Burning Sands | Ranger Bill (05-16-54)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode: Burning Sands | Ranger Bill
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: May 16, 1954 (Podcast release: December 27, 2025)

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Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns features a remastered broadcast of the classic “Ranger Bill” episode titled "Burning Sands." The story follows Ranger Bill Jefferson and his companions as they become concerned for Joshua Webb, an aging “desert rat” with a lifelong obsession for gold prospecting, after he heads into the perilous desert. The drama explores themes of adventure, the dangers and allure of the untamed West, and the tension between wanderlust and the comforts of community.

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Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

1. Opening Scene: The General Store at Knotty Pine

• (02:54-04:39) The episode opens on a tranquil day in the town of Knotty Pine.
• Bill, Stumpy, Ralph, and Gray Wolf stroll to Mark Daggert's general store—an Old West holdover where locals gather to swap tales.
• The camaraderie is evident as the rangers tease Stumpy about the truthfulness of his stories.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Stumpy Jenkins: "I'll give you the whole truth and nothing but the truth." (04:25)

2. Joshua Webb’s Gold Fever

• (06:00-07:04) Joshua Webb, a grizzled prospector, arrives and reveals a small gold find. He basks in the attention but withholds the location, hinting at the ever-elusive promise of wealth just beyond reach.
• The townsfolk reflect on the hardships and obsession of prospecting.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Ralph: "Joshua's getting to be an old man now. The heat of the desert is hard enough for a young man to take at this time of year, so say nothing about a man of 70." (08:25)
  • Stumpy Jenkins: "All this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done." (01:52)

3. Joshua Returns to the Desert

• (09:18-10:16) The rangers spot Joshua headed back into the desert. Despite concerns about his age and the heat, Joshua is resolute.
  • Quote:
    • Joshua Webb: "No, no, I can’t do that, Gray Wolf. I get the itch if I set a spell. Got to keep going." (09:45)

4. Rangers on the Trail / Work and Warnings

• (11:16-14:48) As the rangers work on forest maintenance, conversation continues about Joshua’s dangerous passion.
• Concern grows after Joshua fails to return to town, sparking fears that something may have happened.
• The decision is made to start a search if he hasn't returned within two days.
  • Quote:
    • Stumpy Jenkins: "Oh, Josh could squeeze water out of a stone if he put his mind to it." (14:43)

5. The Search for Joshua

• (15:45-16:41) When Joshua still hasn't returned, Bill, Ralph, Stumpy, and Gray Wolf head out into the desert. The environment is described as merciless, and their search becomes increasingly desperate.

  • Quote:
    • Stumpy Jenkins: "Burning sand, gray wolf. Miles and miles of nothing else but." (15:58)

• (24:19-25:04) The team faces their own hardship with heat and dwindling water supplies after a rattlesnake spooks the horses, causing canteens to be lost.

  • Quote:
    • Bill Jefferson: "I bet you could fry a steak in my saddle horn. This is terrible. How could Josh stand this year in and year out?" (24:19)

• (27:02-29:12) The rangers deduce Joshua may have gone to Lonesome Mountain—a place with water and a possible gold source—but risk running out of water themselves.

• The trek tests their endurance to the limits.

6. Resolution: Tragedy and Reflection

• (29:45-31:00) The rangers find Joshua Webb, collapsed near a waterhole with a note:

  "Bill Jefferson, I know you are following. My heart gave out. All the gold in the world wouldn’t buy me water when I needed it… Not sorry dying this way. Bury me on Lonesome… that’s as far as he got." (30:35)

• The team reflects philosophically on Joshua’s fate:

  • Stumpy Jenkins: "Well, he went just the way he wanted to go. Out on the desert in the mountains looking for gold." (31:00)
  • Stumpy suggests Joshua knew his time was near and sought a solitary, meaningful end:
    • "Joshua knew his time was near and all he wanted to do was go across the desert and up into Lonesome Mountain to meet the Lord." (31:24)

• They bury Joshua as promised, honoring the rugged individualism and the costs of an unyielding quest.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gold Fever:
  • Bill Jefferson: "His kind always die with their boots on. There’s not much you can do about it." (08:40)
• Facing Death in the Desert:
  • Bill Jefferson (reading Joshua's note): "All the gold in the world wouldn’t buy me water when I needed it." (30:35)
• Sense of Community:
  • Stumpy Jenkins: "You can stay at my place just as long as you please. Ain’t nothing fancy, but it’s homey." (18:40)
• Rugged Wisdom:
  • Stumpy Jenkins: "You can always die when you can't do nothing else." (29:25)

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Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:54 | Rangers visit the old general store | | 06:00 | Joshua shows off his gold find | | 09:18 | Joshua returns to the desert; concern for his safety | | 14:48 | Rangers resolve to search for Joshua if he doesn't return | | 15:45 | Search party sets out | | 24:19 | Water loss incident in desert / growing peril | | 27:02 | Deduction that Joshua's likely gone to Lonesome Mountain | | 29:45 | The rangers find Joshua near death and his farewell note | | 31:00 | Burial and reflections on Joshua’s life and choices |

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Finale & Tone

The episode blends lighthearted humor, camaraderie, and poignant realism about the risks and obsessions of frontier life. The narrative voice is gentle yet gritty, capturing the warmth of ranger friendship and the sobering fate of a man loyal to his own code.

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Summary for New Listeners:
"Burning Sands" offers a vivid window into the golden age of radio drama, balancing wry banter with a somber meditation on legacy and longing. Through Joshua Webb’s story, the episode illustrates the pitfalls and romance of relentless ambition—and the steadfast bonds of concern, duty, and respect that define the ranger community.

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Transcript

[Safeway/Albertsons Announcer]

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[Andrew Rines (Host)]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines and I'm excited to bring you another episode. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. You can find more Western shows at our website by going to otrwesterns.com now let's get into this episode.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Ranger bill, warrior of the woodland.

[Bill Jefferson]

Ranger Bill, Warrior of the woodland. Struggling against extreme odds. Traveling dangerous trails, Fighting the many enemies of nature. This is the job of the guardian of the Forest. Ranger Bill Pouring rain, freezing cold, blistering heat, Snow, floods. Bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions. Yes. All this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done.

[Safeway/Albertsons Announcer]

With this week's member price and digital coupons at Safeway and Albertsons. USDA Choice Beef Boneless Tri Tip Steak value packs are $4.97 a pound limit to and selected varieties of propel, Rockstar Energy, Gatorade or Gatorade water 12 to 28 ounces or 97 cents each limit 10 plus medium avocados sold by each or Roma tomatoes sold by the pound are four for $5 with member price. Visit safewayoralbertsons.com for more deals and ways to save.

[Bill Jefferson]

This is a lazy day in Knotty Pine. Rangers are strolling down one of the town's shady streets, heading toward the town's old general store. The old store is a landmark of the days when the west was wild and woolly and it's run by Mark Daggert. Many of the townsfolk visit the Store to hear the old cowhands and prospectors. Desert rats as they call them. Swaps yarns. Now let's join Bill and the boys as they head for the store. Little do they know that they're heading for one of the most grueling experiences of their lives. Listen now for the story Burning Sand. You know, Bill, I like to visit Mark's store. Smacks of the Old West. Sort of gives you a feeling that you're living back in those times again.

[Ralph]

Yes, Ralph, there's a lot of history centered in Mark's old general store. Now I get a kick out of listening those old cowpokes and desert rats spinning their yarns, each trying to outdo the other.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Yes sir, there's a lot of competition there.

[Bill Jefferson]

You don't think that most of their stories are made up, do you Bill? No.

[Ralph]

Essentially there's a lot more truth in them than most people think. Of course, the old timers do add a little color to their yarns.

[Bill Jefferson]

Like somebody else we know of.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Now see here, young feller, don't look at me that way. I'd have you know I don't color up my yarns.

[Gray Wolf]

Not even a little bit.

[Bill Jefferson]

Stumpy?

[Ralph]

Nope.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

I'll give you the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, maybe you just put a little tint to your tails, huh Stumpy?

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Well, maybe I should say. I guess I do sort of tint em up once in a while just.

[Ralph]

To make em interesting. Quit picking on the old timer fellas. You enjoy Stumpy's yarns just as much as the rest of us.

[Gray Wolf]

It looked like a big crowd in store. Many old timers there.

[Bill Jefferson]

Yeah, maybe we'll see some more hair raising tales about the old engine days.

[Ralph]

Well, whoever has the floor, it's my guess that Stumpy will go him one better.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Now wait a minute, Pandora.

[Bill Jefferson]

Give him a chance, boys. That's right, Stumpy.

[Ralph]

Five of them.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Yes, five. What's the matter? Were you two fellers weak that day or just plumb lazy?

[Bill Jefferson]

Now you see here you old cougar.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

I should have taken only one of you to finish five of them off. The other could have gone about his business. Is that right?

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, I ain't seen you do any better.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

You ain't? Did I ever tell you about the frakies? Me and Big Jim Hansen had Hooker pass with a gang of desperados. Why I'm telling you when I. Josh.

[Gray Wolf]

Where you been keeping yourself, Joshua? Ain't seen you for a month of Sundays.

[Joshua Webb]

Oh, I been busy, Mark.

[Gray Wolf]

Suppose you've been Looking for gold again, huh, Josh?

[Joshua Webb]

That's right. Been prospecting. What'd you expect from an old desert rat like me?

[Bill Jefferson]

When are you gonna give up looking for fool's gold, Josh?

[Joshua Webb]

I expect when they dig your grave, they'll find gold, Joshua. You got gold fever that bad, fools? Gold, eh?

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Gold fever.

[Joshua Webb]

Let me show you fellows something that'll make your eyes bulge. There it is, boys. You think I've been wasting my time on the desert, huh?

[Gray Wolf]

You haven't got gold in that sack, Josh.

[Joshua Webb]

I ain't, huh? What'd you call this?

[Ralph]

Look at that.

[Joshua Webb]

Don't stand there with your mouth open. My dagger set me up some supplies and grub. I got some more work to do. Ain't nothing to get excited about.

[Gray Wolf]

What do you mean, Joshua? Ain't gold findings like that something to get excited about?

[Bill Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Joshua Webb]

No, it ain't. This was just a small pocket and I cleaned it out.

[Gray Wolf]

Where'd you find the small pocket, Josh?

[Joshua Webb]

Now, that would be telling, wouldn't it? Why don't you go out and hunt your own gold like I've been doing for 30 years.

[Gray Wolf]

Fellows, that was big. Thrill to see Joshua pour gold nuggets out on counter. And easy to understand how men catch gold fever.

[Ralph]

That's right, Grey Wolf. But old Joshua's been prospecting for 30 years. And this is only the fourth small find he's made. Not much reward after all, is it?

[Bill Jefferson]

A lot of work for a little pay, if you ask me.

[Gray Wolf]

Almost like work for nothing.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Yep, that ain't the worst part of it, young feller. When you think of a desert rat's being on the hot sand and in the cold mountains year in and year out, all by himself. Never gets to see people. Lives like a hermit, just him and his burro. Why, it's awful.

[Gray Wolf]

Skin get like old horse hide from sun. Wind get frostbite in cold winter. Not much satisfaction.

[Ralph]

I think you fellas forget that these desert rats wouldn't have it any other way. And if that's the way Joshua wants to live, that's his business. The only thing is, I think he's flirting with real danger if he keeps going out there in the desert. Now, what do you mean?

[Bill Jefferson]

Is it any more dangerous now than it was before, Bill?

[Ralph]

For him, it is. Joshua's getting to be an old man now. The heat of the desert is hard enough for a young man to take at this time of the year. So say nothing about a man of 70, Josh. Better be careful.

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, his kind always die with their boots on. There's not much you can do about it. What's on the docket for tomorrow?

[Ralph]

Hard work. That's all I can tell you now. Rest well tonight we hit the trail for three weeks in the morning.

[Bill Jefferson]

Where are we heading first, Bill?

[Ralph]

Up the Long Ridge Trail, Ralph.

[Bill Jefferson]

Huh?

[Ralph]

We got some scrub to clean out of a virgin stand of pine. Then we head for the North Forks and repair the soil conservation dams there.

[Gray Wolf]

Somebody enrolled ahead. Say, it looked like old Joshua Whip.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Hey, not only looks like old Josh, it is him. He must be going back into the desert.

[Ralph]

Let's stop and talk with him for a minute. Woes tomorrow.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Hello, Joshua.

[Joshua Webb]

Howdy, Bill. Howdy, fellas.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Howdy, Josh.

[Ralph]

Heading out into the desert again, Josh?

[Joshua Webb]

Yep, that's what I'm doing.

[Gray Wolf]

Why you not take it easy for a while, Joshua?

[Joshua Webb]

No, no, I can't do that, Gray Wolf. I get the itch if I set a spell. Got to keep going.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Wouldn't hurt you any to set a spell, you old desert rat. Someday you gonna overdo it. You'll set permanent six feet under.

[Joshua Webb]

Never you mind, Stumpy Jenkins. I'm old enough to take care of myself.

[Ralph]

I'm sure you are, Josh. But Stumpy's right just the same. It's awfully hot out there in the desert. You're not a young man anymore. You could at least stay in town until the summer's over.

[Joshua Webb]

Are you fellows are trying to keep me from finding gold? Why don't you mind your own business? I can take care of myself.

[Ralph]

I didn't mean to offend you, Josh. I only wanted to remind you that it's dangerous. It's 120 degrees out there at this time of the year.

[Joshua Webb]

I don't need your advice, I tell you.

[Ralph]

All right. So long, Josh. Let's go, boys.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Come on.

[Ralph]

Gray Wolf. We'll have to cut down this tree. It's too far gone. The disease may spread.

[Gray Wolf]

Ah, good.

[Ralph]

You cut the fall guide, will you? Well, I start on the underside and cut away the trunk.

[Gray Wolf]

Okay, Bill. This tree not too big. Not take long.

[Ralph]

Sam.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Say, Ralph, this is a two man saw.

[Bill Jefferson]

Yeah, that's right. Stumpy, why don't you pull on your end?

[Stumpy Jenkins]

I would, only you were riding the saw.

[Bill Jefferson]

Yes, but my feet aren't dragging like yours, old Timer.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Okay, sonny, I guess you're on the ball today. I thought I could get one up on you.

[Bill Jefferson]

Not today, Stumpy.

[Gray Wolf]

Every time some fellow bends elbow, his mouth fall open.

[Ralph]

Yeah, and the proof of it is that we are almost through our log. They're only halfway.

[Bill Jefferson]

Is that so? What do you say we race them, Stumpy? Let's see who gets through first.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Okay, sonny, let's pour a little elbow grease in this here. So let her r.

[Ralph]

Our job is to trap some of these trout and put tags on them.

[Gray Wolf]

You study their traveling habits, Bill.

[Ralph]

Right. Ralph, would you like to set out those water traps?

[Bill Jefferson]

Sure, I'll have them in there in a jiffy, Bill.

[Ralph]

And Gray Wolf, you take motion pictures of the schools of trout swimming by.

[Gray Wolf]

Oh, me do?

[Stumpy Jenkins]

What's that for, youngster?

[Ralph]

Well, the idea is later we can set the projector on slow motion and count the number of trout that have passed the camera in a given length of time.

[Gray Wolf]

That give us idea how many fish in river to spawn and go back downstream.

[Ralph]

Yes, you see, we'll count that number that passed in a 15 minute period, multiply by four to get an hourly figure, then a day, then a week and so forth. Only approximate, of course, but the figure comes out amazingly close.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Well, they've sure come a long way since I first started working from Uncle Sam.

[Bill Jefferson]

Town seems kind of crowded after being on the trail three weeks, doesn't it, Bill?

[Ralph]

Sure does, Ralph. Say, I wonder if Joshua Webb came back. He'd been gone three weeks. Didn't have more than two and a half weeks supplies with him when he left.

[Gray Wolf]

I hope old timer make great.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Say, Mark's store is just down the road a piece. Let's stop by and see.

[Gray Wolf]

No, Bill, I ain't seen Joshua. Which ain't no surprise to me. That guy's got gold fever so bad he don't have sense enough to come in out of the heat.

[Ralph]

Do you think he could stretch his supplies this long, Mark? Three weeks now?

[Gray Wolf]

Maybe he'd short racing himself, make the supplies last that much longer, that's all.

[Bill Jefferson]

It's possible that he could stretch his food and water a whole week longer that way.

[Ralph]

Yep.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Oh, Josh could squeeze water out of a stone if he put his mind to it.

[Ralph]

All right, I'll buy that for two days, fellas. But if Joshua doesn't show up in that time, we're going out on the desert and look for him.

[Gray Wolf]

Say, Bill, look hard for Joshua Webb, will ya? As much fun as I poke at him, I still like the old desert rat. And I hope you find him in time.

[Ralph]

Oh, so easy, boy, easy. I will find him, Mark. I hope we're not too late though. We'll let you know as soon as we can. What's happened. All right, strong boy, let's go. Come on. Don't let the pack horses drag Ralph. Keep them stepping along.

[Bill Jefferson]

Okay, Bill. I'll keep moving.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Where do you figure to look first? For Josh, Will.

[Ralph]

We'll follow his trail going out in the desert and watch for a back trail.

[Gray Wolf]

Must be out on desert soon. It's plenty hot there now.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Burning sand, gray wolf. Miles and miles of nothing else but.

[Gray Wolf]

Hit plenty hard on man and animal.

[Ralph]

We better slow down once we get out in the sand. The horses couldn't take this pace. And that heat.

[Bill Jefferson]

Hey, fellas, look. Yeah, over by that bunch of scrub. There's something laying on the ground.

[Ralph]

Great Scott, there's a burro standing there, too. Come on.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Well, looks like the gold fever finally got the old feller.

[Ralph]

Blow storm.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Whoa there, Matildy.

[Ralph]

Yeah, Josh. All right, he's still alive. We'll try to revive him as much as we can, then get him to the hospital. How's our prospecting friend coming along, Doc?

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, if you're talking about this old desert rat, Bill, he's doing fine. Week of rest, he'll be up and around. Bundy shouldn't go back out in the desert again for a long while. Well, you talk with him a while. I've got to finish making rounds. I'll see you later, fellows.

[Ralph]

So long, Doc.

[Joshua Webb]

Imagine him telling me I can't go back out in the desert for a long time. No man is going to tell me what to do.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Why, you old buzzard. It would do you good to listen to some sound advice once in your life.

[Bill Jefferson]

You're too cantankerous, remember, Josh, you're not a spring chicken anymore.

[Gray Wolf]

You flirt with death. If you go back there now.

[Joshua Webb]

Ain'T you going to give me a piece of your mind, too, Bill?

[Ralph]

I was just getting ready to.

[Joshua Webb]

Joshua, I'll go ahead.

[Ralph]

I agree with my Rangers and the doctor. You'd be endangering your own life if you went out in the desert again. But there's more to it than that.

[Joshua Webb]

What do you mean?

[Ralph]

I mean you ought to start enjoying life a little. Mix in with people more.

[Joshua Webb]

No, I like prospecting too much to be bothered with people.

[Ralph]

Gold won't buy your life back if you lost it, Joshua.

[Joshua Webb]

I ain't afraid to die, young man. When the good Lord's ready to call me home. I'm ready.

[Ralph]

That's good. But think of the things in life that you've missed that every human being enjoys. You've got enough money from your last strike to tide you over for the rest of your life.

[Gray Wolf]

Ah, that right?

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Why, sure, Josh. You and me could go hunting and fishing together. We could set a spell over in Mark's store and talk with the boys of an evening.

[Joshua Webb]

Now you got me thinking that I might like staying in town.

[Ralph]

Well, why not give it a try for a while?

[Joshua Webb]

Well, I might, but I ain't got no place to stay.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Why, you old walrus, you can stay at my place just as long as you please. Ain't nothing fancy, but it's homey.

[Joshua Webb]

Thanks, Stumpy. I think I'll take you up on that and try civilized life for a while.

[Ralph]

Then you're definitely going to give up prospecting for gold in the desert? Judgment in the desert? Yes, Bill, you know there's gold in.

[Joshua Webb]

More places than the desert.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Oh, sure.

[Ralph]

Well, Josh, it's come down to this then. Are you going to give up prospecting or aren't you? Yep.

[Joshua Webb]

Yep, I am going to give it up. From now on, I'm going to enjoy life.

[Ralph]

Just put it there. You've made a good decision.

[Safeway/Albertsons Announcer]

With this week's member price and digital coupons at Safeway and Albertsons USDA Choice Beef Boneless Tri Tip Steak Value Packs are $4.97 a pound limit to and selected varieties of propel, Rockstar Energy, Gatorade or Gatorade water 12 to 28 ounces are 97 cents each. Limit 10 plus medium avocados sold by each or Roma tomatoes sold by the pound are four for $5 with member price. Visit safewayoralbertsons.com for more deals and ways to save.

[T-Mobile/US Cellular Advertiser]

Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T Mobile and US Cellular are joining forces. Switch to T Mobile and save up to 20% versus Verizon by getting built in benefits they leave out. Check the math@t mobile.com switch and now T mobile is in US cellular stores.

[T-Mobile Plan Details Announcer]

Savings versus Comparable Verizon plans plus the cost of optional benefits, plan features and taxes and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third line free via monthly bill credits. Credit stop if you cancel any lines. Qualifying credit required.

[Safeway/Albertsons Announcer]

With this week's member price and digital coupons. It's Safeway and Albertsons USDA Choice Beef Boneless Tri Tip Steak Value Packs are $4.97 a pound limit 2 and selected varieties of Propel, Rockstar Energy, Gatorade or Gatorade Water 12-28 oz or 97 cents each. Limit 10 plus medium avocados sold by each or Roma tomatoes sold by the pound are four for $5 with member price. Visit safewayoralbertsons.com for more deals and ways to save.

[Ralph]

Fellas we'll have to get packed as fast as we can. Tom says the scotch pine up at the North Forks have been hit by a strange new disease. They're wasting away.

[Gray Wolf]

That beautiful stand worth much money?

[Ralph]

That's right. We can't afford to lose either the beauty or the money. Ralph, you finish packing the burros. I'm going back to the office and get the portable lamp. We've got to make a thorough study of this new disease. Okay.

[Bill Jefferson]

Burros will be ready by the time you get back. Gray Wolf, give me a hand with this diamond hitch, will you?

[Gray Wolf]

Oh, sure thing.

[Ralph]

Hey, somebody's coming in a big hurry.

[Gray Wolf]

Plenty quick he hits Stumpy.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Whoa, there.

[Ralph]

What's wrong, Stumpy? Why all the hurry?

[Stumpy Jenkins]

I rode over to tell you about Josh. He ain't been home for two days.

[Ralph]

Well, why didn't you tell us sooner, old timer?

[Stumpy Jenkins]

I didn't think much about it, Bill. The first night he could have stayed at Mark Dagger's house. But when he didn't come home last night, I begun to get worried.

[Bill Jefferson]

Do you think he's gone back on his promise, Bill?

[Ralph]

I don't know, Ralph. Did he give you any reason to believe he might go back out in the desert, Stumpy?

[Stumpy Jenkins]

You can't say he did, sonny.

[Ralph]

Nope.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Nary a hint.

[Gray Wolf]

What we do now, Bill?

[Ralph]

Well, we're going out on the trail anyway. Let's stop at Mark's store and find out if Joshua bought supplies. If he did, the scotch pine will have to wait until we find him. He's certainly in no condition to make a prospecting trip.

[Gray Wolf]

I'm sorry I can't help you, Bill. Old Joshua didn't buy supplies for me, nor has he been staying here.

[Ralph]

You wouldn't be covering up for the old desert rat because he broke his promise to me, would you, Mark?

[Gray Wolf]

Of course I wouldn't. It might cost Joshua his life if it did. I agree with you and the doc. Joshua's prospecting days are over, his heart being what it is.

[Bill Jefferson]

Maybe he got his supplies from some other store in town, Bill.

[Ralph]

Yes, Ralph. He could easily have done that. Lets spread out and ask all the stores if they've seen the old gentle report. Back here in two hours.

[Gray Wolf]

No, I haven't seen Joshua Webb, Stumpy.

[Bill Jefferson]

Sorry Joshua didn't buy supplies for me, Bill.

[Joshua Webb]

Joshua ain't been in my store for a coon's age, Ralph.

[Bill Jefferson]

Gray Wolf.

[Ralph]

He hasn't been near here for six months.

[Joshua Webb]

Yes, Joshua was here, Bill. He bought himself some grub in the burrow. Also some prospecting tools. He was muttering something about he couldn't sit around and do nothing all the time.

[Ralph]

That's what I was afraid of. Thanks, Barry. Come on, boys. We're going after Joshua.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

You mean out on the desert this time of year?

[Ralph]

Stumpy, you don't mean that. We're going to get Joshua before the desert gets him, understand?

[Stumpy Jenkins]

I'm not holding back. But with a hundred miles of hot sand out there, it's going to be mighty rugged.

[Ralph]

Phew.

[Joshua Webb]

Oh, boy.

[Bill Jefferson]

I bet you could fry a steak in my saddle horn. This is terrible. How could Josh stand this year in and year out?

[Ralph]

I don't know, Ralph. I think he had to be made of rubber and rod. Let's rest a minute, fellas. Most time. Poor boy.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Thank the Lord it's only a couple more hours until sundown. Better wet our horses and burrows. Mouths, huh?

[Gray Wolf]

Good. It's me. Take water bag and help Ralph.

[Ralph]

Yeah.

[Bill Jefferson]

Hold this pan, will you? Gray wolf?

[Ralph]

Don't you fellas take any more than that, either? It's better to drink more water at night to catch up on the dehydration that takes place during the day.

[Bill Jefferson]

How do these old desert rats stand this heat? I don't even care to keep my eyes open, it's so hot.

[Gray Wolf]

120 degrees. No wonder Josh look like prune.

[Ralph]

Okay, let's push on, fellas. A high wind could come up and wipe out Joshua's trail. Let's follow it while we can.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Sand in my teeth, sand in my ears, sand in my eyes and sand in my food and water. Why didn't Josh stay home instead of coming out here like an old fool?

[Bill Jefferson]

What's the use of complaining, Stumpy? Got a job to do. Let's do it. Sure glad for sundown, though. After three days in this heat, it starts to wear on you.

[Ralph]

Not only on us, Ralph, but on the animals, too. Better all get some sleep. I want to push on as soon as the moon comes up. Let's shake a leg, fellas. We want to gain time before it gets too hot.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Hey, that's a rattlesnake. Watch the horses and barrels. I'll get up.

[Bill Jefferson]

Hold up. Hold on.

[Ralph]

Ralph. Those water bottles.

[Bill Jefferson]

Watch them.

[Gray Wolf]

Get that snake before we lose horses.

[Ralph]

Still. Still.

[Bill Jefferson]

Horses have kicked their water bottles in.

[Ralph]

Oh, no. How many bags were damaged, Ralph? All of them. And the only water we have is what's in our canteens.

[Bill Jefferson]

That's right.

[Gray Wolf]

That's very bad.

[Bill Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Ralph]

Well, let's get the horses and burros. Be on our way here.

[Gray Wolf]

Storm, I guess. Best thing to do is go ahead. Bill.

[Ralph]

Yes, Grew. There must be water somewhere close to Joshua's prospecting grounds.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Yeah, but we don't know where that is.

[Ralph]

I'm beginning to have a notion as to the place. But we'll keep following the trail. Right now it'd be more dangerous to go back than to go on.

[Gray Wolf]

How far we must go to trail Joshua. He must stop someplace and dig.

[Ralph]

Keep following the trail, Gray Wolf. Bill. Bill. Can we have just a little water for ourselves? Ralph, use your hand. There's only a quarter of a canteen left. Must keep that for the horses. Even the burros will have to wait.

[Gray Wolf]

Far we go, Bill. Maybe we follow a wrong trail.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

I don't figure Josh would have come all this way.

[Ralph]

Stumpy, let me tell you something. Remember when Josh told me all the gold wasn't in the desert?

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Huh?

[Gray Wolf]

Yes, I remember.

[Ralph]

To me, that means only one place. Lonesome Mountain. There's water there. There's gotta be. And what if.

[Bill Jefferson]

What if you're wrong, Bill?

[Ralph]

It'll be my last mistake. There's the mountain up ahead, fellas. There's a piece of Joshua's gear for us. We're on the right track. Yes, but how much farther? I can't go on. You've got to rather. One more day should do it. We'll leave the burros here and all our gear. Travel as light as possible. Let's go while we can. Again.

[Gray Wolf]

Don't talk, Bill. We go on. Like you say. Nobody talk. Just ride until horses drop. And then walk and then crawl.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

You can always die when you can't do nothing else. Water in a horseshoe.

[Ralph]

Water.

[Bill Jefferson]

Oh, luxury. I could stand here all day and pour this cool water over my my head.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

And ruin your $10 shirt.

[Gray Wolf]

I not care man. Worth my life.

[Ralph]

Fellas, look over by that flat rock. There's a man's hand. Poor Josh. With water a hundred feet away. You lay down and died.

[Gray Wolf]

Here is note and some gold nuggets.

[Bill Jefferson]

What's he say, Bill?

[Ralph]

Well, he says, Bill Jefferson, I know you are following My heart gave out all the gold in the world. Wouldn't buy me water when I needed it. Not sorry dying this way. Bury me on Lonesome. That's as far as he got.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Well, he went just the way he wanted to go. Out on the desert in the mountains looking for gold.

[Ralph]

Ralph, Gray Wolf, get the burros and the gear when you get back. We'll have a little service for Joshua Webb just before we bury him.

[Gray Wolf]

Do you think it was a gold fever made Josh break his promise?

[Stumpy Jenkins]

Nope, I don't. I've got a notion. Joshua knew his time was near and all he wanted to do was go across the desert and up into Lonesome Mountain to meet the Lord.

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[Bill Jefferson]

Well, I guess that's the story, boys and girls. The story of Joshua Webb, Desert rat who just wouldn't stay where he was put. Well, we'll see you next week for.

[Stumpy Jenkins]

More adventure with Ranger Bill.

[Ralph]

Sam. Foreign.

[Andrew Rines (Host)]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com Become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands Steve and Ron W. Who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate. Send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739 this episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright for more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

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[Ralph]

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