The Lone Ranger - Tunnel Between Claims

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode: The Lone Ranger – Tunnel Between Claims
Date: May 27, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Duration: ~31 minutes (excluding ads and promotions)

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Episode Overview

This episode features a classic installment of the iconic radio series The Lone Ranger. The story—“Tunnel Between Claims”—is a Western adventure centered on deception, greed, and clever justice in the gold country of the early American West. The Lone Ranger and his loyal companion Tonto help honest miner Steve Gardner and his ailing father, Andy, outwit a pair of unscrupulous claim jumpers. Listeners are treated to a tale of treachery, quick thinking, and the enduring power of doing what’s right.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene

(02:19–02:52)

• Narrator sets up the Gold Rush era, emphasizing the abundance of disputes settled by gunplay rather than law, and the Lone Ranger’s role in fighting for the rights of honest citizens.
  • Quote: "The lure of gold brought many settlers to the early western United States...gunplay settled many boundary disputes." (02:19, Narrator)
• Steve Gardner’s mine is introduced; his father, Andy, is sick and dependent on him.

2. The Devious Plot by Bull and Jake

(03:11–06:19)

• Bull and Jake, two unscrupulous miners, discover a rich gold vein—on Steve’s claim, accessed by a secret tunnel from their own land.
• The pair debate whether to buy out Steve or find another way to get access to the gold.
• Bull hints at using Steve’s desperation (his father’s illness) to pressure him or to set him up for harm, possibly through “Big Stone Canyon,” a dangerous, sacred Indian site.
  • Quote: "If Steve won't sell, I got another idea. I figure something happened to Steve, his pa'd sell out and be glad of the chance." (05:29, Bull)
  • Quote: "If you're planning to drill him, you can count me out." (05:36, Jake)

3. Failed Negotiation With Steve Gardner

(06:21–07:45)

• Bull and Jake attempt to buy Steve’s claim for a low price, but Steve refuses, citing previous dishonest dealings.
  • Quote: "I'll never do business with low down, ornery cheating skunks like you fellas again." (07:29, Steve Gardner)
• Tensions run high; Steve threatens them if they return.

4. The Trap: Big Stone Canyon

(09:19–11:27)

• Bull attempts to implicate Tonto in their plans by paying him to deliver fake news of gold found in "Big Stone Canyon" to Steve.
  • The Canyon is sacred, and any white man found there risks death by local Native Americans.
  • Quote: "There's more than a hundred dollars in it for you. Just tell Steve you found this gold in Big Stone Canyon." (10:08, Bull)
• Tonto, wise to their game, communicates the message to Steve as directed.

5. Lone Ranger’s Intervention

(14:13–16:03)

• Steve, lured by the supposed gold, prepares to go to Big Stone Canyon, leaving Tonto to look after his father.
• The Lone Ranger intercepts Steve and forcibly detains him for his own safety, explaining the true nature of the trap.
  • Quote: "I'm saving your life." (15:44, Lone Ranger)

6. Bull and Jake Move in for the Kill (or the Claim)

(17:26–20:53)

• Believing Steve to be dead (killed by the Indians at Big Stone Canyon), Bull and Jake manipulate Andy into thinking he’s lost his son and pressures him to sell the claim, now registered in Andy’s name.
  • Quote: "If Steve was alive, he'd have been back here by this time. After finding out he got fooled." (17:53, Bull)

7. The Bait-and-Switch: Outwitting the Villains

(21:25–24:12)

• The Lone Ranger reveals to Andy that Steve is alive, explaining the necessity of the ruse and setting up a trap for Bull and Jake.
  • Quote: "Does that note convince you that I'm your friend?" (21:52, Lone Ranger)
• Andy agrees to ‘sell’ the claim, but under the Lone Ranger's guidance, prepares two sets of documents.

8. The Deed Switch and the Final Justice

(24:13–28:10)

• During the transaction, the Lone Ranger stages a holdup, distracting Bull and Jake while Andy swaps the real deed for a fake one.
• The claim is officially transferred—but only on paper; Bull and Jake are left with a worthless deed.
• When Bull and Jake begin working the mine, the Lone Ranger, Steve, and the Sheriff confront them, revealing the deception.
  • Quote: "You were so busy watching me that you didn't pay any attention to Andy. He'd had a second group of papers prepared and he substituted those when you weren't looking." (27:45, Masked Man)
  • Quote: "They showed us where the gold was and on top of that paid us back twice as much as we did paid them for that no good claim they sold us." (28:42, Andy Gardner)
• The villains are arrested and justice is served.

9. Resolution and Memorable Closing

(28:22–29:15)

• With riches now secured, Andy and Steve rejoice, grateful to the masked man and Tonto.
• The Lone Ranger and Tonto prepare to ride to their next adventure.
  • Quote: "Come on, Silver. We're heading for Prairie Grove. Tyler's waiting for us." (29:15, Lone Ranger)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The lure of gold brought many settlers to the early western United States. ... But gunplay settled many boundary disputes.”
  (02:19, Narrator) – Sets the dramatic context of the lawless gold country.
• “If Steve won't sell, I got another idea. I figure something happened to Steve, his pa'd sell out and be glad of the chance.”
  (05:29, Bull) – The true depth of the villains’ schemes.
• “I'll never do business with low down, ornery cheating skunks like you fellas again.”
  (07:29, Steve Gardner) – Steve’s principled refusal.
• “I'm saving your life.”
  (15:44, Lone Ranger) – The masked hero at work.
• “Does that note convince you that I'm your friend?”
  (21:52, Lone Ranger) – Solidifying trust with Andy.
• “You were so busy watching me that you didn't pay any attention to Andy. He'd had a second group of papers prepared and he substituted those when you weren't looking.”
  (27:45, Masked Man) – The clever twist that turns the tables.
• “Now you can go east and get all the fancy doctrine you need.”
  (28:50, Steve Gardner) – Happy resolution for father and son.

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Important Timestamps

• 02:19: Story context and introduction.
• 05:29: Bull discusses more dire plans if Steve won’t sell.
• 07:29: Steve stands up to Bull and Jake.
• 10:08: Bull enlists Tonto to lure Steve.
• 15:44: Lone Ranger saves Steve.
• 21:52: Lone Ranger earns Andy’s trust with Steve's note.
• 24:13: Lone Ranger’s staged holdup enables the deed swap.
• 27:45: Deed switch explained.
• 28:50: Final celebration and moral closure.

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Tone and Style

The episode carries the classic, dramatic, and upright tone characteristic of The Lone Ranger. The dialogue is brisk and colorful, brimming with Western slang, honorable declarations, and sharp villainous schemes. Tension and camaraderie are palpable throughout, and the Lone Ranger’s unwavering dedication to justice shines through.

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For fans of classic radio drama or Western adventure, this episode delivers a satisfying mix of suspense, old-fashioned values, and clever plotting. The Lone Ranger rides again—upholding justice with intellect and integrity, showing the enduring charm of the Golden Age of Radio.

Transcript

[The Lone Ranger]

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[Jake]

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[Narrator]

A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty high.

[Jake]

O Silver. The Lone Ranger.

[Andy Gardner]

It. Sam.

[Narrator]

The lure of gold brought many settlers to the early western United States. The government regulated the filing of claims to the best of its ability. But gunplay settled many boundary disputes. And it was in the gold country that the masked rider of the plains did some of his best work. With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, he fought for the rights of honest men. And the memory of his deeds will remain as long as the memory of the early west itself. And now return with us to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse, Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on, Silver. We're heading for the hills. There's going to be trouble in the gold country.

[Narrator]

Steve Gardner's mine was in the district surrounding Oak Falls. As our story opens, we see a hard faced man working at the end of the long tunnel which has been dug into the side of the hill.

[Jake]

Colors gold ore.

[Andy Gardner]

I hit my vein.

[The Lone Ranger]

Bull. Hey, Bull. What do you want? Jake? Come here and come a runner. Hey, what's he saying?

[Andy Gardner]

Bull, I found it.

[Jake]

I found it. I knew blame well. Steve Vane had run out.

[Steve Gardner]

All he'd done was come to a fault.

[Jake]

If he kept on going, he'd have

[Andy Gardner]

struck the vein again.

[The Lone Ranger]

Shovel. Jehosphet.

[Bull]

Here, give me that pick. I'm gonna have a look for myself.

[Andy Gardner]

There.

[Jake]

Just pick up that piece you knocked off and have a look at it.

[Andy Gardner]

Crawly.

[The Lone Ranger]

It's richer than it was before Steve lost it.

[Jake]

And bigger. Look at there. Well, that vein's twice as thick through as it was before.

[Bull]

We're rich.

[The Lone Ranger]

We're gonna have a fortune.

[Jake]

Hold on a second.

[Bull]

What for?

[Jake]

Ain't you forgetting something?

[Bull]

Forgetting something?

[Jake]

You're forgetting this vein ain't on our claim. Well, we're standing at Steve's property.

[Bull]

That's so. But that something can be fixed.

[Jake]

Yeah.

[Bull]

We could offer him a price for his claim. After all, as far as he knows, it ain't worth much.

[Jake]

Oh, don't be a doggone fool. You know just how far we'd get trying to do business with him again after that one claim we sold him.

[Bull]

The one we sold him, you mean. Jake. I never seen a fellow so tarnishing mad as he was after that deal. He was fit to be tied special

[Jake]

because he couldn't prove nothing. But it looks like the couple of hundred dollars we made on that claim is gonna keep us from cleaning up on this other.

[Bull]

I don't know. Steve's pa's mighty sick and needs a heap of doctrine. Steve might jump at the chance to get a little cash on hand.

[Jake]

Maybe, but I doubt it.

[Bull]

Well, come along. Won't hurt nothing to talk to him. He's too blamed stubborn to sell. Well, there's ways to get around that.

[Jake]

You got something in mind, Bo?

[Bull]

I might have. And here's the hole that takes us into the main tunnel. Blast it, Jake. Why'd you have to make it so small? A fella can hardly squeeze through.

[Jake]

Well, it had to be small enough to cover up easy, didn't it? If anybody ever found out we tunneled from our claim into Steve's, it'd be the devil to pay.

[Bull]

Well, you go on through first.

[Masked Man]

Sure.

[Jake]

All right, Bull.

[Andy Gardner]

Come on.

[Bull]

Blast it. Holy. Big enough for a snake.

[Jake]

There, there.

[Bull]

Like I was saying, Jake, if Steve won't sell, I got another idea. I figure something happened to Steve, his

[Masked Man]

pods sell out and be glad of

[Jake]

the chance something happened to Steve. Now, look here, Bull. If you're planning to drill him, you can count me out. I don't aim to have the sheriff on my trail.

[Bull]

We couldn't be blamed if somebody else drilled him, could we? Huh?

[Jake]

Yeah.

[Bull]

Here's the entrance. Doggone if I ain't always glad to get outside again where a fellow don't have to worry about rock caving in on him. There's smoke showing from Steve's place. He must be home. All right. Come on.

[Jake]

Just what you mean about somebody else drilling Steve?

[Bull]

You ever hear of Big Stone Canyon? No.

[Jake]

Don't recollect nothing.

[Bull]

If Steve won't sell, that place has just made the order for us. Yeah, but what about. I'll tell you about it later. We don't want Steve to hear nothing.

[Steve Gardner]

Come on in.

[Jake]

Why, you.

[Steve Gardner]

If I know it was you fellas knock that have told you to go to blazes.

[Bull]

Mmm. Fixing yourself something to eat, huh? Maybe it's being hungry makes you so blamed unsociable.

[Steve Gardner]

Get out of here.

[Andy Gardner]

Is that Jason, Bo? Stevie?

[Steve Gardner]

Yeah, Pa. But them skunks won't be in here long.

[Jake]

Ah, now, Steve, Tain't no use your talking like that when we come to do business. You ailin so you can't get out

[Andy Gardner]

of bed, Mr. Gardner. I'm all ailin, dad. Rabbit, if it ain't one thing, it's the other Stevie. Give me another swaller of my medicine, won't you?

[Steve Gardner]

Just a minute, Portal. I've settled with these polecats. All right. State your business, then make tracks.

[Bull]

Steve, how would you like to sell out?

[Steve Gardner]

Sell out?

[Tonto]

Sure.

[Bull]

Me and Jake was just talking today about how bad you needed cash. We thought maybe if we bought your claim, it'd help you out some.

[Steve Gardner]

We wouldn't be needing cash if you hadn't cheated us on that other claim you sold us.

[Jake]

Shuck, Steve, we're as sorry about that as you are. That's why we'd like to make it up to you now.

[Bull]

Sure. That's why, Steve.

[Steve Gardner]

You're up to something crooked again. You fellas never done nobody a favor in your lives.

[Bull]

Your claim's petered out, ain't it? Yeah, but a little cash is better than none, ain't it?

[Steve Gardner]

Not if it's your cash.

[Jake]

Ah, come on now, Steve. That ain't no way to talk.

[Steve Gardner]

Shut up and listen to me. I know you fellas solid. That claim I bought off on you. Even if I can't get evidence, it'll

[Bull]

stand up in court.

[Steve Gardner]

If I hadn't found the one I got now, we'd have been dead broke and Paul might have died. I don't care if this claim's finished too. I'll never do business with low down, ornery cheating skunks like you fellas again. And that goes as it lays. So get.

[Bull]

Come on, Jake. Ain't no use talking sense to an hombre that don't know sense when he sees it.

[Steve Gardner]

If you fellas come in here again, I'll take my shooting iron to you.

[Bull]

We gave you your chance, Steve, and you threw it down. We won't be back. Blasted fool.

[Jake]

Told you he wouldn't listen, didn't I?

[Bull]

And I told you if he didn't, there was another way to deal with him. And there is. Come on. I'll tell you about Big Stone Canyon and what I had in.

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[Jake]

Hey, everyone.

[Bull]

Check out this guy and his bird.

[Jake]

What is this, your first date?

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[Jake]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

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[Steve Gardner]

Liberty, Liberty, Liberty, Liberty.

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[Narrator]

It was almost two weeks later that Tonto, the faithful Indian companion of the Lone Ranger, heard someone call to him as he rode down a winding mountain trail.

[Bull]

Engine.

[The Lone Ranger]

Hey, Injun.

[Bull]

Oh, son.

[The Lone Ranger]

Oh, come over here, redskin. Come here. I want to talk to you.

[Tonto]

Me come hit him up.

[Bull]

Scout Almighty Injun. I'm sure glad to see you. Oh, Scout. Ho, ho, ho.

[Tonto]

You. You want me, Injun?

[Bull]

Would you like to make yourself some cash?

[Tonto]

What may he do?

[Bull]

You know where Oak Falls?

[Tonto]

Is that where feller mine gold?

[Bull]

Uh huh. That's right. That's where I was heading while my horse went lame just now. Blast the luck. There's something real important to do there now. I won't be able to make it.

[Tonto]

Where horse?

[Bull]

That's my horse over there, tethered to that sampling. Now look here, Redston. You do like I want, and there's more than a hundred dollars in it for you.

[Tonto]

Not plenty.

[Bull]

You just bet it is.

[Tonto]

Hey, Young, you tell Tondo what do?

[Bull]

Well, it's like this engine. I've been prospecting around these hills and I run across a place where there's more gold laying around loose than you can shake a stick at. I wanted to get to Oak Falls to tell a fella I know about it. Now that my horse is lame, I can't ride no farther.

[Tonto]

Me tell feller you fine gold?

[Bull]

No, no, Injun, you can't do that. What matter, you see Injun? The fella I want you to tell don't like me. He thinks I done him a dirty deal once, so he won't believe nothing I say. I was wondering how I'd let him know without my name being connected with it. Then when I seen you, it came to me how it could be done.

[Tonto]

What feller's name?

[Bull]

He's a young hombre by the name of Steve Gardner. You can't mistake him. He's got a pothouse ailing all the time. Here, I'll give you this poker mine. There's over $100 worth of gold in there.

[Tonto]

Where you get gold?

[Bull]

You just tell Steve you found this gold in Big Stone Canyon.

[Tonto]

And what you say?

[Bull]

Say you know that place?

[Tonto]

No. Me not know.

[Bull]

Oh, I didn't figure you looked like an engine to come from around them parts. Well, will you do it?

[Tonto]

How to do it?

[Bull]

Tell Steve Big Stone Canyon is right where the Bitter Root swings south on the other side of the hills. He can tell it by all the big stones laying loose outside the entrance. And you can keep them nuggets for your trouble. Now you got everything straight.

[Tonto]

Me not forget.

[Bull]

Good. That's just fine. Now, get along with you. Remember, you do it just like I said.

[Tonto]

Me go now.

[Bull]

Adios.

[Tonto]

Get him up, Scout.

[Masked Man]

And you say you know there isn't gold in Big Stone Canyon.

[Tonto]

T no, they're not Golden Canyon.

[Masked Man]

But you didn't let them suspect you'd been there before, did you?

[Tonto]

Me fool them plenty Good.

[Masked Man]

I wonder what that fellow's game is. You said Big Stone Canyon is the burial place of a famous Indian chief. That means it's sacred to his tribe. Any white man found prospecting there would be killed.

[Tonto]

Not right, Tato.

[Masked Man]

We're going to look into this.

[Tonto]

What we do.

[Masked Man]

Steady, Silver. We're riding to Oak Falls. Oh, you're going to do exactly what that man told you. Unless he thinks that Steve Gardner is tricked, he'll not show his hand. Show Steve the gold. Tell him you found it in the canyon. Then leave the rest to me.

[Tonto]

How to do that?

[Steve Gardner]

Come on, Toto.

[Bull]

Go right ahead, Redskin.

[Steve Gardner]

Fill up your plate again. You're welcome to anything we got here.

[Tonto]

Me not want more.

[Steve Gardner]

Shucks, you haven't had enough to keep a bird alive. Hey, Paw. Feeling good enough to have some of this bacon?

[Andy Gardner]

Now, you just let me sleep some, Stevie. Maybe later on in the day I'll be able to swaller some victuals.

[Tonto]

Him sick?

[Steve Gardner]

Paul Ain't been well for the past five years, Redskin. Gosh, I'd give him a right arm

[Bull]

to have the cash to send him

[Steve Gardner]

east where he could be took care of.

[Bull]

Right.

[Steve Gardner]

But it ain't likely I'll ever have

[Bull]

that much all at one time.

[Tonto]

Maybe me help him, huh? What could you do in you know many medicine, Pale face not known.

[Steve Gardner]

Well, it's mighty kind of you, Redskin, but I reckon you couldn't do any more for him than a sawbones in town has done.

[Bull]

Hey, where you going?

[Tonto]

Me leave now.

[Bull]

What are you doing with that leather poke?

[Tonto]

Me pay for grump.

[Steve Gardner]

Now, hold on, Redskin. We don't want no pay for what you at.

[Bull]

What Jerusalem?

[Steve Gardner]

Redskin, Where'd you Get that gold.

[Tonto]

Me? Fine, long way off gold.

[Steve Gardner]

If I knew where to lay my hands on some nuggets like Tim, I could take care of Paul the way he should be. I could. Koshrets.

[Tonto]

Kenya.

[Steve Gardner]

You wouldn't tell me just where it was you found that, would you?

[Tonto]

Me tell you?

[Steve Gardner]

You will.

[Tonto]

Me finding Big Stone Canyon.

[Bull]

Huh?

[Steve Gardner]

Where's that?

[Tonto]

It Where Bitterroot river goes south there. Big stone outside that how? Canyon. Get name.

[Jake]

And.

[Steve Gardner]

And there's more of that gold where you found that?

[Bull]

Mmm.

[Tonto]

Plenty more.

[Jake]

Whoa.

[Steve Gardner]

Say, you haven't told nobody else about this canyon, have you?

[Tonto]

Can't only tell you.

[Steve Gardner]

Paul, did you hear that Redskin told me where I could get more gold like he's got.

[The Lone Ranger]

Hey, Redskin, come here.

[Tonto]

Huh?

[Steve Gardner]

You said maybe you could help Pa. I don't suppose you can, but would you be willing to stay with him while I'm gone? If you ain't, I'll have to let that gold go. I can't leave Paul by hisself.

[Tonto]

No, Stevie, let me stay.

[The Lone Ranger]

Redskin, you're a gift from heaven.

[Steve Gardner]

You're the best fellow I ever seen.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm getting packed, and I'm leaving for

[Steve Gardner]

Big Stone Canyon today. Come on, boy. Don't be traipsing along so slow. Get up there. Shucks, you're the laziest horse I ever did see.

[Bull]

But I'm telling you, fella, if you

[Steve Gardner]

carry me to where there's real pay dirt, I'll see to it you don't ever have to work again. I'll turn you loose where the pasture ends. Long and tasty and green. I'll feed you so many oats you'll get so fetch. Don't be knowing yourself. Who's that? A masked man.

[The Lone Ranger]

An outlaw.

[Steve Gardner]

Get up there.

[The Lone Ranger]

Get up there. Get away from me. Get up. Get up there. You can't get away. Stop your horse. Let go of that pipe or I'll plug you. Oh, you won't just snatch the gun.

[Jake]

Close over.

[The Lone Ranger]

Over. Silver Blaster. What's the idea?

[Steve Gardner]

You can't do it.

[The Lone Ranger]

You're going with me, Steve. But wait a minute.

[Steve Gardner]

Don't argue.

[The Lone Ranger]

You're going to my camp. I have no cash. I ain't got nothing an avlord wants. That's what we're going to find out.

[Steve Gardner]

You.

[The Lone Ranger]

I got it.

[Steve Gardner]

You're a friend of bulls and Shakespeare. They sent you gunning for me, just like them polecats. I hired somebody to shoot me down.

[The Lone Ranger]

Just the contrary. I'm saving your life.

[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.

[Andy Gardner]

Sam.

[Narrator]

Now to continue our story. As Steve Gardner was making his way toward Big Stone Canyon in the belief that he could find gold there, he was captured by the Lone Ranger. Several weeks later, we see the two miners known as Bull and Jake as they approach the Gardener cabin.

[Jake]

Don't figure we're calling on old Andy too soon, do you, Bull?

[Bull]

Steve's been gone three weeks, ain't he? Yeah, but I up nothing I savvy. Them Injuns by Big Stone Canyon, if they didn't scalp Steve for going in there, I'll eat my shirt.

[Jake]

They most likely did. But you can't be sure.

[Bull]

Look here, Jake. If Steve was alive, he'd have been back here by this time. After finding out he got fooled.

[Jake]

Yeah, maybe.

[Bull]

And if he ain't been killed, it don't make no difference. Just so he ain't around, huh?

[Jake]

Why don't it?

[Bull]

Because I've been looking things up and I found where he's got both his claims registered in his pa's name.

[Jake]

Is that a fact?

[Bull]

Uh huh. We're gonna get Andy to sell out to us or I'll know the reason why.

[Jake]

He ain't like Steve. I ain't worried about him not selling it.

[The Lone Ranger]

Good morning, Tonto.

[Andy Gardner]

I told you, you didn't have to knock.

[Bull]

It ain't Tonto no, Pandy. It's me and Jake.

[Andy Gardner]

You wouldn't have walked in here like that if Steve was to help.

[Jake]

This ain't no time for hard words, Andy. We. We got some bad news for you. Bad?

[Bull]

Bad news about Steve. Your boy there.

[Andy Gardner]

There ain't nothing happened to him, has there?

[Bull]

Well, it. Oh, shucks. You tell him, Jake.

[Andy Gardner]

Wait. Wait till I sit down.

[Jake]

Sure.

[Andy Gardner]

I thought I was getting stronger since Tonto's been here, but I reckon I'm a mite weaker than I figured.

[Jake]

Andy, this redskin you call Tono's been the means of killing Steve.

[Tonto]

No.

[Andy Gardner]

Steve dead? No, it can't be so.

[Jake]

I'm powerful sorry to have to tell you about it, but it's. So me and Bull just heard about it today, so we came right over.

[Andy Gardner]

Go on.

[Jake]

You see, Andy, it seems like this canyon where Steve went is a bad place for white folks. The Injuns up there won't stand for a white man going in the canyon. Cause it's a place where a chief of theirs was buried.

[Bull]

And when Steve went inside looking for gold, them redskins found his trail and killed him.

[Andy Gardner]

Steve Dead. I just don't seem able to get it through my head. It don't seem no ways possible.

[Jake]

The trapper told us he wouldn't have no reason for lying about it.

[Andy Gardner]

I reckon not.

[Bull]

I don't suppose you're any too well fixed for cash, are you, Andy?

[Andy Gardner]

If it hadn't been for Tonto, I wouldn't have had nothing to eat. And to think it was Tonto got my boy killed.

[Bull]

What we was thinking was that maybe now, needing cash like you do, you'd consider selling the claim.

[Andy Gardner]

Selling?

[Jake]

Well, why not? You ain't got the strength to work it.

[Tonto]

No.

[Jake]

And what if Steve was again selling it to us? He sure wouldn't ask you to starve on account of the way he felt.

[Andy Gardner]

I don't know. It don't seem hardly right. But there ain't nobody else that'll buy. And I gonna have cash for grub.

[Bull]

And you'll sell, sure enough.

[Andy Gardner]

I give me time to sort of think it over, won't you?

[Jake]

Sure, if that's what you want. Andy, we ain't gonna rush things only. Yeah, well, even if you do like this redskin that's been staying with you. I wouldn't think you'd exactly hanker to be living off of no longer after what happened.

[Andy Gardner]

Just let me think it over, that's all. I'll give you your answer tomorrow.

[Bull]

Good enough. Let's get home, Jake. I reckon Andy'd like to be alone for a spare.

[Jake]

We'll be back again tomorrow at just the same time.

[Andy Gardner]

I'll be here.

[Tonto]

Good day.

[Bull]

Dear

[Andy Gardner]

Steve gone. The. The boy I raised all these years. There weren't no finer boy anywhere, Andy. A masked man.

[Masked Man]

Listen to me, Andy. Steve isn't dead.

[Andy Gardner]

But they just told.

[Bull]

I know what they told you, but

[Masked Man]

I'm telling you the truth. Here, read this. It's a note from Steve. I think it'll explain everything.

[Andy Gardner]

Why. Why? He says he's been with you all this time.

[Masked Man]

He has?

[Andy Gardner]

But why didn't he let me know?

[Masked Man]

It was hard on you, Andy, but it had to be done this way. If you'd known the truth, Bull and Jake might have guessed it. This way, they're convinced you believe Steve is dead.

[Andy Gardner]

But, stranger, I still don't.

[Masked Man]

Does that note convince you that I'm your friend?

[Andy Gardner]

Steve says to trust you, mister. And I reckon what Steve says is good enough for me.

[Bull]

Good.

[Masked Man]

I've learned a number of things lately. Enough to find a way to punish Bull and Jake.

[Andy Gardner]

What's that?

[Masked Man]

They plotted Steve's death, Andy. But if you do exactly what I tell you, they'll be brought to justice.

[Andy Gardner]

They schemed to kill Steve.

[Masked Man]

They did.

[Andy Gardner]

Why, the low down, rotten skunks. Stranger, tell me what your scheme.

[Bull]

Well, Indy, we're back like we promised we'd be.

[Jake]

I don't reckon you feel much like talking business the way things are, but, well, after all, you got to think of how you're gonna live.

[Andy Gardner]

That's all right, fellers. Sit down.

[Bull]

Well, now, you're taking it real sensible.

[Tonto]

Sure, we'll sit down.

[Jake]

Have you made up your mind yet?

[Andy Gardner]

I suppose rightly I ought to sell.

[Bull]

Sure.

[Jake]

You sure.

[Andy Gardner]

And like I told you before, there ain't been nobody but you fellas ever gave an offer for the claim.

[Bull]

Shucks, why should they? The vein run out, didn't it?

[Andy Gardner]

That's what I can't figure. If the claim's no good, what do you fellers want with it?

[Bull]

Now look here, Andy. Don't get the notion we're gonna offer a whole pile of cash for the mine.

[Andy Gardner]

What did you give me?

[Steve Gardner]

A hundred dollars.

[Jake]

We don't aim to be stingy about this.

[Andy Gardner]

Ain't enough, huh?

[Jake]

Why, you're loco.

[Bull]

Shucks, don't argue with the magic. We'll give 200.

[Andy Gardner]

Nope. If you want that mine, you'll give a thousand.

[Jake]

I say that's twice as much as you paid us for that other claim. Well, we won't.

[Bull]

Shut up, Jake. Andy, it's a bargain. We'll pay you a thousand, though. Why we're so doggone soft hearted. I'll be blamed if I know you

[Andy Gardner]

got the cash with you.

[Bull]

How much are you carrying, Jake?

[Jake]

I got it, if you don't mind taking folding money.

[Andy Gardner]

Folding money will do me. Just a second. I got the papers here, all ready for signing.

[Bull]

Good enough. How about witnesses?

[Jake]

Wait, I think I seen a couple of fellas just pass by. They'll do all right. Hey, you fellas call on us? Step in here a minute, won't you?

[Steve Gardner]

Sure.

[Bull]

They coming?

[Jake]

They're right here. Howdy, fellas. Step in. Don't mind witnessing some papers, do you? Shuck's glad to oblige.

[Andy Gardner]

Here's the papers, fellers, and here's pen and ink on the table. Look the papers over, then sign up and pay me the cash.

[Bull]

Look at them papers.

[Jake]

Them the right ones, Bull?

[Bull]

Let me see. Yeah, these are the ones all right.

[Jake]

Where's that pen, huh?

[The Lone Ranger]

What the.

[Jake]

An outlaw wearing a mask.

[The Lone Ranger]

Careful, Jake, he looks like you'll plug you.

[Masked Man]

I'm will of you, slaplubber.

[Andy Gardner]

What do you want with us? If this is a hold up, you'll pay for it.

[Jake]

Mister, we ain't got no cash on a stranger. Honestly ain't.

[Masked Man]

I'll see about that. Line up there. You can keep still.

[Jake]

Take your hands off of me. I ain't got no cash. I told you, don't move.

[Masked Man]

I'll search the rest of you. You there.

[Tonto]

You.

[Masked Man]

Nothing worth taking.

[The Lone Ranger]

We told you we didn't have any.

[Masked Man]

I just wasted my time on you. I'm going. If a man follows me outside of this door within the next 10 minutes, he'll get grilled.

[Andy Gardner]

Ooh.

[Jake]

Gosh. He never even touched a pocket that had my cash in it.

[Bull]

Well, maybe he didn't. We're gonna sign these papers, Prano, and give the cash to Andy. Then if that crook comes back again,

[The Lone Ranger]

it'll be Andy that's robbed instead of us.

[Bull]

Here, hand me that pen.

[Narrator]

The deed was transferred and the money paid. Then the next day, Bull and Jake, congratulating themselves on their cleverness, went to work with pick and shovel in the mine.

[Bull]

I'm going to rest a minute, Jake. That's hard work, boy.

[Jake]

It sure is.

[Bull]

The more I think this deal over, Jake, the funnier it strikes me.

[Jake]

It was a slick one, all right.

[Bull]

But the best part of it is that even when we get through to where the vein starts again, old Andy won't be able to say nothing. It ain't our fault we run into high grade ore. And it's happened lots of times before that mines that were supposed to be worthless started paying again. The old galoot kind of surprised me, though. I never reckoned he'd be stubborn enough to hold out for what he did.

[Jake]

Shucks, I thought he'd jump at the chance to get 100 for his claim.

[Bull]

Well, don't matter none. We'd paid 10 times as much, we'd still be getting the bargain. Well, this ain't getting us nowhere standing here talking. How much further do you figure we

[Masked Man]

have to dig, Jake?

[Jake]

Maybe five, six feet.

[Bull]

Well, then, let's get at it.

[The Lone Ranger]

We're through. We strike the beam.

[Bull]

Yeah.

[Andy Gardner]

Look.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Thanks.

[The Lone Ranger]

Colors by Kelly. You're right, Jake. We bought a fortune for a thousand dollars. Yeah.

[Jake]

Look at.

[The Lone Ranger]

Stop working now.

[Masked Man]

What?

[Jake]

The same mask, man.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on then.

[Steve Gardner]

Well, fool, thanks for doing that work for me. You too, Jake.

[The Lone Ranger]

Steve, we thought you was dead. Well, I ate and I've come back

[Steve Gardner]

to claim my mine. I can't do it.

[The Lone Ranger]

We don't care what happened. This mine was bought and paid for by us.

[Jake]

Even if he Ain't that stuff, Steve? Your PA had the right to sell

[Masked Man]

it and he sold you men of mine. But not this one.

[Jake]

Huh?

[The Lone Ranger]

What's that?

[Bull]

If you look at your deed again,

[Masked Man]

you'll find you bought the mine. You'd sold it and sold to Steve some time ago.

[Jake]

That ain't so.

[Steve Gardner]

Oh, you looked at them papers, didn't you?

[The Lone Ranger]

He's trying to bluff us. Of course I looked at him. And they was for this mine right here.

[Bull]

Oh, they were when you looked at them. What do you mean?

[Masked Man]

But you didn't sign the same papers you looked at.

[Jake]

Look.

[Andy Gardner]

The Mask feller's giving you the right of it. Fellers?

[The Lone Ranger]

But we signed the papers that was on the table.

[Masked Man]

You remember when I came in the cabin yesterday and held us up? You were so busy watching me that you didn't pay any attention to Andy. He'd had a second group of papers prepared and he substituted those when you weren't looking.

[The Lone Ranger]

Boy, the dirty.

[Masked Man]

It was your own fault. You couldn't wait until the papers were signed and the money given to Andy. You wanted him to be the loser in case of another.

[Bull]

Hold up.

[Jake]

You tricked us.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'll show us out.

[Masked Man]

Andy.

[Tonto]

Boom.

[The Lone Ranger]

Let go my arm. Hey, you're breaking it. Drop that gun.

[Jake]

There.

[The Lone Ranger]

There it is.

[Steve Gardner]

I'll take care of the crooks now, stranger.

[The Lone Ranger]

Sheriff. They're your prisoner, Sheriff.

[Steve Gardner]

I'll see if they get a plenty. We can't hold them on nothing else. Assault with intent to kill. Keep em in jail a mighty long time. All right boys, bring them along.

[Jake]

Steve.

[Andy Gardner]

I was sure glad to hear it when the masked man told me you were still alive.

[Jake]

Paul.

[Steve Gardner]

When I first met up with a masked fellow I figured him to be a friend of these skunks. But it didn't take me long to figure different after I talked to him.

[Andy Gardner]

But how'd he find out there was gold here?

[Steve Gardner]

He didn't know until after these crooks started to work. He said we'd let them think they bought the mine. Then they'd show why they wanted it.

[Andy Gardner]

Well, I'll be doggone. They showed us where the gold was and on top of that paid us back twice as much as we did. Paid them for that no good claim they sold us.

[Steve Gardner]

Now you can go east and get all the fancy doctrine you need.

[Andy Gardner]

Look here, Stevie. I don't need no doctrine. The mask fell, made us rich. And the engine made me. Well, them two fellers beat anything I ever.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on, Silver. We're heading for Prairie Grove. Tyler's waiting for us.

[Andy Gardner]

Tilt it's Sam.

[Narrator]

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

[Andy Gardner]

Wait.

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