Old Time Radio Westerns: "Cloudy Waters" | The Lone Ranger (03-13-42)

Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode: Cloudy Waters | The Lone Ranger
Date: February 11, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of the "Old Time Radio Westerns" podcast features a digitally restored rendition of "Cloudy Waters," a classic Lone Ranger drama from 1942. In this story, the Lone Ranger and his steadfast companion Tonto set out to expose the criminal acts of Benjamin Steel, the powerful and ruthless rancher dominating Tomahawk Basin. Amid cattle country rivalries and schemes to poison scarce water sources, the masked hero battles injustice with courage and integrity, ultimately restoring hope to beleaguered ranchers.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Introduction of the Conflict and the Villain (02:54–06:34)

• The Lone Ranger and Tonto are camped near Tomahawk Basin, gathering evidence against Benjamin Steel, who is suspected of criminal activity.
• A tense confrontation occurs when Steel himself approaches, brazen and unafraid, knowing there’s no proof against him.
• Steel tries to intimidate the Lone Ranger, warning, “If you try to stop me, you’ll end up six feet underground in your grave.” (05:27)

Quote:

“You’re the coolest hombre I ever met outside of myself.”
— Benjamin Steel (04:11)

2. Poisoned Waterhole: Suspicion and Accusations (07:04–11:13)

• Mr. Carey and his daughter Abby, soon joined by ranch hand Ted Bailey, discover a waterhole has been poisoned—saved from drinking only by the Lone Ranger’s intervention.
• The blame is tossed between the parties, but clear evidence is shown when Tonto produces a dead jackrabbit from the water’s edge.
• Mr. Carey, despairing over lost water for his cattle, contemplates accepting Steel’s offer to buy them out.

Quote:

“If you’d taken a drink of that water, you wouldn’t be working for Steel much longer. The water’s poisoned.”
— The Lone Ranger (08:53)

3. Steel’s Manipulation and Mr. Carey’s Temptation to Sell (11:45–15:02)

• Steel feigns sympathy and renews his offer to buy Carey’s ranch, using the poisoned water as leverage.
• The Lone Ranger intervenes just as Carey is about to sign, smashing the inkwell and halting the deal.
• Steel storms off, his scheme momentarily thwarted.

Notable Moment:

“There’s a pen dipped right in the ink well. What the—the masked man put a smash—the inkwell’s ink all over the bill of sale!”
— Benjamin Steel (14:30)

4. Desperation and Divided Loyalties (16:13–17:56)

• After the confrontation, Carey pushes away the Lone Ranger, angry but conflicted.
• Despite Carey’s resistance, the Lone Ranger resolves to help him regardless—recognizing Steel’s cunning.

Quote:

“We may not corner Steel, but at least we can try and save Carey. He’s mad like crazy buffalo. And we’ll help him in spite of himself.”
— The Lone Ranger (17:31)

5. The Impostor Plot and a New Danger (18:02–22:25)

• Steel and his foreman Breed conspire to further frame the Lone Ranger by poisoning another waterhole and sending an impostor (in mask and white horse) to be seen riding away.
• Ted Bailey is manipulated into delivering the message that Carey can free graze his cows at Steel’s waterhole, not knowing the deadly setup.

Quote:

“We can use Ted Bailey. You listen now. I tell you...”
— Breed, plotting with Steel (19:20)

6. Ted’s Good News, Romance, and the Poison Trap (22:25–24:01)

• Ted delivers Steel’s “generous” message to Carey, who is grateful for the apparent act of neighborliness.
• Abby and Ted’s relationship sweetens, culminating in Ted’s proposal and Abby’s acceptance as they herd the cattle toward the poisoned waterhole.

Quote:

“Miss Abby, I haven’t asked your father yet. But—Abby, will you marry me?”
— Ted Bailey (23:20)

7. The Showdown at the Waterhole (24:01–27:26)

• As the herd nears the poisoned waterhole, an impostor Lone Ranger is seen fleeing the scene.
• The real Lone Ranger arrives from the opposite direction, warning them that someone is trying to frame him and poison their cattle.
• He speeds off after the imposter.

Memorable Action Sequence:

Abby, awestruck by Silver’s speed, roots for the Lone Ranger in pursuit:
“Look at that white stallion race over the ground. Why, he’s twice as fast as that other horse. Look!”
— Abby (25:00)

8. Justice Served: The Poisoner Exposed (25:17–27:26)

• The Lone Ranger captures Breed and returns him for judgment. Breed’s guilt is dramatically revealed when he refuses to drink from the poisoned well:

“The water is poison—if I drink, I die.”
— Breed, compelled to confess (26:33)

• Tonto and the Lone Ranger had previously removed the poison, using deceit to expose the real villain.

9. Resolution and Departure (27:26–End)

• Mr. Carey can now water his cattle, and their land is saved.
• The Lone Ranger quietly departs, his job done—having asked for no thanks, leaving only his lasting impression.

Quote:

“He didn’t wait for thanks, but we’ll be eternally grateful, whoever he...”
— Abby (27:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|--------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:11 | Benjamin Steel | “You’re the coolest hombre I ever met outside of myself.” | | 05:27 | Benjamin Steel | “If you try to stop me, you’ll end up six feet underground in your grave.”| | 08:53 | The Lone Ranger | “If you’d taken a drink of that water, you wouldn’t be working for Steel much longer. The water’s poisoned.”| | 14:30 | Benjamin Steel | “The masked man put a smash—the inkwell’s ink all over the bill of sale!”| | 17:31 | The Lone Ranger | “We may not corner Steel, but at least we can try and save Carey. He’s mad like crazy buffalo. And we’ll help him in spite of himself.”| | 23:20 | Ted Bailey | “Miss Abby, I haven’t asked your father yet. But—Abby, will you marry me?”| | 25:00 | Abby | “Look at that white stallion race over the ground. Why, he’s twice as fast as that other horse. Look!”| | 26:33 | Breed | “The water is poison—if I drink, I die.” | | 27:38 | Abby | “He didn’t wait for thanks, but we’ll be eternally grateful, whoever he...”|

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:54] – Initial confrontation with Benjamin Steel
• [07:04] – The poisoned waterhole discovered
• [11:45] – Mr. Carey considers selling to Steel
• [14:30] – Lone Ranger halts the deal with a dramatic move
• [16:13] – Carey expels the Lone Ranger in despair
• [18:02] – Steel and Breed plot a new scheme
• [22:25] – Drive to the new waterhole; wedding proposal
• [24:01] – Apparent sighting of the masked man, waterhole showdown
• [25:17] – Lone Ranger captures the true villain
• [27:26] – Resolution and gratitude; Lone Ranger’s departure

Tone and Style

The dialogue and narration remain quintessentially Old West: brisk, direct, full of period flavor (“draw up a chair,” “cattle die of thirst,” “mad like crazy buffalo”). Tension, suspicion, integrity, and rural humor color the exchanges, keeping the story moving swiftly toward justice.

In Summary

"Cloudy Waters" is a classic Lone Ranger episode showcasing themes of justice, cunning villainy, the hardship of honest ranchers, and the unwavering resolve of a masked hero. Enhanced by modern audio restoration, the episode captures the timeless battle of good versus evil—replete with cliffhangers, a romantic side-plot, and a satisfying triumph over corruption in the Old West. As always, the Lone Ranger rides off before receiving thanks, his legend secured in the grateful hearts of those he saves.