men came down with fever, and one of them died. And Indian cured the other three and told us what the trouble was.

[Miss Molly]

Is there any chance that someone might have made them sick on purpose?

[Jim Webster]

Why do you ask that?

[Miss Molly]

Is there?

[Jim Webster]

I had a suspicion there might be. Someone stole my medicine kit.

[Miss Molly]

Jim, watch out for things.

[Jim Webster]

What do you mean, Miss Molly?

[Miss Molly]

I can't tell you any more than that.

[Jim Webster]

Howdy, Molly.

[Snead]

Well, Webster, what are you doing here?

[Jim Webster]

I might ask the same thing of you, Snead. What are you doing here in town? You're supposed to be back on the job.

[Snead]

Yeah? Well, you ain't nothing to say about me no more.

[Jim Webster]

What do you mean?

[Snead]

I'm taking orders from Gibbons himself from now on. Savvy? He sent for me. Going in to see him right now.

[Miss Molly]

I despise that man.

[Jim Webster]

Sneed's about the ugliest fellow we have on the job.

[Miss Molly]

Didn't you know he was coming to town today?

[Jim Webster]

No.

[Miss Molly]

Mr. Gibbons sent word to him direct.

[Jim Webster]

Why didn't he send word to me?

[Miss Molly]

I don't know, Jim. But just remember what I told you. I can't say any more than that. Just watch out for yourself. There's something mighty funny going on.

[Jim Webster]

Thanks. I'll be on the lookout. I hope I'll see you next time I come to town, Miss Molly.

[Miss Molly]

I hope so, too. Goodbye, Jim.

[Jim Webster]

Goodbye.

[Miss Molly]

If I could only tell him more. If I could only find out more.

[Felix Gibbons]

Molly, step in here.

[Miss Molly]

Yes, Mr. Gibbons.

[Felix Gibbons]

Molly, open the safe and get $100, Mr. Snead.

[Miss Molly]

$100?

[Felix Gibbons]

You heard me. Do as you're told.

[Miss Molly]

Very well,

[Snead]

taint my fault, Gibbons, that the fever idea fell through a doggone

[Felix Gibbons]

in no excuses need no excuses. I thought we might set the job back by following your suggestion. But we didn't. All right, we'll try another scheme.

[Snead]

You're really going to give me that hundred dollars?

[Felix Gibbons]

100. Now the rest of what I promised you when you fulfill your part of the agreement. That job has to be fixed or fall down.

[Snead]

It's that back some now.

[Felix Gibbons]

Not far enough. Jim Webster could make up the work he's lost so far. We've got to keep him from fulfilling the contract. There's $5,000 in it.

[Snead]

Just who's paying all that cash?

[Felix Gibbons]

It's none of your business. But I'll tell you, it's the company that'll get the contract that the company I represent falls down.

[Snead]

So you're sort of double crossing the folks, eh?

[Felix Gibbons]

A man has to make a living where he can these days. Now listen, no matter how hard those men work, they. You can't work without supplies.

[Snead]

Of course not.

[Narrator]

All right.

[Felix Gibbons]

Supplies are coming through next week on the work train.

[Jim Webster]

Yeah.

[Felix Gibbons]

The supplies are supposed to meet the working crew at Big Bend Creek.

[Snead]

Sure, I know that. The boys are supposed to get the tracks there this week. Now wait there till the trains come up to meet them. The train will have the supplies to build the bridge and carry the tracks beyond the creek.

[Felix Gibbons]

That's it.

[Snead]

The way I figure, they'll have the tracks to the creek by Monday night.

[Felix Gibbons]

The train should pass Rock center tonight. You can get there by hard riding.

[Snead]

Yeah, I can make it easy if the train don't come too early.

[Felix Gibbons]

The train's due at midnight. Maybe half an hour early or late. You can't tell about that. But I won't be there before 11. It has to cross a bridge there. Savvy?

[Snead]

Go on, boss. I'm a listening.

[Felix Gibbons]

If something happens to that bridge, the supplies won't reach Big Bend.

[Snead]

Gibbons. That's all you gotta tell me. I'll get started soon as I get that cash.

[Narrator]

Jim Webster rode away from Green Flats in the direction of the camp. His mind filled with what Gibbons had said and the warning Molly had given him. Tonto met him on the trail.

[Scout]

Hey, you feller.

[Jim Webster]

Huh? Oh, go there. You your Tanto, that right?

[Scout]

You go back now. Colors get well, Indian.

[Jim Webster]

You save the lives of a lot of men. I don't know how many others would have been given that bad water if you hadn't found out about it.

[Scout]

That's all right.

[Jim Webster]

It isn't all right until I show my appreciation. I don't have much with me, but

[Scout]

I ton not want money.

[Jim Webster]

Where are you going now?

[Scout]

Me go meet friends.

[Jim Webster]

Well, look here. I wish you'd come back to the camp with me.

[Scout]

You not need Tonto now.

[Jim Webster]

But we might. There's likely to be a lot more trouble before this job is done. You seem to have a way of helping us out. I'll give you a job.

[Scout]

What other trouble?

[Jim Webster]

I don't know. That's what bothers me. I have half a suspicion that Gibbons, the man in the office in town, is double crossing our company.

[Scout]

Why you think that?

[Jim Webster]

Well, nothing I can point out in particular, but I'd like to have you sort of keep an eye on a fellow named Sneed.

[Scout]

Tomto knows Sneed. You do impeller make footprint near bad water.

[Jim Webster]

Is that so? Why didn't you tell me?

[Scout]

Me not know if him make mistake

[Jim Webster]

or that fits in with other things. By thunder, I'll bet Sneed and Gibbons are working against us. There's been a lot of small things and seeing Sneed in that office. Look here, Tonto, you've got to come back. I'll tell you what you do. You wait right here. Snead should be riding back along this way pretty soon. Uh huh. You wait here till he comes by, Let him get past, then come after him and keep an eye on him. Maybe you can get proof he's the one that's been plotting against us.

[Scout]

Other man helped Tonto.

[Jim Webster]

What other man? Oh, you mean my friend Bart.

[Scout]

No, Tonto. Friend Who? Tonto? Go get him, Tonto help you get him up, Scout.

[Narrator]

The curtain falls on the first act of our thrilling Lone Ranger drama before the next exciting scenes. Please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue our story. Tonto rode to meet the Lone Ranger and told him about Jim Webster's suspicions and the sudden attack of fever in the camp. It was nearly dark when he'd finished and the masked man said Tahoe.

[Tonto]

From what you tell me, it seems almost certain that this man Gibbons is planning to keep the railroad crew from carrying out their contract on time.

[Scout]

Matt what Webster feller think the new Tonto. Tonto think same.

[Tonto]

But how can we learn the truth? There's a hundred things they could do.

[Scout]

Isn't that right?

[Tonto]

Perhaps need won't even be involved. I might try and trail him and find that we were watching the wrong man.

[Scout]

Tonto got id.

[Tonto]

What is it?

[Scout]

One feller no scheme. Who Feller who make scheme? Gibbons. Maybe we go make him talk, huh?

[Tonto]

That's the only thing we can make him talk.

[Scout]

Maybe we try. Here. Silver, you go.

[Tonto]

Yes.

[Scout]

Wait.

[Tonto]

What's the matter, Tanda?

[Scout]

Maybe you wait here. Let Tonto go alone. What do you mean Tonto? Make him talk.

[Tonto]

No Tonto yet. In a case of this sort, that man is scheming to destroy the railroad. We plan to have men given bad water. He deserves almost anything.

[Jim Webster]

Yep, that's right.

[Scout]

And that's why Tonto won't go alone.

[Tonto]

That's just why you're not going alone. Come on.

[Narrator]

Oh. Pull this over.

[The Lone Ranger]

Pull it.

[Jim Webster]

Pull it.

[The Lone Ranger]

Ranger.

[Tonto]

Where's Felix Gibbons now, huh?

[Local Townsman]

Oh, Gibbon. You mean Mr. Gibbons?

[Tonto]

Yes.

[Local Townsman]

I reckon he'll be to bed. It's most 9 o' clock and he goes to bed mighty early. He ain't given to what he calls wasting time in the cafes. Now take me. I can't see as it's any waste of time for a man.

[Tonto]

Where does he live?

[Local Townsman]

Huh? Oh, live. Why he hunted all over town till he got the cheapest room he could find. Boards with Mo Ash. Well, even then he beat her down two bucks a week.

[Tonto]

Where's the house now?

[Local Townsman]

You go straight ahead to the last house in the row. Then keep going. It's just beyond set off by itself from the others.

[Tonto]

Thanks.

[Local Townsman]

Hey, leaping catfish. Is that a mask on your face? I can't see so good in the dark.

[Tonto]

Yes, it's a mask. I'm glad we left the horses back a little. Perhaps we can talk to Mrs. Ashwell before we see Gibbons.

[Scout]

And you tell her not to be afraid.

[Tonto]

Yes, you'll have to stay with her. T.

[Local Townsman]

Who's there?

[Tonto]

We want to see you.

[Miss Molly]

Well, what mask?

[Tonto]

Mrs. Ashwell, don't be afraid of me. I want to speak to Mr. Gibbons.

[Miss Molly]

He's gone to bed.

[Tonto]

I know, but I'm a see him anyway.

[The Lone Ranger]

But I.

[Tonto]

Please don't be afraid of me. I think that man's a crook. I want to find out.

[Miss Molly]

Well, what are you?

[Tonto]

Never mind. Where's his room?

[Local Townsman]

End of the hall.

[Scout]

But you see here he won't talk to you now.

[Miss Molly]

I can't stand for this sort of thing.

[Local Townsman]

Stay with it. Other plaster.

[Miss Molly]

If this ain't the most high handed proceeding.

[Local Townsman]

I ain't never seen nothing like it.

[Felix Gibbons]

All right Gibbons, wake up.

[Scout]

Hey.

[Miss Molly]

See here.

[Felix Gibbons]

What's the idea? On your feet. Hey, who's in here? Strike a light. Would you hold me out of bed for.

[Tonto]

Well, that's you where Sneed went.

[Felix Gibbons]

What he's going to do, I don't know about you.

[Scout]

Hey.

[Felix Gibbons]

Now look here, Gibbons.

[Tonto]

I'm not here to waste time.

[Felix Gibbons]

I want to know what you're going

[Tonto]

to do to try and smash that railroad.

[Felix Gibbons]

Who squealed? I mean, you're going to tell me. Get on your feet.

[The Lone Ranger]

I will.

[Felix Gibbons]

Let go of my heart.

[The Lone Ranger]

You hurt my.

[Tonto]

I'll do more than hurt if you don't talk to. I'm not going to beat around the bush. I have little use for a man who tries to kill men with fever.

[Felix Gibbons]

If Sneed squealed, I mean. I mean, I don't know nothing. You can't do this to me. I'll have the law on you now.

[Tonto]

I'm the law. You've admitted Sneed might have squealed.

[Narrator]

Where is Sneed now?

[Felix Gibbons]

Wait. Let's talk it over.

[Narrator]

Where is Sneed?

[Tonto]

What's he doing?

[Bart Fleming]

Oh, God.

[Felix Gibbons]

I'll talk. Don't hurt me. Quick.

[The Lone Ranger]

Red Rock.

[Felix Gibbons]

The midnight train.

[Tonto]

The rest of it.

[Felix Gibbons]

Talk fast.

[Local Townsman]

My sakes, what's happened?

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on, T. We've got the ride as never before.

[Local Townsman]

Come on. He jumped from the porch to the sand.

[Scout]

Get him.

[The Lone Ranger]

Up he goes.

[Narrator]

Like a streak of white flame. The great horse Silver raced across the open country toward the bridge at Red Rock. Tonto and Scout were quickly out. Distant. But the Indian kept riding hard.

[The Lone Ranger]

Get him up, Scout. Maybe him need us at Red Rock.

[Jim Webster]

Get him up.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger was far ahead. In spite of the rough ground where a misstep would have meant death for both horse and rider, Silver's hoops beat out a savage tattoo. The white mane and tail of the great horse lashed straight out. The brim of the masked man's hat flattened back against the high crown as the wind pressed hard against it.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on, old boy. There's barely time. That train's early. We won't make it. Stretch out, Silvery. Come on, big fellow. Hang on, Silver. Hooray.

[Narrator]

Then in the distance, there was a sound that gave ominous warning. The train was running ahead of schedule.

[The Lone Ranger]

There's a train, Silver. And right now the Killer's cutting away the support to that bridge. Faster, Silver. Faster. Faster. Oh, boy.

[Narrator]

It was a hopeless race. But the Lone Ranger would not admit defeat. With each breath, he urged Silver to greater speed. He saw the headline of the train. He knew there was no chance to stop it before it reached that bridge. He saw it thunder close. Saw the bridge in bold relief in the train's lights.

[Jim Webster]

And then it.

[Tonto]

No hope for these two men. Tata.

[Scout]

Not right.

[Tonto]

Sneed, the killer has escaped. There's only one small thing for which we can be thankful.

[Scout]

What?

[Tonto]

That this train held only supplies.

[Jim Webster]

No passengers.

[Tonto]

Fireman and the engineer. Too bad we won't have much of a case against Gibbons either. No way to prove that he hired Snead directly. This train.

[Scout]

What we do for Webster Feller.

[Tonto]

I don't know how anything can be done. Tanner. Supplies on this train can't be carried overland to Big Bend where they needed.

[Scout]

That's right. What's that?

[Tonto]

There's someone alive under the wreckage.

[Scout]

This way.

[Felix Gibbons]

Help me.

[Scout]

Where are you?

[Jim Webster]

Here. I got catched.

[Felix Gibbons]

Wait. We'll get you out of there.

[Tonto]

Give me a hand.

[The Lone Ranger]

T. We have delivered this stuff lifted up.

[Scout]

Who are you?

[Jim Webster]

Sneed.

[Felix Gibbons]

Sneed.

[Tonto]

The man who's to blame for this.

[Jim Webster]

I got what was coming to me. That dirty cus Gibbons hired someone to

[Felix Gibbons]

shoot me so that I couldn't collect.

[Scout]

We get you out.

[Jim Webster]

You Tonto?

[Scout]

That's right.

[Tonto]

Who is this?

[Felix Gibbons]

Me come Thundercloud.

[Scout]

Good friend. That's right.

[Tonto]

Me see Batman cut bridge.

[Scout]

Me shoot.

[Tonto]

You weren't sent to kill him. No.

[Scout]

Me camp near tripe near.

[Tonto]

Wait. We've got to get Sneed out of here.

[Scout]

Lift the wreckage.

[The Lone Ranger]

He's fainting at me.

[Tonto]

I don't think he's badly hurt. The bullet just grazed his leg. He was lucky not to have been killed.

[Scout]

Not plenty bad.

[Tonto]

Do what you can to fix his wound. And injure his tata. There's no earthly way to get all these supplies to Big Ben now. Perhaps we can.

[Jim Webster]

Wait.

[Felix Gibbons]

What matter?

[Tonto]

Snead thought that he was fired at by someone sent by Gibbons. He might try to involve Gibbons by telling everything to get revenge.

[Scout]

That right?

[Tonto]

If he would do that. If it could be proved that Gibbons purposely delayed the work. Might save that contract when the job isn't finished on schedule. You good friend. See Thundercloud. You've done a great service to the white people.

[Scout]

You say not get load to Big Bend.

[Tonto]

We can't do that.

[Scout]

Maybe Chief Thundercloud help.

[Narrator]

On Monday, Jim Webster and his loyal crew had laid the tracks as far as Big Bend. But the supply train had not arrived yet. Tuesday morning, the men found themselves without any work to do.

[Bart Fleming]

They sit and still would drive me local.

[Jim Webster]

Me too. Bart, we might be able to do some work with the rails on the other side of the river. If we could get the bridge built. Everything we need for the bridge is on that blamed supply train.

[Felix Gibbons]

Who's that coming?

[Jim Webster]

Why, it's Molly. I mean Miss Molly.

[Scout]

Who's she, Jim?

[Jim Webster]

The girl in Gibbon's office. She hinted that I should be on guard. That's why I asked the Indian to help. But I guess he fell down on us.

[Bart Fleming]

What's she coming here for?

[Jim Webster]

Don't ask me.

[Bart Fleming]

Whoa.

[Jim Webster]

Whatever. Miss. Molly. Jim.

[Miss Molly]

Jim, have you heard the news?

[Jim Webster]

What news?

[Miss Molly]

The supply train fell through the bridge at Red Rock.

[Jim Webster]

Wrecked?

[Miss Molly]

Yes. And Gibbons hired Sneed to do it.

[Jim Webster]

Molly, are you dead sure of that?

[Miss Molly]

Of course I am. I just came from town. A masked man rode in with Snead. He was wounded.

[Bart Fleming]

I'm going to town to get my

[Narrator]

hands on his greasy neck.

[Local Townsman]

You can't.

[Miss Molly]

He's in jail.

[Jim Webster]

Jail?

[Miss Molly]

He thought Gibbons hired someone to shoot him. And he told everything to the sheriff. You see, he thought he was dying.

[Bart Fleming]

Oh, was he?

[Miss Molly]

No.

[Tonto]

Too darn bad.

[Miss Molly]

But he thought he was, so he told everything. He showed the money Gibbons paid him and the promise Gibbons wrote to pay him more.

[Jim Webster]

What about Gibbons?

[Miss Molly]

He's in jail, too. The masked man rode away. He said that he was coming here, but he had someplace else to go first.

[Tonto]

Someone coming?

[Scout]

There.

[Miss Molly]

That's him. That's his white horse.

[Jim Webster]

But the main thing is the job won't be done. Can't be done.

[The Lone Ranger]

Not on schedule. Masked.

[Narrator]

By thunders.

[The Lone Ranger]

Jim.

[Felix Gibbons]

Which is Jim Webster?

[Jim Webster]

Right here.

[Felix Gibbons]

Webster.

[Tonto]

All the girls here. He told you about Gibbons and Sneed.

[Jim Webster]

But who are you? A friend of Tonto's and a friend of ours. Where is Tonto?

[Tonto]

He and some Indians who helped us are bringing your supplies so you can go on with your work.

[Jim Webster]

What supplies? But how can they. The train's wrecked.

[Tonto]

Yes, but a lot of those supplies were railroad ties, seasoned timbers for the bridge, things that float in water.

[Jim Webster]

You mean to say that the Indians made rafts?

[Tonto]

Loaded the iron and steel on them. The river that flows past red rock circles and comes back past here. The water's high and the Indians knew it.

[Felix Gibbons]

Look upstream.

[The Lone Ranger]

There's the rafts. Our supplies, Jim.

[Miss Molly]

There comes everything you need.

[Jim Webster]

It's a miracle. A miracle, I tell you.

[The Lone Ranger]

Now we're all set. And them snakes are in jail. Boys, get going. Meet those rafts.

[Felix Gibbons]

The Indians on board then will be glad to help you.

[The Lone Ranger]

We're going to finish the job, boys.

[Jim Webster]

Let's get working.

[Scout]

Wait.

[Miss Molly]

Wait.

[Jim Webster]

He's gone, Jim.

[Miss Molly]

The Lone Ranger doesn't wait for things.

[Jim Webster]

The Lone Ranger? Well, Miss Molly, he sure worked a miracle. That's all I can say.

[Miss Molly]

It'll be a miracle if you'll forget to call me Miss Molly. My real friends call me Molly.

[Jim Webster]

Molly.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on there, Silver. Oh, boy, there's trouble.

[Local Townsman]

In the town of O.

[The Lone Ranger]

Silver.

[Jim Webster]

Sam it. Sam,

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.