The Lone Ranger - Half a Claim

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: The Lone Ranger – “Half a Claim”
Date: May 29, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Episode Overview

This classic episode of The Lone Ranger revisits the American West, following the masked hero and his companion, Tonto, as they become entangled in a tale of greed, betrayal, and frontier justice. "Half a Claim" centers on the turbulent relationship between two cousins, Jim Rockwell and Matt Hanover, who stake a gold claim together. The episode showcases themes of hard work versus idleness, the corrosive nature of envy, and the enduring power of moral courage.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Beats

1. Setting the Scene: Family Tensions and Opportunity

[03:22 – 05:54]

• Ike Hanover (the patriarch) laments his son Matt’s laziness and vice, contrasting him with industrious nephew Jim Rockwell, who has just returned with news of a gold strike.
• Matt Hanover resents being compared to Jim and resists all encouragement to better himself.
• Jim offers to split his claim with Matt, believing honest work will set Matt straight.

Notable Quote
"I'll let him be a partner in my claim. When he sees a chance to get a half share in a first class gold mine... he'll jump at the chance."
— Jim Rockwell, [06:46]

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2. To the Gold Claim: New Beginnings and Old Habits

[07:30 – 11:41]

• After little persuasion, Matt and Jim set out together.
• Tonto and The Lone Ranger notice the cousins and analyze their personalities.
  • Tonto calls Matt “plenty lazy” and suspects trouble if he doesn’t pull his weight.
• In their new shack, tensions rise as Matt’s attitude and suspicion worsen.
• Jim tries to establish ground rules: hard work and no liquor.

Notable Moment
"You’re going to work right along with me digging that tunnel... if you don't do the work, you won’t get that half."
— Jim Rockwell to Matt, [11:01]

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3. Trouble Brews: Greed and Scheme

[11:53 – 14:10]

• As they work the claim, Matt’s resentment deepens and he plots to get all the gold for himself.
• The Lone Ranger warns them about the dangers of loose rocks above their tunnel, which Matt rudely disregards.
• Matt tries to shoot The Lone Ranger, but Jim intervenes, preventing violence.

Notable Quote
"He's an outlaw... He'll fetch a whole gang of men here to file claims near us."
— Matt Hanover, [13:14]

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4. The Betrayal: Matt’s Evil Plan

[20:25 – 23:32]

• Upon finding a rich vein of gold, Jim and Matt prepare to file their claim, but Matt’s jealousy boils over.
• Matt, drinking in secret, hatches a plan to trap Jim in the tunnel by causing a cave-in with blasting powder.
• The Lone Ranger and Tonto watch, weighing whether to intervene.

Notable Quote
"It make good engine bad. It make good pale face bad. It make bad pale face killer."
— Tonto, reflecting on the effects of liquor, [22:58]

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5. Justice Delivered: Rescue and Reckoning

[23:47 – 28:40]

• Jim finds himself trapped, betrayed by his cousin, and on the brink of despair until The Lone Ranger digs him free via a hidden parallel tunnel.
• Jim and The Lone Ranger ride to town to confront Matt, who has already lied about Jim’s fate at the government office.
• Matt attempts to claim all the gold for himself, claiming Jim is dead.
• The sheriff, having disguised himself as a government clerk, exposes Matt’s lies with The Lone Ranger and Jim as witnesses.
• Matt is arrested for attempted murder and claim fraud; Jim’s name remains on the rightful claim.

Notable Exchange
"You just lied yourself into jail, Matt. And there's witnesses aplenty."
— Jim Rockwell, [28:25]

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Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Tonto's Wisdom:
  "Too much gold make trouble."
  — Tonto [08:44]

• The Lone Ranger on Human Nature:
  "Liquor does things to men, Tonto. Brings out their worst instincts."
  — The Lone Ranger [22:55]

• Matt’s Bitter Words:
  "Why should I split with him? There ain't no one that'd ever know what had happened to him. Be perfectly natural for the rocks to fall."
  — Matt Hanover, [21:42]

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Important Timestamps

• [03:22] — Ike and Matt’s fraught family dynamic introduced
• [06:46] — Jim’s offer to let Matt partner in the claim
• [08:27] — Tonto asserts Matt’s laziness and predicts trouble
• [13:14] — The Lone Ranger warns of rockslide danger; Matt tries to shoot him
• [22:58] — Tonto’s warning about the corrosive effects of liquor
• [23:32] — Matt sets off the blast to entomb Jim
• [25:35] — The Lone Ranger rescues Jim via hidden tunnel
• [27:19] — Confrontation and justice at the government office

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Tone and Style

The episode maintains the direct, no-nonsense cadence characteristic of Golden Age radio dramas, blending homespun wisdom, moral clarity, and a sense of adventure. Dialogue is brisk and characterful, highlighting contrasts between steadfast, honest Jim and his jealous, wayward cousin Matt. The Lone Ranger and Tonto serve as the episode’s moral compass, dispensing guidance and ultimately ensuring that justice prevails.

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Episode Takeaway

Half a Claim is a classic morality tale set in the rugged west, warning of the dangers of greed and envy, and upholding the values of fairness and integrity through the iconic figures of The Lone Ranger and Tonto.

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End of summary. For further vintage drama, listen to the full Harold's Old Time Radio episode or explore their podcast archive.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

A fiery horse of the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty heil. Silver the Lone Ranger. Although his name is not to be found in the written pages of history, the adventures of the masked rider of the plains have come down to us through the generations. With his great horse Silver and his faithful Indian companion Tonto, he fought crime and criminals throughout the western United States. No man did more to bring law and order to a lawless frontier. Now return with us once more to those thrilling days when the west was young. The Lone Ranger rides again.

[Silver (Horse)]

Come on, Silver. We're heading for the hills. T's waiting there.

[Tonto]

H S.

[Narrator]

Ike Hanover was well past middle age. His wife had died many years before. And Ike's only relations were a son, Matt, and a nephew, Jim Rockwell. Matt was idle, dissipated and bad tempered. And on those occasions when Ike tried to persuade him to mend his ways and pointed out Jim Rockwell as a good example, Matt lost control of his temper completely. As our story opens, we find him arguing with his father all the time,

[Matt Hanover]

holding Jim up to me like a tin God. I'm sick of it.

[Ike Hanover]

Hold on there, Matt. I wasn't holding Jim up to you.

[Matt Hanover]

Just the same thing, ain't it? When you tell me to get out and work the way he's doing.

[Ike Hanover]

I wouldn't be telling you to if you'd get something worthwhile to do your own self.

[Matt Hanover]

I suppose he's doing something worthwhile. Wastin his time digging all over the state, hoping to strike it rich somewhere.

[Ike Hanover]

Well, even if he don't find no claim worth staking, he ain't sitting around all day smoking and gambling and drinking half the night.

[Matt Hanover]

Pack of gambling I can do with the cash I get.

[Ike Hanover]

There's lots of cash for you, Matt. All the cash in the world. If you get out and hustle for it instead of loafing around, I'm satisfied.

[Matt Hanover]

And anytime you want me to get out of this old shack, you just

[Ike Hanover]

say, son, I don't want you to leave me. You know better than that. But you're getting on toward 30 now, and most men your age are.

[Matt Hanover]

I'll do something. I'll get out where my friends are. I won't clutter up your house no more this evening, Matt. Mind your own business, Matt.

[Ike Hanover]

Don't come home liquored up like you did last night.

[Matt Hanover]

I'll do what I please.

[Ike Hanover]

I don't know what I ever done to have my own son treat me like what Matt does he? Hi, Jim. By the shade of the cactus, I'm sure glad to see you, boy. Come in.

[Jim Rockwell]

Say, what's the matter with Matt? He wouldn't even say hello.

[Ike Hanover]

Never mind. Did you just get in town?

[Jim Rockwell]

Just this minute. I come here direct.

[Ike Hanover]

This is your home, Jim, Anytime you want it. What are you doing back here so soon? I figured you'd be going another two, three months anyhow.

[Jim Rockwell]

Nope. I got news for you.

[Ike Hanover]

What do you mean, Jim?

[Jim Rockwell]

I found it.

[Ike Hanover]

You mean gold?

[Jim Rockwell]

I found a claim. That's a corker. It's going to be worth thousands.

[Ike Hanover]

Jim, you don't mean that. You really struck it.

[Jim Rockwell]

Look at this. Just a few samples, but it'll show you what the ore's like. Why, say, there's outcropping right on the surface. I'll bet it's the best strike yet.

[Ike Hanover]

Gosh, Jim, you sure have got some good samples here. Better than any I've ever seen. Have you got the claim registered yet?

[Jim Rockwell]

Nope.

[Ike Hanover]

Ain't that risky?

[Jim Rockwell]

No, no, Dan. You see, I want to go back there and work it a little bit more. And we'll make sure it's just the same under the surface as on the top. Then I'll register it.

[Ike Hanover]

You're smart, Jim. You sure are.

[Jim Rockwell]

What's Matt doing these days?

[Ike Hanover]

Jimmy ain't worth the powder to blow him up.

[Jim Rockwell]

He ain't, huh?

[Ike Hanover]

I don't know what to do with him. Is he getting into trouble all the time?

[Jim Rockwell]

Drinking and gambling again?

[Ike Hanover]

Yep. Sleeps till noon every day and then gets back at the cafe again every evening.

[Jim Rockwell]

It's about time he done something.

[Ike Hanover]

I know it. I know.

[Jim Rockwell]

Have you said anything to him yet?

[Ike Hanover]

I talk myself for it. It don't do no good. I offered to start raising cows for him. I told him I'd start farming for him or stake him to a prospecting outfit. He tells me to mind my own business.

[Jim Rockwell]

Ah, good old fashioned licking would do him a powerful lot of good.

[Ike Hanover]

I wished he'd get it.

[Jim Rockwell]

Say, hold on. I have an idea.

[Ike Hanover]

What's that?

[Jim Rockwell]

I'll take Matt back with me. I'll let him be a partner in my claim. And when he sees a chance to get a half share in a first class gold mine just for working it.

[Ike Hanover]

Oh, Jim, you couldn't do that.

[Jim Rockwell]

Why not?

[Ike Hanover]

There ain't no call for you to give Matt half your claim.

[Jim Rockwell]

Oh, shucks, Uncle Ike. If he gives me a hand, we can work it just that much faster. Don't you see? There's more than enough gold there for both of us?

[Ike Hanover]

Well, I don't know. Besides, the trip will do him good if he'll go.

[Jim Rockwell]

I'll fix that, all right. Just let me tell him how rich he can be in a few months, and he'll jump with a chance to.

[Narrator]

It took very little persuading to get Matt to join Jim. And in a short time, the two cousins were back in the deserted part of the country where Jim had found the gold. Unknown to them, their arrival was watched by an Indian. We find him now as he reports to his masked friend. The Lone Ranger is saying.

[The Lone Ranger]

You say they just came tunder, then

[Tonto]

come dig gold this morning? Not right. Then build shack at Bottom hill.

[The Lone Ranger]

That isn't a very good place to put a shack. Look up at the top of the hill there.

[Tonto]

Oh. Heap big rocks.

[The Lone Ranger]

And the shale on that hill doesn't make a very sound support for the rocks. If one of them comes down the hill, it's likely to crash right into that shack.

[Tonto]

They're putting up that not all.

[The Lone Ranger]

What do you mean, Tahlo?

[Tonto]

One fellow. Him pale. One brown from wind. Yes. Pale feller stay indoors too much.

[The Lone Ranger]

You haven't much use for men like that, have you, Kimasabe?

[Tonto]

Maybe sometime, Tonto. Not like this pale color, though.

[Narrator]

Why is that?

[Tonto]

Him plenty lazy.

[The Lone Ranger]

I see. You think he'll let the other man do most of the work while he sits around and does nothing?

[Tonto]

Mmm.

[The Lone Ranger]

Is there gold over where they are?

[Tonto]

Plenty gold, Tanto.

[Matt Hanover]

No.

[Tonto]

Many Indian know white men just find out. Indian leave gold in ground. Too much gold make trouble.

[The Lone Ranger]

I think, Tanto, it'll be a pretty good idea if we stay around here and watch the two men.

[Narrator]

In a few days time, Jim and Matt had their shack built and were ready to start tunneling into the hill. When the last of their equipment had finally been stowed away one evening, Jim puffed contentedly on his pipe while Matt nervously rolled cigarette after cigarette.

[Jim Rockwell]

Ah, this here place is downright comfortable when the oil lamp's burning. And you got your pipe going good, ain't it, Matt?

[Matt Hanover]

It'll do.

[Jim Rockwell]

What's the matter? Can't wait to get your hands on the pick and shovel and get after the fortune that's waiting for us, huh?

[Matt Hanover]

The sooner the better.

[Jim Rockwell]

You will have your chance, Matt. First thing tomorrow. Morning. Yeah, we'll have to clear away the loose shale first. Then we can tunnel in.

[Matt Hanover]

Why can't we just blast?

[Jim Rockwell]

Well, maybe we can save time by using some blasting powder. But we've got to do most of the work by hand.

[Matt Hanover]

We could stake the claim now.

[Jim Rockwell]

That wouldn't be so smart, Matt. You see, we only claim so much land. And if we stake the claim now, there's no telling whether the vein will run off our land or not when we get down to it.

[Matt Hanover]

I see we're going about it in

[Jim Rockwell]

a level headed way. You see that, don't you, man?

[Matt Hanover]

Toss me a match. Here. Thanks.

[Jim Rockwell]

Seems to me you're smoking a heap of them cigarettes.

[Matt Hanover]

What's it to you?

[Jim Rockwell]

Nothing at all.

[Matt Hanover]

Then shut up about my smoking. Say, I hope you ain't been kidding me about this here claim.

[Jim Rockwell]

Kidding you?

[Matt Hanover]

That's what I said, ain't it?

[Jim Rockwell]

What do you mean, Matt?

[Matt Hanover]

If this claim don't prove out of blame good one, there'll be a pile of trouble.

[Jim Rockwell]

You've seen the samples yourself, Matt. I know it.

[Matt Hanover]

But you might have fixed this up with the old man. You know, just to get me up here away from my friends. And if you did, see here, Matt,

[Jim Rockwell]

you won't do nothing. I've had enough of your ornery cussingness. And I don't think I'm going to stand for much more of it.

[Matt Hanover]

Oh, yay.

[Jim Rockwell]

I've done three quarters of the work on this shack and maybe more.

[Matt Hanover]

Well, it was your idea.

[Jim Rockwell]

I had to have a place to live in. And it was easier to do the work myself than to try and get you to help. Besides, I figured maybe you'd get used to work gradual. But I guess I was wrong.

[Matt Hanover]

Well, what you aiming to do about it?

[Jim Rockwell]

Just this. From now on, you're going to work right along with me digging that tunnel. You're going to get half of what we find. And if you don't do the work, you won't get that half.

[Matt Hanover]

All right, all right. Shut up now, will you?

[Jim Rockwell]

One thing more. There's to be no liquor. Get that.

[Matt Hanover]

You've only seen me take one drink since we come here.

[Jim Rockwell]

Yeah, because you couldn't find no more. And you're not going to find any more. Understand?

[Matt Hanover]

I hear you. If you're through preaching now, I'll turn in. Good night.

[Narrator]

Daybreak the next day. Found two shovels breaking into the side of the hill. As the eager men threw the dirt and shale to one side and started to work on the tunnel itself. For the first Hour. The work went smoothly, and then Matt

[Matt Hanover]

said, guys, this digging ain't no cinch.

[Silver (Horse)]

You didn't think it would be, did you?

[Jim Rockwell]

There's nothing worthwhile. That's a cinch. You ought to know that, Matt.

[Matt Hanover]

How much do you reckon this game will be worth to us?

[Jim Rockwell]

No telling. Maybe not so much. Maybe thousands of dollars.

[Matt Hanover]

Gosh. I'm gonna get what cash I can real quick, and then I'm going to town. You know, Jim, this ain't a bad idea. Up to now, I ain't had so much money to spend, thanks to the old man. But now I can show the folks in town some real parties.

[Jim Rockwell]

Not if you don't get back to work.

[Matt Hanover]

I'll get me a big house and let the old man have his dirty shack if he wants it.

[Jim Rockwell]

He don't want that shack, Matt. I reckon it'll be right fine for Uncle Ike to be able to stop saving pennies.

[Matt Hanover]

Ain't no call for him to change his way of living. No, he don't get none of my claim.

[Jim Rockwell]

What do you mean, he don't?

[Matt Hanover]

I'm working this. Let him find a claim of his own. He's always saying every man should earn his own money.

[Jim Rockwell]

Just like you did, huh?

[Matt Hanover]

Well, maybe I didn't find this here claim, but it's half mine, ain't it? I'm working it as much as you are.

[Narrator]

Mm.

[Jim Rockwell]

You're working as hard at leaning on that shovel as I am at tossing this durned shale aside, I'll grant you that.

[Matt Hanover]

Are you?

[Jim Rockwell]

But I told you it'd be half yours. And I reckon it'll be that.

[Matt Hanover]

Wish I had a drink.

[Jim Rockwell]

You ain't going there, so you might as well forget it.

[The Lone Ranger]

Good morning.

[Tonto]

What the.

[Jim Rockwell]

Why, howdy, stranger.

[Matt Hanover]

Where'd you come from?

[The Lone Ranger]

Over yonder.

[Matt Hanover]

You're wearing a mask. You're an outlaw.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm not an outlaw.

[Matt Hanover]

I don't care what you say. You're wearing a mask and sporting two guns and I don't want you near our claim. Now, get.

[Jim Rockwell]

Hold on, Matt. What'd you want, stranger?

[The Lone Ranger]

I wanted to borrow some matches from you. I saw your shack and we ain't

[Matt Hanover]

got none to spare.

[Jim Rockwell]

Sure we have, Matt. Plenty. Here you are, stranger, and welcome to him.

[Narrator]

Thanks.

[Jim Rockwell]

You sure you ain't dodging the law, mister?

[The Lone Ranger]

No, I'm not.

[Matt Hanover]

You wouldn't be wearing that mask if you wasn't. Now, see here. You can't come around here and try and jump our claim. Get going before I put a bullet in your hide.

[Jim Rockwell]

Shut up, Matt. This fella ain't trying to jump no claim. There's lots of room here.

[The Lone Ranger]

You're right, Jim. I don't want any part of your claim. I just thought I'd better warn you that you'll have to be careful of rocks sliding down the hill. You're tunneling in, I see.

[Jim Rockwell]

Yep. We aim the tunnel in a way and then file our claim with the government office.

[The Lone Ranger]

Better watch out. This is Lou Shale. One of the rocks on the hill above should slide down. It might block your entrance here.

[Matt Hanover]

Thanks, stranger, for the advice, but we ain't taking it. Now, get along and mind your own business and don't try no tricks.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm going. Here, Silver.

[Matt Hanover]

He was hiding your horse around the bend, huh?

[The Lone Ranger]

I wasn't hiding him, Mads. Yep.

[Narrator]

Good day.

[Silver (Horse)]

Hang on, Silver.

[Matt Hanover]

I'll get that outlaw. What'd you knock my gun up for?

[Jim Rockwell]

Cause you ain't gonna shoot a man in the back, whatever he is. Don't make no difference. What was the idea, anyway?

[Matt Hanover]

He's an outlaw.

[Jim Rockwell]

We don't know that.

[Matt Hanover]

Well, blast it. He'll fetch a whole gang of men here to file claims near us.

[Jim Rockwell]

What if he does? That's his privilege, ain't it? We can't claim this whole territory.

[Matt Hanover]

But we're the only ones that know about this place now. The news will spread, Leonard.

[Jim Rockwell]

But don't shoot at a man when all he does is ask for matches and warn us about the rocks.

[Matt Hanover]

Got any more to say?

[Jim Rockwell]

Ah, it's no use talking to you. The next time you try a stunt like that, I'll take a hand in it myself with a six gun. Now, I'll get to this tunnel again and dig.

[Matt Hanover]

You can't boss me that way, Jim Rock.

[Jim Rockwell]

I'll boss you as long as you keep on showing you ain't capable of bossing yourself.

[Matt Hanover]

About half of this claim is mine.

[Jim Rockwell]

I said dig.

[Matt Hanover]

You. You regret this, Jimmy.

[Narrator]

The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger drama before the next exciting scenes. Please permit us to pause for just a few moments.

[Tonto]

It's.

[Narrator]

And now to continue the story. Jim Rockwell offered to share his gold claim with his cousin, Matt Hanover, in an effort to get Matt interested in something besides drink and gambling. The claim had to be worked before it could be registered, and the Lone Ranger, knowing of this, decided to keep an eye on the two men. He warned them about the loose rocks on the hill. And Matt, afraid the ranger might bring others to stake claims in the neighborhood, fired at the masked man as he rode off. Jim knocked his Gun in the air. We find the Lone Ranger now as he joins his friend Tonto on the other side of the hill.

[Silver (Horse)]

Oh, my Silver. Oh, boy.

[The Lone Ranger]

Oh, steady there.

[Tonto]

You see, fellers?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, I saw them, Tonto. Steady, Silver. I warned them about the rock, and Jim thanked me for the warning.

[Tonto]

Me here shot. What that?

[The Lone Ranger]

The other one fired at my back as I rode off.

[Tonto]

Me saw them like that. Him plenty bad fellow.

[The Lone Ranger]

Jim grabbed his gun hand.

[Tonto]

Not good.

[Narrator]

Salo.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm afraid that when Matt gets a sight of the gold that they'll find when their tunnel is a little farther under the hill, he'll want all of it.

[Tonto]

You think him maybe try get all gold?

[Jim Rockwell]

Yes.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm afraid he may attempt to kill Jim. We're going to stay nearby and watch. Kimosabe.

[Tonto]

Isn't that good?

[The Lone Ranger]

We'll watch. And.

[Narrator]

When hard rock was reached, Jim brought out the blasting powder. And for several days, the sound of drilling carried through the hills with heavy blast at regular intervals. Finally, when the depth of the tunnel had reached 20ft, Jim straightened up excitedly.

[Silver (Horse)]

Matt, look at this.

[Jim Rockwell]

Is.

[Matt Hanover]

Is that the gold?

[Silver (Horse)]

The richest bait I ever seen. Matt, we're all set now. We're.

[Matt Hanover]

We're rich, Jim. Rich.

[Jim Rockwell]

We're both rich. We will be when we get this claim file in the gold. Doug.

[Matt Hanover]

Then we gotta get the claim file now. We can't take no chances.

[Jim Rockwell]

That's right.

[Matt Hanover]

Here, I got it all made out. This is the right word, ain't it?

[Jim Rockwell]

Huh? Say, when did you do this?

[Matt Hanover]

I couldn't sleep the other night, so I made the paper out. You were sleeping. It's all right, ain't it?

[Jim Rockwell]

Yeah, looks to be.

[Matt Hanover]

Oh, well, sign it then.

[Jim Rockwell]

You put your name on there first.

[Matt Hanover]

Well, what of it? One of us has to be first. Reckon it don't make any special difference which one it is.

[Jim Rockwell]

I don't suppose the fact that I found the place first means anything to you.

[Matt Hanover]

Why should it? I could have found it just as well as you if I'd been here first.

[Jim Rockwell]

All right, Matt. Never mind.

[Matt Hanover]

You're gonna sign, ain't you?

[Jim Rockwell]

I reckon. But see here. How'd you know how to make out these papers?

[Matt Hanover]

I ain't as dumb as you seem to think. It ain't so hard to learn to draw a paper up like that.

[Jim Rockwell]

All right.

[Matt Hanover]

You'll sign it?

[Jim Rockwell]

Yep. Soon as I get a pencil. Here's one good enough. Now then, a. I am him. There you are.

[Matt Hanover]

I'll get over to the shack and get ready to head for town and file a claim.

[Jim Rockwell]

You Going yourself?

[Matt Hanover]

Sure, why not? You stay here and watch it to see if no one jumps it.

[Jim Rockwell]

All right, Matt. But let me tell you this. When you get to town, you file the papers and get back here. Prono understand?

[Matt Hanover]

Sure. Sure thing.

[Jim Rockwell]

Don't do no drinking and less talking. Just get back here as fast as you can.

[Matt Hanover]

I'll start now. You gonna stay in the tunnel here.

[Jim Rockwell]

No use wasting time. I'll stay here and get the next blast ready.

[Matt Hanover]

All right.

[Jim Rockwell]

There ain't no more powder here though. Bring another can of it before you start for town. Get one from back of the shack.

[Matt Hanover]

You ain't got none in here at all.

[Jim Rockwell]

Marry a bit of it, then I'll fetch some.

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[Narrator]

When Matt reached the house, he looked back to make sure Jim was still in the tunnel. Then reaching behind his bunk, he brought out a bottle still half full of liquor. One long drink was followed by another. His brain was filled with plans and schemes.

[Matt Hanover]

I thought I didn't know enough to make out a claim. He thinks he's the only one able to do anything. Smart hombre, he is. Too bad I gotta split that gold with him. Don't even want a fellow take a swig of liquor. Well, he can't stop me from drinking. I got a right to do what I want. Gosh, I sure will spread my stuff when I get rich.

[The Lone Ranger]

Look out for the rocks, they might

[Matt Hanover]

fall and seal the tunnel. Rocks fall? They're like to at that. Be right natural. Too bad I gotta split with him.

[Jim Rockwell]

Fetch some blasting powder back with you, Matt. I ain't got any more. It's all used up.

[Matt Hanover]

He ain't got no more powder. That's good liquor for the rocks.

[The Lone Ranger]

They might fall.

[Jim Rockwell]

I ain't got no powder left, Jiminy.

[Matt Hanover]

Why should I split with him? There ain't no one that'd ever know what had happened to him. Be perfectly natural for the rocks to fall.

[Narrator]

Matt sat on the edge of his bunk for some time, thinking. Hearing whispers around him. Listening to the ideas that seemed like spoken suggestions to his liquor soaked brain. From time to time he looked toward the tunnel, making sure that Jim was still at work there. And then I'll do it.

[Matt Hanover]

No one will ever know I'LL get even with him for preaching it to me. I'll show him, all right. Yeah. One good swig left in the bottle on that.

[Jim Rockwell]

There.

[Matt Hanover]

Now, Jim, I'll bring your blasting powder to you, but not the way you think.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger and Tonto watched the figure that staggered up the side of the hill with a keg of blasting powder. Matt avoided the tunnel and went up above where the huge rocks were poised, ready to crash down and seal the entrance.

[Tonto]

Let him get drunk.

[The Lone Ranger]

Liquor does things to mentato. Brings out their worst instincts.

[Tonto]

It make good. Engine bad. It make good. Pale face bad. It make bad. Pale face killer.

[The Lone Ranger]

Exactly.

[Tonto]

Tado him fixum powder under rock.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes.

[Tonto]

Rock fall over tunnel. We stop now.

[Narrator]

No, Toto.

[The Lone Ranger]

Let him go ahead. Watch Matt and see what he does. We stopped him.

[Narrator]

Now.

[The Lone Ranger]

Perhaps Jim would forgive him. It would happen again some other time when we weren't around.

[Tonto]

No. That's right.

[The Lone Ranger]

He's lighting the fuse now and running

[Matt Hanover]

rock Tim fly it.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, Jim.

[Silver (Horse)]

Pat him.

[Matt Hanover]

I know.

[The Lone Ranger]

It'll take a lot of strength to move the rock away. More than Jim has. Maybe him blast from inside. He has no powder ins.

[Narrator]

Jim, sealed inside the tunnel, realized what had happened and knew that without help from the outside, he would soon starve to death within the mine. He shouted, matt.

[Silver (Horse)]

Matt, are you there?

[Matt Hanover]

I'm here, Jim.

[Silver (Horse)]

Matt, them rocks supposed to slip down from above. Get some powder and break up the one that's sealing me in. Matt, can you hear me? Are you there?

[Matt Hanover]

I hear you. You bet I hear, Matt.

[Silver (Horse)]

Get powder.

[Matt Hanover]

I'm doing what you told me. I'm heading to town to file a claim. I'm filing a claim for myself, see? You won't need to be cut in for half now. It's all mine now. All mine.

[Silver (Horse)]

Matt, you're crazy.

[Matt Hanover]

Salon.

[Jim Rockwell]

Jim.

[Matt Hanover]

I'll be back in a week, maybe two, three weeks. I got some spending and drinking to do in town. I'll file a claim first, and then I'll celebrate.

[Narrator]

Jim shouted until he was exhausted. Then for some time, he tried to think, Tried to force his mind to action and plan some way of escape. He used his pick on the barrier of rock without any success. And then, after almost giving way to despair, the sound of someone digging reached his ears through the darkness.

[Jim Rockwell]

What's that? Am I going crazy? I. I hear something.

[Silver (Horse)]

Matt, is that you? Matt? Who is it? Is there someone there? Oh, I'm going mad. I'm hearing things this way.

[The Lone Ranger]

Jim, Take my hands.

[Silver (Horse)]

Who are you? You ain't Matt. You ain't My cousin.

[The Lone Ranger]

No, Jim. Take my hand.

[Narrator]

Leading Jem out through an opening in the side of the tunnel, the Lone Ranger paused to let the young man gather his scattered wits.

[Jim Rockwell]

You're the fellow with a mask. Yes, I'm safe now.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, you're safe, Jim.

[Silver (Horse)]

But how did you.

[The Lone Ranger]

There were two tunnels on the side of the hill, Jim. While you and Matt worked on yours during the day, we were working on

[Narrator]

the other one at night.

[The Lone Ranger]

You mean you second tunnel was at right angles to yours. When your entrance was blocked, all that I had to do was to break down the wall dividing your tunnel from the one we just came through then.

[Jim Rockwell]

But see here, stranger, I gotta get my horse. That ornery double cross and Murder will head for the office to file a claim of the mine for himself.

[The Lone Ranger]

Had an hour start on you, Jim. Can you catch him?

[Jim Rockwell]

I don't know. Come on, I've gotta get started. He tried to kill me. He done it on purpose?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, Jim, he did it on purpose.

[Jim Rockwell]

And look.

[Silver (Horse)]

Look strange.

[Jim Rockwell]

He's took both horses with him.

[The Lone Ranger]

Wait, Jim.

[Silver (Horse)]

But.

[The Lone Ranger]

Now, Daddy.

[Silver (Horse)]

Silver.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come with me, Jim. I'll take you.

[Silver (Horse)]

Yes.

[The Lone Ranger]

Give me your hand.

[Silver (Horse)]

Here it is. But who are you?

[Jim Rockwell]

Why are you doing this for me?

[The Lone Ranger]

Steady, Silver.

[Jim Rockwell]

Ain't you afraid to be seen in town?

[Silver (Horse)]

You'll be arrested, won't you, Sil?

[Narrator]

The great horse Silver, carrying his double burden, swept toward the town, the ground flying beneath his silver shod hoofs. Sometime later, we find Matt in the government office about to register the claim.

[Matt Hanover]

There's the papers. I reckon they made out all right.

[Narrator]

Yeah. Seem to be your name Matt Hanover?

[Jim Rockwell]

Yep.

[Narrator]

You ain't old like Hanover's boy, are you?

[Matt Hanover]

That's right. And I've struggled, Rich.

[Ike Hanover]

Seems to me I hear that you

[Jim Rockwell]

and young Jim Rockwell started out together to work on a claim. Ain't he in on this, too?

[Matt Hanover]

No, he ain't. I. I'm afeared he won't be in on anything anymore.

[Narrator]

Well, what do you mean by that?

[Matt Hanover]

We had some hard luck with the mine. And Jim, he got caught in a cave in and killed.

[Narrator]

No.

[Jim Rockwell]

You don't say so.

[Matt Hanover]

Yeah, I tried to get him out, but when I got the rock away, he was dead. He'd smothered to death.

[The Lone Ranger]

That's a shame.

[Jim Rockwell]

He was your cousin, wasn't he?

[Matt Hanover]

Yeah. Sort of busted me up. We was good friends. He done a lot for me.

[Narrator]

What'd you do with him?

[Tonto]

Bury him?

[Matt Hanover]

Yeah, I thought it'd be best to bury him right there.

[Narrator]

You done everything you could to see save him, huh?

[Matt Hanover]

Of course it did.

[The Lone Ranger]

Right sure of that.

[Matt Hanover]

Say, what's the matter with you?

[Jim Rockwell]

Nothing. Except there's a claim already on file

[The Lone Ranger]

for this here land.

[Matt Hanover]

What do you mean? You're crazy. There couldn't be no other claim.

[Jim Rockwell]

He means that I got the claim filed.

[Matt Hanover]

What?

[Jim Rockwell]

And I filled out the claim in your name and mine, like we agreed. You just lied yourself into jail, Matt. And there's witnesses aplenty.

[Silver (Horse)]

I reckon your poor can use your

[Jim Rockwell]

share of the claim.

[Matt Hanover]

But I haven't, Matt.

[Jim Rockwell]

Looks like what you told me is

[The Lone Ranger]

evidence enough that Jim's story is true.

[Jim Rockwell]

That means you're going to jail.

[The Lone Ranger]

You see, I ain't the government man at all. I happen to be the sheriff.

[Silver (Horse)]

Silver. Come on, Silver, old boy. We're on the trail of Pete Lorenzo, boy. Oh, it.

[Narrator]

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

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